Remnant-like particle (RLP) cholesterol is an independent cardiovascular disease risk factor in women: results from the Framingham Heart Study

Remnants of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins (TRL) of both intestinal and liv er origin are considered to be atherogenic, but separation of remnant lipop roteins from other TRL is difficult. An assay has been developed that allow s immunoseparation of remnant-like particles (RLP) and measurement of chole sterol (RLP-C) and triglyceride (RLP-TG). We measured RLP-C and RLP-TG in f ast plasma samples obtained from 1567 women participating in cycle 4 of the Framingham heart study (FHS). When values from 83 women with cardiovascula r disease (CVD) were compared with the values from 1484 women without disea se, concentrations in women with CVD were found to be significantly higher for both RLP-C (0.215 +/- 0.102 vs. 0.186 +/- 0.162 mmol/l; + 15.6%; P < 0. 0001) and RLP-TG (0.319 <plus/minus> 0.352 vs. 0.251 +/- 0.716 mmol/l; +27. 0%; P < 0.0002). Logistic regression analysis revealed that RLP-C was signi ficantly associated with prevalent CVD in women (P < 0.002) after adjustmen t with other major risk factors. In conclusion, we have documented that RLP -C is an independent risk factor for CVD in women, and provides significant ly more information than do triglycerides. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Irelan d Ltd. All rights reserved.