Makhlouf_2026_Tunis.Med_104_444

Introducrion : Endothelial lipase gene (LIPG) is implicated in lipid metabolism particularly HDL-C metabolism and in inflammation. Several identified single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of LIPG were associated with lipoprotein and apolipoprotein metabolism. The implication of LIPG in a chronic inflammation due to multisystemic vasculitis has not been elucidated. OBJECTIVE: To assess the association between EL 2037 T/C (rs3744843) polymorphism and alterations in lipid profiles and biomarkers of endothelial dysfunction (such as high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and Homocysteine) in Tunisian patients with Behcet disease (BD). METHODS: A case-control study including BD patients with controls was performed. Lipid profile, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and homocysteine were assessed to all subjects. The polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method was used. RESULTS: We included 116 BD patients and 102 healthy controls in this study. Overall, HDL-C levels were significantly lower in patients. While genotype and allele distributions did not differ significantly between groups, a distinct pattern emerged in HDL-C levels. In healthy controls, C allele carriers had higher HDL-C concentrations compared to TT individuals. In contrast, BD patients carrying the C allele had significantly lower HDL-C levels, particularly in the presence of hyperhomocysteinemia or a disease activity score >5. CONCLUSION: EL 2037 T/C polymorphism was correlated with lipid levels in BD patients and controls. No association was demonstrated between this polymorphism and BD.