Altered Serum Lipid Levels Research Articles

Integrative metagenomic and lipidomic analyses reveal alterations in children with obesity and after lifestyle intervention.

Despite emerging evidence linking alterations in gut microbiota to childhood obesity, the metabolic mechanisms linking gut microbiota to the lipid profile during childhood obesity and weight loss remain poorly understood. In this study, children with obesity were treated with lifestyle weight loss therapy. Metagenomics association studies and serum untargeted lipidomics analyses were performed in children with obesity and healthy controls before and after weight loss. We identified alterations in gut microbiota associated with childhood obesity, as well as variations in circulating metabolite concentrations. Children with obesity showed significant decreases in the levels of s-Rothia_kristinae and s-Enterobacter_roggenkampii, alongsige elevated levels of s-Clostridiales_bacterium_Marseille-P5551. Following weight loss, the levels of s-Streptococcus_infantarius and s-Leuconostoc_citreum increased by factors of 3.354 and 1.505, respectively, in comparison to their pre-weight loss levels. Correlation analyses indicated a significant positive relationship between ChE(2:0) levels and both with s-Lachnospiraceae_bacterium_TF09-5 and fasting glucose levels. CoQ8 levels were significantly negatively correlated with s-Rothia_kristinae and HOMA-IR. We linked altered gut microbiota and serum lipid levels in children with obesity to clinical indicators, indicating a potential impact on glucose metabolism via lipids. This study contributes to understanding the mechanistic relationship between altered gut microbiota and childhood obesity and weight loss, suggesting gut microbiome as a promising target for intervention. https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.html?proj=178971, ChiCTR2300072179.

Exploring the Relationship between Lipid Profile, Inflammatory State and 25-OH Vitamin D Serum Levels in Hospitalized Patients.

Anomalies in lipid metabolism involve multifactorial pathogenesis, among other factors, being associated with an inflammatory state and disturbances in vitamin D status. The literature has focused on the binary relationships between inflammation and dyslipidemia, vitamin D and dyslipidemia, or vitamin D and inflammation. Our study aimed to explore the link between all these three factors: 25-OH vitamin D serum levels, the presence of inflammation assessed through serum C-reactive protein (CRP), and serum lipid profile in 2747 hospitalized patients. Our results showed a positive correlation of HDL-C with 25 (OH) vitamin D and a negative correlation of HDL-C with CRP. This relationship had different patterns in the statistical network analysis. The network analysis patterns are preserved for males and females, except for the relationship between CRP and vitamin D, which is present in male cases and absent in females. The same triangular relationship between all three-CRP, vitamin D, and HDL-C was found with different strengths of partial correlation in obese and non-obese patients. This pattern was similar in patients with and without fatty liver. A shifted pattern was found in the network analysis of hypertensive patients. The CRP was negatively correlated with vitamin D and HDL-C, and vitamin D was positively correlated with HDL-C in non-hypertensive patients. Castelli's Risk indexes I and II were positively associated with CRP, suggesting that increased cardiovascular risk is proportional to an inflammatory state. The triad formed by altered serum lipid levels, inflammation, and vitamin D represents a complex relationship marked by specific dynamics between lipidic fractions such as HDL-C and C-reactive protein and vitamin D.

Abstract 152: Osteochondrogenic Transcription Factor SOX9 Regulates The Epigenetic Mechanisms Of Atherosclerosis And Intimal Calcification

