Abstract
Small, dense, electronegative low density lipoprotein [LDL(-)] is increased in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia and diabetes, populations at increased risk for coronary artery disease. It is present to a lesser extent in normolipidemic subjects. The mechanistic link between small, dense LDL(-) and atherogenesis is not known. To begin to address this, we studied the composition and dynamics of small, dense LDL(-) from normolipidemic subjects. NEFA levels, which correlate with triglyceride content, are quantitatively linked to LDL electronegativity. Oxidized LDL is not specific to small, dense LDL(-) or lipoprotein [a] (i.e., abnormal lipoprotein). Apolipoprotein C-III is excluded from the most abundant LDL (i.e., that of intermediate density: 1.034 < d < 1.050 g/ml) but associated with both small and large LDL(-). In contrast, lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (LpPLA2) is highly enriched only in small, dense LDL(-). The association of LpPLA2 with LDL may occur through amphipathic helical domains that are displaced from the LDL surface by contraction of the neutral lipid core.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 348-357 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | Journal of lipid research |
Volume | 48 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Feb 2007 |
Keywords
- Apo B-100
- Atherogenesis
- Fatty acid
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Endocrinology