Introduction: Alterations in the lipid composition and overall structure of plasma lipoproteins have been correlated with pathological situations such as dyslipidaemia, coronary heart disease (CHD), hypertension, and renal disease. In the present study 1H NMR spectroscopy was used to analyse the lipid composition of HDL and nonHDL lipoproteins in patients with triple vessel CHD and in patients with normal coronary arteries.
Methods: Serum samples were collected from 50 patients with triple vessel CHD and 41 patients with normal coronary vessels, both documented angiographically. The classical risk factors for CHD were recorded and each patient's standard lipid profile was determined. HDL and nonHDL lipoprotein particles were separated by precipitation with Dextran Sulphate/MgCl2. HDL and nonHDL lipid fractions were extracted with chloroform:methanol (1:2, v/v). 1H NMR spectra were recorded on a Bruker DRX-600 spectrometer.
Results: In the HDL fraction of patients with triple vessel disease the percentage of triglycerides was significantly higher than in those with normal coronary arteries, whereas the percentages of cholesterol esters, phosphatidylcholine and sphingomyelin, as well as polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as linoleic, arachidonic, and eicosapentaenoic, were significantly lower. In the nonHDL fraction significantly higher levels of triglycerides and lower levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids were observed.
Conclusions: Patients with established CHD show significant alterations in the composition of plasma lipoproteins compared to those with normal coronary arteries. Further study of plasma lipoprotein composition might be able to identify components as indexes for the existence of CHD.