Variant rs9644568 in the intergenic region downstream of the LPL gene is associated with high LDL cholesterol levels among Filipinos

High blood level of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Although genetic variants linked to high LDL-C have been studied in other populations, there have been no previous studies among Filipinos. This study aims to determine the association of candidate genetic variants to high LDL-C. We performed an age- and sex-matched case-control study that compared Filipino participants with high LDL-C levels (n=60) with controls (n=60). DNA was extracted from blood samples and genotyped for candidate SNPs using a customized microarray chip. Logistic regression analyses were used to determine the composite association of genetic and clinical variables to the condition. Of the initial eleven SNPs associated with high LDL-C in univariate analyses, only the variant rs9644568 in the intergenic region downstream of the LPL gene remained significantly associated with high LDL-C levels on multiple regression analysis and variable selection after adjustment for hypertension. The G allele was observed as the risk allele in a recessive model. The variant rs9644568-G in the LPL gene was associated with high blood LDL-C levels among Filipinos. In combination with hypertension, this genetic profile may identify individuals who are susceptible to develop high LDL-C in this population.