Objective: To explore the association of genetic polymorphism (rs12218) of serum amyloid protein A1 (SAA1) with serum high density lipoproteins cholesterol (HDL-C).
Methods: A total of 607 healthy subjects were recruited into the Cardiovascular Risk Survey between June 2007 and March 2009. Their genotypes of SAA1 were detected by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP).
Results: There was no significant difference between each genotype of SAA1 in triglyceride, total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). But marked significance existed between CC genotype and TT genotype in serum HDL-C level both before [(1.28 ± 0.38) mmol/L vs (1.44 ± 0.43) mmol/L, P = 0.017] and after adjusting for gender and age [(1.27 ± 0.07) mmol/L vs (1.41 ± 0.03) mmol/L, P = 0.048].
Conclusion: In Chinese Han people, the genetic polymorphism of SAA1 may reflect the serum concentration of HDL-C. The carriers with CC genotype have a lower HDL-C level.