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Birth weight and its relationship with endothelial function and pattern of endothelium-derived microparticles during
Giovanna Pachele Parizotto1, Livia Victorino de Souza2, Fernanda Thomazini3
1Physiology Department, School of Medicine, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Insights
Children with low birth weight (LBW) have higher levels of specific endothelium-derived microparticles (EMPs). LBW and elevated LDL-C are risk factors for microvascular endothelial dysfunction in children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Vascular Biology
- Neonatology
Background:
- Endothelium-derived microparticles (EMPs) are cell-free vesicles released from endothelial cells.
- Specific EMP phenotypes may reflect endothelial health and function.
- Birth weight is a critical factor influencing long-term child health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between specific EMP phenotypes and birth weight in children.
- To determine if EMP levels correlate with microvascular endothelial function.
- To identify risk factors for endothelial dysfunction in children.
Main Methods:
- Recruitment of 95 children aged 6-14 years.
- Measurements included anthropometry, blood pressure, and microvascular endothelial function.
- Flow cytometry was used to quantify CD144+, CD31+/annexin V+, and CD62E+ EMPs.
Main Results:
- Circulating CD31+/annexin V+ EMPs and CD144+ EMP levels correlated with birth weight, blood pressure, endothelial function, and lipid profiles.
- Low birth weight (LBW) and elevated LDL-C were associated with increased CD31+/annexin V+ and CD144+ EMPs.
- LBW and high LDL-C were independent predictors of microvascular endothelial dysfunction.
Conclusions:
- Children with LBW exhibit higher levels of circulating CD31+/annexin V+ and CD144+ EMPs.
- LBW, elevated CD31+/annexin V+ EMPs, and high LDL-C are significant risk factors for microvascular endothelial dysfunction.
- These findings highlight the long-term impact of birth weight on vascular health in children.
Aims:
To investigate whether a specific endothelium-derived microparticles (EMPs) phenotype could be associated with birth weight and microvascular endothelial function in children.
Materials And Methods:
A total of 95 children aged 6-14 years were recruited. Anthropometric measurements, blood pressure measurement, microvascular endothelial function testing, and biochemical profile analyses were performed. Standardized flow cytometry methods were used to identify and quantify the circulating CD144+, CD31+/annexin V+, and CD62E+ EMPs.
Key Findings:
The circulating number of CD31+/annexin V+ EMPs and CD144+ EMP levels were correlated with birth weight, systolic blood pressure, microvascular endothelial function, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) level. In the multivariable logistic regression models, we identified strong evidence of a higher risk of microvascular endothelial dysfunction among children with low birth weight (LBW) and increased levels of both CD31+/annexin V+ EMPs and LDL-C; LBW and elevated LDL-C levels were independent predictors of high circulating numbers of CD31+/annexin V+ and CD144+ > 75th percentile EMPs.
Significance:
Our data provide evidence that children with LBW values showed greater numbers of circulating CD31+/annexin V+ and CD144+ EMPs. In addition, LBW and high levels of CD31+/annexin V+ and LDL-C were significant risk factors for the presence of microvascular endothelial dysfunction.
