Does oxidized LDL contribute to atherosclerotic plaque formation and microvascular complications in patients with type 1 diabetes?

Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate whether changes in the level of oxidized LDL (oxLDL) over 2-years contribute to the development of subclinical macroangiopathy and/or microvascular complications in patients with DM1.

Design And Methods: Basic clinical and biochemical parameters and oxLDL level were measured in 70 patients at baseline and after 2 years of the study. In addition, an ultrasonographic study was performed to assess the carotid intima media thickness (IMT).

Results: Patients did not differ according to basic clinical and biochemical parameters at the beginning and after 2 years of the study. IMT increased (p=0.000001) whereas oxLDL level decreased (p=0.00001) in DM1 patients during 2 years. Multivariate regression analysis showed that oxLDL independently influences IMT in DM1 patients (β=0.454, R2=0.35). Further, positive correlations between oxLDL value and LDL-C concentration (r=0.585, p<0.05, n=70) and between oxLDL level and apo-B concentration have been established (r=0.610, p<0.05, n=70). Moreover, patients with chronic microvascular complications showed a higher value of IMT in comparison with patients without them (p=0.003).

Conclusion: Our results provide the evidence that oxLDL accelerates atherosclerotic plaque formation and may contribute to the development of microvascular complications in DM1.