Lipoprotein Cholesterol Fractions Research Articles

Influence of maternal α-lipoic acid supplementation in Sprague Dawley rats on maternal and fetal metabolic health in pregnancies complicated by obesity

The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of α-lipoic acid (LA; R enantiomer) supplementation on maternal and fetal metabolic health in pregnancies complicated by maternal obesity. Forty female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized to one of 4 treatment groups (n=10/group) throughout prepregnancy (3 weeks) and gestation (20 days): (1) a low calorie control (CON); (2) a high calorie obesity-inducing diet (HC); (3) the HC diet with 0.25% LA (HC+LA) or; (4) the HC diet pair-fed to match the caloric intake of the HC+LA group (HC+PF). On gestation day 20, pregnant rats were placed under anesthesia for collection of maternal/fetal blood and tissues. Compared with the HC group, LA-supplemented mothers demonstrated lower maternal prepregnancy and gestational weight gain (GWG), improved glycemic control (lower homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance), and higher cholesterol concentrations in serum [high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low-and very-low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL/VLDL) fractions] and liver. Male and female fetuses from LA-supplemented mothers exhibited lower body weight, improved insulin sensitivity, and evidence of altered lipid metabolism including lower serum HDL-C, lower serum triglyceride (TG), and increased hepatic TG accumulation. Although maternal LA supplementation showed some benefit for both mothers and fetuses with respect to obesity and glycemic control, concern about the potential longer-term implications of liver cholesterol (mothers) and TG accumulation (fetuses) needs further investigation.

Analysis of long non-coding RNA RMRP in the diagnosis and prognosis of coronary artery disease

BackgroundLong non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are abundant and closely related to the occurrence and development of human diseases. LncRNAs are known to play a key role in many cardiovascular diseases. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the RNA component of mitochondrial RNA-processing endoribonuclease (RMRP) on the degree of coronary artery lesions and prognosis in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).MethodsPatients who underwent coronary angiography (CAG) and dynamical-single photon emission computed tomography (D-SPECT) were selected as study subjects, and the results of CAG were reviewed, and the patients were grouped according to SYNTAX score. Evaluate the factors affecting SYNTAX scores. The follow-up analysis was conducted, and the endpoint events were major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs). Kaplan–Meier method was used to estimate the survival rate, and multivariate Cox regression was used to analyze the relationship between RMRP and MACEs.ResultsThe expression level of serum RMRP in patients with CAD was significantly higher than that in healthy people. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that age, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), RMRP and rest left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) were independent factors that affected SYNTAX scores. There were 19 cases of MACEs in the high RMRP group and 9 cases in the low RMRP group, and there was a significant difference in the MACE free survival curve between the two groups. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that age, SYNTAX score, rest LVEF and RMRP were risk factors for MACEs.ConclusionsSerum RMRP is a key factor affecting the degree of coronary artery disease and prognosis in CAD patients.

Association between left ventricular remodeling and lipid profiles in obese children: an observational study.

Childhood obesity has become a prominent issue in the society, which can lead to left ventricular remodeling and severe cardiovascular complications in adulthood. It is beneficial to identify the causes of left ventricular remodeling so that targeted measures can be taken to prevent the cardiovascular disease. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the relationship between left ventricular remodeling and changes in blood lipid indexes in obese children. This study was conducted on 40 healthy non-obese children and 140 obese children diagnosed in the pediatric health department of our hospital. Clinical data collected from the two groups were compared. Echocardiography was performed to examine left ventricular configuration and cardiac function. Multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to assess the independent effects of blood lipid levels on echocardiographic parameters. Blood lipid indicators among different left ventricular structural patterns which were classified according to left ventricular mass indexes and relative wall thickness were compared. Obese children exhibited significantly increased height, weight, body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage (BFP), blood pressure, triglycerides, total cholesterol, left ventricular internal diameter (LVIDd), interventricular septum (IVSd), left ventricular posterior wall diastolic thickness (LVPWd), myocardial mass (LVM) and relative wall thickness (RWT), as well as lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) compared to the non-obese children (P < 0.05). Multiple linear correlation analysis showed LVM had a significantly positive correlation with BMI (r = 3.21, P = 0.002) and SBP (r = 2.61, P = 0.01); LVMI had a significantly negative correlation with HDL-C (r = -2.45, P = 0.015); RWT had a significantly positive correlation with SBP (r = 2.50, P = 0.013) but a significantly negative correlation with HDL-C (r = -2.35, P = 0.02). Furthermore, there were significant differences in HDL-C values among children with different ventricular configurations (P < 0.05), with the lowest HDL-C value recorded in the concentric hypertrophy group. Obese children will develop left ventricular remodeling. The left ventricular configuration indexes are most significantly associated with serum HDL-C. Lower HDL-C level contributes to severer left ventricular hypertrophy, indicating a concentric hypertrophy pattern.

