Correlations Between Lipid Profile, High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein, Matrix Metalloproteinase, and Left Ventricular Mass and Function Among Adolescents With Obesity

The prevalence of obesity among adolescents is steadily increasing. Obese adolescents are thought to have impaired lipid profile, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9), and left ventricular mass and function, which are potential for further research. This study aimed to compare total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), triglycerides, hs-CRP, MMP-9, and left ventricular mass and function between obese and nonobese adolescents.
 
A cohort study was conducted in Manado from August 2013 to February 2014. This study enrolled adolescents aged between 13 and 18 years whose body mass index (BMI) was greater than 95th percentile according to CDC 2000 recommendation.
 
A total of 80 subjects, consisting of 40 subjects in both obese and nonobese arms, were included in this study. The results from the comparative analysis were as follows: total cholesterol: 194.25/160.88 mg/dL, LDL: 136.63/104.65 mg/dL, HDL: 46.13/48.60 mg/dL, triglycerides: 113.10/69.68 mg/dL, hs-CRP: 3.60/0.64 mg/dL, and MMP-9: 620.50/391.64 mg/dL. There were significant differences in total cholesterol, LDL, hs-CRP, and MMP-9 levels (P < 0.001) between the obese and nonobese groups. The univariate analysis showed a significant relationship between BMI and left ventricular mass (P < 0.01), HDL and left ventricular mass (P = 0.036), triglycerides and left ventricular mass (P = 0.01), MMP-9 and left ventricular mass (P < 0.01), and hs-CRP and left ventricular mass (P = 0.001).
 
Among the obese adolescents in the age group of 13 to 18 years old, there was an alteration in lipid profile, hs-CRP levels, MMP-9 levels, and left ventricular mass and function. (Iranian Heart Journal 2021; 22(1): 57-65)