Our lab has recently shown that several coronary artery disease (CAD)-protective genes inhibit the transition of smooth muscle cells from plaque-stabilising fibromyocytes (FMCs) to chondrocyte-like chondromyocytes (CMCs) that localise to areas associated with plaque vulnerability, namely acellular and calcified regions. To further investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying the transition from FMCs to CMCs, and to determine the CMC impact on lesional stability, we induced SMC-specific deletion of endochondral master regulator Sox9 and performed single-cell genomics and histological assays in a murine model of atherosclerosis. Whilst deletion of Sox9 resulted in only modest gene expression differences in the contractile SMC and FMC clusters, near total CMC ablation was observed, accompanied by marked downregulation of CMC marker genes, including Col2a1 and Ibsp . Importantly, a substantial decrease in neointimal calcium deposition was also observed. Although Sox9 deletion resulted in closure of chromatin at many CMC genes, overall, a net opening was observed in CMC cluster cells, particularly at genes implicated in FMC-associated processes including inflammation and cytoskeletal dynamics. Peaks of de novo open chromatin were enriched for the motifs of athero-protective, anti-chondrogenic transcription factors, including SMAD3 and AHR, implicating SOX9 as an epigenetic antagonist of anti-chondrogenic programs. In addition, Sox9 ablation substantially reduced total plaque burden in non-aortic root arteries, which was not due to altered serum lipid levels, but which in vitro evidence suggested may in part be due to altered SMC proliferation. Taken together, these data implicate SOX9 as a major regulator of CMC formation and suggest pathological roles for SOX9 beyond intimal calcification. The elucidation of genes and pathways implicated in the FMC to CMC transition could identify novel targets to bias SMC towards plaque-stabilising and away from plaque-destabilising fates.

Altered serum lipid levels are associated with prognosis of diffuse large B cell lymphoma and influenced by utility of rituximab.

Diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and the prognosis of the disease varied. This research aims to investigate the impact of serum lipid level on the outcome of DLBCL patients and their interaction with rituximab (RTX). Data of newly diagnosed DLBCL in the third affiliated hospital of Soochow University were retrospectively collected. Baseline serum lipid levels, clinical data, and survival information were simultaneously recorded. Data of healthy controls were collected with age matching. Serum lipid levels significantly differed for the patients. All were transformed into categorical variables for the analysis of survival. During a median follow-up of 58 months, 32.8% patients died. Univariate analysis revealed all serum lipid indicators were associated with overall survival (OS); all except for total cholesterol (TC) and apolipoprotein B (apoB) showed significant impact on progression-free survival (PFS). Multivariable analysis confirmed the adverse effect of triglyceride (TG) on PFS (P = 0.013) and favorable impact of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) on OS (P = 0.003). For cases treated without RTX, apolipoprotein A (apoA) had independent favorable effect on both PFS (P = 0.004) and OS (P = 0.001). Comparably, for patients who received RTX, HDL showed remarkably predictive value of PFS (P = 0.011) and OS (P = 0.019). In conclusion, the abnormal serum lipids occurred throughout the course of DLBCL, and the associations of serum lipids and the prognosis of the disease were interfered by RTX. Trial registration: 2022()CL033; June 26, 2022, retrospectively registered.

Correlation of 25-Hydroxy Vitamin D and Serum Lipid Profile amongst Asymptomatic Adults in Mumbai City: A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: Deficiency of 25-Hydroxy Vitamin D (25-OH Vitamin) is prevalent globally. Vitamin D and cholesterol metabolism are known to be linked with each other. Few International studies have attempted to relate low Vitamin D level and altered serum lipid levels. However, Indian studies are lacking, hence there is a need to conduct the studies in Indian population. Aim: To study the correlation of the serum Vitamin D level with lipid profile amongst asymptomatic Indian adults in a tertiary care hospital, Mumbai, India. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in SevenHills Hospital, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India (tertiary care hospital), from December 2016 to August 2017. A total of 243 asymptomatic adults, visiting the wellness clinic for routine assessment of health status were randomly selected. Study participants were divided into two groups based on Vitamin D levels. Group A (n=139) with Vitamin D level <20 ng/mL, group B (n=104) with Vitamin D ≥20 ng/mL. Group B was further segregated into sub group B1 (n=60) with Vitamin D level ≥20 ng/mL to <30 ng/mL and sub group B2 (n=44) with Vitamin D level ≥30 ng/mL. Fasting blood samples were collected to measure levels of serum Vitamin D and lipid profile. The measured values of Vitamin D and serum lipids were statistically analysed for any significant relationship using Chi-square test and Unpaired t-test and Pearson’s correlation. Results: Mean age of the participants of group A was 39.94±11.59 years and group B was 47.78±11.53 years. The difference in gender distribution and average BMI of both groups was not statistically significant (p-value=0.8599 and p-value=0.4497, respectively). On comparison of group A and group B2, average High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (HDL-C) level was comparatively higher amongst group B2 (52.18±11.87 mg/dL vs 45.81±12.76 mg/dL; p-value=0.0038) and average Triglyceride (TG) level was higher amongst group A (104.58±70.35 mg/dL vs 129.38±64.34 mg/dL; p-value=0.0308). There was no statistically significant linear correlation found between lipid profile parameters and Vitamin D. Conclusion: In present study, no significant correlation between Vitamin D deficiency and serum lipid profile was found. However, a statistically significant difference was found in average levels of HDL-C and TG amongst adults with adequate Vitamin D and those with Vitamin D deficiency.

