SHORT-TERM VARIATIONS OF SERUM GLYCATED APOLIPOPROTEIN-B

Serum glycated apolipoprotein 6 (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 ser um concentration (57.7 vs 36.1 mg/l) or a percentage of total apolipop rotein B (4.42 vs 3.14 %). Apo B-G, together with other markers (mean daily plasma glucose, serum fructosamines, triglycerides, total choles terol, glycated haemoglobin), was measured before and after 5 days of therapeutic adjustment in diabetic patients. In 20 patients with a fav ourable course of glycaemic control, the mean decrease of apo B-G conc entration reached nearly 16 %. In 11 patients with an unfavourable cou rse, 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 6 concentra tions should also be considered.