Background
Recent studies demonstrated that low‐density lipoprotein‐tryglyceride (LDL‐TG) may represent another marker of cardiovascular risks. We therefore measured LDL‐TG including the low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) subclass distribution and investigated the association between LDL‐TG subclass profile and the clustering of metabolic syndrome (MetS) components and insulin resistance in Japanese children.
Methods
The study included 237 schoolchildren (boys 115, girls 122). Four subclasses of low‐density lipoprotein‐tryglyceride (large, medium, small, and very small) was quantified using high‐performance liquid chromatography. Total LDL‐TG and TG levels in LDL subclasses were evaluated among four MetS component groups; non‐abdominal obesity, abdominal obesity, pre‐MetS, and MetS.
Results
Total LDL‐TG (P = 0.0003, P = 0.0175) and triglyceride levels in LDL subclasses were significantly different among four MetS component groups (large: P = 0.0002, P = 0.0084; medium: P = 0.0009, P = 0.0491; small: P =0.0025, P = 0.0509; very small: P = 0.0808, P = 0.0228; boys and girls, respectively). Total LDL‐TG (r = 0.411, P < 0.0001, r = 0.378. P < 0.0001) and triglyceride levels in LDL subclasses correlated positively with the homeostasis model of assessment ratio (large: r = 0.396, P < 0.0001, r = 0.346, P < 0.0001; medium: r = 0.274, P = 0.0030, r = 0.228, P = 0.0115; small: r = 0.342, P = 0.0002, r = 0.292, P = 0.0011; very small: r = 0.385, P < 0.0001, r = 0.426, P < 0.0001, boys and girls, respectively).
Conclusions
Subclass distribution of LDL‐TG was significantly associated with the clustering of MetS components in both sexes, and insulin resistance is a significant determinant of LDL‐TG in all LDL subclasses. Lipoprotein‐tryglyceride subclass analysis, rather than LDL‐C, may provide a precise evaluation for cardiovascular disease risks in children with MetS.