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Serum apolipoproteins and lipoprotein (a) during the first week of life
Insights
Newborns have lower lipid and lipoprotein levels than adults, with significant changes in apolipoprotein B and E within the first week. These shifts reflect the developing infant lipid transport system.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal physiology
- Lipid metabolism
- Cardiovascular health
Background:
- Cord serum lipid and lipoprotein concentrations are crucial indicators of neonatal metabolic status.
- Understanding early-life changes in apolipoproteins is essential for assessing long-term cardiovascular risk.
- Lipoprotein profiles in newborns differ significantly from adults, necessitating detailed investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify and compare lipid and lipoprotein levels in term newborns at birth and on day five with adult levels.
- To investigate the dynamic changes in apolipoproteins (A-I, A-II, B, E) and lipoprotein (a) during the first week of life.
- To explore correlations between neonatal and early postnatal lipid parameters.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of apolipoproteins (A-I, A-II, B, E), lipoprotein (a), total cholesterol, and triglycerides in cord and day-five serum from 44 newborns.
- Comparison of neonatal serum data with samples from 26 healthy adults.
- Estimation of cord serum lipoproteins.
Main Results:
- Newborns exhibited lower concentrations of lipids and lipoproteins, including lipoprotein (a), compared to adults.
- Apolipoproteins A-I, A-II, and B were significantly lower at birth, while apolipoprotein E levels were comparable to adults.
- Apolipoprotein B levels more than doubled by day five, with moderate increases in A-I and slight rises in E; lipoprotein (a) and A-II remained stable.
- Postnatal levels of apolipoproteins B and E at day five correlated with their respective cord serum levels.
Conclusions:
- Neonatal lipid and lipoprotein profiles are distinct from adult levels, with significant postnatal maturation occurring within the first week.
- The observed changes in apolipoprotein patterns suggest the evolving lipid transport system in newborns, influenced by fat utilization and hormonal factors.
- Early-life lipid profiles provide insights into neonatal adaptation and may have implications for future metabolic health.
Abstract:
The levels of apolipoproteins, A-I, A-II, B and E, lipoprotein (a) and of total cholesterol and triglycerides were determined in cord serum and in capillary serum at the fifth day of life in a group of 44 term newborns. Additionally, cord serum lipoproteins were estimated. Sera from 26 healthy adults were studied for comparison. The concentrations of lipids and lipoproteins in cord serum were diminished as compared to adult levels. The occurrence of lipoprotein (a) in cord serum in concentrations significantly lower than in adults could be established. Serum apolipoproteins A-I, A-II and B were significantly lower at birth than in the adult, whereas apolipoprotein E levels did not differ from adult concentrations. During the first five days apolipoprotein B levels more than doubled, apolipoprotein A-I increased moderately and apolipoprotein E rose slightly. In contrast, serum lipoprotein (a) and apolipoprotein A-II did not change significantly. Unlike serum cholesterol, the levels of apolipoproteins B and E at day five were significantly correlated to those measured at birth in the same infants. The changes of the apolipoprotein pattern during the first week of life reflect the evolution of the lipid transport system of the newborn and may be related to the increasing utilisation of fat and to hormonal factors.
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