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High density lipoprotein cholesterol subfractions in older people.

TitleHigh density lipoprotein cholesterol subfractions in older people.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication1994
AuthorsEttinger, WH, Verdery, RB, Wahl, PW, Fried, LP
JournalJ Gerontol
Volume49
Issue3
PaginationM116-22
Date Published1994 May
ISSN0022-1422
KeywordsAged, Aged, 80 and over, Alcohol Drinking, Body Weight, Carotid Stenosis, Cholesterol, Cholesterol, HDL, Cholesterol, LDL, Cohort Studies, Coronary Disease, Cross-Sectional Studies, Drug Therapy, Female, Humans, Insulin, Lipoproteins, HDL, Lipoproteins, HDL2, Lipoproteins, HDL3, Male, Sex Factors, Socioeconomic Factors
Abstract<p><b>BACKGROUND: </b>High density lipoprotein (HDL) may be an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease in older people. HDL is heterogeneous with several subfractions. This article describes the distribution and correlates of HDL2 cholesterol (C) and HDL3-C in older people.</p><p><b>METHODS: </b>HDL subfraction cholesterols were measured in 1,127 females and 825 males > or = 65 years old who participated in the Cardiovascular Health Study. Distributions of HDL subfraction cholesterols and bivariate and multivariate relationships were determined in cross-sectional analyses.</p><p><b>RESULTS: </b>Mean (+/- SD) concentrations of HDL subfractions were: HDL3-C (M .98 +/- .25, F 1.2 +/- .29 mmol/l), HDL2-C (M .09 +/- .08, F .13 +/- .09 mmol/l). HDL2-C, but not HDL3-C, was slightly higher with age. Using multivariate analysis, both HDL2-C and HDL3-C (in females) were inversely correlated with triglyceride, body weight, and fasting insulin; HDL3-C was inversely correlated with central fat distribution in women. Both HDL2-C and HDL3-C were lower in participants with prevalent cardiovascular disease. However, only HDL3-C was significantly inversely related to carotid stenosis, as measured by ultrasound.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS: </b>The slight increase in HDL-C with age appears to be due to an increase in the HDL2-C subfraction. HDL-C subfractions are independently related to triglyceride levels, body weight, and insulin concentrations in older people, all potentially modifiable risk factors. Both HDL2-C and HDL3-C are lower in older people with prevalent cardiovascular disease, although only HDL3-C was correlated with carotid atherosclerosis. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that HDL subfractions are important risk factors for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in the elderly.</p>
Alternate JournalJ Gerontol
PubMed ID8169333
Grant ListK01 AG00414 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
K07 AG00246 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
N01-HC-87079 / HC / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States