Higher level of plasma cholesteryl ester transfer activity from high‐density lipoprotein to Apo B‐containing lipoproteins in subjects with angiographically detectable coronary artery disease

BACKGROUND AND HYPOTHESIS: Plasma high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels correlate inversely with the incidence of coronary artery disease. In order to ascertain whether the transfer activity is related to coronary atherosclerosis, we studied plasma cholesteryl ester transfer activity (CETA) from HDL to apo B-containing lipoproteins in a consecutive series of 64 Japanese men aged < 60 years who had undergone diagnostic coronary angiography. METHODS: The subjects were divided into two groups: those who had > or = 50% luminal stenosis in one or more coronary arteries (Group 1) and those who had < 50% stenosis (Group 2). RESULTS: CETA was 20.8 +/- 6.0%/2 h in 38 subjects in Group 1, significantly higher than 17.4 +/- 6.9%/2 h in 26 subjects in Group 2 (p < 0.05). Plasma HDL-C levels in Group 1 were significantly lower than those in Group 2 (p < 0.05). CETA correlated inversely with HDL-C levels (r = -0.46, p < 0.001). Plasma total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglyceride (TG), and Lp(a) levels did not differ significantly between the two groups. There was no significant correlation between CETA and either LDL-C or TG levels. CONCLUSION: Results suggest that high CETA is related to low plasma HDL-C levels and may lead to the development of coronary atherosclerosis. Also, CETA was independent of plasma LDL-C or TG levels.