Serum Lipid Levels Research Articles

Advanced lipid testing in children: a call for pediatric reference intervals

Abstract Introduction Abnormal serum lipid levels in childhood are associated with dyslipidemia and increased risk of cardiovascular disease in adulthood. High prevalence of childhood obesity in the US has increased concerns about the adverse effects of abnormal lipids in children, prompting recommendations for universal lipid screening in adolescents. While specialized analysis of lipoproteins by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) has been predominately used in adults with risk factors for CVD, our laboratory also receives pediatric samples for NMR testing, most commonly associated with diagnostic codes for hyperlipidemia and/or abnormal weight gain. Currently adult-based reference ranges for the NMR lipoprotein measurements are used in children. The objective of this pilot study was to compare lipoprotein profiles of healthy adults and children and to assess the impact of reference intervals for children on clinical interpretation of pediatric results. Methods Serum samples were collected from 60 healthy children, ages 1 – 17 years, and 148 healthy adults, ages 19 – 64 years old. NMR lipoprotein analysis was performed using the Axinon lipoFIT by NMR assay on a 600 MHz NMR (Bruker). Statistical analysis was conducted in Excel and GraphPad Prism. Reference intervals (RIs) were determined in EP Evaluator as the central 95% interval. Results The levels of atherogenic low-density lipoprotein particle number (LDL-P) and small LDL-P (sLDL-P) were significantly lower in children compared to adults: 783±222 vs 1212±412 nmol/L and 302±142 vs 498±306 nmol/L, respectively (p<0.00001). Additionally, LDL size (LDL-s) was significantly larger in children than adults (21.23±0.29 vs 21.06±0.44 nm, p=0.006), reflecting prevalence of less dense LDL-P in the former group. Pediatric samples also had lower number of anti-atherogenic high-density lipoprotein particles (HDL-P) compared to adults: 29.4±4.6 vs 33.5±4.6 µmol/L, p<0.00001. The significant differences in the number and size of lipoprotein particles between adults and children implies that currently used adult reference intervals might not be appropriate for evaluating pediatric NMR samples. Therefore, we estimated RIs for our heathy pediatric and adult cohorts and applied these RIs to our retrospective data of 618 samples from children 1-17 years old, which were submitted for NMR lipoprotein testing in recent years. The analysis showed that using the adult RIs, 37% and 27% of pediatric samples would not flag for abnormally elevated LDL-P and sLDL-P, respectively; but they would be flagged based on the RI derived from our pediatric cohort. Moreover, 12% pediatric samples flagged for low HDL-P would have normal HDL-P levels if pediatric RIs are used instead of adult RIs. Conclusions Use of adult reference intervals in children may result in misclassification of lipid status and underestimation or overestimation of dyslipidemia and CVD risk in children. This pilot study highlights the need for pediatric reference intervals to guide interpretation of advanced lipid testing in children.

Altered metabolic profiles in male offspring conceived from intracytoplasmic sperm injection

BackgroundWhile most research has focused on the association between intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and neurodevelopmental disorders in children, relatively little attention has been given to its metabolic effects. Previous studies have reported that low serum lipid levels are associated with mental health problems. Our objective was to analyze the impact of ICSI on metabolic alterations compared to their in vitro fertilization (IVF) counterparts in male offspring, as well as its interaction with paternal overweight/obesity.MethodsWe recruited families between January 2006 and December 2017 at the Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, China. Prospective data of offspring were obtained for body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, glucose, and lipid profile in their 0–11 years old. Linear mixed models were utilized to compute the mean difference and 95% confidence intervals (CI).ResultsA total of 14,196 offspring visits were identified. In offspring aged 4–11 years, ICSI-conceived offspring exhibited significantly lower fasting glucose z-scores, total cholesterol z-scores, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) z-scores compared with their IVF counterparts (fasting glucose z-score: adjusted mean difference: − 0.13, 95% CI: − 0.23 to − 0.03; total cholesterol z-score: adjusted mean difference: − 0.13, 95% CI: − 0.23 to − 0.02; LDL-C z-score: adjusted mean difference: − 0.12, 95% CI: − 0.22 to − 0.01). Paternal overweight/obesity significantly influenced the relationship between ICSI and metabolic changes in offspring. In offspring born from fathers with overweight/obesity, ICSI-conceived offspring displayed significantly lower fasting glucose and total cholesterol z-scores than their IVF controls (fasting glucose z-score: adjusted mean difference: − 0.20, 95% CI: − 0.32 to − 0.08; total cholesterol z-score: adjusted mean difference: − 0.15, 95% CI: − 0.27 to − 0.02). In offspring born to fathers with normal weight, ICSI-conceived offspring showed significantly lower systolic blood pressure z-scores compared to those conceived via the IVF procedures (adjusted mean difference: − 0.21, 95% CI: − 0.37 to − 0.05).ConclusionsThe findings of this study suggested that ICSI was associated with altered glucose and lipid profiles compared to their IVF controls, characterized by lower fasting glucose z-scores, total cholesterol z-scores, and LDL-C z-scores. Encouraging fathers to reduce their body weight could potentially improve the metabolic health of their ICSI-conceived children.

