Related Experiment Videos
Plasma lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase activity and plasma lipoprotein composition and concentrations in
M A Dhansay1, A J Benadé, P R Donald
1Research Institute for Nutritional Diseases, South African Medical Research Council, Tygerberg.
Insights
Children with kwashiorkor have reduced lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) activity, impacting lipoprotein composition and cholesterol ester levels. Treatment improves LCAT activity and normalizes lipoprotein profiles.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Lipid Metabolism
Background:
- Kwashiorkor, a severe form of malnutrition, is associated with significant metabolic disturbances.
- Lipoprotein metabolism plays a crucial role in lipid transport and cardiovascular health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate plasma lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) activity, lipoprotein composition, and concentrations in children with kwashiorkor.
- To assess the impact of kwashiorkor and its treatment on these parameters.
Main Methods:
- Measurements of plasma LCAT activity, total cholesterol, cholesterol ester, and lipoprotein composition (VLDL, IDL, LDL, HDL).
- Analysis of apolipoprotein A-I (apo A-I) and apolipoprotein B (apo B) concentrations.
- Longitudinal study design with measurements at baseline (day 1), during treatment (day 10), and post-treatment (day 30).
Main Results:
- Significantly decreased LCAT activity was observed on day 1 of kwashiorkor compared to days 10 and 30.
- Plasma total cholesterol, cholesterol esters, and lipoprotein cholesterol esters were reduced in kwashiorkor.
- Abnormal HDL composition and reduced LDL particle number, depleted of cholesterol esters, were noted in kwashiorkor.
Conclusions:
- Reduced plasma LCAT activity is a key factor contributing to abnormal lipoprotein composition and concentrations in children with kwashiorkor.
- Treatment of kwashiorkor leads to improvements in LCAT activity and normalization of lipoprotein profiles.
- These findings highlight the critical role of LCAT in managing lipid abnormalities associated with severe malnutrition.
Abstract:
Plasma lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) activity, lipoprotein composition, and lipoprotein concentrations were measured in 21 children with kwashiorkor before (day 1), during (day 10), and after treatment (day 30). Day 1 LCAT activity (78.2 mumol.L-1.h-1) was decreased with respect to day 10 (139.2 mumol.L-1.h-1, P less than 0.001) and day 30 (108.0 mumol.L-1.h-1, P = 0.08). Plasma total cholesterol (TC), cholesterol ester (CE), and lipoprotein CEs (VLDL, IDL, LDL, and HDL) were reduced relative to days 10 and 30 (P less than 0.001). Before treatment HDL composition was abnormal. On days 1, 10, and 30, the respective mean HDL-apolipoprotein A-I (apo A-I) concentrations were 23.33, 39.66, and 36.08 mumol/L. LDL-apo B concentrations were 0.40, 0.68, and 0.56 mumol/L (P less than 0.01, days 10 and 30 vs day 1). LDL particles on day 1 were decreased in number, depleted of CE, and laden with triacylglycerol and surface lipids. LCAT activity on day 1 correlated with LDL-CE linoleate (P less than 0.05, r = 0.48). Reduced plasma LCAT activity is an important factor related to abnormalities in lipoprotein composition and concentrations.