High-density lipoprotein function in regulating insulin secretion: possible relevance to metabolic syndrome.

With the increased incidence of obesity in our population, the metabolic syndrome is frequently encountered. This syndrome is comprised of obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia (mostly manifest as hypertriglyceridemia and low plasma high-density lipoprotein [HDL] cholesterol), and insulin resistance. As long as the pancreatic islets retain the capacity for compensatory increase in insulin secretion to counter the peripheral insulin resistance, mostly manifest at the adipose tissue and muscle, frank diabetes will not ensue.1 The participation of triglycerides and fatty acids in the development of this syndrome has been examined.2 Do the lower plasma HDL levels also contribute?