Paraoxonase-1 is a better indicator than HDL of Atherosclerosis - A pilot study in North Indian population.

Objectives: The present study aims to evaluate the levels of HDL and Paraoxonase-1 (PON1) and their correlation in atherosclerotic patients with and without diabetic mellitus (DM) as well as in control subjects in Northern Indian population.

Materials And Methods: We analyzed lipid profiles and Serum PON1 levels by automated analyzer and ELISA, respectively. Study subjects (N = 150) were divided in three groups; Group I: Atherosclerotic patients without DM (N = 50), Group II: Atherosclerotic patients with DM (N = 50); Group III: Controls (N = 50).

Results: We found a significantly (p < 0.0001) low levels of HDL-C in Group I (32.2 ± 7.3) and Group II (36.9 ± 11.5) as compared to Group III (41.0 ± 7.1). PON-1 levels were also significantly lower in Group I (60.1 ± 10.5) and Group II (50.0 ± 13.9) when compared to Group III (95.0 ± 12.0). We observed a significant correlation (r = 0.59, p < 0.001) between the levels of PON1 and HDL-C in study subjects.

Conclusions: The reduced levels of HDL and PON-1 and their significant correlation in CAD patients may be associated with the pathogenesis of this disease. Considering HDL as a dependent variable, Paraoxonase-1 is the most important parameter contributing to the total variation in HDL in CAD.