A study of variation in serum lipid levels in patients with Plasmodium vivax malaria

Background: Malaria is a common protozoal infection. Plasmodium vivax malaria is the most common species distributed worldwide and in India. The vivax malarial infection is associated with various haematological and biochemical abnormalities, anaemia and thrombocytopenia among the frequently identified abnormal parameters. However vivax malaria is also associated with abnormal lipid levels including low cholesterol levels and normal to high serum triglyceride levels.Methods: This study is a cross-sectional observational study including 100 inpatients admitted to Medical College Hospital over a period of 18 months diagnosed with Plasmodium vivax malaria. The patients were selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. The relevant data was collected and analysed.Results: Vivax malaria infection was found to be more common among males (80%) and during third decade of life (51%). HDL Cholesterol was decreased in all cases, LDL Cholesterol and Total Cholesterol was also decreased in nearly all patients with only 1% cases having values above normal range. Serum Triglycerides was elevated more than 150 mg/dl in 69% cases with 25% cases having values above 200mg/dl. The hypocholestrolemia and hypertriglyceridemia were directly proportional to the thrombocytopenia, hyperbilirubinemia, elevated serum creatinine levels and parasite load.Conclusions: This study demonstrates the presence of altered serum lipid levels in the form of hypocholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia in cases of Plasmodium vivax malaria mono infection. This study also shows that the above lipid alterations were found to be deranged to greater extent in clinically, haematologically and biochemically severe form of infections.

Association between altered serum lipids levels on cognitive impairment in the pre-elderly and elderly population of South India

Altered serum lipid levels are linked with varying degrees of cognitive impairment due to various mechanisms. In addition, the prevalence of mild cognitive impairment varies substantially from one region to another. The prevalence of cognitive impairment in relation to altered serum lipid levels on cognitive impairment in the pre-elderly and elderly population is of great importance. Therefore, it is important to characterize the features of mild cognitive impairment with respect to altered lipid profile. This study investigated the association between altered serum lipid levels on cognitive impairment in the pre-elderly and elderly population. The present cross-sectional study was done in 406 pre-elderly and elderly patients. The participants were subjected to demographic data collection followed by Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Participants were classified into two groups: cognitively-normal (n=289) and mild cognitive impairment (117). Fasting serum lipids of the participants was estimated using venous blood samples by standard biochemical techniques. Differences in the lipid concentrations between the two groups were then compared using the Mann-Whitney U test. Significant differences were found in MMSE scores between the cognitively-normal and MCI groups (p<0.05). MCI patients had a significantly lower level of high-density lipoprotein when compared to cognitively-normal participants (p<0.05). In addition, the two groups showed differences in education levels attained. The cognitively-normal group had a greater number of educational years when compared to the MCI group. The study found significant differences in serum lipid concentrations between the cognitively-normal individuals and the mild cognitive impairment group. Future investigations may be needed to explore the effects exerted by lipids on cognitive functions.

Comparative analysis of serum lipid profile in adults with and without acne vulgaris in a tertiary care center in South India

Background: Acne is a chronic inflammatory disease of the pilosebaceous unit, affecting most teenagers during adolescence and at times may persist into adulthood also. Sebum analysis in some studies has shown increased triglycerides and wax/cholesterol esters in acne patients. Whether there is local alteration of surface lipids and seborrhea associated with any alteration of serum lipid profile in acne patients is not yet known. However, few studies in acne patients have shown definitive variations in lipid profile providing insights into plausibility of role of altered serum lipid levels in acne. Aims: The aim was to evaluate serum lipid profile in adults with and without acne vulgaris and to study the correlation between lipid profile and severity of acne in Indian patients. Materials and Methods: Fifty male and female adults presenting with acne aged between 18 and 40 years along with age- and sex-matched healthy adults without acne were subjected for serum lipid level analysis. Results: In this study, there was no significant difference in lipid levels in acne patients compared to control. Limitations: The limitation of the study was small sample size. Conclusions: There is no statistically significant increase in total cholesterol, very low-density lipoprotein, and low-density lipoprotein in acne patients compared to control.

