Lipoprotein profile and cholesteryl ester transfer protein in neonates

Undernourishment in utero appears to be associated with persisting changes in the metabolic, endocrine, and immune functions. In this study, we determ ined the influence of birth weight on the lipoprotein profile and cholester yl ester transfer protein (CETP), which promotes a proatherogenic lipoprote in profile in plasma by determining the chemical, physical, and biologic pr operties of the respective lipoprotein particles. Triglyceride (TG) concent rations were highest and high-density lipoprotein (HDL)(2)-cholesterol leve ls were lowest in small for gestational age (SGA) neonates, CETP-mass was d etermined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and CETP-activity by using exogenous lipoproteins, Cholesteryl ester transfer was determined as transfer of radiolabeled cholesteryl esters (CE) from HDL to apolipoprotei n B-containing lipoproteins, CETP mass was lowest and cholesteryl ester tra nsfer was highest in SGA neonates, CETP-activity did not differ among the n eonates. Our results suggest that increased and decreased nourishment in ut ero affects the lipoprotein profile and CETP in neonates, High TG and low H DL, levels in SGA neonates might result from increased cholesteryl ester tr ansfer and, may in part, explain the increased risk of coronary heart disea se (CHD) of small for gestational age neonates in later life. Copyright (C) 2001 by W.B. Saunders Company.