Healthy Bangladeshi individuals having lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level compared to age-, gender-, and body mass index-matched Japanese individuals: A pilot study

Abstract

Background: Bangladeshi population is characterized by highest mortality and morbidity due to coronary artery diseases (CADs). Though some determinants of CAD have been identified, they were not completely elucidated. In this study, we aimed to compare high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol between Bangladeshi and Japanese adults to explore the cause of higher CAD prevalence in Bangladeshi population. Materials and Methods: Fasting blood samples were collected from 34 apparently healthy Bangladeshi adults and age-, sex-, and body mass index (BMI)-matched 34 apparently healthy Japanese adults. Fasting plasma glucose, total cholesterol (TC), HDL cholesterol and triglycerides (TGs), and other biochemical parameters were measured by standard spectrophotometric methods, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol was calculated by Friedewald’s formula. Results: The mean age of Bangladeshi and Japanese adults were 35.21 ± 7.83 and 34.77 ± 8.12 years, respectively. The mean values of TC, HDL cholesterol, TGs, and LDL cholesterol were 183 ± 36 versus 182 ± 31 mg/dL (P = 0.911), 43 ± 8 versus 53 ± 11 mg/dL (P = 0.001), 111 ± 25 versus 110 ± 27 mg/dL (P = 0.966), and 150 ± 116 versus 95 ± 68 mg/dL (P = 0.021) in Bangladeshi versus Japanese adults, respectively. HDL cholesterol in Bangladeshi adults was 10.3 mg/dL lower compared to Japanese adults. Conclusion: This study reveals that HDL cholesterol is lower in Bangladeshi adults compared to Japanese adults, which may be partly associated with higher CAD in this population.