PLASMA-LIPIDS, LIPOPROTEINS, AND APOLIPOPROTEINS IN NIGERIAN DIABETES-MELLITUS, ESSENTIAL-HYPERTENSION, AND HYPERTENSIVE-DIABETIC PATIENTS

Plasma lipids, lipoproteins, and apolipoproteins were assessed in thre e groups of Nigerians at increased risk for atherosclerotic heart dise ase. The three patient groups, diabetes mellitus (n = 15), essential h ypertension (n = 12), and hypertensive-diabetes mellitus (n = 11), wer e compared with age-matched, apparently healthy controls (n = 14). In subjects with diabetes mellitus, triglyceride and its related apolipop roteins CIII and CIII:NonB were significantly higher than controls. Hi gh-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) was significantly lower; it s related ratios, total/HDL-C and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)/HDL-C were significantly higher than those for controls. Subje cts with hypertension and hypertensive-diabetes mellitus had significa ntly higher values than controls for those lipids and lipid fractions considered atherogenic (total cholesterol, LDL-C, triglyceride, and th e total/HDL-C and LDL-C/HDL-C ratios) as well as apolipoproteins B, CI II, and lipoprotein particles Lp(a) and CIII:NonB. Only hypertensive-d iabetes mellitus subjects had lower HDL-C levels, while hypertension p atients had significantly higher apolipoprotein AI and LpAI concentrat ions than controls. Subjects with hypertensive-diabetes mellitus had s ignificantly worse lipid, lipoprotein, and apolipoprotein profiles bot h in terms of increased atherogenic and reduced anti-atherogenic param eters compared with subjects with diabetes mellitus or hypertension on ly. These studies suggest that Nigerians with diabetes, hypertension, and especially both hypertension and diabetes need to be fully evaluat ed from a lipid and lipoprotein standpoint, and any abnormalities dete cted need to be taken into consideration during therapy of this group of high-risk patients.