ANGPTL4 variants E40K and T266M are associated with lower fasting triglyceride levels in Non-Hispanic White Americans from the Look AHEAD Clinical Trial
2011

ANGPTL4 Variants and Triglyceride Levels in Type 2 Diabetes

Sample size: 2601 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Melissa C Smart-Halajko, Alyson Kelley-Hedgepeth, Maria Claudia Montefusco, Jackie A Cooper, Alan Kopin, Jeanne M McCaffrey, Ashok Balasubramanyam, Henry J Pownall, David M Nathan, Inga Peter, Philippa J Talmud, Gordon S Huggins

Primary Institution: Division of Cardiovascular Genetics, British Heart Foundation Laboratories, Department of Medicine, Royal Free and UCL Medical School, London, UK

Hypothesis

Are ANGPTL4 E40K and T266M variants associated with triglyceride levels in individuals with obesity and type 2 diabetes?

Conclusion

The ANGPTL4 E40K and T266M variants are associated with lower triglyceride levels in individuals with type 2 diabetes, and this effect is not altered by lifestyle interventions.

Supporting Evidence

  • ANGPTL4 E40K carriers had triglyceride levels 0.33 mmol/L lower than E40 homozygotes.
  • Individuals homozygous for the T266M variant had triglyceride levels 0.24 mmol/L lower than T266 homozygotes.
  • The association of T266M with triglycerides remained significant even after excluding E40K carriers.

Takeaway

Some people have genes that help keep their fat levels low, which is good for their heart. This study found that two specific gene changes help lower fat levels in people with diabetes.

Methodology

The study analyzed the association of ANGPTL4 variants with triglyceride levels in 2,601 participants from the Look AHEAD Clinical Trial, using multivariate linear regression.

Limitations

The study had a low number of African American and Hispanic ANGPTL4 variant carriers, which limited the power to detect associations in these groups.

Participant Demographics

Participants were non-Hispanic White Americans with type 2 diabetes, aged 45-76 years, and overweight.

Statistical Information

P-Value

0.001 for E40K, 0.002 for T266M

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1471-2350-12-89

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