APOE alleles and apolipoprotein E isoforms control plasma cholesterol level on 
population level. Among three ɛ2, ɛ3, ɛ4 alleles, ɛ4 allele is associated with 
the increase in cholesterol level, risk of atherosclerosis and Alzheimer 
disease, while ɛ2 allele is associated with the decrease in cholesterol level 
and risk of atherosclerosis. The increase in plasma triglyceride is an 
independent risk factor of atherosclerosis and triglyceride-high density 
lipoprotein coupling determines the efficiency of reverse cholesterol transport. 
The impairment of this coupling specifically at hypertriglyceridemia may be 
followed by specific lipoprotein markers. The influence of major lipid-lowering 
drugs on lipoprotein metabolism and association of apoE isoforms with the 
efficiency of therapy by statins and fibrates are summarized both at isolated 
and combined increase in plasma triglyceride and cholesterol. APOE polymorphism 
seems to be a single genetic variant with a confirmed stratification both at 
candidate gene and at wide genome analyses.