Jina Park, Chul Sik Kim, Jong Suk Park, Dol Mi Kim, Min Ho Cho, Jee Hyun Kong, Hai Jin Kim, Jeong Ho Kim, Chul Woo Ahn, Kyung Rae Kim, Bong Soo Cha, Sung Kil Lim, Hyun Chul Lee
Korean Diabetes J. 2005;29(4):333-343. Published online July 1, 2005
BACKGROUND The aims of this study were to investigate the predictor of the low density lipoprotein(LDL) particle size and the relationship of the LDL particle size to the levels of insulin resistance and the carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) in healthy Koreans. METHODS: The subjects were 47 and 89 clinically healthy males and females, aged between 32 and 70years, without medications that could potentially alter glucose and lipid metabolisms. The mean LDL particle size was determined by polyacrylamide tube gel electrophoresis(Lipoprint(r) LDL, Quantimetrix), the insulin resistance using a short insulin tolerance test kit, and the subclinical atherosclerosis from the carotid intima-media thickness. RESULTS: The LDL particle size was found to be significantly correlated with insulin resistance using a simple Pearson's correlation(r=0.233, P<0.01), but the independent predictors of the LDL particle size, as determined by a multiple stepwise regression analysis, were serum triglyceride(TG), high density lipoprotein(HDL) cholesterol level and age(beta=-0.403, P=< 0.001; beta=0.309, P=0.003; beta=-0.219, P=0.016, respectively). Significant relationships were found between an increasing IMT and the traditional risk factors of atherosclerosis: age, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, systolic and diastolic blood pressure(r=0.490, P<0.001; r=-0.251, P<0.01; r=0.211, P<0.05; r=0.298, P<0.01; r=0.263, P<0.01, respectively). However, no significant correlation was found between an increasing IMT and the LDL particle size (r=-0.172, P=0.075). CONCLUSION: The best predictors for the LDL particle size were the serum TG level, HDL cholesterol level and age. Insulin resistance was not found to be an independent predictor of the LDL particle size. Small dense LDL was not found to be a predictor of the IMT in healthy Koreans.
BACKGROUND This study was undertaken to investigate that intima-media thickness and plaque of the carotid artery, as measured by high resolution B-mode ultrasonography, can be used as predictors for occurrence of clinical macrovascular complication in type 2 diabetes patients. METHODS: High resolution B-mode ultrasonographic examination was performed in 39 type 2 diabetes, including 16 diabetes with macrovascular complication, and in 18 non-diabetic control subjects. Concurrently serum total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglyceride, lipoprotein (a), HbA1c, C-peptide levels and body mass index (BMI) were measured and history of hypertension, smoking, duration of diabetes and occurrence of macrovascular complication during the last 6 months were investigated. RESULTS: 1) Significant differences in common carotid IMT (0.72+/-0.08 mm, vs 0.93+/- 0.26 mm), existence of atherosclerotic plaque (50%, vs 69%), plaque number (0.5+/- 0.86, vs 0.69+/-2.37) and carotid stenosis (0%, vs 18%) were found between control and type 2 diabetes (p<0.05). 2) Significant differences in age (67.63+/-4.30, vs 60.6+/-12.0), lipoprotein (a) (63.65+/- 32.2 mg/dL, vs 35.22+/-34.74 mg/dL), common carotid IMT (1.08+/-0.27 mm, vs 0.82+/- 0.20 mm), existence of atherosclerotic plaque (87.5%, vs 56.5%), plaque number (2.88+/-3.16, vs 0.91+/-1.02), end diastolic ventricular septal thickness (10.82+/-1.88 mm, vs 8.76+/-2.92 mm) and end diastolic left ventricular posterior wall thickness (10.79+/-1.60 mm, vs 9.1+/-2.56 mm) were found between type 2 diabetes patients with macrovascular complication and without macrovascular complication (p<0.05). 3) Age (r=0.363, p=0.023), hypertension (r=0.32, p=0.047), carotid plaque existence (r=0.377, p=0.018) and plaque number (r=0.662, p=0.000) showed a correlation with the IMT in type 2 diabetes. 4) Most common involving site of atherosclerotic plaques was carotid bulb and more extensive involvement was showed in type 2 diabetes with macrovascular complication than without macrovascular complication. 5) The sensitivity of common carotid IMT (> control mean IMT + 2 SD; >1.22 mm) for prediction of macrovascular complication in type 2 diabetes patients was 25%, the specificity 95.7%, the positive predictive value 80%, the negative predictive value 61.8%. 6) The sensitivity of existence of carotid plaque for prediction of macrovascular complication in type 2 diabetes patients was 87.5%, the specificity 60.9%, the positive predictive value 60.9%, the negative predictive value 87.5%. CONCLUSION: Increases in IMT and plaque of the carotid artery, as measured by high resolution B-mode ultrasonography, can be used as predictors for occurrence of clinical macrovascular complication in type 2 diabetes patients.