Preheparin lipoprotein lipase mass is a practical marker of insulin resistance in ambulatory type 2 diabetic patients treated with oral hypoglycemic agents

Abstract Background Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) is a key enzyme in the metabolism of triglyceride (TG)-rich lipoproteins. LPL in the preheparin serum (Pr-LPL) mass reflects the insulin sensitivity of diabetic patients (DM) receiving neither insulin nor hypoglycemic agents. Methods To determine whether Pr-LPL mass is a marker of insulin resistance in ambulatory type 2 DM receiving oral hypoglycemic agents, we measured Pr-LPL mass using an enzyme immunoassay in 107 ambulatory DM aged 64.9 ± 11.5 y. Results Pr-LPL mass was inversely correlated with the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (− 0.363, p p p p Conclusions Pr-LPL mass is a marker of insulin resistance in ambulatory type 2 DM receiving oral hypoglycemic agents, and Pr-LPL mass is stable during the daytime. Therefore, Pr-LPL mass may be more useful than HOMA-IR at diabetes clinics, especially for patients in the postprandial state.