Apolipoprotein B-gene DNA polymorphisms (XbaI and EcoRI), serum lipids, and apolipoproteins in healthy Chinese.

The frequency of restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) of the apolipoprotein B (apo B) gene, detected by XbaI and EcoRI, and their influence on serum lipids and apolipoproteins were studied in healthy Chinese of both sexes in Singapore. A total of 221 subjects (150 males, 71 females) were investigated for the XbaI and 159 subjects for the EcoRI polymorphisms, while serum lipids and apolipoprotein levels were available for 196 subjects. The frequency of the X2 allele was found to be significantly lower in the Chinese than that reported in Caucasians from the United Kingdom (0.09 vs. 0.51, P less than 0.001). The haplotype frequencies were also significantly different between the Chinese and Caucasians with a higher frequency of X1R1 in the former compared to the latter (0.85 vs. 0.34, P less than 0.0001). The distribution of RFLP genotypes at both of the restriction sites was at Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in all groups. The influence of the apo B RFLPs on serum lipids and apolipoprotein levels (apo AI, AII, and B) was studied by both residual and multiple regression analyses considering age, sex, body mass index (BMI), and genotypes as independent variables in all possible combinations. No association was observed between the apo B genotypes and serum lipids or apolipoprotein levels except for high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC), apo AI and AII, with the X2 being associated with significantly lower levels of HDLC as well as apo AI and AII, the effect being stronger in males. These data raise the possibility that the mechanism of reported association between apo B polymorphism and coronary artery disease may be through effects on HDLC.     

Dietary intake and gene variation influence the response of plasma lipids to dietary intervention.

We have examined whether variation at the apolipoprotein (apo) B, apo E, apo AII, and apo AI-CIII-AIV genes affected the relationship between dietary intake and serum lipid traits in individuals who had participated in dietary intervention from a basal high fat diet to a low fat diet followed by a return to their natural diet, the switchback. On both the basal and switchback diets where the variance of dietary intake was great, there was a significant correlation between P/S ratio and serum total, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and apo AI levels. In addition dietary cholesterol (dchol) levels correlated significantly with serum apo AI levels on the basal diet. Comparing the difference between basal and intervention (delta 1) and between switchback and intervention diets (delta 2), changes in dchol and P/S ratio correlated significantly with changes in serum total, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and LDL cholesterol, and apo B levels. There was a significant correlation between monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) and apo AI levels during both changes. Furthermore we have examined whether the relationship between variables was homogeneous among genotypes of candidate gene polymorphisms. A heterogeneous effect (P less than 0.01) was seen among genotypes of the PvuII-AIV restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) on the correlation of serum LDL cholesterol levels and dietary MUFA during both dietary changes (delta 1 and delta 2). A heterogeneous effect among genotypes of the apo B XbaI RFLP on the correlation between dchol versus total and LDL cholesterol during the change delta 1, but not delta 2, was observed. Thus our results show that both dietary components and genetic variation affect the response of serum lipid, lipoprotein, and apolipoprotein levels to dietary change.     

Lipids and pulmonary function in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

Studies considering the association between total cholesterol and noncardiovascular mortality, particularly from respiratory disease, yield inconclusive findings. To explore this question, the relation of lipids to pulmonary function, specifically forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV(1)), was investigated in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Conducted in the United States in 1988-1994 among adults aged > or =17 years, this survey measured serum lipids, FEV(1), and confounding factors including smoking and antioxidants. Multiple linear regression analysis explored the relation of FEV(1)/height(2) to low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and their respective apolipoproteins (apo) B and A-I. A standard deviation increase in HDL cholesterol or apo A-I was associated with an FEV(1) increase of 43 ml (95% confidence interval (CI): 30, 56) or 29 ml (95% CI: 11, 47), respectively, for an average-height adult. A standard deviation increase in LDL cholesterol or apo B was associated with an FEV(1) decrease of -24 ml (95% CI: -43, -5) or -53 ml (95% CI: -74, -32), respectively, adjusted for serum antioxidant status. The lipid subfractions were differentially associated with FEV(1) consistent with the possibility that LDL cholesterol contributes to endogenous oxidative burden while HDL cholesterol attenuates inflammatory tissue damage. Whether these associations are causal remains to be determined.     

Serum lipid and apolipoprotein distributions in Hong Kong Chinese.

