Predictors of postprandial triacylglycerol response in children: the Columbia University Biomarkers Study

Background: Predictors of postprandial lipemia have not been explored in ch ildren. Objective: Our objective was to determine whether the postprandial triacylg lycerol response is associated with low HDL-cholesterol and high fasting tr iacylglycerol concentrations and family history of early-onset ischemic hea rt disease (IHD) in children. Design: We administered a standardized fat load (52.5 g fat/m(2)) to 60 chi ldren (mean age: 14.0 y), 20 with and 40 without a family history of early- onset IHD, and to 29 mothers, all recruited from families enrolled in the C olumbia University Biomarkers Study. Plasma lipid and retinyl palmitate con centrations were measured in the fasting state and 3, 6, and 8 h after the oral fat load. Results: In children, postprandial lipemia, as indicated by the incremental area under the triacylglycerol response curve, was associated with elevate d fasting triacylglycerol concentrations (greater than or equal to1.13 mmol /L; P < 0.01), with low fasting HDL-cholesterol concentrations (<less than or equal to>0.91 mmol/L: P < 0.01), and with the combination of low HDL-cho lesterol and high triacylglycerol concentrations (P < 0.05). Family history of IHD, baseline LDL-cholesterol concentration, and apolipoprotein E genot ype were not associated with the postprandial triacylglycerol or retinyl pa lmitate response. The mothers had fasting triacylglycerol concentrations si milar to those of their children but a more prolonged response with higher triacylglycerol concentrations at 6 and 8 h (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respect ively). Conclusions: In children, a delayed postprandial triacylglycerol response t o a fat load is associated with the combination of high fasting triacylglyc erol and low HDL-cholesterol concentrations. Predictors of postprandial tri acylglycerol concentrations may be similar in children and adults.