Synergistic Modulation of Lipid Levels by Coffee and Swimming With Evidence of a Strong Obesity–Dyslipidemia Link: A Preclinical Study

Comparison of lipid profiles in normal and hypertensive pregnant women

We conducted a genome-wide scan using variance components linkage analysis to localize quantitative-trait loci (QTLs) influencing triglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and total cholesterol (TC) levels in 3,071 subjects from 459 families with atherogenic dyslipidemia. The most significant evidence for linkage to TG levels was found in a subset of Turkish families at 11q22 [logarithm of the odds ratio (LOD)=3.34] and at 17q12 (LOD=3.44). We performed sequential oligogenic linkage analysis to examine whether multiple QTLs jointly influence TG levels in the Turkish families. These analyses revealed loci at 20q13 that showed strong epistatic effects with 11q22 (conditional LOD=3.15) and at 7q36 that showed strong epistatic effects with 17q12 (conditional LOD=3.21). We also found linkage on the 8p21 region for TG in the entire group of families (LOD=3.08). For HDL-C levels, evidence of linkage was identified on chromosome 15 in the Turkish families (LOD=3.05) and on chromosome 5 in the entire group of families (LOD=2.83). Linkage to QTLs for TC was found at 8p23 in the entire group of families (LOD=4.05) and at 5q13 in a subset of Turkish and Mediterranean families (LOD=3.72). These QTLs provide important clues for the further investigation of genes responsible for these complex lipid phenotypes. These data also indicate that a large proportion of the variance of TG levels in the Turkish population is explained by the interaction of multiple genetic loci.

Exploring Avenues for Raising HDL Cholesterol

To determine the relative contributions of triglycerides (TGs) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol in the residual risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) after the reduction of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol to guideline-recommended levels, we conducted a hospital-based, case-control study with optimal matching in the strata of LDL cholesterol, gender, ethnicity, and age. The 170 cases and 175 controls were patients at Brigham and Women's Hospital (Boston, Massachusetts) from 2005 to 2008 who had an LDL cholesterol level <130 mg/dl. The cases had incident CHD, and the controls had diagnoses unrelated to CHD. The 170 cases and 175 controls had a mean LDL cholesterol level of 73 and 87 mg/dl, respectively. The association between TG and HDL cholesterol levels and CHD risk was assessed using conditional and unconditional logistic regression analysis. The models investigated accommodated the possibility of an interaction between lipid factors. The odds of CHD increased by approximately 20% per 23-mg/dl increase in TGs and decreased by approximately 40% per 7.5-mg/dl decrease in HDL cholesterol. High TGs and low HDL cholesterol interacted synergistically to increase the odds ratio to 10 for the combined greatest TG (> or =190 mg/dl) and lowest HDL cholesterol quintiles (<30 mg/dl). High TG levels were more strongly associated with CHD when the HDL cholesterol was low than average or high; and low HDL cholesterol levels were more strongly associated with CHD when the TGs were high. TGs and HDL cholesterol were associated with CHD in patients with a LDL cholesterol level of < or =70 mg/dl, with a risk similar to, or greater than, those in the total group. In conclusion, high TG and low HDL cholesterol levels contribute strongly and synergistically to CHD when LDL cholesterol is well controlled. Thus, high TGs might have greater importance in patients with optimal rather than greater LDL cholesterol concentrations.

