Glycoxidised LDL isolated from subjects with impaired glucose tolerance increases CD36 and peroxisome proliferator-activator receptor gamma gene expression in macrophages

Aims/hypothesis: Glycoxidized low density lipoprotein (LDL) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, one of the major diabetic complications. Since atherogenesis may occur early at the onset of diabetes, we investigated whether circulating LDL isolated from subjects with impaired glucose tolerance (n=20, IGT-LDL) showed an increased glycoxidation status and explored their proatherogenic effects on macrophages.
Methods/Results: Using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry we could demonstrate a 3- to 5-fold higher oxidative apolipoprotein B-100 proline, arginine, lysine, and tyrosine modification as compared to LDL obtained from subjects with normal glucose tolerance (n=20, NGT-LDL). Moreover, LDL glycoxidation estimated by both N Epsilon-(carboxymethyl)lysine (CML) and N Epsilon-(carboxyethyl)lysine (CEL) residues was increased more than 9-fold in IGT-LDL when compared to NGT-LDL. After one hour incubation of murine macrophages with LDL mRNA expression rates of the scavenger receptors CD36 and SR-BI and transcription factor PPAR Gamma were quantified by reverse-transcription real-time PCR. In comparison to NGT-LDL, IGT-LDL elicited a significantly higher CD36 (p<0.05) and PPAR Gamma (p<0.05) gene expression, whereas SR-BI mRNA expression was not affected.
Conclusion: These data suggest that impaired glucose tolerance is associated with increased glycoxidation of circulating LDL that might contribute to conversion of macrophages into a proatherogenic phenotype.