Distribution of apolipoproteins in normal individuals of various age groups.

The study comprised normal controls with 10 males and 10 females in each decade of age starting from birth till greater than 70 years of age and also 20 cord blood samples (10 males and 10 females). In normal controls there was a progressive increase in the levels of total cholesterol and triglycerides in both men and women with age. Women had significantly lower levels of Tc and TG as compared to men until 40 years of age. Beyond this age levels of Tc were similar to those in men. HDL-c was lower in girls below 10 years of age compared to boys. Above 10 years of age women had significantly higher levels of HDL-c. Apo A-I and A-II levels were also significantly higher in women compared to men.