Linkage of the lipoprotein lipase (LPL) gene to blood pressure levels has been reported. The LPL S447X single nucleotide polymorphism (cSNP) has been associated with decreased triglycerides (TG), increased high density lipoprotein cholesterol, and a decreased risk of coronary artery disease (CAD), which may occur independently of its beneficial lipid changes. To investigate the relationship between LPL S447X cSNP and these parameters, we studied a cohort of individuals with familial hypercholesterolemia in whom blood pressures and information regarding the use of blood pressure lowering medications were available. Carriers of the S447X variant had decreased TG (1.21+/-0.47 vs. 1.52+/-0.67, p0.001) and a trend towards decreased vascular disease (12.7 vs. 19.5%) compared to non-carriers. More interestingly, however, carriers of this cSNP had decreased diastolic blood pressure compared to non-carriers (78+/-10 vs. 82+/-11, p=0.002), evident in both men and women, youths and adults, with similar trends for systolic blood pressure. Furthermore, the decrease in blood pressure appeared independent of the decrease in TG (p=0.02), suggesting that the LPL protein may have a direct influence on the vascular wall. This suggests an additional mechanism whereby this variant may have protective effects, independent of changes in plasma lipid levels.
