The HDL2/HDL3 ratio in menopause.
OBJECTIVE
The influence of the menopause on the HDL2/HDL3 ratio was assessed in association with hypertriglyceridemia.


METHODS
Fasting blood samples were collected from 607 patients. Commercially available enzymatic methods were used for determination of TG, and total HDL-C. HDL2 and HDL3 were measured by ultracentrifugation.


RESULTS
The HDL2/HDL3 ratio had a strong negative correlation with TG (r=-0.272, P<0.0001 and r=-0.314, P<0.0001) in both pre- and postmenopausal women. No significant differences were observed in HDL2, HDL3, and HDL2/HDL3 ratio between pre- and postmenopausal women without hypertriglyceridemia. Postmenopausal women had a significantly higher HDL2/HDL3 ratio than premenopausal women with hypertriglyceridemia.


CONCLUSIONS
These results indicate that menopausal status not only increases plasma LDL-cholesterol and triglyceride levels, but also increases the HDL2/HDL3 ratio when associated with elevation of plasma triglyceride levels. These changes may increase the risk for CHD due to enlargement of the lipid pool.
Ushiroyama
T
T
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Osaka Medical College, 2-7 Daigaku-machi, Takatsuki, Osaka 569-8686, Japan. gyn003@poh.osaka-med.ac.jp
Sakuma
K
K
Ikeda
A
A
Ueki
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015228:Hypertriglyceridemia / Q000097:blood*; D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL / Q000097:blood; D053440:Lipoproteins, HDL3; D008593:Menopause / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010316:Particle Size; D014461:Ultracentrifugation
D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL; D053440:Lipoproteins, HDL3