Plasma lipids and lipoproteins in type II diabetic Nigerians with retinopathy.

Derangements in plasma lipids and lipoproteins have been observed in Caucasian diabetics with retinopathy, a major microvascular complication of diabetes mellitus. The role of plasma lipids and lipoprotein in the development of diabetic retinopathy is not clear and its alteration in black Africans has not been investigated. Fasting plasma cholesterol, triglyceride and HDL-cholesterol concentrations were estimated in 27 Type II (non insulin-dependent) Nigerian diabetics with retinopathy and 37 without retinopathy and 63 healthy subjects. Both diabetic subgroups were comparable regarding their blood glucose control, body mass index and duration of diabetes. Plasma lipid and lipoprotein concentrations were similar in each group of patients, with no significant differences in diabetics with and without retinopathy. Plasma lipids and lipoproteins were not affected by the duration of the diabetic state. These results suggest that diabetic retinopathy in Nigerians is not associated with significant alteration in the concentration of plasma lipids and lipoproteins.