Interaction of lipoprotein lipase polymorphisms with body mass index and birth weight to modulate lipid profiles in children and adolescents: the CASPIAN-III Study

Sports participation plays a relevant role in the relationship between birth weight and bone mineral content in adolescents

The Developmental Origins of Health and Disease hypothesis (DOHaD) proposes that growth during the prenatal period might play a critical role in health, affecting the development of diseases, such as osteoporosis. Bone health is particularly affected by human behaviors when sports participation constitutes the main manifestation of physical exercise. The aim of this study is to analyze the relationship between birth weight (BW) and bone mineral content (BMC) among adolescents, as well as to identify if sports participation and maturity can affect this relationship. The sample was composed of adolescents with ages ranging from 11 to 18 years, stratified according to normal birth weight (n = 331), low birth weight (n = 36), and macrosomia (n = 47), extracted from a wider cross-sectional study (ABCD Growth Study). BW was self-reported by the adolescent's parent. Sports participation was assessed by face-to-face interview. BMC was assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. In the multivariate models, the relationships between BW and BMC remained non-significant, while sports participation was significantly related to BMC on lower limbs among boys (r = 0.154; p value = .001) and BMC of upper limbs among girls (r = 0.124; p value = .044). APHV was related to BMC of upper limbs among boys (r = 0.137; p value = .001). In conclusion, BMC was not affected by BW, while this phenomenon seems to be significantly affected by the positive impact of sports participation and maturation on it.

The Association of Adipokines and Myokines in the Blood of Obese Children and Adolescents with Lipoprotein Lipase rs328 Gene Variants

Obesity develops largely due to genetic factors, with the genetic polymorphism of lipid metabolism enzymes being of particular importance. However, it is still unclear how the genetic variants of one of the key enzymes in lipid transport, lipoprotein lipase (LPL), are associated with the endocrine function of mesenchymal tissues in obesity. The current study was aimed at the investigation of the LPL rs328 gene variant association with adipokines and myokines levels, as well as lipid metabolism indices in the blood of children and adolescents of both genders with obesity. We found that LPL polymorphism rs328 is not characterized by the differences in the levels of hormones, adipokines, and myokines and in the blood of healthy children and adolescents; however, it significantly affects these indices during obesity in gender-dependent manner. The shifts in hormones, adipokines, and myokines manifest mostly in the obese individuals with Ser447Ser genotype rather than with 447Ter genotype. Obese boys homozygous for Ser447Ser have more elevated leptin levels than girls. They also demonstrate lower adiponectin, apelin, prolactin, and osteocrine levels than those in obese girls with the same genotype. The gender-based differences are less pronounced in individuals with 447Ter genotype than in the homozygotes for 447Ser. Thus, we conclude that the polymorphism rs328 of the lipoprotein lipase gene is accompanied by the changes in hormones, adipokines, and myokines levels in the blood of children and adolescents with obesity in gender-dependent manner.

Lipid profile of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia during L-asparaginase treatment

Background

L-asparaginase is valuable in treating pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), yet its use has been associated with lipid profile disturbances.

Methods

We compared the lipid profile [high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, total cholesterol, triglycerides, apolipoprotein-α1 (Apo-Α1), apolipoprotein-B100 (Αpo-B100), lipoprotein-α (Lp-α), glucose, amylase, and lipase] between newly diagnosed ALL patients, ALL survivors, and healthy controls. We also assessed alterations of the parameters mentioned earlier during induction and consolidation treatment.

Results

We recorded significant differences in the lipid profile at diagnosis of children with ALL compared to controls (HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, Apo-A1, and Apo-B100 levels). HDL cholesterol, total cholesterol, and Apo-Α1 levels increased significantly during induction at most time points. Levels of Αpo-B100, triglycerides, and Lp-α exhibited a downward trend. During re-induction, no change was observed. During the treatment of high-risk patients, we found no statistically significant difference for any of the examined variables.