Effect of Ezetimibe combined with Simvastatin in the treatment of coronary heart disease: a retrospective analysis.

The aim of this study was to explore the effect of Ezetimibe combined with Simvastatin in the treatment of coronary heart disease (CHD). Clinical data of 101 patients with CHD, admitted to our hospital from February 2022 to May 2023, were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 49 patients received Simvastatin (Simvastatin group), and 52 patients received Simvastatin+Ezetimibe (Simvastatin+Ezetimibe group). Levels of blood lipid indicators, inflammatory factors, cardiac function indicators, and incidences of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) between the two groups were compared before and after the treatment. After the treatment, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), cardiac index (CI), and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in both groups were higher than those before the treatment, and overall higher in the Simvastatin+Ezetimibe group. Levels of low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), chemokine ligand 19 (CCL19), high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), cardiac output (CO) in the two groups were lower than before the treatment. These indexes were significantly lower in the Simvastatin+Ezetimibe group (p<0.05) compared to the Simvastatin group. During the treatment, the incidence of MACE in the Simvastatin+Ezetimibe group (3.85%) was significantly lower than that in the Simvastatin group (16.33%) (p<0.05). Compared with Simvastatin alone, a combination of Ezetimibe and Simvastatin can more effectively regulate the level of blood lipids, reduce the inflammatory reaction in the body, improve heart function, and lower the risk of MACE.

Association between non-high density lipoprotein-cholesterol fractions and presence of allostatic load among industrial workers

Objectives: Non-high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (non-HDL-C) fraction is the total cholesterol (TC) minus HDL-C. It is not a routinely reported component of lipid profile and is used in lipoprotein lowering therapy and prediction of coronary artery disease, target organ damage and atherosclerosis. Allostatic load (AL) is an imbalance between repetitive chronic exposure to stress and adaptive response. The present study investigates the association between non-HDL-C and its fractions (non-HDL-C/HDL-C, non-HDL-C/TC, non-HDL-C/ triglyceride [TG] and non-HDL-C/low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol [LDL-C]) and the presence of AL to determine, which fractions of non-HDL-C predict the diagnostic accuracy and optimal cut points. Materials and Methods: The study design is cross-sectional and data were collected from 169 male industrial workers. AL was measured using neuroendocrine (cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate), cardiovascular (systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and heart rate), metabolic (TC, TG, HDL-C and LDL-C) and anthropometric (waist-hip ratio and body mass index) factors. The fractions of non-HDL-C/HDL-C, nonHDL-C/TC, non-HDL-C/TG and non-HDL-C/LDL-C were calculated using non-HDL-C, HDL-C, TC, TG and LDL-C values. Results: About 43.2% and 56.8% of workers had low and high AL, respectively. The non-HDL-C and its fractions such as non-HDL-C/HDL-C, non-HDL-C/TC and non-HDL-C/LDL-C were significantly increased in the high AL group. Stepwise regression analysis was used to examine the association between non-HDL-C fractions and AL. The fractions of non-HDL-C (b = 0.785, P = 0.001), non-HDL-C/TC (b = −0.336, P = 0.001) and nonHDL-C/LDL-C (b = 0.295, P = 0.001) influenced AL by 38.6%. The AUC with 95% CI in the high AL group was as follows: non-HDL-C 0.766 (0.696–0.837, P = 0.001); non-HDL-C/HDL-C 0.638 (0.555–0.721, P = 0.002); nonHDL-C/TC 0.635 (0.552–0.712, P = 0.003) and non-HDL-C/LDL-C 0.520 (0.433–0.607, P = 0.657). Non-HDL-C and its fractions were more precisely predicted in the high AL category of workers than in the low AL category. Non-HDL-C predicted the most precisely, followed by non-HDL-C/HDL-C, non-HDL-C/TC, non-HDL-C/ LDL-C and non-HDL-C/TG. Conclusion: According to the present study, non-HDL-C and its fractions such as non-HDL-C/HDL-C, nonHDL-C/TC and non-HDL-C/LDL-C should be considered regular lipid profiles and could be used as biomarkers to reduce the risk of AL.

