Introduction/purpose: Being physically active may improve the lipid profile by increasing high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (HDL-C) concentrations. Cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) transfers cholesteryl esters from HDL to lipoproteins of lower density. The potential interactive effects of physical activity and the CETP A-C polymorphism on exon 1b.-629 (CETP 1b.-629) with lipid profile were investigated in a population-based cross-sectional survey.
Methods: 1720 men and women, ages 35-74 yr, were randomly selected from the general adult population of Geneva, Switzerland, throughout 1999-2000. A validated physical activity questionnaire measured total energy expenditure and the percentage thereof used in high-intensity activities (% high-intensity activity, e.g., brisk walking, sports). CETP 1b.-629 was assayed with PCR and allele-specific oligonucleotide hybridization. The study had 80% power to detect lipid profile differences from 0.10 to 0.15 mmol x L-1 ( approximately 4-6 mg x dL-1) between gender-specific (CETP genotype x % high-intensity activity) subgroups.
Results: HDL-C (mmol x L-1) was higher in men and women with the AA genotype (respectively, 1.26 and 1.56) versus those with CC (1.14 and 1.46) (P < 0.0001, P < 0.002). Before stratification into CETP subgroups, a greater % high-intensity activity (upper tertile) was associated with higher HDL-C only in men (1.24 vs 1.19 in lower tertile, P < 0.0005). However, no statistically significant (CETP 1b.-629 x % high-intensity activity) interactions with lipid profile were detected in either gender.
Conclusion: The effects of the CETP 1b.-629 A-C polymorphism on blood lipid concentrations appear to be unchanged by the different observed physical activity levels in a mostly sedentary population.