title: The apolipoprotein C-I content of very-low-density lipoproteins is associated with fasting triglycerides, postprandial lipemia, and carotid atherosclerosis.
abstract: Background. Experimental studies in animals suggest that apolipoprotein (apo) C-I is an important regulator of triglycerides in fasting and postprandial conditions and associated with carotid atherosclerosis. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 81 subjects, aged 56-80 years recruited from a population health survey. The participants underwent a fat tolerance test (1 g fat per Kg body weight) and carotid atherosclerosis was determined by ultrasound examination. VLDL particles, Sf 20-400, were isolated and their lipid composition and apoC-I content determined. Results. The carotid plaque area increased linearly with the number of apoC-I molecules per VLDL particles (P = 0.048) under fasting conditions. Fasting triglycerides increased across tertiles of apoC-I per VLDL particle in analyses adjusted for apoC-II and -C-III, apoE genotype and traditional cardiovascular risk factors (P = 0.011). The relation between apoC-I in VLDL and serum triglycerides was conveyed by triglyceride enrichment of VLDL particles (P for trend <0.001. The amount of apoC-I molecules per VLDL was correlated with the total (r = 0.41, P < 0.0001) and incremental (r = 0.35, P < 0.001) area under the postprandial triglyceride curve. Conclusions. Our findings support the concept that the content of apoC-I per VLDL particle is an important regulator of triglyceride metabolism in the fasting and postprandial state and associated with carotid athrosclerosis.
authors.affiliation: Hematology Research Group, Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Tromsø, 9037 Tromsø, Norway.
authors.forename: John-Bjarne
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Hansen
authors.forename: José A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Fernández
authors.forename: Ann-Trude With
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Notø
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Deguchi
authors.forename: Johan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Björkegren
authors.forename: Ellisiv B
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Mathiesen