Lipid profile in centenarians

In human epidemiological studies the levels of plasma lipids are related to the incidence of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. In this study we evaluated and compared lipid profiles in a group of healthy centenarians and a control group of adults. The study included 22 healthy centenarians (mean age 102.81 +/- 2.5 years) and a control group of 20 elderly volunteers (mean age 70.35 +/- 4.12 years). Total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC) and triglycerides were determined by enzymatic methods in all subjects. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC) was determined according to Friedewald's formula; apolipoproteins A and B (Ape A and B) were determined using the nephelometric method, while lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] was determined by the ELISA method. The following ratios, which art: considered indices of cardiovascular risk, were calculated: TC/HDLC; LDLC/HDLC; Apo B/Apo A. The lipid profile in centenarians was characterised by a lower total cholesterol level (4.36 +/- 0.93 mmol/L), LDLC (974.1 +/- 288 mg/L), triglycerides (1.14 +/- 0.51 g/L), Apo B (0.92 +/- 0.26 gn), Apo B/Apo A ratio (0.63 +/- 0.1), TC/HDLC ratio (3.52 +/- 0.77), and LDLC/HDLC ratio (2.04 +/- 0.66) than that observed in controls. Conversely, Lp(a) [39.04 +/- 13.44 mg/dl], HDLC (483.1 +/- 73 mg/L) and Apo A (1.47 +/- 0.28 g/L) were greater in centenarians than in controls.