Reduction of high density lipoprotein cholesterol and apoliproprotein A-I concentrations by a lipid-lowering diet.

Nine hyperlipoproteinaemic patients were treated with a serum lipid-lowering diet during 4 weeks in a metabolic ward. The diet contained 35% energy from fat and the ratio between polyunsaturated and saturated fats (the P/S ratio) was 2.0. This treatment caused a reduction of the serum concentrations of the low density lipoprotein cholesterol (Chol) by 17% (P less than 0.01), of the apolipoprotein (apo) B by 27% (P less than 0.01), of high density lipoprotein (HDL) Chol by 15% (P less than 0.05) and of the apo A-I by 9% (P less than 0.02). The apo B/apo A-I ratio decreased by 19% (P less than 0.01). It is suggested that the reduced HLD Chol and apo A-I concentrations may be due to both the qualitative change to more polyunsaturated fats in the diet and to the reduction of the total dietary fat intake.