APOA5-1131T>C genotype effects on apolipoprotein A5 and triglyceride levels in response to dietary intervention and regular exercise (DIRE) in hypertriglyceridemic subjects

Objective: We aimed to determine the influence of apolipoprotein A5 gene (APOA5)-1131. T> C single nucleotide polymorphism on the effects of dietary intervention and regular exercise (DIRE) targeting ApoA5 and triglyceride (TG) concentrations. Methods: Hypertriglyceridemia patients (TG, 150-500 mg/dL, n= 283) undertook a 12-week DIRE (replacing 1/3 of refined rice in their diets with legumes, increasing vegetable intake, and regular walking). Results: Pre-treatment, no genotype-related differences were detected in ApoA5, TG, or HDL cholesterol levels; however, post-treatment, subjects homozygous (T/. T) for the T allele had lower serum TG (P= 0.009) and higher HDL cholesterol (P= 0.036) than other subjects. In T/. T subjects, after adjustments for age, sex and weight changes (r1) or initial TG levels (r2), changes in ApoA5 levels negatively correlated with TG changes (r1. = -0.29, P= 0.05, r2. = -0.28, P< 0.1) and positively correlated with changes in HDL cholesterol (r1. = 0.30, P< 0.05, r2. = 0.32, P< 0.05) and free fatty acid (r1. = 0.38, P< 0.01, r2. = 0.40, P< 0.01). In those with moderate hypertriglyceridemia (TG, 200-500 mg/dL, n= 130), APOA5-1131. T/. T carriers achieved significantly lower TG (P= 0.007) and higher HDL cholesterol (P< 0.001) than -1131. C allele carriers. Additionally, statistically significant interactions between the -1131. T> C and the compliance of DIRE were found for the change in TG (P= 0.002) and HDL cholesterol (P= 0.039). In good compliance group, T/. T subjects showed greater reduction of TG and higher increase of HDL cholesterol than other subjects. On the other hand, non-good compliance group had no significant improvement in these variables. Conclusions: APOA5-1131. T/. T carriers may benefit more from the DIRE than C allele carriers. These effects were remarkable in patients with moderate hypertriglyceridemia and the individuals with good compliance.