STUDY OBJECTIVE--The aim was to describe the distribution of lipids and apolipoproteins in the Chinese population in Hong Kong. DESIGN--This was a prospective, cross sectional, population based survey. SETTINGS--The study was conducted in a single, self referred, out patient screening centre. PARTICIPANTS--Altogether 825 Chinese adults aged > or = 20 years were screened. One hundred subjects who had previously had lipid measurement and 29 who were taking lipid modifying drugs were excluded but 289 men and 407 women remained for further analysis. MAIN RESULTS--Age standardised mean (SEM) lipids concentrations for Hong Kong Chinese were total cholesterol: men, 5.48 (0.05) mmol/l and women, 5.46 (0.06) mmol/l; triglycerides: men, 1.22 (1.03) mmol/l and women, 1.00 (1.03) mmol/l; high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol: men, 1.25 (0.02) mmol/l and women, 1.42 (0.02) mmol/l; low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol: men, 3.56 (0.05) mmol/l and women, 3.50 (0.06) mmol/l; apolipoprotein A-I (apo A-I): men, 1.34 (0.01) g/l and women, 1.46 (0.01) g/l; and apolipoprotein B (apo B): men, 1.15 (0.02) g/l and women, 1.06 (0.02) g/l. The total to HDL cholesterol ratios were men, 4.62 (0.07) and women, 4.10 (0.08); and apo B to apo A-I ratios (apo B/A) were men, 0.88 (0.02) and women, 0.75 (0.02). While levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, apo B, triglycerides, total/HDL cholesterol, and apo B/A were positively associated with age in both sexes and were higher in men before the age 50-59 years, they rose steeply thereafter in women to cross over the levels in men. In contrast, HDL cholesterol decreased with age while apo A-I remained constant, and both were consistently higher in women than in men in all age groups. CONCLUSIONS--Hong Kong Chinese have attained lipid profiles similar to those in other developed western populations. Environmental factors seem influential in this regard. Faced with the increasing coronary mortality of recent years, there should be a major effort to reduce the cholesterol concentrations in this population.     

Accuracy of lipoprotein lipids and apoproteins in predicting coronary heart disease in diabetic American Indians. The Strong Heart Study

PURPOSE: To evaluate the accuracy of lipoprotein lipids and apoproteins in predicting coronary heart disease (CHD) in diabetic American Indians. METHODS: This study included 2099 diabetic participants of the Strong Heart Study, which is a longitudinal study of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and its risk factors in American Indians in Arizona, Oklahoma, and South and North Dakota. Diabetic participants with incident CHD (N = 126) were selected as the case group, and those without CHD or any cardiovascular events were the control group (N = 1732). Previous vascular events such as stroke were the sole exclusion criterion (N = 241). Baseline measurements of lipoprotein lipids and apoproteins were used to predict CHD diagnosed at the 4-year follow-up examination by using Receiver-Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. RESULTS: The ratio of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) to total cholesterol had the highest area under the ROC curve (0.69 +/- 0.02). The areas for the ratios of HDL to low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (0.68 +/- 0.02), apo AI/B (0.66 +/- 0.02), and the single component of total cholesterol (0.64 +/- 0.03) and LDL cholesterol (0.63 +/- 0.05) were not significantly different from the area for HDL/total cholesterol. However, the areas for apo B (0.64 +/- 0.02), HDL cholesterol (0.62 +/- 0.03), triglycerides (0.58 +/- 0.03), and apo AI (0.57 +/- 0.05) were significantly lower than the area for HDL/total cholesterol. Logistic regression analysis indicates that only HDL and LDL cholesterol were significant independent lipoprotein lipid and apoprotein predictors for CHD. The other significant predictors in the model were study center, age, gender, and albuminuria. The ROC area for this model is 0.75. CONCLUSIONS: HDL and LDL cholesterol were the most important independent predictors for incident CHD in diabetic American Indians. The ratios of HDL/total cholesterol, HDL/LDL cholesterol, and apo AI/B had higher accuracy for predicting CHD. Although the values for all lipoprotein lipids and apoproteins and their ratios were not large enough to definitely predict CHD, they can be used as screening tools for CHD in diabetic American Indians.     

