Very small low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level is a determinant of arterial stiffness in men with impaired glucose metabolism.
OBJECTIVE
Pulse wave velocity (PWV), an estimate of arterial stiffness, is an important predictor of cardiovascular risk. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between lipoprotein subclasses and brachial-ankle PWV (baPWV).


METHODS
A total of 131 apparently healthy Japanese men without a history of cardiovascular disease were divided into two groups: normal glucose metabolism (n =87) and impaired glucose metabolism (n =44). Cholesterol concentrations of major lipoproteins and their subclasses were determined by HPLC with gel permeation columns.


RESULTS
In the normal glucose metabolism group, age, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic pressure were associated with increased baPWV, and a stepwise multiple linear regression analysis revealed that age (p =0.022) and systolic blood pressure (p < 0.001) were significantly independent determinants of baPWV. In the impaired glucose metabolism group, age (p =0.002), very small LDL cholesterol (p =0.012), systolic blood pressure (p =0.021), and the fasting plasma glucose concentration (p =0.038) were identified as independent determinants of baPWV, although a univariate analysis revealed significant relationships of several plasma lipid compositions or species to baPWV.


CONCLUSIONS
In addition to aging, hypertension and glucose levels, very small LDL cholesterol levels appear to play an important role in the development of arterial stiffness in men with impaired glucose metabolism.
Takahashi
Ryotaro
R
Department of Cardiology, Chunichi Hospital, Nagoya, Japan.
Imamura
Akiko
A
Yoshikane
Mari
M
Suzuki
Masayuki
M
Murakami
Ryuichiro
R
Cheng
Xian Wu
XW
Numaguchi
Yasushi
Y
Ikeda
Nobuo
N
Murohara
Toyoaki
T
Okumura
Kenji
K
D000328:Adult; D000375:Aging; D001158:Arteries / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001786:Blood Glucose; D015243:Cholesterol, VLDL / Q000097:blood*; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011673:Pulsatile Flow; D014655:Vascular Resistance
D001786:Blood Glucose; D015243:Cholesterol, VLDL; D005947:Glucose