Genetics
CETP activity does not predict LDL buoyancy in women, but CETP TaqIB genotype does predict CETP mass and HDL3 cholesterol (Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2002)
Original title: Contribution of hepatic lipase, lipoprotein lipase, and cholesteryl ester transfer protein to LDL and HDL heterogeneity in healthy women
In 120 normolipidemic, nondiabetic, premenopausal women, biochemical (lipoprotein lipase, hepatic lipase, CETP, triglycerides) and genetic (LIPC, CETP TaqIB) determinants of small dense LDL and HDL subspecies were examined. Hepatic lipase (P<0.001) and lipoprotein lipase activity (P=0.006) were independently associated with LDL buoyancy, but CETP activity (P=0.76) and triglycerides (P=0.06) were not. Women with more small dense LDL had higher hepatic lipase activity, lower HDL2-cholesterol, and lower frequency of the LIPC T allele than women with buoyant LDL, and the LIPC variant was linked to hepatic lipase activity, HDL2-cholesterol, and LDL buoyancy. The CETP TaqIB polymorphism, unlike CETP activity itself, was significantly associated with CETP mass (P=0.002) and HDL3-cholesterol (P=0.039), indicating hepatic lipase, not CETP activity, is the primary determinant of LDL/HDL heterogeneity in healthy women.
Original abstract
Hepatic lipase (HL) and cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) have been independently associated with low density lipoprotein (LDL) and high density lipoprotein (HDL) size in different cohorts. These studies have been conducted mainly in men and in subjects with dyslipidemia. Ours is a comprehensive study of the proposed biochemical determinants (lipoprotein lipase, HL, CETP, and triglycerides) and genetic determinants (HL gene [LIPC] and Taq1B) of small dense LDL (sdLDL) and HDL subspecies in a large cohort of 120 normolipidemic, nondiabetic, premenopausal women. HL (P<0.001) and lipoprotein lipase activities (P=0.006) were independently associated with LDL buoyancy, whereas CETP (P=0.76) and triglycerides (P=0.06) were not. The women with more sdLDL had higher HL activity (P=0.007), lower HDL2 cholesterol (P<0.001), and lower frequency of the HL (LIPC) T allele (P=0.034) than did the women with buoyant LDL. The LIPC variant was associated with HL activity (P<0.001), HDL2 cholesterol (P=0.034), and LDL buoyancy (P=0.03), whereas the Taq1B polymorphism in the CETP gene was associated with CETP mass (P=0.002) and HDL3 cholesterol (P=0.039). These results suggest that HL activity and HL gene promoter polymorphism play a significant role in determining LDL and HDL heterogeneity in healthy women without hypertriglyceridemia. Thus, HL is an important determinant of sdLDL and HDL2 cholesterol in normal physiological states as well as in the pathogenesis of various disease processes.
Summary written by cetpinhibition.org from the published abstract; figures as published. Page updated 19 August 2026. Methods.