Lipoprotein Profile Research Articles

FRI099 Advanced Lipoprotein Analysis In Patients With Cushing’s Syndrome

Abstract Disclosure: R.T. Varghese: None. R. McGlotten: None. M. Sampson: None. A. Prakash: None. R. Shamburek: None. A.T. Remaley: None. R. Muniyappa: None. L.K. Nieman: None. Introduction: Cushing syndrome (CS) patients have a higher mortality rate due to increased cardiovascular disease (CVD). Analysis of lipoprotein particles with nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy provides additional insights into CVD risk beyond the standard lipid panel. The goal of the study was to better characterize the lipid abnormalities in patients with CS by using high-resolution separation of lipoprotein particles. Methods: We measured plasma lipids (Cholesterol, TC; calculated low density lipoprotein, LDL; triglycerides, TG; high density lipoprotein, HDL) by the traditional enzymatic assay and lipoprotein particles by NMR spectroscopy. Measures of inflammation and insulin resistance were also derived from NMR spectra. Values are shown as mean ± SEM or median [IQR]. Results: After initial evaluation, 42 subjects (mean age 47.4 ± 2.5 years; 28 females; weight 85.0 ± 3.1 kg) had Cushing's disease (n=23), ectopic ACTH secretion (n=17), or adrenal adenoma (n=2). Ten patients were on chronic statin therapy, and 14 subjects had type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The control group comprised 45 subjects without T2DM [mean age 45.4 ± 2.1 years and weight (83.5 ± 2.7) kg]. None in the control group were on statin therapy. Compared to controls, CS patients had significantly higher systolic (135 ±2 vs. 119 ±2 mm Hg, p<0.001) and diastolic blood pressure (79 ±2 vs. 71 ±1 mm Hg, p<0.001), HbA1c (6.1 [5.4-7.5] vs. 5.4 [5.0-5.7], p<0.001), plasma glucose (103 [90-137] vs 94 [89-100] mg/dL, p=0.003), and insulin (17[12-26] vs 11[7-15] uU/mL, p=0.01) levels. Compared to controls, patients with CS had significantly higher triglyceride concentration (116 [84 -146] vs 87 [62-120] mg/dL, p=0.02) and lower LDL concentration (90 [69 -113] vs 108 [90 -125] mg/dL, p=0.04). However, total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol concentrations were not different. LDL particle size in CS was smaller (20.5[20.0-21.0] vs 21.0 [20.7-21.2] nm, p=0.01) and VLDL particle size was larger (49.8 ± 0.9 vs 45.7 ± 1.0 nm, p=0.002) than in controls. No difference was noted between groups in HDL particle number or size or in LDL and VLDL particle number. In the group with CS, a marker of inflammation, GlycA (Glycan N-acetylglucosamine) (494.5 ± 18.2 vs. 382.5 ± 9.0 µmol/L, p<0.001) and Lipoprotein Insulin Resistance score (LPIR) (46.4 ± 3.1 vs. 36.2 ± 3.1, p=0.02) were significantly higher. There were no group differences in branch-chained amino acids (BCCA) levels. These differences remained even when patients with type 2 diabetes and those on statin therapy were excluded. Conclusions: These data suggest that the higher inflammatory and insulin resistance state, dysglycemia, hypertension, and altered lipoprotein profiles may contribute to the increased CV risk in patients with Cushing’s syndrome. Early detection and treatment for these abnormalities may attenuate CV risk. Presentation: Friday, June 16, 2023

Altered Lipid Moieties and Carbonyls in a Wistar Rat Dietary Model of Subclinical Fatty Liver: Potential Sex-Specific Biomarkers of Early Fatty Liver Disease?

