Abstract
The relationship between plasma HDL-cholesterol subfractions (HDL2 and HDL3), measured using a differential precipitation method, and serum triglycerides, was studied in 402 healthy Caucasion males attending a health screening centre in London. Mean values for HDL2 and HDL3 were 0·42± 0·24 mmol/L and 0·81±0·15 mmol/L respectively. HDL2 was found to show a stronger negative correlation with serum triglyceride and a stronger positive correlation with total HDL than HDL3. HDL2 also showed a stronger correlation with age than either total HDL or HDL3. Mean levels of HDL2 were 20% higher in subjects over 55 years of age compared with those who were less than 55 years of age. Reference values of HDL2 and HDL3 are presented for different age ranges.