Analysis of Lipoprotein Subfractions in Chinese Han Patients with Stable Coronary Artery Disease

Background The relation of lipoprotein subfractions with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) has not been fully investigated in the Chinese Han population. Methods Four-hundred-and-thirteen consecutive patients without any lipid-lowering drug treatment were investigated. Patients were classified into two groups according to the angiographic results: CAD group (n=293) and non-CAD group (n=120). The high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) subfractions were analysed using the Quantimetrix Lipoprint system. Results The data showed that the large HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) level, large HDL subfraction percentage, and mean LDL particle size were significantly lower, while the small HDL-C level and HDL subfraction percentage, intermediate and small LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) levels, and LDL subfraction percentages were higher in the CAD group compared with those in the non-CAD group. Interestingly, our results suggested that the small HDL-C level and HDL subfraction percentage as well as mean LDL particle size were independently associated with the presence of CAD assessed by logistic regression analysis (OR=1.136, 95%CI=1.018-1.268, p=0.022; OR=1.076, 95%CI=1.021-1.134, p=0.007; OR=0.946, 95%CI=0.898-0.997, p=0.040; respectively). Conclusions Similar to previous Western population studies, our data suggested a clear association between the lipoprotein subfractions and stable CAD presented as higher small HDL subfraction and smaller mean LDL particle size in Chinese Han patients.