Genotype by sex interaction in measures of lipids,lipoproteins, and apolipoproteins

Genotype by sex (GxS) interaction in a quantitative trait indicates that the sexual dimorphism exhibited in that trait is heritable. GxS interaction has implications for the modeling of traits in segregation analyses and for the assessment of disease risk in males and females. Thirteen quantitative measures of lipids, lipoproteins, and apolipoproteins from 203 to 301 individuals in 25 to 27 kindreds were examined for evidence of GxS interaction. These measures included serum concentrations of total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-C, HDL-C, apo B, and apo AI, and peak LDL particle diameter, small LDL mass, large LDL mass, IDL mass, VLDL mass, HDL, mass, and HDL, mass. GxS interaction was indicated for transformed values of LDL-C and small LDL mass by an additive genetic correlation between males and females significantly less than 1.0, and GxS interaction was indicated for transformed values of HDL, mass and HDL, mass by males and females having significantly different additive genetic variances. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Genetic analysis of sex and generation differences in plasma lipid,lipoprotein, and apolipoprotein levels in adolescent twins and their parents

In a sample of Dutch families consisting of parents aged 35–65 years and their twin offspring aged 14–21 years, a significant difference between generations was observed in phenotypic variances and in genetic heritabilities for plasma levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, high density lipoprotein (HDL) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and apolipoproteins (apo) A1, A2, B, and E. For all traits parents were more variable than their offspring. This increase in phenotypic variance was best explained by a genetic model in which individual specific environmental variance increased with increasing age. Genetic variance was the same across generations for nearly all traits except triglycerides and apoE, for which a decrease in genetic variance was observed. This model led to large intergenerational differences in genetic heritabilities. Heritabilities for children were between 65 and 87%, while heritabilities for their parents were between 10 and 50%. No evidence was found for effects of a shared family environment. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Comparison of the metabolic effects of two hormonal contraceptive methods: An oral formulation and a vaginal ring II. Serum lipoproteins and apolipoproteins

In a long-term, prospective study the effects on lipoprotein lipids and apolipoproteins (apo) of a combined oral contraceptive (OC) (30 μ g ethinylestradiol and 150 μ g levonorgestrel) and a contraceptive vaginal ring (CVR) releasing estradiol (about 180 μ g per day) and levonorgestrel (about 290 μ g per day) were compared. The two treatments induced significantly different effects. In the OC group the lipoprotein-lipid concentrations showed only minor changes, but apolipoproteins (apo) B and A-I increased by about 15%. In contrast, during treatment with the CVR there was a 25% decrement of cholesterol in high density lipoprotein (HDL) and at most 10% in low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, with only minor effects on apo B and A-I. The ratio of LDL and HDL cholesterol increased in the CVR group but not in the OC group. The results also indicate a change in the composition of the LDL and HDL particles, with an altered $\text{lipid}\text{protein}$ ratio, during both contraceptive treatments. Despite the impressive relative increase in LDL:HDL ratio in the contraceptive ring group, the average absolute value of this ratio did not reach the mean for healthy men.     

有高血压家族史血压正常的青少年血清抵抗素测定及临床意义

目的:探讨有高血压家族史但血压正常的青少年血清抵抗素的变化。方法:研究对象为30例有高血压家族史、本人血压正常的青少年(家族史阳性组,FH+组)和30例无高血压家族史、血压正常的青少年(对照组,FH-组),测定其身高、体重、体重指数(BMI)、血压、空腹血糖(FBG)、血总胆固醇(TC)、甘油三酯(TG)、低密度脂蛋白(LDL-C)、高密度脂蛋白(HDL-C)和血清抵抗素(Resistin)。结果:FH+组青少年的BMI、收缩压、FBG、TC、LDL-C和血清抵抗素均高于FH-组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。血清抵抗素水平与收缩压(SBP)和FBG呈正相关(P<0.05)。结论:有高血压家族史的青少年即使在血压尚处于正常范围时,已发生血清抵抗素水平升高,血清抵抗素水平可能与血压相关。     

Effect of soy protein varying in isoflavone content on serum lipids in healthy young men

