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Relationship between plasma phospholipid transfer protein activity and HDL subclasses among patients with low HDL and
M C Cheung1, G Wolfbauer, B G Brown
1Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, USA.
Insights
Plasma phospholipid transfer protein (PLTP) activity is linked to specific high-density lipoprotein (HDL) subclasses. This suggests PLTP influences HDL metabolism and cardiovascular disease risk by modulating Lp(A-I) particles.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Science
- Lipid Metabolism
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Low levels of high-density lipoproteins (HDL) correlate with increased risk of premature cardiovascular disease.
- Plasma phospholipid transfer protein (PLTP) is implicated in lipoprotein metabolism and reverse cholesterol transport.
- HDL exists in subclasses, including Lp(A-I) and Lp(A-I, A-II), which may have differential roles in cardiovascular health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between plasma PLTP activity and various lipoprotein parameters in patients with cardiovascular disease and low HDL.
- To determine if PLTP activity preferentially affects specific HDL subclasses, particularly Lp(A-I).
Main Methods:
- Measurement of plasma PLTP activity in 52 patients with cardiovascular disease and low HDL.
- Analysis of lipoprotein lipids, HDL subclasses (Lp(A-I) and Lp(A-I, A-II)), and plasma apolipoproteins.
- Statistical correlation analysis between PLTP activity and measured lipoprotein parameters.
Main Results:
- Plasma PLTP activity showed a strong positive correlation with the percentage of apo A-I in Lp(A-I) particles.
- PLTP activity was also significantly correlated with apo A-I, phospholipid, and cholesterol concentrations in Lp(A-I).
- Significant correlations were observed between PLTP activity and overall plasma apo A-I, HDL cholesterol, and HDL3 cholesterol levels.
Conclusions:
- PLTP activity is closely associated with the plasma levels of Lp(A-I) particles.
- These findings support the hypothesis that PLTP modulates Lp(A-I) levels, potentially influencing cardiovascular disease risk.
- PLTP does not appear to significantly affect the levels of Lp(A-I, A-II) particles.
Abstract:
Low levels of high density lipoproteins (HDL) are associated with an increased risk for premature cardiovascular disease. The plasma phospholipid transfer protein (PLTP) is believed to play a critical role in lipoprotein metabolism and reverse cholesterol transport by remodeling HDL and facilitating the transport of lipid to the liver. Plasma contains two major HDL subclasses, those containing both apolipoproteins (apo) A-I and A-II, Lp(A-I, A-II), and those containing apo A-I but not A-II, Lp(A-I). To examine the potential relationships between PLTP and lipoproteins, plasma PLTP activity, lipoprotein lipids, HDL subclasses and plasma apolipoproteins were measured in 52 patients with documented cardiovascular disease and low HDL levels. Among the patients, plasma PLTP activity was highly correlated with the percentage of plasma apo A-I in Lp(A-I) (r=0.514, p < 0.001) and with the apo A-I, phospholipid and cholesterol concentration of Lp(A-I) (r=0.499, 0.478, 0.457, respectively, p < 0.001). Plasma PLTP activity was also significantly correlated with plasma apo A-I (r=0.413, p=0.002), HDL cholesterol (r=0.308, p=0.026), and HDL, and HDL3 cholesterol (r=0.284 and 0.276, respectively, p < 0.05), but no significant correlation was observed with Lp(A-I, A-I), plasma cholesterol, triglycerides, or apo B, very low density lipoprotein cholesterol or low density lipoprotein cholesterol. These associations support the hypothesis that PLTP modulates plasma levels of Lp(A-I) particles without significantly affecting the levels of Lp(A-I, A-II) particles.