[Specificity of lipid and lipoprotein status in healthy students at the University of Novi Sad]. / Specificnosti lipidskog i lipoproteinskog statusa zdravih studenata Novosadskog Univerziteta.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of hyperlipoproteinemias and normolipidemic dyslipoproteinemias, and distribution of desirable, borderline and high-risk values of certain lipid status parameters in healthy young individuals. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this investigation we examined 213 students of the University of Novi Sad of both genders, 20-30 years of age. Standard biochemical methods were used to determine values of total serum cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, and lipoproteins by cellulose acetate electrophoresis. The level of LDL cholesterol and LDL/HDL cholesterol and total/HDL cholesterol ratios were calculated. RESULTS: In this group hyperlipoproteinemia was established in 42.3% of cases and normolipidemic dyslipoproteinemia in 65.3%. Total serum cholesterol was minimally elevated in 39.0% of tested students, elevated with high risk in 3.3% and triglycerides were minimally elevated in 1.0%. Presence of elevated LDL cholesterol (24.4% minimally and 13.2% with high risk) is remarkably significant. HDL cholesterol is minimally decreased in 54.0% of tested students, and severely in 3.3%. DISCUSSION: The tested parameters deviate from desirable levels with an alarmingly high frequency, given the fact that this is a group of healthy young individuals with no previous history of lipid and lipoprotein metabolism disorders. It can be hypothesized that a joint hyper Lp(a)-lipoproteinemia can exist with a significant occurrence. These results could be associated with similar disorders in families of tested students, unhealthy food habits and lifestyle, use of oral contraceptives and smoking. CONCLUSION: Our results point to the need for performing gradual laboratory diagnostic procedures for routine check-ups in students.