BACKGROUND: Previous research supports a role for soy protein in reducing serum lipids; however, few studies involved healthy male subjects or focused on soy isoflavones (or did both). OBJECTIVE: The objective was to ascertain the effects of soy protein varying in isoflavone content on serum lipids in healthy young men. DESIGN: Thirty-five males (x +/- SD age: 27.9 +/- 5.7 y) consumed milk protein isolate (MPI), low-isoflavone soy protein isolate (low-iso SPI; 1.64 +/- 0.19 mg aglycone isoflavones/d), and high-isoflavone SPI (high-iso SPI; 61.7 +/- 7.4 mg aglycone isoflavones/d) for 57 d each, separated by 4-wk washout periods, in a randomized crossover design. Blood samples were collected at the beginning and end of each treatment period, and total, LDL, and HDL cholesterol; triacylglycerols; apolipoprotein (apo) B; apo A-I; and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured in serum. Twenty-four-hour urine samples were collected for 3 consecutive days at the end of each treatment period and analyzed for isoflavones. RESULTS: Urinary isoflavones were significantly greater with consumption of the high-iso SPI than with that of the low-iso SPI or MPI. The differences between the 3 treatments with respect to individual serum lipids were not significant, but the ratios of total to HDL cholesterol, LDL to HDL cholesterol, and apo B to apo A-I were significantly lower with both SPI treatments than with MPI treatment. CONCLUSION: Soy protein, regardless of isoflavone content, modulates serum lipid ratios in a direction beneficial for cardiovascular disease risk in healthy young men.     

Effect of apolipoprotein E polymorphism on the serum lipid and insulin response to whole grain consumption in coronary artery disease patients

Whether apo E polymorphism influenced serum lipids and insulin response to the isocalorical replacement of refined rice with whole grains was investigated in coronary artery disease (CAD) men with a low-fat diet. CAD men (n=110) were switched from their basal diet (61% carbohydrate and 19% fat) to isoenergetic diet containing 70g whole grain powder (220kcal), as a carbohydrate source of breakfast for 16 weeks. Apo E2 group (n=11) showed higher baseline serum triglyceride than apo E3 group (n=82). Baseline serum concentrations of total and LDL cholesterol and apo B were highest in apo E4 group (n=16), intermediate in apo E3 and lowest in apo E2. Apo E3 groups showed significantly decreases of triglyceride, total and LDL cholesterol and apo B by 12%, 5%, 8% and 8% after 16 weeks, respectively. In apo E4 group, similar decrease of LDL cholesterol and apo B was observed. HDL cholesterol significantly increased by 8% and 15% in apo E3 and E4 groups, respectively. Apo E3 group showed about 9% decrease in fasting insulin and glucose. Apo E genotype modified the serum lipids and insulin response to the isocalorical replacement of refined rice with whole grains in CAD men with a low-fat diet; apo E2 subjects were non-responders, while apo E3 subjects were favorable responders.     

严重烧伤病人血脂变化的研究

1995年4月～1997年11月系统地观察了43例大面积烧伤病人的血脂变化，同时观察了输入脂肪乳剂（Intralipid）对大面积烧伤病人血脂代谢的影响。血脂包括总胆固醇（TC），甘油三酯（TG），高密度脂蛋白（HDL），低密度脂蛋白（LDL），载脂蛋白A（apoA）和载脂蛋白B（apoB），经检测未发现高血脂异常。输入20％脂肪乳剂250ml，未发现对血脂代谢不良影响。本组深度烧伤病例约56％出现胆固醇水平降低，同时还发现34％病例肝功能异常。因此，对严重烧伤病人在促进肝功能恢复的同时，可适当补充高脂、高糖食物。     

Plasma and lipoprotein lipids and apolipoproteins AI, AII and B in patients with chronic airflow limitation.

Plasma and lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides, and plasma apolipoproteins AI, AII and B were compared in patients with chronic airflow limitation, and normal controls matched for body mass index. The controls were non-smokers, and free from respiratory disease. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol concentration was significantly elevated in the patients, due mainly to a raised HDL2 cholesterol level. HDL triglyceride was significantly lower in the patients. All other lipids were not different from normal. Apolipoprotein AI levels were significantly raised in the patients but other apolipoproteins were unchanged. The changes found may account in part for the fact that patients with chronic airflow limitation have a lower incidence of atherosclerotic heart disease.     

Dietary exchange of an olive oil and sunflower oil blend for extra virgin olive oil decreases the estimate cardiovascular risk and LDL and apolipoprotein AII concentrations in postmenopausal women

