Atherosclerosis of retinal arteries in men: role of serum lipoproteins and apoproteins.

AIM To explore the relationship between retinal vessel atherosclerosis and serum concentrations of total cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, HDL(2) cholesterol, HDL(3) cholesterol, apoprotein B, apoprotein A-I, and apoprotein A-II. METHODS Lipids and lipoproteins were measured in 101 male patients aged between 26 and 69 years (median, 48 years), and the degree of their retinal vessels atherosclerosis (stage 1-4 according to Scheie) was determined. Diabetics, alcoholics, hypertensive, extremely obese patients, and patients with thyroid, liver, or kidney diseases were excluded from the analysis. The results were compared with those in 47 apparently healthy men aged between 22 and 65 years (median, 47 years) with no retinal vessel changes. Direct ophthalmoscopy for the fundus examination was carried out by a single ophthalmologist unaware of the patients' group. RESULTS Retinal vessel atherosclerosis strongly correlated with total serum cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and apoprotein B concentrations. The higher these lipid and apoprotein values, the more advanced the stage of the disease. No significant association between HDL cholesterol as well as HDL(2) and HDL(3) cholesterol and atherosclerosis of retinal arteries could be proved but an inverse association, although a very weak one, between the low serum concentration of HDL cholesterol and the stage of the retinal artery atherosclerosis was found. CONCLUSION Changes in lipoproteins and apoproteins associated with atherosclerosis of the retinal arteries correspond well to those associated with coronary artery atherosclerosis.