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

Abstract

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. © 2012 Elsevier Inc.