Background High-density lipoprotein (HDL) containing apolipoprotein E (apoE-rich HDL) represents a small portion of plasma HDL. We recently established a method for measuring plasma apoE-rich HDL. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and apoE-rich HDL levels. Methods The apoE-rich HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) levels and metabolic characteristics of 113 patients were analyzed. Results The MetS group (n = 58) had significantly lower apoE-rich HDL-C and a lower apoE-rich HDL-C/HDL-C ratio (apoE-HDL (%)) compared to the non-MetS group. The prevalence of MetS was increased when apoE-HDL (%) decreased. In simple regression analyses, apoE-HDL (%) was significantly inversely correlated with visceral fat area (rs = −0.370, P Conclusions Plasma apoE-rich HDL levels might be a valuable indicator of MetS. These findings may help further understand HDL subfraction analysis in cardiometabolic diseases.
