TABLE 2.

Correlations between inflammatory markers and the course of LDL/HDL as calculated by the change ratio^a

Change ratiob	Value for:
	IL-6 360 min after LPS	CRP 24 h after LPS
LDL
60 min
Pearson correlation	0.686	0.755
P level	0.028	0.012
240 min
Pearson correlation	−0.329	−0.328
P level	0.354	0.354
24 h
Pearson correlation	−0.353	−0.380
P level	0.316	0.279
HDL
60 min
Pearson correlation	0.671	0.612
P level	0.034	0.060
240 min
Pearson correlation	−0.176	−0.256
P level	0.627	0.475
24 h
Pearson correlation	0.069	−0.185
P level	0.849	0.609

^aTo illustrate the course of LDL and HDL levels after LPS administration relative to placebo, a change ratio was calculated by dividing the ratio of a value at a given time point after LPS administration to baseline by the same ratio following placebo. The degree of the decrease of neither LDL nor HDL, as calculated by the change ratio, correlated with either marker of inflammation. The change ratio at 60 min as a calculated number depicting the relative, nonsignificant peak of LDL and HDL at this time point correlated significantly with IL-6 levels at 360 min after LPS. In the case of LDL, there was also a significant correlation with IL-6 at 180 min (P = 0.031) as well as with CRP levels at 360 min (P = 0.049), 24 h (P = 0.012), and 48 h (P = 0.022) after LPS infusion. All correlations between inflammatory markers and change ratios at 60 min after LPS infusion were positive.

^bP values were determined by two-tailed test.