Generoso G, et al. - Researchers explored the link between HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) subfractions and each metabolic syndrome (MetS) component, HOMA-IR and C-reactive protein (CRP) in subjects between 35 and 74 years without previous manifest cardiovascular disease not using fibrates. Using vertical ultracentrifugation (Vertical Auto Profile - in mg/dl), HDL-C subfractions were separated into HDL₂-C and HDL₃-C. Also, HDL₂-C/HDL₃-C ratio, insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and high-sensitivity CRP were included in the analysis. They found an inverse association of HDL-C and its subfractions (HDL₂-C and HDL₃-C) with the defining features of MetS, insulin resistance, and systemic inflammation. Moreover, they observed that even after comprehensive adjustment for HDL-C and other confounding variables, the HDL₂-C/HDL₃-C ratio measured by Vertical Auto Profile method was notably related to the former factors.