Diabetes and plasma lipoproteins in the louisiana coushatta indians

The Louisiana Coushatta Indians (a federally recognized tribe) have been participating in a study of diabetes and obesity since October 1994. Preliminary data indicate that the prevalence of diabetes is >30%, and the cardiovascular death rate is five-fold higher than the rest of the state. In order to investigate the risk factors for this high morbidity and mortality, plasma lipoproteins have been determined. Blood for total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), and HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) were collected from fasting individuals and measured by Louisiana Reference Laboratories, and LDL was calulated from above values. Plasma Lp(a) was measured via ELISA. While no significant differences in age, TC, TG, HDL-C or Lp(a) levels were seen between Coushatta men and women, median calculated LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) was significantly lower in Coushatta women relative to men (87.5 vs 107.0, p<0.05). When analyzed for differences based on glucose tolerance status (normal glucose tolerance vs. impaired glucose tolerance vs. diabetes), significant differences were found between groups in median levels of TC (157.5 vs. 185.0 vs. 175.5; p=0.014), TG (98.0 vs. 118.0 vs.133.5; p=0.008), HDL-C (53.0 vs. 50.0 vs. 41.5; p=0.006), and LDL-C (83.0 vs. 107.0 vs. 104.5; p=0.034). Finally HDL-C was significantly lower in diabetic Coushatta men while TG and TC were higher in diabetic Coushatta women relative to their nondiabetic counterparts. We conclude that while most lipoprotein profiles are within recommended ranges, that both gender and glucose tolerance status are associated with alterations of lipoprotein levels.