Multiple genetic determinants of plasma lipid levels in Caribbean Hispanics

Objectives To identify candidate genes in relation to plasma lipid levels in Caribbean Hispanics. Design and methods A total of 114 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at 17 lipid-related genes were genotyped in 477 Caribbean Hispanics from the Northern Manhattan Study (NOMAS). Analyses for each SNP and haplotype were performed to evaluate the associations with four lipid traits: high- and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C, LDL-C), triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC). Results We identified 19 SNPs at 10 genes that were significantly related to lipids (p < 0.01), including nine involved in the reverse cholesterol transport pathway, and one involved in bile acid synthesis. Three genes, namely the apolipoprotein A5, apolipoprotein B and cytochrome p450 polypeptide 7A1 genes, accounted for the largest proportion of variation in HDL-C/TG, TC and LDL-C respectively. Conclusions The cumulative effects of multiple genetic variants led to a substantially better prediction of inter-individual variations in lipid levels.