Does Metabolic Syndrome Cause Arteriosclerosis In Japanese Children?

Abstract

Information on whether metabolic syndrome (MS) is involved in development of arteriosclerosis in children is sparse. Small, dense low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particle size and level of high sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP) are known to be novel markers characterizing the atherosclerotic process at an early stage. PURPOSE: To examine the relationship between MS and early arteriosclerosis in childhood, we compared LDL size and hsCRP level among obese children with MS, normal and non-obese children without MS. METHODS: The subjects were 67 Japanese children (32 non-obese, 35 obese) aged 7.0-12.6 yrs. Obesity was determined upon an obesity index score ((real weight - standard weight) / standard weight×100) of more than +20%. Fasting levels of LDL size, hsCRP, glucose, insulin, lipid profile, and blood pressure were determined. Insulin resistance was quantified by the homeostatic model assessment (HOMA) index. Visceral fat area (cm2) was determined by magnetic resonance imaging. Obese children were grouped into with (n=5) and without (n=30) MS. MS was determined upon abdominal obesity (waist circumference: ≥75 cm) plus at least two other factors from elevated triglyceride (TG, ≥120 mg/dl), low high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C, <40 mg/dl), high systolic or diastolic blood pressure (≥125 or ≥70 mmHg), and fasting glucose (≥100 mg/dl) as per criteria newly established by a task force financed by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, Japan. Statistical treatment comprised ANOVA followed by Tukey's honestly significant difference adjustment for multiple comparisons. RESULTS: Obese children with MS had significantly smaller LDL size and higher hsCRP level than normal and obese children without MS (p < 0.05). No differences between normal and obese children without MS were observed for LDL size or hsCRP level. Obese children with MS showed higher TG, insulin, HOMA index, blood pressure, visceral fat area, and lower HDL-C than normal and obese children without MS (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that metabolic syndrome more than obesity per se may be involved in early arteriosclerosis in children. Supported by Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B) (No.20700562) from Japan's Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.