Abstract P311: The Triglyceride Response to a Sugar Load Parallels the Glycemic Response

Introduction: Hyperlipidemia, traditionally defined with fasting lipid values, is a common cardiovascular risk factor, particularly in patients with insulin resistance, prediabetes and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). Nonfasting triglyceride levels (TG), however, have shown a stronger association with heart disease and stroke than fasting levels, independent of traditional CV risk factors. The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between TG and glucose levels after administration of a sucrose load (equal parts glucose and fructose) in individuals without a previous diagnosis of DM. Hypothesis: Sugar as a sole energy source will elicit both a lipemic and a glycemic response. Methods: We use a unique dataset from a single health clinic in Barranquilla, Colombia in which 1,446 adults aged 18 to 80 years (mean age, 49 years, 3 months, 77 percent female) were enrolled from 2002 - 2005. Serum TG and glucose levels were measured after an overnight fast and at two hours after administration of 75 gm of mixed carbohydrate in the form of Panela, a mixed carbohydrate made from an unrefined whole cane sugar used in beverages and in cooking in this area of Colombia. A solid form of sucrose, it contains equal parts of glucose and fructose. Regression analysis was performed to evaluate factors associated with the glycemic and lipemic responses. Results: We found that the absolute 2-hour glucose (range: 32-526 mg/dL) is significantly associated (p Conclusion: These data suggest that a diet rich in refined carbohydrate may pose a significant risk for hyperlipidemia, particularly in younger patients. The independent role of fructose as a trigger for de novo lipogenesis may be relevant in the observed response