Relation Among Lipoprotein Subfractions and Carotid Atherosclerosis in Alaskan Eskimos (From the GOCADAN study)

• Published in: The American Journal of Cardiology
• Main Authors: Masulli, Maria, Patti, Lidia, Riccardi, Gabriele, Vaccaro, Olga, Annuzzi, Giovanni, Ebbesson, Sven O.E., Fabsitz, Richard R., Howard, Wm. James, Otvos, James D., Roman, Mary J., Wang, Hong, Weissman, Neil J., Howard, Barbara V., Rivellese, Angela A.
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 2009
• Subjects: Article; eskimo*; Alaska
• Online Access: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4219569; http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19932785; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjcard.2009.07.021

Studies have been inconsistent as to whether lipoprotein particle subfraction measures are useful indicators of cardiovascular risk. This study evaluated the relation between lipoprotein particle concentrations and size, analyzed by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, and measures of carotid atherosclerosis in a population with high cardiovascular risk but little hyperlipidemia. In this cross-sectional, population-based sample of Alaska Eskimos ≥35yrs (n=656), higher carotid intimal medial thickness (IMT) was associated with higher low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (p=0.03) and total LDL particle concentration (LDL-P) (p=0.04), independently of other traditional risk factors; the effects of LDL-C and LDL-P on IMT were additive (p=0.015). Carotid plaque was associated with higher levels of LDL-C (p=0.01), higher concentrations of large LDL particles (p=0.003), and a reduction in the size of the very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) particles (p=0.03). The effects of LDL-C and large LDL particles on plaque score were additive. In conclusion, carotid IMT was associated with higher LDL particle concentrations; the association was strongest in those with higher LDL-C levels. Plaque was associated with higher concentrations of LDL-C, large LDL particles, and smaller VLDL particles. It may be beneficial to determine lipoprotein subfractions in populations with little hyperlipidemia.