Fibroblast cholesterol efflux to plasma from metabolic syndrome subjects is not defective despite low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol

Objective: We tested whether in metabolic syndrome (MetS) subjects the ability of plasma to stimulate cellular cholesterol efflux. an early step in the anti-atherogenic reverse cholesterol transport pathway. is maintained despite low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol.

Design: In 76 subjects with and 94 subjects without MetS based on the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP ATP III) criteria, we determined plasma (apo)lipoproteins, pre-beta-HDL formation, phospholipid transfer protein (PITP) activity, cholesterol esterification (EST), cholesteryl ester transfer (CET), adiponectin, and the ability of plasma from each subject to stimulate cholesterol efflux out of cultured fibroblasts obtained from a single donor.

Results: Apo E, PLTP activity, EST, and CET were higher (P=0.04 to

Conclusions: The ability of plasma from MetS subjects to promote fibroblast cholesterol efflux is not defective, although HDL cholesterol is decreased. Higher cholesterol esterification, PUP activity, and apo E levels may contribute to the maintenance of cholesterol efflux in MetS.