Distribution of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins and their remnants and their contribution to cardiovascular risk in the Mexican population.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: In recent years, scientific interest in triglyceride-rich lipoproteins (TRL) and remnant cholesterol has increased, focusing on the evidence that these lipoproteins are a causal factor for developing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Furthermore, a high remnant concentration (>38 mg/dL) has been associated with several non-cardiovascular risks. We aimed in this study to describe the percentile distribution of remnant cholesterol. Additionally, we evaluated the association between remnant cholesterol plasma concentration and epidemiologically relevant cardio-metabolic outcomes such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes (T2D), and ASCVD. METHODS: We analyzed data from 9,591 adults from the National Survey of Health and Nutrition (ENSANUT) 2018 with fasting blood samples and complete medical history questionnaires. We built multivariate models to evaluate the association between chronic diseases and blood remnant concentration. To compare our 2018-sub-sample against a population reference, we used the NHANES (2005-2014) publicly available datasets by ethnicity. RESULTS: Remnants were independently associated with cardiovascular risk, diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and metabolic syndrome. For all outcomes, the blood remnant concentration was a stronger predictor than LDL. At all deciles, the blood remnant concentration was higher in ENSANUT-2018. CONCLUSIONS: A remnant blood concentration above 38 mg/dL was highly prevalent among Mexicans. Remnants were significantly associated with a higher risk of diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and cardiovascular risk. This association occurred independently of other lipid markers.

Unfavorable Triglyceride-rich Particle Profile in Subclinical Thyroid Disease: A Cross-sectional Analysis of ELSA-Brasil.

Subclinical thyroid disorders have been associated with atherosclerosis and increased cardiovascular risk. As triglyceride-rich lipoprotein particles (TRLPs) have recently emerged as a casual factor for atherogenesis, the aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between subclinical hypo- and hyperthyroidism and TRLP subfractions. We selected 5066 participants from the ELSA-Brasil cohort with available data of thyroid function and lipid profile measured by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Individuals were divided into 3 groups by baseline thyroid function (subclinical hypothyroidism, euthyroidism, and subclinical hyperthyroidism). Triglyceride-rich lipoprotein particle subfractions were analyzed through NMR spectroscopy. To examine the association between TRLP subfractions and thyroid function, we conducted univariate and multivariate linear regression models adjusted for demographic characteristics, body mass index, diabetes, smoking status, and alcohol use. Of 3304 individuals, 54% were women, with a mean age of 50.6 ± 8.7 years, 51% white, and 53% with at least a college education. Of these individuals, 92% were euthyroid, whereas 6.8% had subclinical hypothyroidism and 1.2% had subclinical hyperthyroidism. The univariate linear regression showed that very small TRLPs (P = 0.026) and very large TRLPs (P = 0.008) were statistically increased in subclinical hypothyroidism when compared with euthyroidism. In subclinical hyperthyroidism, there was a reduction in total TRLPs (P = 0.003), seemingly driven by reduced very small TRLPs (P = 0.067). The findings were confirmed when adjusted for demographic characteristics, as well as comorbidities. This study suggests that subclinical hypothyroidism is associated with very small and very large TRLPs, which are related to an unfavorable atherogenic profile. Subclinical hyperthyroidism is associated to lower very small TRLPs.

Favorable effects of ezetimibe alone or in association with simvastatin on the removal from plasma of chylomicrons in coronary heart disease subjects.

OBJECTIVE: Reductions on the clearance from plasma of chylomicrons are associated with atherosclerosis. Statins improve the removal from plasma of chylomicrons in a dose dependent manner. There is controversy whether ezetimibe modifies the plasma clearance of chylomicrons. Effects of ezetimibe alone or in combination with simvastatin were compared with low and high dose of the latter, upon the kinetics of a chylomicron-like emulsion in coronary heart disease (CHD) patients. METHODS: 25 CHD patients were randomized for treatment with ezetimibe 10 mg (group 1) or simvastatin 20 mg (group 2) with progression to ezetimibe + simvastatin 10/20 mg or simvastatin 80 mg, respectively. Kinetic studies were performed at baseline and after each treatment period of 6 weeks. The fractional catabolic rates (FCR) of the emulsion labeled with (14)C-CE and (3)H-TG, that represent respectively chylomicron remnant and triglyceride removal, were calculated. Comparisons were made by ANOVA. RESULTS: The (14)CE-FCR in group 1 were 0.005 ± 0.004, 0.011 ± 0.008 and 0.018 ± 0.005 min(-1) and in group 2 were 0.004 ± 0.003, 0.011 ± 0.008 and 0.019 ± 0.007 min(-1) respectively at baseline, after 6 and 12 weeks (p < 0.05 vs. baseline, and 6 vs. 12 weeks). The (3)H-TG-FCR in group 1 were 0.017 ± 0.011, 0.024 ± 0.011 and 0.042 ± 0.013 min(-1) and in group 2 were 0.016 ± 0.009, 0.022 ± 0.009 and 0.037 ± 0.012 min(-1) at baseline, after 6 and 12 weeks (p < 0.05 vs. baseline, and 6 vs. 12 weeks). There were no differences between groups in time. CONCLUSION: Both treatments increased similarly the removal from plasma of chylomicron and remnants in CHD patients.