ApoA-I/A-II-HDL positively associates with apoB-lipoproteins as a potential atherogenic indicator.

BACKGROUND: We recently reported distinct nature of high-density lipoproteins (HDL) subgroup particles with apolipoprotein (apo) A-I but not apoA-II (LpAI) and HDL having both (LpAI:AII) based on the data from 314 Japanese. While plasma HDL level almost exclusively depends on concentration of LpAI having 3 to 4 apoA-I molecules, LpAI:AII appeared with almost constant concentration regardless of plasma HDL levels having stable structure with two apoA-I and one disulfide-dimeric apoA-II molecules (Sci. Rep. 6; 31,532, 2016). The aim of this study is further characterization of LpAI:AII with respect to its role in atherogenesis. METHODS: Association of LpAI, LpAI:AII and other HDL parameters with apoB-lipoprotein parameters was analyzed among the cohort data above. RESULTS: ApoA-I in LpAI negatively correlated with the apoB-lipoprotein parameters such as apoB, triglyceride, nonHDL-cholesterol, and nonHDL-cholesterol + triglyceride, which are apparently reflected in the relations of the total HDL parameters to apoB-lipoproteins. In contrast, apoA-I in LpAI:AII and apoA-II positively correlated to the apoB-lipoprotein parameters even within their small range of variation. These relationships are independent of sex, but may slightly be influenced by the activity-related CETP mutations. CONCLUSIONS: The study suggested that LpAI:AII is an atherogenic indicator rather than antiatherogenic. These sub-fractions of HDL are to be evaluated separately for estimating atherogenic risk of the patients.

Bioinformatic Analysis of Plasma Apolipoproteins A-I and A-II Revealed Unique Features of A-I/A-II HDL Particles in Human Plasma.

Plasma concentration of apoA-I, apoA-II and apoA-II-unassociated apoA-I was analyzed in 314 Japanese subjects (177 males and 137 females), including one (male) homozygote and 37 (20 males and 17 females) heterozygotes of genetic CETP deficiency. ApoA-I unassociated with apoA-II markedly and linearly increased with HDL-cholesterol, while apoA-II increased only very slightly and the ratio of apoA-II-associated apoA-I to apoA-II stayed constant at 2 in molar ratio throughout the increase of HDL-cholesterol, among the wild type and heterozygous CETP deficiency. Thus, overall HDL concentration almost exclusively depends on HDL with apoA-I without apoA-II (LpAI) while concentration of HDL containing apoA-I and apoA-II (LpAI:AII) is constant having a fixed molar ratio of 2 : 1 regardless of total HDL and apoA-I concentration. Distribution of apoA-I between LpAI and LpAI:AII is consistent with a model of statistical partitioning regardless of sex and CETP genotype. The analysis also indicated that LpA-I accommodates on average 4 apoA-I molecules and has a clearance rate indistinguishable from LpAI:AII. Independent evidence indicated LpAI:A-II has a diameter 20% smaller than LpAI, consistent with a model having two apoA-I and one apoA-II. The functional contribution of these particles is to be investigated.

[Current status for OTC examination (test)].

Upgrading and expanding of preventive measures for lifestyle-related diseases is an urgent national priority because they are recognized as the most important health risks by both the general population and government. With such a social background, the spread of self-medication by self-test is eagerly awaited by health-oriented individuals. In this paper, legal position of OTC test reagent, OTC test equipment and remote healthcare as current status of OTC test are explained, reference is made to the current status of their diffusion here in Japan, and some typical examples of "self-collection sample and corresponding OTC test item" are clearly described. In consideration of the large number of potential patients with folk disease such as metabolic syndrome, drug stores should be an accessible and convenient spot for Japanese people to enjoy the benefit of OTC test by obtaining test kits for such diseases.

[Future outlook for OTC examination (test)].

As the primary prevention of disease has been emphasized, there may be a growing need for well-conditioned development and spread of OTC test equipment, OTC test reagent and remote healthcare. Some typical examples of "simple and rapid examination items, which can be done at home by established technology" are explained in this paper and may be required in the near future by the whole Japanese population with a view to the current status of OTC test and the coming relaxation of governmental regulation. The reasons why these examination items should be commercialized as Switch OTC and the epidemiological background are further discussed. In relation to metabolic syndrome derived from super spreader-like visceral mature adipocyte: SSVMAC, visceral fat rate measurement by bioelectrical impedance technology, postprandial blood glucose determination/urinary glucose determination, and urinary microalbumin detection, are explained with an example, together with the importance of early morning blood pressure recording. In the field of cancer and infectious diseases, immunological fecal occult blood determination as a marker of distal colorectal cancer, in which both higher survival rate and recovery rate by early detection have been established, Helicobacter pylori IgG antibodies or antigen examination including an examination of gastroduodenal disorder, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and genital chlamydia are emphasized.