Predominance of large VLDL particles in metabolic syndrome, detected by size exclusion liquid chromatography.

OBJECTIVE

To study size heterogeneity of triglyceride rich lipoproteins (TRL) in metabolic syndrome (MS).

DESIGN AND

METHODS

Thirty MS patients and 14 healthy subjects were included. In fasting serum we measured: lipid profile, free fatty acids (FFA) and adiponectin; TRL were isolated (d<1.006 g/mL) and analysis by size exclusion HPLC followed by UV detection was performed; each subfraction was expressed as percentage of total TRL.

RESULTS

MS patients, even those with normal triglycerides, presented higher proportion of very large VLDL (90 nm diameter) and large VLDL (60 nm) and slightly lower of typical VLDL (37 nm) (p<0.04); increased FFA (p=0.04) and lower adiponectin (p=0.001). FFA correlated with large VLDL% (r=0.58; p=0.003), independently of insulin-resistance and waist. Furthermore, the lower the adiponectin, the greater the predominance of large VLDL (r=-0.40; p=0.04).

CONCLUSION

MS was associated with large VLDL, described as more atherogenic beyond triglyceride levels. Size exclusion HPLC would represent a useful tool for assessing subfractions' lipoprotein profile.