Carotid intima media thickness is related positively to plasma pre β-high density lipoproteins in non-diabetic subjects

Background: Lipid-poor or lipid-free high density lipoprotein (HDL) particles, designated pre beta-HDL, stimulate removal of cell-derived cholesterol to the extracellular compartment, which is an initial step in the reverse cholesterol transport pathway. Pre beta-HDL levels may be elevated in subjects with established cardiovascular disease. We determined the relationship of carotid infirm media thickness (IMT), a marker of subclinical atherosclerosis, with pre beta-HDL in subjects without clinically manifest cardiovascular disease. Methods: IMT and plasma pre beta-HDL, assayed by crossed immuno-electrophoresis, were determined in 70 non-diabetic subjects (aged 56 +/- 9 years; non-smokers only; 27 women). Results: IMT was correlated positively with pre beta-HDL, both expressed as plasma apolipoprotein (apo) A-I concentration (r = 0.271, p = 0.023) and as% of apo A-I (r = 0341, p = 0.004). In contrast, IMT was correlated inversely with HDL cholesterol (r = -0.253, p = 0.035). IMT was also related positively to pre beta-HDL after adjustment for age, sex, systolic blood pressure (in apoA-I concentration, beta = 0.203, p = 0.043; in% of plasma apoA-I, beta = 0.235, p = 0.023). IMT remained associated with pre beta-HDL after additional adjustment for either body mass index, plasma glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, apoA-I and apoB. Conclusion: Subclinical atherosclerosis may relate to higher plasma pre beta-HDL independently of apoA-I and HDL cholesterol levels. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.