ESPE Abstracts

Background: Apoptosis is a programmed sequence of events towards cell death. Blood vessels employ apoptosis for remodeling during development and to maintain homeostasis during adulthood. The atherosclerotic process begins in early childhood and is correlated with obesity and metabolic disorders.

Objective and hypotheses: To investigate the correlation of apoptotic marker Apo-1/Fas with children’s biochemical and anthropometric characteristics.

Method: About 165 students participated in our research, 6–18 years old, living in Peloponnese, Greece. Anthropometric, biochemical and immune-assays analyses for endothelial markers (CRP, I-CAM, Endothelin-1) and apoptotic markers (Apo-1/Fas) were performed.

Results: In group A (≤9 years old), 51.8% of children had BMI%>85, 70.6% had WC%>85 and 23.5% were predisposed for Metabolic Syndrome(MetSyn). In group B (>9 years old), 35.4% of children had BMI%>85, 72.2% had WC%>85 and 31.6% were predisposed for MetSyn. Apo-1/Fas was negatively correlated with age (P=0.008) and predisposition for MetSyn (P=0.019). In group A, Apo-1/Fas was negatively correlated with fasting glucose (P=0.015), γGT(P=0.010), cholesterol/LDL ratio (P=0.004), triglycerides/HDL ratio (P=0.046) and positively correlated with HDL (P=0.047). In group B, Apo-1/Fas was negatively correlated with fasting glucose (P=0.012), iron (P=0.040), cholesterol/LDL ratio (P=0.003) and triglycerides/HDL ratio (P=0.038) but positively correlated with CRP (P<0.001), I-CAM (P=0.001) and Endothelin-1 (P=0.037). ROC analysis showed that high values of age, BMI%, waist and blood pressure, indicate MetSyn predisposition, while decreased APO-1/Fas values indicate no predisposition for MetSyn. Multiple logistic regression showed that systolic blood pressure and Apo-1/Fas are independent prognostic factors for MetSyn.

Conclusion: The role of Fas-mediated apoptosis in atherogenesis is complex and controversial. In adults, Apo-1/Fas is associated with adiposity and lipid metabolism. In our research, in young children Apo-1/Fas seems to exert a protective role maybe through down-regulating inflammation and the progression of artherosclerosis. On the other hand, in older children Apo-1/Fas expression is positively related to endothelial dysfunction markers. More studies are necessary to clarify the role of Apo-1/Fas in metabolic disorders in childhood.