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a condition in which excess fat builds up in the liver. To date, there is a lack of knowledge about the subtype of lipid structures affected in the early stages of NAFLD. The aim of this study was to analyze serum and liver lipid moieties, specifically unsaturations and carbonyls, by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) in a subclinical Wistar rat model of NAFLD for detecting early alterations and potential sex dimorphisms. Twelve weeks of a high-fat diet (HFD) induced fat accumulation in the liver to a similar extent in male and female Wistar rats. In addition to total liver fat accumulation, Wistar rats showed a shift in lipid subtype composition. HFD rats displayed increased lipid carbonyls in both liver and serum, and decreased in unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), with a much stronger effect in male than female animals. Our results revealed that the change in fat was not only quantitative but also qualitative, with dramatic shifts in relevant lipid structures. Finally, we compared the results found in Wistar rats with an analysis in a human patient cohort of extreme obesity. For the first time to our knowledge, lipid carbonyl levels and lipoproteins profiles were analyzed in the context of subclinical NAFLD. The association found between lipid carbonyls and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in a human cohort of extremely obese individuals further supports the potential role of lipid moieties as biomarkers of early NAFLD.

A-223 Lipoprotein (a) Profile in Patients with Diabetes and Coronary Artery Disease

Abstract Background Changes in the lipid profile that cause an increase in cardiovascular risk are basically those that occur with an increase in apolipoprotein B-100 (apoB). This lipoprotein is present in LDL, VLDL, IDL and lipoprotein a or Lp(a). Lp(a) is a molecule similar to LDL being formed by the junction of apoB with apolipoprotein A. Lp (a) levels are virtually independent of diet or environmental factors. Around 90% is defined by the patient’s genetic heritage. Lp(a) has the potential to cause atherosclerosis by LDL-like mechanisms (vascular wall impairment, oxidation), However, there are several other mechanisms that are proposed to explain the increased cardiovascular risk caused by increased Lp(a) levels. Some would result in a high risk of thrombogenicity, others of atherogenesis. The aim of this study was to describe the Lp(a) profile in individuals with diabetes and coronary artery disease. Methods This is a descriptive cross-sectional study carried out in 2 reference centers in the care of patients with diabetes and high cardiovascular risk in Fortaleza-Ceará, Brazil.We evaluated lp(a) level was and the presence of multivessel coronary artery diseaseThe statistical analysis of the data was performed with the Microsoft Excel program. Results Of the 34 patients evaluated, 47% (16) were male and 53% (18) female, with a mean age of 58.3 ± 9.34 years old, The mean time that the coronary event had occurred was 7.85 ± 6.27 years, and the mean age at the first thrombotic event was 51.56 ± 9.311 years old. There was found 44.1% of dyslipidemia before the first thrombotic and 61.7% had multivessel coronary artery disease. Lp(a) median was 23.5 mg/dL (min < 3-max 149).70.5% of the evaluated patients had Lp(a) < 50 mg/dL, 20.5% between 50–90 mg/dL, and 8.8% had Lp(a) > 90 mg/dL. Conclusion Most patients with diabetes studied had normal or subnormal levels of lp(a) even though they were patients at very high cardiovascular risk. More studies need to be carried out, but this finding could suggest that in diabetic individuals, as well as LDL-c, we could have lower cutoff points than in the general population.

A-216 Measuring Inflammation and Cardiovascular Markers at Benchtop NMR using Diffusion and Relaxation Edited Experiments

Abstract Background Metabolic phenotyping is an established tool in systems medicine that captures a profile of one’s individual health status and reflects the interaction between genes and external stressors. It uses analytical platforms such as NMR or MS to acquire molecular profiles, and modelling to extract actionable knowledge. Applying these techniques to a cohort of Australians infected by SARS-CoV-2 revealed a strong alteration in regions of 1D NMR spectra associated with lipoproteins and glycoproteins, and referred as Supramolecular Phospholipid Composite SPC (δ = 3.2 ppm) and Glyc (δ = 2.07 ppm). The latter is an established marker of inflammation. These results were later confirmed using larger cohorts from Spain (n = 525) and the UK (n = 1022). The urgent need for very rapid testing, at the early stage of the pandemic, prompted the development of bespoke NMR experiments able to measure this lipoproteins/glycoproteins signature without requiring complex modelling. Methods Physico-chemical properties of lipoprotein particles, such as diffusion, transverse and longitudinal relaxation rates, differ from low molecular weight metabolites. Therefore, an edited experiment JEDI (PGPE) was designed that combines diffusion, relaxation and scalar coupling editing blocks to produce a lipoprotein profile devoid of chemical noise (overlapping peaks) and where peaks give quantitative results. Results The SPC peak was further broken down into 3 sub-regions that are related to the main subfraction HDL and LDL (choline headgroups of phospholipids). Interestingly the ratio of SPC3/SPC2 highly correlates with the Apo-B100/Apo-A1 ratio, an established cardiovascular risk marker that is increased in patients with COVID19. Longitudinal data suggest this latter remains elevated even 30 days after onset in some patients. Furthermore, the edited experiment performs equally well at low field using a benchtop NMR. Conclusion Translation of a spectral signature relevant for monitoring COVID patients from high to low field NMR is possible using sophisticated editing techniques.

