Relations of plasma TG and HDL-C concentrations to body composition and plasma insulin levels are altered in men with small LDL particles

Abstract

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) subclass pattern B is characterized by a predominance of small, dense LDL particles (LDL peak particle size ≤255 Å), increased plasma triglyceride (TG) levels, reduced high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels, and glucose intolerance. This study tested the hypothesis that there are differences in the regulation of TG and HDL metabolism by insulin in patients with LDL pattern B. The study group comprised 160 healthy older (60±8 years, mean±SD) men. Forty-nine of the men (31%) had LDL pattern B. These men had a higher waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) (0.98±0.06 versus 0.95±0.06, P 255 Å, LDL pattern A). Men with LDL pattern B also had higher TG (1.76±0.60 versus 1.03±0.41 mmol/L, P