HDL biology
Plasma CETP activity rises in hyperthyroidism and falls in hypothyroidism, correcting with treatment (J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1998)
Original title: Plasma cholesteryl ester transfer protein activity in hyper- and hypothyroidism
Plasma CETP activity was assayed by transfer of cholesteryl esters from exogenous radiolabeled HDL to apolipoprotein B-containing lipoproteins in 18 hyperthyroid and 17 hypothyroid patients, before and after treatment. CETP activity was increased in hyperthyroid patients compared with matched controls (22.11% versus 16.75% transferred, P < 0.05), while it was decreased in hypothyroid patients (11.14% versus 17.26%, P < 0.01). CETP activity fell after treatment of thyrotoxicosis, reaching significance mainly in the most severely thyrotoxic patients (25.61% versus 21.71%, P < 0.05), and rose significantly in hypothyroid patients after thyroxine replacement (11.14% versus 15.46%, P < 0.01). Log free T4 was strongly positively correlated with plasma CETP activity (r = 0.51, P < 0.001). The authors conclude that both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism significantly alter plasma CETP activity, and these changes correct once patients are rendered euthyroid.
Original abstract
Thyroid dysfunction is associated with multiple changes in lipoprotein metabolism, and we have determined the effects of thyroid dysfunction on plasma cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) activity. CETP is a plasma protein that mediates the exchange of cholesteryl ester and triglyceride between plasma lipoproteins and plays an important role in high-density lipoprotein metabolism and in the reverse cholesterol transport pathway. Plasma CETP activity was assayed in 18 hyperthyroid and in 17 hypothyroid patients, before and after treatment, by measuring the transfer of cholesteryl esters from exogenous radiolabeled high-density lipoprotein to apolipoprotein B-containing lipoproteins. Plasma CETP activity was increased in hyperthyroid patients, compared with their matched controls (22.11 +/- 8.92% transferred/5 microL.4 h vs. 16.75 +/- 6.48, P < 0.05), whereas in hypothyroid patients, plasma CETP activity was decreased (11.14 +/- 4.84% transferred/5 microL.4 h vs. 17.26 +/- 7.13, P < 0.01). Plasma CETP activity decreased after treatment of thyrotoxicosis, although a significant change was observed, mainly in the severely thyrotoxic patients with free T4 > 100 pmol/L (n = 11, 25.61 +/- 8.12% transferred/5 microL.4 h vs. 21.71 +/- 7.84, P < 0.05). In the hypothyroid patients, there was a significant increase in plasma CETP activity after thyroxine replacement (11.14 +/- 4.84% transferred/5 microL.4 h vs. 15.46 +/- 6.71, P < 0.01). There was a strong positive correlation between log(free T4) and plasma CETP activity (r = 0.51, P < 0.001). In summary, both hyper- and hypothyroidism are associated with significant changes in plasma CETP activity, and these changes are corrected when the patients have been rendered euthyroid.
Summary written by cetpinhibition.org from the published abstract; figures as published. Page updated 19 August 2026. Methods.