Effects of Elobixibat, an Inhibitor of Ileal Bile Acid Transporter, on Glucose and Lipid Metabolism: A Single-arm Pilot Study in Patients with T2DM

PurposeThe ileal bile acid transporter inhibitor elobixibat was recently approved in Japan for use in the treatment of patients with chronic constipation. Elobixibat has been associated with increased plasma glucagon-like peptide 1 level through Takeda G protein receptor 5, which is a membrane receptor of bile acids. The present study assessed the metabolic effects of elobixibat in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM)-related constipation. MethodsIn this single-arm pilot study, 21 patients with T2DM and constipation were administered elobixibat 10 mg/d for 12 weeks (period 1). The primary end point was the change in hemoglobin (Hb) A1c at week 12. Secondary end points included physical parameters; constipation symptoms; and blood parameters, such as low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), arachidonic acid (AA), and fatty acid fractions. Thereafter, the study participants chose whether to continue therapy for an additional 12 weeks (period 2), at which point HbA1c and lipid levels were reevaluated. Safety information, including adverse events, discontinuation and interruption of the drug, was collected at each visit during the trial. FindingsPeriod 1: the levels of HbA1c, LDL-C, and AA were significantly reduced after administration of elobixibat for 12 weeks (–0.2%, –21.4 mg/dL, and –16.1 µg/dL, respectively; P = 0.016, P < 0.001, and P = 0.010). Period 2: at week 24, the change from baseline in HbA1c was significantly greater among those who continued elobixibat treatment than in those who discontinued after 12 weeks (–0.23% vs +0.21%; P = 0.038). No serious or severe adverse events were observed. ImplicationsElobixibat may benefit patients with T2DM by improving glucose metabolism and lowering serum LDL-C and AA levels, in addition to ameliorating constipation. This single-arm pilot study was of a small sample size. The findings provide a basis for designing a larger-scale study to confirm the effects of elobixibat on glucose and lipid metabolism. (UMIN Clinical Trials Registry identifier: UMIN000045508; https://www.umin.ac.jp/ctr/index.htm)

The effect of some phytochemical combinations on liver disorders induced by carbon tetrachloride in rats

The modern pharmacological therapy is costly and associated with multiple side effects resulting in patient non-compliance. Thus, there is a need to explore alternative therapies particularly from nutritional/plant sources as these are cost effective and possess minimal side effects. The present study aimed to determine the effect of phytochemical combinations on liver disorders induced by carbon tetrachloride in rats. The normal rats feeding with basal diet were recorded 19.00, 41.18 and 0.092 for FI, BWG and FER respectively. The injected rats with CCl4 (control positive) showed significantly (P ≤ 0.05) decreased in FI, BWG and FER compared to normal rats by the ratio of -25.51, -38.98 and -21.11%, respectively. On the other side there were significantly (P ≤ 0.05) increased in FI, BWG and FER by the all tested formulae. On the other side there were significantly (P ≤ 0.05) increased in AST, ALT and ALP by the all tested formulae. The increasing rate was raised with the increasing of the tested formulae feeding levels. Also, Formulae II induced significant higher improvements in AST, ALT and ALP than formula I. Furthermore, feeding of the tested formulae exhibited significant (P ≤ 0.05) improvements in total bilirubin, serum lipid profile, lipoprotein cholesterol fractions and serum glucose of rats induced by CCl4. In conclusion, the present study has demonstrated the potency of the selected formulae to partially ameliorate liver disorders in rats induced by CCl4. تعد العلاجات الدوائية الحديثة مکلفة الثمن کما ان لها العديد من الأثار الجانبية لذلک کان هناک اهتمام متزايد باستکشاف علاجات بديلة خاصة من المصادر الغذائية النباتية حيث انها غير مکلفة الثمن واقل فى الاثار جانبية . هدفت الدراسة الحالية إلى معرفة تأثير بعض الترکيبات من الکيميائية النباتية التى تم تکوينها من بعض الأجزاء النباتية والنواتج الثانوية لبعض الصناعات الزراعية والغذائية على خلل الکبد الحادث بواسطة رابع کلوريد الکربون فى الفئران.وسجلت فئران المجموعة الضابطة التى تتغذى على النظام الغذائي الأساسي 19.00 ، 41.18 ، 0.092 لکلا من نسبة FI, BWG, FER على التوالي. کما سجلت فئران المجموعة الضابطة المحقونة برابع کلوريد الکربون انخفاض (P ≤ 0.05) هذه النسب مقارنة بالفئران العادية بنسبة -25.51، -38.98 ، -21.11٪، على التوالي وعلى الجانب الاخر کان هناک زيادة کبيرة (P ≤ 0.05) فى هذه النسب فى الفئران المصابة بخلل فى الکبد بواسطة رابع کلوريد الکربون والتى تم تغذيتها بالمجموعات النباتية المختبرة. تسببت معاملة الفئران برابع کلوريد الکربون الى حدوث زياده کبيره ومعنويه لنشاط الانزيمات AST,ALT,ALP 71.45، 22.77 و 155.77٪ بالمقارنة بالمجموعات الضابطة. على الجانب الآخر کانت هناک زيادة کبيرة (P ≤ 0.05) في ASTALT,ALP, من خلال جميع المجموعات النباتية التي تم اختبارها. و عند زيادة نسب الاجزاء النباتية المختبرة ظهر ان المجموعة النباتية المختبرة الثانية قد أدت إلى تحسن أعلى بکثير في ASTALT,ALP, عن المجموعة النباتية الاولى . کما أظهرت المجموعات النباتية المختبرة تحسينات کبيرة (P ≤ 0.05) في البيليروبين الکلى و مستويات الدهون فى الدم والکوليسترول وسکر الدم فى الفئران المحقونة برابع کلوريد الکربون.في الختام، أظهرت هذه الدراسة فعالية المجموعات النباتية المختبرة فى التخفيف من اضطرابات الکبد في الفئران الناجمة عن CCl4. والتى شملت تحسين وظائف الکبد, مستويات الدهون في الدم وسکر الدم وحالات الأکسدة ومضات الاکسدة

