Evaluación de las concentraciones de lípidos y apoproteínas A-I y B-100 en un grupo de escolares de cinco departamentos del centro-oriente de Colombia

Introducción. Existe evidencia sobre variaciones en las concentraciones de lípidos y apoproteínas en los niños asociados a cambios fisiológicos o al medio ambiente, este último puede inducir alteraciones futuras en los lípidos. Objetivo. Evaluar las concentraciones de colesterol total, colesterol LDL, colesterol HDL y apoproteínas A-1 y B-100 en escolares de cinco departamentos del centro-oriente colombiano, y comparar por edad, sexo, índice de masa corporal, práctica de actividad física y preferencias hacia algunos alimentos. Materiales y métodos Se recolectaron 741 muestras de sangre que se analizaron por métodos enzimáticos, colorimétricos e inmunoturbidimétricos. Todos los valores se presentaron como media y desviación estándar y para la comparación entre grupos se utilizó prueba t, ANOVA y Scheffe. Resultados. Se observaron variaciones en los lípidos y valores constantes en las apolipoproteínas, las concentraciones de los lípidos se relacionaron con los cambios de edad y sexo. Se observaron cambios que pueden asociarse al grado de maduración sexual, dieta y nivel de actividad física. Los valores de colesterol total, colesterol LDL y colesterol HDL fueron más bajos a los reportados en otros grupos de población mientras que en los triglicéridos hay mayor variación con tendencia a ser superiores. Conclusión. Existen otras variables diferentes a la edad y el género que influyen en las variaciones de los lípidos; se requieren otros estudios para determinar la contribución de cada factor. La promoción de estilos de vida saludable puede ayudar a disminuir el riesgo futuro de enfermedad cardiovascular asociada a bajas concentraciones de colesterol HDL y mayores de triglicéridos en esta población

Apolipoprotein E genotype predicts 24-month Bayley scales infant development score

Apolipoprotein E (APOE) regulates cholesterol and fatty acid metabolism, and may mediate synaptogenesis during neurodevelopment. To our knowledge, the effects of APOE4 isoforms on infant development have not been studied. This study was nested within a cohort of mother-infant pairs living in and around Mexico City. A multiple linear regression model was constructed using the 24-mo Mental Development Index (MDI) of the Bayley Scale as the primary outcome and infant APOE genotype as the primary risk factor of interest. Regression models stratified on APOE genotype were constructed to explore effect modification. Of 311 subjects, 53 (17%) carried at least one copy of the APOE4 allele. Mean (SD) MDI scores among carriers with at least one copy of APOE4 Were 94.1 (14.3) and among E3/E2 carriers were 91.2 (14.0). After adjustment for covariates, APOE4 carrier status was associated with a 4.4 point (95% confidence interval: 0.1-8.7; p = 0.04) higher 24-mo MDL. In the stratified regression models, the negative effects for umbilical cord blood lead level on 24-mo MDI score was approximately 4-fold greater among APOE3/APOE2 carriers than among APOE4 carriers. These results suggest that subjects with the E4 isoform of APOE may have advantages over those with the E2 or E3 isoforms with respect to early life neuronal/brain development

Essential fats for future health

The 9th Unilever Nutrition Symposium entitled ‘Essential fats for future health’, held on 26–27 May 2010, aimed to review the dietary recommendations for essential fatty acids (EFA); discuss the scientific evidence for the roles of EFA in cognition, immune function and cardiovascular health; and to identify opportunities for joint efforts by industry, academia, governmental and non-governmental organizations to effectively improve health behaviour. This paper summarizes the main conclusions of the presentations given at the symposium. Linoleic acid (LA) and ?-linolenic acid (ALA) are EFA that cannot by synthesized by the human body. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is considered as conditionally essential because of its limited formation from ALA in the human body and its critical role in early normal retinal and brain development and, jointly with eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), in prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Some evidence for possible beneficial roles of n-3 fatty acids for immune function and adult cognitive function is emerging. A higher consumption of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA; &gt;10%E), including LA, ALA and at least 250–500?mg per day of EPA+DHA, is recommended for prevention of coronary heart disease (CHD). Two dietary interventions suggest that EFA may affect CVD risk factors in children similarly as in adults. To ensure an adequate EFA intake of the population, including children, public health authorities should develop clear messages based on current science; ensure availability of healthy, palatable foods; and collaborate with scientists, the food industry, schools, hospitals, health-care providers and communities to encourage consumers to make healthy choices.<br/