Lipid-protein parameters of blood cholesterol transport in systemic lupus erythematosus

Aim. To assess parameters of blood cholesterol lipid-protein spectrum and characteristics of blood cholesterol (C) transport system in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Materials and methods. Lipid-protein blood spectrum was studied in 60 patients (45 females and 15 males) with verified SLE aged 15-44 years (mean age 28.9 +/- 8.1 years). The duration of the disease varied from 2 months to 28 years (mean 8.6 +/- 6.6 years). SLE course and activity were defined according to V.A. Nasonova's classification. The control patients (35 healthy subjects) were matched by age (30.0 +/- 6.1 years) and gender (27 females and 8 males). Results. Elevated levels of C and C of low density lipoproteins (LDLP), triglycerides (TG) were found in 35% and 30% of patients, respectively. C of high density lipoproteins (HDLP) was low in 32% of patients. HDLP phospholipids were also subnormal, their proportion changed: concentrations of phosphatidylcholine were low, those of lisophosphatidylcholine, sphingomyelin, diethanolamine, cardiolipin were higher than in the controls. TG and proportion apo/B/apo/AI were higher, content of HDLP components low in patients with the disease duration up to 5 years. Patients with highly and moderately active SLE had high levels of TG, apo/B, apo/B/apo/AI, low levels of HDLP C, apo/AI and HDLP phospholipids. Conclusion. Marked dyslipidemias were detected in 1/3 of SLE patients. Cholesterol transport changes arise at early SLE stages. Alterations in the blood lipid-protein spectrum appeared more pronounced and atherogenic in maximal SLE activity. Quantitative and qualitative shifts in HDLP composition induce changes in antiatherogenic properties of relevant lipoproteins in SLE patients.