Non-high-density Lipoprotein Cholesterol is a good indicator of Pulse Wave Velocity rather than Low-density Lipoprotein Cholesterol in asymptomatic individuals

Abstract

Although targeting low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) has been a primary goal of lipid lowering therapy, a few growing evidences show that non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (Non-HDL-C) is a strong, independent predictor of cardiovascular disease nowadays. But few studies have assessed the association between conventional lipoproteins and subclinical atherosclerosis. We analyzed the association of Non-HDL-C, LDL-C with brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV), a marker of subclinical atherosclerosis. We studied 766 apparently healthy individuals who checked baPWV. We analyzed P for trend for the association between baPWV and quartiles of Non-HDL-C, LDL-C. Multivariate analysis was used between quartiles of each lipoprotein and baPWV after adjustment for confounding variables. BaPWV shows increased trend across increase quartiles of Non-HDL-C and LDL-C, with statistical significance only in Non-HDL-C. In a multiple regression model, pulse wave velocity was positively correlated with Non-HDL-C and LDL-C. The relationship remained in Non-HDL-C after adjustment of LDL-C. However, in LDL-C, the relationship was vanished after adjustment of Non-HDL-C. In this study Non-HDL-C was more strongly associated with baPWV than LDL-C. These data suggests that Non-HDL-C may be an important treatment target in the prevention of cardiovascular disease.