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Optimal Target Level of Low-density Lipoprotein Cholesterol for Vascular Function in Statin Naïve Individuals

Shogo Matsui1, Masato Kajikawa2, Eisuke Hida3

  • 1Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Hiroshima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Hiroshima, Japan.

Scientific Reports
|August 23, 2017
PubMed

Insights

For statin-naïve individuals, lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels are linked to better vascular function. An LDL-C level of ≤100 mg/dL may be optimal for maintaining endothelial health in the general population.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Science
  • Lipid Metabolism
  • Vascular Biology

Background:

  • Vascular function is crucial for cardiovascular health.
  • Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is a key factor in cardiovascular disease.
  • The impact of LDL-C levels on vascular function, particularly in relation to statin use, requires further elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between LDL-C levels and vascular function (flow-mediated vasodilation [FMD] and nitroglycerine-induced vasodilation [NID]) in patients with and without statin therapy.
  • To determine the optimal LDL-C level for maintaining vascular function.

Main Methods:

  • Cross-sectional study involving 957 statin-naïve subjects and 392 subjects on statin therapy.
  • Assessment of vascular function using FMD and NID.
  • Statistical analysis to determine correlations and associations between LDL-C levels and vascular function parameters.

Main Results:

  • In statin-naïve subjects, FMD and NID were inversely correlated with LDL-C levels.
  • Non-high LDL-C (≤100 mg/dL) was independently associated with a lower odds ratio of having low FMD and NID in statin-naïve individuals.
  • Optimal vascular function was observed at LDL-C levels ≤100 mg/dL in the statin-naïve group, with no significant difference between LDL-C ≤70 mg/dL and 70.1-100 mg/dL groups.

Conclusions:

  • Significant relationships exist between LDL-C levels and vascular function (FMD and NID) in individuals not taking statins.
  • An LDL-C level of ≤100 mg/dL appears to be the optimal target for maintaining endothelial function in the general population.
  • Statin therapy may alter the relationship between LDL-C and vascular function.

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