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A High-Throughput Luciferase Assay to Evaluate Proteolysis of the Single-Turnover Protease PCSK9
Published on: August 28, 2018
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Calorically restricted diets decrease PCSK9 in overweight adolescents
A E Levenson1, C E Milliren2, S B Biddinger1
1Division of Endocrinology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
Nutrition, Metabolism, and Cardiovascular Diseases : NMCD
|February 24, 2017
Summary
Intensive nutrition therapy significantly lowered proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin type 9 (PCSK9) in overweight youth. This reduction was linked to improved insulin sensitivity, not just weight loss.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Nutritional Science
- Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors
Background:
- Nutritional therapy is primary for childhood hyperlipidemia.
- Proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin type 9 (PCSK9) regulates cholesterol and is a pharmacotherapy target.
- Investigating PCSK9 response to nutritional intervention in at-risk youth.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the impact of an intensive nutritional intervention on PCSK9 levels in overweight adolescents with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors.
Main Methods:
- Twenty-seven overweight/obese adolescents with CVD risk factors participated.
- Intervention included an 8-week intensive phase (low-fat or low-glycemic load diet, home-delivered meals, weekly counseling) followed by a 4-month maintenance phase.
- Measurements included anthropometrics, labs, and serum PCSK9 at baseline, 8 weeks, and 6 months.
Main Results:
- Serum PCSK9 levels decreased by 16.5% at 8 weeks (p < 0.001).
- PCSK9 levels reverted to baseline by 6 months post-intervention.
- PCSK9 changes correlated with changes in fasting insulin and HOMA-IR, independent of weight loss.
Conclusions:
- Intensive dietary intervention effectively reduced PCSK9 levels in adolescents.
- The association between PCSK9 changes and HOMA-IR suggests a link with insulin sensitivity.
- Findings highlight the role of diet in modulating PCSK9 beyond weight management in youth.
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