Association of the triglycerides and glucose index and the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance with lipoprotein(a), apolipoprotein AI, and apolipoprotein B concentrations in children with normal-weight.

The aim of this study was to compare the association of the triglycerides and glucose (TyG) index and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) with lipoprotein(a) (lp[a]), apolipoprotein AI (apoAI), and apoliprotein B (apoB) concentrations in children with normal-weight. Children with normal weight aged 6-10 years and Tanner 1 stage were included in a cross-sectional study. Underweight, overweight, obesity, smoking, alcohol intake, pregnancy, acute or chronic illnesses, and any kind of pharmacological treatment were exclusion criteria. According to the lp(a) levels, children were allocated into the groups with elevated concentrations and normal values. A total of 181 children with normal weight and an average age of 8.4 ± 1.4 years were enrolled in the study. The TyG index showed a positive correlation with lp(a) and apoB in the overall population (r = 0.161 and r = 0.351, respectively) and boys (r = 0.320 and r = 0.401, respectively), but only with apoB in the girls (r = 0.294); while the HOMA-IR had a positive correlation with lp(a) levels in the overall population (r = 0.213) and boys (r = 0.328). The linear regression analysis showed that the TyG index is associated with lp(a) and apoB in the overall population (B = 20.72; 95%CI 2.03-39.41 and B = 27.25; 95%CI 16.51-37.98, respectively) and boys (B = 40.19; 95%CI 14.50-65.7 and B = 29.60; 95%CI 15.03-44.17, respectively), but only with apoB in the girls (B = 24.22; 95%CI 7.90-40.53). The HOMA-IR is associated with lp(a) in the overall population (B = 5.37; 95%CI 1.74-9.00) and boys (B = 9.63; 95%CI 3.65-15.61).   Conclusion: The TyG index is associated with both lp(a) and apoB in children with normal-weight. What is Known: • The triglycerides and glucose index has been positively associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease in adults. What is New: • The triglycerides and glucose index is strongly associated with lipoprotein(a) and apolipoprotein B in children with normal-weight. • The triglycerides and glucose index may be a useful tool to identify cardiovascular risk in children with normal-weight.