BackgroundBlood lipid abnormalities are common among Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients, and achieving better glycemic control may help improve their lipid profiles. Concomitant use of herbal medicines with conventional antidiabetic medications is a common practice among T2DM patients in Ethiopia. This study was conducted to evaluate the impacts of herbal medicine use on lipid profiles among T2DM patients.MethodThis is a cross‐sectional study and was conducted from May 01 to July 30, 2024. A sample of 416 participants was approached for the study. The sample size was calculated using a single population proportion formula. A systematic random sampling method was used to select the participants. The data were collected through interviewer‐administered questionnaire and patient medical record reviews. Patients were randomly selected, and their corresponding medical records, retrieved from the archive based on follow‐up schedules of the patients, were accessed and reviewed using a data collection tool adapted from previous studies. Lipid parameters, including total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C), and high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C) levels, as well as TC/LDL‐C, TG/LDL‐C, and LDL‐C/HDL‐C ratios and atherogenic index of plasma (AIP), were compared between herbal medicine users and nonusers using the Mann–Whitney U Test and linear regression analysis.ResultsOf the participants approached, 381 (91.6%) were included in the study. Among the participants included in the study, 141 (37.0%) reported having used herbal medicine since they were diagnosed with diabetes, and almost all were active users at the time of the study. The median TC, TG, and LDL‐C levels and TC/HDL‐C, TG/HDL‐C, and LDL‐C/HDL‐C ratios and AIP of herbal medicine users were significantly lower than those of nonusers (p < 0.01), whereas the median HDL‐C was significantly higher (p < 0.05). Moreover, linear regression analyses indicated that the TC, TG, and LDL‐C levels were decreased by 6.84 mg/dL (β = −6.84, p < 0.05), 8.69 mg/dL (β = −8.69, p < 0.01), and 6.75 mg/dL (β = −6.75, p < 0.05), respectively, whereas HDL‐C values increased by 1.59 (β = 1.59, p < 0.05) in herbal drug users as compared with nonusers. Similarly, compared with nonusers, TC/HDL‐C, TG/HDL‐C, and LDL‐C/HDL‐C ratios in herbal medicine users were reduced by 0.32 (β = −0.32, p < 0.01), 0.34 (β = −0.34, p < 0.01), and 0.23 (β = −0.23, p < 0.05), respectively, whereas AIP decreased by 0.041.ConclusionIn conclusion, the use of herbal medicines was associated with significant reductions in TC, TG, and LDL‐C levels, as well as in the TC/HDL‐C, TG/HDL‐C, and LDL‐C/HDL‐C ratios and AIP, whereas also associated with a significant increase in HDL‐C levels. The results imply that herbal remedies may have beneficial effects in optimizing serum lipid levels in T2DM patients and could ultimately help reduce associated cardiovascular risks. However, because this study was cross‐sectional and carried out at a single site, we recommend conducting more rigorous, multicenter observational and trial studies to generate more comprehensive and conclusive results.

Background: To evaluate distribution and prognostic value of total cholesterol and lipoprotein fractions in essential hypertension. Methods: In a prospective cohort study, 2649 initially untreated subjects with essential hypertension (aged 51, 46.5% women) were investigated at entry and followed for a mean of 5.6 years (range: 1-16). Results: At entry, subjects with total cholesterol (TC) ≥240 mg/dl (≥6.22 mmol/l) or high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (HDL-C) <40 mg/dl (1.05 mmol/l) or low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (LDL-C) ≥160 mg/dl (4.13 mmol/l) or TC/HDL-C ratio >6 were 47.7%. TC, HDL-C, LDL-C and triglycerides (TG) did not show any association with office or 24-h ambulatory blood pressure (BP). During follow-up there were 167 first cardiac events and 122 first cerebrovascular events. TC, HDL-C, LDL-C and TC/HDL-C ratio showed an association with cardiac events, but not with cerebrovascular events. TG did not show any association with cardiac or cerebrovascular events. After adjustment for age, sex, diabetes, smoking, left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy and 24-h pulse pressure, the hazard ratio for cardiac events was 1.83 (95% CI 1.23-2.71) in association with a TC ≥6.22 mmol/l, 2.23 with a HDL-C <1.05 mmol/l (95% CI 1.06-4.70), 2.83 with a LDL-C ≥4.91 mmol/l (95% CI 1.48-5.42) and 3.90 with a TC/HDL-C ratio >6.0 (95% CI 2.23-6.81). When forced in the same model, HDL-C and LDL-C showed an independent association with cardiac events. Conclusions: Abnormalities of TC and lipoproteins are common in essential hypertension. HDL-C and LDL-C independently predict the risk of cardiac, but not cerebrovascular, events. Their predictive value is independent of several confounding factors including LV hypertrophy and ambulatory BP.

