The value of the apoB/apoAΙ ratio and the non-HDL-C/HDL-C ratio in predicting carotid atherosclerosis among Chinese individuals with metabolic syndrome: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

BackgroundMetabolic syndrome (MetS) is associated with carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), which is a good predictor of cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, among individuals with MetS, direct comparative data regarding the utility of the apoB/apoAΙ ratio and the non-HDL-C/HDL-C ratio to diagnose carotid atherosclerosis are scarce, particularly in Chinese populations. We aimed to determine the relationship between the apoB/apoAΙ ratio and the non-HDL-C/HDL-C ratio and carotid atherosclerosis among Chinese individuals with MetS.MethodsWe performed a retrospective study of 5822 Chinese participants who underwent a routine health screening examination. Lipid profiles, fasting glucose, fasting insulin, CRP, apoB, apoAΙ and CIMT were measured.ResultsWe observed that among Chinese individuals with MetS, men (53.95 ± 0.58 ys) developed carotid atherosclerosis at a younger age than women (58.47 ± 1.17 ys) (P < 0.001). Both the apoB/apoAΙ ratio and the non-HDL-C/HDL-C ratio positively correlated with carotid atherosclerosis among Chinese individuals with MetS, particularly among women. Meanwhile, CIMT increased progressively across the quartiles of the non-HDL-C/HDL-C ratio (P for trend, < 0.05). Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis indicated that the AUC of the apoB/apoAΙ ratio (0.561) was higher than that of the non-HDL-C/HDL-C ratio (0.522) in men (P < 0.05) and the AUC of the apoB/apoAΙ ratio (0.640) was lower than that of the non-HDL-C/HDL-C ratio (0.695) in women (P < 0.05). Among Chinese individuals with MetS, the AUC of the non-HDL-C/HDL-C ratio was more prominent among women compared with men (P < 0.05).ConclusionOur findings indicate that among individuals with MetS, Chinese men develop carotid atherosclerosis at a much younger age than women. There were no significant differences between the apoB/apoAΙ ratio and the non-HDL-C/HDL-C ratio for the prediction of carotid atherosclerosis among Chinese individuals with MetS. Among Chinese individuals with MetS, the utility of the non-HDL-C/HDL-C ratio was found to be greater among women than among men.

Sex-Related Differences of the Effect of Lipoproteins and Apolipoproteins on 10-Year Cardiovascular Disease Risk; Insights from the ATTICA Study (2002–2012)

“…This is in accordance with outcomes revealed from the Multinational Cardiovascular Risk Consortium, where a continuous and linear increase for higher non-HDL-C concentrations was observed [15]. Additionally, several works suggest that the non-HDL-C/HDL-C ratio is superior to traditional lipid markers in estimating arterial stiffness and atherosclerosis, with this association being more evident in the case of women [24,25]. This comes in line with the outcomes revealed here.…”

Elevated TG/HDL-C and non-HDL-C/HDL-C ratios predict mortality in peritoneal dialysis patients

“…Indeed, further studies evaluating the prognostic utility of the TG/HDL-C ratio specifically in PD patients found that higher values were significantly associated with CVD mortality in female PD patients [18], and with higher all-cause and CVD mortality in older patients on PD. [12] In addition, it has been proposed that the non-HDL-C/HDL-C ratio can be utilized as a simple indicator for CVD risk [19]. Non-HDL-C includes all the atherogenic lipoproteins and is calculated as total cholesterol (TC) minus HDL-C.…”

Functional food addressing heart health

“…When delivered in capsule or yoghurt to otherwise healthy hypercholesterolemic individuals, the probiotic intervention caused reduction of circulating LDL by 9-12%, total cholesterol by 5-9%, and the ratio of apolipoprotein B to A (apoB/apoA) by up to 13% [31]. ApoB and the apoB/apoA ratio have long been recognized as key markers for cardiovascular disease [32], this is due to the fact that apoB is the protein associated with atherogenic VLDL, and LDL particles, whereas apoA is associated with RCT-promoting high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) particles [33]. Furthermore, Lactobacillus reuteri NCIMB 30242 was shown to reduce two major factors of atherogenesis, CRP and fibrinogen, while also inhibiting noncholesterol sterol absorption [34].…”