Distribution of lipoproteins triglyceride and lipoprotein cholesterol in an adult population by age, sex, and hormone use- The Pacific Northwest Bell Telephone Company health survey

Atherosclerosis. 1981 Apr;39(1):111-24. doi: 10.1016/0021-9150(81)90093-9.

Abstract

This report describes the distribution of lipoprotein triglyceride and lipoprotein cholesterol in employees of the Pacific Northwest Bell Telephone Company. Means, medians, and selected percentiles are presented for very low, low, and high density lipoproteins (VLDL, LDL, and HDL, respectively) in 606 randomly selected white subjects aged 20-59. Results are specific for age decade, sex, and female sex hormone usage. Women who use sex hormones have significantly higher concentrations of triglycerides in all of the fractions across all age decades from 20 to 59 than do women not taking hormones. The average VLDL, LDL, and HDL triglyceride levels in women taking hormones are 69, 25 and 18 mg/dl which are considerably higher than the corresponding averages of 44, 17 and 12 mg/dl noted in women not taking hormones. Men have the highest average VLDL triglyceride value (85 mg/dl) but their average triglyceride concentrations in the LDL and HDL fractions (18 and 12 mg/dl) approximate those of women not taking hormones. This study in a well-defined population provides references standards for lipoprotein triglyceride concentrations. These results can be used to evaluate the effect of sex hormone treatment on the lipoprotein triglyceride content in VLDL, LDL and HDL, and to assess triglyceride content as a potential risk factor in men and older women.

PIP: A study of lipoprotein triglyceride and lipoprotein cholesterol distribution was done between 1973-76 on a randomly selected group of 606 white male and female employees, aged 20-59, of the Pacific Northwest Bell Telephone Company. Data obtained were used to ascertain whether triglyceride content of lipoprotein differs in men and women by observing mean, standard and percentile distribution of VLDL, LDL, and HDL (very low, low, and high density lipoprotein). A high proportion of women, i.e. 50% in the age group 20-29, and 50-59, reported current use of some form of exogenous sex hormone preparation. The average VLDL, LDL, and HDL triglyceride level in women taking hormones were 69, 25, and 18 mg/dl, considerably higher than the corresponding averages of 44, 17, and 12 mg/dl observed in women not taking hormones. For VLDL triglyceride, the youngest and oldest male groups had lower average levels than females in the same age taking hormones; in the middle-age group the levels were the same among men and women. For VLDL cholesterol, the 20-29 year old male and female hormone users had similar concentration levels, but male values were higher in each of the remaining age strata. These data confirm the fact that lipoprotein triglyceride rise is associated with the type of oral contraceptives used in the U.S., and with postmenopausal treatment as well.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age Factors*
  • Cholesterol / blood*
  • Cholesterol, HDL
  • Cholesterol, LDL
  • Cholesterol, VLDL
  • Contraceptives, Oral*
  • Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal*
  • Estrogens / therapeutic use*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lipoproteins / blood*
  • Lipoproteins, HDL / blood
  • Lipoproteins, LDL / blood
  • Lipoproteins, VLDL / blood
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Sex Factors*
  • Triglycerides / blood*

Substances

  • Cholesterol, HDL
  • Cholesterol, LDL
  • Cholesterol, VLDL
  • Contraceptives, Oral
  • Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal
  • Estrogens
  • Lipoproteins
  • Lipoproteins, HDL
  • Lipoproteins, LDL
  • Lipoproteins, VLDL
  • Triglycerides
  • lipoprotein triglyceride
  • Cholesterol