Lipoprotein cholesterol distribution and LDL particle size is proatherogenic in Mexican Americans with metabolic syndrome

To evaluate the association between components of metabolic syndrome (MS) and lipoprotein cholesterol (C) distribution in Mexican‐American adults, the distribution of C in LDL and HDL subfractions and the presence of MS were assessed in 72 healthy participants (25 male, 47 female; age=37±9 y; BMI=28.9±5.3 kg/m 2 ; fasting glucose[FG]=94±14 mg/dL; total‐C=181±36 mg/dL; LDL‐C=115±31 mg/dL; HDL‐C=43±11 mg/dL; triglycerides [TG]=114±61 mg/dL). Participants with MS had smaller LDL particles (267±3Å vs. 271±3Å; p<0.0001) and 2.8 times more C in smaller LDL particles (p=0.001) than those without MS. The number of MS components was inversely correlated with LDL particle size (r=−0.322, p=0.006) and the percentage of HDL‐C in large HDL particles (r=−0.518, p<0.001), and positively correlated with the percentage of total‐C in small LDL particles (r=−0.298, p=0.011). Participants with TG>150mg/dL had smaller LDL particles (266±3Å vs. 271±2Å; p<0.001), less HDL‐C in large HDL particles (15±4% vs. 24±7%; p<0.001), and more HDL‐C in small HDL particles (29±6% vs. 20±7%; p<0.001) than those with normal TG. Participants with elevated waist circumference had 20% less HDL‐C in large HDL particles (20±5% vs. 24±8%; p=0.012). These data suggest that of the components of the MS, elevated TG may be a greater contributor to having a more atherogenic lipoprotein profile among Mexican Americans. Funded by Arizona State University.