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Relations between particle size of HDL and LDL lipoproteins and cholesterol esterification rate

M Dobiásová1, Z Urbanová, M Samánek

  • 1Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Vídenská 1083, 14220 Praha 4, Czech Republic. dobias@biomed.cas.cz

Physiological Research
|November 17, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Low density (LDL) and high density (HDL) lipoprotein particle size and HDL cholesterol esterification rate (FER(HDL)) are key predictors of coronary artery disease (CAD). Increased FER(HDL) correlates with smaller LDL and HDL particle sizes, impacting atherogenic indexes.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Science
  • Lipid Metabolism
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Low density (LDL) and high density (HDL) lipoprotein particle size are independent predictors of coronary artery disease (CAD).
  • Cholesterol esterification rate in HDL plasma (FER(HDL)) is also a significant predictor of CAD.
  • Understanding the interrelations between these lipoprotein parameters and routine lipid profiles is crucial for cardiovascular risk assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the interrelations between LDL and HDL particle size, FER(HDL), and standard plasma lipid parameters (TC, TG, HDL-C, LDL-C, HDL-UC) and glucose concentrations.
  • To evaluate the effect of particle size and FER(HDL) on atherogenic indexes, specifically Log(TG/HDL-C) and TC/HDL-C.

Main Methods:

  • Gradient gel electrophoresis was used to assess particle size distribution in HDL and LDL.
  • Radioassay was employed to estimate FER(HDL).
  • Plasma concentrations of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), HDL cholesterol (HDL-C), LDL cholesterol (LDL-C), and HDL unesterified cholesterol (HDL-UC) were measured in 141 healthy male volunteers.

Main Results:

  • Increased FER(HDL) significantly correlated with decreased HDL(2b) and LDL particle size (r = -0.537 and -0.583, respectively, P<0.01) and increased HDL(3b,c) (r = 0.473, P<0.01).
  • Strong interrelations were found among triglycerides (TG), HDL-C, HDL-UC, FER(HDL), and particle size, but not with TC or LDL-C.
  • Atherogenic indexes Log(TG/HDL-C) and TC/HDL-C showed strong correlations with FER(HDL) (r = 0.827 and 0.750, respectively, P<0.0001) and with HDL and LDL particle size.

Conclusions:

  • FER(HDL) and lipoprotein particle size are closely interrelated and significantly influence key atherogenic indexes.
  • These findings highlight the importance of assessing not only lipid levels but also lipoprotein particle characteristics and esterification rates for a comprehensive cardiovascular risk evaluation.
  • Standard lipid parameters like TC and LDL-C did not show the same strong associations with these atherogenic indicators as TG, HDL-C, and FER(HDL).

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