Levels and correlates of LDL and VLDL particle sizes among children: the Bogalusa heart study

Abstract

Levels of lipids and lipoproteins among children vary by sex and race/ethnicity, and are correlated with age, obesity, and other characteristics. There is, however, little information on the distribution and correlates of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) subclasses in early life. We used nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to determine mean LDL and VLDL particle sizes among 10- to 17-year-olds ( n=918) who participated in the 1992–94 examination of the Bogalusa heart study. As compared with girls, boys had a smaller (0.1 nm) mean LDL particle size and a larger (0.9 nm) mean VLDL size; furthermore, the average size of VLDL particles increased with age among white boys but not among other children. Although there were also black/white differences in particle sizes, with black children having larger LDL and smaller VLDL particles, these racial contrasts could be attributed to differences in lipid levels. Levels of triglycerides, insulin, and relative weight were associated with the size of VLDL (positive) and LDL (negative) particles. These results suggest that the analysis of lipoprotein subclasses may provide a better understanding of the role of various risk factors in the development of coronary heart disease