HDL particle subspecies and their association with incident type 2 diabetes: the PREVEND study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS High-density lipoproteins (HDL) may be protective against type 2 diabetes (T2D) development, but HDL particles vary in size and function which could lead to differential associations with incident T2D. A newly developed nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-derived algorithm provides concentrations for seven HDL subspecies. We aimed to investigate the association of HDL particle subspecies with incident T2D in the general population. MATERIALS AND METHODS Among 4828 subjects of the Prevention of Renal and Vascular End-Stage Disease (PREVEND) study without T2D at baseline. HDL subspecies with increasing size from H1P to H7P were measured by NMR (LP4 algorithm of the Vantera NMR platform). RESULTS 265 individuals developed T2D (median follow-up of 7.3 years). In Cox regression models, HDL size and H4P [HR per 1 SD increase 0.83 (95% CI, 0.69-0.99) and 0.85 (95% CI, 0.75-0.95), respectively] were inversely associated with incident T2D, after adjustment for relevant covariates. Oppositely, levels of H2P were positively associated with incident T2D (HR 1.15 (95% CI, 1.01-1.32)). In secondary analyses, associations with large HDL particles and H6P were modified by BMI in such a way that they were particularly associated with a lower risk of incident T2D, in subjects with BMI < 30 kg/m 2. CONCLUSION Greater HDL size and lower levels of H4P were associated with a lower risk, whereas higher levels of H2P were associated with a higher risk of developing T2D. In addition, large HDL particles and H6P were inversely associated with T2D in non-obese subjects.