title: Low HDL cholesterol is associated with increased atherogenic lipoproteins and insulin resistance in women classified with metabolic syndrome.
abstract: Both metabolic syndrome (MetS) and elevated LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) increase the risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD). We hypothesized that low HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) would further increase CVD risk in women having both conditions. To assess this, we recruited 89 women with MetS (25-72 y) and LDL-C ≥ 2.6 mmol/L. To determine whether plasma HDL-C concentrations were associated with dietary components, circulating atherogenic particles, and other risk factors for CVD, we divided the subjects into two groups: high HDL-C (H-HDL) (≥ 1.3 mmol/L, n = 32) and low HDL-C (L-HDL) (< 1.3 mmol/L, n = 57). Plasma lipids, insulin, adiponectin, apolipoproteins, oxidized LDL, Lipoprotein(a), and lipoprotein size and subfractions were measured, and 3-d dietary records were used to assess macronutrient intake. Women with L-HDL had higher sugar intake and glycemic load (P < 0.05), higher plasma insulin (P < 0.01), lower adiponectin (P < 0.05), and higher numbers of atherogenic lipoproteins such as large VLDL (P < 0.01) and small LDL (P < 0.001) than the H-HDL group. Women with L-HDL also had larger VLDL and both smaller LDL and HDL particle diameters (P < 0.001). HDL-C was positively correlated with LDL size (r = 0.691, P < 0.0001) and HDL size (r = 0.606, P < 0.001), and inversely correlated with VLDL size (r = -0.327, P < 0.01). We concluded that L-HDL could be used as a marker for increased numbers of circulating atherogenic lipoproteins as well as increased insulin resistance in women who are already at risk for CVD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Connecticut, 3624 Horsebarn Road Ext, Storrs, CT 06269, USA.
authors.forename: Maria Luz
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Fernandez
authors.forename: Jennifer J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ackerman
authors.forename: Jacqueline
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Barona
authors.forename: Mariana
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Calle
authors.forename: Michael V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Comperatore
authors.forename: Jung-Eun
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Andersen
authors.forename: Jose O
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Leite
authors.forename: Jeff S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Volek
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: McIntosh
authors.forename: Colleen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kalynych
authors.forename: Wadie
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Najm
authors.forename: Robert H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Lerman