The Pst I polymorphism of the human apolipoprotein AI gene in Korean elite athletes

Serum lipid and lipoprotein levels are influenced by genetic factors, and exercise increases the concentrations of cardio‐protective parameters such as high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐cholesterol) and apolipoproteinAI (apoAI) in human serum. In the present study, we tested the effect of adaptation to endurance exercise on the association of a genetic polymorphism (Pst I RFLP) in the apoAI gene with these biochemical parameters. The genotype and allele frequencies for the Pst I RFLP were not significantly different between the elite athletes and sedentary controls (P>0.05). There were also no significant associations between the Pst I RFLP of the apoAI gene and the biochemical parameters in elite athletic group. Thus, our results suggest that the Pst I RFLP of the apoAI gene was not significantly associated with the serum apoAI and HDL‐cholesterol concentrations as well as athletic performance in Koreans.