SERUM LP AL LIPOPROTEIN PARTICLES AND OTHER ANTIATHEROGENIC LIPID PARAMETERS IN NORMOLIPIDEMIC OBESE SUBJECTS

The android pattern oi body fat distribution has been shown to increas e the risk of metabolic and coronary heart disease. Protective lipid m arkers against cardiovascular disease were studied in 98 obese normoli pidaemic, non diabetic, non-smoker subjects over 18 years of age accor ding to regional distribution of adipose tissue as estimated by the wa ist:hip ratio (WHR) and overall obesity as estimated by the body mass index (BMI). WHR was inversely correlated with Lp Al (r = -0.46) and H DL-cholesterol (r = -0.37). BMI was not correlated with protective lip id parameters but only with triglycerides. After adjustment, Lp Al was lower in men and in upper body obese women (p < 0.05). Lp Al is a bet ter indicator of body fat distribution than HDL-cholesterol or apo Al, and its variations appear to be indirectly related to gender, menopau se, and age, thereby influencing body fat distribution (the main facto r accounting for Lp Al variation). Lp Al was inversely correlated with WHR in gluteal-femoral obese women but not in abdominally obese women or men, possibly because of a threshold effect.