Serum low density lipoproteins, triglycerides and cholesterol levels in Malaysia.

Abstract The serum low density lipoproteins, triglycerides, cholesterol and total lipids have been determined in over 300 clinically healthy Malaysian subjects amongst whom were aborigines and blood donors of Chinese, Indian and Malay race. These values were compared, wherever possible, with those obtained for 172 hospital patients with ischaemic heart disease. In the sera of the healthy subjects, a rise in the serum lipids and the low density lipoproteins with age was observed up to about 50 years of age. Although no ethnic difference was observed in the levels among donors, their mean serum cholesterol, triglyceride, total lipid and low density lipoprotein levels were significantly higher than the corresponding mean levels of the aborigines who, in addition, were older. Patients below the age of 40 had significantly higher mean serum cholesterol and lipoprotein levels than donors of the same age, but no significant difference was observed in the levels of serum triglycerides in any age group. There is a good correlation between serum levels of cholesterol, triglycerides and low density lipoproteins. It is suggested that the level of 600 mg% for the latter, corresponding to 250 mg% cholesterol and 280 mg% triglycerides (non-fasting), may be a useful indicator of potential hyperlipoproteinaemia in Malaysia.