Relationship of Apolipoproteins with Subclinical Cardiovascular Risk in Youth

To examine the association of apolipoproteins with arterial stiffness and carotid artery structure in children and adolescents.

A total of 338 children and adolescents (178 female) with a mean age 13.0 ± 2.8 years were examined. Apolipoproteins (AI, AII, B₁₀₀, CII, CIII, and E) were measured via human apolipoprotein magnetic bead panel. Applanation tonometry determined pulse wave velocity and ultrasound imaging measured carotid intima-media thickness. Dual X-ray absorptiometry measured total body fat percent. Linear regression models were adjusted for Tanner stage, sex, and race with further adjustments for body fat percent. Linear regression models also examined the interaction between Tanner stage and apolipoproteins.

There was a significant positive association between pulse wave velocity and apolipoproteins: AI (0.015 m/s/10 μg/mL [CI 0.005-0.026], P = .003), AII (0.036 m/s/10 μg/mL [0.017-0.056], P < .001), B₁₀₀ (0.009 m/s/10 μg/mL [0.002-0.016], P = .012), E (0.158 m/s/10 μg/mL [0.080-0.235], P < .001), and CIII:CII (0.033/μg/mL [0.014-0.052], P < .001). After we added body fat percent to the models, pulse wave velocity (PWV) remained positively associated with greater levels of apolipoproteins: AI, AII, B₁₀₀, E, and CIII:CII. Both with and without the adjustment for body fat percent, there were no significant associations between any apolipoprotein and carotid intima-media thickness. There were no significant interactions between Tanner stage and apolipoproteins.

These findings suggest that greater levels of apolipoprotein AII, E, and CIII:CII are associated with increased arterial stiffness in children and adolescents, both with and without adjusting for percent body fat. These specific apolipoproteins may be useful as biomarkers of cardiovascular risk.