Elevated hepatic lipase activity and low levels of high density lipoprotein in a normotriglyceridemic, nonobese Turkish population

Low levels of high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC) are associated wi th increased risk of coronary heart disease and, in the United States, are often associated with hypertriglyceridemia and obesity. In Turkey, low HDL- C levels are highly prevalent, 53% of men and 26% of women having HDL-C lev els <35 mg/dl, in the absence of hypertriglyceridemia and obesity. In this study to investigate the cause of low HDLC levels in Turks, various factors affecting HDL metabolism were assessed in normotriglyceridemic Turkish men and women living in Istanbul and in non-Turkish men and women living in Sa n Francisco. Turkish men and women had significantly lower HDL-C levels tha n the San Francisco men and women, as well as markedly lower apolipoprotein A-I levels (25 and 39 mg/dl lower, respectively). In both Turkish and non- Turkish subjects, the mean body mass index was <27 kg/m(2), the mean trigly ceride level was <120 mg/dl, and the mean total cholesterol was 170-180 mg/ dl, The mean hepatic triglyceride Lipase activity was 21% and 31% higher in Turkish men and women, respectively, than in non-Turkish men and women, an d remained higher even after subjects with a body mass index >50th percenti le for men and women in the United States were excluded from the analysis. As no dietary or behavioral factors have been identified in the Turkish pop ulation that account for increased hepatic triglyceride lipase activity, th e elevation most likely has a genetic basis.-Bersot, T. P., G. L. Vega, S. M. Grundy, K. E. Palaoglu, P. Atagunduz, S. Ozbayrakci, O. Gokdemir, and R. W. Mahley. Elevated hepatic lipase activity and low levels of high density lipoprotein in a normotriglyceridemic, nonobese Turkish population.J. Lipi d Res.