Diurnal changes in plasma lipoproteins in normal subjects and diabetics.

Significant diurnal variations in levels of total plasma cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and LDL cholesterol were found in the majority of 12 normals, 13 maturity onset and 14 insulin requiring diabetics. The variations in total cholesterol and its lipoprotein subfraction were more marked in diabetics. These variations were not correlated in either diabetic group with glucose control as assessed by the level of glycosylated haemoglobin. The significance of the diurnal changes in total plasma cholesterol and the lipoprotein subfractions in relation to arteriovascular disease is discussed.