To study relationship between genetic factor and level of blood lipid.
Levels of blood lipid and difference in apolipoprotein E (apo-E) allele frequencies were compared in 86 offspring in seven Uigur longevity families and 62 offspring in nine Uigur non-longevity families and their relationship was explored.
After adjustment for age and occupation, blood indicators related to atherosclerosis were all lower in the offspring of longevity families than in non-longevity families, and those correlated inversely with it were higher in the former. Blood levels of triglyceride and apo-B were significant lower (P < 0.05) and the ratio of HDL-ch to LDL-ch was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in male offspring of longevity families than of non-longevity families. The ratio of apo-A to apo-B was significantly higher in female offspring of longevity families than of non-longevity families. Frequency of epsilon4 allele also was significantly fewer in the offspring of longevity families than of non-longevity ones (P < 0.01). Also, analysis showed that individuals with epsilon4 allele had higher levels of serum total cholesterol, lower density lipoprotein cholesterol and apo-B than those with other alleles.
Average level of blood lipid was better in the offspring of longevity families than that of non-longevity families. apo-E allele polymorphism can in part explain its difference.