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Vitamin A, retinol binding protein and lipids in type 1 diabetes mellitus
1Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Granada, Granada, Spain.
Insights
Children with type 1 diabetes (IDDM) show altered vitamin A and retinol-binding protein (RBP) levels, increasing their risk for atherosclerosis, especially with poor glycemic control.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Nutritional Science
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Type 1 diabetes mellitus (IDDM) can impact various metabolic processes.
- Vitamin A and retinol-binding protein (RBP) play crucial roles in cellular function and transport.
- Atherogenic risk is a significant concern in diabetic populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the plasma levels of vitamin A (retinol) and serum levels of retinol-binding protein (RBP) in children with IDDM.
- To examine the relationship between these vitamin levels and atherogenic indicators in IDDM children.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study involving 47 children with IDDM and 16 healthy controls matched for age and sex.
- Measurement of serum lipids (cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, VLDL, LDL), RBP, plasma vitamin A, and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c).
Main Results:
- IDDM children exhibited higher RBP and lower retinol levels compared to controls.
- Significant correlations were found between retinol, RBP, and atherogenic indicators (LDL, HDL, VLDL) in IDDM children.
- Poor glycemic control (HbA1c > 8%) was associated with increased atherogenic indicators and lower vitamin A ratios.
Conclusions:
- IDDM children, particularly those with poor metabolic control, face elevated atherogenic and vitamin A deficiency risks.
- Vitamin A and RBP levels are linked to atherogenic risk factors in pediatric IDDM.
- Vitamin A supplementation may be a strategy to mitigate atherogenic risk in these children.
Objective:
A case-control study was conducted to evaluate the effects of type 1 diabetes mellitus (IDDM) on plasma levels of vitamin A (retinol) and serum levels of retinol-binding protein (RBP) and their relationship with the atherogenic indicators.
Subjects:
A total of 47 randomised IDDM children were recruited from those treated at the Endocrinology Unit of the University Hospital of Granada (Spain). They were matched for age and sex with 16 healthy children.
Methods:
The following parameters were measured in all patients: serum concentrations of total cholesterol, triglycerides, high (HDL, spectrophotometry), very low (VLDL) and low (LDL) density lipoprotein cholesterol (Friedewald's formula); serum levels of RBP (kinetic nephelometry); plasma vitamin A and glycosilated haemoglobin (HbA1c; high performance chromatography).
Results:
Higher RBP concentrations in IDDM children (P=0.05), lower retinol levels (P=0.05) and lower vitamin A/cholesterol ratio (P=0.02) than in the control group were found; no differences in the atherogenic indicators were observed. There was a correlation between RBP and vitamin A (P=0.0001). Relationships between retinol, RBP and atherogenic indicators were demonstrated in the IDDM group (A-LDLc/HDLc (P=0.01); A-(VLDL+LDL)c/HDLc (P=0.007); RBP-LDLc/HDLc (P=0.05); RBP-(VLDL+LDL)c/HDLc (P=0.02)), and an inverse relationship was found between the vitamin A/TG ratio and HbA1c (P=0.004). The children with HbA1c>8% showed increased atherogenic indicators and lower vitamin A/CHOL and vitamin A/TG ratios than those with good control of the illness.
Conclusions:
The IDDM children with poor metabolic control face a higher atherogenic risk and vitamin A 'relative deficiency' risk than those with good metabolic control of their illness. Relationships between retinol and RBP with atherogenic indicators were found. The results suggest that vitamin A therapeutic supplements in IDDM children may reduce or prevent atherogenic risk.