Resveratrol protects against oxidative stress by activating the Keap-1/Nrf2 antioxidant defense system in obese-asthmatic rats.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the potential mechanism underlying the anti-obesity-asthmatic effects of resveratrol (RSV) in a rat model of obese-asthma. Rat models of obesity and asthma were established using a high-fat diet and the administration of ovalbumin, respectively. Rats were divided into 7 different groups: A normal control, a normal obese, a normal asthma, a normal obese + asthma, a RSV obese, a RSV asthma and a RSV obese + asthma group. Body weight, Lee index, body fat and lung histopathological changes were evaluated. Serum lipid levels were evaluated using calorimetric methods. Levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were examined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Cellular antioxidant enzyme activities were measured using commercial kits. Levels of kelch-like ECH associated protein 1 (Keap-1) and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) was examined using western blot analysis. The results indicated that obese and asthma rat models were successfully established. It was also demonstrated that RSV decreased fasting blood glucose in obese, asthmatic and obese-asthmatic rats. RSV altered serum lipid levels; it significantly increased high density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and significantly decreased serum triglyceride, serum total cholesterol and very low density lipoprotein levels, compared with untreated obese, asthmatic and obese-asthmatic rats (P<0.05). ROS levels were significantly decreased in the RSV treatment group compared with obese, asthmatic and obese-asthmatic rats (P<0.05). RSV treatment significantly increased catalase, glutathione, glutathione peroxidase and total superoxide dismutase levels compared with untreated obese, asthmatic and obese-asthmatic rats (P<0.05). Furthermore, RSV treatment significantly downregulated Keap-1 and upregulated Nrf2 levels in the heart, lung and kidney tissues of rats compared with untreated controls. Therefore, the results demonstrate that RSV protects against oxidative stress by activating the Keap-1/Nrf2 antioxidant defense system in obese-asthmatic rat models.

Maternal Circulating Lipid Profile during Early Pregnancy: Racial/Ethnic Differences and Association with Spontaneous Preterm Delivery.

Prior reports on the association between altered maternal serum lipid levels with preterm delivery are inconsistent. Ethnic differences in serum lipids during pregnancy and their relation to preterm delivery have not been studied. We examined the relationships of six maternal lipids during early pregnancy with the risk of spontaneous preterm delivery (SPTD). The design represents a case-control study nested within a large prospective, multiethnic cohort of young, generally healthy pregnant women. SPTD cases (n = 183) and controls who delivered at term (n = 376) were included. SPTD is defined as delivery at <37 completed weeks of gestation without indicated conditions. We found that African-American women had significantly increased levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and apolipoprotein A1 (apoA1), and lower triglyceride (TG) and apolipoprotein B (apoB) levels compared to Hispanic and non-Hispanic Caucasians combined. Elevated HDL-C and apoA1 concentrations were significantly associated with an increased odds of SPTD after controlling for potential confounding factors. The adjusted odds ratio (AOR) was 1.91 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.15, 3.20) for the highest quartile of HDL-C relative to the lowest quartile, and for apoA1 the AOR was 1.94 (95% CI 1.16, 3.24). When controlling for ethnicity, the results remained comparable. These data suggest that pregnant African-American women had a more favorable lipid profile suggestive of a reduction in cardiovascular risk. Despite this, increased HDL-C and apoA1 were both found to be associated with SPTD.

