HDL biology
Small-for-gestational-age neonates have lower CETP mass but higher cholesteryl ester transfer, possibly explaining later CHD risk (Metabolism 2001)
Original title: Lipoprotein profile and cholesteryl ester transfer protein in neonates
Comparing lipoprotein profiles and CETP across neonates of varying birth weight, small for gestational age (SGA) neonates had the highest triglyceride concentrations and lowest HDL2-cholesterol levels. CETP mass, measured by ELISA, was lowest in SGA neonates, while cholesteryl ester transfer, measured as radiolabeled cholesteryl ester movement from HDL to apoB-containing lipoproteins, was highest in SGA neonates; CETP activity itself did not differ among the neonates. The authors suggest that both increased and decreased in utero nourishment affect the lipoprotein profile and CETP in neonates, and that the high triglyceride and low HDL2 levels in SGA neonates, driven by increased cholesteryl ester transfer despite lower CETP mass, may partly explain their increased coronary heart disease risk in later life.
Original abstract
Undernourishment in utero appears to be associated with persisting changes in the metabolic, endocrine, and immune functions. In this study, we determined the influence of birth weight on the lipoprotein profile and cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP), which promotes a proatherogenic lipoprotein profile in plasma by determining the chemical, physical, and biologic properties of the respective lipoprotein particles. Triglyceride (TG) concentrations were highest and high-density lipoprotein (HDL)(2)-cholesterol levels were lowest in small for gestational age (SGA) neonates. CETP-mass was determined 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 apolipoprotein B-containing lipoproteins. CETP mass was lowest and cholesteryl ester transfer was highest in SGA neonates. CETP-activity did not differ among the neonates. Our results suggest that increased and decreased nourishment in utero affects the lipoprotein profile and CETP in neonates. High TG and low HDL(2) levels in SGA neonates might result from increased cholesteryl ester transfer and, may in part, explain the increased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) of small for gestational age neonates in later life.
Summary written by cetpinhibition.org from the published abstract; figures as published. Page updated 19 August 2026. Methods.