title: Distribution of low density lipoprotein subclasses in Macedonian children.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Current reports claim that small and dense LDL particles are more atherogenic than larger LDL particles. There are many studies presenting LDL subclass distribution in adults, but there is not enough data regarding children in the literature on this problem. The aim of our study was to examine LDL subclass distribution in healthy children in the Republic of Macedonia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Plasma LDL subclasses in 100 children aged 9-18 years were analyzed using non-denaturing polyacrilamide gradient (3-31%) gel electrophoresis. Conventional plasma lipid and apoprotein parameters thought to be related to LDL size were determined as well.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results obtained showed the prevalence of large LDL subclasses (phenotype A) in 89% of the children, whereas small LDL subclasses (phenotype B) were observed in 11%. The mean LDL size was 26.37 +/- 0.68 nm, and there was no difference between gender groups. No association was noted between LDL size and plasma lipid and apoprotein levels, age, or BMI.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  LDL size and distribution is not gender- or age-dependent, or influenced by plasma lipid and apoprotein concentrations in childhood. This suggests that analysis of LDL subclass phenotype may provide better information on the risk of atherosclerosis development in adulthood.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical and Experimental Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Sts. Cyril and Methodius University, Skopje, Macedonia. alabak@freemail.com.mk
authors.forename: Sonja
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Alabakovska
authors.forename: Danica
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Labudovic
authors.forename: Katerina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tosheska
authors.forename: Mirko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Spiroski
authors.forename: Bojana
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Todorova
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D001059:Apoproteins / Q000097:blood; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000097:blood* / Q000145:classification; D008297:Male; D018843:Republic of North Macedonia / Q000453:epidemiology; D012306:Risk; D012737:Sex Factors
chemical_list: D001059:Apoproteins; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL