Apolipoprotein B versus LDL-cholesterol: Association with other risk factors for atherosclerosis

ObjectiveTo characterize the differences in various risk factors for atherosclerosis between individuals with apoB higher (H) and lower (L) than predicted from regression equation apoB vs LDL-C.MethodsWe evaluated 391 dyslipidemic subjects not treated with hypolipidemic drugs. The measured parameters included lipid profile, apolipoproteins A-1 and B, markers of insulin resistance and inflammation/hemostasis.ResultsCorrelation coefficient between apoB and LDL-C was 0.9 (p < 0.0001). Individuals with H apoB compared to L apoB had significantly higher sex and age adjusted BMI, waist circumference, insulin, HOMA (fasting insulin ⁎ glucose/22.5), C-peptide, proinsulin, PAI-1, sICAM-1, sVCAM-1, t-PA, vWF, frequency of metabolic syndrome and lower values of TC, LDL-C and HDL-C (p < 0.05 to < 0.001 for all parameters).ConclusionIndividuals with apoB higher than predicted by their LDL-C levels are more insulin resistant and have more atherogenic risk profile. Thus, at least for dyslipidemic patients with high cardiometabolic risk, apoB is a more appropriate marker of risk than LDL-C.