Correlation between cholesterol, soluble P-selectin, and D-dimer in obese children and adolescents

Thirty-eight obese children and adolescents were investigated for a possibl e relation between cholesterol and markers of platelet activation, endothel ial cell dysfunction, and activation of the coagulation system. Soluble P-s electin, von Willebrand factor antigen (vWf-Ag), D-dimer, and prothrombin f ragment 1 + 2 (F1 + 2) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay s, and factor VIII coagulant activity (VIIIc) was measured by means of one- stage clotting assay. Cholesterol correlated significantly with log P-selec tin (r = 0.43, P = 0.003) and log D-dimer (r = 0.33, P = 0.02). Cholesterol did not correlate with vWf-Ag, factor VIIIc, and F1 + 2. Log P-selectin co rrelated significantly with log D-dimer (r = 0.42, P = 0.003), which remain ed significant after adjustment for cholesterol (P = 0.02). Log D-dimer cor related significantly with F1 + 2 (r = 0.38, P = 0.01). Our study demonstra tes that, in obese children and adolescents, cholesterol is significantly a ssociated with P-selectin and D-dimer, and suggests an unfavorable intercor relation between metabolic and hemostatic risk factors for coronary heart d isease in childhood obesity. Blood Coagul Fibrinolysis 11:755-760 (C) 2000 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.