[Insulin and the metabolism of lipoproteins]

In normal individuals, insulin regulates lipoprotein metabolism. It increases hepatic triglycerides (TG) secretion and makes VLDL and chylomicrons post prandial removal easy by stimulating adipose tissue lipoprotein lipase (LPL). Insulin activity and cholesterol rich lipoprotein is more complicated: by its action on VLDL and chylomicrons turn-over, it influences LDL and HDL formation. It regulates cellular cholesterol pool at different levels: stimulation of LDL receptor, but also of HMG CoA reductase. Controlling LCAT, in participates in cholesterol removal by HDL. In insulin dependent diabetes, lack of adipose tissue LPL stimulation augments triglycerid-rich lipoproteins, by slowing their catabolism, resulting in a weak increase of LDL and a lowering of HDL. In non insulin dependent diabetes with hyperinsulinism, VLDL are elevated because of insulin stimulation of triglycerid hepatic production. LDL are increasing. HDL status remains discussed: HDL cholesterol is low but HDL triglycerid is high, there is no known disturbance of apo A level. In the two types of diabetes, although mechanism is different, perturbation of lipoprotein metabolism may account for the atherogenicity of this disorders.