Lower triglyceride levels are associated with better endothelial function.

Abstract Background Increased serum triglyceride levels are independently associated with endothelial dysfunction. However, there is little evidence to define normal levels of triglycerides and there is little information on endothelial function in subjects with extremely low levels of triglycerides. Objective The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between triglycerides, especially low levels of triglycerides, and vascular function. Methods We measured flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) in 7047 subjects and nitroglycerine-induced vasodilation (NID) in 1017 subjects. We divided the subjects into eight groups by triglyceride levels: Results FMD was significantly higher in subjects with triglyceride levels of 200 mg/dL as a reference, the odds ratios for a lower quartile of FMD were significantly lower in the Conclusions FMD values were highest in subjects with extremely low levels of triglycerides ( Clinical Trial Registration Information http://www.umin.ac.jp (University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry) (UMIN000012950)