Small dense LDL (sd-LDL) has recently emerged as an important coronary artery disease (CAD) risk factor. This study was performed to investigate how LDL particle size is related to CAD and acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Blood samples were collected from 504 patients that underwent coronary angiography to evaluate chest pain. The LDL particle size of these samples was measured. The mean LDL particle size was smaller in patients with angiographically proven CAD than in the controls (26.41+/-0.95 vs 26.73+/-0.64nm, p < 0.001), and was negatively correlated with the Framingham risk score (r=-0.121, p=0.007). Patients with more extensive CAD had smaller LDL particles. LDL particle size was also smaller in patients with acute coronary syndrome as compared to non-ACS patients (26.09+/-1.42 vs 26.54+/-0.63nm, p=0.011). These results suggest that sd-LDL is independently associated with the incidence and extent of CAD, and can be a risk factor for the development of ACS in the Korean population.
Risk Factors ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Particle Size ; Middle Aged ; Male ; Lipoproteins, LDL/*blood/chemistry ; Humans ; Female ; Coronary Arteriosclerosis/*blood/*epidemiology ; Biological Markers ; Aged ; Acute Disease

The formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), in various tissues has been known to enhance immunoinflammatory reactions and local oxidant stresses in long standing diabetes. Recently, AGEs have been reported to play a role in neointimal formation in animal models of arterial injury. We attempted to determine whether the serum levels of AGEs are associated with coronary restenosis in diabetic patients. Blood samples were collected from diabetic patients with coronary artery disease undergoing stent implantation and the serum levels of AGEs were analyzed by the fluorescent intensity method. The development of in-stent restenosis (ISR) was evaluated by a 6-month follow-up coronary angiography. A total of 263 target lesions were evaluated, in 203 patients. The ISR rate in the high-AGE (> 170 U/ml) group (40.1%) was significantly higher than in the low-AGE group (< or =170 U/ml) (19.6%) (p < 0.001). Furthermore, multivariate analysis revealed that a high level of serum AGEs is an independent risk factor for the development of ISR (odds ratio, 2.659; 95% CI, 1.431-4.940; p=0.002). The serum levels of AGEs constitute an excellent predictive factor for ISR, and should be one of the guidelines for medical therapy and interventional strategy to prevent ISR in diabetic patients.
Aged ; Coronary Arteriosclerosis/epidemiology/*metabolism/*therapy ; Coronary Restenosis/epidemiology/*metabolism ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/epidemiology/*metabolism ; Female ; Glycosylation End Products, Advanced/*blood ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't ; Risk Factors ; *Stents

OBJECTIVES: This study was performed to investigate the distribution of apolipoproteins A-I and B among Korean employees and their partners. METHODS: The study population consisted of 7,633 men and women (4,578 men and 3,054 women) residing in Seoul and Kyung-gee Do, with an average age of 43.5+/-8.3 years. Blood samples were collected following at least 12 hours of fasting. Apolipoproteins A-I and B were measured using a Behring Nephelometer analyzer. The body mass index (BMI) for each participant was calculated as weight (kg) divided by height squared (m2). Information on health-related behaviors such as exercise, alcohol intake, and smoking habits was collected through selfadministrated questionnaires. RESULTS: The mean concentrations of Apo A-I were 132.6+/-22.3 mg/dL and 142.9+/-24.8 mg/dL in the men and women, respectively. The concentration of Apo A-I increased significantly across all age categories of men. The mean concentrations of Apo B were 101.7+/-23.2 mg/dL and 87.8+/-23.5 mg/dL in the men and women, respectively, and Apo B increased significantly across all age categories for both the men and women. Exercise and BMI were major determinants for Apo A-I and B levels. The 10th percentile of Apo A-I concentration was 109 mg/dL in the men and 113 mg/dL in the women, and the 90th percentile of Apo B concentration was 131 mg/dL in the men and 118 mg/dL women. CONCLUSIONS: For the prevention of coronary artery disease, we recommend that for individuals in the 10th percentile of concentration for Apo A-I and the 90th percentile of concentration for Apo B, active preventive interventions such as weight loss and exercise should be taken. This study, within its limitations, may be useful for evaluating apolipoprotein A-I and B concentrations in Korean adults.
Spouses ; Smoking ; Questionnaires ; Middle Aged ; Male ; Korea/epidemiology ; Humans ; *Health Behavior ; Female ; Exercise ; Coronary Arteriosclerosis/blood/*prevention & control ; Body Mass Index ; Apolipoproteins B/*blood ; Apolipoprotein A-I/*blood ; Alcohol Drinking ; Adult