Assessment of atherosclerotic risk factors and endothelial function in children and young adults with pediatric-onset systemic lupus erythematosus.
OBJECTIVE
To characterize atherosclerotic risk factors and endothelial function in pediatric-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).


METHODS
Lipoproteins, oxidized state, and autoantibodies to oxidized low-density lipoprotein (Ox-LDL) were assessed. Endothelial function was evaluated using brachial artery reactivity.


RESULTS
Thirty-three SLE patients and 30 controls were studied. SLE subjects had significantly decreased mean high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (41 mg/dl versus 51 mg/dl; P = 0.002) and apolipoprotein A-I (97 mg/dl versus 199 mg/dl; P = 0.0004). There was no difference between groups in markers of oxidized state (including nitric oxide metabolites, isoprostanes, and Ox-LDL) or in endothelial function. However, SLE subjects had increased median anti-Ox-LDL IgG (2,480 relative light units [RLU] versus 1,567 RLU; P = 0.0007) and IgG immune complexes with LDL (4,222 RLU versus 2,868 RLU; P = 0.002).


CONCLUSIONS
Pediatric SLE patients had significantly decreased levels of HDL cholesterol and apolipoprotein A-I and elevated titers of autoantibodies to Ox-LDL. Despite these atherosclerotic risk factors, SLE patients had normal measures of oxidized state and endothelial function.
Soep
Jennifer B
JB
University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver, USA. soep.jennifer@tchden.org
Mietus-Snyder
Michele
M
Malloy
Mary J
MJ
Witztum
Joseph L
JL
von Scheven
Emily
E
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex / Q000097:blood; D016632:Apolipoprotein A-I / Q000097:blood; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000032:analysis; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000276:immunology; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000276:immunology; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors
D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D016632:Apolipoprotein A-I; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; C099252:oxidized low density lipoprotein