BACKGROUND: Dietary supplementation with Virgin olive oil is considered cardioprotective. Decreasing LDL and apolipoprotein (apo) AII-lipoproteins is also appropriate for CHD protection and treatment. AIM: To study the effects of an 8%En dietary exchange of linoleic acid for oleic acid on serum and lipoprotein levels and serum and LDL-TBARS in postmenopausal women consuming a diet rich in fat (46%En; saturated/monounsaturated/polyunsaturated profile: 1.1/1.9/1). EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: 14 postmenopausal women (63 +/- 11 years) were assigned to exchange during 28-day dietary period the culinary oil used for years consisting in a blend of olive oil plus sunflower oil (SO) for extra virgin olive oil (EVOO). SO and EVOO represented 62% of the total lipid intake. DETERMINATIONS: Dietary intakes, serum Lp(a), and cholesterol, triglycerides, phospholipids, protein, apolipoproteins AI, AII, B were determined in serum and lipoproteins. RESULTS: The dietary intervention decreased serum total cholesterol (TC), phospholipids, apo AII (all, p < 0.001) and apo B (p < 0.01). Except for triglycerides, all components of the LDL fraction decreased (at least, p < 0.05). HDL-cholesterol was not affected but HDL-phospholipids and HDL-lipids decreased (at least, p < 0.01). VLDL-apo B and VLDL-proteins decreased (all, p < 0.001). Serum Lp(a), TBARS and LDL-TBARS were not affected by the dietary exchange. The estimate of 10-year cardiovascular risk decreased (p < 0.05). Apo AII (p = 0.061) and LDL-cholesterol (p < 0.05) underwent greater modifications in normocholesterolemics, while LDL-phospholipids (p = 0.094), experienced greater alterations in hypercholesterolemics. No significant interaction was observed between dietary exchange and age (> or <65 yrs). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that the dietary exchange of an olive oil and sunflower oil blend for extra virgin olive decreases LDL and apo AII levels, and the estimate of 10-year cardiovascular risk.     

川崎病儿童载脂蛋白和脂蛋白及血脂水平变化的临床研究

[目的]研究川崎病(Kawasaki disease ,KD)患儿血清脂类(载脂蛋白、脂蛋白、血脂)在病程各临床分期中的变化情况. [方法]120例川崎病患儿在疾病的不同临床分期及120名对照组儿童均进行血清脂类测定. [结果]川崎病组血清脂类无年龄与性别差异,病程中TG、ApoB100、ApoE比对照组高(P＜0.01),TC、HDL-C、ApoAI比对照组低(P＜0.01),LDL-C、Lpa与正常儿童相比差异无显著性(P均＞0.05).急性期明显下降的项目有:TC、HDL-C、ApoAI、Lpa;除了ApoE,其余项目亚急性期均比急性期高.TC、HDL-C在亚急性期已接近正常水平,TG、LDL-C、Lpa、ApoAI、ApoB100在恢复期时基本达到正常水平.ApoE在KD病程中各期差异无显著性(P＞0.05),但水平始终高于对照组(P＜0.01). [结论]KD患儿血清脂类除ApoE外,在临床各期均有不同程度变化,但基本上是一过性的,到恢复期时基本上接近正常水平.KD患儿在疾病过程中存在的血脂代谢紊乱对其可能有长远的影响,临床应重视对血脂结果的分析,及早干预.     

Effect of 3-month treatment of children and adolescents with familial and polygenic hypercholesterolaemia with a soya-substituted diet

Soya protein has well-documented beneficial effects on serum lipid levels in adults, the potential beneficial effect of a prolonged soya protein-substituted diet in children and adolescents with familial (FH) and polygenic hypercholesterolaemia (PH) being unknown. To assess the effect of 3 months' treatment of children and adolescents with FH and PH with a soya-substituted diet on serum lipids and lipoproteins, twenty-three children and adolescents were initially assigned to a standard phase 1 diet for 3 months, after which they were instructed to include soya protein (0.25-0.5 g/kg body weight) into their diet for 3 months. Sixteen patients (ten males and six females, thirteen with FH (eight males and five females), three with PH (two males and one female); mean age 8.8 (sd 4.2) years (range 4-18 years); mean BMI 16.7 (sd 2.6) kg/m2)) completed both phases. The phase 1 diet resulted in a significant reduction of total cholesterol (TC), LDL-cholesterol and apo B by 12.3, 11.8 and 10.6 %, respectively, HDL-cholesterol, TAG, apo A1 and lipoprotein(a) not being different. Dietary intake of soya protein during phase 2 resulted in a significant decrease of TC, LDL-cholesterol and apo B by 7.7, 6.4, and 12.6 %, respectively. TAG, HDL-cholesterol, apo A1, and lipoprotein(a) did not change significantly. Substitution of soya protein for animal protein in a low-fat, fat-modified diet is of additional benefit in many, but not all, children and adolescents with FH and PH when aiming at lowering serum TC, LDL and apo B. It seems to be a feasible long-term dietary lifestyle intervention and may grant additive benefit in the prevention of early vascular disease.     

