Small LDL-cholesterol is superior to LDL-cholesterol for determining severe coronary atherosclerosis.

Abstract

AIM:

Recent evidence suggests that small dense low-density lipoprotein (sd-LDL) particles are more atherogenic than large-LDL in spite of their lower cholesterol content. This study aimed to determine whether sd-LDL-cholesterol (sd-LDL-C) is superior to LDL-C as a biomarker of coronary heart disease (CHD).

METHODS:

LDL particle size determined by gradient gel electrophoresis and sd-LDL-C concentrations quantified by heparin-magnesium precipitation were compared between 482 stable CHD patients and 389 non-diabetic subjects without CHD who were not receiving any lipid-lowering drugs.

RESULTS:

Both male and female CHD patients had significantly smaller LDL particles and lower large-LDL-C concentrations (estimated by subtracting the sd-LDL-C concentration from the LDL-C concentration), and significantly higher sd-LDL-C concentrations than the control subjects. LDL-C concentrations were modestly higher and sd-LDL-C concentrations were significantly higher in 258 patients with angiographically documented severe CHD than in the patients with mild CHD irrespective of treatment by LDL-lowering drugs and history of myocardial infarction and/or coronary revascularization. Large-LDL-C concentrations, in contrast, were similar between the two groups. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that sd-LDL-C levels were significantly associated with severe CHD independently of LDL-C.

CONCLUSION:

sd-LDL-C levels are more powerful than LDL-C levels for the determination of severe stable CHD.

• Authors: Shinji Koba, Yuuya Yokota, Tsutomu Hirano, Yasuki Ito, Yoshihisa Ban, Fumiyoshi Tsunoda, Takatoshi Sato, Makoto Shoji, Hiroshi Suzuki, Eiichi Geshi, Youichi Kobayashi, Takashi Katagiri
• Journal: Journal of atherosclerosis and thrombosis (J Atheroscler Thromb) Vol. 15 Issue 5 Pg. 250-60 (Oct 2008) ISSN: 1880-3873 [Electronic] Japan
• PMID: 18981650 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Biomarkers
• Cholesterol, LDL

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Biomarkers (blood)
• Case-Control Studies
• Cholesterol, LDL (blood)
• Coronary Artery Disease (blood, diagnosis)
• Coronary Disease (blood, diagnosis)
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Particle Size