Quantification of apolipoprotein AI-containing lipoprotein particles in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

Quantification of LpAI (lipoprotein particles containing apolipoprotein AI not associated with apolipoprotein AII) was performed through an electroimmunoassay on serum from 49 non-insulin-dependent diabetic patients (mean age 60 +/- 9 years) and 53 age-matched control subjects of both sexes not affected by coronary heart disease. Serum lipid and lipoprotein levels were not significantly different between the two groups. Serum levels of LpAI determined for diabetic patients did not differ from those of control subjects, while concentrations of LpAI in men were significantly lower than in women, both among diabetics (P < 0.05) and controls (P < 0.005). Serum levels of apolipoprotein AI and high density lipoprotein cholesterol were significantly correlated with those of LpAI (P < 0.005, for both variables). On the contrary, levels of LpAI/AII (lipoprotein particles containing both apolipoprotein AI and AII) were significantly increased in diabetic patients (P < 0.005).