Comparison of the Relationships Between Serum Apolipoprotein B and Serum Lipid Distributions (Lipids, Lipoproteins, And Cardiovascular Risk Factors‪)‬

According to the Third Report of the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Adult Treatment Panel (ATP) III, increased LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) [1] is one of the primary factors of coronary artery disease, and the lowering of serum LDL-C concentrations considered a primary therapeutic goal (1). Non-HDL-cholesterol (non-HDL-C) was considered as a possible target for replacement of apolipoprotein B (apo B), particularly for persons suffering from hypertriglyceridemia [2.26 mmol/L (200 mg/dL) [less than or equal to] triglycerides 5.65 mmol/L (500 mg/dL)], in view of the known strong relationship between non-HDL-C and apo B in serum (1). Recently, many studies have focused on issues other than LDL because it has also been reported that VLDL, intermediate-density lipoproteins, HDL, and apolipoproteins exert influences on atherosclerosis, perhaps to extents similar to that of LDL (2). In addition, some studies have concluded that serum apo B and apo B/[A.sub.1] ratio are likely to be more effective at predicting the risk of coronary artery disease and consequently emphasized the importance of apolipoprotein as a surrogate for summation of atherogenic entities (2-8). The objectives of the present study were to evaluate the concordance and association of serum LDL-C and the various other cholesterol indices with serum apolipoprotein and to assess those factors associated with concordance/discordance between serum LDL-C and apo B.