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Decrease of Lp(a) during weight reduction in obese children is modified by the apo(a) kringle-IV copy number variation

International Journal of Obesity volume 33, pages 1136–1142 (2009)Cite this article

Abstract

Background:

Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is considered an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Its concentration is mainly determined by the kringle-IV repeat copy number variation (CNV) at the apolipoprotein(a) [apo(a)] locus.

Objective:

We aimed to investigate the immediate effect of weight reduction on plasma Lp(a) levels and its dependency on the apo(a) CNV in obese children.

Design:

We performed a prospective longitudinal intervention study of a low-fat hypocaloric diet conducted in a 3-week dietary camp for obese children. In all, 140 obese participants (54 boys and 86 girls) with a mean age of 12.5±1.6 years and a mean relative body mass index (BMI) before treatment of 165.6±24.7% were included. Body weight and plasma levels of Lp(a), lipids, apolipoproteins A–I and B, insulin, and C-reactive protein were determined before the onset and after the end of the intervention. In addition, the number of apo(a) kringle-IV repeats were determined using sodium dodecyl sulfate agarose gel electrophoresis.

Results:

The mean loss of body weight was 5.0±1.3 kg (−6.6%), resulting in a mean decrease of the relative BMI of 6.6%. Blood chemistry revealed significant changes in all parameters, especially in Lp(a), with a decrease from 24.4±30.6 to 17.9±22.6 mg per 100 ml or −19% (P<0.001). The decrease of Lp(a) levels was higher in the group with low compared with high molecular weight apo(a) phenotypes (−23.9 vs −16.6%).

Conclusions:

Weight reduction in obese children is associated with significant changes in Lp(a) levels, especially in subjects with high pre-treatment Lp(a) concentrations. This effect is markedly influenced by the molecular phenotype at the copy-number variable apo(a) locus.

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Acknowledgements

We appreciate the technical assistance of Nadja Baumgartner from the Division of Genetic Epidemiology, Innsbruck Medical University. The project was supported by the Medizinische Forschungsförderung Innsbruck (Grant 2007-402) and the Österreichische Nationalbank (Grant 13059) to A Brandstätter and by a grant from the Austrian GEN-AU-Programme ‘GOLD’ to F Kronenberg.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Genetic Epidemiology, Department of Medical Genetics, Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology, Innsbruck Medical University, Schöpfstraße, Innsbruck, Austria

    A Brandstätter, A Lingenhel & F Kronenberg

  2. Department of Pediatrics, a.ö. Krankenhaus St. Pölten, Propst-Führer Straße, St. Pölten, Austria

    K Zwiauer

  3. Department of Medical Chemistry, Center for Pysiolology, Pathophysiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Straße, Vienna, Austria

    W Strobl

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  1. A Brandstätter
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Correspondence to F Kronenberg.

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Brandstätter, A., Lingenhel, A., Zwiauer, K. et al. Decrease of Lp(a) during weight reduction in obese children is modified by the apo(a) kringle-IV copy number variation. Int J Obes 33, 1136–1142 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1038/ijo.2009.144

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