Small low-density lipoprotein and small low-density lipoprotein/total low-density lipoprotein are closely associated with intima-media thickness of the carotid artery in Type 2 diabetic patients.
BACKGROUND
The intima-media thickness (IMT) of the carotid artery, as determined by ultrasonography, is useful for reflecting the extent of subclinical atherosclerosis. We investigated the relationship between IMT and the serum concentrations of small low-density lipoprotein (LDL) in diabetic patients.


METHODS
The study was conducted with 27 Type 2 diabetic patients (14 males and 13 females; mean age=62.6+/-8.3 years) and 12 age-matched healthy controls. The LDL subfraction was measured using a polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis method. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) concentrations were measured by an enzyme immunoassay. The IMT was expressed as the maximum IMT (Max-IMT) and average IMT (Ave-IMT) of the carotid artery, measured by ultrasonography.


RESULTS
Both the IMT and the small LDL concentrations were significantly increased in the diabetic patients compared with the healthy participants. The IMTs were significantly correlated with small LDL concentration and small LDL/total LDL more than LDL concentrations by multivariate analysis. The IMTs were not significantly correlated with the serum VEGF or PDGF concentrations. The patients with a larger IMT had a significantly higher prevalence of hypertension or ischemic heart disease than did the patients with a normal IMT.


CONCLUSIONS
The increased small LDL concentrations and small LDL/total LDL, in addition to total LDL concentrations, in Type 2 diabetic patients are closely associated with increased IMT of the carotid artery.
Inukai
Toshihiko
T
Department of Internal Medicine, Koshigaya Hospital, Dokkyo University School of Medicine, 2-1-50, Minami-Koshigaya, Koshigaya 343-8555, Japan. t-inukai@dokkyomed.ac.jp
Yamamoto
R
R
Suetsugu
M
M
Matsumoto
S
S
Wakabayashi
S
S
Inukai
Y
Y
Matsutomo
R
R
Takebayashi
K
K
Aso
Y
Y
D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000097:blood* / Q000473:pathology*; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D048909:Diabetes Complications / Q000097:blood; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood* / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor / Q000032:analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D017540:Tunica Media / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D014463:Ultrasonography; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000097:blood
D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A