23-LB: Lipoprotein Subfractions Are Associated with Diabetic Cardiovascular Disease and Death among 9,795 Patients in the FIELD Trial

Background: The FIELD study, a 5-year randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial of fenofibrate vs. placebo in 9,795 adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D), was designed to evaluate effects on coronary and cardiovascular (CV) events. In this analysis we explored associations between lipoprotein subfractions and on-study CV events and death. Methods: We performed ultracentrifugation using the vertical auto profile (VAP, Atherotech) on plasma at baseline and after 6 weeks of fenofibrate (active run-in) exposure. Analyses were performed using Cox proportional hazards and logistic regression analysis. Results were adjusted for gender, with log transformation as necessary. Results: Total CVD and CV death correlated negatively with HDL-C and its subfractions, as well as apoA1 and apoA2. In addition to LDL-C, small, dense LDL (LDL4-C), non-HDL-C, apo B, triglycerides, and apoC3 increased risk for total CVD. For CVD death, HDL-C and its subfractions were protective, while apo B, triglycerides, apo C3, and various VLDL-C species were associated with increased risk. Conclusions: Detailed lipoprotein analysis identifies multiple lipoprotein subclasses and apolipoproteins and their ratios associated with acute cardiovascular events and death. Serum levels of a number of these lipoprotein and apoprotein species were improved by fenofibrate therapy.