Generation of a familial hypercholesterolemia model in non-human primate

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is an inherited autosomal dominant disorder that is associated with a high plasma level of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, leading to an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. To develop basic and translational research on FH, we here generated an FH model in a non-human primate (cynomolgus monkeys) by deleting the LDL receptor (LDLR) gene using the genome editing technique. Six LDLR knockout (KO) monkeys were produced, all of which were confirmed to have mutations in the LDLR gene by sequence analysis. The levels of plasma cholesterol and triglyceride were quite high in the monkeys, and were similar to those in FH patients with homozygous mutations in the LDLR gene. In addition, periocular xanthoma was observed only 1 year after birth. Lipoprotein profile analysis showed that the plasma very low-density lipoprotein and LDL were elevated, while the plasma high density lipoprotein was decreased in LDLR KO monkeys. The LDLR KO monkeys were also strongly resistant to medications for hypercholesterolemia. Taken together, we successfully generated a non-human primate model of hypercholesterolemia in which the phenotype is similar to that of homozygous FH patients.

Twelve Weeks Of Ketogenic Diet Increases Atherogenic Lipoprotein Profiles Despite Meaningful Fat Loss

Twelve Weeks Of Ketogenic Diet Increases Atherogenic Lipoprotein Profiles Despite Meaningful Fat Loss

Assessment Of HDL Function And Plasma Lipoprotein Profiles Following Acute Exercise Of Differing Intensities

Assessment Of HDL Function And Plasma Lipoprotein Profiles Following Acute Exercise Of Differing Intensities

Lipid Profile after Pharmacologic Discontinuation and Restoration of Menstruation in Women with Endometriosis: A 12-Month Observational Prospective Study.

The lipid profile is affected following menstrual cessation (MC). We aimed to evaluate the effects of goserelin-induced MC and subsequent menstrual restoration (MR) on lipid metabolism. Premenopausal women with histologically verified endometriosis (n = 15) received goserelin monthly for 6 months (6mο), resulting in MC, and were followed-up for another 6 months after MR (12mο). Serum total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1), apolipoprotein B (ApoB), lipoprotein a ([Lp(a)] and lipidomics were measured at baseline, 6mo and 12mo. Shotgun quantitative deep lipidomics were determined at the level of lipid class category, subclass, species, and fatty acyl chain lengths and degree of saturation. TC (p = 0.006), LDL-C (p = 0.028), HDL-C (p = 0.002), and apoA1 (p = 0.013) increased during goserelin-induced MC and remained practically unchanged during MR. TG, apoB, and Lp(a) did not change. From the deep lipidomics analysis, multivariate statistical analysis demonstrated profound alterations in lipid species with MC, whereas no statistically valid models could be fitted for the restoration period. In conclusion, GnRH-analog-induced MC alters lipid profiles at various levels, from standard blood lipid and lipoprotein profiles to several lipid species as detected by lipidomics analysis. Changes largely persist for at least 6 m after MR.

