Differential gene expression in diabetes : effects on postprandial lipoproteins

Abstract

Diabetes is responsible for a large increase in cardiovascular risk which in many studies has not been reduced by improvement in blood sugar. The postprandial period in diabetes is associated with considerable disturbance in fatty acid and triglyceride metabolism and this may be an important factor in atherosclerosis development. In particular the postprandial period in diabetes is associated with increased apolipoprotein B48, the solubilising protein for transport of intestinal cholesterol and triglyceride in the blood stream. These apo B48-containing particles may be particularly atherogenic. Reduced clearance of these particles plays a part in the raised levels but it has been demonstrated that there is an increase cholesterol synthesis in the intestine in animal models of diabetes and human studies have suggested that the early rise in apo B48 is probably due to increased particle synthesis rather than delayed clearance.