Bacterial and clinical metabolic signatures and their interactions in obese patients post-bariatric surgery

BackgroundObesity is a growing health concern in China, closely linked to metabolic disorders such as type 2 diabetes. Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy (LSG) is effective in promoting weight loss and improving metabolic outcomes. Emerging evidence highlights the role of gut microbiota in metabolic regulation, yet the specific alterations in gut microbiota and their association with metabolic changes post-surgery in Chinese patients remain unclear. Understanding these shifts could provide key insights into optimizing treatment strategies for metabolic improvement following bariatric surgery.MethodsStool samples and clinical data were collected from 30 obese patients before and 6 months after surgery. The composition of the gut microbiota was analyzed through 16S rRNA sequencing, and Spearman correlation analysis was used to determine the association between gut microbiota and clinical indicators.ResultsThe analysis of 30 patients showed a significant decrease in Body Mass Index (BMI) (36.75 ± 4.09 kg/m2 vs 26.37 ± 3.47 kg/m2, p < 0.0001). Glucose metabolism, including Hemoglobin A1C levels, improved significantly (6.05 ± 0.96 vs 5.05 ± 0.25, p < 0.0001), and liver function as well as serum lipid levels were also notably improved. LSG increased the richness and composition of gut microbiota in obese patients post-surgery. These changes in gut microbiota were closely associated with improved clinical metabolic parameters.ConclusionLSG not only significantly reduces body weight while also alleviating metabolic syndrome and comorbidities by altering gut microbiota.

Detection of serum alterations in polysubstance use patients by FT-Raman spectroscopy

Substance use disorders pose significant health risks and treatment challenges due to the diverse interactions between substances and their impact on physical and mental health. The chemical effects of multiple substance use on bodily fluids are not yet fully understood. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the chemical changes induced by a combination of substances compared to a control group. Analysis of FT-Raman spectra revealed structural alterations in the amide III, I, and C = O functional groups of lipids in subjects treated with opioids, alcohol and cannabis (polysubstance group). These changes were evident in the form of peak shifts compared to the control group. Additionally, an imbalance in the amide-lipid ratio was observed, indicating perturbations in serum protein and lipid levels. Furthermore, a 2D plot of two-track two-dimensional correlation spectra (2T2D-COS) demonstrated a shift towards dominance of lipid vibrations in the polysubstance use groups, contrasting with the predominance of the amide fraction in the control group. This observation suggests distinct molecular changes induced by multiple substance use, potentially contributing to the pathophysiology of substance use disorders. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was utilized to visualize the data structure and identify outliers. Subsequently, Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA) was employed to classify the polysubstance use and control groups. The PLS-DA model demonstrated high classification accuracy, achieving 100.00 % in the training dataset and 94.74 % in the test dataset. Furthermore, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis yielded perfect AUC values of 1.00 for both the training and test sets, underscoring the robustness of the classification model.This study highlights the quantitative and qualitative changes in serum protein and lipid levels induced by polysubstance use groups, as evidenced by FT-Raman spectroscopy. The findings underscore the importance of understanding the chemical effects of polysubstance use on bodily fluids for improved diagnosis and treatment of substance use disorders. Moreover, the successful classification of spectral data using machine learning techniques emphasizes the potential of these approaches in clinical applications for substance abuse monitoring and management.

Correlations between dyslipidemia and retinal parameters measured with Angio-OCT in type II diabetics without diabetic retinopathy.

To analyze the relationship between lipoproteins such as total cholesterol, LDL-c, TG, and retinal parameters in patients with DM type II without signs of DR. A case-control study, consisting of 2 groups. A group of 64 patients with type II diabetes without signs of DR and a control group of 24 healthy subjects. Patients with DM type I, those who showed signs of DR, and those who had associated other eye diseases were excluded. The patients of the two studied groups had a similar average age: 65 years in the DM type II group and 64 years in the control group. In the group with DM, the average CRT was 241.31 µm, a significantly lower value compared to the control group, 252.51. The average value of DVFC was 19.19%, in patients with DM and 24.29% in the control group. An indirect correlation with moderate intensity was established between total cholesterol and CRT, (rs=-0.442, p≤0.001), thus it tended to decrease as total cholesterol increased. With increasing total cholesterol level, DVFC had a mild tendency to decrease (rs=-0.381, p≤0.001). An indirect correlation, but weak in intensity, existed between the LDL/HDL ratio and the DVFC S value (rs=-0.240, p=0.001). Central retinal thickness and central vascular density of the superficial capillary plexus were significantly lower in patients with type II diabetes, compared to control subjects. Total cholesterol had higher values in the DM group and an indirect correlation was established with CRT and DVFC, these having a moderate tendency to decrease as the total cholesterol values increased. An indirect and moderate relationship in intensity was also present between LDL and retinal parameters studied. These results were similar to those of other studies conducted, such as that of Chen et al. or Bernaous et al., who showed an association between various lipid classes and the frequency of DR. However, other studies, such as Ausdiab, found that this association did not hold. Type II diabetes patients tend to have elevated serum lipid levels compared to normal subjects, but the impact of dyslipidemia on the onset and progression of DR is incompletely elucidated.

