title: Carotid intima media thickness is related positively to plasma pre ß-high density lipoproteins in non-diabetic subjects.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Lipid-poor or lipid-free high density lipoprotein (HDL) particles, designated pre ß-HDL, stimulate removal of cell-derived cholesterol to the extracellular compartment, which is an initial step in the reverse cholesterol transport pathway. Pre ß-HDL levels may be elevated in subjects with established cardiovascular disease. We determined the relationship of carotid intima media thickness (IMT), a marker of subclinical atherosclerosis, with pre ß-HDL in subjects without clinically manifest cardiovascular disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  IMT and plasma pre ß-HDL, assayed by crossed immuno-electrophoresis, were determined in 70 non-diabetic subjects (aged 56±9 years; non-smokers only; 27 women).
  
  
  RESULTS
  IMT was correlated positively with pre ß-HDL, both expressed as plasma apolipoprotein (apo) A-I concentration (r=0.271, p=0.023) and as% of apo A-I (r=0.341, p=0.004). In contrast, IMT was correlated inversely with HDL cholesterol (r=-0.253, p=0.035). IMT was also related positively to pre ß-HDL after adjustment for age, sex, systolic blood pressure (in apoA-I concentration, ß=0.203, p=0.043; in% of plasma apoA-I, ß=0.235, p=0.023). IMT remained associated with pre ß-HDL after additional adjustment for either body mass index, plasma glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, apoA-I and apoB.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Subclinical atherosclerosis may relate to higher plasma pre ß-HDL independently of apoA-I and HDL cholesterol levels.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology, University Medical Center Groningen and University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Rindert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: de Vries
authors.forename: Frank G
authors.initials: FG
authors.lastname: Perton
authors.forename: Arie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: van Tol
authors.forename: Robin P F
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Dullaart
mesh_terms: D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D059168:Carotid Intima-Media Thickness; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus; D004586:Electrophoresis; D005260:Female; D053442:High-Density Lipoproteins, Pre-beta / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D053442:High-Density Lipoproteins, Pre-beta