Genetics
Olive-oil-enriched skim milk raises HDL cholesterol most in children with the CETP B1B1 genotype (Ann Nutr Metab 2010)
Original title: HDL cholesterol levels in children with mild hypercholesterolemia: effect of consuming skim milk enriched with olive oil and modulation by the TAQ 1B polymorphism in the CETP gene
This randomized crossover trial examined changes in serum lipids in children with mild hypercholesterolemia after consuming skim milk or olive-oil-enriched skim milk, and the modulating effect of the CETP Taq 1B polymorphism, in thirty-six prepubertal children randomized into two groups of 16 and 20, each receiving both milk types for two 6-week periods in inverse sequence. Carriers of at least one B2 allele had significantly higher adjusted baseline HDL-cholesterol than B1B1 children (1.291 vs 1.082 mmol/L, p=0.027), with no significant difference in baseline apolipoprotein A-I. Olive-oil-enriched skim milk significantly increased HDL-cholesterol and apolipoprotein A-I in both B2 carriers (p=0.005 and p=0.018) and B1B1 carriers (p less than 0.001 and p=0.003), with the HDL-cholesterol increase significantly larger in the B1B1 group (p=0.049). The authors conclude olive-oil-enriched skim milk raises HDL-cholesterol and apolipoprotein A-I in hypercholesterolemic children, more intensely in B1B1 genotype carriers.
Original abstract
Background: This study aimed to examine the changes in serum lipids in children with mild hypercholesterolemia after the use of skim milk or olive-oil-enriched skim milk in their diet and the modulation of lipid levels by the Taq 1B polymorphism in the cholesteryl-ester transfer protein gene.
Methods: Thirty-six prepubertal children with mild hypercholesterolemia were randomly assigned in a crossover design into 2 groups of 16 and 20 individuals. Both groups received, in sequential inverse order, the 2 types of milk for 2 periods of 6 weeks.
Results: Carriers of at least 1 B2 allele had an adjusted basal HDL cholesterol level significantly higher than children with the B1B1 genotype (1.291 mmol/l, 95% CI: 1.184-1.397, vs. 1.082 mmol/l, 95% CI: 0.931-1.233; p = 0.027). In contrast, there were no significant differences in the adjusted basal levels of apolipoprotein A-I (B2 carriers: 1.292 g/l, 95% CI: 1.218-1.367; B1B1 genotype: 1.215 g/l, 95% CI: 1.109-1.320; p = 0.223). The intake of olive-oil-enriched skim milk caused significant increases in HDL cholesterol and apolipoprotein A-I, both in B2 (0.089 mmol/l, 95% CI: 0.032-0.146, p = 0.005; 0.55 g/l, 95% CI: 0.012-0.098; p = 0.018) and in B1B1 carriers (0.179 mmol/l, 95% CI: 0.096-0.262; p < 0.001; and 0.095 g/l, 95% CI: 0.032-0.157; p = 0.003). This increase in HDL cholesterol was significantly higher in the B1B1 group (p = 0.049).
Conclusion: The consumption of skim milk enriched with olive oil increases the HDL cholesterol and apolipoprotein A-I levels in children with hypercholesterolemia, this effect being more intense in carriers of the B1B1 genotype.
Summary written by cetpinhibition.org from the published abstract; figures as published. Page updated 19 August 2026. Methods.