Aim The purpose of the present paper is to study the polymorphisms of apolipoprotein E(apo E)gene and their association with hyperlipidemia in Chinese subjects.Methods Polymorphisms of apo E gene were rapidly detected by using polymerase chain reaction(PCR)in 133 male patients(41～60 years)with hyperlipidemia and 122 healthy individuals matched. The lipids of these subjects were measured with enzyme's methods。Results Six apo E genotypes,E 2/2、E3/3、E4/4、E2/3、E2/4、E3/4 and the five genotypes(no E 4/4)were examined in patient group and con trol group respectively. Comparied with control group,the distribution of apo E3 allele's frequencies was significantly decreased(X2=7.25,P<0.01),but apo E4 allele increased(X2=4.20,P<0.05)in hyperlipidemia's group. There was marked difference inplasma total cholesterol among the patients with different apo E genotypes.Conclusions These data suggest that polymorphisms of apo E gene are associated with the development of hyperlipidemias.The E4 allele may be a hereditary susceptible factor to hyperlipidemia.