Plasma triglyceride levels and body mass index values are the most important determinants of prebeta-1 HDL concentrations in patients with various types of primary dyslipidemia.
OBJECTIVE
Experimental studies have shown that the prebeta-1 subclass of high-density lipoprotein particles (prebeta-1 HDL) may play an important role in the reverse cholesterol transport pathway as the initial acceptors of cellular cholesterol. The aim of the present study was the direct comparison of prebeta-1 HDL values in individuals with various types of primary dyslipidemias.


METHODS
Four hundred and eighty-six unrelated individuals were included in the study. According to their lipid values study participants were subdivided into four groups: control group (n=206), type IIA dyslipidemia group (n=148), type IIB dyslipidemia group (n=49) and type IV dyslipidemia group (n=83).


RESULTS
All dyslipidemic patients displayed higher concentrations of prebeta-1 HDL compared to control individuals. However, patients with dyslipidemias characterized by an abnormal catabolism of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins (such as dyslipidemias of type IIB and IV) tend to have higher prebeta-1 HDL values compared to patients with hypercholesterolemia, and this increase is proportional to the degree of hypertriglyceridemia. In addition, patients with metabolic syndrome exhibited significantly higher levels of prebeta-1 HDL compared to individuals that do not fulfill the criteria for the diagnosis of this syndrome. Multiple regression analysis revealed that serum triglyceride concentrations and body mass index (BMI) values were the most important determinants of prebeta-1 HDL levels in our population.


CONCLUSIONS
All dyslipidemic patients exhibit increased prebeta-1 HDL concentrations as compared to normolipidemic individuals. Whether this increase represents a defensive mechanism against atherosclerosis or it is indicative of impaired maturation of HDL particles and thus of a defective reverse cholesterol transport mechanism remains to be established.
Tsimihodimos
Vasilis
V
Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece.
Gazi
Irene
I
Filippatos
Theodosios
T
Kostapanos
Michael
M
Lagos
Kostantinos
K
Kostara
Christina
C
Tellis
Constantinos C
CC
Elisaf
Moses
M
Tselepis
Alexandros D
AD
D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood*; D050171:Dyslipidemias / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000737:chemistry; D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood*
D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008055:Lipids; D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL; D014280:Triglycerides; C035392:high density lipoprotein-1