Abstract
Apo lipoprotein E (Apo E) plays a role in some diseases related to lipid metabolism. 122 obese adult females (BMI >= 30 Kg/m(2)): 56 of them with visceral obesity (>= 7cm by abdominal ultrasound) and 66 without visceral obesity and 36 age matched non-obese (BMI <= 25 kg/m(2)) without visceral obesity were studied. Anthropometric assessment, visceral obesity and lipid profile evaluation were attempted. Genetic analysis of Apo E was performed. The homozygous (E3/E3) genotype was significantly the most prominent genotype among the control group (50.0%), and the heterozygous (E3/E4) genotype had significantly the highest frequency among the obese without visceral obesity (33.3%). Comparison of the anthropometric parameters and lipid profile revealed that E4 allele had the highest significant values of total cholesterol and LDL. For the obese females without visceral obesity, Apo E3/E4 genotype had the highest significant values of total cholesterol and LDL. While for the obese females with visceral obesity, Apo E3/E3 genotype had the highest significant values of visceral fat. While E4/E4 genotype, had the highest significant values of total cholesterol and LDL, and Apo E3/E3 genotype had the lowest values. The homozygous (E3/E3) genotype was the most prominent type among this study sample, followed by E4/E4. Lipid profile (total cholesterol, LDL and HDL) has significant relation with E3/E4 in obese females without visceral obesity, and with E4/E4 among obese females with visceral obesity.