Type 2 diabetes lowers CETP specific activity while total CETP mass and activity remain unchanged, unlike PLTP which rises with triglycerides and obesity (Scand J Clin Lab Invest 2004)

Original title: Type 2 diabetes mellitus is associated with differential effects on plasma cholesteryl ester transfer protein and phospholipid transfer protein activities and concentrations

Scand J Clin Lab Invest · 1 January 2004 · 6

Dullaart RP, De Vries R, Scheek L, Borggreve SE, Van Gent T, Dallinga-Thie GM, Ito M, Nagano M, Sluiter WJ, Hattori H, Van Tol A

Comparing plasma cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) and phospholipid transfer protein (PLTP) activity levels and concentrations in 16 type 2 diabetic patients and 16 matched healthy subjects, triglycerides were higher and HDL cholesterol lower in diabetic patients (both P < 0.02). Plasma CETP activity and concentration did not differ significantly between groups, but CETP specific activity was lower in diabetic patients (P < 0.001); multiple regression showed CETP activity was positively related to CETP concentration (P = 0.0001) and negatively to diabetic state (P < 0.002) and HbA1c (P < 0.02). PLTP activity and specific activity were higher in diabetic patients (both P < 0.05), related to PLTP concentration, plasma triglycerides, and waist-to-hip ratio but not to diabetic state or HbA1c. Neither CETP nor PLTP activity was independently associated with insulin sensitivity, but specific CETP activity was decreased in type 2 diabetes.

Original abstract

Background: Human plasma contains two lipid transfer proteins, cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) and phospholipid transfer protein (PLTP), which are crucial in reverse cholesterol transport.

Methods: Plasma CETP and PLTP activity levels and concentrations in 16 type 2 diabetic patients and 16 matched healthy subjects were determined, and these data were correlated to clinical variables, including insulin sensitivity and lipid levels.

Results: Plasma triglycerides were higher (p<0.02) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (p<0.02) was lower in diabetic patients. Plasma CETP activity and concentrations were not significantly different between diabetic and healthy subjects, but CETP specific activity was lower in diabetic patients (p<0.001). Multiple regression analysis showed that plasma CETP activity was positively related to CETP concentration (p=0.0001) and negatively to the diabetic state (p<0.002) or to HbA1c (p<0.02). PLTP activity (p<0.05) and specific activity were higher (p<0.05), whereas there was no difference in PLTP concentration between the two groups. There was no significant bivariate correlation between PLTP concentration and activity, in either healthy or diabetic subjects. Multiple regression analysis did disclose positive relationships of PLTP activity with PLTP concentration (p=0.0001), plasma triglycerides (p=0.0001) and waist/hip ratio (p=0.0001), but not with the diabetic state or HbA1c.

Conclusions: Neither CETP nor PLTP activity was independently associated with insulin sensitivity. Specific CETP activity is decreased in type 2 diabetes mellitus. In contrast, specific PLTP activity is higher in diabetes, as a result of the association of plasma PLTP activity with plasma triglycerides and obesity. Measurement of both plasma lipid transfer protein activity and mass levels may thus provide extra information in diabetes mellitus.

Summary written by cetpinhibition.org from the published abstract; figures as published. Page updated 19 August 2026. Methods.