Participation of decreased serum cholesteryl ester transfer activity, independent of increased serum lipoprotein(a), in angina pectoris in normolipemic elderly subjects.

The cholesteryl ester transfer activity (CETA) is a measurement of the transfer of cholesteryl ester from HDL to VLDL, LDL or peripheral cells. Its role in the development of early coronary heart disease is not clear. In the present study, serum levels of CETA, lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] and other lipid-related factors were compared in 10 normal young subjects, 28 healthy elderly subjects and 14 normolipemic elderly patients with angina pectoris. Compared to the young normals and healthy elderly subjects, the elderly patients with angina pectoris showed significantly decreased mean serum CETA levels, and significantly increased mean serum levels of Lp(a) and apoprotein B. These results may indicate that decreased serum values of CETA participate in the development of angina pectoris in normolipemic elderly patients.