Association between serum apolipoprotein C(II) concentration and coronary heart disease.
BACKGROUND
Apolipoprotein (Apo) C(II) plays an essential role in the metabolism of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins (TRLs) by activating lipoprotein lipase. Several studies have suggested that an abnormal concentration of Apo C(II) may serve as a marker for deficient TRL metabolism, a possible cause of coronary heart disease (CHD). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the association between Apo C(II) and the presence of CHD.


METHODS
A case-control study comparing 352 CHD patients and 395 controls was performed. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory characteristics were determined.


RESULTS
The CHD patients had a higher mean concentration of Apo C(II) than controls (5.3 mg/dl compared with 4.2 mg/dl, P < 0.001). Elevated serum Apo C(II) concentration was associated with CHD presence after adjustment for cardiovascular risk factors. The risk factor-adjusted odds ratio (OR) for CHD was 1.60 (95% CI: 1.31-1.94) per 1 mg/dl increment in Apo C(II), compared with a risk factor-adjusted OR of 1.05 (95% CI: 0.85-1.32) per 40 mg/dl increment in triglyceride concentration.


CONCLUSIONS
Increased serum concentration of Apo C(II) may represent a more sensitive marker of CHD than high serum concentration of triglycerides. Confirmation in cohort studies in required to establish or refute the role of elevated serum Apo C(II) as a risk factor for CHD.
Gerber
Yariv
Y
Division of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Sackler Medical Faculty, Tel Aviv University, Israel.
Goldbourt
Uri
U
Cohen
Hofit
H
Harats
Dror
D
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D053304:Apolipoprotein C-II; D001056:Apolipoproteins C / Q000097:blood*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000097:blood* / Q000473:pathology; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood*
D053304:Apolipoprotein C-II; D001056:Apolipoproteins C; D014280:Triglycerides