膳食脂质对中老年高胆固醇血症患者血清胆固醇的影响

对１６７名中老年高胆固醇血症患者的膳食脂质摄入情况及血清总胆固醇（ＴＣ）、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇（ＨＤＬ－Ｃ）和低密度脂蛋白胆固醇（ＬＤＬ－Ｃ）水平进行分析测定,结果表明：膳食脂质摄入及身体质量指数（ＢＭＩ）对血清胆固醇水平有重要影响;ＢＭＩ、膳食胆固醇和饱和脂肪酸与ＴＣ和ＬＤＬ－Ｃ水平呈正关联,ＨＤＬ－Ｃ及其与ＴＣ的比值与单不饱和脂肪酸呈正关联,而与ＢＭＩ呈负关联,提示减少膳食胆固醇和饱和脂肪摄入、     

Fasting increases serum total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and apolipoprotein B in healthy, nonobese humans.

Voluntary fasting is practiced by many humans in an attempt to lose body weight. Conflicting results have been published on the effects of food deprivation on serum lipids. To study the effect of acute starvation on serum lipids, 10 nonobese (93-124% of ideal body weight), healthy adults (6 men, 4 women, 21-38 y old) fasted (no energy) for 7 d. Fasting increased total serum cholesterol from 4.90 +/- 0.23 to 6.73 +/- 0.41 mmol/L (37.3 +/- 5.0%; P < 0.0001) and LDL cholesterol from 2.95 +/- 0.21 to 4.90 +/- 0.36 mmol/L (66.1 +/- 6. 6%; P < 0.0001). Serum apolipoprotein B (apo B) increased from 0.84 +/- 0.06 to 1.37 +/- 0.11 g/L (65.0 +/- 9.2%; P < 0.0001). The increases in serum cholesterol, LDL and apo B were associated with weight loss. Fasting did not affect serum concentrations of triacylglycerol and HDL cholesterol. Serum concentrations of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) decreased from 246 +/- 29 (prefast) to 87 +/- 10 microg/L after 1 wk of fasting (P < 0.0001). We conclude that, in nonobese subjects, fasting is accompanied by increases in serum cholesterol, LDL and apo B concentrations, whereas IGF-I levels are decreased.     

Apolipoproteins A-I and B: biosynthesis, role in the development of atherosclerosis and targets for intervention against cardiovascular disease

Apolipoprotein (apo) AI and apoB are the major apolipoproteins of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL), respectively. ApoB assembles the precursor of LDL, very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), in the liver. The assembly starts with the formation of a primordial particle, which is converted to VLDL2. The VLDL2 particle is then transferred to the Golgi apparatus and can either be secreted or converted to triglyceride-rich VLDL1. We have reviewed this assembly process, the process involved in the storage of triglycerides in cytosolic lipid droplets, and the relationship between these two processes. We also briefly discuss the formation ofHDL. ApoB mediates the interaction between LDL and the arterial wall. Two regions in apoB are involved in this binding. This interaction and its role in the development of atherosclerosis are reviewed. ApoB can be used to measure the number of LDL or VLDL particles present in plasma, as there is one molecule of apoB on each particle. By contrast, the amount of cholesterol and other lipids on each particle varies under different conditions. We address the possibility of using apoAl and apoB levels to estimate the risk of development of cardiovascular diseases and to monitor intervention to treat these diseases.     

Indices of adipose tissue distribution, apolipoproteins B and AI, lipoprotein (a), and triglyceride concentration in children aged 4-11 years: the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

This study examined the association of body fat distribution with serum apolipoproteins, lipoprotein (a), and triglyceride, risk factors for cardiovascular morbidity, in a representative sample of U.S. black, white, and Hispanic children. Data from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey for children aged 4-11 years revealed the mean waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) varied consistently with age, gender, and ethnic group. Levels were highest in Mexican Americans. WHR showed significant negative associations with apo AI concentration and positive associations with apo B and the ratio of apo B to apo AI independent of age but not body mass index (BMI). Associations of WHR with serum triglyceride concentration were independent of age and BMI. Other indices of body fat distribution were not superior to WHR. Lp (a) was not consistently associated with WHR. In conclusion, after controlling for BMI and age, body fat distribution was not significantly associated with apo AI and apo B with few exceptions. Nor was Lp (a) significantly associated with body fat distribution. Casual serum triglyceride levels were significantly positively associated with WHR independent of age and BMI in non-Hispanic white and Mexican American children.