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Apolipoprotein E/intrauterine undernutrition interaction and hypercholesterolemia in children

P Szitányi1, H Pistulková, J A Hubáček

  • 1Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, General Teaching Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic. szitanyi@yahoo.com

Physiological Research
|December 7, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Low birth weight and apolipoprotein E (Apo E) gene variations synergistically increase childhood hypercholesterolemia risk. Intrauterine undernutrition, indicated by low birth weight, contributes to cardiovascular risk factors.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Genetics
  • Cardiovascular Health

Background:

  • Intrauterine programming influences cardiovascular risk factors, but its interplay with genetics and lifestyle is complex.
  • Genetic predisposition and environmental factors like birth weight may modify the impact of early life exposures on later health.
  • Apolipoprotein E (Apo E) gene polymorphism is a known factor in lipid metabolism and cardiovascular disease.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the combined roles of low birth weight and apolipoprotein E (Apo E) gene polymorphism in the development of hypercholesterolemia in children.
  • To determine if genetic susceptibility influences the effects of intrauterine programming on cardiovascular risk.
  • To analyze the association between birth weight, Apo E genotype, and cholesterol levels in pediatric cohorts.

Main Methods:

  • Selection of two pediatric groups: high-cholesterol group (HCG) and low-cholesterol control group (LCG).
  • Comparison of birth weight and Apo E gene polymorphism frequencies between and within HCG and LCG.
  • Stratification of participants into tertiles based on birth weight to assess gene-environment interactions.

Main Results:

  • Children in the HCG exhibited significantly lower birth weight (0.3 kg less) compared to the LCG (p<0.001).
  • The frequency of the ApoE4 allele was substantially higher in the HCG (31%) than in the LCG (10%).
  • No significant difference in ApoE4+ genotypes was observed across birth weight tertiles within the HCG, suggesting a synergistic effect.

Conclusions:

  • Low birth weight, indicative of intrauterine undernutrition, is implicated in the early onset of hypercholesterolemia.
  • Apolipoprotein E gene polymorphism acts synergistically with low birth weight to promote childhood hypercholesterolemia.
  • These findings highlight the critical role of early life factors and genetic predisposition in cardiovascular risk development.

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