Abstract

ECHAGUE, Gloria et al. Serum Levels of Apolipoprotein A-I and B in Rural Schoolchildren. Pediatr. (Asunción) [online]. 2011, vol.38, n.2, pp.118-122. ISSN 1683-9803.

Biomarkers for atherogenic risk are present early in life, one such biomarker are the apolipoproteins. Apolipoproteins play a key role in the development of atherosclerosis according to results of numerous epidemiological studies. Our objective was to assess the levels of apolipoprotein (apo) A-I and B and the apo B/A-I ratio in dyslipidemic children. We performed an observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study with non-probabilistic sampling. In a population of 132 children aged 4 to 13 years of both sexes from 4 rural schools in different parts of Paraguay, levels of apolipoproteins A-I and B were assessed in 38 who were found to be hypercholesterolemic. Informed consent was obtained from parents. Total cholesterol was measured by the automated enzymatic method and apolipoproteins AI and B by the immunoturbidimetric method. Mean concentration was 159.89 ±28.63 mg/dl for apo A-1 and 99.79 ±20.86 mg/dl for apo B, while the mean cholesterol concentration was 192 ±22.31. The mean ratio of apo B/AI was 0.64. We detected moderate to high levels of apo B in a considerable number of children (63.5%), and a positive correlation between apolipoprotein B and cholesterol. Some 10.53% of children demonstrated high atherogenic risk as shown by the apo B/A-I ratio found.

Keywords : Apolipoprotein A-I; apolipoprotein B; apo B/A-I ratio; atherogenic risk.

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