title: Bilirubin is independently associated with oxidized LDL levels in young obese patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Bilirubin can prevent lipid oxidation in vitro, but the association in vivo with oxidized low-density lipoprotein (Ox-LDL) levels has been poorly explored. Our aim is to the association of Ox-LDL with total bilirubin (TB) levels and with variables related with metabolic syndrome and inflammation, in young obese individuals.
  
  
  RESULTS
  125 obese patients (13.4 years; 53.6% females) were studied. TB, lipid profile including Ox-LDL, markers of glucose metabolism, and levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and adiponectin were determined. Anthropometric data was also collected. In all patients, Ox-LDL correlated positively with BMI, total cholesterol, LDLc, triglycerides (TG), CRP, glucose, insulin and HOMAIR; while inversely with TB and HDLc/Total cholesterol ratio (P < 0.05 for all). In multiple linear regression analysis, LDLc, TG, HDLc and TB levels were significantly associated with Ox-LDL (standardized Beta: 0.656, 0.293, -0.283, -0.164, respectively; P < 0.01 for all). After removing TG and HDLc from the analysis, HOMAIR was included in the regression model. In this new model, LDLc remained the best predictor of Ox-LDL levels (β = 0.665, P < 0.001), followed by TB (β = -0.202, P = 0.002) and HOMAIR (β = 0.163, P = 0.010).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Lower bilirubin levels may contribute to increased LDL oxidation in obese children and adolescents, predisposing to increased cardiovascular risk.
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal ; Instituto de Investigaçãoe Inovação em Saúde (Institute for Research and Innovation in Health), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal ; Biological Science Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Henrique
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nascimento
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal ; Instituto de Investigaçãoe Inovação em Saúde (Institute for Research and Innovation in Health), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Ana Inês
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Alves
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal ; Instituto de Investigaçãoe Inovação em Saúde (Institute for Research and Innovation in Health), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal ; CESPU, Institute for Research and Advanced Training in Health Sciences and Technologies, Gandra, Portugal.
authors.forename: Susana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Coimbra
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal ; Instituto de Investigaçãoe Inovação em Saúde (Institute for Research and Innovation in Health), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal ; Biological Science Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Catarino
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Investigaçãoe Inovação em Saúde (Institute for Research and Innovation in Health), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gomes
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal ; Instituto de Investigaçãoe Inovação em Saúde (Institute for Research and Innovation in Health), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal ; Biological Science Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Elsa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bronze-da-Rocha
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal ; Instituto de Investigaçãoe Inovação em Saúde (Institute for Research and Innovation in Health), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal ; Biological Science Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Elísio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.affiliation: Health Science Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal.
authors.forename: Petronila
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rocha-Pereira
authors.affiliation: Research Centre in Physical Activity, Health and Leisure - CIAFEL, Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal ; High Education Institute from Maia (ISMAI), S. Pedro Avioso, Portugal.
authors.forename: Luísa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Aires
authors.affiliation: Research Centre in Physical Activity, Health and Leisure - CIAFEL, Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mota
authors.affiliation: Childhood and Adolescence Department/Pediatric Service of Porto Hospital Centre, Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Helena
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ferreira Mansilha
authors.affiliation: Children and Adolescent Centre, CUF Hospital. CINTESIS. Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Carla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rêgo
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal ; Instituto de Investigaçãoe Inovação em Saúde (Institute for Research and Innovation in Health), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal ; Biological Science Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Alice
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Santos-Silva
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal ; Instituto de Investigaçãoe Inovação em Saúde (Institute for Research and Innovation in Health), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal ; Biological Science Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal ; Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia da Universidade do Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, Porto, 4050-313 Portugal.
authors.forename: Luís
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Belo
keywords: Atherosclerosis; Bilirubin; Oxidative stress; Oxidized-LDL; Pediatric obesity