The plasma parameter log (TG/HDL-C) as an atherogenic index: correlation with lipoprotein particle size and esterification rate in apoB-lipoprotein-depleted plasma (FER(HDL)).
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate if logarithm of the ratio of plasma concentration of triglycerides to HDL-cholesterol (Log[TG/HDL-C]) correlates with cholesterol esterification rates in apoB-lipoprotein-depleted plasma (FER(HDL)) and lipoprotein particle size.


METHODS
We analyzed previous data dealing with the parameters related to the FER(HDL) (an indirect measure of lipoprotein particle size). In a total of 1433 subjects from 35 cohorts with various risk of atherosclerosis (cord plasma, children, healthy men and women, pre- and postmenopausal women, patients with hypertension, type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia and patients with positive or negative angiography findings) were studied.


RESULTS
The analysis revealed a strong positive correlation (r = 0.803) between FER(HDL) and Log(TG/HDL-C). This parameter, which we propose to call "atherogenic index of plasma" (AIP) directly related to the risk of atherosclerosis in the above cohorts. We also confirmed in a cohort of 35 normal subjects a significant inverse correlation of LDL size with FER(HDL) (r = -0.818) and AIP (r = -0.776).


CONCLUSIONS
Values of AIP correspond closely to those of FER(HDL) and to lipoprotein particle size and thus could be used as a marker of plasma atherogenicity.
Dobiásová
M
M
Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic. dobias@biomed.cas.cz
Frohlich
J
J
D000328:Adult; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000097:blood*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000737:chemistry; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008074:Lipoproteins / Q000737:chemistry; D008297:Male; D010316:Particle Size; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood*
D015415:Biomarkers; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008074:Lipoproteins; D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol