PLASMA-LIPOPROTEINS AND APOLIPOPROTEINS IN INSULIN-DEPENDENT AND YOUNG NON-INSULIN-DEPENDENT ARAB WOMEN

Plasma lipids, lipoproteins and apolipoproteins (apo) were analysed in 30 young Arab IDDM and 50 young insulin-requiring NIDDM women. The mean age of IDDM and NIDDM groups was 20.2 and 34.5 years, and mean duration of diabetes was 5.7 and 4.6 years, respectively. Two groups of 40 and 60 healthy women (matched for age and BMI) provided corresponding control groups. In comparison with control subjects, diabetics showed marked increases in the following parameters: total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, total triglycerides (TG), very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) triglycerides, phospholipids, apoB, LDL apoB, glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) as well as the ratios of total cholesterol/high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol, LDL cholesterol/high density lipoprotein 2 (HDL2) cholesterol and apoB/apoAI. Plasma LCAT activity, concentrations of HDL3 apoAI and apoAII in plasma and lipoprotein fractions were normal in both the diabetic groups. Levels of C-peptide, HDL, HDL2 and HDL3 cholesterol, plasma apoAI, HDL apoAI and HDL2 apoAI were markedly decreased in the diabetic groups as compared to their corresponding controls. There was no significant correlation between fasting glucose or HbA1c and any of the above parameters. Despite insulin therapy in both the diabetic groups studied, abnormalities in lipids, apoB and apoAI still persisted. Our data suggests a possible higher risk of atherosclerosis in these patients.