Association of High-Density Lipoprotein Subclasses with Carotid Intima-Media Thickness: Shimane CoHRE Study

Abstract

Aims: Recent studies suggested that subclasses of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) may be a better biomarker to predict the risk of atherosclerotic disorders. We aimed to examine the association of HDL2- and HDL3-cholesterol (HDL2-C and HDL3-C) with carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) using a new method to quantify the HDL-C subclasses.Methods: Participants were 657 Japanese subjects (434 women) who received a health examination (mean age: 73 years). Serum samples were analyzed by the homogenous assay for HDL-C and HDL3-C. HDL2-C was calculated indirectly by subtracting HDL3-C from HDL-C. HDL3-C measured by this assay was well correlated with that measured by ultracentrifugation (r = 0.898, p < 0.001). The maximum IMT (max-IMT) and plaque score (PS) were evaluated by ultrasonography following the standard protocol.Results: HDL3-C was associated with age both in men (r = −0.322, p < 0.0001) and women (r = −0.315, p < 0.0001). In a simple regression analysis, max-IMT showed an inverse association with HDL3-C, whereas no significant association was observed with HDL2-C. A multiple linear regression analysis indicated, however, that the association between HDL3-C and max-IMT was not significant in both aged and younger populations when age was included in the analysis. Further, not only HDL2-C but also HDL3-C was not a significant predictor of ‘atherosclerotic arteries’ defined as the max-IMT ≥ 1.5 mm. Similar results were observed in the analysis on PS.Conclusions: Neither HDL3-C nor HDL2-C was significantly associated with carotid atherosclerosis in the Japanese population in this study.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil Prevents the Age-Related Shifts of the Distribution of HDL Subclasses and Improves Their Functionality

“…Conversely, other studies indicated that the role of HDL 3 remained equivocal [ 34 ] and may even have a pro-atherogenic effect, whereas HDL 2 (L-HDL) subfractions were associated with increased protection against atherosclerosis [ 35 , 36 ]. Lastly, some studies found no association between any of the HDL 2 and HDL 3 subclasses and the stage of arterial atherosclerosis [ 37 ]. Nevertheless, the present study is the first to compare the functionality of HDL with respect to their subclasses distribution as analyzed by the Lipoprint system.…”

Diabetes alters the association between high-density lipoprotein subfractions and carotid intima-media thickness: The Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil)

“…or HDL 3 -C with cIMT, 19,20 a recent publication has shown that, in addition to HDL-C, the HDL 2 -C subfraction is associated with a lower cIMT, suggesting that this subfraction is atheroprotective. 18 In contrast to these data, a Finnish study 31 demonstrated that HDL-C, HDL 2 -C and HDL 3 -C subfractions and also the HDL 2 -C/HDL 3 -C ratio are negatively associated with cIMT, a finding that was reproduced in our study.…”

“…Also, the association of HDL-C subfractions and cIMT remains disputed since different results are obtained with the use of different separation methods. [18][19][20] This relationship is even more intricate because diabetic individuals have lower HDL-C levels and a lower HDL 2 -C/HDL 3 -C ratio, which seems to modify the association of HDL-C with cIMT in comparison with the non-diabetic population. It is also well documented that the functionality of HDL species from patients with T2D is impaired and even dysfunctional.…”

HDL₃ Cholesterol Levels in an Elderly Population

“…The current study by Dr. Notsu et al investigated the association between HDL subclasses and carotid intima-media thickness in the Shimane CoHRE Study conducted in the Oki Island in the Japan Sea 6 ) . HDL 3 cholesterol is negatively associated with age both in men and women.…”