Small dense low-density lipoproteins and associated risk factors in patients with stroke.
OBJECTIVE
Low-density lipoproteins (LDL) are a heterogeneous group of particles, with small, dense particles being more atherogenic. It remains controversial whether elevated plasma levels of small dense LDL (sd-LDL) are risk factors for stroke. The aim of the present study was to examine the plasma levels of sd-LDL in patients with stroke and to investigate the associations in a large Chinese case-control study.


METHODS
We recruited 299 stroke patients (159 cerebral thrombosis, 42 lacunar infarction, 98 intracerebral hemorrhage) and 299 controls. The semiquantitative analysis of plasma levels of sd-LDL was performed by nondenaturing gradient gel electrophoresis.


RESULTS
(1) The plasma levels of sd-LDL in patients with ischemic stroke or hemorrhagic stroke were higher than in controls. (2) Multiple regression analysis showed that there were significant relationships between sd-LDL and triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, systolic blood pressure and history of diabetes, and a significant relationship between sd-LDL and stroke (r = 0.286, p < 0.001) even after adjusting for these factors. (3) Compared with the controls, the calculation of odds ratios indicated relative risk estimates of 3.111 for ischemic stroke (OR = 3.111 , 95% CI = 1.891-5.117, p < 0.001) and 3.164 for hemorrhagic stroke (OR = 3.164, 95% CI = 1.632-6.137, p < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Plasma sd-LDL was independently associated with both thrombotic and hemorrhagic stroke, suggesting it may be an independent predictor of as well as a risk factor for stroke in Chinese people, justifying clinical trials for primary and secondary prevention of stroke using statins or fibrates.
Zhao
Chun Xia
CX
Department of Internal Medicine, Institute of Hypertension, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, PR China.
Cui
Ying Hua
YH
Fan
Qiao
Q
Wang
Pei Hua
PH
Hui
Ruitai
R
Cianflone
Katherine
K
Wang
Dao Wen
DW
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D005260:Female; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking; D020521:Stroke / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology*
D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL