Abstract
Serum lipid and apolipoprotein profiles are influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. However, the relative effects of these factors on the phenotypic variations remain unclear. In this study, the relative contributions of selected genetic and lifestyle factors to inter-individual variations in serum lipid and apolipoprotein levels were estimated by using the multiple regression model in a rural Japanese population. Four restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) were tested with Xba I and EcoR I at the apolipoprotein B (apo B), and Msp I and Sac I at the apo Al-CIII gene loci. The contribution of individual RFLP to serum total cholesterol ranged from 0.08% to 1.60%; serum low density lipoprotein cholesterol, 0.06% to 1.69%; triglycerides, 0.04% to 0.89%; apo B, 0.06% to 1.99%; high density lipoprotein cholesterol, 0.05% to 2.59%; apo AI, 0.54% to 2.73%; apo AII, 0.12% to 1.96% and apo CIII, 0.13% to 0.48%. These percentages were almost the same as or a little lower than those of some lifestyle variables - dietary factors (Keys dietary score, and energy-adjusted intake of carbohydrate, fiber and n-3 fatty acids), smoking, alcohol consumption and physical activity-to the serum traits. J Epidemiol, 1995 ; 5 : 187-196.
