Differences in the Metabolism of Postprandial Lipoproteins After a High-Monounsaturated-Fat Versus a High-Carbohydrate Diet in Patients With Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

There is little information comparing the effects of a high-monounsaturated (Mono)-fat versus a high-carbohydrate (CHO) diet in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus. In the present study, the effects of these diets on a number of metabolic parameters were compared. Seventeen normolipidemic, nonobese patients with type 1 diabetes were provided with the diets for 4 weeks each in a randomized, crossover design. The percentages of Mono fat of the two diets were 25 Mono versus 9 CHO, with a corresponding total fat content of 40% versus 24% and a total CHO content of 45% versus 61%. At the end of each dietary period, parameters of glycemic control, coagulation factors, and fasting and postprandial lipoproteins were assessed. There were no differences in weight, glycemia, insulin dose, fasting lipid profile, or coagulation factors between the two diets. However, the metabolism of postprandial lipoproteins after a fat load differed; viz, after the Mono diet compared with the CHO diet, mean plasma triglyceride levels over 10 hours were higher (P=.0025, by repeated-measures ANOVA). The levels of triglyceride (P=.0045) and retinyl esters (P=.0046) in chylomicrons (Sf >400) and chylomicron remnants (Sf 100 to 400) (P=.0047 and P=.043, respectively), and the total particle number (apolipoprotein B levels) in chylomicron remnants (P=.001) and small, very low density lipoprotein (Sf 20 to 100, P=.016) were also higher. Our data suggest that in patients with type 1 diabetes, a CHO diet might be preferable to a Mono diet, since adherence to the former results in a lower number of circulating postprandial lipoprotein particles that are potentially atherogenic. (Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 1998;18:773-782.)