Refining and expanding the role of small, dense low-density lipoproteins

Abstract

The heterogeneity of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particles, s characterized by variation in size, density, and chemical comosition, is well established [1]. Most epidemiological studies, ave demonstrated that a predominance of small, dense LDL paricles is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease CVD), although this association is not always independent of ther lipid levels, due to correlations of LDL size with levels of lasma triglyceride (TG) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol HDL-C) [2,3]. This combined lipid profile of small, dense LDL, ncreased TG and decreased HDL-C, has been termed the “atheroenic lipoprotein phenotype” (ALP) or “lipid triad” [4,5]. Although everal atherogenic mechanisms for small, dense LDL have been roposed, including reduced affinity to the LDL-receptor binding ite, increased uptake into the arterial wall due to its smaller diamter, and increased oxidative susceptibility [6], much remains to e learned about the role of small, dense LDL in cardiovascular isease. In this issue of Atherosclerosis, two reports refine and expand ur understanding of the roles of small, dense LDL in risk for disase. Vekic et al. [7] describe a study of apparently healthy Serbian remenopausal women, menopausal women and men (average ges 37, 53 and 48 years, respectively) examining concentrations f cholesterol and apolipoprotein B in small, dense LDL particles sdLDL-C and sdLDL-apoB, respectively) using a technique develped by Hirano et al. in Japan [8], with LDL size determined by radient gel electrophoresis [9] and traditional lipid measures. lthough the study sample size is limited, the authors were able to