Calculated values for low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in the assessment of lipid abnormalities and coronary disease risk

1990 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 36-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
J R McNamara ◽  
J S Cohn ◽  
P W Wilson ◽  
E J Schaefer

Abstract Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol concentrations are most commonly estimated by the formula LDL cholesterol = total cholesterol - [triglycerides (TG)/5 + high-density lipoprotein cholesterol], although alternative factors such as TG/6 have also been used. Using standardized, automated, enzymatic lipid assays, we analyzed 4797 plasma samples from normal and dyslipidemic adults, to compare LDL cholesterol concentrations obtained after ultracentrifugation with those calculated by several such methods (i.e., TG/4-TG/8). or TG concentrations less than or equal to 0.50 g/L, TG/4 agreed best with the direct assay; for TG of 0.51-2.00 g/L, TG/4.5 was best; and for TG of 2.01-4.00 g/L, TG/5 was best. Differences in estimated values were generally small, however. At TG greater than 4.00 g/L, none of the factors tested allowed a reliable estimate of LDL cholesterol. When TG were less than or equal to 4.00 g/L, 86% of estimated LDL cholesterol values were properly classified according to National Cholesterol Education Program cutpoints when the factor TG/5 was used. We conclude that a convenient direct method for measuring LDL cholesterol is needed but, until one is available, use of the factor TG/5 will assure that most individuals with TG less than or equal to 4.00 g/L, as measured in a standardized laboratory, can be reasonably well classified for risk of coronary artery disease.

Author(s):  
Marios K. Georgakis ◽  
Rainer Malik ◽  
Stephen Burgess ◽  
Martin Dichgans

Background Although trials suggest that anti‐inflammatory approaches targeting interleukin (IL)‐6 signaling can reduce cardiovascular risk, it remains unknown whether targeting IL‐6 signaling could reduce risk additively to low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) lowering. Here, we assess interactions in associations of genetic downregulation of IL‐6 signaling and LDL‐C lowering with lifetime cardiovascular disease risk. Methods and Results Genetic scores for IL‐6 signaling downregulation and LDL‐C lowering were used to divide 408 225 White British individuals in UK Biobank into groups of lifelong exposure to downregulated IL‐6 signaling, lower LDL‐C, or both. Associations with risk of cardiovascular disease (coronary artery disease, ischemic stroke, peripheral artery disease, aortic aneurysm, vascular death) were explored in factorial Mendelian randomization. Compared with individuals with genetic IL‐6 and LDL‐C scores above the median, individuals with LDL‐C scores lower than the median but IL‐6 scores above the median had an odds ratio (OR) of 0.96 (95% CI, 0.93–0.98) for cardiovascular disease. A similar OR (0.96; 95% CI, 0.93–0.98) was estimated for individuals with genetic IL‐6 scores below the median but LDL‐C scores above the median. Individuals with both genetic scores lower than the median were at lower odds of cardiovascular disease (OR, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.90–0.95). There was no interaction between the 2 scores (relative excess risk attributed to interaction index, 0; synergy index, 1; P for multiplicative interaction=0.51). Genetic IL‐6 score below the median was associated with lower cardiovascular disease risk across measured LDL‐C strata (<100 or ≥100 mg/dL). Conclusions Genetically downregulated IL‐6 signaling and genetically lowered LDL‐C are associated with additively lower lifetime risk of cardiovascular disease. Future trials should explore combined IL‐6 inhibition and LDL‐C lowering treatments for cardiovascular prevention.


