NMR-Based Lipid Profiling of High Density Lipoprotein Particles in Healthy Subjects with Low, Normal, and Elevated HDL-Cholesterol

Abstract

Recent studies suggest that the cholesterol content of HDL (high density lipoproteins) may provide limited information on their antiatherogenic properties and that the composition and particles' structure provide more information on their functionality. We used NMR-based (nuclear magnetic resonance-based) lipidomics to study the relationships of serum HDL-C (HDL-cholesterol) levels with the lipid composition of HDL particles in three groups of subjects selected on the basis of their HDL-C levels. Subjects with low and high HDL-C levels exhibited differences in HDL lipidome compared to those with normal HDL-C levels. In pattern recognition analysis, the discrimination power among all groups was of high significance. The low HDL-C group presented enrichment of the core in triglycerides and depletion in cholesterol esters, whereas the high HDL-C group showed a decrease in triglycerides content. Additionally, as HDL-C increases, all lipid classes are esterified with higher percentage of unsaturated than saturated fatty acids. In addition to the aforementioned differences, the surface layer is enriched in sphingomyelin and free cholesterol in the high HDL-C level group. NMR-based lipidomic analysis of HDL can be particularly useful since it provides insights into molecular features and helps in the characterization of the atheroprotective function of HDL lipoproteins and in the identification of novel biomarkers of cardiovascular risk.

Linseed oil increases HDL3 cholesterol and decreases blood pressure in patients diagnosed with mild hypercholesterolaemia

“…Also, the protective effect of HDL 3 may be altered in people with hyperlipidaemia. In studies based on various methods, including nuclear magnetic resonance, lipid profile differences in HDL molecules have been shown to be dependent on baseline levels of this lipoprotein fraction [34]. In people with familial hypercholesterolaemia, HDL 3 molecules contain an increased amount of sphingomyelin and saturated fatty acids, resulting in an increase in lipoprotein surface stiffness.…”

A Review of Lipidomics of Cardiovascular Disease Highlights the Importance of Isolating Lipoproteins

“…In total, we identified eight studies using NMR or LC-MS for lipidomic analyses, all based on a relatively small sample size (number of participants ranging from 20 to 159). Most of the studies were conducted in hospital settings using cross-sectional or case-control designs [59][60][61][62][63][64][65]. Three studies conducted lipidomics of HDL and non-HDL particles [51,52,64], while five studies specifically focused on the lipidome of HDLs [61][62][63]65,66].…”

“…Most of the studies were conducted in hospital settings using cross-sectional or case-control designs [59][60][61][62][63][64][65]. Three studies conducted lipidomics of HDL and non-HDL particles [51,52,64], while five studies specifically focused on the lipidome of HDLs [61][62][63]65,66]. Of the five studies, two studies examined varieties in HDL lipid content, comparing participants with high HDL-c to those with low HDL-c [61,66], and the other studies focused on the lipidome of lipoproteins and CHD diagnosis and progression [51,52,[62][63][64][65].…”

“…Three studies conducted lipidomics of HDL and non-HDL particles [51,52,64], while five studies specifically focused on the lipidome of HDLs [61][62][63]65,66]. Of the five studies, two studies examined varieties in HDL lipid content, comparing participants with high HDL-c to those with low HDL-c [61,66], and the other studies focused on the lipidome of lipoproteins and CHD diagnosis and progression [51,52,[62][63][64][65]. Only one study included LDL-c as a covariate [62], and only three studies corrected for multiple testing [63][64][65].…”

Quantification of Lipids: Model, Reality, and Compromise

“…In this study, lipoprotein profiles showed significantly lower plasma concentrations of cholesterol-IDL, triacylglycerides-IDL and HDL in mothers of growth-restricted fetuses compared to controls. 1 H NMR-based lipidomic analysis of HDL lipoprotein of plasma samples, isolated from non-HDL lipoproteins by precipitation, helps in the characterization of the atheroprotective function of HDL and the identification of novel biomarkers of cardiovascular risk [18]. Jimenez et al reported an extensive NMR trial of quantitative lipoprotein in human blood serum and plasma.…”