Background: Palestinians exhibit a substantially greater prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease (CVD) incidence and CVD mortality in comparison to Israelis. In view of Palestinians' increased insulin resistance, known to be associated with an adverse lipoprotein profile, we aimed at showing lipoprotein variations between Palestinian and Israelis residing in Jerusalem.
Methods: The study included, 968 Palestinians and 707 Israelis, ages 25-74 years, who underwent fasting and 2h post oral challenge plasma glucose determinations. We evaluated metabolic risk by measuring sub-populations of VLDL, LDL and HDL particles, using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic analysis.
Results: Palestinians exhibit higher levels of very large VLDL including chylomicrons, in comparison to their Israeli counterparts, whereas levels of medium and small VLDL were similar between the two populations. Small oxidized LDL levels were higher among Palestinians while intermediate and large LDL were similar between the two groups. Levels of large HDL were higher among Israelis while levels of medium and small HDL were similar between the two populations. Small oxidized LDL levels were higher among Palestinians in comparison to Israeli participants. Levels of large HDL were higher among Israelis in comparison to Palestinians. Limiting the analysis to young participants with normal glucose tolerance, showed greater levels of large VLDL including chylomicrons, medium and small VLDL and oxidized LDL in Palestinians.
Conclusions: Palestinians, including healthy young participants, exhibit an adverse pro-atherogenic lipid profile compared to Israelis. These findings may explain the increased CVD morbidity and mortality observed in Palestinians.