Serum cholesteryl ester transfer protein concentrations are associated with serum levels of total cholesterol, beta-lipoprotein and apoproteins in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the role of serum cholesterol ester transfer protein (CETP) and the metabolism of various lipids including apoproteins in patients with type 2 diabetes. MATERIALS AND METHODS The relationships between serum concentrations of CETP and various lipids and apoproteins were investigated in 193 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and 68 age-matched healthy subjects. Serum CETP concentrations were measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS Serum CETP values were lower in diabetic patients than in healthy controls (p < 0.01). Female diabetic patients had significantly higher CETP concentrations than male patients. Serum CETP concentrations exhibited a significant positive correlation with serum concentrations of cholesterol (TC) and beta-lipoproteins in diabetic patients (r = 0.485, p = 0.013). Patients with relatively high serum concentrations of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) tended to have much lower CETP concentrations than patients with lower HDL-C concentrations. Serum CETP concentrations showed significant positive correlations with those of apoproteins B (Apo B; r = 0.384, p = 0.024) and E (Apo E; r = 0.341, p = 0.035). CONCLUSION The data indicate that serum CETP is closely involved in the metabolism of TC, beta-lipoprotein, Apo B and Apo E in type 2 diabetic patients.