Apolipoprotein B (Apo B) is a protein found in LDL cholesterol and is used to estimate the total number of LDL particles in the blood. High levels of Apo B are associated with an increased risk of heart disease.
Cholesteryl esters, especially those containing linoleic acid (18:2), are major components of LDL particles, which contain Apo B as their primary apolipoprotein. Higher cholesteryl ester levels correlate with increased LDL and Apo B.
J.P. Kane, M.A. McQueen, N.J. Tutt, et al.. Apolipoprotein B-Containing Lipoproteins and Cardiovascular Disease. Nature Reviews Cardiology (2016). https://www.nature.com/articles/nrcardio.2016.109
Olofsson, S.O., Schmitz, G., Olivecrona, T.. “Sphingolipids and Lipoproteins in Health and Metabolic Disorders”. Journal of Lipid Research (2017). https://www.jlr.org/content/58/10/1937
Phosphatidylcholines are key phospholipids in LDL particles. PC aa C36:2 likely reflects LDL particle concentration and therefore correlates with Apo B levels, since each LDL particle contains one Apo B molecule.
A. M. J. H. van der Velde, R. J. van Wijngaarden, M. J. C. E. Trip, and J. W. Jukema. Regulation of apolipoprotein B secretion by biliary lipids in CaCo-2 cells. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Molecular and Cell Biology of Lipids (2021). https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022227520391719
This phosphatidylcholine species containing arachidonic acid (20:4) is associated with LDL particles and Apo B levels, although the relationship is not as strong as some other PCs.
Liu X, Zhang Y, Li S, et al.. Percutaneous Closure of Left Atrial Appendage significantly affects Plasma Phosphatidylcholine and Apolipoprotein B Levels in Patients with Non-Valvular Atrial Fibrillation. Frontiers in Physiology (2018). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5897373/
Sphingomyelins are sphingolipids present in LDL particles. SM C16:0 levels tend to correlate positively with LDL concentration and Apo B.
Hammad SM, Lopes-Virella MF. Circulating Sphingolipids in Insulin Resistance, Diabetes and Associated Complications. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2023). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241814015
Ng TWK, Ooi EMM, Watts GF, Chan DC, Meikle PJ, Barrett PHR. Association of Plasma Ceramides and Sphingomyelin With VLDL apoB-100 Fractional Catabolic Rate Before and After Rosuvastatin Treatment. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (2015). https://doi.org/10.1210/jc.2014-4348
Triacylglycerides with palmitic acid (16:0) and 34:2 fatty acids are found in VLDL particles, which are metabolic precursors of LDL. Higher VLDL levels can drive increased LDL and Apo B production.
