Triglyceride-Rich Lipoprotein and LDL Particle Subfractions and Their Association With Incident Type 2 Diabetes: The PREVEND Study.

Abstract Background: Triglyceride-rich lipoproteins particles (TRLP) and low density lipoprotein particles (LDLP) vary in size. Their association with β-cell function is not well described. We determined associations of TRLP and LDLP subfractions with β-cell function, and evaluated their associations with incident T2D in the general population.Methods: We included 4818 subjects of the Prevention of Renal and Vascular End-Stage Disease (PREVEND) study without T2D at baseline. TRLP and LDLP subfraction concentrations and their average sizes were measured using the LP4 algorithm of the Vantera nuclear magnetic resonance platform. HOMA-IR was used as measure of insulin resistance. HOMA-β was used as a proxy of β-cell function.Results: In subjects without T2D at baseline, very large TRLP, large LDLP and LDL size were inversely associated with HOMA-β, whereas large TRLP, medium TRLP and TRL size were positively associated with HOMA-β taking account of HOMA-IR. During a median follow-up of 7.3 years, 263 individuals developed T2D. In multivariable-adjusted Cox regression models, higher concentrations of total, very large, large, and very small TRLP and TRL size were associated with an increased T2D risk after adjustment for relevant covariates, including age, sex, BMI, HDL-C, HOMA-β, and HOMA-IR. On the contrary, higher concentrations of large LDLP and LDL size were associated with a lower risk of developing T2D.Conclusions: Specific TRL and LDL particle characteristics are associated with β-cell function taking account of HOMA-IR. Moreover, TRL and LDL particle characteristics are differently associated with incident T2D, even when taking account of HOMA-β and HOMA-IR.