Significance of plasma total cholesterol-VLDL cholesterol ratio (TC/VLDLC) in Type-2 diabetes mellitus

Dyslipidemia is a significant predisposing factor of diabetes mellitus induced cardio vascular complications in Type-2 Diabetes mellitus (T2DM) subjects. Triacylglycerols and Cholesterol along with phospholipids forms the basic components of tissue lipids and alterations either in their formation or in their composition leads to dyslipidemia. VLDL transports most of the endogenous triacylglyerols. This study was undertaken to assess the significance of plasma total cholesterol- VLDLC ratio (TC/VLDLC) in assessing dyslipidemic status of T2DM subjects as well as to compare the utility of this ratio with known cardio vascular disease markers like Atherogenic Coefficient and Atherogenic Index of Plasma. T-2DM subjects in the age group of 35-65 years attending Medicine OPD, Subbaiah Medical College Hospital and Research center, Shivamogga for routine check-up were randomly selected. A fasting heparinised blood sample was collected from normal control subjects as well as T-2DM subjects. The samples were centrifuged, separated plasma employed for estimation of Total Cholesterol, Triacylglycerol, HDL-Cholesterol and fasting glucose levels. VLDL Cholesterol, Atherogenic Coefficient (AC), Atherogenic Index of Plasma (AIP) and TC/VLDLC ratio calculated. A significant raise(p<0.001) is observed in levels of fasting glucose, TC,TAG, VLDLC, AC, and AIP in T2DM subjects as compared to normal control subjects where as a significant fall is seen in the calculated values of TC/VLDLC ratio. Hence it can be concluded that along with AC and AIP the TC/VLDLC ratio is a valuable additional marker of diabetes induced dyslipidemia suggesting its clinical utility in assessing and prevention of dyslipidemia induced cardio vascular complications in T2DM subjects.