Association of lipoprotein subclass distribution with use of selective and non-selective beta-blocker medications in patients with coronary heart disease.

The relationship of beta-blocker drug use to plasma low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), lipoprotein mass distribution, (LDL, Sf0-12), intermediate density lipoproteins (IDL, Sf12-20), very low density lipoproteins (VLDL, Sf20-400), and high density lipoproteins (HDL, F(1.2)0-9) were examined in 206 men with coronary heart disease. Thirty-three used non-selective (NSEL), 49 used selective (SEL), and were compared to 124 who used no beta-blockade (NoBB). No significant between group differences were seen for potentially confounding variables. LDL and IDL mass, total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol were not significantly different between groups. HDL-C was significantly lower in both NSEL (P < 0.005) and SEL (P < 0.01). NSEL and SEL had significantly lower HDL mass (P < 0.005 and P < 0.005) and SEL (P < 0.01 and P = 0.06), and HDL3 mass (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05). VLDL mass was significantly higher (P < 0.02) only in NSEL. Small LDL (Sf0-7) was not significantly different between groups and large LDL (Sf7-12) was significantly lower in NSEL (P < 0.05) and SEL (P < 0.05). LDL peak Sf was significantly lower in both NSEL (P < 0.005) and SEL (P < 0.02) compared to NoBB. Despite the lack of differences in levels of LDL-cholesterol, beta-blocker use is associated with a significant difference in the distribution of larger, more buoyant to smaller, more dense LDL particles. Reduced HDL levels in subjects on beta-blockade therapy are associated with reductions in both HDL2 and HDL3 subclasses.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)