Serum lipids and lipoprotein(a) concentrations in Chinese NIDDM patients. Relation to metabolic control

To compare serum blood lipids and lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] levels in Chinese non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) patients and nondiabetic control subjects and also to determine the influence of diabetes control on serum Lp(a) concentration in Chinese individuals.

We compared the serum blood lipids and Lp(a) levels in NIDDM patients (n = 100) and age- and sex-matched nondiabetic subjects (n = 100) who participated in a case-control study. Comparisons of Lp(a) concentrations were made between a normal control group, a group of diabetic patients with HbA1c < 8.0%, and a group of diabetic patients with HbA1c of 8% or higher.

The diabetic patients had higher total triglyceride, apolipoprotein B (apo B), and apo B-to-apo AI ratios, but lower high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and apo AI concentrations than nondiabetic controls (P < 0.001, P < 0.01, P < 0.001, P < 0.05, and P < 0.001, respectively). A similar pattern of distribution of Lp(a) levels according to the degree of metabolic control was seen in patients with NIDDM and nondiabetic controls. No correlation was observed between Lp(a) levels and total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, apo AI, apo B, and triglyceride levels in all diabetic patients. No difference in the Lp(a) levels was noted between diabetic patients and nondiabetic subjects, even in poorly controlled diabetic patients.

In conclusion, Lp(a) levels are not elevated in diabetic patients, even in poorly controlled metabolic conditions.