7899 Mixture Of Urinary Concentrations Of Phenols And Phthalate Metabolites In Relation To Serum Levels Of Lipid Biomarkers Among Pregnant Women: Results From The EARTH Study

Abstract Disclosure: X. Shen: None. M. Génard-Walton: None. P.L. Williams: None. T. James-Todd: None. J.B. Ford: None. K.M. Rexrode: None. D. Zhang: None. J.E. Chavarro: None. R.B. Hauser: None. L. Minguez Alarcon: None. Given the limited evidence on endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), evaluated as mixture, in relation to lipid biomarkers during pregnancy, we examined whether mixtures of urinary concentrations of bisphenol A (BPA), parabens and phthalate metabolites were associated with serum lipid levels among 175 pregnant women who enrolled in Environment and Reproductive Health (EARTH) Study from 2005 to 2017. The outcomes were assessed at one random timepoint pre women during pregnancy, including serum levels of total triglycerides, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), non-HDL, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL). We grouped the chemical biomarkers [di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) metabolites and BPA; other phthalate metabolites; parabens] assessed in urine collected at the same time and applied Bayesian Kernel Machine Regression (BKMR) and quantile g-computation to evaluate the associations while adjusting for confounders [urine specific gravity, age, pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), race, education level, infertility diagnosis, mode of conception, number of babies in this pregnancy and trimester]. In the adjusted BKMR models, we found no associations between the overall chemical biomarker mixture and lipid levels for example total cholesterol [mean difference (95% CRI, credible interval) = 0.02 (-0.31, 0.34)] and LDL [mean difference (95% CRI) = 0.10 (-0.22, 0.43)] when comparing concentrations at the 75th to the 25th percentile. When stratified by BMI, we found suggestive positive relationships between the paraben group and total cholesterol and LDL among women with high BMI [mean difference (95% CRI) = 0.16 (-0.23, 0.55) and 0.16 (-0.25, 0.57)], but not among women with low BMI [mean difference (95% CRI) = -0.02 (-0.16, 0.12) and -0.02 (-0.15, 0.12)]. Among the paraben group, propylparaben was driving the associations among high BMI group [mean difference (95% CRI) = 0.25 (-0.26, 0.75) and 0.35 (-0.25, 0.95)], but not among low BMI group [mean difference (95% CRI) = 0.00 (-0.06, 0.07) and 0.00 (-0.07, 0.07)]. In addition, we found suggestive positive associations of DEHP metabolites and BPA group with total cholesterol, non-HDL and LDL among women with lower BMI, but none of the chemicals was identified as an important contributor to these associations. This study highlights that the associations between EDCs and cardiovascular biomarkers, such as circulating lipids, differ by BMI among pregnant women. Presentation: 6/1/2024

9356 Occurrence Of Dyslipidemia During Modified Atkins Diet In Children With Intractable Epilepsy And Effect Of Lipid-Lowering Agents On Dyslipidemia

Abstract Disclosure: J. Yoo: None. S. Kim: None. H. Chae: None. Introduction: The Modified Atkins Diet (MAD), as a type of Ketogenic diet (KD) therapy, is utilized as a treatment for intractable epilepsy. Compared to the classic KD, it has a lower ratio of fat to carbohydrate plus protein, resulting in higher compliance among patients. Dyslipidemia is known as a major complication of KD, but when it comes to MAD, there is a scarcity of long-term studies investigating lipid level alterations in children.In this study, our objective is to examine the impact of the MAD on serum lipid levels in children and adolescents with intractable epilepsy. Method: A total of 106 patients with intractable epilepsy aged under 19 who initiated MAD from January 2016 to December 2021 and maintained MAD for a minimum of 12 months were enrolled. Laboratory test for lipid level were conducted at baseline, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and subsequently at 6-month intervals after initiation of MAD. The prevalence rate of dyslipidemia and lipid levles by period after MAD was analyzed. Dyslipidemia is defined as having any one of the following criteria: total cholesterol ≥200 mg/dL, LDL (Low-density lipoprotein) ≥130 mg/dL, HDL (High-density lipoprotein) &amp;lt;40 mg/dL, and triglyceride ≥100 mg/dL for children aged 0-9 and ≥130 mg/dL for adolescents aged 10-18.3. Result: The prevalence rate of total dyslipidemia observed at baseline, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months, 18 months, 24 months, 30 months, and 36 months, were 31.1%, 67.6%, 69.5%, 68.2%, 59.5%, 60.5%, 53.7%, 47.1%, and 31.3%, respectively. When the average value and prevalence rate for each type of dyslipidemia were analyzed, total cholesterol and LDL levels showed an increase from the 1-month period compared to the baseline, peaked at the 3-month period, and gradually decreased from the 6th month with statistical significance. In the case of triglycerides, the prevalence rate of hypertriglyceridemia was highest at 3 months, but the average value was highest at 1 month with statistical significance. However, in HDL, both the average value and the prevalence rate of hypo-HDL cholesterolemia did not exhibit a significant difference over the entire period. Conclusion: MAD increases the incidence of dyslipidemia until three months after initiation, but in most cases, it tends to decrease even without treatment after six months. Presentation: 6/1/2024

