Comparison of the HDL subclasses, APO A, APO B, CETP mass and activity levels between the patients with coronary atherosclerosis and healthy subjects although having higher HDL-C levels

Plasma lipoprotein profile is one of the major factors to describe the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The exact mechanisms for development and progression of atherosclerosis in subjects with coronary artery disease (CAD) although having higher HDL-C levels are still unknown. To reveal the role of HDL subclasses, apolipoproteins and CETP activity and mass levels in the atherosclerotic process is very important for these subjects. For these reasons, the aim of our study is to compare the levels of HDL subclasses, apolipoproteins, CETP mass and activity between the patients with coronary artery disease and healthy subjects, although having higher HDL-C levels.Between November 2011 and July 2012 35 patients who have coronary artery disease and HDL-C levels ? 60 mg/dl, LDL-C levels ?130 mg/dl, and 35 healthy subjects with the same lipid profile who admitted Gazi University Cardiology Department, enrolled for this study. The CETP mass and activity, apo A1, apo A2, apo B, HDL 2 and HDL 3 levels of the patients and control subjects were measured.There were no significant differences on apo A2, apo B, HDL 2 and HDL 3 levels between the patients with CAD and control subjects. Apo A1 levels were higher in patients with CAD (mean 588,6 µg/ml vs 414 µg/ml, p=0,006). Although CETP mass was not different (mean 27,7 µg/ml vs 24,2 µg/ml, p=0,27), in both groups, CETP activity is significantly higher (mean 1,08 nmol/µl plasma/1 hour vs 0,98 nmol/µl plasma/1 hour, p=0,007) in CAD positive group.In this special study population which contains subjects with or without CAD and have higher HDL-C and LDL-C levels, the findings showed that plasma CETP activity was higher in patients than control subjects whereas CETP mass, HDL subclasses, apo B and apo A2 levels were similar in cases versus controls. But unexpectedly and interestingly apo A1 levels were higher in patients with CAD.Key words: CAD, HDL-C, CETP.