High-density lipoprotein: Quality versus quantity in type 2 diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Dyslipidaemia, inflammation and oxidative stress play an important role in the development of atherosclerosis and increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). High-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) correlates negatively with CVD risk. However, drugs aiming to increase HDL-C have failed to show a beneficial effect on CVD risk. Further research in this area showed the importance of HDL-associated proteins in relation to CVD risk. Diabetes mellitus leads to alteration in the quantity as well as the quality of HDL. The modifications in HDL proteins convert an antiatherogenic HDL to a proatherogenic HDL termed dysfunctional HDL. This review focuses on the normal functions of HDL-associated proteins and their alterations in T2DM.

Keywords

• cardiovascular disease
• dysfunctional high-density lipoprotein
• high-density lipoprotein
• type 2 diabetes mellitus