Association between EGF and lipid concentrations: a benefit role in the atherosclerotic process?

Previous in vitro studies have shown a relationship between epidermal growth factor (EGF) and lipid metabolism. Indeed, EGF is able to modulate lipoprotein fractions in human fetal intestine and hepatic-derived cell lines. The aim of this study was to search for potential associations between EGF concentrations and lipid parameters in both plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) among healthy individuals.

EGF concentrations were quantified in plasma of 273 men and 279 women and in PBMCs of 57 men and 62 women from the STANISLAS cohort. In addition, basic blood constituents including lipid parameters (apolipoproteins A1, and B, total and high-density lipid (HDL)-cholesterols and triglycerides) were measured.

Plasma EGF concentrations were significantly and positively correlated with apolipoprotein A1 and HDL-cholesterol concentrations after adjustment for age, sex, and body mass index (r=0.155, P=0.0003; and r=0.112, P=0.0086, respectively). They were also negatively correlated with the apolipoprotein B/A1 ratio (r=-0.107, P=0.012). In addition, EGF concentrations in PBMCs were negatively correlated with apolipoprotein B, total and low-density lipid-cholesterols, and triglyceride concentrations, and apolipoprotein B/A1 ratio (P=0.0018, P=0.0137, P=0.0142, P=0.0162, and P=0.0077, respectively, with r ranging between -0.287 and -0.222). No interactions were found with gender.

New associations between EGF and lipid concentrations have been reported, providing new perspectives with regard to the role of EGF in atherosclerosis.