Aim: This study investigated the effects of e-waste occupational exposure on lipid profile and atherogenic indices in Waste Electrical and Electronic Workers in South-South Nigeria. Matrials and methods: Whole blood levels of lead and cadmium were analyzed using ICPMS (Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry). Total serum cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and triglycerides (TG) were determined using spectrophotometric method. Low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol value was calculated by the Friedewald equation using analyzed values of TC, HDL cholesterol and TG. Atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) was calculated as log TG/HDLc, atherogenic coefficient (AC) as [(TC-HDLc)/HDLc], Castelli risk index (CRI-1) as (TC/HDLc) and CRI-II as (LDLc/HDLc). Results: Total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, AC, CRI-1 and CRI-11 significantly increased in the e-waste exposed participants compared to the unexposed group. Significant positive correlations between lead and cadmium, cadmium and total cholesterol as well as between cadmium and LDL-cholesterol were observed Conclusion: Occupational exposure to e-waste borne chemicals may cause changes in lipid levels and increase risk of cardiovascular disease in the Nigerian e-waste workers included in the present study. The level of artisanal involvement in crude e-waste reprocessing should be considered critical in cardiovascular health risk assessment.

Elevated low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), low high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and elevated triglycerides (TG) are cardiovascular (CV) risk factors. The objective of this study was to evaluate attainment of goal/recommended lipid levels and predictors thereof post initiation of lipid modifying therapy (LMT) in a representative sample of US adults with commercial and government health insurance. Among 111,623 patients age &gt;35 from GE Centricity Electronic Medical Records with ≥1 abnormal lipid value (before June 2004), we extracted 51,891 patients who initiated LMT between June 2004 and December 2006 (index date), continued therapy for 1 year, and had full lipid panels (LDL-C, HDL-C and TG) pre and post index date. LDL-C goals were defined according to NCEP ATP III guidelines. Recommended level for TG was &lt;200 mg/dL, and for HDL-C &gt;40mg/dL for men and &gt;50mg/dL for women. Patients with history of coronary heart disease (CHD), diabetes and 10 year CHD risk&gt;20% were classified as high CV risk. Multiple logistic regressions evaluated predictors of lipid level attainment (individual and ≥2). Among 51,891 patients, 53% had elevated LDL-C, 60% had low HDL-C, 37% had elevated TG and 73% had low HDL-C and/or elevated TG prior to LMT initiation. Despite 1 year therapy - with over 80% initiating statin therapy - 34% had elevated LDL-C (29% for high risk), 56% had low HDL-C (67% for high risk), 30% had elevated TG (32% for high risk) and 65% had low HDL-C and/or elevated TG (75% for high risk). CHD and diabetes were associated with better attainment of LDL-C goal and TG recommended levels. Females (Odds Ratio=0.24, 95% Confidence Interval [0.16 – 0.34]), patients with 10 year CHD risk&gt;20% (OR=0.22, 95% CI [0.12– 0.40]) and those with higher baseline total cholesterol (OR=0.98, 95% CI [0.97– 0.99]) were less likely to attain ≥2 recommended lipid levels. In this cohort of insured US adults, additional 19% attained LDL-C goal following LMT for 1 year but few improved in terms of HDL-C (4%), TG (7%) and HDL-C and/or TG (8%). Additionally, dyslipidemia persisted among high risk patients despite higher likelihood of reaching LDL-C goal with presence of CHD or diabetes. Control of multiple lipid parameters remained poor.

