Marcil V, et al. – This research was planned to investigate the association between lactoferrin (LTF) variants, plasma LTF concentrations, and cardio–metabolic risk factors in French–Canadian children. No association was observed between LTF gene variants and metabolic parameters following correction for multiple testing. However, high–density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL–C) and gender–specific positive associations were reported between plasma LTF, anthropometric profile, and lipid levels.

Methods

• This study included 1,749 French Canadians aged 9, 13, and 16 years.
• In this study, the association of 13 LTFpolymorphisms, metabolic parameters, and plasma LTF levels was examined.

Results

• Investigations revealed that none of the genetic association remained significant after correction for multiple testing and LTF SNPs were not associated with LTF levels.
• Plasma LTF was positively associated with body mass index (r²=0.2245, P=0.0011) and weight (r²=0.2515, P=0.0008).
• After segregating according to high–density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL–C), the association remained only in subjects exhibiting low HDL–C (r²=0.3868, P=0.0002 for body mass index and r²=0.3665, P=0.0004 for weight).
• In girls, plasma LTF was positively correlated with total cholesterol (r²=0.2231,P=0.0378), LDL cholesterol (r²=0.2409, P=0.0246), and apolipoprotein B (r²=0.2478, P=0.0207).