PPAR alpha polymorphisms association with total cholesterol and LDL-C levels in a Mexican population

OBJECTIVE: Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPAR alpha) is a nuclear transcription factor with a role in gene expression changes associated to lipid metabolism. PPAR alpha polymorphic variants have been previously correlated to serum lipid profile but in Mexico, there is no previous report about that association. For this reason, the aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between PPAR alpha polymorphic variants and lipids level in serum in a Mexican population. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Two-hundred and forty women from the Northeast region of Mexico were included in the study. Anthropometric characteristics and serum lipid profile (such as triglycerides. total cholesterol. LDL cholesterol and HDL cholesterol) were evaluated. Genomic DNA extraction and purification were made from blood samples. Real-time PCR and TaqMan probes were used for genotyping of rs1800206 and rs4253778 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). RESULTS: Linear regression analysis (adjusted by age and body mass index (BMI)) showed a significant statistical association of rs4253778 with total cholesterol (p=0.034) and LDL cholesterol (p=0.037). Any significant association was found between rs1800206 and lipid levels. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggested that rs4253778 (C allele) is associated with high levels of total cholesterol and LDL in a Mexican women population.