title: Diagnostic value of postprandial triglyceride testing in healthy subjects: a meta-analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Triglycerides (TGs) are measured in studies evaluating changes in non-fasting lipid profiles after a fat tolerance test (FTT); however, the optimal timing for TG measurements after the oral fat load is unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate how non-fasting TG levels vary after an oral FTT in healthy subjects.
  
  
  METHODS
  This meta-analysis included 113 studies with >5 participants of Caucasian race that were indexed in PubMed from its inception through March 2010, using the search term "postprandial lipemia". We only included studies that provided mean values and standard deviation (SD) (or standard error of the mean) for TG measurements at baseline (=fasting) and for at least one other time-point. Exclusion criteria included uncommon sampling time-points after the FTT, baseline TGs≥2.0 mmol/L (≥177mg/dl), and a body mass index ≥30kg/m(2).
  
  
  RESULTS
  All studies combined, weighted mean±SD TG values in mmol/L were 1.25±0.32 fasting, 1.82±0.40 at 2 h, 2.31±0.62 at 4 h, 1.87±0.63 at 6 h, and 1.69±0.80 at 8 h. After stratifying studies based on fat quantity in the test meal (<40, ≥40-<50, ≥50-<60, ≥60-<70, ≥70-<80, ≥80-<90, ≥90-<100, ≥100-<110, ≥110-120, ≥120 g), the highest standardized mean difference in TG levels from fasting levels was found in those having an oral fat load of ≥70 g and <80 g, and at 4 h (difference=1.74 mmol/L; p<0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The 4 h time-point after an oral fat load during a FTT was the most representative measurement of TGs. The highest standardized mean difference of TGs was found after a meal containing 70-79g of fat. The relevance of these two key parameters determined in healthy subjects should be considered for further developments of an oral FFT for clinical purposes.
authors.affiliation: Internal Medicine Department, General Hospital of Kimi, Kimi, Greece.
authors.forename: Constantinos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mihas
authors.forename: Genovefa D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Kolovou
authors.forename: Dimitri P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Mikhailidis
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kovar
authors.forename: Dennis
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lairon
authors.forename: Børge G
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Nordestgaard
authors.forename: Teik Chye
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Ooi
authors.forename: Pablo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Perez-Martinez
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bilianou
authors.forename: Katherine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Anagnostopoulou
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Panotopoulos
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019518:Postprandial Period; D013997:Time Factors; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood*; D044465:White People
chemical_list: D004041:Dietary Fats; D014280:Triglycerides