The relationship between high density lipoprotein subclass profile and plasma lipids concentrations

Li Tian1, Mingde Fu

  • 1Laboratory of Endocrinology and Metabolism, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, People's Republic of China.

Insights

Altered high-density lipoprotein (HDL) subclasses are linked to atherosclerosis risk. The triglyceride to HDL-cholesterol ratio is a sensitive indicator of these changes, suggesting it can help assess cardiovascular disease risk.

Area of Science:

  • Lipid metabolism and cardiovascular disease research.
  • Biochemistry and molecular biology of lipoproteins.
  • Clinical diagnostics and risk assessment.

Background:

  • High-density lipoprotein (HDL) particles have crucial antiatherogenic properties.
  • Alterations in plasma lipid levels can impact lipoprotein composition and distribution, influencing atherosclerosis risk.
  • Understanding HDL subclasses is vital for assessing metabolic changes and disease progression.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the relationship between plasma lipid levels and HDL subclasses distribution.
  • To identify key lipid ratios as indicators of HDL subclass alterations.
  • To explore the role of apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) in HDL subclass modulation.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing research on plasma lipids and HDL subclass distribution.
  • Analysis of the impact of triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels on HDL subclasses.
  • Evaluation of the sensitivity of TC/HDL-C and TG/HDL-C ratios in reflecting HDL subclass changes.

Main Results:

  • Hypertriglyceridemia, high cholesterol, and mixed hyperlipidemia are associated with a shift towards smaller HDL particles.
  • The TG/HDL-C ratio is more sensitive than TC/HDL-C in reflecting HDL subclass distribution changes.
  • Elevated apoA-I levels may protect against TG-induced reduction in large HDL particles (HDL(2b)).

Conclusions:

  • The TG/HDL-C ratio, along with TC/HDL-C and LDL-C/HDL-C, can serve as a valuable indicator of HDL subclass distribution.
  • Plasma lipids, apolipoprotein concentrations, and their ratios are important for assessing coronary heart disease (CHD) risk.
  • Therapeutic strategies targeting the normalization of HDL particle number and distribution are crucial for managing atherosclerosis.

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