Different nuclear magnetic resonance lipoprotein profiles are associated with carotid atherosclerosis in type 1 diabetes and preeclampsia

AIMS Persistence of lipoprotein abnormalities in type 1 diabetes (T1D) and/or preeclampsia could be associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD). We assessed differences in the advanced lipoprotein profiles according to the presence of both conditions and their differential association with atherosclerosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS We recruited 112 women without CVD and last pregnancy ≥5 years previously, divided into 4 groups (n = 28 per group): a) T1D and previous preeclampsia; b) T1D without preeclampsia; c) Preeclampsia without T1D; and d) Controls (without T1D/preeclampsia). Groups were matched by several risk factors, and diabetes duration and retinopathy in T1D. Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and the presence of plaque (IMT ≥1.5 mm) were assessed by ultrasonography. The lipoprotein profile was evaluated by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. RESULTS The participants were 44.9 ± 7.8 years-old. Carotid plaque presence was 20.5%, with a higher prevalence in T1D and/or preeclampsia vs controls (P < 0.05). HDL-related variables differed among groups, mainly driven by an increase in T1D (P < 0.05), whereas triglyceride-related variables were increased in preeclampsia (medium VLDL-particles and triglyceride enrichment in HDL and LDL). Overall, in multivariate-adjusted models, LDL-related variables were the most strongly associated with atherosclerosis (P < 0.05). In age- and statin-adjusted models, previous preeclampsia showed an independent association with triglyceride-related variables (plaque: medium-VLDL-particles, OR 1.550 [1.013-2.374]; HDL-cholesterol/HDL-triglycerides ratio, OR 0.411 [0.175-0.967]). Regarding T1D, HDL-parameters were also differentially associated (maximum-IMT: HDL-cholesterol/HDL-particles ratio, β = -0.258, P = 0.036). CONCLUSIONS NMR-lipoproteins were differentially and independently associated with atherosclerosis in T1D/preeclampsia. Further studies are needed to ascertain the role of NMR-parameters as CVD biomarkers in this high-risk population. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.