Abstract
Serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels in normal Japanese have been determined by a joint study in 1960, 1970 and 1980 in the past twenty years. The data obtained in 1980 were compared with those in 1960 and 1970.
Total cholesterol level in average was 176mg/dl in 1960 in 6.977 normal subjects and was 187mg/dl in 1970 in 3.555 normal subjects.
In 1980 average total cholesterol of 10.977 normal subjects was 191mg/dl which was higher 15mg/dl in compared with in 1960.
Triglyceride levels in 1980 was also higher than those of 10 years ago by 10-20mg/dl.
HDL-cholesterol levels were highest at the 1st decade and declined gradually with age.
Total cholesterol and triglyceride levels of younger age (1st and 3rd decade) were slightly higher than those of American in 1972-76.
The increase of serum lipids levels may be caused by the westnized dietary habits.
It was concluded that serum lipid levels of normal Japanese have been increasing in the past twenty years and approaching to the levels of Americans which suggest that possible increase of the incidence of atherosclerotic ischemic heart diseases due to hyperlipidemia in the nearly future.
