[The sialylation rate of apolipoprotein E in insulin-dependent (IDDM) and non-insulin-dependent (NIDDM) diabetes mellitus].

: The degree of apo E sialylation in VLDL from serum of diabetics and controls was determined by densitometric scanning of the pherograms after isoelectric focusing of the VLDL proteins including treatment with neuraminidase. The distribution pattern of sialylation within the groups of patients and controls followed a Gaussian type. A significantly elevated level of sialylated apo E could be demonstrated in IDDM and NIDDM as compared to the controls. No correlation was found between the apo E phenotype and the diabetic state. From the correlation analysis including the parameters degree of sialylation, age, duration of diabetic state, and blood glucose pattern no significant results were obtained except a significant but only week correlation (r less than 0.3) between sialylation, age, and blood glucose in IDDM patients. Possible consequences of the elevated apo E sialylation in diabetes mellitus are discussed.