The Apolipoprotein B/Apolipoprotein A-I Ratio as a Potential Marker of Plasma Atherogenicity

Abstract

Background. The apolipoprotein (apo) B/apoA-I ratio represents the balance between apoB-rich atherogenic particles and apoA-I-rich antiatherogenic particles, and this ratio is considered to be a marker of cardiovascular risk. Although many studies have demonstrated the importance of the apoB/apoA-I ratio in predicting the presence or absence of cardiovascular disease, less is known about apoB/apoA-I ratio as a marker of plasma atherogenicity. Methods. A total of 157 normolipidemic men aged 20–59 years were included in the study. The plasma levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), apoA-I, apoB, and apoE were determined after a 12 h fasting period. Results. The median of the apoB/apoA-I ratio in the studied normolipidemic subjects was 0.52, with values ranging from 0.19 to 2.60. The percentage of subjects with the apoB/apoA-I ratio exceeding 0.9 (the accepted risk value of cardiovascular disease) was 19.1%. The subjects with apoB/apoA-I>0.9 were characterized by higher TG levels and atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) and lower values of ratio of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) to apoB (LDL-C/apoB) and apoE levels compared with men with apoB/apoA-I<0.9. Conclusion. Despite normolipidemia, the subjects with the unfavorable apoB/apoA-I ratio had more atherogenic lipid profile.

ApoB/ApoA‐I Ratio is Associated With Faster Hemodynamic Progression of Aortic Stenosis: Results From the PROGRESSA (Metabolic Determinants of the Progression of Aortic Stenosis) Study

“…To this effect, autotaxin transported by lipoproteins promotes the production of lysophosphatidic acid, a lipid metabolite that drives inflammation and an osteogenic program in the aortic valve 38, 39. An increased apoB/apoA‐I ratio may also be a marker for small, dense lipoprotein particles 29, 40, 41. High proportion of small, dense lipoproteins is one of the key features of visceral obesity and is closely associated with the hypertriglyceridemic state of insulin resistance 40.…”

“…38,39 An increased apoB/apoA-I ratio may also be a marker for small, dense lipoprotein particles. 29,40,41 High proportion of small, dense lipoproteins is one of the key features of visceral obesity and is closely associated with the hypertriglyceridemic state of insulin resistance. 40 Numerous studies have demonstrated that the small, dense lipoprotein particles have greater susceptibility to oxidation, a process promoting the inflammation and fibrocalcific remodeling of the aortic valve.…”

Genetic Markers for Coronary Artery Disease

“…Each of the particles mentioned above contains one molecule of ApoB [35,36]. The concentration of atherogenic particles can be accurately estimated by measuring the plasma level of this apolipoprotein [34].…”

Relationship of Body Fat Percentage and Apo B/Apo a-1 Ratio as Cardiovascular Risk Marker in Rural Adults of Yogyakarta Indonesia

“…People with the unfavorable apo B/apo A-1 had more atherogenic lipid profile, therefore apo B/apo A-1 ratio can be considered as a sensitive marker of atherogenic risk [16].…”