Serum apolipoprotein B-48 levels are correlated with carotid intima-media thickness in subjects with normal serum triglyceride levels.

Background: Postprandial hyperlipidemia (PPHL) is an independent risk factor for coronary heart disease (CHD) which is based on the accumulation of chylomicrons (CM) and CM remnants containing apolipoprotein B-48 (apoB-48). Since atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases are frequently observed even in subjects with normal serum triglyceride (TG) level, the correlation between fasting apoB-48 containing lipoproteins and carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) was analyzed in subjects with normal TG levels.

Methods: From subjects who took their annual health check at the Osaka Police Hospital (n=245, male), one-hundred and sixty-four male subjects were selected to take part in this study; the excluding factors were: systolic blood pressure ≥ 140 mmHg, intake of antihypertensive or antihyperlipidemic drugs, or age >65 years.