Decrease of Lp(a) during weight reduction in obese children is modified by the apo(a) kringle-IV copy number variation.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is considered an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Its concentration is mainly determined by the kringle-IV repeat copy number variation (CNV) at the apolipoprotein(a) [apo(a)] locus.

OBJECTIVE:

We aimed to investigate the immediate effect of weight reduction on plasma Lp(a) levels and its dependency on the apo(a) CNV in obese children.

DESIGN:

We performed a prospective longitudinal intervention study of a low-fat hypocaloric diet conducted in a 3-week dietary camp for obese children. In all, 140 obese participants (54 boys and 86 girls) with a mean age of 12.5+/-1.6 years and a mean relative body mass index (BMI) before treatment of 165.6+/-24.7% were included. Body weight and plasma levels of Lp(a), lipids, apolipoproteins A-I and B, insulin, and C-reactive protein were determined before the onset and after the end of the intervention. In addition, the number of apo(a) kringle-IV repeats were determined using sodium dodecyl sulfate agarose gel electrophoresis.

RESULTS:

The mean loss of body weight was 5.0+/-1.3 kg (-6.6%), resulting in a mean decrease of the relative BMI of 6.6%. Blood chemistry revealed significant changes in all parameters, especially in Lp(a), with a decrease from 24.4+/-30.6 to 17.9+/-22.6 mg per 100 ml or -19% (P<0.001). The decrease of Lp(a) levels was higher in the group with low compared with high molecular weight apo(a) phenotypes (-23.9 vs -16.6%).

CONCLUSIONS:

Weight reduction in obese children is associated with significant changes in Lp(a) levels, especially in subjects with high pre-treatment Lp(a) concentrations. This effect is markedly influenced by the molecular phenotype at the copy-number variable apo(a) locus.

• Authors: A Brandstätter, A Lingenhel, K Zwiauer, W Strobl, F Kronenberg
• Journal: International journal of obesity (2005) (Int J Obes (Lond)) Vol. 33 Issue 10 Pg. 1136-42 (Oct 2009) ISSN: 1476-5497 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 19636317 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Apolipoproteins A
• Lipoprotein(a)

Topics

• Adolescent
• Apolipoproteins A (blood, genetics)
• Body Mass Index
• Cardiovascular Diseases (blood, genetics)
• Child
• Diet, Fat-Restricted
• Female
• Humans
• Kringles (genetics, physiology)
• Lipoprotein(a) (blood, genetics)
• Longitudinal Studies
• Male
• Obesity (blood, genetics)
• Phenotype
• Prospective Studies
• Risk Factors
• Weight Loss (genetics, physiology)