Relationships of the Surface Charge of Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) with the Serum LDL-Cholesterol and Atherosclerosis Levels in a Japanese Population: The DOSANCO Health Study.

Aim: This study investigated the associations of the surface charge of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) with the serum LDL-cholesterol and atherosclerosis levels in a community-based Japanese population.

Methods: The study had a cross-sectional design and included 409 community residents aged 35-79 years who did not take medications for dyslipidemia. The potential electric charge of LDL and the zeta potential, which indicate the surface charge of LDL, were measured by laser Doppler microelectrophoresis. The correlations of the zeta potential of LDL (-mV) with the serum LDL-cholesterol levels (mg/dL), cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI), and serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels (log-transformed values, mg/L) were examined using Pearson's correlation coefficient (r). Linear regression models were constructed to examine these associations after adjusting for potential confounding factors.

Results: A total of 201 subjects with correctly stored samples were included in the primary analysis for zeta potential measurement. An inverse correlation was observed between the LDL zeta potential and the serum LDL-cholesterol levels (r=-0.20; p=0.004). This inverse association was observed after adjusting for sex, age, dietary cholesterol intake, smoking status, alcohol intake, body mass index, and the serum levels of the major classes of free fatty acids (standardized β=-6.94; p=0.005). However, the zeta potential of LDL showed almost no association with CAVI or the serum hsCRP levels. Similar patterns were observed in the 208 subjects with compromised samples as well as all the original 409 subjects.

Conclusion: A higher electronegative surface charge of LDL was associated with lower serum LDL-cholesterol levels in the general Japanese population.