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Decrease of Lp(a) during weight reduction in obese children is modified by the apo(a) kringle-IV copy number

A Brandstätter1, A Lingenhel, K Zwiauer

  • 1Division of Genetic Epidemiology, Department of Medical Genetics, Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology, Innsbruck Medical University, Schöpfstrasse, Innsbruck, Austria.

International Journal of Obesity (2005)
|July 29, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Weight reduction significantly lowers lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] levels in obese children. This effect is influenced by apolipoprotein(a) [apo(a)] variations, particularly in those with high initial Lp(a) concentrations.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Cardiovascular Risk Factors
  • Metabolic Syndrome

Background:

  • Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is an independent cardiovascular disease risk factor.
  • Lp(a) levels are primarily determined by kringle-IV repeat copy number variation (CNV) in the apolipoprotein(a) [apo(a)] gene locus.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the immediate impact of weight reduction on plasma Lp(a) levels in obese children.
  • To determine if this effect is dependent on apo(a) CNV.

Main Methods:

  • A 3-week prospective longitudinal intervention study involving a low-fat hypocaloric diet in 140 obese children.
  • Measurements included body weight, BMI, plasma Lp(a), lipids, apolipoproteins, insulin, and C-reactive protein before and after the intervention.
  • Apo(a) kringle-IV repeat number was determined using gel electrophoresis.

Main Results:

  • Mean weight loss was 5.0 kg (6.6% reduction in relative BMI).
  • Plasma Lp(a) levels decreased by 19% (from 24.4 to 17.9 mg/dL, P<0.001).
  • Lp(a) reduction was more pronounced in individuals with low molecular weight apo(a) phenotypes compared to high.

Conclusions:

  • Weight reduction in obese children leads to significant decreases in Lp(a) levels.
  • The magnitude of Lp(a) reduction is influenced by the apo(a) molecular phenotype and baseline Lp(a) concentrations.
Abstract

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