Abstract
The concentration of vitamin E (Vit. E) in very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL) and high density lipoprotein (HDL) was determined by the fluorometric method in 34 diabetic patients to elucidate the role of Vit. E in diabetic angiopathy. Each value for the diabetics was compared statistically with data for 19 age-matched controls.
The total plasma concentration of Vit. E (Tot.-Vit. E) was 1.58±0.10 mg/dl (mean±SE) in the diabetics. This was significantly higher than the value of 1.30±0.07 mg/dl in the controls (p<0.05).
The percent distribution of Vit. E into VLDL (% VLDL-Vit. E), LDL (% LDL-Vit. E) and HDL (% HDL-Vit. E) was calculated.% VLDL-Vit. E in the diabetics was significantly higher than that in the controls. On the other hand, % HDL-Vit. E in the diabetics (25.6±1.5%) was significantly lower than that in the controls (34. 8±2.1%) (p <O.01). There was no significantdifference in % LDL-Vit. E between the two groups.
Since it has been reported that Tot-Vit. E tends to be higher in cases of hyperlipemia, subjects without hyperlipemia should be studied. As regards Tot.-Vit. E, there was no significant diffei ence between diabetics and controls, but % HDL-Vit. E in the diabetics (28.4±2.0) was again significantly lower than in the controls (35.3±2.4).
In diabetics with diabetic retinopathy or ischemic heart disease, % HDL-Vit. E and the concentration of vit. E in HDL (HDL-Vit. E) were significantly lower than those in diabetics without angiopathy (p <0.05).
The above results indicate that the Vit. E in plasma-lipoprotein fractions, especially HDL-Vit. E, has a close relationship to diabetic angiopathy.
