Relationship between immunoinflammatory proteins containing sialic acid and low-density lipoprotein serum concentrations

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between sialoglycoproteins and the lipoprotein profile in a group of children with different levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. We have studied 177 children of 132 families who were sent to our Pediatric Lipid Research Clinic because of serum cholesterol concentrations higher than 5.17 mmol/l. At the time of diagnosis, we analyzed the serum lipoprotein profile and the sialoglycoproteins: alpha 1-antitrypsin, acid alpha 1-glycoprotein, haptoglobin, alpha 2-macroglobulin, transferrin, IgA, IgG, IgM, complement C3 component and ceruloplasmin. At 7.0 to 10.9 years, alpha 1-glycoprotein serum concentrations were higher in the high risk group than in the moderate risk group (P < 0.05). At 2.0 to 6.9 years, IgA and IgM serum concentrations were higher in the moderate risk group than in the low risk group (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively), and IgG and IgM serum concentrations were also higher in the high risk group than in the low risk group (P < 0.05). Our results seems to reflect a general reaction to injury or inflammation which could be associated with the atherosclerotic process.

Lymphocyte T subset counts in children with elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels

The aim of this study was to determine blood lymphocyte T subset counts in children with elevated levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. We studied 107 children, ages 2.0 to 15.9 years, from 79 families who were referred to our Lipid Research Clinic because total cholesterol serum levels higher than 200 mg/dl had been detected in at least one child. At the time of diagnosis we analyzed serum lipoprotein profile and blood lymphocyte T subsets (CD3, CD4 and CD8). Children were classified according to LDL-C levels into three groups: (1) normal, if levels were between the 5th and 75th percentiles (50 and 125 mg/dl, respectively); (2) at moderate risk, if levels were between the 75th and 95th percentiles (125 and 150 mg/dl, respectively); and (3) at high risk, if levels were above the 95th percentile (150 mg/dl). In children aged 2.0 to 6.9 years, all lymphocyte T subset counts were higher in the high risk group than in the normal group (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01). In children aged 11.0 to 15.9 years, the CD4 subset count was also significantly higher in the high risk group in the other two groups (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01). These results are in agreement with pathologic findings in the atheromatous plaque.