Lipid compositional differences of small, dense low-density lipoprotein particle influence its oxidative susceptibility: possible implication of increased risk of coronary artery disease in subjects with phenotype B.

An increased susceptibility of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) to lipid peroxidative modification may be a key factor in the higher risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) among subjects with phenotype B. Compositional differences in the LDL particle may also be implicated in its atherogenicity and, in particular, may be associated with varying degrees of oxidative susceptibility of LDL, although this remains unclear. We hypothesized that the oxidative susceptibility of small, dense LDL was directly influenced by its lipid composition, which may lead to an increased risk of CAD in subjects with phenotype B.

Clinical significance of coronary calcification.

Coronary artery calcification (CAC) was assessed by cinefluoroscopy and its extent was scored (CAC score) in 2,163 consecutive patients undergoing coronary angiography, based on the angiographic and clinical data, the patients were categorized into 8 types of coronary artery disease (CAD). The CAC score was lowest in angiographically normal subjects (0.12+/-0.