Objective  To investigate the association between the ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) gene polymorphisms and plasma high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) level in Chinese general population.   Methods  M883I

R1587K and R219K polymorphisms of the ABCA1 gene were detected by polymerase chain reactionrestriction fragment length polymorphism technique in 376 unrelated Chinese healthy subjects.   Results  In the study population

the subjects with the KK1587 genotype had markedly lower HDL-C levels than those with RR1587 and RK1587 genotypes (P0.05). When subgroups were divided by gender

the KK1587 genotype was associated with lower HDL-C levels compared with the RR1587 and RK1587 genotypes only in women (P0.01). Moreover

the general linear model showed that R1587K polymorphism led to 2.3% of the variation in HDL-C levels in women studied (P0.01).    Conclusion  M883I and R219K polymorphisms of the ABCA1 gene are not correlated with HDL-C level in Chinese population

but the recessive K1587 allele may be involved in the decreased level of HDL-C in women.