In: Nursing
Why is LDL high in diabetes?
Answer : Diabetic dyslipidaemia includes increased triacylglycerol levels and decreased HDL-cholesterol levels.
Regulation of lipid metabolism is influenced by the insulin level in our body. Insulin has an antilipolytic effect in adipose tissue, where it inhibits hormone sensitive lipase.Therefore during the post prandial period there will be inhibition of lipolysis by insulin.
The diabetes patients have increased plasma level of lathosterol ( cholesterol synthesis) and decreased plasma level of campesterol(cholesterol absorption) . Hence plasma cholestrol level hikes.
There is a decrease in number of LDL B/E cell-surface receptors, due to the reduced insulin mediated expression and thus plasma LDL level rises. There will be reduced affinity of LDL towards its receptors and so LDL catabolism is decreased. Also LDLs are easily oxidised in diabetic patients and the oxidised LDLs have decreased affinity for the LDL receptor. Hence plasma LDL level increases due to a slow turnover rates.
Thus LDL is high in diabetic patients.