Gemfibrozil reduces small low-density lipoprotein more in normolipemic subjects classified as low-density lipoprotein pattern B compared with pattern A.

We tested the hypothesis that gemfibrozil has a differential effect on low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) subclass distributions and postprandial lipemia that is different in subjects classified as having LDL subclass pattern A or LDL pattern B who do not have a classic lipid disorder. Forty-three normolipemic subjects were randomized to gemfibrozil (1,200 mg/day) or placebo for 12 weeks. Lipids and lipoproteins were determined by enzymatic methods. The mass concentrations of lipoproteins in plasma were determined by analytic ultracentrifugation and included the S(f) intervals: 20 to 400 (very LDL), 12 to 20 (intermediate-density lipoprotein), 0 to 12 (LDL), an…