Conclusion

To confirm our preliminary results, the role of the administration of L-asparaginase and other medications in the variations in the lipid profile at diagnosis of children with ALL needs to be further elucidated with larger multicentre studies, including more patients from diverse ethnic backgrounds. HIPPOKRATIA 2023, 27 (2):41-47.

"GENYAL" Study to Childhood Obesity Prevention: Methodology and Preliminary Results

Objective

This article describes the methodology and summarizes some preliminary results of the GENYAL study aiming to design and validate a predictive model, considering both environmental and genetic factors, that identifies children who would benefit most from actions aimed at reducing the risk of obesity and its complications.

Design

The study is a cluster randomized clinical trial with 5-year follow-up. The initial evaluation was carried out in 2017. The schools were randomly split into intervention (nutritional education) and control schools. Anthropometric measurements, social and health as well as dietary and physical activity data of schoolchildren and their families are annually collected. A total of 26 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were assessed. Machine Learning models are being designed to predict obesity phenotypes after the 5-year follow-up.

Settings

Six schools in Madrid.

Participants

A total of 221 schoolchildren (6-8 years old).

Results

Collected results show that the prevalence of excess weight was 19.0, 25.4, and 32.2% (according to World Health Organization, International Obesity Task Force and Orbegozo Foundation criteria, respectively). Associations between the nutritional state of children with mother BMI [β = 0.21 (0.13-0.3), p (adjusted) <0.001], geographical location of the school [OR = 2.74 (1.24-6.22), p (adjusted) = 0.06], dairy servings per day [OR = 0.48 (0.29-0.75), p (adjusted) = 0.05] and 8 SNPs [rs1260326, rs780094, rs10913469, rs328, rs7647305, rs3101336, rs2568958, rs925946; p (not adjusted) <0.05] were found.

Conclusions

These baseline data support the evidence that environmental and genetic factors play a role in the development of childhood obesity. After 5-year follow-up, the GENYAL study pretends to validate the predictive model as a new strategy to fight against obesity.

Clinical Trial Registration

This study has been registered in ClinicalTrials.gov with the identifier NCT03419520, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03419520.

Fostering disaster mitigation through community participation- case of Kochi residents following the Kerala floods of 2018 and 2019

Community participation has grown in prominence in mitigating disasters globally. It involves the active involvement in search and rescue to reconstruction that people affected by disasters undertake unsolicited. Predictive power in disaster recovery has further increased its relevance. However, quantitative analysis that community participation has on disaster mitigation measures is scant. The study analyses community participation's impact on disaster mitigation measures following the Kochi flood of 2018 and 2019 in India. We use a Multivariate Probit Regression model with a sample size of 750 to analyse the relationship between disaster mitigation measures (namely, disaster event planning, previous experience, following disaster-related news closely, and neighbourhood relationship) and community participation. The results show participants who were active in community events were 23% more likely to adopt all the disaster mitigation measures than those who did not. In addition, households with special needs members were more likely to be prepared for an unanticipated event. The results also showed higher education levels directly correlated to implementing more significant disaster mitigation measures. Implications for government policy formation include schemes to enhance community rehabilitation and promote social participation to mitigate future disaster events.

Associations of the LPL S447X and Hind III Polymorphism with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Risk: A Meta-Analysis

The present study was aimed to evaluate the association of lipoprotein lipase (LPL) gene (S447X and Hind III) polymorphisms and T2DM. Relevant studies were identified through systematic search PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, Wanfang, CNKI databases. A total of 22 studies (8 studies for LPL S447X and 14 studies for Hind III) were included. The results showed that the LPL S447X polymorphism was associated with the low risk of T2DM under dominant and allelic genetic models. Subgroup analysis by ethnicity showed that the LPL S447X polymorphism was associated with a decreased risk of T2DM in the Asian population (under dominant, heterozygous and allelic genetic models). In addition, we found that X allele carriers of S447X polymorphism is associated with low levels of TC, TG, and LDL. In subgroup analysis, Hind III polymorphism was associated with low risk of T2DM in Asian populations (under dominant, heterozygote, allele genetic models). Moreover, the carriers of H allele of Hind III have lower levels of TG, and higher levels of HDL-C. This meta-analysis demonstrated that 447X carriers and H allele in LPL gene associated with low risk of T2DM, which may due to in part to the change of serum level of TC, TG, LDL, and HDL.