Polymorphisms Associated With Cholesterol and Risk of Cardiovascular Events

Relationship of Coffee Consumption with Serum Lipids and Lipoproteins in Japanese Men

Increased serum apolipoprotein (apo)B and associated LDL levels are well-correlated with an increased risk of coronary disease. ApoE⁻/⁻ and low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLr)⁻/⁻ mice have been extensively used for studies of coronary atherosclerosis. These animals show atherosclerotic lesions similar to those in humans, but their serum lipids are low in apoB-containing LDL particles. We describe the development of a new mouse model with a human-like lipid profile. Ldlr CETP⁺/⁻ hemizygous mice carry a single copy of the human CETP transgene and a single copy of a LDL receptor mutation. To evaluate the apoB pathways in this mouse model, we used novel short-interfering RNAs (siRNA) formulated in lipid nanoparticles (LNP). ApoB siRNAs induced up to 95% reduction of liver ApoB mRNA and serum apoB protein, and a significant lowering of serum LDL in Ldlr CETP⁺/⁻ mice. ApoB targeting is specific and dose-dependent, and it shows lipid-lowering effects for over three weeks. Although specific triglycerides (TG) were affected by ApoB mRNA knockdown (KD) and the total plasma lipid levels were decreased by 70%, the overall lipid distribution did not change. Results presented here demonstrate a new mouse model for investigating additional targets within the ApoB pathways using the siRNA modality.

> It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves > > —William Shakespeare The widespread availability and lower costs of genotyping and sequencing have resulted in the performance of a large number of genotype–phenotype association studies in cardiovascular medicine. The stringent requirements for correction for multiple testing and replication have particularly favored genotype–phenotype studies examining the association between genetic variation and quantitative traits that allows for greater statistical power. Multiple genome-wide association studies and a subsequent meta-analysis have identified >180 common and rare genetic variants associated with lipid traits.1,2 However, the effect size of these individual genetic variants is small, explaining only a small fraction of phenotypic variation prompting investigators to use genetic risk scores (GRS) that represent an aggregate of genetic risk to demonstrate clinical utility. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and GRS have been used to predict cardiovascular disease such as coronary artery disease (CAD) and hypertension, surrogate markers of disease such as coronary calcium, cardiovascular outcomes such as myocardial infarction, and intermediate traits such as blood pressure and lipids.3 Article, see p 495 The Global Lipids Genetics Consortium has performed the largest genetic association study of lipid levels in 188 577 individuals from a total of 60 studies.1,2 There were 157 genetic loci that were identified, 95 were described previously and 62 were novel. The lipid level variance explained by the novel loci in this study ranged from 1.6% for high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels to 2.6% for total cholesterol levels. The total lipid variance explained by the previously described loci was 10% to 12%. The population studied was predominantly of European ancestry, and subjects on lipid-lowering therapy were excluded. The association of these genetic loci with lipid levels and a change in lipid levels with intervention in a prediabetic population …

