title: Serum Lipid Transfer Proteins in Hypothyreotic Patients Are Inversely Correlated with Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH) Levels.
abstract: BACKGROUND Plasma cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) activity is often decreased in patients with hypothyroidism, whereas less is known about the phospholipid transfer protein (PLTP). We aimed to evaluate simultaneously serum CETP and PLTP activity in patients diagnosed with hypothyroidism. MATERIAL AND METHODS The selection criteria for control group members (without thyroid dysfunction) in this case to case study were levels of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and triglycerides similar to those in study group patients (101 patients diagnosed with hypothyroidism). Serum CETP and PLTP activities were measured by homogenous fluorometric assays using synthetic donor particle substrates. RESULTS Serum CETP and PLTP activities in hypothyreotic patients were lower (p<0.001) compared with those in healthy subjects. This lowering was associated with significant changes in HDL-C subclasses: decrease in HDL2- and increase in HDL3 cholesterol levels. Multiple linear regression analyses adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, smoking habits, and alcohol drinking showed a strong association between hypothyroidism and activity of lipid transfer proteins. A linear inverse relationship between thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and CETP (r=-0.21; p<0.01) and between TSH and PLTP (r=-0.24; p<0.001) was shown. There also was a positive correlation (p<0.001) between CETP and HDL2 cholesterol (r=0.27) and between PLTP and HDL2 cholesterol (r=0.37). A negative correlation between CETP and HDL3 cholesterol (r=-0.22: p<0.01) and between PLTP and HDL3 cholesterol (r=-0.24; p<0.001) has been demonstrated as well. CONCLUSIONS The decreased HDL2 and increased HDL3 cholesterol levels in subjects with hypothyroidism are consequences of decreased activity of lipid transfer proteins. These changes are early symptoms of lipid disturbances in hypothyroidism.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal and Occupational Medicine and Hypertension, Wrocław Medical University, Wrocław, Poland.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Skoczyńska
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal and Occupational Diseases, Wrocław Medical University, Wrocław, Poland.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wojakowska
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal and Occupational Diseases, Wrocław Medical University, Wrocław, Poland.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Turczyn
authors.affiliation: Department of Social Medicine, Wrocław Medical University, Wrocław, Poland.
authors.forename: Katarzyna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Zatońska
authors.affiliation: Department of Social Medicine, Wrocław Medical University, Wrocław, Poland.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wołyniec
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Isotope Treatment, Wrocław Medical University, Wrocław, Poland.
authors.forename: Natalia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Rogala
authors.affiliation: Department of Angiology, Wrocław Medical University, Wrocław, Poland.
authors.forename: Andrzej
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Szuba
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Isotope Treatment, Wrocław Medical University, Wrocław, Poland.
authors.forename: Grażyna
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bednarek-Tupikowska
mesh_terms: D000437:Alcoholism / Q000097:blood; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D053480:Cholesterol Ester Transfer Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007037:Hypothyroidism / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D049294:Phospholipid Transfer Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D012907:Smoking / Q000097:blood; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D053480:Cholesterol Ester Transfer Proteins; D049294:Phospholipid Transfer Proteins; D013972:Thyrotropin