Abstract: To explore the expression of the apolipoprotein E (Apo E) gene in peripheral blood monocytes and its relationship with lipids and hypertension. MethodPeripheral blood monocyte were isolated and Apo E gene expression was determined by the RTPCR method, and also the lipid level was determined. ResultsThe Apo E gene was expressed in peripheral blood monocytes, and it was lowerexpressed in the high risk group and very high risk group（P＜0.05）. The higher the risk grade, the lower the Apo E gene expression. The LDLC level was negatively correlated with the Apo E gene(r=-0.979, P＜0.05), whereas it was not correlated with TC, TG, apoB100, apoA and Lp(α) （P＞0.05）. ConclusionExpression of the Apo E gene in peripheral blood monocytes of the high risk group and very high risk group is significantly decreased and is related to abnormal lipid metabolism, which suggests that changes of expression of the Apo E gene is related to the development of hypertension.

Key words: Hypertension, Apolipoprotein E, Hyperlipidemia, Gene expression