Association of the CETP Taq1B and LIPG Thr111Ile Polymorphisms with Glycated Hemoglobin and Blood Lipids in Newly Diagnosed Hyperlipidemic Patients

The effect of dulaglutide on glycated hemoglobin is associated with PNPLA3 Ι148Μ gene polymorphism in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

PURPOSE

The evaluation of the effect of dulaglutide on glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and non-invasive indices of hepatic steatosis among different genotypes of the PNPLA3 I148M (rs738409) and CETP Taq1B (rs708272) polymorphisms in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

METHODS

Relevant data from patients with inadequately controlled T2DM, also displaying NAFLD, administered 1.5 mg dulaglutide weekly for 6 months were retrospectively retrieved. The non-invasive indices, fatty liver index (FLI) and hepatic steatosis index (HSI), were calculated. Genotyping for rs738409 and rs708272 were performed with polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS

Data from 80 patients (39 females), aged 64.4 ± 9.5 years and displaying a baseline BMI of 34.5 ± 5.8 kg/m2, were retrieved at baseline and after 6 months (endpoint) of dulaglutide treatment. Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c; -0.72 ± 1.10%; p < 0.001), FLI (-5.8 ± 9.8; p < 0.001) and HSI (-1.18 ± 3.51; p = 0.004) significantly decreased after treatment. Lipid profile and liver function tests also improved after treatment. Overall, homozygotes for the reference rs738409 allele (CC) displayed a 2.4-fold decrease (p = 0.002) and heterozygotes (CG) an 1.6-fold decrease (p = 0.013) compared to GG homozygotes after treatment, but the effect was largely limited to female patients. No similar effect was observed in FLI, HSI and other relevant parameters. No association was observed between rs708272 and any of the parameters studied.

CONCLUSIONS

rs738409, but not rs708272, was associated with the effect of dulaglutide on HbA1c, but not on presumed hepatic steatosis or other relevant parameters. Sex-specific effects were also noticed.

Cholesteryl Ester Transfer Protein (CETP) Variations in Relation to Lipid Profiles and Cardiovascular Diseases: An Update

Lipid metabolism plays an essential role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) is a crucial glycoprotein involved in lipid metabolism by transferring cholesteryl esters (CE) and triglycerides (TG) between plasma lipoproteins. CETP activity results in reduced HDL-C and increased VLDL- and LDL-C concentrations, thus increasing the risk of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. In this review, we discuss the structure of CETP and its mechanism of action. Furthermore, we focus on recent experiments on animal CETP-expressing models, deciphering the regulation and functions of CETP in various genetic backgrounds and interaction with different external factors. Finally, we discuss recent publications revealing the association of CETP single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with the risk of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, lifestyle factors, diet and therapeutic interventions. While CETP SNPs can be used as effective diagnostic markers, diet, lifestyle, gender and ethnic specificity should also be considered for effective treatment.

CETP genotype and concentrations of HDL and lipoprotein subclasses in African-American men

Aim: To assess the association between the CETP Taq1B and I405V polymorphisms with levels of lipoprotein subclasses in African-American (AA) men with and without Type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Patients & methods: AA men, over 30 years of age, with (n = 54) or without T2DM (n = 50), and not receiving lipid-lowering agents, underwent advanced lipid analysis and genotyping. Results & conclusion: In the total patient population Taq1B B2-allele carriers had significantly higher levels of large HDL subclasses (HDL-2b [p = 0.017] and HDL-L [p = 0.019]), lower levels of small-HDL subclasses (HDL-3a [p = 0.004] and HDL-3b [p = 0.031]), and lower levels of LDL subclasses (LDL-IVa [p = 0.012] and LDL-IIIb [p = 0.009]). The only significant genotype-diabetes interaction occurred with the HDL-2a subclass (p = 0.015). No statistically significant associations were seen with I405V genotype. Our observations of lower levels of small-HDL and higher levels of large-HDL suggest that a potentially important HDL subclass-CETP relationship exists.