N. Attia et al., Postprandial concentrations and distribution of apo C-III in type 2 diabetic patients. Effect of bezafibrate treatment, ATHEROSCLER, 149(2), 2000, pp. 427-433
Citations number
33
Categorie Soggetti
Cardiovascular & Respiratory Systems","Cardiovascular & Hematology Research
Apo C-III plays a key role in the metabolism of triglyceride-rich lipoprote
ins. It has recently been implicated as a potential determinant of the trig
lyceride (TG) lowering effect of fibrates, which down-regulate its expressi
on. This hypothesis has been explored in ten moderately hypertriglyceridemi
c (TG 4.50 +/- 2.40 mmol/l) male type 2 diabetic patients tested with a lip
id load before and after 4 weeks of treatment with 400 mg bezafibrate daily
. Treatment lowered apo C-III concentrations by 20%, mainly in VLDL. Postpr
andially, apo C-III was transferred to chylomicrons in proportion to their
TG content exclusively from HDL. VLDL retained their apo C-III and the apo
C-III:TG ratio decreased as TG contents increased. At the end of the absorp
tive period (8 h) HDL did not recover the totality of their apo C-III (net
loss 19 and 28% respectively before and after treatment, P < 0.0001 for tim
e effect). Bezafibrate lowered apo E by 33% (P < 0.03). The apo C-III:apo E
ratio did not vary significantly under treatment but underwent a postprand
ial decrease: 13% before and 18% (P = 0.01) after treatment. These results
indicate that repression of apo C-III expression and lowering of the apo C-
III:E ratio are not likely mechanisms for the lipid-lowering effects of fib
rates in type 2 diabetic patients. The potent effects on postprandial lipem
ia are suggestive of an apo C-III-independent stimulation of lipolysis. (C)
2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.