GIP receptor agonism improves dyslipidemia and atherosclerosis independently of body weight loss in preclinical mouse model for cardio-metabolic disease

BackgroundAgonism at the receptor for the glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIPR) is a key component of the novel unimolecular GIPR:GLP-1R co-agonists, which are among the most promising drugs in clinical development for the treatment of obesity and type 2 diabetes. The therapeutic effect of chronic GIPR agonism to treat dyslipidemia and thus to reduce the cardiovascular disease risk independently of body weight loss has not been explored yet.MethodsAfter 8 weeks on western diet, LDL receptor knockout (LDLR-/-) male mice were treated with daily subcutaneous injections of long-acting acylated GIP analog (acyl-GIP; 10nmol/kg body weight) for 28 days. Body weight, food intake, whole-body composition were monitored throughout the study. Fasting blood glucose and intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test (ipGTT) were determined on day 21 of the study. Circulating lipid levels, lipoprotein profiles and atherosclerotic lesion size was assessed at the end of the study. Acyl-GIP effects on fat depots were determined by histology and transcriptomics.ResultsHerein we found that treatment with acyl-GIP reduced dyslipidemia and atherogenesis in male LDLR-/- mice. Acyl-GIP administration resulted in smaller adipocytes within the inguinal fat depot and RNAseq analysis of the latter revealed that acyl-GIP may improve dyslipidemia by directly modulating lipid metabolism in this fat depot.ConclusionsThis study identified an unanticipated efficacy of chronic GIPR agonism to improve dyslipidemia and cardiovascular disease independently of body weight loss, indicating that treatment with acyl-GIP may be a novel approach to alleviate cardiometabolic disease.

Associations between neighborhood socioeconomic deprivation, IFNγ, and high-density lipoprotein particle size: Data from the Washington, D.C. cardiovascular health and needs assessment

IntroductionNeighborhood socioeconomic deprivation is associated with increased cardiovascular risk factors, including inflammation. Inflammation plays an important role in modifying the cardioprotective function of high-density lipoprotein (HDL). Moreover, recent studies suggest that very high HDL is associated with adverse cardiovascular disease (CVD) outcomes. Thus, we sought to explore the relationships between neighborhood socioeconomic deprivation as a marker of chronic stress, inflammation, proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) (a core component of the HDL proteome), HDL characterisitcs, and biological aging as a predictor of CVD and all-cause mortality. MethodsSixty African American subjects were recruited to the NIH Clinical Center as part of a community-based participatory research-designed observational study. Neighborhood deprivation index (NDI), a marker of neighborhood socioeconomic deprivation, was measured using US Census data. HDL characteristics (cholesterol, particle number, size, subspecies) were determined from NMR lipoprotein profiling, and plasma cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, TNFα, IFNγ) were measured using an ELISA-based multiplex technique. Epigenetic clock biomarkers of aging were measured using DNA methylation data obtained from participants' buffy coat samples. We used linear regression modeling adjusted for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk score, body mass index (BMI), and lipid-lowering medication use to investigate relationships of interest. ResultsNDI directly associated with large HDL particle count (H7P) and IFNγ and trended toward significance with HDL-C and PCSK9. IFNγ and PCSK9 then directly associated with H7P. H7P also directly associated with higher DNA methylation phenotypic age (PhenoAge). ConclusionWe highlight associations between neighborhood socioeconomic deprivation, IFNγ, PCSK9, HDL subspecies, and epigenetic biomarkers of aging. Taken together, our findings suggest indirect pathways linking neighborhood deprivation-related stress and inflammation to HDL and immune epigenetic changes. Moreover, these results add to recent work showing the pathogenicity of high HDL levels and underscore the need to understand how chronic stress-related inflammation and lipoprotein subspecies relate to CVD risk across diverse populations.

High-fat diet reveals the impact of Sar1b defects on lipid and lipoprotein profile and cholesterol metabolism

