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Circulating PCSK9 levels correlate with the serum LDL cholesterol level in newborn infants

Shunsuke Araki1, Shutaro Suga1, Fuyu Miyake1

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan; Center of Maternal, Fetal and Neonatal Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health Hospital, Kitakyushu, Japan.

Early Human Development
|August 19, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Neonatal serum PCSK9 levels differ by gender and correlate with LDL-C. This suggests Protein convertase subtilisin/Kexin type-9 (PCSK9) influences fetal lipoprotein regulation.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal physiology
  • Lipid metabolism
  • Endocrinology

Background:

  • Protein convertase subtilisin/Kexin type-9 (PCSK9) is crucial in lipoprotein metabolism.
  • Its role during the fetal period remains largely uncharacterized.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of PCSK9 in regulating lipoproteins during fetal development.
  • To quantify neonatal serum PCSK9 levels and their associations.

Main Methods:

  • Cross-sectional study of 81 neonates.
  • Serum PCSK9 levels measured using ELISA kits.
  • Analysis of correlations with cholesterol, birth weight, and gestational age.

Main Results:

  • Median PCSK9 concentration was lower in males than females (p<0.001).
  • PCSK9 levels positively correlated with total cholesterol and LDL-C (p<0.05).
  • PCSK9 and gestational age independently predicted serum LDL-C.

Conclusions:

  • First quantitative analysis of neonatal serum PCSK9.
  • Circulating PCSK9 levels exhibit gender-based differences at birth.
  • PCSK9 may play a significant role in fetal LDL-C regulation.
Abstract

Keywords:
LDL-CPCSK9metabolic syndromenewborn infantssmall-for-gestational age

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