Progenitor cell subsets and engraftment kinetics in children undergoing autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation

The main objective of the present study was to determine the role of CD34+ cell subsets in the haemopoietic recovery of children undergoing peripheral blood stem cell transplantation. For this purpose, 38 leukaphereses from 33 children with malignancies mobilized with G-CSF were analysed. Using dual-colour flow cytometry, different subpopulations of CD34+ cells were quantified and the number of each reinfused subsets correlated with haemopoietic resurgence. Multivariate analysis showed that the number of CD34+CD38- cells and CD34+CD38+ cells correlated better with time to neutrophil and platelet recovery, respectively, than the total number of CD34+ cells. Threshold values for rapid haemopoietic recovery, determined by the receiver operating characteristic analysis, were found to be 0.5 X 10(6) CD34+CD38- cells for neutrophil engraftment, and 2.0x10(6) CD34+CD38+ cells for platelet recovery. It is suggested that the analysis of CD34+ cell subsets could increase understanding of the repopulation capacity of a given leukapheresis product in peripheral blood stem cell transplantation procedures in children. In particular, this procedure could be extremely useful when low numbers of CD34+ cells are collected.

Serum lipids and apolipoproteins in Spanish children and adolescents: a 5 year follow-up

This study was designed to assess "tracking" of serum lipids and apolipoproteins in three age groups of Spanish children over a 5 year period. A total of 84 6-year-old, 89 10-year-old and 64 14-year-old children were evaluated in 1989 (with measurement of serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, lipoproteins and apolipoproteins A1 and B), and re-evaluated in 1994. Correlation coefficients between initial and final lipid and apolipoprotein values were as follows: total cholesterol, 0.66; low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, 0.65; high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, 0.61; triglycerides, 0.61; apolipoprotein A1, 0.60; apolipoprotein B, 0.66. When age groups were analysed separately, children who were 14 years old at the beginning of the study showed higher correlation coefficients, particularly for total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol ( > 0.7 in both cases). More than 70% of children who were in the top quintile of total, LDL or HDL cholesterol as well as apolipoprotein A1 or B in 1989 remained in the top quintile 5 years later.

Relations between nutrient intake and serum lipid and apolipoprotein levels

OBJECTIVE

To study the relation between diet and serum lipid and apolipoprotein levels in a large, homogeneous group of Spanish children.

DESIGN

Survey.

SETTING

Eleven schools chosen at random in Madrid City and the surrounding area.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Subjects comprised 1682 children, 2 to 12 years of age. Dietary data were obtained with a 24-hour record performed by the child's main caregiver. For statistical analysis the sample was divided into tertiles on the basis of calorie-adjusted consumption of dietary components.

RESULTS

Children in the highest tertile of total fat consumption, compared with children in the lowest tertile, had significantly higher mean serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), apolipoprotein A-I (Apo A) and apolipoprotein B-100 (Apo B). When compared with children in the lowest tertile, children in the highest tertile of saturated fat consumption had significantly higher mean levels of TC, LDL-C, and Apo B, and lower mean levels of HDL-C and Apo A. Children in the highest tertile of monounsaturated fat consumption, compared with children in the lowest tertile, had significantly higher mean levels of HDL-C and Apo A, and lower mean levels of TC, LDL-C, and Apo B.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that diet composition strongly influences lipid profile in children and point out the importance of monounsaturated fatty acids as modulators of serum lipid and apolipoprotein levels.

Diet therapy for hypercholesterolemia in children and adolescents. A follow-up

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effectiveness and compliance of dietary restriction in a group of children and adolescents with hypercholesterolemia.

RESEARCH DESIGN

Prospective clinical trial.

SETTING

Pediatric hospital in Madrid, Spain.

PARTICIPANTS

Four hundred fifty-one children and adolescents of both sexes aged 2 to 18 years diagnosed as having hypercholesterolemia and treated with dietary restriction (American Heart Association Step-One and Step-Two Diets). The follow-up period ranged from 6 months to 2 years and was performed by one pediatrician.

RESULTS

Total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and apolipoprotein B-100 levels as well as the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio decreased significantly (P < .01) from the first month of dietary restriction, whereas the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level increased (P < .01). The apolipoprotein A-I level increased significantly (P < .01) only after 6 months of diet therapy. After 12 months of follow-up, 30.7% (58/189) of patients did not follow the diet strictly. In this group, significantly higher levels of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and apolipoprotein B-100 were found.

CONCLUSIONS

Diet therapy is effective in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia in children and adolescents. Dietary restriction has a beneficial effect not only on total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels but also on apolipoprotein A-I and B-100 levels.