Charge Heterogeneity of LDL in Asymptomatic Hypercholesterolemic Men Is Related to Lipid Parameters and Variations in the ApoB and CIII Genes

Abstract

Abstract —This study was carried out to examine the relationship between the charge on low density lipoproteins (LDLs) and lipid and clinical parameters in 104 asymptomatic dyslipidemic men and to identify biochemical and genetic factors that could contribute to the charge variability of LDL. LDL charge heterogeneity was evaluated by relative electrophoretic mobility (REM) on preformed 0.5% agarose gels and by chromatographic quantification of a minor electronegative LDL subfraction designated LDL(−). The mean REM value for LDL was 0.147±0.016 and the mean LDL(−) subfraction percentage was 5.6±2.8%. Both were positively correlated with common atherosclerotic risk factors, especially total cholesterol [for REM, r =0.27, P r =0.28, P =0.008] and LDL cholesterol [for REM, r =0.27, P =0.007; for LDL(−), r =0.26, P =0.01)] levels, and REM was positively correlated with triglycerides ( r =0.27, P r =−0.30, P P Bsr DI ( P Sac I ( P Xba I ( P <0.05) at the apoB and CIII gene loci had high REMs. This result suggests that LDL charge heterogeneity, which is positively correlated with the atherogenic lipid profile, is influenced by both genetic and biochemical factors.