No abstract

To assess the relationship between altitude, atherogenic, and anti-atherogenic lipoprotein cholesterols (low- [C-LDL] and high [C-HDL] density lipoprotein cholesterols, respectively), 136 and 94 Venezuelan Mestizos living at 1,000 and 3,500 in elevation were studied. The two groups did not differ in regard to height, weight, ethnic origin, social or economic status, nutritional patterns, age, or occupation. Both groups had a high level of daily physical exertion, an imperative in their subsistence rural agricultural economy. Due to the mountainous terrain, high altitude residents were thought to have increased levels of physical activity. Males and females at high altitude had significantly lower plasma total cholesterol and C-LDL levels, and slightly lower C-HDL levels than those at low altitudes. It is speculated that reduced coronary heart disease event rates at high altitude might be related to lower levels of the atherogenic lipoprotein cholesterol, C-LDL.

No abstract

Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activating property of plasma was measured in 24 healthy Venezuelan females (20-35 years) during the follicular and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle. Ouring the luteal phase plasma LPL activator was significantly (p < 0.00 I) higher (78.0 I ± 21.08 u/ml; M ± S.O.) than the follicular phase (50.94 ± 17.52 u/ml). Total plasma triglycerides (TG) were significantly (p < 0.05) lower during the luteal phase (86.79 ± 16.81 mg/dl) than the follicular phase (96.75 ± 21.81 mg/dl). *Means significantly different .. follicular vs luteal phases (p < 0.05 and p < 0.001 respectively) LPL-A = Lipoprotein lipase activator; U = units; TG = triglycerides; C-LOL = low density lipoprotein cholesterol; C-HOL = high density lipoprotein cholesterol.

No abstract