Short-term variations of serum glycated apolipoprotein B

Serum glycated apolipoprotein B (apo B-G) levels were determined in 31 non-insulin-dependent diabetic patients and 13 control subjects by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Apo B-G was increased in diabetic patients compared to non-diabetic subjects, whether expressed as a serum concentration (57.7 vs 36.1 mg/l) or a percentage of total apolipoprotein B (4.42 vs 3.14%). Apo B-G, together with other markers (mean daily plasma glucose, serum fructosamines, triglycerides, total cholesterol, glycated haemoglobin), was measured before and after 5 days of therapeutic adjustment in diabetic patients. In 20 patients with a favourable course of glycaemic control, the mean decrease of apo B-G concentration reached nearly 16%. In 11 patients with an unfavourable course, the increase of apo B-G concentration was about 14%. Therefore, variation of serum apo B-G concentration could serve as an additional short-term marker for glycaemic control, although possible concomitant variations of serum triglycerides or total apolipoprotein B concentrations should also be considered.