Changes of serum total cholesterol and triglyceride levels in normal subjects in Japan in the past twenty years. Research committee on familial hyperlipidemia in Japan.

Serum lipid levels of 10,977 normal Japanese subjects in 1980 were determined by a joint study of 14 institutions, specializing in lipid research, located in 9 districts of Japan. The data obtained were compared with those in 1960 and 1970. Total cholesterol (TC) levels in 1980 increased with age except for the 1st decade and reached maximum (205 mg/dl) at the 7th decade. The mean value in any age was higher than that of 20 years ago by 10-15 mg/dl. Triglyceride (TG) levels also increased with age and reached maximum (130 mg/dl) at the 7th decade. The mean values of subjects over the 5th decade were higher than those of 10 years ago by 10-20 mg/dl. In contrast with TC and TG, HDL-cholesterol levels were highest at the 1st decade and declined gradually with age. TC and TG levels of younger age (1st to 3rd decade) were equal to or even higher than those of Americans in 1972-76. It was concluded that serum lipid levels of Japanese have increased in the past 20 years and approached to the levels of Europeans and Americans.