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(Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology. 2006;26:897.)
© 2006 American Heart Association, Inc.

Atherosclerosis and Lipoproteins

Decreased High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) Particle Size, Preß-, and Large HDL Subspecies Concentration in Finnish Low-HDL Families

Relationship With Intima-Media Thickness

Hiroshi Watanabe; Sanni Söderlund; Aino Soro-Paavonen; Anne Hiukka; Eeva Leinonen; Corradina Alagona; Riitta Salonen; Tomi-Pekka Tuomainen; Christian Ehnholm; Matti Jauhiainen; Marja-Riitta Taskinen

From the Division of Cardiology (H.W., S.S., A.S.-P., A.H., E.L., C.A., M.-R.T.), Department of Medicine, Helsinki University Central Hospital and Biomedicum, Finland; Unita Operativa di Medicina Interna (C.A.), Ospedale Cannizzaro, Universitá di Catania, Catania, Italy; Research Institute of Public Health (R.S., T.-P.T.), University of Kuopio, Finland; and Department of Molecular Medicine (C.E., M.J.), Biomedicum, National Public Health Institute, Helsinki, Finland.

Correspondence to Marja-Riitta Taskinen, MD, Professor of Medicine, Helsinki University Central Hospital Biomedicum, Haartmaninkatu 8, PO Box 700, 00029 Helsinki, Finland. E-mail marja-riitta.taskinen{at}helsinki.fi

Objective— High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol correlates inversely with the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). The precise antiatherogenic mechanisms of HDL subspecies are not thoroughly elucidated. We studied the relationship between carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and HDL subspecies distribution in Finnish families with low HDL cholesterol and premature CHD.

Methods and Results— Altogether, 148 members of Finnish low-HDL families and 133 healthy control subjects participated in our study. HDL particle size was significantly smaller in affected family members (HDL 10th Finnish age-sex specific percentile) compared with unaffected family members and control subjects (9.1±0.04 nm versus 9.5±0.05 nm, P<0.0001, versus 9.8±0.03 nm, P<0.0001 [mean±SE]). Large HDL_2b particles as well as preß-HDL concentration were significantly decreased among the affected family members. Mean IMT was significantly higher in the affected family members than in the control subjects (0.85±0.01 mm versus 0.79±0.01 mm; P<0.0001). Age, HDL_2b, systolic blood pressure, and preß-HDL were significant independent determinants of mean IMT.

Conclusions— The decreased levels of HDL_2b and preß-HDL reflect the potentially efflux-deficient HDL subspecies profile in the affected low-HDL family members. Decreased HDL particle size caused by the decrease of plasma concentration of HDL_2b and decreased preß-HDL levels correlate with increased IMT.

The precise antiatherogenic mechanisms of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) subspecies are not thoroughly elucidated. HDL particle size and levels of HDL_2b, HDL_2a, and preß-HDL were decreased, and intima-media thickness (IMT) was increased in Finnish subjects with familial low HDL. Age, HDL_2b, systolic blood pressure, and preß-HDL were significant independent determinants of IMT.

Key Words: HDL particle size • HDL subspecies • preß-HDL • intima-media thickness • atherosclerosis

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