Abstract 431: Sex Differences in Manifestation of Subclinical Coronary Atherosclerosis: Analysis of Lipoprotein Sub-Fractions in Healthy but High Risk Individuals

Background: Lipoproteins-rich triglycerides are associated with markers of coronary atherosclerosis such as coronary artery calcification (CAC) in young high-risk population. This study examines differences between sexes associated with lipoprotein sub-fractions and atherosclerosis. Methods: The study presents analysis from baseline data of a randomized trial of employees of Baptist Health South Florida with metabolic syndrome or diabetes. Participants completed lipoprotein sub-fraction analysis at baseline using ion mobility technique. Subjects above 35 years had a CAC test completed. We tested for differences between correlational matrices of the original variables. The same analysis was repeated for sets of 3 principal components (PC) that were computed for the combination of all lipoprotein subclasses. Results: The study population (N=170) was largely female (128) with a mean age of 58 years. Three PCs accounted for 83% variation in the sample. Distribution of atherosclerostic PC2 by sex was entirely different between sexes (Wishart test p=.004). In addition, a significant Jennrich’s test (p < .0045) implied that the inter-correlations among all dependent variables for different groups were dissimilar; with the finding of significant angles between PC components by sex. PC2, with main contributions from VLDL particles, was in the positive direction; however PC3 with large LDL particles was in the negative direction. Atherogenic lipoprotein profiles were significant only for males, with PC keeping their independent predictability. Conclusion: In a relatively young high-risk population, there were sex-specific differences in lipoprotein sub-fractions profiles that are associated with increased risk of atherosclerosis. The relationship was much weaker for males compared to females (see graph). These findings points towards a possible sex-linked lipoprotein sub-fraction association with the atherosclerosis pathogenesis.