title: Relation of cholesterol and lipoprotein parameters with carotid artery plaque characteristics: the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) carotid MRI study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  There is a paucity of data regarding relations of apolipoproteins (apolipoprotein B [ApoB] and apolipoprotein A-1 [Apo A-1]), lipoprotein particle measures (low-density lipoprotein particle concentration [LDLp] and high-density lipoprotein particle concentration [HDLp]), and lipoprotein cholesterol measures (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDL-C], non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [non-HDL-C], and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C]) with atherosclerotic plaque burden, plaque eccentricity, and lipid-rich core presence as a marker of high-risk plaques.
  
  
  METHODS
  Carotid artery magnetic resonance imaging was performed in 1670 Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study participants. Vessel wall and lipid cores were measured; normalized wall index (NWI), standard deviation (SD) of wall thickness (measure of plaque eccentricity) were calculated; and lipid cores were detected in vessels with ≥ 1.5mm thickness. Fasting concentrations of cholesterol, ApoB and Apo A-1, and LDLp and HDLp were measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Measures of plaque burden (carotid wall volume, wall thickness, and NWI) were positively associated with atherogenic cholesterol and lipoproteins (p < 0.05 for total cholesterol, LDL-C, non-HDL-C, ApoB, and LDLp), but not with HDL-C, Apo A-1, or HDLp. SD of wall thickness was associated with total cholesterol (p 0.01) and non-HDL-C (p 0.02). Although measures of atherogenic or anti-atherogenic cholesterol or lipoprotein were not individually associated with detection of a lipid-rich core, their ratios (total cholesterol/HDL-C, non-HDL-C/HDL-C, and LDLp/HDLp) were associated with lipid-rich core presence (p ≤ 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Extent of carotid atherosclerosis is associated with atherogenic cholesterol and lipoproteins. Atherogenic/anti-atherogenic cholesterol or particle ratios were associated with presence of a detectable lipid-rich core.
authors.affiliation: Michael E DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Houston, TX 77030, United States.
authors.forename: Salim S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Virani
authors.forename: Diane J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Catellier
authors.forename: Lisa A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Pompeii
authors.forename: Vijay
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Nambi
authors.forename: Ron C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Hoogeveen
authors.forename: Bruce A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Wasserman
authors.forename: Josef
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Coresh
authors.forename: Thomas H
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Mosley
authors.forename: James D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Otvos
authors.forename: A Richey
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Sharrett
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Boerwinkle
authors.forename: Christie M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Ballantyne
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D016632:Apolipoprotein A-I / Q000097:blood; D001055:Apolipoproteins B / Q000097:blood; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000473:pathology*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood*; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D003287:Contrast Media; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008074:Lipoproteins / Q000097:blood*; D016015:Logistic Models; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009336:Necrosis; D016017:Odds Ratio; D058226:Plaque, Atherosclerotic / Q000097:blood* / Q000473:pathology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014481:United States
chemical_list: C505693:APOA1 protein, human; D016632:Apolipoprotein A-I; D001055:Apolipoproteins B; D015415:Biomarkers; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D003287:Contrast Media; D008074:Lipoproteins; C064925:gadodiamide; D002784:Cholesterol; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA