SERUM-LIPIDS AND LIPOPROTEIN(A) CONCENTRATIONS IN CHINESE NIDDM PATIENTS - RELATION TO METABOLIC CONTROL

OBJECTIVE - To compare serum blood lipids and lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] l evels in Chinese non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) patie nts and nondiabetic control subjects and also to determine the influen ce of diabetes control on serum Lp(a) concentration in Chinese individ uals. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS - We compared the serum blood lipids and Lp(a) levels in NIDDM patients (n = 100) and age- and sex-matched nondiabetic subjects (n = 100) who participated in a case-control stu dy. Comparisons of Lp(a) concentrations were made between a normal con trol group, a group of diabetic patients with HbA(1c) <8.0%, and a gro up of diabetic patients with HbA(1c) of 8% or higher. RESULTS - The di abetic patients had higher total triglyceride, apolipoprotein B (ape B ), and apo B-to-apo AI ratios, but lower high-density lipoprotein (HDL ) cholesterol and apo Al concentrations than nondiabetic controls (P < 0.001, P < 0.01, P < 0.001, P < 0.05, and P < 0.001, respectively). A similar pattern oi distribution of Lp(a) levels according to the degr ee of metabolic control was seen in patients with NIDDM and nondiabeti c controls. No correlation was observed between Lp(a) levels and total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, ap o AI, apo B, and triglyceride levels in all diabetic patients. No diff erence in the Lp(a) levels was noted between diabetic patients and non diabetic subjects, even in poorly controlled diabetic patients. CONCLU SIONS - In conclusion, Lp(a) levels are not elevated in diabetic patie nts, even in poorly controlled metabolic conditions.