Association of low-density lipoprotein particle size distribution and cardiovascular risk factors in children.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to investigate whether the presence of small, dense lipoproteins, which are thought to be related to the metabolic syndrome caused by insulin resistance, can be predicted by routine serum lipid profiling.


METHODS
The relationship between low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particle size and serum lipid levels was analysed in 284 school children (148 boys and 136 girls), aged 7 to 13 y old. LDL particle size was determined by gradient gel electrophoresis.


RESULTS
The LDL particle diameter was significantly correlated with the serum levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (r = - 0.437, p < 0.001) and triglycerides (TG) (r = -0.432, p < 0.001), and with the atherogenic index (AI) [total cholesterol/ HDL-C] (r = -0.450, p < 0.001), while only weak correlations were observed with the serum levels of total cholesterol, apolipoprotein Al and apolipoprotein B. No significant relationship was observed between LDL particle diameter and the serum LDL-C level.


CONCLUSIONS
The presence of small, dense LDL as a metabolic marker of lifestyle-related diseases in children seems to be reflected by a serum lipid profile characterized by an elevation in TG, a reduction in HDL-C, and a raised AI.
Kojima
M
M
Department of Paediatrics, Dokkyo University School of Medicine, Mibu, Tochigi, Japan.
Kanno
H
H
Yamazaki
Y
Y
Koyama
S
S
Kanazawa
S
S
Arisaka
O
O
D000293:Adolescent; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000097:blood; D010316:Particle Size; D012307:Risk Factors; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D014280:Triglycerides