Comparative Study of Serum Lipid Profile in Pre-eclampsia in a Tertiary Care Hospital, Bangladesh

Objective: To estimate lipid profile in pre-eclampsia cases in Mymensingh Medical College Hospital.Materials and Methods: This cross sectional study was carried out in the dept. of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of Mymensingh Medical College and Hospital (MMCH) and outdoor Pathology Dept. of MMCH. A total 100 pregnant women were included in this study, out of which 50 were pre-eclampsia and 50 normal pregnant women. Purposive sampling technique was followed for selection of study population. Estimation of serum total cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein (HDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL) were done by colorometric method.Result: Findings of the study showed that woman with pre-eclampsia exhibits 14% higher mean plasma level of total cholesterol. It was (229.12 ± 49.31 mg/dl) in pre-eclampsia and (196.68 ± 38.60 ml/dl) in control group and the deference was statistically highly significant (p&lt;.001). Mean plasma level of triglyceride (TG) was approximately 20% higher in the study group (251.28 ± 80.51) as compared with control (200.84 ± 80.51) which was also statistically significant (p&lt;0.01). There was significant raised level of LDL cholesterol in pre-eclampsia (142.12 ± 44.57 mg/dl) as compared to (114.21 ± 37.81 mg/dl) in control which was statistically significant (p=0.004). HDL cholesterol level was found 13% lower in pre-eclampsia pregnant women than control group. There was statistically significant decrease of HDL cholesterol (p&lt;0.05) in study group in which it was 36.74 ± 8.42 mg/dl and in normal pregnancy it was 42.40 ± 9.91 mg/dl.Conclusion: It can be concluded that altered serum lipid levels are seen in pre-eclampsia compared to normal pregnancy.Bangladesh J Obstet Gynaecol, 2013; Vol. 28(2) : 61-65

Alexithymia, Suicide Ideation, C-Reactive Protein, and Serum Lipid Levels Among Outpatients with Generalized Anxiety Disorder

The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationships between alexithymia, suicide ideation, C-Reactive Protein (CRP), and serum lipid levels in adult outpatients with a DSM-IV diagnosis of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). Seventy consecutive patients with GAD were recruited and evaluated. Measures were the Hamilton Anxiety Scale, the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS–20), the Scale of Suicide Ideation (SSI), and the Montgomery Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS). All patients were assessed for: CRP, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceridaemia (TG), and very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C). TC/HDL-C and LDL-C/HDL-C ratios were also evaluated. Alexithymic patients showed higher scores on almost all rating scales and altered serum CRP and lipid levels vs. non-alexithymics. In the hierarchical regression model, the presence of higher MADRS scores together with higher scores at the Difficulty in Identifying Feelings dimension of TAS-20 were associated with higher rates of suicide ideation. Although alexithymic subjects with GAD may show a CRP and cholesterol dysregulation, this latter seems independent on increased suicide ideation, rather to Difficulty in Identifying Feelings, and subthreshold depressive symptoms. Study limitations and future research implications are discussed.

Alexithymia, suicidal ideation, and serum lipid levels among drug-naïve outpatients with obsessive-compulsive disorder

As obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a relatively common psychiatric disorder with a significant suicide risk, the individuation of potential biomarkers of suicidality, such as cholesterol levels, may enable recognition of at-risk subjects. Therefore, the aims of this study were to: 1) evaluate potential differences in clinical and laboratory parameters between patients with and without alexithymia and compare them with healthy controls; and 2) investigate which clinical and laboratory variables were associated with suicidal ideation. 79 drug-naïve adult outpatients with a DSM-IV diagnosis of OCD were recruited. Alexithymia was measured with the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), suicidal ideation was assessed with the Scale for Suicide Ideation, and depressive symptoms were evaluated with the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS). Serum lipid levels of 40 healthy controls were also evaluated. Alexithymic patients had altered serum lipid levels in comparison with non-alexithymics and healthy controls. Using a linear regression model, the presence of symmetry/ordering obsessions and compulsions, lower HDL-C levels, and difficulty in identifying feelings dimension of the TAS-20 were associated with higher suicidal ideation. Alexithymic individuals with OCD may exhibit dysregulation of the cholesterol balance, which in turn may be linked to suicidal ideation. Further prospective studies are required to elucidate this potential association.

368 Occupational noise exposure and serum lipids: the impact of noise exposure level and hearing protection

ObjectivesEnvironmental and occupational noise exposure have been related to increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Activation of the physiological stress response and altered serum lipid levels have been proposed as alternative...