Abstract 17033: Inflammation and Lipids Components: Insights From the VLDL Study

Background: Dyslipidemia and inflammation independently contribute to atherosclerosis. The associations between different lipid parameters and inflammatory markers is not fully understood. Hypothesis: LDL-C, triglycerides, and HDL-C do not predict inflammation equally. Methods: We analyzed data from 784,233 patients from the second harvest of the Very Large Database of Lipid study with lipids and hsCRP measured. The prevalence of having hsCRP≥2 mg/L was compared in 20 quantiles of non-HDL-C, LDL-C, HDL-C and triglycerides. Using linear regression, we estimated the correlations between hsCRP and lipids and to what degree individual lipid components explain the variation in hsCRP values. We then examined these association by sex and age (≥65 vs &lt;65 years) categories. Results: The median hsCRP of the population was 2.3 mg/L (IQR, 1.0-5.7). The proportion of patients with hsCRP≥2 mg/L progressively increased with higher non-HDL-C, LDL-C, triglycerides quintiles, but decreased with higher HDL-C quintiles. All lipid measures directly correlated with hsCRP value except HDL-C which was inversely correlated (P&lt;0.001 for all). LDL-C and non-HDL-C values explained very little of the variance seen in hsCRP (univariate R 2 = 0.5% and 0.1%, respectively). Triglyceride levels were the strongest predictor of hsCRP (standardized β, 0.21; P&lt;0.001) and explained 4.5% of variability in hsCRP values. HDL-C was the second best (albeit an inverse) predictor of hsCRP (standardized β, -0.19; P&lt;0.001) and explained 3.8% of its variance. Regardless LDL-C quantile, the prevalence of having hsCRP ≥2 mg/L was lower in those also have low triglyceride or high HDL-C levels (Figure). These associations were consistent by sex and age categories. Conclusion: Of major lipid and lipoprotein cholesterol fractions, triglycerides and HDL-C correlated most strongly and non-HDL-C and LDL-C contributed the least to hsCRP.

Abstract 15589: Mitochondrial Metabolites Predict Cardiovascular Outcomes and Heart Failure in People With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Vascular Disease: A Tecos Substudy

