Serum total
lipids (
cholesterol and
triglyceride),
lipoproteins (VLDL,
LDL and HDL) and
Apolipoprotein-B levels of normal healthy individuals (n=25) and
coronary artery disease patients (n=25) were estimated. The objective of the present study was to ascertain the role of
apo-B in causation and inheritance of
coronary artery disease. It was observed that on an average serum total
cholesterol and
triglyceride more than 200 mg/dl bring the individuals to a risk of
coronary artery disease (CAD) irrespective of the age. CAD patients achieved this value at an early age (35-45 years). Similarly VLDL and
LDL levels were found to be significantly raised in CAD patients when compared to that of age matched normal individuals, with patients achieving risk values at an early age. HDL levels were found to be significantly lower in CAD patients as compared to normal individuals. Serum
apo-B levels were significantly raised in CAD patients as compared to age matched normal individuals. Patients with positive family history of CAD had raised serum
apo-B levels than those having negative family history. A positive coefficient of correlation was observed between serum
apo-B and
LDL levels suggesting that more the number of
Apo-B particles, more will be the synthesis of atherogenic particle (
LDL). Patients with negative family history had serum
apo-B levels closer to those of normal individuals and in these individuals HDL levels were found to be significantly lowered, suggesting that loss of scavenger role of HDL could be the risk factor responsible for the causation of CAD in these patients, with negative family history of
coronary artery disease.