Oxidized low-density lipoprotein and intimal medial thickness in subjects with glucose intolerance—The Chennai Urban Rural Epidemiology Study-25

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to assess the association of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (OX-LDL) with carotid intimal medial thickness (IMT) in different grades of glucose intolerance in Asian Indians. Three groups were recruited from the Chennai Urban Rural Epidemiology Study, a population-based study: group 1, normal glucose tolerance (NGT) (n = 175); group 2, impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) (n = 175); and group 3, type 2 diabetes mellitus (n = 175). Oxidized LDL (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) and carotid IMT (high-resolution B-mode ultrasonography) were assessed. Subjects with diabetes had higher IMT values (0.85F0.30 mm) compared with those who have IGT (0.79 F 0.16 mm, P b .05) and NGT (0.71 F 0.12 mm, P b .001). Subjects with diabetes (40.1 F 13.1 U/L) and IGT (34.3 F 12.8 U/L) had significantly higher mean OX-LDL values compared with the NGT group (26.2 F 16.6 U/L, P b .001). Oxidized LDL showed a correlation with IMT (total population: r = 0.294, P b .001; subjects with NGT: r = 0.444, P b .001; and subjects with IGT: r = 0.481, P b .001). In multiple linear regression analysis, OX-LDL showed a strong association with IMT (b = .005, P b .001), even after adjusting for age, sex (b = .003, P b .001), and glucose intolerance (b = .002, P b .001). In conclusion, OX-LDL levels increase with increasing glucose intolerance. Oxidized LDL is associated with carotid IMT and this is independent of age, sex, and glucose intolerance status