7890 Combination of Dorzagliatin and Canagliflozin Improves β-cell Function and Alleviates Hepatic Steatosis in db/db Mice

Abstract Disclosure: Z. Zhang: None. S. Chen: None. S. Ji: None. Q. Zhao: None. J. Qiao: None. M. Liu: None. Introduction: Early combination of anti-hyperglycemic medications with different targets is an optimal choice for patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) who do not achieve targeted HbA1c with monotherapy. Dorzagliatin is a novel dual-acting glucokinase activator that has been shown to be effective in both drug-naive and metformin-treated patients with T2D. However, the effect of combination of dorzagliatin and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor (SGLT2i) remains unknown. Methods: Ten-week-old db/db mice were treated daily with either dorzagliatin (30mg/kg of body weight) alone, or canagliflozin (30mg/kg of body weight) alone, or dorzagliatin plus canagliflozin, or vehicle only by gavage for 6 weeks. Body weight and fasting blood glucose were monitored weekly. Plasma insulin, triglyceride, and cholesterol were measured every two weeks. The morphology of islets and liver was evaluated by chemical staining and immunofluorescence. Results: The 6-week treatment of dorzagliatin had no significant effect on fasting blood glucose and fasting plasma insulin but reduced body weight in db/db mice compared to those treated with vehicle. It also caused a significant decrease of islet size and β-cell number. Surprisingly, dorzagliatin alleviated hepatic steatosis but did not affect serum lipid levels. The combination of dorzagliatin and canagliflozin lowed fasting blood glucose and improved glucose tolerance without affecting bodyweight, and the anti-diabetic effect was stronger than the canagliflozin-only treatment group. Combination treatment group also showed an increased islet size and β-cell number, and alleviated liver steatosis compared with vehicle group. Conclusion: The combination of dorzagliatin and canagliflozin had better antidiabetic effects than single-agent administration, providing clinical guidance for the combination therapy of dorzagliatin and SGLT2i in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Presentation: 6/2/2024

No causal relationship serum lipids on age-related hearing loss based on Mendelian randomized evidence

ObjectivesPresbycusis, or age-related hearing loss (ARHL) has been a common disability disease among the elderly population. It is particularly essential to identify the underlying role of related risk factors for ARHL diagnosis and treatment. Observational studies have shown that cardiovascular disease may be a factor in ARHL. Serum lipids are a key risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Therefore, it may be a potentially influencing factor for elderly deafness. We conduct the study to analyze the causal relationship between serum lipids and European elderly deafness. DesignUsing genetic variation data related to serum lipids (total cholesterol levels [TCL], total triglycerides levels [TGL], and lipoprotein fractions, including apolipoprotein A1 levels [APOA1L], apolipoprotein B levels [APOBL], high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels [HDL], and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels [LDL]) as instrumental variables, the outcome events were summarized from the genome-wide association study data of elderly deafness, and Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was used in our analysis. The relationship between serum lipids levels and ARHL was analyzed using five methods, including inverse variance weighted, weighted mode, MR-Egger, weighted median, and simple mode. The study aims to use bidirectional MR analysis. ResultsAmong all 5 methods, no significant causal effects were found between serum lipids (TCL OR = 0.936, p = .488; TGL OR = 0.955, p = 0.657; APOA1L OR = 0.864, p = .061; APOBL OR = 0.979, p = .786; HDL OR = 0.998, p = .979; LDL OR = 1.089, p = .281) and presbycusis. ConclusionThe findings of MR causal inference analysis did not support the causal relationship between presbycusis and serum lipids, including cholesterol, triglycerides, and lipoprotein fractions (APOA1L, APOBL, HDL and LDL).

Salidroside may target PPARα to exert preventive and therapeutic activities on NASH.

