[Significance of HDL cholesterol/apolipoprotein A-I ratio]

HDL cholesterol (HDL-Ch)/apolipoprotein A-I (A-I) ratio was studied in fourteen healthy students, fifteen male habitual drinkers, five male patients with chronic hepatitis (CH) and seven controls. HDL-Ch/A-I ratio in male students, female students, male drinkers, CH and control were 0.36 +/- 0.029, 0.39 +/- 0.03, 0.41 +/- 0.065, 0.40 +/- 0.02, and 0.36 +/- 0.039, respectively. Elevation of HDL-Ch/A-I ratio in female students, male drinkers and CH were statistically significant compared with control, while there was no significant change in HDL-Ch or A-I in female students but the elevations of both in male drinkers or the reduction of A-I in CH. Positive correlations were found between HDL-Ch/A-I ratio and HDL2-Ch, and HDL2-Ch/HDL3-Ch ratio in students and CH. The elevation of HDL-Ch/A-I ratio in CH appeared to be related to the reduction of HDL3-Ch. It is suggested that HDL-Ch/A-I ratio could indicate HDL2-Ch/HDL3-Ch ratio and is useful parameter for analysis of HDL metabolism.