Postprandial lipemia and cardiovascular disease risk: Interrelationships between dietary, physiological and genetic determinants

• Published in: Atherosclerosis 2012-01, Vol.220 (1), p.22-33
• Main Authors: Jackson, Kim G, Poppitt, Sally D, Minihane, Anne M
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: atherosclerosis; Atherosclerosis (general aspects, experimental research); Biological and medical sciences; Blood and lymphatic vessels; Blood Vessels - physiopathology; body mass index; Cardiology. Vascular system; Cardiovascular; Cardiovascular Diseases - blood; Cardiovascular Diseases - etiology; Cardiovascular Diseases - genetics; Cardiovascular Diseases - physiopathology; clinical trials; Coronary heart disease; Diet - adverse effects; Fat composition; gender; genes; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; genetic variation; Genotype; Heart; Hemostasis; Humans; hyperlipidemia; Hyperlipidemias - blood; Hyperlipidemias - etiology; Hyperlipidemias - genetics; Hyperlipidemias - physiopathology; Inflammation; Inflammation - etiology; lifestyle; Medical sciences; Non-fasting triglycerides; Postprandial lipemia; Postprandial Period; prospective studies; risk; Risk Assessment; Risk Factors; triacylglycerols; Triglycerides - blood; Vascular function; women's health
• ISSN: 0021-9150; 1879-1484
• DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2011.08.012

Although the independence of the association and causality has not been fully established, non-fasting (postprandial) triglyceride (TG) concentrations have emerged as a clinically significant cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor. In the current review, findings from three insightful prospective studies in the area, namely the Women's Health Study, the Copenhagen City Heart Study and the Norwegian Counties Study, are discussed. An overview is provided as to the likely etiological basis for the association between postprandial TG and CVD, with a focus on both lipid and non-lipid (inflammation, hemostasis and vascular function) risk factors. The impact of various lifestyle and physiological determinants are considered, in particular genetic variation and meal fat composition. Furthermore, although data is limited some information is provided as to the relative and interactive impact of a number of modulators of lipemia. It is evident that relative to age, gender and body mass index (known modulators of postprandial lipemia), the contribution of identified gene variants to the heterogeneity observed in the postprandial response is likely to be relatively small. Finally, we highlight the need for the development of a standardised ‘fat tolerance test’ for use in clinical trials, to allow the integration and comparison of data from individual studies.