Type 2 Diabetes Is Associated with Reduced ATP-Binding Cassette Transporter A1 Gene Expression, Protein and Function
2011

Type 2 Diabetes and ABCA1 Function

Sample size: 63 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Dipesh C. Patel, Christiane Albrecht, Darrell Pavitt, Vijay Paul, Celine Pourreyron, Simon P. Newman, Ian F. Godsland, Jonathan Valabhji, Desmond G. Johnston

Primary Institution: Imperial College London

Hypothesis

There is a glycaemia-mediated impairment of reverse cholesterol transport (RCT).

Conclusion

ABCA1 expression and protein concentrations in leukocytes, as well as function in cultured skin fibroblasts, are reduced in Type 2 diabetes.

Supporting Evidence

  • ABCA1 expression fell with increasing HbA1c and fasting glucose levels.
  • Leukocyte ABCA1 protein concentration was lower in patients with Type 2 diabetes.
  • Apolipoprotein-A1-mediated cholesterol efflux was reduced in Type 2 diabetes.

Takeaway

People with Type 2 diabetes have trouble getting rid of cholesterol from their cells, which can lead to heart problems.

Methodology

Leukocyte ABCA1, LXRα, and PPARγ expression was measured by PCR in 63 men, and ABCA1 function was quantified in a subgroup of 25 men using cholesterol efflux assays.

Potential Biases

Potential bias due to the exclusion of patients on hypoglycaemic or lipid-lowering medications.

Limitations

The study was limited to men and did not include women, and the findings may not be generalizable to other populations.

Participant Demographics

63 men aged over 18 years, including 18 with Type 2 diabetes and 27 healthy controls.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p=0.03

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0022142

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