Published online Jul 10, 2015. doi: 10.4239/wjd.v6.i7.983
Peer-review started: January 24, 2015
First decision: February 7, 2015
Revised: April 20, 2015
Accepted: May 5, 2015
Article in press: May 6, 2015
Published online: July 10, 2015
Processing time: 168 Days and 0.1 Hours
AIM: To investigate lipid metabolism and the relationship with monocyte expression of the fatty acid translocase CD36 in South Asians.
METHODS: An observational study of South Asians whom as an ethnic group have - a higher risk of developing diabetes. The susceptibility to diabetes is coupled with an earlier and more rapid progression of micro-, and macro-vascular complications. Twenty-nine healthy South Asian participants [mean age 34.6 (8.9) years, 76.2% male, mean body-mass index 25.0 (5.2) kg/m2] were recruited from an urban residential area of central Birmingham (United Kingdom). The main outcomes measured were post prandial (30 min) and post absorptive (120 min) changes from fasting (0 min) in circulating lipoproteins, lipds and hormones, and monocyte expression of CD36 post injection of a 75 g oral glucose challenge. The inducements of variations of monocyte CD36 expression were analysed.
RESULTS: Our results showed evident changes in monocyte CD36 expression following the glucose challenge (P < 0.001). Non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) levels decreased progressively during the challenge (P < 0.001), in contrast to increased cholesterol (but not triglyceride) concentrations within very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) and low density lipoprotein subfractions (P < 0.01). Levels of, glucose, serum triglycerides and high density lipoprotein cholesterol remained largely unchanged. Variations of monocyte CD36 were negatively (r = -0.47, P = 0.04) associated to fat from the diet and positively to carbohydrate from the diet (r = 0.65, P < 0.001).
CONCLUSION: These data suggest that the initiation of VLDL genesis follows the consumption of glucose within this population, inferring that the sequestration of NEFA from these particles happens due to the increased availability of CD36 receptors. While these are preliminary results, it would appear that lifestyle exposures have a role in moderating the expression of CD36.
Core tip: This study investigated the relationship between the expression of fatty acid translocase CD36 on monocytes and lipid and lipoprotein metabolism in South Asians. Post prandial and post absorptive changes from fasting in circulating lipids, lipoproteins, hormones and monocyte expression of CD36 were recorded subsequent to an oral glucose challenge. Our results showed discernible changes in monocyte CD36 expression post glucose administration. These data suggest that the production of very low density lipoprotein occurs subsequent to the ingestion of glucose within this population. It is presumed that the sequestration of non-esterified fatty acids from these particles happens due to an increase in availability of CD36 receptors.