Objective: The aim of present study was to investigate the effects of lipoprotein(a) levels on the activity of paraoxonase which prevents development of atherosclerosis in type 2 NIDDM patients with and without complications.

Materials and Methods: The patients were divided into two groups, with and without complications. The groups consisted of from patients without complications (n=17) 16 patients with complications and control group was consisted of 20 male subjects. Lp(a) levels and PON 1 concentrations and activity were determined in all three groups.

Results: Serum Lp(a) levels were significantly higher and PON 1 activity was significantly lower (p<0.05) in the group of NIDDM patients with complications. In the patients, both with and without complications, we found a statistically insignificant moderately weak correlation between Lp(a) and PON activity. Absence of strong correlation between serum Lp(a) and PON activity levels in diabetic patients indicates that Lp(a) is suspected to be responsible for diabetic atherogenesis.

Conclusions: Thus, diabetes should be kept under control and the complications of diabetes must be prevented. Increased glycosylation of PON which is responsible for primary defence against organophosphates is probably the main reason for sensitivity of diabetic patients against poisoning with organic phosphate containing compounds.