Lipoprotein subclasses and particle size determined by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy in systemic lupus erythematosus.
Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have accelerated atherosclerosis, but the underlying mechanisms are unclear. The size and number of lipoprotein particles may be better predictors of atherosclerosis than conventional cholesterol measurements. We measured lipoprotein subclasses by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), coronary artery calcification by electron beam computed tomography, and insulin resistance by homeostasis model assessment in 105 patients with SLE and 77 control subjects. VLDL particles were larger (50.0+/-8.5 versus 47.7+/-8.5 nm, P=0.01) and concentrations of large high-density lipoprotein (HDL) particles lower (10.1+/-5.3 versus 11.3+/-5.1 nmol/L, P=0.03) in patients with SLE than controls. In patients with SLE, small LDL concentration was associated with body mass index (rho=0.27), insulin resistance (rho=0.34), C-reactive protein (CRP; rho=0.30), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR; rho=0.20); all P<0.05. Large HDL concentration was inversely associated with insulin resistance (rho=-0.29), disease activity (rho=-0.23), and ESR (rho=-0.39); all P<0.05. VLDL concentrations correlated with CRP (rho=0.22), ESR (rho=0.24), disease damage (rho=0.20), and corticosteroid exposure (rho=0.29); all P<0.05. Neither the concentration of lipoprotein subclasses nor particle size was associated with coronary artery atherosclerosis. There were only minor differences in the NMR lipid profiles of patients with SLE and controls. Lipoprotein subclasses were associated with metabolic variables, inflammatory markers, and corticosteroid use but not with coronary artery atherosclerosis in SLE.
Chung
Cecilia P
CP
Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232-6602, USA.
Oeser
Annette
A
Raggi
Paolo
P
Solus
Joseph F
JF
Avalos
Ingrid
I
Linton
MacRae F
MF
Fazio
Sergio
S
Stein
C Michael
CM
D000328:Adult; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008074:Lipoproteins / Q000097:blood*; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D008074:Lipoproteins