Biallelic pathogenic variants of the Sar1b gene cause chylomicron retention disease (CRD) whose central phenotype is the inability to secrete chylomicrons. Patients with CRD experience numerous clinical symptoms such as gastrointestinal, hepatic, neuromuscular, ophthalmic, and cardiological abnormalities. Recently, the production of mice expressing either a targeted deletion or mutation of Sar1b recapitulated biochemical and gastrointestinal defects associated with CRD. The present study was conducted to better understand little-known aspects of Sar1b mutations, including mouse embryonic development, lipid profile, and lipoprotein composition in response to high-fat diet, gut and liver cholesterol metabolism, sex-specific effects, and genotype-phenotype differences. Sar1b deletion and mutation produce a lethal phenotype in homozygous mice, which display intestinal lipid accumulation without any gross morphological abnormalities. On high-fat diet, mutant mice exhibit more marked abnormalities in body composition, adipose tissue and liver weight, plasma cholesterol, non-HDL cholesterol and polyunsaturated fatty acids than those on the regular Chow diet. Divergences were also noted in lipoprotein lipid composition, lipid ratios (serving as indices of particle size) and lipoprotein-apolipoprotein distribution. Sar1b defects significantly reduce gut cholesterol accumulation while altering key players in cholesterol metabolism. Noteworthy, variations were observed between males and females, and between Sar1b deletion and mutation phenotypes. Overall, mutant animal findings reveal the importance of Sar1b in several biochemical, metabolic and developmental processes.

Metabolic accompaniment of plasma lipoproteins profile in persons with maladaptation

Background. During the implementation of the project "The relationship between the lipoprotein profile of the blood plasma and the parameters of the neuroendocrine-immune complex, and the influence of the factors of the Truskavets’ spa on them", we first divided observed cohort into 5 homogeneous groups that differed from each other by 6 discriminant variables. The purpose of this study is to identify the metabolic accompaniment of plasma lipoprotein profile in the same persons.
 Material and research methods. The object of observation were 41 volunteers: 20 women aged 30-76 years and 21 men aged 24-69 years without clinical diagnose but with dysfunction of neuroendocrine-immune complex and dysmetabolism. We estimated lipoprotein profile of plasma, determined the levels of the proinflammatory cytokines, parameters of lipid peroxidation as well as routine biochemical and paraclinical parameters.
 Results. The patients with increased, normal and decreased levels of Dobiásová’s&Frohlich’s Atherogenic Index of Plasma (D&FAIP) are characterized, together with levels of Triglycerides and HDLP Cholesterol by definition, by specific constellations of levels of IL-6, IL-1, Diene conjugates, Malondialdehyde, Katalase, Glucose, and Alanine aminotransferase (classification accuracy is 98.8%). A close canonical correlation was found between the parameters of the plasma lipoprotein profile, on the one hand, and metabolism and erythroon, on the other (R=0.920).
 Conclusion. Atherogenic, normal and anti-atherogenic blood plasma is characterized by specific levels of markers of inflammation, lipid peroxidation, cytolysis and erythroon.

Plant-based diet indices and lipoprotein particle subclass profiles: A cross-sectional analysis of middle- to older-aged adults

Background and aimsPlant-based diets (PBDs) are associated with favourable lipid profiles and cardiometabolic outcomes. However, limited data regarding PBD indices (PDIs) and lipoprotein subclasses exist. We examined overall PDI, healthful PDI (hPDI) and unhealthful PDI (uPDI) associations with lipid and lipoprotein profiles. MethodsThis cross-sectional analysis includes 1,986 middle- to older-aged adults from the Mitchelstown Cohort. The PDI, hPDI and uPDI scores were calculated from validated food frequency questionnaires. Higher PDI, hPDI and uPDI scores indicate a more PBD, healthful PBD and unhealthful PBD, respectively. Lipoprotein particle size and subclass concentrations were measured using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Relationships between PDIs and lipid and lipoprotein profiles were examined via correlation and regression analyses adjusted for covariates. ResultsIn fully adjusted regression analyses, higher PDI scores were associated with lower high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol concentrations and more triglyceride-rich lipoprotein and small very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) particles. Higher hPDI scores were negatively associated with non-HDL cholesterol concentrations, large VLDL and small HDL particles, the Lipoprotein Insulin Resistance Index (LP-IR) score and VLDL particle size. Higher uPDI scores were associated with lower HDL cholesterol and greater triglyceride concentrations and more medium and large VLDL, total LDL, small LDL and total non-HDL particles, less large LDL and large HDL particles, a greater LP-IR score, greater VLDL particle size and smaller LDL and HDL particle size. ConclusionsThis study provides novel evidence regarding associations between PBD quality and lipoprotein subclasses. A more unhealthful PBD was robustly associated with a more pro-atherogenic lipoprotein profile.

