Clinical significance of hypertriglyceridemia.
Available data suggest that elevated triglyceride levels in plasma, associated with increased VLDL or chylomicron remnants, are associated with premature coronary artery atherosclerosis. Whether this is a direct effect or as a result of the association of hypertriglyceridemia with decreased HDL as well as decreased LDL particle size remains to be determined. Many families with premature coronary disease have a genetic form of hypertriglyceridemia associated with decreased HDL, or with both decreased HDL and increased LDL cholesterol concentrations. In addition, subjects with severe hypertriglyceridemia in excess of 1000 mg/dl associated with elevation of plasma chylomicrons are at increased risk of developing recurrent pancreatitis. Therefore, triglycerides have been implicated in the pathogenesis of both atherosclerosis and pancreatitis.
Schaefer
E J
EJ
USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, Tufts University, Boston, MA 02111.
McNamara
J R
JR
Genest
J
J
Ordovas
J M
JM
D002914:Chylomicrons / Q000097:blood; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D006953:Hyperlipoproteinemia Type IV / Q000097:blood; D008074:Lipoproteins / Q000097:blood; D012307:Risk Factors; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood*
D002914:Chylomicrons; D008074:Lipoproteins; D014280:Triglycerides