To investigate the lipid levels of Han ethnicity Chinese children at school-age, to provide objective data for the formulation of prevention and management strategy regarding dyslipidemia among children and adolescents. 20 191 children (with 10 669 boys and 9522 girls) aged 7 to 16 years old from 6 representative geographical areas, including Beijing, Tianjin, Hangzhou, Shanghai, Chongqing and Nanning, were surveyed in a randomly selected clustered sample in China. Data on fasting blood triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels were measured. Non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) levels were calculated with data collection, entry, and collation were under the same criteria. (1) In the 7 - 16 year-old group, TG (P(95)) fluctuated between 1.26 mmol/L and 1.88 mmol/L, while TC (P(95)) was between 4.80 mmol/L and 5.46 mmol/L. LDL-C (P(95)) was between 2.67 mmol/L and 3.27 mmol/L while non-HDL-C (P(95)) was between 3.36 mmol/L and 3.91 mmol/L, suggesting that age did not seem to be an affecting factor for the lipid level (P > 0.05). The level of HDL-C (P(5)) fluctuated between 1.08 mmol/L and 0.83 mmol/L, and the dependability analysis on HDL-C and age showed statistically significant difference (P < 0.01, r = -0.274). (2) In the 7 - 9 year-old group, the levels of TG, TC, LDL-C and non-HDL-C of boys were lower but the HDL-C level was higher than in girls. However, in the 10-16 year-old group, the levels of five lipids of boys were all lower than in girls, with all the differences statistically significant (P < 0.05). (3) The levels of TG, TC, LDL-C and non-HDL-C in the obese group were significantly higher than those in non-obesity group, as HDL-C was significantly lower than in non-obese group (P < 0.01). Incidence rates of single and multiple dyslipidemia in obese group were significantly higher than in non-obese group (P < 0.01). (4) Grouped by region, the abnormal rates of TG were descending, with the ranking as North (10.4%), Midwest (9.7%) and East (8.3%), while the abnormal rates of TC were descending with the ranking as Midwest (6.0%), North (5.2%) and East (4.8%). The abnormal rates of LDL-C were descending as the ranking of North (3.1%), East (2.6%) and Midwest (0.9%), with the abnormal rates of non-HDL-C were descending as Midwest (6.5%), North (4.2%) and East (3.6%). The abnormal rates of HDL-C were descending as Midwess (14.2%), North (5.7%) and East (5.5%). All the differences in the above-said items were statistically significant (P < 0.05). (5) According to the standards of hyperlipidemia formulated by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the incidence rates of abnormal TG, TC, LDL-C, non-HDL-C, HDL-C were 9.4%, 5.4%, 2.2%, 4.8%, 8.6% respectively. (1) Levels of lipids were affected by many factors, but age was not one of them in children and adolescents. However, HDL-C was declining along with the increase of age, to some extent. (2) Girls had a relatively protective tendency through the increasing HDL-C level when they entered the puberty years. (3) Lipids levels in non-obese group were significantly better than the obese group. (4) The lipids levels of children and adolescents in the Eastern region of the country were better than that in the northern and mid-western areas.

We compared the effects of aerobic exercise training on lipid and lipoprotein levels in 18 postmenopausal women who were (N = 8) or were not (N = 10) receiving estrogen replacement therapy (ERT). Each group was tested for lipids, diet recall and VO2max before and after a 12 wk exercise program, consisting of 30-50 min of an aerobic activity at 75-85% of VO2max, 3-4 sessions per week. Both groups increased VO2max by 8% and neither group changed their diet. The ERT group had higher levels of triglycerides and lower levels of low density lipoprotein (LDL-C) (P < 0.01) before training. There were no mean group changes in any of the lipid variables with training. However, individual changes in LDL-C and Total Cholesterol (TC) were strongly related to baseline weight in the nonestrogen group (r = 109.91, r = -0.82) but not in ERT (r = -0.30, r = -0.51). Subsequently, all subjects were redivided into two groups based on BMI (< or = 27 or > or = 27) regardless of ERT status. TC decreased significantly (P < 0.05) in the < or = 27 BMI group. Exercise training had little effect on the lipid profiles of the ERT and the nonestrogen groups, but body weight seems to be a modulating factor. Heavier subjects did not respond as favorably to 12 wk of exercise training as postmenopausal women with less body mass, regardless of the presence of exogenous estrogen.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common comorbidity of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Our aim is to investigate the effects of liraglutide on T2DM with NAFLD. Relevant articles published from the earliest publication to March 2022 were selected from several databases. The Cochrane Collaboration's RevMan software was used for the analysis. Sixteen studies are selected for this meta-analysis, which includes totally 634 patients in the treatment group and 630 patients in the control group. As a result, 14 studies show that fasting plasma glucose levels of the experimental group are lower than that of the control group; 15 studies show that glycosylated hemoglobin A1c levels of the experimental group are lower than that of the control group; 13 studies show that triglyceride levels of the experimental group are lower than that of the control group; twelve studies show that total cholesterol levels of the experimental group are lower than that of the control group; 10 studies show that alanine aminotransferase levels of the experimental group is lower than that of the control group; 10 studies show that no significant difference in changes in aspartate transaminase between 2 groups; 13 studies show that low density lipoprotein cholesterol levels of the experimental group is lower than that of the control group; 9 studies show that no significant difference in changes in high density lipoprotein cholesterol between 2 groups; 7 studies mentioned adverse effects and the difference is significant. Liraglutide is potentially curative for T2DM with NAFLD.