Sports participation and adiposity do not mediate the relationship between birth weight and arterial thickness in adolescents: ABCD Growth Study

OBJECTIVE

To analyse the relationship of altered birth weight with metabolic and cardiovascular outcomes among adolescents, as well as to identify if sports participation is able to attenuate or even eliminate the impact of birth weight on health outcomes.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study (Analysis of Behaviours of Children During Growth [ABCD Growth Study]). Adolescents with age ranging from 11 to 18 years old (14.7±2.1) stratified according to normal (n = 230) and altered (n = 35) birth weight composed the sample. Birth weight was self-reported by adolescent's parents. Sports participation was assessed by face-to-face interview. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and femoral intima-media thickness (FIMT) were measured using an ultrasound device. C-reactive protein levels were used to assess the inflammatory status. Blood pressure, Z score of metabolic risk (dyslipidemia and glucose), adiposity, and insulin resistance were covariates.

RESULTS

In the crude model, FIMT (p value = 0.037) and C-reactive protein (p value = 0.029) were affected by altered birth weight. In the adjusted models, altered birth weight affected FIMT (p value = 0.048; small effect size of 1.7%), independently of sports participation. For C-reactive protein, previous time of engagement in sports (p value = 0.001; small effect size of 4.8%) affected C-reactive protein, independently of birth weight.

CONCLUSION

Vascular structure seems to be affected by birth weight in adolescents, while its impact on inflammation seems to be attenuated by the regular engagement in sports.

Gender-related relation between metabolic syndrome and S447X and HindIII polymorphisms of lipoprotein lipase gene in northern Iran

BACKGROUND

Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions that increase risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Among genetic factors that contributed to incidence of metabolic syndrome, Polymorphisms of Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) are major candidates especially because of their effect on obesity and dyslipidemia. S447X (rs328) and Hind III (rs320) Polymorphisms of LPL gene have been reported to change LPL activity, resulting in altered triglyceride (TG) and high density lipoprotein Cholesterol (HDL-C) levels. This study investigates the effects of these gene polymorphisms on factors affecting metabolic syndrome in northern population of Iran.

METHODS

Studied population included 223 adults consisting 90 women and 133 men with body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m² as obese subjects, and 156 healthy participants as a control group with BMI <25 that included 68 women and 88 men. All factors causing metabolic syndrome were evaluated. Also DNA was extracted from blood samples and HindIII and S447X LPL gene polymorphisms were screened by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method (PCR-RFLP).

CONCLUSIONS

The present study proves that some genotypes of S447X were associated with a reduced risk of developing low HDL-C only in men, while the protective effects of HindIII on hypertriglyceridemia were only seen in women [corrected]. The point is that this relation is affected by the weight profile of the participants. It can be concluded that there is a gender-related relation between the polymorphisms of LPL gene and the risk factors for incidence of metabolic syndrome in the northern population of Iran.

