Lipidic Classes Involved in Diabetes Mellitus, Review

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder of multiple etiology, characterized by an increase in blood sugar concentration (hyperglycemia) and impaired glucose metabolism either as a result of decreased insulin secretion or due to decreased cells sensitivity to insulin. It is classified into two broad categories that do not concern the type of treatment or age but the etiology: Type 1 diabetes (autoimmune, idiopathic) is a disorder in which pancreas does not produce enough insulin. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (disorders of insulin secretion or action) is characterized by a disturbance in the action of insulin (insulin resistance) although the pancreas may produce increased amounts of insulin. Dyslipidemia is one of the main cardiovascular risk factors in diabetic patients. These patients show a specific dyslipidemic profile which is characterized by elevated triglyceride levels, normal or mildly elevated Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL-C) cholesterol levels and low High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL-C) cholesterol levels. This review presents the main classes of lipids involved in the pathogenesis of Diabetes mellitus, which are triglycerides, phospholipids, and steroids.