Published in:
01-02-2015 | Article
Isolated hyperglycaemia does not increase VLDL-triacylglycerol secretion in type 1 diabetic men
Published in: Diabetologia | Issue 2/2015
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Aims/hypothesis
In type 1 diabetes, abnormalities of both glucose and lipoprotein metabolism are seen. The relationship between these factors is not understood, but studies indicate that hyperglycaemia may increase hepatic VLDL-triacylglycerol (VLDL-TG) secretion and reduce VLDL-TG fatty acid oxidation, which could lead to the development of dyslipidaemia. The aim of this study was to determine the isolated effect of hyperglycaemia on VLDL-TG and NEFA kinetics in men with type 1 diabetes.
Methods
VLDL-TG and palmitate kinetics were measured in eight men with type 1 diabetes using ex vivo labelled VLDL-TG and palmitate tracers. A 2.5 h basal period (plasma glucose 5 mmol/l) was followed by a 4 h hyperglycaemic period (plasma glucose 16 mmol/l). Steady-state VLDL-TG kinetics (VLDL-TG secretion, clearance and oxidation rates) were assessed by an isotope dilution technique using an intravenous primed-constant infusion of ex vivo labelled [1-14C]VLDL-TG in combination with sampling of blood and expired air. Palmitate turnover was measured using [9,10-3H]palmitate.
Results
The VLDL-TG secretion rate (36.0 ± 9.6 vs 30.8 ± 6.1 μmol/min, NS) and clearance rate (209 ± 30.4 vs 197 ± 41.7 ml/min, NS) were unchanged during the basal and hyperglycaemic periods, resulting in unchanged VLDL-TG concentrations (0.25 ± 0.11 μmol/l vs 0.28 ± 0.10 μmol/l, NS). In addition, VLDL-TG fatty acid oxidation and palmitate flux were not changed during hyperglycaemia.
Conclusions/interpretation
Four hours of acute hyperglycaemia (16 mmol/l) without a concomitant increase in insulin does not alter VLDL-TG and NEFA kinetics in men with type 1 diabetes.
Clinical trial registry number: NCT01178957