Salidroside (SDS), a phenylpropanoid glycoside, is an antioxidant component isolated from the traditional Chinese medicine Rhodiola rosea and has multifunctional bioactivities, particularly possessing potent hepatoprotective function. Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is one of the most prevalent chronic liver diseases worldwide, but it still lacks efficient drugs. This study aimed to assess the preventive and therapeutic effects of SDS on NASH and its underlying mechanisms in a mouse model subjected to a methionine- and choline-deficient (MCD) diet. C57BL/6J mice were fed an MCD diet to induce NASH. During or after the formation of the MCD-induced NASH model, SDS (24mg/kg/day) was supplied as a form of diet for 4weeks. The histopathological changes were evaluated by H&E staining. Oil Red O staining and Sirius Red staining were used to quantitatively determine the lipid accumulation and collagen fibers in the liver. Serum lipid and liver enzyme levels were measured. The morphology of autophagic vesicles and autophagosomes was observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and qRT-PCR and Western blotting were used to detect autophagy-related factor levels. Immunohistochemistry and TUNEL staining were used to evaluate the apoptosis of liver tissues. Flow cytometry was used to detect the composition of immune cells. ELISA was used to evaluate the expression of serum inflammatory factors. Transcript-proteome sequencing, molecular docking, qRT-PCR, and Western blotting were performed to explore the mechanism and target of SDS in NASH. The oral administration of SDS demonstrated comprehensive efficacy in NASH. SDS showed both promising preventive and therapeutic effects on NASH in vivo. SDS could upregulate autophagy, downregulate apoptosis, rebalance immunity, and alleviate inflammation to exert anti-NASH properties. Finally, the results of transcript-proteome sequencing, molecular docking evaluation, and experimental validation showed that SDS might exert its multiple effects through targeting PPARα. Our findings revealed that SDS could regulate liver autophagy and apoptosis, regulating both innate immunity and adaptive immunity and alleviating inflammation in NASH prevention and therapy via the PPAR pathway, suggesting that SDS could be a potential anti-NASH drug in the future.

A-227 One Step Toward Implementation of Advanced Lipoprotien Testing in Children: A Pilot Study on Pediatric Reference Ranges

Abstract Background Abnormal serum lipid levels in childhood are associated with dyslipidemia and increased risk of cardiovascular disease in adulthood. High prevalence of childhood obesity in the US has increased concerns about the adverse effects of abnormal lipids in children, prompting recommendations for universal lipid screening in adolescents. While specialized analysis of lipoproteins by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) has been predominately used in adults with risk factors for CVD, our laboratory also receives pediatric samples for NMR testing, most commonly associated with diagnostic codes for hyperlipidemia and/or abnormal weight gain. Currently adult-based reference ranges for the NMR lipoprotein measurements are used in children. The objective of this pilot study was to compare lipoprotein profiles of healthy adults and children and to assess the impact of reference intervals for children on clinical interpretation of pediatric results. Methods Serum samples were collected from 60 healthy children, ages 1 - 17 years, and 148 self-identified healthy adults, ages 19 - 64 years old. NMR lipoprotein analysis was performed using the Axinon lipoFIT by NMR assay on a 600 MHz NMR (Bruker). Statistical analysis was conducted in Excel and Graph Pad Prism. Reference intervals (RIs) were determined in EP Evaluator as the central 95% interval. Results The levels of atherogenic low-density lipoprotein particle number (LDL-P) and small LDL-P (sLDL-P) were significantly lower in children compared to adults: 783±222 vs 1212±412 nmol/L and 302±142 vs 498±306 nmol/L, respectively (p&amp;lt;0.00001). Additionally, LDL size (LDL-s) was significantly larger in children than adults (21.23±0.29 vs 21.06±0.44 nm, p=0.006), reflecting prevalence of less dense LDL-P in the former group. Pediatric samples also had lower number of anti-atherogenic high-density lipoprotein particles (HDL-P) compared to adults: 29.4±4.6 vs 33.5±4.6 µmol/L, p&amp;lt;0.00001. The significant differences in the number and size of lipoprotein particles between adults and children implies that currently used adult reference intervals might not be appropriate for evaluating pediatric NMR samples. Therefore, we estimated RIs for our heathy pediatric and adult cohorts and applied these RIs to our retrospective data of 618 samples from children 1-17 years old, which were submitted for NMR lipoprotein testing in recent years. The analysis showed that using the adult RIs, 37% and 27% of pediatric samples would not flag for abnormally elevated LDL-P and sLDL-P, respectively; but they would be flagged based on the RI derived from our pediatric cohort. Moreover, 12% pediatric samples flagged for low HDL-P would have normal HDL-P levels if pediatric RIs are used instead of adult RIs. Conclusions Use of adult reference intervals in children may result in misclassification of lipid status and underestimation or overestimation of dyslipidemia and CVD risk in children. This pilot study highlights the need for pediatric reference intervals to guide interpretation of advanced lipid testing in children.

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Background: Dyslipidaemia has been proposed as a potential risk factor for breast cancer. This study aimed to evaluate the association between serum lipid profiles and breast cancer among women, comparing lipid levels between breast cancer patients and healthy controls. Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional observational study was conducted at SMS Medical College and Hospital, Jaipur, from ethics committee approval until June 2024. The study included 100 breast cancer patients and 100 matched healthy controls. Inclusion criteria were individuals aged 18 years or older with informed consent, while exclusion criteria included critically ill patients, those with malignancies other than breast cancer, and those on lipid-lowering therapy. The lipid profile was assessed according to the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III) guidelines. Data collection involved clinical examination, anthropometric measurements, and biochemical analysis of serum lipid levels. Results: The mean age of participants was 48.5 years for the Case Group and 45.92 years for the Control Group. Serum lipid profiles showed significantly higher levels of total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), and triglycerides (TG) in breast cancer patients compared to controls, with TC at 197 ± 42.2 mg/dl vs. 174.06 ± 38.46 mg/dl, LDL at 152.65 ± 32.57 mg/dl vs. 121.09 ± 24.56 mg/dl, and TG at 162.12 ± 15.64 mg/dl vs. 138.23 ± 22.99 mg/dl. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) was significantly lower in breast cancer patients (36.0 ± 16.60 mg/dl vs. 50.60 ± 17.64 mg/dl). Subgroup analysis by age showed similar trends across different age groups. No significant differences were observed between premenopausal and postmenopausal women in lipid levels. Conclusion: Elevated serum lipid levels, particularly TC, LDL, and TG, are associated with breast cancer. Monitoring and managing lipid levels may offer potential benefits in breast cancer prevention and treatment strategies.

