Decreased plasma C-reactive protein levels in APOE ε 4 allele carriers.

Objective: Apolipoprotein E ( APOE ) ε 4 allele is a well-established risk factor in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Here, we assessed the effects of APOE polymorphism on cardiovascular, metabolic, and inflammation-related parameters in population-based cohorts.

Methods: Association of cardiovascular, metabolic, and inflammation-related parameters with the APOE polymorphism in a large Finnish Metabolic Syndrome in Men (METSIM) cohort and Finnish Geriatric Intervention study to prevent cognitive impairment and disability (FINGER) were investigated. Brain-specific effects were addressed in postmortem brain samples.

Results: Individuals carrying the APOE ε 4 allele displayed significantly elevated serum/plasma LDL cholesterol and apolipoprotein B levels. APOE ε 3 ε 4 and ε 4 ε 4 significantly associated with lower levels of plasma high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP). Plasma amyloid- β 42 (A β 42) and reduced hs-CRP levels showed an association independently of the APOE status.

Interpretation: These data suggest that the APOE ε 4 allele associates with lower levels of hs-CRP in individuals without dementia. Moreover, A β 42 may encompass anti-inflammatory effects reflected by reduced hs-CRP levels.