Postprandial lipaemia in patients with impaired fasting glucose, impaired glucose tolerance and diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Aims To compare the postprandial lipid responses in subjects with prediabetes (IFG and IGT), newly detected diabetes mellitus (NDDM) and normal glucose tolerance (NGT). Methods Postprandial lipid responses to a standard oral fat challenge was studied in forty-four subjects who were divided after an OGTT into NGT, pure impaired fasting glucose (PIFG), pure impaired glucose tolerance (PIGT) and NDDM. Results There was a significantly higher postprandial triglyceride (PPTg) response with a higher PPTg area under curve ( p = 0.004) and peak PPTg levels ( p = 0.003) in patients with NDDM but not with either PIFG ( p > 0.05) or PIGT ( p > 0.05) when compared with NGT. Overall, PPTg responses correlated significantly with fasting plasma glucose ( p = 0.001) and 2 h plasma glucose ( p = 0.001) but not with age, sex, body mass index, waist, or insulin resistance. Conclusion Subjects with newly detected diabetes mellitus displayed postprandial hypertriglyceridemia after a standard oral fat meal challenge while no such abnormality could be demonstrated in subjects with IFG or IGT. This defect is probably related to glycemic status and insulin resistance.