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Constantine E. Kosmas
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Kosmas, C.E.; Rodriguez Polanco, S.; Bousvarou, M.D.; Papakonstantinou, E.J.; Peña Genao, E.; Guzman, E.; Kostara, C.E. Triglyceride/High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Ratio in Metabolic Syndrome. Encyclopedia. Available online: https://encyclopedia.pub/entry/42152 (accessed on 20 May 2024).
Kosmas CE, Rodriguez Polanco S, Bousvarou MD, Papakonstantinou EJ, Peña Genao E, Guzman E, et al. Triglyceride/High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Ratio in Metabolic Syndrome. Encyclopedia. Available at: https://encyclopedia.pub/entry/42152. Accessed May 20, 2024.
Kosmas, Constantine E., Shanna Rodriguez Polanco, Maria D. Bousvarou, Evangelia J. Papakonstantinou, Edilberto Peña Genao, Eliscer Guzman, Christina E. Kostara. "Triglyceride/High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Ratio in Metabolic Syndrome" Encyclopedia, https://encyclopedia.pub/entry/42152 (accessed May 20, 2024).
Kosmas, C.E., Rodriguez Polanco, S., Bousvarou, M.D., Papakonstantinou, E.J., Peña Genao, E., Guzman, E., & Kostara, C.E. (2023, March 14). Triglyceride/High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Ratio in Metabolic Syndrome. In Encyclopedia. https://encyclopedia.pub/entry/42152
Kosmas, Constantine E., et al. "Triglyceride/High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Ratio in Metabolic Syndrome." Encyclopedia. Web. 14 March, 2023.
Triglyceride/High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Ratio in Metabolic Syndrome
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This entry is adapted from the peer-reviewed paper 10.3390/diagnostics13050929

Increased plasma triglycerides (TG) and decreased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels have been associated with metabolic syndrome (MetS) and cardiovascular disease (CVD), and their ratio, TG/HDL-C, has been proposed as a novel biomarker for predicting the risk of both clinical entities.

triglycerides HDL-C TG/HDL-C ratio risk marker

1. Introduction

The pathophysiology of atherosclerosis depends vastly on lipid transportation along with inflammation.
Inflammation plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease (CVD), as it has been linked with both the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis [1][2]. Several pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as the C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), have been unequivocally shown to promote both insulin resistance (IR) and atherogenesis [1][2][3]. Furthermore, inflammation plays a major role in the pathogenesis of chronic lung disease [4], as well as in the pathogenesis of chronic kidney disease (CKD), also including the development of malnutrition–inflammation–atherosclerosis syndrome (MIA), which is one of the causes of increased mortality in CKD [3][5]
The formation and subsequent potential rupture of unstable atherosclerotic plaques is mediated by disruptions in the physiology of lipid metabolism. Macrophages take up and accumulate oxidized triglycerides (oxTGs) and cholesterol particles in their cytoplasm, a procedure that effectuates their transformation into lipid-enriched cells named foam cells. The latter are the cornerstone in atherogenesis, which precedes atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Coronary artery disease (CAD), peripheral vascular disease (PAD) and cerebrovascular disease (CCVD) constitute the three aspects of ASCVD. Hence, defects in lipid metabolism induce atherogenesis and an increase in the risk of CVD [6]. According to WHO, 32% of global deaths in 2019 were attributed to CVD; CAD and CVA were held responsible for 85% of them [7].
Ample clinical evidence suggests a strong association between elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and poor cardiovascular outcomes [8]. Statins are the standard-of-care for managing LDL-C levels. Aggressive lowering of LDL-C, even beyond the previously established cut-off target of 70 mg/dl, has been demonstrated to ameliorate cardiovascular outcomes [9][10][11][12][13]. Nevertheless, a noteworthy subset of patients remains in peril for CVD events, in spite of optimal LDL-C control [14]. This residual metabolic risk could be attributed to various atherogenic processes that continue to exist even after aggressive LDL-C lowering and is plausibly correlated with certain novel biomarkers, addressing new data concerning the optimal holistic approach of this specific subset of patients [15]. An association between increased plasma triglyceride (TG) and decreased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels with metabolic syndrome (MetS) and CVD (including CAD, PAD and CCVD) has been proposed. More specifically, a descriptive parameter known as triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TG/HDL-C) ratio has been strongly correlated with insulin resistance (IR) and central obesity, both of them being aspects of the MetS, which can enhance the risk of CVD [16]. HDL-C has been linked to cardioprotective effects via its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties [6]. The current literature supports that decreased HDL-C levels predispose to CVD, although interventions targeting an increase in HDL-C levels per se have not been proven successful in decreasing the risk of CVD [17]. It is well known that atherosclerosis is a significant CVD-related mortality factor in patients with end-stage renal disease, as it appears to be about 10 to 30 times more prevalent compared to the general population. A retrospective study including 973 patients in peritoneal dialysis (PD) concluded that a higher serum TG/HDL-C ratio was an independent variable in terms of predicting all-cause and CVD mortality in young and older PD patients [18].
Bearing in mind the existing evidence, the TG/HDL-C ratio could arise as a promising marker for the assessment of CVD risk, morbidity and mortality and may become a valuable tool in terms of addressing strategies for primary and secondary prevention [19].

