Subspecies of HDL associated with anthropometrical measures and physical activity

Background

Around 5-18% of HDL particles also contain apolipoprotein C-III (apoC-III) molecules, which are key regulators of triglyceride metabolism [1,2]. Low apoC-III levels are associated with a more beneficial lipid profile and less subclinical atherosclerosis [3]. Moreover, inhibition of apoC-III using antisense molecules resulted in less triglycerides and increased HDL-c [4].

Previous analyses of the Nurses’ Health Study and Health Professionals Follow-Up Study showed the importance of HDL subspecies, as HDL-c without apoC-III was negatively associated with increased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD), whereas HDL-c with apoC-III inversed this association [4,5].

Modification of apoC-III expression by, for example, lifestyle factors or anthropometrical measures, may be used for primary prevention. Current population-based study was performed to determine associations of HDL with and without apoC-III, with modifiable factors, including measures of waist and hip circumference, BMI and bioelectrical impedance derived fat mass, as well as lifestyle factors. In this study, 57,053 Danish-born residents were included, aged 50 to 65 years (1993-1997). All analyses were age- and sex-adjusted.

Main results

• In men, around 9% of HDL particles carried apoC-III, which was 8% in women.
• HDL without apoC-III levels were lower in overweight individuals and obese compared with normal weight individuals (% difference of -3.2 [95% CI -5.3 to -1.1] and -9.2 [95% CI -11.7 to -6.7], respectively). On the other hand, HDL containing apoC-III was 7% higher (95% CI 1.80-12.48) in obese individuals compared to normal weight individuals.
• HDL containing apoC-III was also significantly higher when waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio or body composition increased (2.8% per 15 cm [95% CI 0.36-5.30], 2.83% per 0.1 units [95% CI 0.26-5.46], 1.12% per 5 kg [95% CI 0.07-2.18], respectively) and HDL without apoC-III was significantly lower when these increased (-4.70% per 15 cm [95% CI -5.95 to -3.42], -3.93 per 0.1 units [95% CI -5.28 to -2.57], -2.15% per 5 kg [95% CI -2.71 to -1.58], respectively).
• HDL containing apoC-III significantly decreased with 1% per 20 MET h/wk physical activity (95% CI -1.76 to -0.23), whereas HDL without apoC-III increased with 0.64% per 20 MET h/wk physical activity (95% CI 0.21-1.09).
• These associations remained in multivariable models, though were attenuated and significance was lost for almost all associations with HDL containing apoC-III, which was mainly attributed to adjustment for physical activity.
• Time spent on sport activities, biking or gardening did not associated with HDL subspecies, whereas less walking associated with statistically significant lower levels of HDL containing apoC-III levels and higher levels of HDL without apoC-III (quartile 4 -5.30% [95% CI -10.07 to -0.29] and 4.68% [95% CI 1.70-7.73], respectively).
• There were no associations between smoking status or level of adherence to the Mediterranean diet and concentrations of HDL with and without apoC-III. Except that HDL containing apoC-III decreased with 0.92% per 1 gr legumes (95% CI -1.81 to -0.02) and HDL without apoC-III decreased with 0.50% per 0.1 unit of fat ratio only in the multivariable-adjusted model (95% CI -0.92 to -0.07), separate ingredients were not associated with HDL subspecies. In addition, HDL without apoC-III levels were 1.6% higher (95% CI 0.8-2.3) per 15 g/day more alcohol consumption, but this relation was not present for HDL containing apoC-III.

Conclusion

References

Find this article online at J Lipid Res.