Biochemical markers of atherogenic shifts in lipoprotein profile: the relationship with biological and chronological vascular aging

Abstract

Aim. Тo explore the relationship between atherogenic shifts in lipoprotein profile, if any, and vascular aging.
Materials and methods. Totally 202 subjects of both sexes aged 30–75 years without clinical manifestations of atherosclerosis-related diseases which didn't receive regular cardiovascular therapy were included into the study. Depending on biological age of vessels (flexible or stiff) and chronological age (years) patients were divided into 4 groups. Pulse wave velocity (PWV) >10 m/s was used as a measure of arterial stiffness. Lipid and apolipoprotein (apo) AI and B levels were determined by routine laboratory methods. The low densities lipoproteins subfractions distribution was analyzed using Lipoprint LDL System.

Results. In subjects qualified as «young» with stiff vessels in comparison with «young» ones with flexible vessels higher levels of total cholesterol (C) and low density lipoprotein (LDL)-C were found. In subjects qualified as «old», triglycerides (TG) concentration was higher and Lp (a) – lower in those with stiff than with flexible vessels. The subfractional lipoprotein analysis revealed: the VLDL portion was higher in subjects with stiff arteries irrespective of age. In «old» subjects with stiff vessels the portion of the largest particles within intermediate density lipoprotein (IDL) range was the lowest as compared to all other groups. On the other hand, in «old» subjects with elevated arterial stiffness significantly more small particles of IDL-B, and especially IDL-A subfractions, were found.
Conclusion. The increased arterial stiffness at chronologically old patients was associated with elevated portion of small dense IDL particles, by the size close to potentially atherogenic LDL.