Prediction of dyslipidemia using gene mutations, family history of diseases and anthropometric indicators in children and adolescents: The CASPIAN-III study

Dyslipidemia, the disorder of lipoprotein metabolism resulting in high lipid profile, is an important modifiable risk factor for coronary heart diseases. It is associated with more than four million worldwide deaths per year. Half of the children with dyslipidemia have hyperlipidemia during adulthood, and its prediction and screening are thus critical. We designed a new dyslipidemia diagnosis system. The sample size of 725 subjects (age 14.66 ± 2.61 years; 48% male; dyslipidemia prevalence of 42%) was selected by multistage random cluster sampling in Iran. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (rs1801177, rs708272, rs320, rs328, rs2066718, rs2230808, rs5880, rs5128, rs2893157, rs662799, and Apolipoprotein-E2/E3/E4), and anthropometric, life-style attributes, and family history of diseases were analyzed. A framework for classifying mixed-type data in imbalanced datasets was proposed. It included internal feature mapping and selection, re-sampling, optimized group method of data handling using convex and stochastic optimizations, a new cost function for imbalanced data and an internal validation. Its performance was assessed using hold-out and 4-foldcross-validation. Four other classifiers namely as supported vector machines, decision tree, and multilayer perceptron neural network and multiple logistic regression were also used. The average sensitivity, specificity, precision and accuracy of the proposed system were 93%, 94%, 94% and 92%, respectively in cross validation. It significantly outperformed the other classifiers and also showed excellent agreement and high correlation with the gold standard. A non-invasive economical version of the algorithm was also implemented suitable for low- and middle-income countries. It is thus a promising new tool for the prediction of dyslipidemia.

Lipid regulatory genes polymorphism in children with and without obesity and cardiometabolic risk factors: The CASPIAN-III study

Background:

Genetically, predisposed children are considered as at-risk individuals for cardiovascular disease. In this study, we aimed to compare the frequency of four-lipid regulatory polymorphism in obese and normal-weight children with and without cardiometabolic risk factors.

Materials and Methods:

In this nested case–control study, 600 samples of four groups of participants consisted of those with normal weight with and without cardiometabolic risk factors and obese with and without cardiometabolic risk factors. Allelic and genotypic frequencies of GCKR (rs780094), GCKR (rs1260333), MLXIPL (rs3812316), and FADS (rs174547) polymorphisms were compared in the four studied groups.

Results:

Data of 528 samples were complete and included in this study. The mean (standard deviation) age of participants was 15.01 (2.21) years. Frequency of tt allele (minor allele) of GCKR (rs1260333) polymorphism was significantly lower in normal weight metabolically healthy participants than metabolically unhealthy normal weight (MUHNW) and obese children with and without cardiometabolic risk factor (P = 0.01). Frequency of ga allele of GCKR (rs780094) polymorphism was significantly higher in normal weight children with cardiometabolic risk factor than in their obese counterparts with cardiometabolic risk factor (P = 0.04). Frequency of cg and gg alleles (minor type) of MLXIPL (rs3812316) polymorphism in normal weight metabolically healthy participants was significantly higher than MUHNW (P = 0.04) and metabolically healthy obese children (P = 0.04).

Conclusion:

The findings of our study indicated that the minor allele of GCKR (rs1260333) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) could have pathogenic effect for obesity and cardiometabolic risk factors. Ga allele of GCKR (rs780094) SNPs had a protective effect on obesity. Minor alleles of MLXIPL (rs3812316) could have a protective effect for obesity and cardiometabolic risk factors.

A novel LPL intronic variant: g.18704C>A identified by re-sequencing Kuwaiti Arab samples is associated with high-density lipoprotein, very low-density lipoprotein and triglyceride lipid levels

