High density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in the Japanese

Abstract

High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels were measured in Japanese and Western residents in Japan with the heparin—MnCl 2 precipitation method. The mean HDL cholesterol level (± SD) in healthy Japanese was 56 ± 16 mg/dl for men and 61 ± 15 mg/dl for women. Females had significantly higher HDL cholesterol concentrations than males. HDL cholesterol showed a negative correlation with the obesity index and the plasma triglyceride level, and a positive correlation with alcohol intake. The mean HDL cholesterol level was significantly lower in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) and cerebral infarction than in controls. The estimated ratio (total cholesterol—HDL cholesterol)/HDL cholesterol, referred to as the Atherogenic Index, was significantly higher in these patients. HDL cholesterol levels were found to be relatively high in the Japanese compared with those reported for Western populations. HDL cholesterol levels in cord blood from Japanese neonates were found to be similar to those reported for Western neonates. HDL cholesterol levels of Western residents in Japan were nearly the same as those of the Japanese. It was suggested that the relatively high level of HDL cholesterol in the Japanese might be related to the lower incidence of CHD in Japan than in the West, and that the difference in HDL cholesterol level between Japanese and Western populations seems related to environmental factors.