Introduction: People with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) have a large burden of cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality, but the likelihood of these outcomes varies and existing risk calculators do not fully capture risk for individuals. Hypothesis: Circulating metabolites characterizing mitochondrial dysfunction may be novel predictors for CV outcomes. Methods: We performed targeted mass-spectrometry metabolite profiling (45 acylcarnitines, 15 amino acids) on baseline plasma samples from 568 cases (498 with major adverse cardiac events (MACE) and 131 with incident hospitalization for heart failure (hHF)) and 568 matched controls (without events) from the patients assigned to placebo in Trial Evaluating Cardiovascular Outcomes with Sitagliptin (TECOS). Matching was based on history of HF, coronary artery disease, BMI, hemoglobin A1C, creatinine, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, fasting status and ejection fraction. Principal components analysis (PCA) was used for dimensionality reduction, and conditional logistic regression to determine association of PCA factors with MACE or hHF and for individual metabolites within significant factors (false discovery rate q&lt;0.05) Results: Of 12 PCA-derived metabolite factors, three were associated significantly with MACE or hHF; these factors were composed of: 1) short-chain dicarboxylacylcarnitines and long chain acylcarnitines (OR 1.50, q=0.03); 2) medium chain acylcarnitines (OR 1.28, q=0.001); 3) C5:1 and one medium-chain dicarboxylacylcarnitine (OR 1.17, q=0.03). Of these three factors, none were significantly associated with the individual components of MACE. Ten individual metabolites, including short- and medium-chain dicarboxylacylcarnitines and medium- and long-chain acylcarnitines, remained significantly associated with MACE (q&lt;0.05). Two metabolites, one short-chain dicarboxylacylcarnitine and one medium-chain acylcarnitine were associated with hHF (q&lt;0.05). Conclusions: Metabolites reporting on dysregulated mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation and endoplasmic reticulum stress are elevated in individuals with DM who progress to MACE and/or hHF. These biomarkers may improve CV risk prediction in DM patients and help highlight emerging risk mechanisms.

Abstract 14727: Meteorin-like Glial Cell Differentiation Regulator is a Novel Protein Biomarker of Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients With Diabetes and Vascular Disease: A TECOS Substudy

Introduction: To date, there are limited data on the potential role of proteomic biomarkers to predict future cardiovascular (CV) events among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). Hypothesis: Specific protein biomarkers will be predictive of major adverse CV events (MACE) and incident heart failure hospitalization (HFH) among patients with DM. Methods: Using the Olink aptamer-based platform, we performed proteomic profiling (&gt;700 proteins) on 440 paired cases and matched controls from placebo-assigned participants in the Trial Evaluating Cardiovascular Outcomes with Sitagliptin (TECOS). Cases were defined as having met the primary composite outcome of MACE or incident HFH and matched to controls on baseline prevalent heart failure, coronary artery disease, BMI, hemoglobin A1C, creatinine, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, fasting status and ejection fraction. Conditional logistic regression was used to determine the association between log-transformed relative protein expression and incident MACE or HFH. False-discovery-rate (FDR) was used to adjust for multiple comparisons. Results: We identified three specific proteins that were significantly associated with prevalent MACE or HFH: METRNL, Notch 3, and ROR1 (OR 2.1, 1.6, 1.7 and q-value 0.01, 0.02, and 0.05 respectively) (Figure 1). METRNL, in particular, performed similarly to the established biomarker NT-proBNP (Figure 1). When MACE and HFH were analyzed separately, METRNL, in particular, remained strongly associated with both outcomes (OR 2.0, p&lt;0.001 and OR 2.7, p=0.05). Conclusions: Three novel protein biomarkers, in particular METRNL (a circulating adipokine that regulates insulin-sensitivity), may identify diabetic patients at high risk for subsequent HF and MACE. Additional studies are needed to replicate these findings and uncover the biologic mechanism linking adipokine signaling and heart failure.

High-density Lipoprotein-cholesterol Subfractions and Coronary Artery Calcium: The ELSA-Brasil Study

Although elevated high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) is considered protective against atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, no causal relationship has been demonstrated. HDL-C comprises a group of different subfractions that might have different effects on atherosclerosis. Our objective was to investigate the association between HDL-C subfractions with the coronary artery calcium (CAC) score. We included 3,674 (49.8±8.3years, 54% women) participants from the ELSA-Brasil study who had no prior history of CVD and were not currently using lipid-lowering medications. We measured the fasting lipoprotein cholesterol fractions (in mmol/l) by a zonal ultracentrifugation method (VAP). We analyzed the independent predictive values of total HDL-C, HDL2-C, and HDL3-C subfractions and in the HDL2-C/HDL3-C ratio using linear regression to predict Ln(CAC+1) and logistic regression to predict the presence of CAC. Overall 912 (24.8%) of the participants had CAC>0, and 294 (7.7%) had CAC>100. The mean total HDL-C, HDL2-C, and HDL3-C were: 1.42±0.37, 0.38±0.17 and 1.03±0.21mmol/l, respectively. Individuals with CAC>0 had lower levels of total HDL-C as well as of each subfraction (p<0.001). When adjusted for age, gender, smoking, hypertension, alcohol use, physical activity, and LDL-C, we observed an inverse association between HDL-C and its subfractions and CAC (p<0.05). However, by adding triglycerides in the adjustment, neither total HDL-C nor its subfractions remained independently associated with the presence or extent of CAC. In this cross-sectional analysis, neither the total HDL-C nor its subfractions (HDL2-C and HDL3-C, as well as HDL2-C/HDL3-C ratio) measured by VAP are independently associated with the presence or extent of coronary calcification.

The Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Fibrosis Score Is Related to Epicardial Fat Thickness and Complexity of Coronary Artery Disease.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a hepatic manifestation of the metabolic syndrome and is associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD). The NAFLD Fibrosis Score (NFS) is an index used for the detection of liver fibrosis. We investigated the relationship between NFS and complexity of coronary artery disease (CAD). In this cross-sectional study, 109 patients with CAD and 50 patients without CAD were enrolled. Demographic data, laboratory parameters, epicardial fat thickness (EFT), NFS, and Synergy between percutaneous coronary intervention with Taxus and cardiac surgery (SYNTAX) score were recorded. Waist circumference, fasting glucose, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), EFT, and NFS were significantly higher in the CAD group (P < .05). High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and ejection fraction were significantly lower in the CAD group (P < .05). The SYNTAX score was positively correlated with fasting glucose, LDL-C, EFT, and NFS and negatively correlated with HDL-C (P < .05). The NFS was positively correlated with EFT (P = .019). Multivariate linear regression analysis revealed that NFS (P = .012), EFT (P < .001), and LDL-C (P = .001) were independently associated with the SYNTAX score. In conclusion, NFS, as a marker of NAFLD, could identify patients at higher risk of CVD.

Prognostic Value of the Modified Atherogenic Index of Plasma during Body Mass Reduction in Polish Obese/Overweight People

Although weight loss is recommended for obese patients, it remains questionable how much weight loss is optimal. A novel index that accurately determines the risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in terms of weight loss is needed. The modified Atherogenic Index of Plasma (AIP), presented here is unique in the literature. It is calculated based on data for anti-atherogenic, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) fractions, instead of the total HDL-C. This study investigates whether weight loss correlates with CVD risk, and whether the modified AIP allows more accurate diagnostics in obese/overweight people. According to the increase or decrease of AIP during weight loss, 52 Polish patients were subdivided into two groups: group I (increased AIP; n = 16) and group II (decreased AIP; n = 36). The patients’ body mass composition and fasting serum lipid parameters (total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-C, and LDL-C (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol)), and cholesterol in 21 lipoprotein sub-fractions were determined. Over six months, all patients reduced their body mass by about 10%. There were no significant differences in anthropometric measures between groups. Increases in large and intermediate HDL-C fractions 1 to 6 and decreases in smaller fractions 7 to 10 were observed in group II. In group I, HDL-C fractions 1 and 10 decreased, while cholesterol in other fractions increased. Increases were observed in the antiatherogenic HDL-C of 52% of group II and 4% of group I. As for atherogenic HDL-C, a decrease of 24% was observed in group II and an increase of 9% in group I. In group I, increases of very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), intermediate-density lipoprotein (IDL), and large LDL fractions were noticed, and the reverse in group II. The results show that the modified AIP is a more accurate indicator of CVD risk than existing indices, and that uncontrolled weight reduction does not necessarily have a beneficial influence, and may adversely affect the cardiovascular system.

State of the lipid spectrum and coagulation system of blood in patients with obliterating atherosclerosis of vessels of the lower extremities living in mountain conditions near uranium tailings

In Kirgizstan, radionuclides enter the environment from rock dumps and uranium tailings. Therefore, the problem of adaptation, life, preservation, working capacity of the population in these conditions is of great scientific and practical important. Тhe prevalence of diseases associated with disorders of endothelial disfunction and the hemostasis system. In the pathogenesis of these diseases the activation of the blood coagulation and thrombosis play the main role. We investigated the relationship of lipid metabolism and coagulation system of blood of patients with obliterating atherosclerosis of vessels of lower extremities, with concomitant arterial hypertension, who live in the mountains in close proximity to uranium tailings. It was found that this category has changes in the lipid profile, manifested by a high level of both atherogenic (total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol fractions. These patients have revealed trends in hyper coagulation of the plasma mechanism of hemostasis, in the form of shortening of prothrombin, thrombin and activated thromboplastin time with hypefibrinogenemia amid a downward trend in fibrinolytic activity. Complex, statistically significant correlation between lipid profile and coagulation components of homeostasis. According to the results of the study, it is recommended to conduct an annual dispensary observation of the population living in mountainous conditions near uranium tailings for early detection and timely treatment of endothelial dysfunction and homeostasis system.

Hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia as biochemical markers of disease in companion rabbits.

Inflammation has important effects on lipid metabolism, but the relationship between hyperlipidemia, inflammation, and disease remains unknown in rabbits. While rabbits are sensitive to dietary hypercholesterolemia, the etiology of hyperlipidemia when fed non-atherogenic diets is uncertain. This study aimed to determine the association between hypercholesterolemia and patient characteristics, diseases, and select CBC and biochemistry analytes in rabbits, and to measure plasma lipoprotein lipid fractions in rabbits with inflammatory and other diseases. Complete blood count and plasma biochemistry data, including total cholesterol concentrations, were evaluated in 531 companion rabbits. Lipoprotein cholesterol fractions (non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [non-HDLc] and high-density lipoprotein [HDLc]) and triglycerides were measured using a colorimetric enzymatic assay in archived plasma from a subset of 267 rabbits. Rabbits were categorized by age, sex, spay/neuter status, breed, diet status (fed atherogenic dietary components or not), the organ system affected by disease, and the pathologic process. Cholesterol was associated with fibrinogen (P=0.01), globulins (P<0.01), and heterophil (P<0.01) concentrations. Adjusting for diet, rabbits with severe infection or sepsis (odds ratio [OR]=13.25, 95% CI=5.83-30.12), renal failure (OR=14.42, 95% CI=5.69-36.54), and hepatopathy (OR=8.55, 95% CI=3.55-20.62) had increased risks of hypercholesterolemia. Increased non-HDLc and triglyceride concentrations were also associated with these three disease states (P<0.05). Hyperlipidemia is associated with biochemical and CBC markers of inflammation, and with severe infection or sepsis, renal failure, and hepatopathy. Independent of diet, increased cholesterol, non-HDLc, and triglycerides are indicators of disease in companion rabbits.

Intake of Saturated Fatty Acids Affects Atherogenic Blood Properties in Young, Caucasian, Overweight Women Even without Influencing Blood Cholesterol.

Despite a general relation between fat intake and cardiovascular risk factors, the association is often not observed in studies conducted in heterogenic populations, as for population groups, it may differ. The aim of the study was to analyze the associations between dietary fat intake and lipoprotein cholesterol fractions, as well as atherogenic blood properties, in young and middle-aged overweight Caucasian women. In a group of 138 overweight women, the three-day dietary records were assessed, under-reporters were excluded, and lipoprotein cholesterol fractions were analyzed. For the included 24 young (aged 20–40) and 42 middle-age women (aged 40–60), the intakes of fat, saturated fatty acids (SFA), monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), and cholesterol, as well as the PUFA/SFA ratio, were assessed. Afterwards, the analysis of associations with blood levels of total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and triglyceride, as well as the TC/HDL ratio, HDL/LDL, ratio and Atherogenic Index of Plasma (AIP), were conducted. It was stated that the influence of the dietary fat level on lipoprotein cholesterol fractions as well as atherogenic blood properties in overweight Caucasian women is age dependent. For young, overweight, Caucasian women, the influence of the dietary fat level on the lipoprotein cholesterol fractions was not observed; however, SFA intake influenced atherogenic blood properties. For middle-aged, overweight, Caucasian women, the PUFA intake had an especially important influence in increasing the HDL cholesterol level. For overweight Caucasian women, not only should lipoprotein cholesterol fractions be controlled, but also the AIP calculated—especially for younger women.

Apolipoproteins A1, B, and apoB/apoA1 ratio are associated with first ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction but not with recurrent events during long-term follow-up

IntroductionThe current way to assess the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is to measure conventional lipid and lipoprotein cholesterol fractions. Despite the success of statin treatment, residual cardiovascular risk remains high. Therefore, the value of extensive serum apolipoprotein (apo) profiling to assess the risk of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in patients with STEMI was investigated in a case–control design.Methods and resultsSerum apo levels were measured using liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry in 299 healthy individuals and 220 patients with STEMI. First, the association of apo profiles in baseline samples with risk of STEMI was examined, and second, the association of apo profiles at baseline with risk of recurrent MACE in patients with STEMI in a longitudinal study design was studied. High baseline (> 1.25 g/L) apoA1 levels were associated with a decreased risk of STEMI [odds ratio (OR) 0.17; 95% CI 0.11–0.26], whereas high apoB (> 1.00 g/L) levels (OR 2.17; 95% CI 1.40–3.36) and apoB/apoA1 ratio (OR per 1 SD (OR/SD): 2.16; 95% CI 1.76–2.65) were associated with an increased risk. Very-low-density-lipoprotein (VLDL)-associated apos gave conflicting results. Neither conventional lipid levels nor apo levels were associated with MACE in the STEMI group.ConclusionIn conclusion, apoA1, apoB, and apoB/apoA1 were strongly associated with risk of STEMI. No clear relation between VLDL-associated apos and the risk of STEMI was found. Neither baseline serum apos nor lipids predicted MACE in statin-treated patients during long-term follow-up after a first STEMI.

