title: Association between carotid intima-media thickness and low-density lipoprotein size and susceptibility of low-density lipoprotein to oxidation in asymptomatic members of familial combined hyperlipidemia families.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In addition to low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, small, dense LDL particles and oxidative modification of LDL have been linked to the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. The present study was aimed at investigating the association between carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) and LDL particle size and susceptibility of LDL to oxidation in vitro in asymptomatic members of familial combined hyperlipidemia (FCHL) families.
  
  
  METHODS
  LDL particle size, susceptibility of LDL to oxidation in vitro, and carotid IMT were measured in 148 asymptomatic FCHL family members.
  
  
  RESULTS
  LDL particle size and lag time for LDL oxidation were reduced in hyperlipidemic compared with normolipidemic family members. LDL particle size, serum total cholesterol, and alpha-tocopherol in LDL were independently associated with lag time for LDL oxidation in multivariate analysis. LDL particle size was associated with carotid mean IMT independently of clinical, lipid, and antioxidant variables in multivariate analysis. Although the susceptibility of LDL to oxidation in vitro was correlated with mean IMT, it did not have a significant independent contribution to variation in mean IMT in the multivariate model.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We conclude that LDL particle size but not susceptibility of LDL to oxidation in vitro is independently associated with carotid IMT in asymptomatic FCHL family members. These results imply that small, dense LDL as an inherent feature of FCHL is an important diagnostic indicator for coronary artery disease risk in FCHL.
authors: Department of Medicine, Helsinki University Central Hospital, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
authors: Ming-Lin
authors: ML
authors: Liu
authors: Kati
authors: K
authors: Ylitalo
authors: Ilpo
authors: I
authors: Nuotio
authors: Riitta
authors: R
authors: Salonen
authors: Jukka T
authors: JT
authors: Salonen
authors: Marja-Riitta
authors: MR
authors: Taskinen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000032:analysis; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland; D006801:Humans; D006950:Hyperlipidemia, Familial Combined / Q000097:blood*; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000097:blood* / Q000737:chemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D010316:Particle Size; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012306:Risk; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D017540:Tunica Media / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL