Apolipoprotein CIII may mediate the impacts of angiopoietin-like protein 8 on triglyceride metabolism

Background Angiopoietin-like protein 8(ANGPTL8) and apolipoprotein CIII (apoCIII) were found to inhibit the activity of lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and disrupt the clearance of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins (TRLs), leading to hypertriglyceridemia. Whether any relationship exists between these two important modulators of triglyceride metabolism has not been reported. Besides, whether ANGPTL8 concentration is altered in the patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) is still unclear. Methods A hospital-based case-control study was conducted. Sixty-eight CAD subjects and fifty-two nonCAD controls were recruited. Plasma apoCIII, ANGPTL8 was measured. Results ANGPTL8 and apoCIII concentration exhibited no significant difference between CAD group and nonCAD group. Both ANGPTL8 and apoCIII were significantly correlated with triglyceride level( r = − 0.243, P = 0.008; r = 0.335, P < 0.001, respectively). Regression analysis revealed that apoCIII was an independent contributor to triglyceride level independent of ANGPTL8 concentration (standardized β = 0.230, P < 0.01). Conclusion ApoCIII may mediate the effects of ANGPTL8 on triglyceride metabolism.