Conclusion

The current study adds further epidemiologic support for a role of HDL-C and CETP genotype in an ethnic Japanese population for phenotypes related to healthy aging and

longevity. Importantly, this study is one of the largest studies on HDL-C and CETP gene variants in older men and one of the few in a minority U.S. population. The findings add further credence that high HDL-C levels may protect against CVD-related mortality and may influence other health-related outcomes important to healthy aging. We speculate that this may be mediated, in part, through deficiency mutations in the CETP gene. These findings, when juxtaposed with recent demonstrations of adverse pharmaceutical effects of the potent CETP inhibitor torcetrapib, indicate that further studies of this important clinical area are warranted to understand mechanisms and potential health outcomes linked to CETP genotype, CETP inhibition, and HDL-C metabolism.

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This research was supported by National Institute of Health grants R01 AG18715-01 to J. D. Curb and R01 AG027060-01 to B. J. Willcox.

CORRESPONDENCE

Address correspondence to J. David Curb, MD, Pacific Health Research Institute, 846 South Hotel St., Suite 301, Honolulu, Hawaii, 96813. E-mail: jdcurb@phrihawaii.org

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