Hypertriglyceridaemia and Lewis (A-B-) phenotype in non-insulin-dependent diabetic patients

A relationship between Lewis (a-b-) phenotype and the metabolic syndrome X has been suggested. We studied the frequency of Lewis (a-b-) phenotype in subjects with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) as well as the relationship between Lewis phenotype and lipid concentration in NIDDM patients. Lewis red blood cell phenotyping was done in 207 NIDDM subjects and 345 non-diabetic control subjects by immuno-agglutination with anti-Lewis a and b monoclonal antibodies. Among NIDDM patients, the proportion with the Lewis (a-b-) phenotype was significantly increased (23.6% vs 14.3%, p = 0.01), and this phenotype was associated with higher levels of triglycerides (2.40 +/- 2.58 vs 1.97 +/- 1.25, p = 0.03). This study shows a relationship between NIDDM and Lewis (a-b-) phenotype. Hypertriglyceridaemia in Lewis-negative NIDDM could suggest an increased risk of ischaemic heart disease for these subjects.