Reference distributions for apolipoproteins AI and B and B/AI ratios: comparison of a large cohort to the world's literature

Abstract

Limiting the clinical utility of apolipoproteins AI (apo AI) and B (apo B) and the apo B/AI ratios until the last decade has been the lack of satisfactory methods for quantifying serum levels and credible reference materials. Great technological strides have been made in the last few years. The remaining barrier to more relevant and cost-effective use of serum protein data for diagnosis and prognosis has been the availability of widely recognized reliable reference intervals from birth to old age for both males and females. A total of 82 publications reporting reference intervals have been identified that meet most of the same inclusion criteria used in our prior six studies. These have been analyzed statistically and compared to similar studies, i.e., sufficient number, listed subject criteria, method, and reference material, in general terms. Published smaller studies with constrained age ranges, agree on average with our large series of life-long reference intervals that range from less than one year to over 80 years. This study was performed to assess the degree of agreement between smaller reference interval studies to our large population analysis. This meta-analysis provides support and reassurance that many of the smaller reference intervals published previously fall within reasonable limits of out large population.

Reference distributions for apolipoproteins AI and B and the apolipoprotein B/AI ratios: a practical and clinically relevant approach in a large cohort

“…Since the half-life of these drugs is short, only carefully designed studies could take their use into account. As shown in our companion paper (10), this data compares favorably with previous smaller studies that were able to individually define health status (23,24).…”

“…This work is a continuation of our previous studies on the immunoglobulins (4), the negative acute phase proteins (5), the positive acute phase proteins (6), serum iron and transferrin saturation (7), C3 and C4 (8), and alpha 2macroglobulin (9). A companion paper presents a metaanalysis of these same lipoproteins and their ratio, covering the time period 1962 to 2002 and places the current findings in that context (10).…”

“…This study is of sufficient size to reliably estimate the effects of age and gender in a Caucasian population based on measurements standardized with accepted reference materials and measured by a single protocol. Because the current study is derived from a relatively homogeneous Caucasian population, the findings may not be applicable to other ethnic groups (10). Individual use of tobacco products, over-the-counter antiinflammatory medications, and contraceptives or hormone supplementation were not taken into account.…”

A novel microdeletion affecting the CETP gene raises HDL‐associated cholesterol levels

“…Reference ranges for pediatric HDL‐C levels are between the 5th and 95th percentiles and were derived from Hickman et al Reference ranges for ApoA‐I and ApoB were defined as being within three standard deviations of the mean for age and gender and were derived from Ritchie et al .…”

“…Fasting and non-fasting lipid profiles of the proband, his brother, his mother, and his half-sister. Reference ranges for each individual are shown in brackets to the right of their results a Reference ranges for ApoA-I and ApoB were defined as being within three standard deviations of the mean for age and gender and were derived from Ritchie et al(22).…”