Non-High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol and Lipoprotein (A) in Diabetes: A Cross-sectional Study

This chapter aimed to estimate the level of Lp(a) and lipid profile, especially non-HDL C in diabetic patients, and to correlate the same with healthy controls (non-diabetics). High-density lipoproteins possess many features that contribute to the association between elevated HDL cholesterol and protection from atherosclerosis, these lipoproteins may be modified in certain individuals and/or circumstances to become proinflammatory.A total of 60 patients attending a private medical college and hospital at Chennai participated in the study were selected. Lipoprotein(a) (Lp[a]) was estimated by immunoturbidimetry and the other parameters by their respective methods in biochemistry auto-analyzer.

From the study, it was found that both Lp(a) and non-HDLC were increased in diabetics (22.12 and 207.73 mg/dl respectively) when compared to the Lp(a) and non-HDLC non-diabetic controls (10.29 and 111.83 mg/dl respectively). It was also evident that there is a positive correlation of Lp(a) levels with non-HDL C. The study clearly depict the importance of Lp(a) and non-HDL-C as independent parameters and the study conducted by us reveals that the duo can act as combined parameters in routine diabetic profile biochemical investigations would help in predicting the diabetic complications in a better way among the Indian population.

Lp(a) and non-HDL C are responsible for atherogenic events in uncontrolled diabetic patients, leading to risks such as coronary artery disease.