Do you need to understand your cholesterol level?
Probably for early primary prevention from cardiovascular diseases especially those with T2D.
Recent studies suggest HDL (which is good cholesterol) exists as numerous subpopulations with distinct protein/lipid compositions that are not reflected in the HDL cholesterol range (HDL-C).
In this study, we sought to evaluate HDL subpopulations in adolescents with type 2 diabetes (T2D) to determine if changes in HDL composition are associated with early vascular disease.
Why specially T2D ?
1-As Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD),[1
2-As ~70% of adults with T2D die of cardiovascular-related complications.[2]
3-A key feature linking diabetes to CVD is the presence of an atherogenic dyslipidemia characterized by reduced levels of HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) and, increased concentrations of very LDLs (VLDLs).[3]
While LDL cholesterol (LDL-C–lowering therapy has proven effective for reducing CVD risk in adults with T2D, still a higher than expected residual incidence of CVD remains in this group.[4]
Recent therapies aimed at reducing this residual CVD risk have focused on HDL because of its antiatherogenic properties.
HDL is best recognized for its ability to:
1-shuttle excess cholesterol from peripheral tissues to the liver for excretion in the process of reverse cholesterol transport,
2-likely contributing to the well-known inverse relationship between HDL-C and CVD.
3- Additional cardioprotective roles for HDL including anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, and antiapoptotic properties.[5]
So, this study focus on measuring numerous HDL particle subpopulations with distinct protein and lipid compositions that are not fully represented by the HDL-C number as Proteomics studies consistently identify >50 different proteins associated with HDL, suggesting each HDL particle may have a unique makeup that directs its specific function.[6]
These findings suggest that early changes in the lipid and protein compositions of specific HDL subspecies in adolescents with T2D that are related to early markers of arterial disease.
These findings suggest that analyzing the composition of HDL, rather than HDL-C, may be useful in assessing cardiovascular risk in this population.
