Association between insulin resistance and apolipoprotein B in normoglycemic Koreans

Insulin resistance (IR) is associated with a significant increase in the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD). The serum apolipoprotein B and Apo A1/Apo B ratio are important markers of CAD. The aim of this study was to assess the association of the serum Apo B and Apo A1/Apo B ratio, with insulin resistance in apparently healthy normoglycemic Koreans.

From the individuals that participated in medical screening at the health promotion center of Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, between January and December 2002, a total of 7427 participants (4356 men, 3071 women) were enrolled in this study. All participants had no personal histories of diabetes, with normal fasting glucose levels. The clinical characteristics and biochemical parameters of the subjects were assessed.

The Apo B, total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C)/high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol showed positive correlations with metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance (p<0.001). The Apo A1, Apo A1/Apo B, LDL/Apo B and HDL/Apo A1 showed negative correlations with metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance (p<0.001).

These data suggest that insulin resistance may be associated with the serum Apo B and Apo A1/Apo B ratio in non-diabetic, normoglycemic subjects. Thus, further study may be needed to determine whether medical intervention is inevitable or not in these type of subjects.