Moderate hyperalphalipoproteinaemia in a Brazilian population is related to lipoprotein lipase activity, apolipoprotein A-I concentration, age and body mass index.

We investigated 95 Brazilian adults, aged 21-79 years, who were divided into two groups defined as having high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol concentrations above [hyperalphalipoproteinaemia (HALP); n=48] or below (controls; n=47) the 90th percentile of a local population. The activities of lipid transfer proteins and enzymes involved in the plasma reverse cholesterol transport and the prevalence of factors that modulate HDL metabolism (alcohol consumption, ponderosity, physical exercise, menopause and use of hormone replacement treatment in women and smoking) were measured, as well as the prevalence of cardiovascular disease and of its various risk factors. The two groups showed no differences in their frequencies of cardiovascular disease.