title: Markers of Systemic Inflammation and Apo-AI Containing HDL Subpopulations in Women with and without Diabetes.
abstract: Background. Besides their role in reverse cholesterol transport, HDL particles may affect the atherosclerotic process through the modulation of subclinical inflammation. HDL particles differ in size, composition, and, probably, anti-inflammatory properties. This hypothesis has never been explored in diabetic women, frequently having dysfunctional HDL. The potential relationship between lipid profile, Apo-AI containing HDL subclasses distribution, and common inflammatory markers (hsCRP, IL-6) was examined in 160 coronary heart disease- (CHD-) free women with and without type 2 diabetes. Results. Compared to controls, diabetic women showed lower levels of the atheroprotective large α-1, α-2, and pre-α-1 and higher concentration of the small, lipid-poor α-3 HDL particles (P < 0.05 all); diabetic women also had higher hsCRP and IL-6 serum levels (age- and BMI-adjusted P < 0.001). Overall, HDL subclasses significantly correlated with inflammatory markers: hsCRP inversely correlated with α-1 (P = 0.01) and pre-α-1 (P = 0.003); IL-6 inversely correlated with α-1 (P = 0.003), α-2 (P = 0.004), and pre-α-1 (P = 0.002) and positively with α-3 HDL (P = 0.03). Similar correlations were confirmed at univariate regression analysis. Conclusions. More atheroprotective HDL subclasses are associated with lower levels of inflammatory markers, especially in diabetic women. These data suggest that different HDL subclasses may influence CHD risk also through the modulation of inflammation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Via C. Valeria, 98124 Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppina T
authors.initials: GT
authors.lastname: Russo
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Via C. Valeria, 98124 Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: Annalisa
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-0778-4130
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Giandalia
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Via C. Valeria, 98124 Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: Elisabetta L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Romeo
authors.affiliation: Department of Economical, Business and Environmental Sciences and Quantitative Methods, University of Messina, Piazza Pugliatti 1, 98122 Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alibrandi
authors.affiliation: Lipid Metabolism Laboratory, JM-USDA-Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, Tufts University, 711 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02111, USA.
authors.forename: Katalin V
authors.initials: KV
authors.lastname: Horvath
authors.affiliation: Lipid Metabolism Laboratory, JM-USDA-Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, Tufts University, 711 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02111, USA.
authors.forename: Bela F
authors.initials: BF
authors.lastname: Asztalos
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Via C. Valeria, 98124 Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: Domenico
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cucinotta