Association of lipoprotein subclasses and carotid intima-media thickness in the Chinese population

Aims: To determine whether lipoprotein subclasses are associated with the carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) in Chinese population. Patients & methods: Total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) were measured by standard enzymatic methods. The subclasses of LDL were determined by 1D gradient gel electrophoresis and subclasses of HDL were determined by 2D gradient gel electrophoresis in 342 participants. Carotid IMT was measured by means of high-resolution vascular ultrasound. Results: In multivariate analysis, TC and LDL-C levels were positively correlated with the carotid IMT (p < 0.001). In stepwise multiple regression analysis, small dense LDL was found to be significantly associated with IMT after adjustment for other metabolic risks and traditional lipids such as triglycerides, TC and HDL-C. Additionally, HDL subclasses were not correlated with IMT. Conclusion: Small dense LDL was a stronger predictor for carotid atherosclerosis in the general Chinese population when compared with HDL-C or HDL subclasses, which is independent of lipids and other related metabolic risks.