Apolipoprotein B48: a novel marker of metabolic risk in overweight children?

Clinical studies in adults indicate there is a positive and significant association between insulin resistance, dyslipidaemia, fasting intestinally derived lipoproteins [via apoB48 (apolipoprotein B48)] and visceral fat. All of these factors contribute to increased risk of CVD (cardiovascular disease). Since little is known about postprandial dyslipidaemia in overweight children, we sought to compare fasting levels of apoB48 with the HOMA-IR (homoeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance) score, classic lipid profile and VAT (visceral adipose tissue). Pre-pubertal, overweight boys and girls were recruited from the wider-Edmonton area (Alberta). Body composition was determined using both dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging). Fasting apoB48 was quantified in plasma using an adapted SDS/PAGE immunoblotting technique, and insulin, glucose, TC (total cholesterol), TAG (triacylglycerol), LDL (low-density lipoprotein) and HDL (high-density lipoprotein) were determined by calorimetric assay. In this overweight sample, we observed elevated fasting apoB48 concentrations, greater than the normal adult range. In addition, apoB48 was significantly related to HOMA-IR and TAG levels. Although apoB48 was positively correlated with TC and LDL and negatively associated with HDL, these relationships did not achieve significance. Our ongoing MRI analysis reveals a positive relationship between apoB48 and VAT volume. To our knowledge, this is the first study to report apoB48 concentrations in overweight pre-pubertal children. Thus this article will provide a brief rationale for our study and its methodology.