Serum high density lipoprotein cholesterol. As a cholesterol risk factor index for atherosclerotic diseases.

Abstract

Serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL.cntdot.CHO) of healthy [human] individuals (342 males and 483 females) was measured along with other serum lipid contents as well as several factors which may be associated with atherosclerotic disorders including ischemic heart disease. As a cholesterol risk factor index (CRFI), (total cholesterol-HDL.cntdot.CHO)/total cholesterol ratio was studied. With the increase of CRFI in the whole group, highly significant correlations were detected in the following factors: cholesterol, triglyceride, uric acid in serum; the number of erythrocytes and the components; obesity and blood pressure. HDL.cntdot.CHO was negatively related to the increase of CRFI. In females, all these correlations to CRFI were found. In males, only 3 categories, the serum lipid components, the number of erythrocytes and obesity, were related to CRFI. With the advance of age, significant changes were found mainly in females: in CRFI, cholesterol, triglyceride, uric acid, glucosyloxal transferase, erythrocyte components and blood pressure. In males, only the last 2 factors were correlated with aging. The relation of CRFI to other categories depended not only on sex but also on aging.