Alexithymia, suicide risk and serum lipid levels among adult outpatients with panic disorder

To elucidate the relationships between alexithymia, suicide ideation and serum lipid levels in drug-naïve adult outpatients with a DSM-IV diagnosis of Panic Disorder (PD), 72 patients were evaluated. Measures were the Panic Attack and Anticipatory Anxiety Scale, the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), the Scale of Suicide Ideation (SSI) and the Montgomery Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS). Alexithymic patients showed higher scores on all rating scales and altered serum lipid levels than non-alexithymics. In the hierarchical regression model, the presence of lower HDL-C and higher VLDL-C levels and Difficulty in Identifying Feelings dimension of TAS-20 were associated with higher suicide ideation. In conclusion, alexithymic individuals with PD may show a cholesterol dysregulation that may be linked to suicide ideation. The authors discuss study limitations and future research needs.

Valsartan alleviates atherosclerotic lesions in pulmonary arteries of rabbits via an endothelium-dependent mechanism

Objective — Angiotensin II plays an important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.This study was designed to examine the effect of valsartan, an angiotensin receptor blocker, on atherosclerotic lesions in pulmonary arteries of rabbits with atherosclerosis induced by a high-cholesterol (HC) diet.Methods — Male New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into four groups: control, HC without valsartan, HC with 3 mg/kg/d valsartan, and HC with 10 mg/kg/d valsartan. Following 12 weeks of treatment, serum lipid profiles were determined. Pulmonary arteries were harvested and stained with Sudan IV for evaluation of atherosclerotic lesions. The middle lobes of the rabbit lungs were isolated, embedded in paraffin, and sectioned and stained with haematoxylin and eosin. Nitric oxide (NO) and endothelin-1 (ET-1) levels were determined in pulmonary arteries by nitrate reductase assay and radioimmunoassay, respectively.Results — HC feeding altered serum lipid levels and induced atherosclerotic lesions in pulmonary arteries. Although 12 weeks of valsartan treatment failed to alter serum lipid levels, it significantly ameliorated HC-induced atherosclerotic lesions. Lesion areas, inflammatory cell infiltration, and occlusions of small arteries of lungs were reduced. Moreover, the endothelium-derived NO levels in pulmonary arteries were increased by valsartan treatment (10 mg/kg/d) compared to levels in the HC group. ET-1 levels were decreased by valsartan treatment compared to levels in the HC group. NO and ET-1 levels were not altered by valsartan at 3 mg/kg/d.Conclusion — Our data demonstrates that HC diet-induced atherosclerotic lesions in rabbit pulmonary arteries can be ameliorated by treatment with valsartan, possibly through a NO and ET-1-dependent mechanism.

Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Experimental Spinal Cord Injury

Cardiometabolic risk factors are sorely underreported after spinal cord injury (SCI), despite the high prevalence of metabolic disorders and cardiovascular mortality in this population. Body-composition analysis and serum-lipid profiling are two assessments that are beginning to be more widely used to document metabolic changes after clinical SCI. Individuals with SCI have been reported to carry increased visceral fat and to exhibit altered serum-lipid levels. However, little is known about the development of these cardiometabolic risk factors in animal models. Using a combination of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and adipose tissue dissection, we show that visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue were both increased at 1 month, but not at 1 week, after complete T3 SCI in rats. Additionally, at 1 month post injury, T3 SCI rats exhibited nonfasting serum hypertriglyceridemia, a result obtained using both standard clinical methods and a home cholesterol monitoring device (CardioChek). Interestingly, at 1 month post injury, rats with complete T10 SCI did not show an increase in either visceral adiposity or serum triglyceride levels. The fact that complete high-thoracic SCI disrupts lipid metabolism and perturbs fat storage in the subacute period, while low-thoracic SCI does not, suggests that differences in descending sympathetic control of adipose tissue might play a role in these changes. These results provide the first evidence of cardiometabolic risk factors in experimental animals with SCI, and are a starting point for investigations of the etiology of obesity and metabolic dysfunctions that often accompany SCI.

