[HDL subfractions in post-prandial lipidemia]

The influence of a standardised fatty test meal on the composition of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) subfractions (HDL3, HDL2) and the concentration of other lipid parameters was investigated in a group of young women of the age 20-25 years, in women of the age range 60-90 years, and in a group of patients with arteriosclerotic diseases. Total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol in serum do not change significantly under extreme conditions of postprandial lipaemia. This is true also regarding persons in high age groups and patients with arteriosclerotic diseases. In contrast to the group of young subjects, 60-90 years old women show both elevated HDL triglyceride levels under basal conditions and a greater magnitude of HDL triglyceride enrichment under the conditions of postprandial lipaemia. Patients with arteriosclerotic diseases also exhibit a marked postprandial HDL triglyceride enrichment. It is concluded that there are metabolic relations between the observed low HDL2 cholesterol concentrations in the group of older subjects and in patients with arteriosclerotic diseases and the high magnitude of HDL triglyceride increase in the postprandial state which are relevant within the risk syndrome hypertriglyceridaemia-low HDL2 levels.