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LDL subclasses in IDDM patients: relation to diabetic nephropathy
S Lahdenperä1, P H Groop, M Tilly-Kiesi
1Third Department of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Finland.
Diabetologia
|July 1, 1994
Summary
Diabetic nephropathy in patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) is linked to increased LDL-cholesterol. This elevation is mainly due to a higher number of LDL particles, not changes in their size or composition.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Metabolic Syndrome
- Nephrology
Background:
- Diabetic nephropathy is a common complication of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM).
- Elevated LDL-cholesterol is a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease in diabetic patients.
- Understanding LDL particle characteristics in diabetic nephropathy is crucial for risk assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate changes in LDL particle size and composition in IDDM patients with varying stages of diabetic nephropathy.
- To determine if elevated LDL-cholesterol in diabetic nephropathy is associated with altered LDL characteristics.
Main Methods:
- Studied LDL particle distribution in normoalbuminuric, microalbuminuric, and proteinuric IDDM patients, and non-diabetic controls.
- Utilized nondenaturing gradient gel electrophoresis to determine mean LDL particle diameter.
- Employed density gradient ultracentrifugation to analyze LDL composition and density distribution.
Main Results:
- Normoalbuminuric IDDM patients exhibited larger LDL particles compared to controls.
- LDL particle diameter showed an inverse correlation with serum triglycerides across all groups.
- Increased LDL mass in microalbuminuric and proteinuric IDDM patients was primarily attributed to an increase in lighter LDL particles.
Conclusions:
- The elevation of LDL mass in incipient and established diabetic nephropathy is mainly due to an increased number of LDL particles.
- No significant changes in LDL density distribution or composition were observed between diabetic groups.
- These findings suggest that increased LDL particle number, rather than altered LDL characteristics, contributes to elevated LDL-cholesterol in diabetic nephropathy.