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LDL particle size, fat distribution and insulin resistance in obese children
M Miyashita1, T Okada, Y Kuromori
1Department of Pediatrics, Nihon University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
Insights
Obese children show a high prevalence of small dense low-density lipoprotein (sdLDL) cholesterol. This sdLDL is linked to increased abdominal fat, higher triglycerides, and lower HDL cholesterol, indicating a potential risk for metabolic syndrome.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Cardiovascular Health
- Metabolic Disorders
Background:
- Small dense low-density lipoprotein (sdLDL) cholesterol is a known risk factor for coronary heart disease.
- Body fat accumulation, particularly abdominal adiposity, influences sdLDL levels in adults.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of sdLDL in obese children.
- To investigate the relationship between sdLDL and anthropometric/metabolic variables in this population.
Main Methods:
- Studied 30 obese children (aged 12.6 years).
- Determined LDL peak particle diameter using gel electrophoresis, classifying into sdLDL (pattern B) and non-sdLDL (pattern A).
- Assessed anthropometric and metabolic variables to identify factors influencing LDL particle size.
Main Results:
- sdLDL was present in 40% of obese children.
- Children with sdLDL had higher waist-to-height ratios, elevated triglyceride levels, and lower HDL cholesterol.
- Body mass index and waist-to-height ratio were significant determinants of peak LDL diameter.
Conclusions:
- Obese children exhibit a high prevalence of sdLDL.
- Peak LDL diameter is associated with abdominal obesity, triglyceride, and HDL cholesterol levels.
- sdLDL may be a significant risk factor for metabolic syndrome in obese children.
Background:
The importance of small dense low-density lipoprotein (sdLDL) cholesterol in coronary heart disease has been demonstrated in many studies. Body fat accumulation, especially abdominal adiposity, is one of the important factors modifying the expression of sdLDL in adults.
Objective:
To determine the prevalence of sdLDL in obese children, and to investigate its relationship with anthropometric and metabolic variables.
Subjects:
A total of 30 obese children (22 males, 8 females) aged 12.6+/-0.6 years (mean+/-s.e.), who presented to our outpatient clinic with obesity.
Methods:
LDL peak particle diameter was determined using gel electrophoresis. LDL subclasses were classified into sdLDL (pattern B; diameter<25.5 nm) and non-sdLDL (pattern A; diameter>or=25.5 nm). Anthropometric and metabolic variables were also determined to identify factors modifying LDL particle size.
Results:
sdLDL was detected in 11 children (40.0%). In children with sdLDL, waist/height ratio was significantly higher (P=0.0466), and they had significantly higher triglyceride (TG) (P=0.0035) and lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC) levels (P=0.036). Peak LDL diameter as a continuous variable was significantly correlated with HDLC and TG levels. In multiple regression analysis, body mass index and waist/height ratio were significant determinants of the peak LDL diameter variability.
Conclusions:
We found a high prevalence of sdLDL in obese children, and a relationship of peak LDL diameter with abdominal fat accumulation, HDLC and TG levels. The presence of sdLDL might be an important risk factor for the metabolic syndrome.
