Apolipoprotein E (APOE) Genotypes in the Israeli population

Background: APOE genotype strongly affects plasma lipid levels and risk for cardiovascular disease and cognitive decline. Studies of apo-e allelic and APOEgenotype frequencies among several populations have revealed interesting ethnic varia-tions that might affect cardiovascular morbidity and cognition deterioration.Objectives: To evaluate apo-e allelic frequency among Israeli newborns based on known variances in APOE allelic frequen-cies in different countries.Methods: We examined 498 consecutive neonates born at Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center. Umbilical cord blood was sam-pled for genotyping and lipids. Birth weights were recorded. Demographics and parental risk factors for atherosclerosis were obtained from the mothers.Results: Most parents were native-born Israelis. Other coun-tries of origin of grandparents were Morocco, Russia, and Iraq. The prevalence of APOEgenotypes in Israel is APOE 2/2: 1.4%, APOE2/3: 8.2%, APOE3/3: 77.7%, and APOE 4/4: 11.8%. There were no associations of APOE genotype with parental country of origin. However, there was a tendency for APOE 3/4 to be more frequent in newborns of parents of Asian and African or-igin. Genotype 3/3 was more frequent in newborns whose par-ents came from Europe and America (78%) compared to those from Asia or Africa (69%). Conclusions: It is important to determine risk factors such as APOE genotype for evaluation of premature atherosclero-sis. Determining genetic and environmental risk factors may facilitate earlier treatment and prevent heart and brain ath-erosclerosis. APOE genotypes did not appear to affect total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, or triglyceride levels in newborns. IMAJ 2022; 24: 803-807