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. 2016 Feb 23:15:166-76.
doi: 10.17179/excli2015-642. eCollection 2016.

The improvement of large High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) particle levels, and presumably HDL metabolism, depend on effects of low-carbohydrate diet and weight loss

C Finelli  1 , P Crispino  2 , S Gioia  1 , N La Sala  1 , L D'amico  1 , M La Grotta  1 , O Miro  1 , D Colarusso  2
Affiliations

The improvement of large High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) particle levels, and presumably HDL metabolism, depend on effects of low-carbohydrate diet and weight loss

C Finelli et al. EXCLI J. .

Retraction in

Abstract

Depressed levels of atheroprotective large HDL particles are common in obesity and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Increases in large HDL particles are favourably associated with reduced CVD event risk and coronary plaque burden. The objective of the study is to compare the effectiveness of low-carbohydrate diets and weight loss for increasing blood levels of large HDL particles at 1 year. This study was performed by screening for body mass index (BMI) and metabolic syndrome in 160 consecutive subjects referred to our out-patient Metabolic Unit in South Italy. We administered dietary advice to four small groups rather than individually. A single team comprised of a dietitian and physician administered diet-specific advice to each group. Large HDL particles at baseline and 1 year were measured using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Dietary intake was assessed via 3-day diet records. Although 1-year weight loss did not differ between diet groups (mean 4.4 %), increases in large HDL particles paralleled the degree of carbohydrate restriction across the four diets (p<0.001 for trend). Regression analysis indicated that magnitude of carbohydrate restriction (percentage of calories as carbohydrate at 1 year) and weight loss were each independent predictors of 1-year increases in large HDL concentration. Changes in HDL cholesterol concentration were modestly correlated with changes in large HDL particle concentration (r=0.47, p=.001). In conclusion, reduction of excess dietary carbohydrate and body weight improved large HDL levels. Comparison trials with cardiovascular outcomes are needed to more fully evaluate these findings.

Keywords: HDL; low carbohydrate diet and weight loss; obesity.

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Figures

Table 1
Table 1. Baseline and one-year values for clinical variables in patients with 1-year data available for levels of large HDL*
Figure 1
Figure 1. a) Mean change in weight at 1 year according to diet type; b) Mean change in large HDL at 1 year according to diet type
Figure 2
Figure 2. a) Mean percent change in HDL cholesterol and large HDL at 1 year according to diet type; b) Absolute change in HDL cholesterol and large HDL at 1 year, scatterplot comparison
Figure 3
Figure 3. a) Mean change in large HDL at 1 year according to diet type, stratified by 1 year weight loss above vs. below the median; b) Mean change in large HDL at 1 year according to categories of dietary carbohydrate intake at 1 year; c) Mean change in large HDL at 1 year according to categories of percent weight loss at 1 year
Figure 4
Figure 4. Predicted increase in large HDL level at 1 year according to projected carbohydrate intake and weight loss
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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