OBJECTIVE - The mechanisms by which diabetes leads to rapidly progress
ive atherosclerosis are not fully understood. Adherence of monocytes t
o the arterial wall is an early event in the development of atheroscle
rotic lesions. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS - The binding of freshly is
olated monocytes from patients with NIDDM, IDDM, and healthy control s
ubjects to a monolayer of endothelial cells obtained from human umbili
cal vein was investigated. RESULTS - Endothelial adherence of monocyte
s from normolipidemic patients with IDDM (15.8 +/- 4.5%) or NIDDM (16.
9 +/- 4.6%) was comparable to that of monocytes from a control, popula
tion (15.3 +/- 3.5%). In patients with NIDDM with a serum triglyceride
concentration >2.5 mmol/l, the percentage of cells that adhere to end
othelial cells in vitro was significantly increased (23.3 +/- 3.1%). G
lycemic control did not correlate with monocyte adherence. The presenc
e of symptomatic atherosclerotic disease, age, or sex was not associat
ed with a change in monocyte binding in vitro. CONCLUSIONS - The resul
ts suggest that in NIDDM hyperglyceridemia should be treated to reduce
the high risk for atherosclerosis.