Atherogenic Lipoprotein Cholesterol Research Articles

Severe depression of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in weight lifters and body builders by self-administered exogenous testosterone and anabolic-androgenic steroids

The effects of nonphysician prescribed, self-obtained, self-administered exogenous anabolic-androgenic steroids and testosterone on plasma total, high- and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC, LDLC), and triglycerides were evaluated in 14 adult white men, 11 body builders and 3 power weight lifters. Lipids and lipoprotein cholesterols were quantified during active physical conditioning, both on (for at least 1 month, X ± SD 2.1 ± 1.8 months) and off (for at least 4 months, 7.3 ± 2.7 months) self-administered exogenous androgenic steroids. The subjects took 50 to 100 mg methandrostenolone daily plus weekly injections of testosterone 100 to 200 mg and nandrolone decanoate 100 to 200 mg per week. Mean (SD) HDLC on exogenous androgenic steroids, 29 ± 8 mg/dL, was severely depressed, and was less than 50% of the consistently elevated mean HDLC when exogenous steroids were not used (61 ± 14 mg/dL, P < .01 for paired differences). During anabolic steroid use, HDLC was ≤ the age- race- and sex-specific 10th percentile in 11 of the 14 men, whereas while off anabolic steroids, HDLC was ≥ the 90th percentile in 7 of the 13 men, and in the top quartile for 3 of the remaining 6 men. Mean LDLC was higher on androgenic steroids (150 ± 44) than off (125 ± 38 mg/dL), P < .05 for paired differences. The ratio of LDLC/HDLC during exogenous steroid use (6.0 ± 3.7) was nearly triple the ratio obtained when steroids were not taken (2.2 ± 1.0), P < .01 for paired differences. The remarkable reductions in HDLC and increments in LDLC/HDLC on exogenous androgenic steroids were not related to changes in total body weight or Quetelet index. Widespread and habitual use of nonprescribed exogenous androgenic-anabolic steroids by body builders and weight lifters sharply and uniformly reduces their HDLC and elevates their LDLC, producing an atherogenic lipoprotein cholesterol profile, which is in marked contrast to the high HDLC and relatively low LDLC observed in the same men during training but not receiving anabolic-androgenic steroids.

Activity of ethyl 5-( p-chlorophenoxy)-3-hydroxy-3-methyl-pentanoate, a new hypocholesterolemic compound, in male rats and sea japanese quail

Ethyl 5( p-chlorophenoxy)-3-hydroxy-3-methylpentanoate (HMP), a new hypocholesterolemic compound, was evaluated in male rats at dosage levels ranging from 25–800 mg/kg/day and in SEA Japanese quail at approximately 200 mg/kg/day. In the rat, the atherogenic lipoprotein cholesterol, that is, the combination of very low density plus low density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C + LDL-C), was reduced 20–27% at dosage levels over 100 mg/kg/day, while high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and total serum cholesterol (TSC) were significantly decreased 25–46%, respectively, at all dose levels of HMP. Liver weights with HMP treatment were significantly elevated (11–26%) in the rat. HMP was not active in the SEA Japanese quail, since an initial reduction in artery cholesterol could not be confirmed in subsequent tests.

Lipids and Lipoproteins in Subjects at 1,000 and 3 ,500 Meter Altitudes

To assess the relationship between altitude, atherogenic, and anti-atherogenic lipoprotein cholesterols (low- [C-LDL] and high [C-HDL] density lipoprotein cholesterols, respectively), 136 and 94 Venezuelan Mestizos living at 1,000 and 3,500 in elevation were studied. The two groups did not differ in regard to height, weight, ethnic origin, social or economic status, nutritional patterns, age, or occupation. Both groups had a high level of daily physical exertion, an imperative in their subsistence rural agricultural economy. Due to the mountainous terrain, high altitude residents were thought to have increased levels of physical activity. Males and females at high altitude had significantly lower plasma total cholesterol and C-LDL levels, and slightly lower C-HDL levels than those at low altitudes. It is speculated that reduced coronary heart disease event rates at high altitude might be related to lower levels of the atherogenic lipoprotein cholesterol, C-LDL.