Serum apolipoprotein B predicts dyslipidemia, metabolic syndrome and, in women, hypertension and diabetes, independent of markers of central obesity and inflammation.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the role of serum apolipoprotein (apo) B levels in predicting metabolic syndrome (MS), hypertension, atherogenic dyslipidemia and type II diabetes.

METHODS: Prospective evaluation of 1125 men and 1223 women, aged 28-74 years, participating in the survey 1997/1998 who had serum apo B determinations and were followed-up for a mean 5.9 years. Tertiles of apo B were formed by cut points by 120 and 95 mg/dl. MS was defined by modified ATPIII criteria.

RESULTS: Apo B values exhibited no significant difference among sexes. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol and triglycerides were their leading determinants on linear regression analysis. By logistic regression analyses, the top versus bottom apo B tertile predicted significantly newly developing MS in both sexes separately with two-fold relative risks (RRs) (P<0.02) and the development of high triglyceride/low high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol dyslipidemia with nearly threefold RRs (P=0.001), after adjustment for waist circumference, C-reactive protein (CRP), physical activity grade and family income category. Development of hypertension was predicted only in women by the apo B top tertile (fully adjusted RR 1.71 [95% CI 1.001; 2.92]), while the significance of the prediction regarding age-adjusted diabetes in women (RR 1.86 [95% CI 1.04; 3.36]) attenuated after adjustment for the stated confounding factors.

CONCLUSIONS: Apo B concentrations, which reflect the number of small, dense LDL particles in plasma, are a significant predictor of cardiometabolic risk among adults with a high prevalence of MS, independent of waist circumference and CRP.