Abstract

Introduction: It has been described in the literature that dietary cholesterol produces only slight changes in serum cholesterol in healthy individuals. Nevertheless, several studies have shown a marked heterogeneity in the response to a variation of cholesterol in the diet. One of the factors involved in this response is the Apo E genotype, also singled as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. There are no studies in Chile that evaluate the response to dietary cholesterol in individuals and its relationship to the Apo E genotype. Objective: To evaluate the response to a cholesterol load in individuals and relate it to their Apo E genotype. Materials and methods: A prospective randomized and cross-over study was carried out in 36 male volunteers either normolipemics or isolated hypercholesterolemic aged 25-55 years old, who were given one egg/day for 4 weeks in addition to their normal diet. Total, LDL, and HDL cholesterol were measured before and after the intervention, as well as Apo B concentration and Apo E genotype. Results: Apo E genotype was 79% E3/3 and 16% E 4/3 in this population. The addition of one egg to their normal diet did not change significantly any of the variables studied. Conclusions: Normocholesterolemic or hypercholesterolemic individuals did not respond to a load of cholesterol given in the form of one egg/day. The implications for population recommendations are discussed