Low-density lipoprotein subclass distribution pattern and adiposity-associated dyslipidemia in postmenopausal women

Objective: A predominance of smalt, dense low-density lipoprotein (LDL) par ticles (subclass pattern B) is associated with increased risk for coronary heart disease and is characterized by elevated triglycerides and depressed high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol concentrations. The present anal ysis was undertaken to assess the impact of LDL subclass distribution patte rn and adiposity on serum lipids in postmenopausal women. Methods: Anthropometric measurements and fasting lipid data were obtained f rom 254 postmenopausal women 70 years of age or younger, not receiving sex ormone replacement, who were participating in a clinical trial designed to assess the influence of hormone replacement regimens on coronary heart dise ase risk markers. Results: The prevalence of LDL subclass pattern B was 32%. Triglyceride lev els were higher and I-IDL cholesterol lower (both p<0.001) in women with pa ttern B vs. pattern A, but total and LDL cholesterol levels did not differ. LDL subclass pattern contributed independently to the variance in HDL chol esterol (p<0.001) and Log, triglyceride (p<0.001) concentrations explained by anthropometric variables (waist circumference or body mass index). Compa red to women with LDL subclass pattern A and waist circumference below the median value of 83.0 centimeters, those with pattern B and waist <greater t han or equal to>83.0 centimeters had markedly lower HDL cholesterol levels [44.0 (41.6-47.4) vs. 57.2 (54.1-60.3) mg/dL, mean (95% CI)] and increased triglyceride concentrations [geometric mean 147.8 (131.6-165.7) vs. 95.4 (8 8.2-102.5) mg/dL]. Conclusions: These data suggest that adiposity and LDL subclass distributio n pattern are independent determinants of plasma triglyceride and HDL. chol esterol concentrations in postmenopausal women.