Fractional esterification rate of cholesterol in high-density lipoprotein associates with risk of coronary heart disease

Background Fractional esterification rate of cholesterol in high-density lipoprotein (FER HDL ) has been found to be closely correlated with atherosclerotic dyslipidemia, especially lipoprotein distributions, and is a potentially useful predictor for coronary heart disease (CHD). The associations of FER HDL , measured by the simple and precise HPLC method, with angiographically defined CHD and its related risk factors in Chinese patients were evaluated. Methods Two hundred and fifty eight Chinese patients who had indications for angiography were enrolled in this study. Coronary angiograms were obtained by the standard techniques. FER HDL was determined by the HPLC method. Cholesterol levels in serum HDL, LDL and subfractions were measured by ultracentrifugation/HPLC method. Associations between FER HDL and CHD and CHD risk factors were analyzed. Results FER HDL was correlated with almost all the CHD risk factors. Compared with the non-CHD group, the CHD patients had higher values of FER HDL (20.9 ± 7.9%/h vs 17.7 ± 7.1%/h, p = 0.001). FER HDL was found to be independently and positively correlated with log TG (β = 0.386, P < 0.001) and log (LDLb-C) (β = 0.165, P = 0.020), respectively, and negatively correlated with log (HDL2-C)(β = −0.351, P < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that age, diabetes mellitus, smoking and FER HDL (OR = 1.056–1.080, p < 0.05) were independent risk factors for CHD. Conclusion FER HDL significantly correlated with both HDL2-C and LDLb-C, and therefore, is the predictor of lipoprotein distributions. In addition, after correcting for the presence of classic risk factors, FER HDL was independently associated with the presence of angiographically defined CHD.