Enhanced net mass transfer of HDL cholesteryl esters to Apo B-containing lipoproteins in patients with peripheral vascular disease.
In vitro net mass transfer of HDL cholesteryl ester to apolipoprotein (Apo) B-containing lipoproteins (HDL-CET) was found to be nearly twofold higher in plasma from 35 male patients with peripheral vascular disease compared to the values of 27 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (P less than 0.001). Differences in HDL-CET were predominantly observed between normolipidemic patients and controls, and were also demonstrable in pairs of patients and controls with similar HDL cholesterol, VLDL + LDL cholesterol, and triglyceride concentrations. Within the control group, higher HDL-CET was found in individuals with enhanced triglyceride or VLDL + LDL cholesterol levels. This dependence was not observed in the patient group. Consequently, enhanced HDL-CET in the patients seems to be independent of plasma lipid levels.