Laboratory-based assessment of plasma lipids and lipoproteins for the classification of familial hypercholesterolemic and hypertriglyceridemic states.

Laboratory-based coronary heart disease risk assessment classically involves measurement of lipids and lipoproteins. In this review, information is provided on the methods commonly used in laboratories for the diagnosis of hyperlipidemia, including aspects of precision and accuracy. The latter, when fulfilled, allows the use of uniform reference values. Special attention is paid to the risk estimation using apolipoprotein B and lipoprotein(a) measurement. The overall aim of this review is to simplify the laboratory-based risk estimation for coronary heart disease and to provide help in interpreting the results for effective prevention and treatment of this complex disease.

Epidemiology of hypertriglyceridemia and cardiovascular disease.

Epidemiologic studies provide increasing evidence that hypertriglyceridemia is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. A meta-analysis of 17 population-based studies of triglyceride levels and cardiovascular disease identified a 76% increase in cardiovascular disease risk in women and a 31% increase in men associated with a 1 mmol/L increase in triglyceride levels. Additional epidemiologic studies have shown that plasma triglyceride levels and low-density lipoprotein particle size predict subsequent coronary artery disease. Taken together, the existing epidemiologic data may help identify a group of patients who may benefit from interventions aimed at decreasing triglyceride levels associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

[Study on the contents of serum HDL subclasses in type N hyperlipidemics].

Contents of serum HDL subclasses in normolipidemics (n = 24) and type IV hyperlipidemics (n = 24) were determined using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis associated with immunodetection method. The results showed that the contents of pre-beta 1 HDL (P < 0.001) and HDL3a (P < 0.05) increased significantly and that of HDL2b (P < 0.001) decreased significantly in hyperlipidemics, compared with normolipidemics. Serum TG concentrations of hyperlipidemics showed positive correlation with pre-beta 1 HDL (r = 0.582) and HDL3a (r = 0.692) and negative correlation with HDL2b (r = -0.506) and HDL2a (r = -0.552). These results indicated that the maturation of HDL could be abnormal in type IV hyperlipidemics.