Semiquantitative analysis of apolipoprotein A-I modified by advanced glycation end products in diabetes mellitus

Apolipoprotein A-I (Apo A-I), the major component of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), is modified by reactive α-oxoaldehydes, such as methylglyoxal (MG) and glycolaldehyde (GA), and these modifications affect the function of Apo A-I. GA- and MG-modified Apo A-I serum levels were semiquantitatively evaluated in diabetic patients to elucidate the association of each protein with diabetes and to determine its appropriateness as a serum marker of diabetes.

We enrolled 44 subjects in this study (diabetic subjects, n = 24; nondiabetic subjects, n = 20). GA- and MG-modified Apo A-I levels in serum were determined by sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) by using anti-GA or anti-MG antibody and anti-Apo A-I antibody.

The GA-modified Apo A-I levels did not significantly differ between the diabetic and nondiabetic subjects (1.00 ± 0.38 vs. 0.96 ± 0.22). However, the MG-modified Apo A-I levels in the diabetic subjects were significantly higher than those in the nondiabetic subjects (1.33 ± 0.52 vs. 0.90 ± 0.20). In addition, MG-modified Apo A-I levels correlated with the glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels, HDL-cholesterol levels, and the homeostasis model assessments of insulin resistance, which are indicators of insulin resistance.

The MG-modified Apo A-I level may be an indicator of diabetic dyslipidemia and insulin resistance.