Changes in the profile of circulating HDL subfractions in severe obese adolescents following a weight reduction program

Abstract

Background and aims: Epidemiological studies show that obese adolescents are candidates to suffer cardiovascular pathologies in adulthood. In order to detect subfractions with a diagnostic value for future cardiovascular disorders, we analyzed the complete lipoprotein profile of severely obese adolescents.

Methods and results: Twenty-eight obese adolescents free from comorbidities were admitted into a weight reduction program. Anthropometric parameters were monitored. The circulating lipoproteins and glycemia were measured at the beginning and at the end of the study by conventional blood analysis as well as by using lipoprotein electrophoresis. Twenty-one puberty-matched normal-weight adolescents were recruited as controls. After 4 months, participants improved anthropometric parameters. Blood analysis indicated that circulating lipoproteins were in the healthy range during intervention. Nevertheless, results obtained from lipoprotein electrophoresis showed a significant increase in the large high-density lipoprotein subfraction in the obese population at the end of intervention, but significantly lower than normal-weight counterparts. In addition, intermediate- and low-density lipoprotein subfractions were in the healthy range in controls and in obese adolescents during intervention.

Conclusions: Altogether, it seems that the obese adolescents with no comorbidities do not develop a clear dyslipidemia. However, low values of large high-density lipoprotein subfractions could be considered as candidate predictors to develop cardiovascular disease in the future. For this reason, diet and exercise are key tools to fight against this pathology.

Registration number for clinical trials: ISRCTN99414527