"LDL SUBCLASS PATTERNS AND ATHEROGENICITY IN NON-INSULIN DEPENDENT DIABETES MELLITUS"

Abstract

Low density lipoprotein (LDL) subclass pattern B is characterized by predominance of small dense LDL. Subjects with pattern B tend to have higher triglyceride (TG) and lower levels of high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). Small dense LDL is associated with increased risk of coronary disease. In this study, effect of non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) on LDL size, plasma TG and HDL-C were assessed in Iranian patients. LDL size was determined by non-denaturing gradient polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in 81 NIDDM and 81 healthy subjects (age 50 to 70 yrs). TG and HDL-C were measured by analytical kits. Fifty nine percent of diabetics and 27% of controls showed LDL pattern B. LDL size was significantly lower in diabetics than controls (25.1± 1.5 vs 25.8± 2.8 nm, P<0.001). Diabetics had significantly higher triglyceride than controls (187.8 ± 90 vs 145.6 ± 69 mg/dl, P<0.001) and lower HDL-C (47.5± 12 vs 57.1± 14 mg/dl, P<0.001). LDL size correlated negatively with TG (r = -0.281, P<0.05). Diabetics showed 2-fold increase in frequency of pattern B which may explain increased risk of coronary disease in these patients.