Title:Pathophysiology of Diabetic Dyslipidaemia
Volume: 15
Issue: 6
Author(s): Theodosios Filippatos, Vasilios Tsimihodimos, Eleni Pappa and Moses Elisaf*
Affiliation:
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Ioannina, 451 10 Ioannina,Greece
Keywords:
Diabetes, dyslipidaemia, atherosclerosis, apolipoprotein, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein.
Abstract: Background: Patients with diabetes usually exhibit diabetic dyslipidaemia.
Aim: The aim of the review is to present the quantitative and qualitative alterations of lipids and lipoproteins
and the associated mechanisms in patients with diabetic dyslipidaemia.
Results: The main quantitative changes observed in patients with diabetic dyslipidaemia are increased
triglycerides and decreased high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels. Qualitative abnormalities
mainly include increased small dense low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particles (despite similar serum
LDL cholesterol levels as non-diabetic subjects) and alterations in the apolipoprotein content of HDL
particles. Alterations in the activities of enzymes involved in lipoprotein metabolism, such as cholesteryl
ester transfer protein, and the lipoprotein content of lipid particles, along with their glycation and oxidation,
play a role in the pathogenesis of diabetic dyslipidaemia.
Conclusion: Diabetic dyslipidaemia is associated with quantitative and qualitative alterations of lipids
and lipoproteins, which are associated with increased cardiovascular risk.
