[Study on the content of serum HDL subclasses in obese subjects].

Objective: To investigate the change of the contents of serum HDL subclasses in obese subjects.

Methods: Contents of serum HDL subclasses in healthy controls(n = 64) and obese subjects(n = 58) were determined by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis associated with immunodetection method.

Results: The pre-beta 1 HDL, HDL3c and HDL3b contents increased significantly (P < 0.001) and the HDL2b content decreased significantly (P < 0.001) in obese subjects as compared with those in healthy controls. In male obese subjects, the pre-beta 1 HDL and HDL3c levels were significantly higher(P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively) and HDL2b level was significantly lower(P < 0.05), compared with those in female obese subjects. In male control subjects, the level of pre-beta 1 HDL was significantly higher than that in female subjects. In obese subjects, the concentrations of BMI and serum TG had positive correlation with those of pre-beta 1 HDL(r = 0.382, P < 0.001), HDL3c(r = 0.232, P < 0.05) and HDL3b(r = 0.294, P < 0.01) and negative correlation with that of HDL2b(r = -0.304, P < 0.01).

Conclusion: The particle size of HDL in obese subjects showed a general shift toward smaller size, which indicated that the maturation of HDL could be abnormal in obese subjects. The particle size of HDL was found to be smaller in both obese and control male subjects than in female subjects, suggesting that sex seems to be related to the contents of serum HDL subclasses.