Plasmid lipid and lipoprotein pattern in the Inuit of the Keewatin district of the Northwest territories.

It has long been recognized that certain indigenous populations, such as the traditional living Inuit, have been relatively spared from ischemic heart disease despite their high fat diet. There is evidence to suggest that elevated serum levels of oxidated cholesterol may be a strong risk factor for atherogenesis. This study was performed to examine the plasma levels of lipid, triglyceride, lipoprotein cholesterol and oxidated cholesterol derivatives in the Inuit of the Keewatin district of Canada. Lipoprotein isolation from plasma was performed by serial centrifugation and apolipoprotein concentrations and native and esterified cholesterol content of the lipoprotein isolated were determined. Analysis of cholesterol and its oxidation products was performed using high pressure liquid chromatography. The Inuit showed a decreased concentration of both VLDL apolipoprotein and LDL apolipoprotein. The incidence of oxidatived cholesterol in Inuit VLDL and LDL was higher than control except for the 25 alpha-hydroxy derivative in VLDL. These data provide insight into the relative contributions of genetic and environmental influences on the development of ischemic heart disease.