Low-density lipoprotein subclasses and risk of coronary artery disease

A heritable low-density lipoprotein (LDL) subclass profile associated with increased risk of coronary disease in humans (atherogenic lipoprotein phenotype) is characterized by predominance of small, dense, cholesterol depleted LDL particles, increased plasma levels of very-low- and intermediate- density lipoproteins and apolipoprotein B, and reduced concentrations of the high-density lipoprotein2 subclass.