Lipids in Health and Disease, 2015 · DOI: 10.1186/s12944-015-0084-4 · Published: July 22, 2015
This study explores the link between reduced physical activity due to spinal cord injury (SCI) and changes in lipoprotein profiles, which are related to cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, the researchers looked at the size and number of different lipoprotein particles in people with SCI compared to able-bodied individuals. The study found that people with SCI often have lower levels of HDL-C (good cholesterol), but normal LDL-C (bad cholesterol). However, NMR analysis revealed unfavorable changes in the size and number of lipoprotein particles, especially in those with lower HDL-C, suggesting a higher risk of CVD. These changes were linked to increased waist circumference (abdominal adiposity) and insulin resistance, both common in people with SCI due to prolonged sitting and reduced physical activity. The findings suggest that detailed lipoprotein analysis using NMR could help better assess CVD risk in this population.
NMR spectroscopy can provide a more accurate assessment of CVD risk in SCI patients by analyzing lipoprotein particle size and number, potentially preventing underestimation of risk based on traditional LDL-C measurements alone.
Therapeutic and lifestyle interventions for SCI patients should focus on reducing insulin resistance, abdominal adiposity, and increasing activity levels, with consideration for lower therapeutic thresholds for serum triglyceride concentrations.
Clinical management of vascular disease in sedentary populations should consider alternate strategies beyond conventional lipid-lowering therapies, potentially incorporating interventions that address the specific lipoprotein particle abnormalities identified by NMR spectroscopy.