Background: Different high-density lipoprotein (HDL) subclasses have distinct but interrelated metabolic functions. HDL directly influences the atherogenic process, and changes in HDL subclasses distribution may be related to the incidence and prevalence of atherosclerosis. Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) is an important enzyme for hydrolysis of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins, and its activity is positively correlated with the plasma HDL cholesterol level. LPL gene HindIII polymorphism has been found associated with variations in lipid levels, but the impact on HDL subclasses distribution is less cle...