The association between serum apolipoprotein A-I and apolipoprotein B and the severity of angiographical coronary artery disease

Introduction: The aim of this study was to
investigate the relationship between serum
apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) and apolipoprotein
B (apoB) and the severity of coronary artery
stenosis.
Methods: This case-control study was carried
out on 106 patients who underwent angiography
and 100 healthy controls. ApoA-I and apoB as
well as the serum total cholesterol, high-density
lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triglyceride and
low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels
were measured. Very low-density lipoprotein
cholesterol levels and the LDL-C/HDL-C ratio
were calculated.
Results: In an Iranian population with coronary
artery disease (79 men and 27 women, aged 53
+/− 8.5 years), the increased levels of apoA-I and
apoB were correlated with the number of involved
vessels and the severity of coronary lesions.
However, no significant correlation was found
between the serum values of lipids as well as other
lipoproteins and the number of vessels involved
and the severity of coronary lesions.
Conclusion: ApoA-I and apoB are indicated as
risk factors for cardiovascular and, possibly,
cerebrovascular diseases. From this study,
it may be concluded that apoA-I and apoB
serum concentration levels are independent
risk factors for coronary atherosclerosis in the
Iranian population. It also demonstrates a direct
relationship between the severity of coronary
atherosclerosis and the number of lesions in the
involved vessels. It can be regarded as an index
for the relationship of apoA-I and apoB to the
early, still clinically asymptomatic, steps of the
pathogenesis of coronary disease.