Impact of hyperuricemia on clinical outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention for in-stent restenosis

BackgroundThere have been limited data on the impact of hyperuricemia on long-term clinical outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for in-stent restenosis (ISR).MethodsFrom January 2009 to July 2015, 317 patients who underwent repeat PCI for ISR were divided into two groups: patients with normal serum uric acid (UA) levels (normal UA group) and patients with higher serum UA levels (higher UA group). The higher UA group included patients with serum UA levels > 6.8 mg/dL or patients who were taking anti-hyperuricemic medication.ResultsDuring a median follow-up period of 1088 days, the cumulative incidence rates of major adverse event (MAE), including a composite of all-cause death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, and any revascularization, were similar between the two groups (higher UA 36.4% vs. normal UA 29.9%, p = 0.389, log-rank p = 0.367). Follow-up angiographic data showed similar outcomes of late lumen loss (0.8 ± 0.9 mm vs. 0.8 ± 1.1 mm, p = 0.895) and binary restenosis rate (28.1% vs. 34.7%, p = 0.622). Multivariate Cox regression analysis indicated higher levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (hazard ratio [HR] 1.011, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.003–1.019, p = 0.006) and lower left ventricular ejection fraction (HR 0.972, 95% CI 0.948–0.996, p = 0.022), but not UA levels, to be the independent risk predictors of MAE.ConclusionHyperuricemia is not associated with poor clinical outcomes after repeat PCI for ISR lesions.

Effects of poly-gamma-glutamic acid on inflammatory and metabolic biomarkers in sleep-restricted rats

To evaluate the effects of poly-gamma-glutamic acid (γ-PGA) administration on inflammatory and metabolic biomarkers in sleep-restricted rats, we conducted an experimental study with 30 Wistar male rats aged 10 weeks. These animals were evenly and randomly assigned to each of three groups including a normal control (NC) group, a sleep-restricted control (SRC) group, and a sleep-restricted experimental (SRE) group. During the 1-week period of experiments, saline for the NC group, caffeine (20 mg/kg) for the SRC group, and caffeine (20 mg/kg) and γ-PGA (25 mg/kg) for the SRE group were administered orally using a sonde attached to a syringe. At the end of the experiments, the rats were killed and their serum samples were collected to analyze levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), as an inflammatory biomarker, and biomarkers of glucose and lipid metabolism including lipoprotein cholesterol fractions, adiponectin, and leptin. The SRE group showed significantly lower hs-CRP levels than the SRC group (p = 0.03), whereas the SRC group tended to have higher levels of total cholesterol than the NC group and the SRE group. In the SRE group, no correlation of serum hs-CRP levels with weight and adiponectin and leptin levels was observed, although a reduction in weight was observed during the experimental period. No significant differences in other biomarkers were observed between groups. Based on these results, we suggest that γ-PGA administration may relieve pro-inflammation directly, not mediated by weight change or metabolic alteration, in sleep-restricted rats.

Lipoprotein-Cholesterol Fractions in Marginalized Roma versus Majority Population.

The trend of modern clinical biochemistry is to emphasize the composition and the quality of lipoproteins over their quantity. The serum lipoprotein fractions and subfractions were analyzed by the Lipoprint Lipoprotein Subfractions Testing System, the parameters of lipid profile, as total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) and triacylglycerides (TAG) were determined by an automated selective biochemical analyzer. Our results showed a significantly lower concentration of cholesterol in the LDL fractions 1 and 2 and in the HDL fractions 8 to 10 in Roma compared to the majority population. The most significant differences between Roma and the majority population when considering body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio and the index of central obesity were in very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL), intermediate-density lipoproteins, fraction A (IDL-A) and LDL-2. The last two listed were significantly higher in the majority population. VLDL was significantly higher in overweight or obese Roma men and in Roma men with central obesity compared to men from the majority population, as well as in Roma women with normal weight and physiological waist-to-hip ratio compared to the women from majority population. Our study is among the first describing the distribution of lipoprotein subfractions in different ethnic groups.