title: The association between adiponectin, HDL-cholesterol and α1-antitrypsin-LDL in female subjects without metabolic syndrome.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL) may act as an atheroprotective (anti-atherosclerotic) agent under some conditions. While the α1-antitrypsin (AT)-LDL complex is considered a type of oxidized LDL, its clinical relevance remains unknown. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between AT-LDL and anti-atherosclerotic variables such as HDL-cholesterol and adiponectin in subjects with and without metabolic syndrome (MetS).
  
  
  METHODS
  In asymptomatic females (n = 194; mean age, 54 years) who were divided into non-MetS (n = 108) and MetS groups (n = 86), the fasting levels of serum AT-LDL, adiponectin and glucose/lipid panels were measured, in addition to body mass index (BMI) and blood pressure.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The MetS group showed significantly higher BMI, blood pressure, glucose and triglyceride levels as well as significantly lower levels of HDL-cholesterol and adiponectin than the non-MetS group. A multivariate-adjusted analysis revealed that in the non-MetS group, AT-LDL was significantly, independently and positively correlated with adiponectin (β = 0.297, P < 0.05), along with HDL-cholesterol (β = 0.217, P < 0.05). In the MetS group, AT-LDL was significantly, independently and positively correlated with LDL-cholesterol only (β = 0.342, P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These data suggest that AT-LDL may exert anti-atherosclerotic effects in female subjects without MetS. More studies are required to clarify the clinical roles of AT-LDL in relation to the pathophysiology of MetS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Jichi Medical University, Tochigi, Japan. kazukotani@jichi.ac.jp
authors.forename: Kazuhiko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kotani
authors.forename: Toshiyuki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yamada
authors.forename: Nobuyuki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Taniguchi
mesh_terms: D052242:Adiponectin / Q000097:blood; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D015992:Body Mass Index; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000097:blood; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D011485:Protein Binding; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D000515:alpha 1-Antitrypsin / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D052242:Adiponectin; D001786:Blood Glucose; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D014280:Triglycerides; D000515:alpha 1-Antitrypsin; C099252:oxidized low density lipoprotein