Increased ApoB/ApoA1 ratio is associated with excess weight, body adiposity, and altered lipid profile in children

OBJECTIVE

To investigate ApoB/ApoA1 ratio and its association with cardiovascular risk factors in children.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study with 258 children aged 8 and 9 years old, enrolled in all urban schools in the city of Viçosa-MG. Anthropometric and body composition assessment, as well as biochemical profile of the children was performed. Socioeconomic variables and sedentary lifestyle were evaluated through a semi-structured questionnaire.

RESULTS

Many children had excess weight (35.2%), abdominal adiposity (10.5%), and body fat (15.6%), as well as increased ApoB/ApoA1 ratio (14.7%), total cholesterol (51.8%), and triglycerides (19.8%). Children with excess weight and total and central fat had a higher prevalence of having a higher ApoB/ApoA1 ratio, as well as those with atherogenic lipid profile (increased LDL-c and triglycerides and low HDL-c). A direct association was found between the number of cardiovascular risk factors and the ApoB/ApoA1 ratio (p=0.001), regardless of age and income.

CONCLUSION

The increased ApoB/ApoA1 ratio was associated with excess weight, body adiposity (total and central), and altered lipid profile in children. Children with a higher number of cardiovascular risk factors had higher ApoB/ApoA1 ratio, in both genders.

[Intima-media thickness in a middle-old age sample of the Spanish general population]

OBJECTIVES

To ascertain reference values of carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) in a middle and old-aged sample of the Spanish general population and to establish the 75(th) percentile above which it is necessary to control more strictly other cardiovascular risk factors. To determine cIMT values and the number of carotid plaques in age and sex subgroups, and whether there are differences between them.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Lipids, apolipoproteins, number of carotid atherosclerotic plaques if any, and cIMT of both common carotid arteries were determined in 171 individuals, representative of the adult general population of Burgos (Spain).

RESULTS

The median age of the patients was 63 years (interquartile range = 20) and the 75th percentile of carotid IMT was 0,88 mm and 0,81 mm in men and women, respectively. This study shows that the values of cIMT median increase with age and are higher in men than in women in all age groups, except in individuals over 74 years where cIMT median values are similar. The presence or absence of atherosclerotic plaques was not statistically different between men and women at different ages.

CONCLUSIONS

This population study shows the reference values of cIMT in a middle and old-aged sample of the Spanish population and shows that age, male gender, systolic blood pressure (SBP) and personal history of coronary heart disease are the main determinants of increased cIMT.

[Effect of biliary obstruction on lipoprotein(a) concentration]

OBJECTIVES

This study was appointed to determine the correlation between the concentration of lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)], apolipoproteins and lipids with biochemical parameters of liver function in a group of patients with reversible cholestasis. We have also determined the concentration of these parameters once solved the biliary obstruction process.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Eighteen adults over 17 years with extrahepatic cholestasis were included in the study on a prospective basis, and we determined in them biochemical liver function parameters and lipoprotein metabolism parameters, particularly Lp(a) before and after unblocking.

RESULTS

The concentration of Lp(a) prior to desobstruction was inverse and statistically significantly correlated with the concentration of gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (correlation coefficient [r] = -0.757, P = .018). The concentration of Lp(a) (median = 2.66 mg/dL, interquartile range = 5,62) showed a statistically significant increase (median = 9.72 mg/dL, interquartile range = 28.76, P < .001), once the unblocking was performed. Concentrations of total cholesterol and triglycerides had a statistically significant decrease, and HDL cholesterol and apolipoprotein A-1 showed a statistically significant increase once the unblocking was carried out.

CONCLUSIONS

The concentration of Lp(a) is decreased during cholestasis, although there is a significant simultaneous hypercholesterolemia. Cholestasis has a causal role in lowering Lp(a), because the unblocking of bile duct recovers Lp(a) concentration. Our study supports the concept that bile acids exert a controlling effect on the synthesis of Lp(a) and open a mechanism for the treatment of hyper Lp(a).