[Clinical science relating atherosclerotic diseases and hypertriglyceridemia]

Recent epidemiologic studies and meta-analysis with triglyceride levels are revealing that hypertriglyceridemia is associated with coronary heart diseases independent of other coronary risk factors, although the direct effect of serum triglycerides to atherosclerotic lesion is still uncertain. Multiple genetic and environmental factors from familial hyperlipidemia to food and alcohol intake are implicated in elevating triglycerides. Especially, a number of investigators demonstrated a relationship between atherosclerotic diseases and postprandial hyperlipidemia, which may lead to nonfasting TG elevation. The purpose of this article is to review several clinical studies relating serum fasting and nonfasting triglyceride levels and coronary heart disease, and to discuss whether hypertriglyceridemia initiates atherosclerosis or plays a role as a biomarker for metabolic abnormalities.