Effects of ketogenic diet on vascular function.
BACKGROUND
Ketogenic diet is a well-established treatment in children with difficult to treat epilepsy. Very little is known about the long-term effects on vascular atherogenic and biochemical processes of this high-fat and low carbohydrate and protein diet.


METHODS
We evaluated 26 children after one year and 13 children after two years of ketogenic diet. High resolution ultrasound-based assessment was used for carotid artery intima-media thickness (cIMT), carotid artery distensibility and carotid artery compliance. Blood lipids including high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein cholesterol, (LDL-C), total cholesterol (TC), apolipoprotein A (apoA), apolipoprotein B (apoB) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) were analysed.


RESULTS
A gradual decrease in carotid distensibility and an increase in LDL-C, apoB and the TC:LDL-C and LDL-C:HDL-C ratios were seen at three and 12 months of KD-treatment. These differences were not significant at 24 months. cIMT, BMI and hsCRP did not show any significant changes.


CONCLUSIONS
The initial alterations in lipids, apoB and arterial function observed within the first year of KD-treatment appear to be reversible and not significant after 24 months of treatment.
Department of Paediatric Neurology, Pediatric Child Neurology, Skåne University Hospital, 22185 Lund, Sweden. Electronic address: minas.kapetanakis@yahoo.com.
M
M
Kapetanakis
Department of Paediatric Cardiology, Pediatric Heart Center, Skåne University Hospital, 22185 Lund, Sweden. Electronic address: petru.liuba@med.lu.se.
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P
Liuba
Department of Paediatric Cardiology, Pediatric Heart Center, Skåne University Hospital, 22185 Lund, Sweden. Electronic address: michal.odermarsky@yahoo.com.
M
M
Odermarsky
Department of Paediatric Neurology, Pediatric Child Neurology, Skåne University Hospital, 22185 Lund, Sweden. Electronic address: johan.lundgren@skane.se.
J
J
Lundgren
Department of Paediatric Neurology, Pediatric Child Neurology, Skåne University Hospital, 22185 Lund, Sweden. Electronic address: tove.hallbook@telia.com.
T
T
Hallböök
D000293:Adolescent; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000473:pathology*; D059168:Carotid Intima-Media Thickness; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood*; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D055423:Diet, Ketogenic / Q000379:methods*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000097:blood* / Q000178:diet therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D013997:Time Factors
D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D002784:Cholesterol
Arterial elasticity; Ketogenic diet; Lipidemia