Comparison of levels of large and small high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in Asian Indian men compared with Caucasian men in the Framingham Offspring Study.

Asian Indians have a higher incidence of coronary artery disease (CAD) than do other ethnic groups, despite similar standard risk factors and lipid profiles. The large subclass of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol is predominantly associated with protection against coronary artery disease. We compared various lipoprotein concentrations and sizes in 211 healthy Asian Indian men with those in 1,684 Caucasian men from the Framingham Offspring Study as measured by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Concentrations of HDL cholesterol were similar in the 2 groups, but concentrations of large HDL cholesterol were lower and concentrations of small HDL cholesterol were significantly higher in Asian Indian than in Caucasian men. HDL particle size was smaller in Asian Indians. Levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein particle size, and prevalence of pattern B were similar in the 2 groups.