Oxidized low-density lipoprotein is negatively correlated with lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase activity in type 2 diabetes mellitus

Introduction: It is now believed that the oxidative modification of plasma lipoproteins enhance their atherogenicity in patients with type 2 diabetes. Because a variety of highly reactive lipid peroxidation products can transfer from oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) to high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, the authors evaluated the association between ox-LDL and lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) activity, a key enzyme in reverse cholesterol transport and HDL remodeling. Methods: A total of 45 patients with diabetes and 45 age-, sex-and body mass index-matched healthy adult volunteers were enrolled. Fasting blood samples were obtained, and plasma glucose, lipid profile, creatinine, insulin, ox-LDL and LCAT activity were measured. Homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance was also calculated. Results: Patients with diabetes, compared with healthy participants, had a significantly higher ox-LDL (17.16 ± 3.75 U/L versus 7.93 ± 1.92 U/L, P < 0.001) and lower LCAT activity (73.7 ± 9.1 μmol/L/hr versus 88.7 ± 4.5 μmol/L/hr, P < 0.001). The higher level of LCAT activity completely disappeared after adjustment for ox-LDL. LCAT activity had a significant (P < 0.001) inverse correlation with ox-LDL (r =-0.77) in patients with diabetes and healthy participants (r =-0.75). Conclusion: LCAT activity is significantly decreased in type 2 diabetes. The lower LCAT activity in type 2 diabetes might be through ox-LDL mechanism. Ox-LDL may adversely affect high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol metabolism by reducing LCAT activity.