Objective      To investigate the distribution features of apolipoprotein E (apoE) polymorphism and analyze the influence that apoE polymorphism on lipid metabolism.       Methods      By using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphisms(PCR-RFLPS)

blood samples of 201 subjects of Buyi ethnic group and 217 subjects of Han nationality in Qiannan

Guizhou Province were analyzed for apoE polymorphism. The relationship of allele frequencies and serum lipids was studied.       Results      The frequencies of apoE genotype ε2

ε3 and ε4 of allele frequencies were 6.71%

82.34%

and 10.95% respectively for Buyi ethnic group

and 9.22%

84.10% and 6.68% respectively for Han nationality（P0.05）. Compared with other races and nationalities

ε2

ε3 and ε4 allele frequencies were at a medium level. In both Buyi and Han nationalities

apoE2 carriers (apoE2/2+E2/3+E2/4)

apoE3/3 homozygote and carriers with apoE4 (apoE3/4+E4/4) had higher serum levels of TC

LDL-C and apoB（P0.01）.       Conclusion      There is a frequency difference in the apoE genotype and allele among different national/ethnic population. apoE polymorphism in Buyi ethnic minority is associated with the serum level of lipid

apolipoprotein and lipoprotein.