2. Triglyceride/HDL-C Ratio in Metabolic Syndrome

The National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III) defines metabolic syndrome as central obesity (waist circumference: >102 cm in men and >88 cm in women), abnormal lipid panel (HDL-C <40 mg/dl in men and <50 mg/dl in women and TG ≥150 mg/dl), elevated blood pressure (systolic blood pressure [SBP] ≥130 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure [DBP] ≥85 mmHg) and insulin resistance/glucose intolerance (fasting glucose ≥100 mg/dl). The diagnosis is clear when at least three of these criteria are met [20][21]. The worldwide MetS prevalence is estimated to be from 20 to 25% in the adult population [21]. MetS augments the likelihood of CVD, diabetes mellitus (DM) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) [22]. Whilst clinicians have established a connection between elevated serum levels of LDL-C and CVD, the identification of biomarkers applicable for MetS and its active part in atherogenesis may be challenging [23]. For the past decade, extensive research has been conducted regarding the interlink between TGs and other lipoproteins, yet has not been entirely fruitful. Recent studies have demonstrated that the TG/HDL-C ratio is a convenient tool for detecting IR, one of the main components of MetS. This tool is practical and a potential alternative to the conventional insulin assay, allowing an early identification of the cardiometabolic hazards before the advent of clinical manifestations and complications [24][25][26].
Scientific research data support the positive correlation between MetS, CVD and the value of the TG/HDL-C ratio. An early analysis by Mc Laughin et al. in 2003 focused on the relation between TG/HDL-C ratio and cardiometabolic risk at a cut-off point of 3.0 units, for both men and women. A total of 258 overweight volunteers (body mass index, [BMI] ≥25 kg/m2) with no previous diagnosis of hypertension or diabetes were included. Plasma TG levels, TG/HDL-C ratio and insulin concentration were measured. Data concluded that the use of TG/HDL-C ratio in overweight patients could be a valuable tool for identifying insulin resistance in those patients, which poses them at an increased risk for CVD [25].
In another recent cross-sectional study involving over 5000 Iranian participants, anthropometric measures and blood pressure were taken and the patients were categorized according to their lipid ratios (total cholesterol/HDL-C ratio, LDL-C/HDL-C ratio and TG/HDL-C ratio). After adjusting for various variables (age, gender, body mass index and past medical history), the researchers concluded that the TG/HDL-C was the best indicator for identifying metabolic syndrome compared to the other ratios [22]. Another study in Iran demonstrated that the high TG/HDL-C ratio was associated with a 2.12 times increased risk of developing metabolic syndrome, using a cut-off point of 4.03 for males and 2.86 for females [27].
In 2021, a cross-sectional study was conducted in the elderly Chinese population, which included a total of 1267 participants ≥65 years of age. The purpose for the researchers was to investigate a correlation between TG/HDL-C ratio and MetS. They determined that TG/HDL-C ratio values exceeding the cut-off values of 1.437 for men and 1.196 for women predicted a higher risk of developing MetS [28]. Additionally, the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted a large-scale study concerning the TG/HDL-C ratio and its relationship with metabolic syndrome. The mean TG/HDL-C ratio increased along with the number of MetS components. The cut-off point of the TG/HDL-C ratio for the fourth quartile was 3.52 and, after adjustment, the odds ratio (OR) for MetS in the fourth quartile compared with that of the first quartile was 29.65 in men and 20.60 in women (P < 0.001) [29].
