Smaller, denser LDL particles are not a risk factor for cardiovascular disease in healthy nonagenarian women of the Cremona Population Study

We evaluated LDL particle size and its relation with other established risk factors for cardiovascular disease in a group of healthy nonagenarian ( > or = 90 years) women participating in the Cremona Population Study. A group of younger healthy postmenopausal women (45-75 years) was used as control group. Nonagenarian women had significantly lower body mass index, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and fasting insulin concentrations. Plasma total, LDL and HDL cholesterol, apo AI and apo B concentrations, and LpAI and LpAI:AII particles were significantly lower in the nonagenarian group as well. LDL particle size (262.7+/-0.9 vs. 270.1+/-1.1 A) was also lower in the nonagenarian group. The presence of the E4 isoform of apo E in the nonagenarian group resulted in significantly higher levels of plasma apo AI and LpAI:AII particles, and a trend toward larger LDL particles, and a lower diastolic blood pressure. In conclusion, smaller and denser LDL particles might not represent an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease in healthy nonagenarian women of the Cremona Population Study, characterised by a reduced number of LDL particles and other protective factors, like low systolic and diastolic blood pressure, body mass index, and plasma insulin levels.