Association of apolipoproteins with symptoms of asthma and atopy among schoolchildren.
BACKGROUND
There is evidence for an association between serum cholesterol concentrations and asthma, but little is known about the underlying mechanisms. We explored the associations between serum apolipoprotein concentrations and symptoms of asthma and atopy.


METHODS
In a population-based cross-sectional study among 10-year-old schoolchildren (n = 462), plasma concentrations of apolipoprotein AI (apoAI) and apolipoprotein B (apoB) were measured. Information on disease symptoms and diagnoses was collected by parental questionnaire. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to analyse the data.


RESULTS
High plasma apoAI concentrations (>or=1.74 g/l) were associated with high prevalence of wheeze (OR 3.65; 95% CI 1.43-9.33), and a trend was seen with asthma (OR 3.35; 95% CI 0.94-11.93). In linear analyses, plasma apoAI concentrations were positively related to wheeze (beta-coefficient = 3.20; p = 0.045) and non-atopic wheeze (beta-coefficient = 4.47; p = 0.036), and a trend was found for asthma (beta-coefficient = 3.29; p = 0.099). Overall, plasma apoB concentrations were not associated with either symptoms of asthma or allergy.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results support the hypothesis that high apoAI is associated with the manifestation of asthma and atopy. The underlying pathomechanism still remains to be fully elucidated, but suggests that immune mechanisms may play a central role. However, our results are based on a small study sample and larger studies are warranted to confirm these observations.
Nagel
Gabriele
G
Institute of Epidemiology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany. gabriele.nagel@uni-ulm.de
Weiland
Stephan K
SK
Rapp
Kilian
K
Link
Bernhard
B
Zoellner
Iris
I
Koenig
Wolfgang
W
D016632:Apolipoprotein A-I / Q000097:blood*; D001055:Apolipoproteins B / Q000097:blood; D001249:Asthma / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D012135:Respiratory Sounds / Q000276:immunology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D016632:Apolipoprotein A-I; D001055:Apolipoproteins B