LDL particles may be a more accurate measure of early-stage atherosclerosis

Jun 19 2012

LipoScience, Inc., an in vitro diagnostic company advancing patient care by developing high value proprietary clinical diagnostic tests using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) technology, today announced publication of a clinical study in the current issue of Atherosclerosis suggesting that low density lipoprotein (LDL) particles may be a more accurate measure of early-stage (subclinical) atherosclerosis than LDL cholesterol among retired National Football League (NFL) players.

“These results suggest that LDL particle number may be a more effective indicator of subclinical atherosclerosis in retired NFL players with metabolic syndrome”

Researchers conducted carotid artery plaque screenings as well as traditional and specialized lipid testing on 948 retired professional football players. Carotid arteries supply oxygenated blood to the brain and a plaque buildup may narrow these arteries, which may decrease blood flow and increase the risk of a stroke. Carotid artery plaques were present in 41 percent of this population, and while various measures of cholesterol - LDL particle number, LDL cholesterol and non-HDL cholesterol - were all associated with these plaques, the link to atherosclerosis was strongest for LDL particle number.

In addition, nearly twenty percent (187) of the retired players tested also had metabolic syndrome, a cluster of risk factors that occur together and increase the risk for coronary artery disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. In this subset of players, LDL particle number and non-HDL cholesterol were significantly associated with carotid artery plaques, whereas LDL cholesterol was not.

"These results suggest that LDL particle number may be a more effective indicator of subclinical atherosclerosis in retired NFL players with metabolic syndrome," said Salim Virani, M.D. Ph.D., Cardiologist and an Investigator at the Michael E. DeBakey Houston VA Health Services Research and Development CoE and an Assistant Professor at the Baylor College of Medicine. Dr. Virani is the lead author of the publication.

"Participating in this study has taught me a lot about other measures of heart health beyond traditional cholesterol levels," said Bart Oates, a retired NFL player who was a member of two Super Bowl champion teams with the New York Giants and one with the San Francisco 49ers and a study participant. "People who are at risk of cardiovascular disease need to know their LDL particle number in addition to their lipid values to help them work with their doctor to manage their cardiovascular risk."