title: Statins do not decrease small, dense low-density lipoprotein.
abstract: In an observational study, we examined the effect of statins on low-density-lipoprotein (LDL) subfractions.Using density-gradient ultracentrifugation, we measured small, dense LDL density in 612 patients (mean age, 61.7 ± 12.6 yr), some with and some without coronary artery disease, who were placed in a statin-treated group (n=172) or a control group (n=440) and subdivided on the basis of coronary artery disease status.Total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, apolipoprotein B, and the LDL cholesterol/apolipoprotein B ratio were significantly lower in the statin group. However, the proportion of small, dense LDL was higher in the statin group (42.9% ± 9.5% vs 41.3% ± 8.5%; P=0.046) and the proportion of large, buoyant LDL was lower (23.6% ± 7.5% vs 25.4% ± 7.9%; P=0.011). In the statin group, persons without coronary artery disease had higher proportions of small, dense LDL, and persons with coronary artery disease tended to have higher proportions of small, dense LDL.Our study suggests that statin therapy--whether or not recipients have coronary artery disease--does not decrease the proportion of small, dense LDL among total LDL particles, but in fact increases it, while predictably reducing total LDL cholesterol, absolute amounts of small, dense LDL, and absolute amounts of large, buoyant LDL. If and when our observation proves to be reproducible in subsequent large-scale studies, it should provide new insights into small, dense LDL and its actual role in atherogenesis or the progression of atherosclerosis.
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Center, Korea University Guro Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul 152-703, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Cheol Ung
authors.initials: CU
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Hong Seog
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Seo
authors.forename: Eun Mi
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Seung Yong
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.forename: Un-Jung
authors.initials: UJ
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Jin Oh
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Na
authors.forename: Hong Euy
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.forename: Jin Won
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Eung Ju
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Seung-Woon
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Rha
authors.forename: Chang Gyu
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Dong Joo
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Oh
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001055:Apolipoproteins B / Q000097:blood; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002499:Centrifugation, Density Gradient; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D050171:Dyslipidemias / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010316:Particle Size; D056910:Republic of Korea; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D001055:Apolipoproteins B; D015415:Biomarkers; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D002784:Cholesterol