[Postprandial lipemia: influence of aging]

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the behavior of postprandial lipemia assessed by means of repeated measurements of triglyceride levels in healthy individuals aged from 20 to 50 years, divided into the following 3 age groups: GI--from 20 to 30 years; GII--from 31 to 40 years; and GIII--from 41 to 50 years.

Methods: Triglyceride levels were measured in 3 conditions: after a 12-hour fast, and 2 and 6 hours after a standard meal containing 40 g of fat.

Results: The repeated-measures analysis of triglyceride levels showed a distinct behavior of the age groups throughout the 6 hours. The younger participants (GI) had a reduction in the triglyceride levels in the sixth hour; the elderly (GIII) had increasing values in the sixth hour; and those in the intermediate age group (GII) maintained their triglyceride levels, when comparing the second and sixth hours of blood collection. The differences in behavior were significant (P=0.01).

Conclusion: In a healthy adult population sample, aging influences the postprandial lipemia behavior.