Isolation to identify new risks for obese children

A study of 40 obese children in Edmonton discovered: In addition to being heavy, they also have high levels of apoB48, a structural protein found in intestinal cholesterol.

High levels of apoB48 even when their LDL cholesterol levels are typically high in obese adults, are still classified as normal. In detecting the high levels of apoB48 in children, scientists believe they have discovered a new and important clue to better understand why some adults are prone to cardiovascular disease ( CVD) than others.

Dr. Spencer Proctor, nutrition scientist at the University of the United States and co-author of the study said: 'Right now we do not think these children are at risk of developing heart disease. circuit. But they have shown that apoB48 is at levels similar to the levels of apoB48 found in adults who are considered high risk. Therefore, if these levels are not reduced, their risk ratio will be high when they are old. '

"However, testing for apoB48 is currently very rare, difficult and expensive," Proctor said.

The researchers have come to a convincing judgment that high levels of LDL cholesterol are produced in the liver, which is the best sign of disease for patients at risk of cardiovascular disease, whether Scientists have tried to explain why 40 to 50% of people with heart problems have 'normal' LDL levels .

Proctor and his colleagues, including Dr. Geoff Ball, an obesity researcher, believe that apoB48 is specifically found in a type of intestinal cholesterol - also called chylomicrons , that can supplement LDL cholesterol as a Standard markers for physicians to look for when assessing a patient's risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

'We are not measuring what is needed and not understanding all the processes that cause cardiovascular disease,' Proctor said. 'This study adds to the growing number of evidence we have collected to measure apoB48 levels as a means to measure chylomicron levels, and it can be an important solution to word problems in understanding who is at risk for cardiovascular disease and who is not at risk.

Proctor believes that testing for apoB48 becomes more common and less expensive when it is important to realize how important it is to determine the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Proctor and colleagues believe that chylomicrons play a major part in the progression of cardiovascular disease, and they feel that more tests are needed to find out the cause. Currently, they do not know whether to eat sweet foods, whether high-fat foods are the main cause of high levels of apoB48 in children, or high levels of apoB48 as a result of an imbalance. in genes, and this does not allow adequate conversion of fat-rich and sweet foods in some people.

Proctor said: 'Right now we think there is a combination of both - due to poor diet and genetics, making that person produce a high level of apoB48.'

He added: "When we learn more about the effects of intestinal cholesterol, we will be better prepared to have treatments to prevent cardiovascular disease. For some people , exercise and diet changes can be the best way, for others it may be the intervention of western medicine, and actually in some cases, the combination of both can be needed. '

In addition, drug manufacturers are at the peak of producing new drugs aimed at reducing cholesterol chylomicron.

'We know that it is not simply how much you weigh, making you more susceptible to cardiovascular disease. It is also a problem in the amount of fat and the type of fat you have in your body, which is important , ' Proctor said.

Danh Phuong