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ARS Home » Plains Area » Houston, Texas » Children's Nutrition Research Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #353080
Title: Lipid profiles, inflammatory markers, and insulin therapy in youth with type 2 diabetes

Author
item LEVITT KATZ, LORRAINE - University Of Pennsylvania
item BACHA, FIDA - Children'S Nutrition Research Center (CNRC)
item GIDDING, SAMUEL - Delaware Valley College
item WEINSTOCK, RUTH - State University Of New York (SUNY)
item EL GHORMI, LAURE - George Washington University
item LIBMAN, INGRID - University Of Pittsburgh Medical Center
item NADEAU, KRISTEN - University Of Colorado
item PORTER, KRISTIN - University Of Pittsburgh Medical Center
item MARCOVINA, SANTICA - University Of Washington

Submitted to: Journal of Pediatrics
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/18/2017
Publication Date: 5/1/2018
Citation: Levitt Katz, L.E., Bacha, F., Gidding, S.S., Weinstock, R.S., El Ghormi, L., Libman, I., Nadeau, K.J., Porter, K., Marcovina, S. 2018. Lipid profiles, inflammatory markers, and insulin therapy in youth with type 2 diabetes. Journal of Pediatrics. 196:208-216. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpeds.2017.12.052.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpeds.2017.12.052

Interpretive Summary: The effect of insulin therapy on the lipid and inflammation profile in youth with type 2 diabetes has not been previously studied. We thus evaluated the impact of insulin therapy on lipids and inflammation in youth with type 2 diabetes from the TODAY study. 285 participants in the TODAY study failed to maintain glucose control on oral medications alone and they were prescribed insulin therapy. We found that the worsening of the lipid profile was associated with worsening of glucose control. Insulin helped but didn’t markedly prevent the progression of dyslipidemia. Increase in inflammation persisted after insulin therapy related to glucose control and weight gain. Worsening lipid profile and inflammation over time raise concern regarding premature development of atherosclerosis in these youth. Insulin therapy has a limited benefit in the absence of improvement of glucose control. Strategies to achieve better glucose control are needed.

Technical Abstract: Data regarding atherogenic dyslipidemia and the inflammation profile in youth with type 2 diabetes is limited and the effect of insulin therapy on these variables has not previously been studied in youth. We determined the impact of insulin therapy on lipid and inflammatory markers in youth with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes. In the Treatment Options for type 2 Diabetes in Adolescents and Youth (TODAY) multicenter trial, 285 participants failed to sustain glycemic control on randomized treatment (primary outcome, glycated hemoglobin A1c [HbA1c] at >/- 8% for 6 months); 363 maintained glycemic control (never reached primary outcome). Statins were used for a low-density lipoprotein cholesterol of >/-130 mg/dL. Upon reaching the primary outcome, insulin was started. Changes in lipids and inflammatory markers (slopes over time) were examined. Progression of dyslipidemia was related to glycemic control. In those with the primary outcome, insulin therapy impacted HbA1c modestly, and dampened the increase in total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and total apolipoprotein B, although statin use increased from 8.6% to 22% year after the primary outcome. The increase in triglycerides and plasma nonesterified fatty acids stabilized after insulin was started, independent of HbA1c. There was an increase in high-sensitivity C-reactive protein that continued after insulin initiation, related to HbA1c and percent overweight. Worsening dyslipidemia and inflammation over time raise concern regarding premature development of atherosclerosis in youth with type 2 diabetes. Insulin therapy has a limited benefit in the absence of glycemic control. Strategies to achieve better glycemic control are needed.