Low density lipoprotein non-esterified fatty acids and lipoprotein lipase in diabetes

This study demonstrates that the disturbance in fatty acid metabolism found in type 2 diabetic subjects is associated with a significant increase in non-esterified fatty acids attached to LDL. This may account, at least in part, for the increased oxidation of the LDL and therefore its atherogenicity. The finding of an increase in the amount of LPL bound to LDL suggests an important mechanism to facilitate the uptake of diabetic LDL by endothelial proteoglycans and collagen in the atherosclerotic plaque.