Association Between ApoE Polymorphism in Obesity Markers in Healthy Adults Who Follow the Greek Orthodox Fasting Rules

Authors

  • Alexandra A Koulouri
  • Sousana K Papadopoulou
  • Dimitrios Loukovitis
  • Nikolaos Rodopaios
  • Eleni Vasara
  • Maria Hassapidou
  • Fani Biskanaki
  • Dimitrios Tasoulas
  • Elias Tassoulas
  • Andrew Coats Editor-in-Chief, Academic Vice-President, Monash University, Australia and University of Warwick, UK http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2771-4260
  • Anthony Kafatos

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17987/icfj.v15i0.568

Keywords:

diet, fasting, obesity

Abstract

Aim: To examine the association between ApoE genetic polymorphisms and BMI.

Methods: This case control study of randomly selected, free living individuals from North Greece investigated whether traditional Greek Orthodox dietary practices could affect obesity markers independent of genetic influences, by examining the   Waist circumference (WC), waist hip ratio (WHR) and % fat mass (% FM), were measured in healthy adults who follow the rules of Greek Orthodox fasting compared to those who did not. 382 subjects (246 women and 136 men) were included in the analysis, 161 fasters and 220 non-fasters as a control group. 

Results: Age affected obesity markers in all participants with more obesity in the older subjects. ApoE alleles did not differ between fasting and controls. When fasters where classified as obese and non-obese, there was no association with age (p>0,077). In the control group, BMI and WC were associated with age and gender and WHR with apoE alleles (p<0.001). In the fasting group these correlations are not observed (p=0.545 and p=0.365 respectively).  Interactions between independent variables (sex, age apoE alleles and fasting status) and their influence on BMI, %BF and WHR. ApoE alleles and age significantly influence WHR (p=0.014). 

Conclusions: In the present study we found that the effect of ApoE alleles on adiposity was associated with age.  In conclusion, even if genetic risks factor influence the susceptibility to obesity and cardiometabolic disorders, lifestyle changes may ameliorate these effects.

Author Biography

Andrew Coats, Editor-in-Chief, Academic Vice-President, Monash University, Australia and University of Warwick, UK

Andrew holds a MB and BChir from Cambridge, an MA and DM from Oxford, a DSc. from Imperial College, and an MBA from London Business School. Andrew served as the Inaugural Viscount Royston Professor of Cardiology at the National Heart and Lung Institute in London, as Director of Cardiology of the Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS trust as Head of Clinical Cardiology at Imperial College, as Dean of Medicine at the University of Sydney, as Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Sydney, and as CEO of the Norwich Research Park. He is presently Academic Vice-President of Monash University, Australia and the University of Warwick, UK and Director of the Monash-Warwick Alliance.

Andrew has published in excess of 1400 publications and has more than 52,000 career citations, and a personal H-index of 106. He has been Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Cardiology since 1999 and has received the Linacre Medal of the Royal College of Physicians and the inaugural Michael L Pollock award of the American Heart Association. He has been Chairman or Committee member of the following major Cardiovascular Trials: CHRISTMAS, CHARM, COPERNICUS, OXAM, OPTIMAAL, OVERTURE, REPLACE and SENIORS. Andrew also has more than 20 patents, and has two successful spin-out companies which have generated more than £30Million in investment.  

Andrew has more than 30 board years of experience as a director across the health and biotechnology, sectors (including Myotec, PsiOxus, Cardiodirect, Primary Heart Care, Lone Star Heart Inc, the Harley Street Group) and in the not-for-profit sector (including the George Institute, the Centenary Institute, ANZAC Institute of Medical Research, Sydney Cancer Centre Foundation, Colney Innovations Limited, and the Woolcock Institute of Medical Research).

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Published

2019-03-12

Issue

Vol. 15 (2018)

Section

Original Article

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