Association of serum lipid profile with liver fibrosis in HCV‑coinfected HIV patients on suppressive anti‑retroviral therapy.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) coinfection in individuals living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (PLWH) may affect lipid metabolism and accelerate the progression of chronic hepatitis. Therefore, the identification of risk factors for progressive liver disease is needed. The present study aimed to examine the prevalence and clinical features associated with liver fibrosis in HCV-coinfected HIV patients, including metabolic markers. A total of 105 patients coinfected with HIV and HCV were recruited and liver fibrosis was assessed using the fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) score and aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index (APRI). Logistic regression analyses indicated that patients aged >50 years and with a CD4+ cell count <350 cells/µl had an 11.4-times higher (P=0.001) and a 5.7-times higher (P=0.017) risk of liver fibrosis, as determined by FIB-4 score, compared to patients aged ≤40 years and a CD4+ cell count of ≥350 cells/µl, respectively. In addition, patients naïve to HCV treatment or receiving treatment had 5.4- and 12.7-times higher risks for liver fibrosis, as determined by APRI, than those with sustained virologic response (SVR) (P=0.003 and P=0.033, respectively). Univariate analysis indicated lower risks of liver fibrosis, as determined by APRI, in the patients with abnormally high levels of cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) than those with normal levels [odds ratio (OR) 0.3, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.1-0.9, P=0.037; OR 0.4, 95% CI 0.2-0.9, P=0.041; OR 0.2, 95% CI 0.1-0.5, P=0.001] and multivariate analysis suggested only patients with high levels of LDL had a lower risk for liver fibrosis determined by APRI (OR 0.1, 95% CI 0.3-0.8, P=0.029). Consistently, serum levels of cholesterol, HDL and LDL were significantly lower in the patient groups with more advanced fibrosis, evaluated by FIB-4 score and APRI, than those without liver fibrosis and the levels of cholesterol and LDL in the patients achieving SVR were higher than those with no response or not receiving treatment (all P<0.05). In conclusion, the present study identified serum lipid levels as associated factors of hepatic fibrosis, together with age, CD4+ cell count and HCV treatment status, in HCV-coinfected PLWH on long-term suppressive anti-retroviral therapy.

Diagnostic Value of Serum Apolipoprotein B100 Combined With Hippocampal Volume in Alzheimer's Disease.

To explore the diagnostic value of serum apolipoprotein B100 (Apo B100) combined with hippocampal volume in Alzheimer's disease (AD). A total of 59 AD patients and 59 healthy subjects were selected. The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) was used for neuropsychological assessment. Blood glucose and serum lipid levels were detected by biochemical analyzer. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect apolipoprotein E (Apo E) ε3/ε4 genotypes in the plasma. Hippocampal volume was calculated using Slicer software. Independent-sample t test or Mann-Whitney U test were used to compare the levels of various indicators between the two groups. Spearman's correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between each level. The receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was plotted, and the area under the curve (AUC) was calculated to compare the diagnostic efficacy of individual and combined detection of serum Apo B100 levels and hippocampal volume in AD. Compared with the healthy control group, the levels of serum total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), Apo B100, and plasma Apo E ε3/ε4 were higher in the AD group, and serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL) level was lower in the AD group (both p<0.05). The hippocampal volume in the AD group was lower than in the control group (p<0.01). The serum Apo B100 level was negatively correlated with MMSE score (r=-0.646), whereas hippocampal volume was positively correlated with MMSE score (r=0.630). ROC curve analysis showed that the AUC of the combined serum Apo B100 level and hippocampal volume for AD was higher than that of either alone (AUC=0.821, p<0.01). Serum Apo B100 level is elevated, and the hippocampal volume is reduced in AD patients. The combined detection of the two has a higher diagnostic efficiency for AD than other alone and has the potential to become an important indicator for the diagnosis of AD in the future.

