title: Lymphocyte T subset counts in children with hypercholesterolemia receiving dietary therapy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In children with hypercholesterolemia, dietary therapy is indicated; however, we do not know if a low-fat diet can modify some organic functions, i.e. immune function.
  
  
  METHODS
  42 children with hypercholesterolemia received a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet during 6 months. At baseline and after the treatment period, we determined a lipoprotein profile and some immune characteristics: immunoglobulins G, A and M; complement components (C3, C4 and factor B), and blood lymphocyte subsets (CD3, CD4 and CD8).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Total cholesterol serum concentrations showed a significant reduction after 6 months of dietary therapy (p = 0.008). After 6 months on a low-fat diet, lymphocyte T subset counts (CD3, CD4 and CD8) showed significant decreases (p < 0.01 to p < 0.003), but lymphocyte counts were always within normal ranges. There was also a significant correlation between changes in some lymphocyte T subset counts (CD3 and CD8) and changes in triglyceride serum concentrations (p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A low-fat, low-cholesterol diet diminished CD3, CD4 and CD8 lymphocyte subset counts that are elevated in children with hypercholesterolemia. Dietary therapy, with emphasis on the intake of n-3 fatty acids, could be useful in the modulation of the immune response at the atheromatous plaque level.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Pediatría Hospital Clínico Universitario 'Lozano Blesa', Universidad de Zaragoza, España. lmoreno@posta.unizar.es
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Moreno
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sarría
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lázaro
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Lasierra
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Larrad
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bueno
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D017252:CD3 Complex / Q000032:analysis; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes; D002648:Child; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000097:blood* / Q000178:diet therapy*; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D013601:T-Lymphocytes; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D017252:CD3 Complex; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol