Lipoprotein composition in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases are the major causes of morbidity and mortality in patients with diabetes mellitus. Both quantitative and qualitative abnormalities of lipoproteins are associated with the development of atherogenesis. In this study, the prevalence of dyslipidemia and the relative levels of glycosylated lipoproteins in 20 children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus were determined. Lipid profile, apolipoproteins A-I and B, Lp(a) and LpA-I in plasma were assayed. LpB and glycosylated HDL and LDL were evaluated by ELISA. Diabetic patients and controls had normal lipid profiles, but the diabetic group showed significantly higher LpA-I and lower LpA-I:A-II concentrations than controls. The diabetic group showed a significantly higher glycosylation level of HDL than controls and did not show a statistical difference for glycosylated LDL. No significant correlation between glycosylated lipoproteins, glycemia or HbA(1c) was found. In conclusion, these results suggest that type I diabetic patients develop important qualitative lipid abnormalities.