Relationships between serum lipid, lipoprotein, triglyceride-rich lipoprotein, and high-density lipoprotein particle concentrations in post-renal transplant patients

Abstract

Objective: Disturbances in lipid and lipoprotein profiles in patients after kidney transplantation (Tx) are still not understood.

Methods: Serum levels of lipids, lipoprotein, triglyceride-rich lipoproteins (TRLs), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) particles were determined, lipid and lipoprotein ratios were calculated, and their relationships in Tx patients with hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) and lower apolipoprotein AI (apoAI) concentration were examined. Serum lipid and lipoprotein levels were measured in 109 Tx patients and 89 healthy subjects. HDL particle levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Results: Tx patients had disturbed concentration, composition, and metabolism of TRLs and HDL particles. Multivariance analysis showed significant and positive correlation between HDL cholesterol/apoAI (HDL-C/apoAI) and HDL-C/HDL ratios, which indicates that both ratios could sensitively reflect changes in the HDL subclasses and their distribution into smaller size particles. In Tx patients, the decreased HDL-C/apoAI ratio indicates that, along with the decreased apoAI concentration, the HDL-C level is decreased. However, a low HDL-C/HDL ratio indicates that HDL particles in Tx patients transport lesser content of HDL-C but more triglyceride (TG) (high TG/HDL ratio), and thus are hypercatabolized and removed; therefore, concentration of HDL particles in serum was decreased.

Conclusion: The decrease of HDL-C/apoAI ratio seems to be a good marker of HDL subclass distribution into smaller size particles.