title: Estimation of LDL Particle Size Using Lipid Indices: A Population-Based Study of 1578 Schoolchildren.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is atherogenic and LDL particles are reduced in diameter in the presence of insulin resistance, forming small, dense LDL. This study was conducted to assess the relationship between commonly used lipid indices and LDL particle size and furthermore to clarify the best surrogate lipid markers that could conveniently be used to estimate LDL particle size in children.
  
  
  METHODS
  We determined LDL particle diameter by gradient gel electrophoresis in 1578 children aged 10-12 years. At the fasting state, the relationships between measured LDL particle size and lipid variables [total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), atherogenic index [(TC-HDL-C)/HDL-C, TG/HDL-C, LDL-C/HDL-C, and LDL-C/apolipoprotein B (Apo B) and non-HDL-C (TC-HDL-C)] were analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The LDL particle diameter was 26.64 (mean) ± 0.48 (SD) nm in boys (n = 820) and 26.66 ± 0.49 nm in girls (n = 758); there was not a statistically significant difference. There were statistically significant correlations between LDL particle size and TG or HDL-C concentrations (r = 0.28∼0.37), but the correlations with LDL-C and ApoB were very weak. The combined lipid measures, such as atherogenic index, TC/HDL-C, TG/HDL-C, and LDL-C/HDL-C showed moderate correlations (r = 0.33∼0.38) with LDL particle size; however, the correlation of non-HDL-C with LDL particle size was weak (r = 0.18∼0.19). Simple HDL-C measure appeared to be of comparable value to combined lipid measures.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our data indicate that various lipid indices are not superior to HDL-C levels alone as a clinical tool for estimating LDL particle size. Non-HDL-C was less valuable in this aspect.
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Pediatrics, Dokkyo Medical University , Mibu, Kitakobayashi, Japan .
authors.forename: Yaeko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Watabe
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Pediatrics, Dokkyo Medical University , Mibu, Kitakobayashi, Japan .
authors.forename: Osamu
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Arisaka
authors.affiliation: 2 Department of Clinical Pathology, Juntendo Nerima Hospital , Tokyo, Japan .
authors.forename: Noriko
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Miyake
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Pediatrics, Dokkyo Medical University , Mibu, Kitakobayashi, Japan .
authors.forename: Go
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ichikawa
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Pediatrics, Dokkyo Medical University , Mibu, Kitakobayashi, Japan .
authors.forename: Satomi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Koyama
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Pediatrics, Dokkyo Medical University , Mibu, Kitakobayashi, Japan .
authors.forename: Naoto
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Shimura
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D053299:Apolipoprotein B-100 / Q000097:blood; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002648:Child; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood*; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood*; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D010316:Particle Size; D011159:Population Surveillance; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: C569471:APOB protein, human; D053299:Apolipoprotein B-100; D015415:Biomarkers; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D014280:Triglycerides