Apolipoproteins (A-I, A-II, B), Lp(a) lipoprotein and lecithin: cholesterol acyltransferase activity in diabetes mellitus.

Concentrations of HDL cholesterol, apolipoprotein (apo) A-I and apo A-II were found to be significantly decreased in patients with insulin-dependent diabetes (IDD) and non-insulin-dependent diabetes (NIDD) compared with carefully selected controls matched for sex, age and body weight. LDL cholesterol and apo B levels did not differ significantly between diabetics and controls. Concentrations of lipoprotein Lp(a), an independent risk factor for coronary artery disease in non-diabetics, were above 20 mg/dl in only 14% of diabetics and in 5% of controls. LCAT activity was normal in diabetics, irrespective of type of diabetes, sex and age of patients. No correlation between HbA1 and either HDL cholesterol or A-I and A-II was found in IDD and NIDD. A positive correlation between HbA1 and either triglyceride or VLDL triglyceride was noted in IDD and NIDD. There was also a positive correlation between insulin dosage in IDD and HDL cholesterol, apolipoprotein A-I and A-II.