OBJECTIVETo explore the potential correlation between apolipoprotein (Apo) levels and coronary atherosclerosis and investigate its predictive value for coronary artery lesions in asymptomatic population without diabetes.

METHODSWe performed a retrospective analysis of data collected from 401 asymptomatic patients who took health check-ups. They were divided into atherosclerosis group (n=224)and control group (n=177) based on the outcome of CT angiography and blood biochemical findings. The risk factors, lipid profiles, and Apo levels were compared between these two groups. The best biochemical indicators for predicting the coronary atherosclerosis were explored.

RESULTSThe levels of ApoB, ApoC2,ApoC3,and ApoE and ApoB/ApoA1 ratio were significantly higher in the atherosclerosis group than in the control group (all P<0.01), whereas the ApoA1,ApoA2, and lipoprotein a levels showed no such significant difference (all P>0.05). Logistic regression analysis revealed that age, male, hypertension,ApoC3(OR=1.572,95%CI 1.200-2.061) and ApoB/ApoA1 ratio (OR=1.767,95% CI 1.335-2.338) were independently correlated with coronary atherosclerosis (all P<0.01). In the prediction of the presence of plaque, ApoB had the largest area under curves, and the optimal cutoff point was 1.005 g/L.

CONCLUSIONSApoC3 is closely associated with subclinical coronary atherosclerosis,while the decrease of ApoA1 level is not obvious during this period. Compared with other lipid indicators, ApoB is the strongest predictor for coronary atherosclerosis in asymptomatic non-diabetic population.