Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 2, 2026
Differential Effects of Lipid-lowering Drugs in Modulating Morphology of Cholesterol Particles
Published on: November 10, 2017
Cholesterol and arterial distensibility in the first decade of life: a population-based study
C P Leeson1, P H Whincup, D G Cook
1Vascular Physiology Unit, Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, UK.
Insights
Childhood cholesterol levels, specifically LDL cholesterol, impact arterial distensibility, a marker of vascular health. These findings suggest early lipid profiles may influence future vascular disease development.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Vascular Biology
- Public Health
Background:
- Childhood lipid levels are not well understood in relation to coronary heart disease risk.
- Arterial distensibility, an early marker of atherosclerosis, is a key focus for assessing vascular function.
- Investigating lipid profiles and vascular function in children is crucial for early disease detection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the relationship between lipid profiles and arterial distensibility in children aged 9 to 11 years.
- To determine if childhood cholesterol levels are associated with early signs of vascular dysfunction.
- To assess the relevance of general population lipid levels during childhood for vascular disease development.
Main Methods:
- A population-based sample of 361 children (aged 9-11) from the UK participated.
- Arterial distensibility was measured noninvasively using ultrasound of the brachial arteries.
- The study analyzed the association between arterial distensibility and lipid profiles, including total cholesterol, LDL, and HDL.
Main Results:
- A significant inverse relationship was found between total cholesterol and arterial distensibility (P=0.003).
- Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and apolipoprotein B also showed significant inverse associations with arterial distensibility (P=0.005 and P=0.01, respectively).
- High-density lipoprotein (HDL) and triglyceride levels did not show a consistent association with arterial distensibility.
Conclusions:
- LDL cholesterol levels significantly impact arterial distensibility in children during their first decade of life.
- Functional arterial wall differences were observed within the normal range of lipid levels in children.
- Childhood cholesterol levels may be relevant to the early development of vascular disease, highlighting the importance of monitoring pediatric lipid profiles.
Background:
Blood cholesterol levels are a key determinant of coronary heart disease risk in adults, but the importance of lipid levels in the general population during childhood is less clear. We related arterial distensibility, a marker of vascular function known to be altered early in atherosclerosis, to the lipid profile of a population-based sample of children aged 9 to 11 years.
Methods And Results:
A noninvasive ultrasound technique was used to measure arterial distension during the cardiac cycle in the brachial arteries of 361 children from 4 towns in the United Kingdom. This measure was related to their pulse pressure to assess arterial distensibility. All the children had previously had a comprehensive assessment of cardiovascular risk including a full lipid profile, cotinine-assessed smoke exposure, serum glucose, and questionnaire data on socioeconomic and dietary factors. Mean total cholesterol in the population was 4.72 [SD 0.75] mmol/L. There was a significant, inverse relation between cholesterol and distension of the artery across this range (linear regression coefficient -11.8 microm. mmol(-1). L(-1), P=0.003). Similar relationships were demonstrated with LDL and apolipoprotein B (-12.9 microm. mmol(-1). L(-1), P=0. 005 and -36.9 microm/mmol/L, P=0.01). HDL and triglyceride levels showed no consistent association with distensibility.
Conclusions:
LDL cholesterol levels had an impact on arterial distensibility in the first decade of life. Furthermore, the functional differences in the arterial wall were demonstrated within the lipid range found in normal children, a finding that raises the possibility that cholesterol levels in the general population during childhood may already be relevant to the development of vascular disease.
Related Concept Videos
01:18Lipids: Dietary Sources and Requirements
01:29Cholesterol: Significance and Regulation
Considering cholesterol and...
01:30Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction
01:26Coronary Artery Disease II: Pathophysiology
01:30Atherosclerosis I: Introduction
01:27Atherosclerosis II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Tests