Serum apolipoprotein B-48 levels are correlated with carotid intima-media thickness in subjects with normal serum triglyceride levels

• Published in: Atherosclerosis 2011-09, Vol.218 (1), p.226-232
• Main Authors: Nakatani, Kazuhiro, Sugimoto, Taizo, Masuda, Daisaku, Okano, Rieko, Oya, Tomoko, Monden, Yasumasa, Yamashita, Taiji, Kawase, Ryota, Nakaoka, Hajime, Inagaki, Miwako, Yuasa-Kawase, Miyako, Tsubakio-Yamamoto, Kazumi, Ohama, Tohru, Nishida, Makoto, Ishigami, Masato, Komuro, Issei, Yamashita, Shizuya
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Apolipoprotein B-48; Apolipoprotein B-48 - blood; Atherosclerosis; Atherosclerosis (general aspects, experimental research); Atherosclerosis - blood; Biological and medical sciences; Biomarkers; Blood and lymphatic vessels; Blood Pressure; blood serum; Cardiology. Vascular system; Cardiovascular; Carotid Intima-Media Thickness; Cholesterol - blood; Chylomicron remnants; chylomicrons; Chylomicrons - blood; coronary disease; Coronary heart disease; drugs; fasting; Heart; high density lipoprotein cholesterol; Humans; hyperlipidemia; Lipoproteins - blood; low density lipoprotein cholesterol; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; middle-aged adults; Particle Size; Postprandial hyperlipidemia; Postprandial Period; Regression Analysis; Risk Factors; systolic blood pressure; triacylglycerols; Triglycerides - blood
• ISSN: 0021-9150; 1879-1484
• DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2011.05.009

Abstract Background Postprandial hyperlipidemia (PPHL) is an independent risk factor for coronary heart disease (CHD) which is based on the accumulation of chylomicrons (CM) and CM remnants containing apolipoprotein B-48 (apoB-48). Since atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases are frequently observed even in subjects with normal serum triglyceride (TG) level, the correlation between fasting apoB-48 containing lipoproteins and carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) was analyzed in subjects with normal TG levels. Methods From subjects who took their annual health check at the Osaka Police Hospital ( n = 245, male), one-hundred and sixty-four male subjects were selected to take part in this study; the excluding factors were: systolic blood pressure ≥140 mmHg, intake of antihypertensive or antihyperlipidemic drugs, or age >65 years. The association between biochemical markers and IMT was analyzed and independent predictors of max-IMT were determined by multiple regression analysis in all subjects and in groups N-1 (TG < 100 mg/dl, n = 58), N-2 (100 ≤ TG < 150 mg/dl, n = 53) and H (150 ≤ TG mg/dl, n = 53), respectively. Results Fasting total cholesterol, LDL–cholesterol, HDL–cholesterol, apoB-100 and ln RemL–C (remnant lipoprotein–cholesterol) levels were not correlated with max-IMT, but ln TG and ln apoB-48 were significantly correlated with max-IMT in all subjects. Ln apoB-48 and apoB-48/TG ratio were significantly correlated with max-IMT in group N-2. By multiple regression analysis, age and ln apoB-48 were independent variables associated with max-IMT in group N-2. Conclusion Serum apoB-48 level might be a good marker for the detection of early atherosclerosis in middle-aged subjects with normal-range levels of blood pressure and TG.