Increased apolipoprotein E level and reduced high-density lipoprotein mean particle size associate with low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and features of metabolic syndrome.
The metabolic syndrome (MetS) pandemic predisposes patients to low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). To successfully treat low HDL-C, there is an urgent need for a better understanding of the changes in HDL particles in the low-HDL-C state. Especially, apolipoprotein (apo) E metabolism in HDL particles is an emerging and important issue. Therefore, we determined HDL subspecies, apo E distribution, and the impact of the MetS in subjects with low and high HDL-C. We studied 246 subjects derived from the Finnish Health 2000 Health Examination Survey. The 2 groups included 113 low-HDL-C (≤10th percentile) and 133 high-HDL-C (≥90th percentile) subjects. The low-HDL-C subjects had higher apo E concentration (39.4 ± 19.4 vs 25.6 ± 8.0 μg/mL, P < .001) and smaller HDL mean particle size (9.0 ± 0.2 vs 9.8 ± 0.3 nm, P < .001). The distribution of apo E genetic isoforms could not explain the difference. Apolipoprotein E content of very low-density lipoprotein particles was comparable between the study groups. In the low-HDL-C subjects, apo E level in large HDL particles was lower (P < .001) compared with that in the high-HDL-C subjects. The subjects with MetS had smaller HDL mean particle size and higher serum apo E concentration. Serum apo E concentration associated positively with different MetS markers (waist circumference, triglycerides, and glucose), whereas HDL mean particle size associated with those negatively. Our results highlight that, in the low-HDL-C state, there are changes in the size and composition of HDL particles associating with MetS. Apolipoprotein E, although generally considered antiatherogenic, associates with MetS and low HDL-C. Our results emphasize the need for a better understanding of apo E metabolism in HDL particles.
Söderlund
Sanni
S
Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Biomedicum, Helsinki, Finland.
Watanabe
Hiroshi
H
Ehnholm
Christian
C
Jauhiainen
Matti
M
Taskinen
Marja-Riitta
MR
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001057:Apolipoproteins E / Q000097:blood*; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood*; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D008970:Molecular Weight; D010316:Particle Size; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D055815:Young Adult
D001057:Apolipoproteins E; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL