title: Indicators of the atherogenic lipoprotein phenotype measured with density gradient ultracentrifugation predict changes in carotid intima-media thickness in men and women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Progression of carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) is a surrogate indicator for the early stages of atherosclerosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study investigated relationships between baseline lipoprotein cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), and apolipoprotein (Apo) B levels assessed with density gradient ultracentrifugation (DGU) and progression of posterior wall common CIMT in men (45-75 years of age) and women (55-74 years of age) in the control arm of a clinical trial. Participants had baseline posterior wall CIMT 0.7-2.0 mm, without significant stenosis. CIMT was assessed using B-mode ultrasound at baseline, and 12 and ~18 months. A DGU cholesterol panel that assessed the major lipoprotein classes and subclasses, plus triglycerides, lipoprotein (a) cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) peak time (inversely related to LDL particle density), and Apo B were performed on fasting baseline samples. Apo B was also measured using an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Baseline CIMT was inversely associated (P < 0.001) with CIMT progression. After adjustment for baseline CIMT, significant predictors of posterior wall CIMT progression in linear regression analyses included LDL peak time (inverse, P = 0.045), total high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (inverse, P = 0.001), HDL(2)-C (inverse, P = 0.005), HDL(3)-C (inverse, P = 0.003), very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL)-C (P = 0.037), and VLDL(1+2)-C (P = 0.016).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These data indicate that DGU-derived indicators of the "atherogenic lipoprotein phenotype," including increased TG-rich lipoprotein cholesterol, lower HDL-C and HDL-C subfractions, and a greater proportion of LDL-C carried by more dense LDL particles, are associated with CIMT progression in men and women at moderate risk for coronary heart disease.
authors.affiliation: Provident Clinical Research/Biofortis North America, Glen Ellyn, IL 60137, USA. kmaki@providentcrc.com
authors.forename: Kevin C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Maki
authors.forename: Mary R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Dicklin
authors.forename: Michael H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Davidson
authors.forename: Patrick D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Mize
authors.forename: Krishnaji R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Kulkarni
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001055:Apolipoproteins B / Q000097:blood*; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D059168:Carotid Intima-Media Thickness; D002499:Centrifugation, Density Gradient; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood*; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000209:etiology*; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008079:Lipoproteins, VLDL / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010641:Phenotype; D012307:Risk Factors; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D001055:Apolipoproteins B; D008079:Lipoproteins, VLDL; D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol