Surrogate markers for atherosclerosis in overweight subjects with atherogenic dyslipidemia: the GEMS project.

Metabolic syndrome is a constellation of major risk factors for cardiovascular disease. In affected individuals with this syndrome, the independent contribution of low high-density lipoprotein—cholesterol and increased triglyceride levels to the development of atherosclerosis remains to be clarified. We assessed the relationship between these 2 parameters and several surrogate markers for atherosclerosis. One hundred and twenty overweight cases, defined as having high-density lipoprotein—cholesterol (≤25 age- and gender-specific percentile in general population) and high triglyceride values (≥75 percentile) were compared with 120 discordant overweight controls defined on lipid values (high-density lipoprotein—cholesterol ≥50 percentile and triglycerides ≤50 percentile). Case-control pairs were matched for age and gender. Carotid and femoral arteries were examined to determine carotid intima-media thickness and the presence of atherosclerotic plaque(s). Endothelial function was assessed by laser Doppler fl...