Abstract
Although the HDL lipoprotein fraction is thought to protect against coronary heart disease (CHD) the roles of the HDL subfractions are less well understood. We have studied the genetic and environmental influences on quantitative measurements of the HDL2 and HDL3 cholesterol subfractions in 42 pairs of normal adolescent monozygotic (MZ) and dizygotic (DZ) twins and their parents who were ascertained from local schools. The lipid determinations were performed by single vertical spin centrifugation and data were also obtained on blood pressure family history of CHD, and other physical and environmental attributes. Overall, boys had higher HDL3 levels than girls (38.8 ± 5.39 vs 35.4 ± 5.69mg/dl). Both paternal and maternal HDL2 levels were significantly correlated with those of the twins but the spousal correlations were not significant. The intrapair correlations for total HDL cholesterol and the HDL2 and HDL3 subfractions were all significant (p<.05) for MZ but not DZ twins. Twins with 2° relatives dying of stroke or CHD before age 55 had lower HDL2 levels (p<0.05), while self-reported physical activity in girls correlated with increased HDL2. Our data suggest that genetic factors have a major influence on levels of HDL2 in adolescents. Low levels of HDL2 in twins may identify families at risk for CHD, while physical activity, especially in girls, appears to raise HDL2, which may reduce risk.
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Bodurtha, J., Schieken, R., Eaves, L. et al. 515 THE INHERITANCE OF HDL2 CHOLESTEROL AND ITS POSSIBLE ROLE IN CORONARY HEART DISEASE. Pediatr Res 19, 196 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198504000-00545
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198504000-00545