Subpopulation of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins and HDL lipoproteins as better predictors of coronary heart disease than triglycerides and HDL-cholesterol concentrations in postmeniopausal women
In order to investigate the association of coronary heart disease (CHD) with subpopulations of triglyceride (TG)-rich lipoproteins and HDL lipoproteins in women, plasma HDL subpopulation concentrations and plasma remnant-like particle cholesterol (RLP-C) concentrations were measured in 256 postmenopausal women with established CHD and in 126 CHD-free postmenopausal women, coronary artery disease being assessed by coronary angiography in women with CHD. Compared to CHD-free women, women with CHD exhibited higher plasma RLP-C and prebeta1 HDL levels, and lower alpha1 and alpha2 HDL concentrations. Furthermore, (i) plasma RLP-C levels and plasma prebeta1 HDL particle concentrations were positively associated, (ii) alpha2 HDL particle concentrations were inversely associated, and (iii) plasma TG, LDL-cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol levels were not associated with the extent of coronary atherosclerosis. In conclusion, subpopulations of TG-rich and HDL lipoproteins appear to be more strongly associated with coronary heart disease than TG and HDL-cholesterol concentrations in postmenopausal women.


