The role interethnic genetic differences play in plasma lipid level variation across populations is a global health concern. Several genes involved in lipid metabolism and transport are strong candidates for the genetic association with lipid level variation especially lipoprotein lipase (LPL). The objective of this study was to re-sequence the full LPL gene in Kuwaiti Arabs, analyse the sequence variation and identify variants that could attribute to variation in plasma lipid levels for further genetic association. Samples (n = 100) of an Arab ethnic group from Kuwait were analysed for sequence variation by Sanger sequencing across the 30 Kb LPL gene and its flanking sequences. A total of 293 variants including 252 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and 39 insertions/deletions (InDels) were identified among which 47 variants (32 SNPs and 15 InDels) were novel to Kuwaiti Arabs. This study is the first to report sequence data and analysis of frequencies of variants at the LPL gene locus in an Arab ethnic group with a novel “rare” variant (LPL:g.18704C>A) significantly associated to HDL (B = -0.181; 95% CI (-0.357, -0.006); p = 0.043), TG (B = 0.134; 95% CI (0.004–0.263); p = 0.044) and VLDL (B = 0.131; 95% CI (-0.001–0.263); p = 0.043) levels. Sequence variation in Kuwaiti Arabs was compared to other populations and was found to be similar with regards to the number of SNPs, InDels and distribution of the number of variants across the LPL gene locus and minor allele frequency (MAF). Moreover, comparison of the identified variants and their MAF with other reports provided a list of 46 potential variants across the LPL gene to be considered for future genetic association studies. The findings warrant further investigation into the association of g.18704C>A with lipid levels in other ethnic groups and with clinical manifestations of dyslipidemia.

Interactions of six SNPs in APOA1 gene and types of obesity on low HDL-C disease in Xinjiang pastoral area of China

BACKGROUND

This study aims to investigate association between six single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs) in APOA1 gene and types of obesity with the risk of low level HDL-C in the pastoral area of northwest China.

METHODS

A total of 1267 individuals including 424 patients with low HDL-C disease and 843 health subjects were analyzed based on matched for age, sex. SNPShot technique was used to detect the genotypes of rs670, rs5069, rs5072, rs7116797, rs2070665 and rs1799837 in APOA1 gene. The relationship between above six SNPs and types of obesity with low HDL-C disease was analyzed by binary logistic regression.

RESULTS

Carriers with rs670 G allele were more likely to get low HDL-C disease (OR = 1.46, OR95%CI: 1.118-1.915; P = 0.005); The genotypic and allelic frequencies of rs5069, rs5072, rs7116797, rs2070665, rs1799837 revealed no significant differences between cases and controls (P < 0.05); with reference to normal weight, Waist circumference (WC), Waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) individuals, respectively, general obesity measured by BMI had 2.686 times (OR95%CI: 1.695-4.256; P < 0.01), abdominal obesity measured by WC had 1.925 times (OR95%CI: 1.273-2.910; P = 0.002) and abdominal obesity measured by WHR had 1.640 times (OR95%CI: 1.114-2.416; P = 0.012) risk to get low HDL-C disease; APOA1 rs670 interacted with obesity (no matter general obesity or abdominal obesity) on low HDL-C disease.

CONCLUSIONS

APOA1 gene may be associated with low HDL-C disease in the pastoral area of northwest China; obesity was the risk factor for low HDL-C disease; the low HDL-C disease is influenced by APOA1, obesity, and their interactions.

Logic Regression Analysis of Gene Polymorphisms and HDL Levels in a Nationally Representative Sample of Iranian Adolescents: The CASPIAN-III Study

BACKGROUND

To investigate the associations of genetic polymorphism with high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) levels in Iranian adolescents.

METHODS

This multicentre study was conducted on 10 - 18 year-old students from 27 provinces in Iran. Logic regression approach was used to determine the main effects and interactions of polymorphisms related to HDL-C levels.

RESULTS

The rs708272 polymorphism was significantly related to HDL-C levels. Moreover, rs708272 increased HDL-C levels and had a protective effect on HDL-C. The interaction of rs2230808 and rs5880 polymorphisms as well as the interaction of rs320 and rs708272 polymorphisms were associated with lower HDL-C levels. Furthermore, the interaction of rs320 and rs1801177 polymorphisms was associated with lower HDL-C levels.

CONCLUSIONS

We found that not only single SNPs, but also interactions of several SNPs affect HDL-C levels. Given the high prevalence of low HDL-C in Middle Eastern populations, further genetic studies are required for detailed analysis.