2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ichiro Komiya ◽  
Akira Yamamoto ◽  
Suguru Sunakawa ◽  
Tamio Wakugami

Abstract Background Pemafibrate, a selective PPARα modulator, has the beneficial effects on serum triglycerides (TGs) and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), especially in patients with diabetes mellitus or metabolic syndrome. However, its effect on the low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels is still undefined. LDL-C increased in some cases together with a decrease in TGs, and the profile of lipids, especially LDL-C, during pemafibrate administration was evaluated. Methods Pemafibrate was administered to type 2 diabetes patients with hypertriglyceridemia. Fifty-one type 2 diabetes patients (mean age 62 ± 13 years) with a high rate of hypertension and no renal insufficiency were analyzed. Pemafibrate 0.2 mg (0.1 mg twice daily) was administered, and serum lipids were monitored every 4–8 weeks from 8 weeks before administration to 24 weeks after administration. LDL-C was measured by the direct method. Lipoprotein fractions were measured by electrophoresis (polyacrylamide gel, PAG), and LDL-migration index (LDL-MI) was calculated to estimate small, dense LDL. Results Pemafibrate reduced serum TGs, midband and VLDL fractions by PAG. Pemafibrate increased LDL-C levels from baseline by 5.3% (− 3.8–19.1, IQR). Patients were divided into 2 groups: LDL-C increase of > 5.3% (group I, n = 25) and < 5.3% (group NI, n = 26) after pemafibrate. Compared to group NI, group I had lower LDL-C (2.53 [1.96–3.26] vs. 3.36 [3.05–3.72] mmol/L, P = 0.0009), higher TGs (3.71 [2.62–6.69] vs. 3.25 [2.64–3.80] mmol/L), lower LDL by PAG (34.2 [14.5, SD] vs. 46.4% [6.5], P = 0.0011), higher VLDL by PAG (28.2 [10.8] vs. 22.0% [5.2], P = 0.0234), and higher LDL-MI (0.421 [0.391–0.450] vs. 0.354 [0.341–0.396], P < 0.0001) at baseline. Pemafibrate decreased LDL-MI in group I, and the differences between the groups disappeared. These results showed contradictory effects of pemafibrate on LDL-C levels, and these effects were dependent on the baseline levels of LDL-C and TGs. Conclusions Pemafibrate significantly reduced TGs, VLDL, midband, and small, dense LDL, but increased LDL-C in diabetes patients with higher baseline TGs and lower baseline LDL-C. Even if pre-dose LDL-C remains in the normal range, pemafibrate improves LDL composition and may reduce cardiovascular disease risk.


2022 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Younan Yao ◽  
Jin Liu ◽  
Bo Wang ◽  
Ziyou Zhou ◽  
Xiaozhao Lu ◽  
...  

Background: The prognostic value of elevated lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients is inconsistent in previous studies, and whether such value changes at different low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels is unclear.Methods and Findings: CAD patients treated with statin therapy from January 2007 to December 2018 in the Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (NCT04407936) were consecutively enrolled. Individuals were categorized according to the baseline LDL-C at cut-off of 70 and 100 mg/dL. The primary outcome was 5-year all-cause death. Multivariate Cox proportional models and penalized spline analyses were used to evaluate the association between Lp(a) and all-cause mortality. Among 30,908 patients, the mean age was 63.1 ± 10.7 years, and 76.7% were men. A total of 2,383 (7.7%) patients died at 5-year follow-up. Compared with Lp(a) &lt;50 mg/dL, Lp(a) ≥ 50 mg/dL predicted higher all-cause mortality (multivariable adjusted HR = 1.19, 95% CI 1.07–1.31) in the total cohort. However, when analyzed within each LDL-C category, there was no significant association between Lp(a) ≥ 50 mg/dL and higher all-cause mortality unless the baseline LDL-C was ≥ 100 mg/dL (HR = 1.19, 95% CI 1.04–1.36). The results from penalized spline analyses were robust.Conclusions: In statin-treated CAD patients, elevated Lp(a) was associated with increased risks of all-cause death, and such an association was modified by the baseline LDL-C levels. Patients with Lp(a) ≥ 50 mg/dL had higher long-term risks of all-cause death compared with those with Lp(a) &lt;50 mg/dL only when their baseline LDL-C was ≥ 100 mg/dL.


Circulation ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 143 (14) ◽  
pp. 1452-1454
Author(s):  
Alessandro Bolli ◽  
Paolo Di Domenico ◽  
Roberta Pastorino ◽  
George B. Busby ◽  
Giordano Bottà

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