title: Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particle size in healthy prepubertal children: the STRIP study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Small, dense low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particles (diameter < 255 Angstrom) are highly atherogenic, and in adults they are associated with an elevated risk of coronary heart disease (CHD).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To examine possible contributors to LDL particle size distribution in healthy prepubertal children.
  
  
  METHODS
  We determined LDL particle size in 176 7-y-old children by non-denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Children were divided into two groups in two ways: by using the median of their average LDL particle diameter (261.2 Angstrom) or by using the LDL peak particle diameter (255 Angstrom) as the cut-off point.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Children with smaller LDL particles did not significantly differ from children with larger LDL particles with respect to anthropometric variables, serum triglyceride concentration (in all children < 1.7 mmol/L), apoE phenotype, amount and quality of dietary fat, or child's family history of CHD. Furthermore, LDL particle size did not correlate with any of the anthropometric, lipid or nutrient variables. Children with average LDL particle size below the median had higher serum insulin and lower high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and apoA-1 concentrations than those with LDL particle size above the median.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our data suggest that many factors related to the development of small, dense LDL particles might have their major impact after the onset of puberty.
authors.affiliation: Research Centre of Applied and Preventive Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland. tuuli.kaitosaari@utu.fi
authors.forename: Tuuli
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kaitosaari
authors.forename: Tapani
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Rönnemaa
authors.forename: Jorma
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Viikari
authors.forename: Aila
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Leino
authors.forename: Eero
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Jokinen
authors.forename: Olli
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Simell
mesh_terms: D000886:Anthropometry; D002648:Child; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D015930:Diet Records; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000097:blood / Q000145:classification*; D008297:Male; D010316:Particle Size
chemical_list: D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL