The ApoC-I content of VLDL particles is associated with plaque size in persons with carotid atherosclerosis.
Previous studies have shown that postprandial triglyceride-rich lipoproteins (TRLs) are enriched with apolipoprotein-C-I (apoC-I) in healthy individuals with increased intima-media thickness and in patients with coronary artery disease. The purpose of the present study was to determine apoC-I in TRL in persons with carotid atherosclerosis and its relation to plaque area. A population-based case (n = 42)-control (n = 39) study was conducted in persons with carotid atherosclerosis, assessed by B-mode ultrasound, and healthy controls. VLDL (Sf 20-400) was isolated in the fasting state and 4 h after ingestion of a standard fat meal. In the fasting state, persons with carotid atherosclerosis had increased number of apoC-I per VLDL-particle compared to persons without carotid atherosclerosis (8.6 +/- 5.4 vs. 6.3 +/- 4.2, P = 0.018). Total plaque area increased linearly (P = 0.017) across tertiles of apoC-I per VLDL-particle. In the postprandial state, a similar increase in the number of apoC-I per VLDL-particle occurred in both cases and controls (P < 0.001), but no significant difference was observed between groups. The number of apoC-I per VLDL-particle in the fasting state was accompanied by delayed clearance of TRL in the postprandial state, and associated with cholesterol enrichment of the VLDL-particles. Our findings support the concept that the number of apoC-I per VLDL-particle may be of importance for initiation and progression of atherosclerosis.
Department of Medicine, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tromsø, 9037, Tromsø, Norway. anntrude@fagmed.uit.no
Ann-Trude With
AT
Notø
Ellisiv Bøgeberg
EB
Mathiesen
Jan
J
Brox
Johan
J
Björkegren
John-Bjarne
JB
Hansen
D000368:Aged; D053302:Apolipoprotein C-I / Q000032:analysis*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005215:Fasting; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008079:Lipoproteins, VLDL / Q000097:blood / Q000737:chemistry*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010316:Particle Size; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012015:Reference Standards; D014463:Ultrasonography
C505803:APOC1 protein, human; D053302:Apolipoprotein C-I; D015415:Biomarkers; D008079:Lipoproteins, VLDL