Correlations of Estimated Serum Small Dense Low-Density Lipoprotein and Isoprostane with Metabolic Syndrome Criteria between Metabolic Syndrome and Non-Metabolic Syndrome Subjects in Selangor

INTRODUCTION: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a global healthcare burden associated with an increased risk of atherosclerosis (ATH). It is well understood that atherogenesis involves the complexity of inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and oxidative stress. However, the relationship between atherogenic lipoproteins [small dense low-density lipoproteins (sdLDL)] and oxidative stress biomarkers [isoprostane (ISP)] among those with MetS has not been well established, which this study aims to understand. MATERIALS & METHODS: This cross-sectional study involved 67 MetS and 43 non-MetS subjects diagnosed by JIS criteria 2009. Demographic details and anthropometric measurements were recorded. Blood samples were collected to analyse direct LDL, sdLDL-c, and ISP. RESULTS: Mean serum sdLDL-c were significantly higher in MetS than non-MetS (1.14+0.44 mmol/L vs. 0.87 +/- 0.38 mmol/L, respectively, p=0.005). Similarly, mean serum ISP concentration was higher among MetS than non-MetS (884.40+602.69 ng/L vs. 657.89 +/- 616.42 ng/L, respectively, p=0.054). sdLDL-c was positively correlated with triglyceride (TG) in MetS (Spearman 0.552, p<.001), while HDL-c was positively correlated with sdLDL-c among non-MetS (Spearman 0.400, p<.005). CONCLUSION: This study emphasises the relationship between sdLDL-c and TG in MetS, emphasising the importance of closely monitoring and managing TG in this cohort to reduce the risk of ATH. It was noted that HDL-c showed a positive correlation with sdLDL-c among non-MetS. This discordant finding suggests that HDL-c may not be causally associated with cardiovascular benefits and that HDL-c subfractions may be a better approach to determining the cardioprotective effects of HDL-c.