Alexithymia and its relationships with C-reactive protein and serum lipid levels among drug naïve adult outpatients with major depression

Several studies have investigated the relationship between C-reactive protein (CRP) and serum lipid levels in Major Depression (MD), but no study has, to date, evaluated the impact of alexithymia on these parameters. Therefore, the aim of the present cross-sectional study was to evaluate the relationship between alexithymia, suicide risk, C-reactive protein (CRP) and serum lipid levels in adult outpatients suffering from moderate to severe MD. CRP and serum lipid levels data were analyzed in 145 drug-naïve adult outpatients (69 men, 76 women) with a DSM-IV diagnosis of MD. Alexithymia was measured with the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), depression severity was evaluated with the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) and suicide risk was determined using the Scale of Suicide Ideation (SSI). Alexithymics showed altered serum lipid levels and higher CRP than non-alexithymics. In the linear regression models, lower total cholesterol levels and “Difficulty in Identifying Feelings” dimension of TAS-20 were significantly associated with depression severity, whereas lower high-density lipoprotein levels and “Difficulty in Identifying and Describing Feelings” dimensions of TAS-20 were associated with higher suicide risk. Authors discuss study limitations and future research needs.

CMO1 Deficiency Abolishes Vitamin A Production from β-Carotene and Alters Lipid Metabolism in Mice

Carotenoids are currently investigated regarding their potential to lower the risk of chronic disease and to combat vitamin A deficiency in humans. These plant-derived compounds must be cleaved and metabolically converted by intrinsic carotenoid oxygenases to support the panoply of vitamin A-dependent physiological processes. Two different carotenoid-cleaving enzymes were identified in mammals, the classical carotenoid-15,15'-oxygenase (CMO1) and a putative carotenoid-9',10'-oxygenase (CMO2). To analyze the role of CMO1 in mammalian physiology, here we disrupted the corresponding gene by targeted homologous recombination in mice. On a diet providing beta-carotene as major vitamin A precursor, vitamin A levels fell dramatically in several tissues examined. Instead, this mouse mutant accumulated the provitamin in large quantities (e.g. as seen by an orange coloring of adipose tissues). Besides impairments in beta-carotene metabolism, CMO1 deficiency more generally interfered with lipid homeostasis. Even on a vitamin A-sufficient chow, CMO1(-/-) mice developed a fatty liver and displayed altered serum lipid levels with elevated serum unesterified fatty acids. Additionally, this mouse mutant was more susceptible to high fat diet-induced impairments in fatty acid metabolism. Quantitative reverse transcription-PCR analysis revealed that the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma-regulated marker genes related to adipogenesis was elevated in visceral adipose tissues. Thus, our study identifies CMO1 as the key enzyme for vitamin A production and provides evidence for a role of carotenoids as more general regulators of lipid metabolism.

Thyrotropin regulation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate production in human coronary artery smooth muscle cells.

Thyroid disease has been associated with the occurrence of pathophysiologic changes in the vasculature that may result in part from altered serum thyroid hormone and serum lipid levels. Thyrotropin (TSH) levels are also altered in thyroid disease, but a direct effect of TSH on vascular smooth muscle has not previously been considered. In the present study, human coronary artery smooth muscle cells (CASMC) were induced into two morphologically distinct forms by culturing in either (1) growth factor supplemented, 0.5% serum medium (SmGM-3) or (2) basal medium (SmBM) plus 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS). Intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) accumulation was determined by radioimmunoassay after exposure to increasing doses of bovine TSH. Cells grown in SmBM/10% FBS for 3 days exhibited a dose-dependent increase in intracellular cAMP that reached a level 10 times higher than baseline at the highest dose examined (100 mIU/mL). In contrast, cells grown in SmGM-3 medium exhibited no change in intracellular cAMP on exposure to increasing TSII. Low serum (0.5% FBS) reduced the ability of TSH to stimulate cAMP above the control value in CASMC. Pretreatment of CASMC with either transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) or tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) lowered basal levels of cAMP production, but did not inhibit the ability of TSH to stimulate cAMP production. Human, but not rat aortic smooth muscle cells in culture also responded to TSH with a significant increase in cAMP. The results of this study suggest that TSH may exert direct effects on vascular smooth muscle mediated by adenylate cyclase activation that could conceivably affect the progression of vascular disease associated with thyroid dysfunction.