Lipid Metabolism Biomarkers in Diabetic Retinopathy in Patients With Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

Background. Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the most common ocular complication of diabetes mellitus, as well as the most prevalent cause for irreversible vision loss in working-age population. The aim of the study was to analyze the association between DR in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), some lipid biomarkers changes, as well as to highlight the possible correlation. Methods. A total of 72 T1DM patients were included in this study. The enrolled participants were assigned into three groups, based on the results of fundus photographs as following: 1st group - no DR, 2nd group - non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR), and 3rd group - proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). Serum lipids: triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC) and lipoprotein (a) (Lp (a)) were measured at the baseline. Results. The data revealed no difference in TG serum levels in patients of the 1st and 2nd groups. The increase of TG serum levels was identified with the progression of the DR in the 3rd group (+121%, p=0.018). TC also rose in patients in the 3rd study group (+19%, p>0.05 compared to the 1st and 2nd study groups). An increase of Lp (a) was highlighted with the evolution of DR: in the 2nd group (+73%, p>0.05) and in the 3rd group (by about 320%, p=0.019) compared to 1st study group. The correlation analysis revealed a weak positive correlation between the grade of DR and Lp (a) levels (rs=0.319, p=0.006), and TG (rs=0.239, p=0.043). Conclusion. Our study exposed statistically significant modifications of the TG and Lp (a) levels correlated with the DR grade and a non-significant increase in TC level in T1DM persons. Our data indicate a likely involvement of lipid metabolism disorders in the progression of DR.