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Alterations in the High Density Lipoprotein Phenotype and HDL-Associated Enzymes in Subjects with Metabolic Syndrome

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Lipids

Abstract

Patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS) usually have low high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels. We determined the HDL distribution profile as well as the HDL-related lipoprotein associated phospholipase A2 (HDL-LpPLA2) and paraoxonase-1 (PON1) activities in subjects with MetS (n = 189) but otherwise healthy. Age and sex-matched individuals (n = 166) without MetS served as controls. The lower HDL-C concentration in MetS patients was due to a reduction in both large and small HDL subclasses (P < 0.001 and P < 0.05, respectively). As the number of MetS components increased, the HDL phenotype comprised of a greater percentage of small HDL-3 and less large HDL-2 subclasses, resulting in a decreased HDL-2/HDL-3 ratio (P < 0.001 for all trends). Multivariate analysis revealed that HDL-2 levels and the HDL-2/HDL-3 ratio significantly and independently correlated with HDL-C (positively) and TG (negatively) levels. HDL-3 concentration significantly and independently positively correlated with HDL-C and TG levels. HDL-LpPLA2 activity was decreased in MetS patients (P < 0.01), a phenomenon that may contribute to the defective antiatherogenic activity of HDL in MetS. PON1 activity did not differ between groups. We conclude that MetS, in addition to the decrease in HDL-C concentration, is associated with alterations in the HDL phenotype, which is comprised of a greater percentage of small HDL subclasses. Furthermore, HDL-LpPLA2 activity is decreased in MetS patients.

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Conflict of interest statement

The present study was carried out independently; no pharmaceutical company supported it financially. Some of the authors have given talks, attended conferences and participated in advisory boards and other trials sponsored by various pharmaceutical companies.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Ioannina, 45 110, Ioannina, Greece

    K. G. Lagos, V. Tsimihodimos, I. F. Gazi, C. Rizos & Moses S. Elisaf

  2. Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Royal Free campus, University College London (UCL), London, UK

    T. D. Filippatos & D. P. Mikhailidis

  3. Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece

    A. D. Tselepis

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  1. K. G. Lagos
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  2. T. D. Filippatos
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Correspondence to Moses S. Elisaf.

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Lagos, K.G., Filippatos, T.D., Tsimihodimos, V. et al. Alterations in the High Density Lipoprotein Phenotype and HDL-Associated Enzymes in Subjects with Metabolic Syndrome. Lipids 44, 9–16 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11745-008-3251-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11745-008-3251-9

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