Postprandial chylomicron clearance rate in late teenagers with diabetes mellitus type 1

A delayed chylomicron (CM) clearance rate, a known risk factor for atherosc lerosis, has been described in adults with diabetes type I (DMI). We determ ined the CM clearance rate in late teenagers with DM1, and the relationship between CM clearance rate and elevated plasma lipid concentrations in DMI teenagers in poor metabolic control (as characterized by HbA(1c) percentage ). Plasma lipids and CM clearance were determined in nine patients with DMI (mean age +/- SD: 17.5 +/- 0.6 y) and four healthy controls (mean age +/- SD: 20.1 +/- 0.8 y), by measuring breath (CO2)-C-13, plasma triglyceride, r etinyl palmitate, and C-13-labeled oleic acid concentrations, after oral ad ministration of a fat-rich meal together with vitamin A and C-13-oleic acid . In patients with DMI, fasting triglyceride and cholesterol concentrations were positively correlated with HbA(1c) percentage (p < 0.05). Neither in DM1 patients, nor in controls, was an elevated triglyceride concentration ( above 1.7 mmol/L) found. Yet, in 22% of DMI patients, cholesterol concentra tion was above 5.2 mmol/L, but not in any of the controls. CM clearance rat e in DMI patients was similar to that in controls and did not significantly correlate with HbA(1c) percentage. Fasting lipid concentrations in DMI pat ients were not significantly correlated with CM clearance rate. Present dat a indicate that elevated lipid concentrations in late teenagers with DMI ar e not attributable to a delay in CM clearance rate. A delayed CM clearance rate at late teenager age is not a risk factor contributing to the increase d risk for atherosclerosis in DM1.