Differential response of high-density lipoproteins to first-step lipid-lowering diet according to their initial level.
BACKGROUND
A lipid-lowering diet has been shown to lower total cholesterol but also high-density-lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. The effect of the first-step lipid-lowering diet (as suggested by the European Atherosclerosis Society) on HDL levels was studied in 129 Greek patients aged 52.7 +/- 9.8 years, of whom 78 were men and 51 women of similar ages.


METHODS
Total, HDL, and low-density-lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and the total: HDL cholesterol and triglyceride ratio were assessed before and 3 months after the diet.


RESULTS
Overall, total cholesterol decreased by 12% (P < 0.001), LDL by 15% (P < 0.001), HDL by 3% (NS), triglycerides by 12% (P < 0.01), and total: HDL cholesterol ratio by 11% (P < 0.001). A difference was found in the response to diet according to baseline HDL levels: in patients with HDL of 39 mg/dl or higher (group A), HDL decreased by 10% and the total: HDL cholesterol ratio by 3%, whereas in those with HDL lower than 39 mg/dl (group B) HDL increased by 17% and the total: HDL cholesterol ratio decreased by 22%. The difference between the groups was statistically significant (P < 0.001) for these two values as well as for triglycerides, but not for total cholesterol and LDL. No difference in the responses between men and women was found.


CONCLUSIONS
This differential response to diet should be taken into account when planning treatment. Patients with baseline HDL levels higher than 39 mg/dl should probably be considered for early treatment not only by diet but by lipid-lowering-HDL-raising drugs as well.
Kolovou
G D
GD
Department of Cardiology, Tzanio State Hospital, Piraeus, Greece.
Fostinis
Y P
YP
Athanassopoulos
G
G
Manolis
A J
AJ
Cokkinos
D V
DV
D000328:Adult; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000032:analysis*; D004036:Diet, Atherogenic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000097:blood / Q000178:diet therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000032:analysis
D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D014280:Triglycerides