Taraxacum Mongolicum Polysaccharides Reverses Mice Obesity via Activation of AKT/mTOR Pathway

Background/Objectives: The global prevalence of obesity and its associated health complications represent significant public health concerns. Plant polysaccharides have been demonstrated to possess a range of beneficial pharmacological effects. This experiment was designed to elucidate the mechanisms of dietary Taraxacum mongolicum polysaccharides involved in the regulation of obesity and fat browning. Methods: Male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into three groups: a control group, a high-fat diet (HFD) group, and an HFD group supplemented with 0.3% TMPs. The mice were fed their respective diets for 10 weeks, after which their body weight, food consumption, and serum lipid levels were measured. Histological analysis was performed to assess lipid deposition in adipose tissue and liver. Western blot was used to assess the expression of proteins involved in the AKT/mTOR pathway. Results: The results show that compared with the HFD group, the TMP supplementation group’s body-weight gain (12.17 ± 1.77) significantly decreased. TMPs also reduced serum levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Histological analysis showed that TMPs reduced lipid deposition in both adipose tissue and the liver. Conclusions: In addition, TMPs increased the expression of phosphorylated AKT and the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), indicating that TMPs exert their beneficial effects on lipid metabolism via the AKT/mTOR pathway.

Serum lipid and lipoprotein profiles and their association with intraocular pressure in primary open-angle glaucoma: an observational cross-sectional study in the Chinese population

BackgroundGlaucoma is a leading cause of vision impairment and permanent blindness. Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is a prominent type of primary glaucoma; however, its cause is difficult to determine. This study aimed to analyze the serum lipid profile of Chinese POAG patients and assess its correlation with intraocular pressure (IOP).MethodsThe study included 1,139, 1,248, and 356 Chinese individuals with POAG, primary angle closure glaucoma (PACG), and controls, respectively. Peripheral whole blood samples were collected at the time of diagnosis. Enzymatic colorimetry was used to determine serum levels of different lipids: high-density lipoproteins (HDL), low-density lipoproteins (LDL), triglycerides, cholesterol, and very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL). Additionally, immunoturbidimetry was used to quantify serum levels of apolipoproteins A (APOA), B (APOB), E (APOE), and lipoprotein A [Lp(a)], while intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured in all patients with POAG.ResultsAfter adjusting for age and sex, patients with POAG exhibited elevated serum levels of VLDL, APOA, and APOE but mitigated cholesterol levels compared with the control participants. Significantly lower serum triglyceride, VLDL, and Lp(a) levels were found in patients with PACG than in control participants. Serum cholesterol (P = 0.019; β = -0.75, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -1.38 – -0.12) and HDL levels (P < 0.001; β = -2.91, 95% CI: -4.58 – -1.25) were inversely linked to IOP in patients with POAG, after adjusting for age, sex, and ocular metrics. In addition, serum Lp(a) levels were correlated with the average IOP (P = 0.023; β = -0.0039, 95% CI: -0.0073 – -0.006) and night peak (P = 0.027; β = -0.0061, 95% CI: -0.0113 – -0.0008) in patients with POAG.ConclusionsSignificantly different serum lipid and lipoprotein profiles were observed in POAG and PACG patients. This study highlighted the differences in serum lipid and lipoprotein levels among Chinese POAG patients and their relationship with IOP and IOP fluctuation. Serum lipid and lipoprotein profiles should be considered while evaluating glaucoma risk.

Comparative evaluation of serum apelin, visfatin, and lipid levels in overweight hypertensive patients on enalapril versus telmisartan therapy

Objectives. Visfatin and apelin are two adipokines that recently gained a special interest in hypertension research as they may have a role in the pathogenesis of hypertension and are closely related to the renin-angiotensin system. This study aimed to evaluate the serum levels of apelin and visfatin in uncontrolled newly diagnosed hypertensive patients, controlled hypertensive patients managed by enalapril and controlled hypertensive patients managed by telmisartan. Patients and methods. The study population included 126 participants, who were divided into four groups established as healthy participants, newly diagnosed hypertensive patients, hypertensive patients managed by enalapril and hypertensive patients managed by telmisartan. Outcomes. Serum apelin levels reduced significantly in newly diagnosed hypertensive patients, with a significant increase in visfatin levels compared with control group. Enalapril-treated patients expressed significantly higher apelin levels with a significant reduction in visfatin levels compared with newly diagnosed. Apelin levels were significantly increased in enalapril-treated patients compared telmisartan-treated group. Additionally, a significant reduction in visfatin levels were found in telmisartan group compared with newly diagnosed hypertensive patients. Moreover, a significant positive correlation was found between HDL and visfatin in patients receiving treatment. Additionally, visfatin was negatively correlated with triglycerides and VLDL in the same patient group. Conclusions. In light of the data collected so far, whether visfatin and apelin play roles in the pathophysiology of hypertension remains unclear and further research is still required to fully understand its relevance. Nevertheless, high visfatin and low apelin levels appear to be intrinsic characteristics of uncontrolled hypertension, indicating that these adipokines could be potential biomarkers for this disease.

