Objective  To explore the changes of residual lipoprotein-cholesterol(RLP-C)after three meals in coronary heart disease group and control group, to explore the best time point for detecting post-prandial RLP-C levels.

  Methods  Thirty-one patients andcontrols were recruited and divided into coronary heart disease group and control group. Vein blood samples were collected at 4 hours of fasting and three meals, and serum total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and triglycerides (TG) concentrations were measured. Serum RLP-C levels was calculated according to the equation.

  Results  There were no significant differences in serum fasting TC, TG, LDL-C, non-HDL-C and RLP-C levels between CHD patients and controls(P>0.05). The CHD patients had lower HDL-C concentrations than controls(P < 0. 05). Postprandial serum TG and RLP-C levels increased significantly in CHD patients after each meal(P < 0.01), and reached the peak at 4 hours after dinner. The CHD patients had higher postprandial serum RLP-C levels after lunch and dinner, and higher serum TG level after lunch than the controls(P < 0.05).

  Conclusion  There was no significant difference in the concentration of fasting serum RLP-C between the two groups. However, its concentration changed more significantly at 4 hours after lunch and dinner compared to that of fasting. Therefore, the RLP-C level measured at 4 hours after lunch and dinner may be more practical in clinic.