Last but not least, a multicentered study in Brazil enrolled 2472 multiethnic participants free of major cardiovascular risk factors and defined the TG/HDL-C ratio cut-off value of 2.6 for men and 1.7 for women. The results of this study demonstrated that these cut-off values were reliable and showed good clinical applicability to detect cardiometabolic disorders. Moreover, these cut-off values demonstrated great sensitivity and specificity regardless of the ethnicity or age of the participants, although the black race showed lower values of the TG/HDL-C ratio, compared with other ethnic groups [26].
Undoubtedly, the TG/HDL-C ratio is a very satisfactory predictor for MetS. Nonetheless, taking into consideration the different cut-off values of multiple trials, based on ethnicity, genetics and lifestyle, the aforementioned ratio cannot be considered an absolute parameter without calibration. The cumulative risk factors are well established through the different studies; therefore, the TG/HDL-C ratio could function as an atherogenic index for MetS [30][31][32].
A summary of the results of the clinical studies relating to the TG/HDL-C ratio and Metabolic Syndrome is shown in Table 1.
Table 1. Summary of the results of the clinical studies relating to TG/HDL/C ratio and metabolic syndrome.
Study Design Method Results
The Atherogenic Index Log (Triglyceride/HDL-Cholesterol) as a Biomarker to Identify Type 2 Diabetes Patients with Poor Glycemic Control [16] Prospective cohort TG/HDL-C ratio measurement The log (TG/HDL-C) can be considered as a biomarker to predict T2D patients with poor glycemic control. The best cut-off point of log (TG/HDL-C) for the discrimination between patients with HbA1c ≥8% versus patients with HbA1c <8% determined to be 0.44.
Comparison of Lipid Ratios to Identify Metabolic Syndrome [22] Cross-sectional TC/HDL-C, TG/HDL-C and LDL/HDL-C ratio The results suggest that TG/HDL-C ratio is a better marker for identifying MetS in the Iranian population.
Use of metabolic markers to identify insulin resistant overweight individuals [25] Cross-sectional TG, TG/HDL-C and insulin concentration Cut-point of TG/HDL-C ratio was 3.0 for both male and female participants. The sensitivity and specificity were 64% and 68%, respectively, regarding identification of insulin resistance and diagnosis of MetS.
Reference values for the triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein ratio and its association with cardiometabolic diseases in a mixed adult population: The ELSA-Brazil [26] Prospective cohort Anthropometric measurement and TG/HDL-C ratio Cut-off values of TG/HDL-C ratio were 2.6 for males and 1.7 for females, displaying great sensitivity and specificity, regardless of the ethnicity or age.
Lipid ratio as a suitable tool to identify individuals with MetS risk: A case- control study [27] Case–control Serum lipids and MetS criteria High TG/HDL-C ratio increases by 2.12 times the possibility of having MetS. Its cut-off points were 4.03 for men and 2.86 for women.
High TG/HDL ratio suggests a higher risk of metabolic syndrome among an elderly Chinese population: a cross-sectional study [28] Cross-sectional Anthropometric parameters and blood drawn for lipid panel TG/HDL-C ratio values exceeding the cut-off values of 1.437 for men and 1.196 for women predicted a higher risk of developing MetS.
The Relationship between the Triglyceride to High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Ratio and Metabolic Syndrome [29] Cross-sectional Anthropometric measurements and TG/HDL-C ratio The cut-off point of the TG/HDL-C ratio for the fourth quartile was 3.52 and, after adjustment, the OR for MetS in the fourth quartile compared with that of the first quartile was 29.65 in men and 20.60 in women (P < 0.001).

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Subjects: Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Contributors MDPI registered users' name will be linked to their SciProfiles pages. To register with us, please refer to https://encyclopedia.pub/register :
Constantine E. Kosmas
,
Shanna Rodriguez Polanco
,
Maria D. Bousvarou
,
Evangelia J. Papakonstantinou
,
Edilberto Peña Genao
,
Eliscer Guzman
,
Christina E. Kostara
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Update Date: 17 Mar 2023
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