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. The association between biochemical markers and IMT was analyzed and independent predictors of max-IMT were determined by multiple regression analysis in all subjects and in groups N-1 (TG < 100 mg/dl, n = 58), N-2 (100 ≤ TG < 150 mg/dl, n = 53) and H (150 ≤ TG mg/dl, n = 53), respectively. Results Fasting total cholesterol, LDL–cholesterol, HDL–cholesterol, apoB-100 and ln RemL–C (remnant lipoprotein–cholesterol) levels were not correlated with max-IMT, but ln TG and ln apoB-48 were significantly correlated with max-IMT in all subjects. Ln apoB-48 and apoB-48/TG ratio were significantly correlated with max-IMT in group N-2. By multiple regression analysis, age and ln apoB-48 were independent variables associated with max-IMT in group N-2. Conclusion Serum apoB-48 level might be a good marker for the detection of early atherosclerosis in middle-aged subjects with normal-range levels of blood pressure and TG.