Enhancement of Intracellular Cholesterol Efflux in Chondrocytes Leading to Alleviation of Osteoarthritis Progression.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common degenerative disease worldwide, with no practical means of prevention and limited treatment options. Recently, our group unveiled a novel mechanism contributing to OA pathogenesis in association with abnormal cholesterol metabolism in chondrocytes. In this study, we aimed to establish a clinical link between lipid profiles and OA in humans, assess the effectiveness of cholesterol-lowering drugs in suppressing OA development in mice, and uncover the cholesterol-lowering mechanisms that effectively impede OA progression. Five clinically approved cholesterol-lowering drugs (fenofibrate, atorvastatin, ezetimibe, niacin, and lomitapide) were injected into the knee joints or administered with diet to mice with OA who underwent destabilization of the medial meniscus induction and were fed a 2% high-cholesterol diet. Gene expression linked to cholesterol metabolism was determined using microarray analysis. Furthermore, the in vivo functions of these genes were explored through intra-articular injection of either its inhibitor or adenovirus. Logistic regression analysis confirmed a close relationship between the diagnostic criteria of hyperlipidemia based on serum lipid levels and OA incidence. Among the cholesterol-lowering drugs examined, fenofibrate exerted the most significant protective effect against cartilage destruction, which was attributed to elevated levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol that are crucial for cholesterol efflux. Notably, cholesterol efflux was suppressed during OA progression via down-regulation of apolipoprotein A1-binding protein (AIBP) expression. Overexpression of AIBP effectively inhibits OA progression. Our results suggest that restoration of cholesterol homeostasis to a normal state through administration of fenofibrate or AIBP overexpression, both of which induce cholesterol efflux, offers an effective therapeutic option for patients with OA.

Utilizing Cinnamomum verum (a culinary spice), as a functional food ingredient ameliorating hypercholesterolemia: In-vivo, in-vitro, and in-silico multi-model analysis

Hypercholesterolemia involves elevated levels of total cholesterol (T.C.), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), and reduced high-density lipoprotein (HDL), linked to sedentary lifestyles, irregular eating habits, high-fat diets, type 2 diabetes, and various hereditary and environmental factors. It poses significant health risks, including high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, fatty liver, and cardiovascular disease. This study aimed to evaluate the lipid-lowering effects of ethanolic extract of Cinnamon in hypercholesterolemia-induced rats using in-vivo, in-vitro, and in-silico approaches. In the present work, thirty female Albino rats were divided into six groups: Group I (basal diet), Group II (high-fat diet), Group III (statin treatment), and Groups IV-VI (high-fat diet with different doses of cinnamon extract). Serum lipid profiles were measured after four weeks of treatment. In-vitro HMG-CoA reductase inhibition was assessed. In-silico studies, including molecular docking, ADME analysis, toxicity prediction, and molecular dynamics (M.D.) simulations, were conducted. DFT studies with MESP/HOMO/LUMO analysis provided electronic property insights. High-fat diet increased body weight and serum lipid levels in rats. Cinnamon extract significantly reduces body weight and serum LDL, VLDL, and triglycerides while increasing HDL levels. Histopathology showed reduced fat accumulation and normal liver morphology in cinnamon-treated groups. In-vitro analysis revealed significant HMG-CoA reductase inhibition by cinnamon extract. In-silico docking confirmed strong binding affinities of cinnamon compounds to HMG-CoA reductase. ADME analysis and toxicity prediction indicated favorable pharmacokinetics. MD simulations showed stable ligand-protein complexes, and DFT studies highlighted the electronic properties of active compounds. To conclude, the cinnamon ethanolic extract demonstrated effective lipid-lowering properties in hypercholesterolemic rats, supported by in-vitro and in-silico analyses, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic agent for hypercholesterolemia. Further research is needed to explore underlying mechanisms and clinical outcomes.

Emodin repairs interstitial cells of Cajal damaged by cholelithiasis in the gallbladder.

Hypercholesterolemia induces cholelithiasis and dysfunction of gallbladder motility. Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) contribute to gallbladder motility. Emodin modulates the contractility of the gallbladder muscle; however, the underlying mechanism is unknown. This study aimed to explore the effects of emodin on gallbladder ICCs with cholelithiasis in a guinea pig model. Animals were randomly divided into a healthy control group and three study groups. All study groups received a high-cholesterol diet (HCD) for 8 weeks. Subsequently, they were randomly assigned to either the HCD group or one of the emodin treatment groups lasting 4 or 8weeks. Total cholesterol (TC) and triglycerides (TG) were measured to determine changes in serum lipid levels. Immunohistochemistry was performed to detect the morphology and number of ICCs. TUNEL assays were performed to detect ICC apoptosis. Transmission electron microscopy was employed to observe ICC structure. Western blotting and real-time polymerase chain reaction were used to detect changes in stem cell factor (SCF)/c-kit pathway expression. Serum TC and TG were higher in all study groups. In cases of cholelithiasis, the SCF/c-kit pathway was downregulated, the number of gallbladder ICCs decreased, apoptosis increased, and the ICC network structure was damaged. After emodin treatment, the SCF/c-kit pathway was upregulated, the number of gallbladder ICCs increased, apoptosis decreased, and the ICC network structure recovered. Cholelithiasis downregulates the SCF/c-kit pathway and damages gallbladder ICCs. Emodin upregulates the SCF/c-kit pathway and increases gallbladder ICCs, contributing to recovery from gallbladder motility disorders.\.