Abnormal Lipoproteins Trigger Oxidative Stress-Mediated Apoptosis of Renal Cells in LCAT Deficiency.

Familial lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) deficiency (FLD) is a rare genetic disease caused by the loss of function mutations in the LCAT gene. LCAT deficiency is characterized by an abnormal lipoprotein profile with severe reduction in plasma levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and the accumulation of lipoprotein X (LpX). Renal failure is the major cause of morbidity and mortality in FLD patients; the pathogenesis of renal disease is only partly understood, but abnormalities in the lipoprotein profile could play a role in disease onset and progression. Serum and lipoprotein fractions from LCAT deficient carriers and controls were tested for renal toxicity on podocytes and tubular cells, and the underlying mechanisms were investigated at the cellular level. Both LpX and HDL from LCAT-deficient carriers triggered oxidative stress in renal cells, which culminated in cell apoptosis. These effects are partly explained by lipoprotein enrichment in unesterified cholesterol and ceramides, especially in the HDL fraction. Thus, alterations in lipoprotein composition could explain some of the nephrotoxic effects of LCAT deficient lipoproteins on podocytes and tubular cells.

Interbreed differences in the cholesterol profile in cattle in Western Siberia

The authors studied the leading indicators of the cholesterol profile of high-density lipoproteins (HDL-C), low-density lipoproteins (LDL-C) and total cholesterol (TC) in Black-and-White, Red Steppe and Holstein breeds of the second or third lactation, bred in large livestock farms—complexes on the territory of Western Siberia. Metabolism and concentration of lipid complexes of cholesterol status play a cardinal role in the homeostasis of cellular metabolic processes. The critical role of serum lipoproteins in cholesterol metabolism is well recognised, as is their role as predictors of cardiovascular disease. At the same time, the atherogenic effect of LRN-C is associated with the transfer of fatty acids, which act as energy substrates for ATP synthesis. Anti-atherogenic properties characterise HDL-C and have an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect. The concentration of HDL-C - was determined by the precipitation method of phosphotungstic acid with magnesium chloride; the level of LDL-C - by the enzymatic colourimetric direct method, total cholesterol - by the process of enzymatic hydrolysis and oxidation of CHOD-PAP using reagent kits “HDL-Cholesterol-Novo”, “LDLCholesterol-Novo-A”, “Cholesterol-Novo” (“Vector-Best, Russia. The content of OH and LDL-C in the blood serum of cows at the age of the second or third lactation bred in Western Siberia is higher than the generally accepted standard values, which reflects a different degree of adaptation to climatic conditions. Ranked series of breeds (p < 0.05) according to LDL-C: black-and-white → Holstein → red steppe, medians were 4.91; 2.77 and 2.24 mmol/l, respectively. Differences between the indicators of HDL-C and LDL-C in Black-and-White, Red Steppe and Holstein cows were established, which indicates the genetic determination of the level of lipoproteins in the blood serum. The strength of the influence of the cow breed factor on the level of HDL-C in blood serum was 29%, LDL-C - 17%.

Altered granulocyte count and erythrocyte measures in middle-aged, healthy carriers of APOE and PICALM risk genes for Alzheimer's disease.

APOE‑ε4 genotype (apolipoprotein E, epsilon 4) is the strongest genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Despite years of research, it is still not known how it contributes to dementia development. APOE has been implicated in many AD pathology mechanisms, like Aβ clearance, brain metabolism, changes within microglia and other glial functions and inflammatory processes. In fact, immunological/inflammatory processes are recently discussed as an important factor in Alzheimer's development and granulocyte profiles changes are reported in patients. However, the exact link between the immune system and risk‑genes is unknown. In particular, it is not known whether and how they interact throughout the lifetime, before the disease onset. The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between granulocyte count and the APOE/PICALM genes in healthy individuals with an increased genetic risk of AD. An exploratory analysis regarding other blood cells was also conducted. Blood samples were collected from 77 healthy middle‑aged (50-63 years old) participants, who were also asked to complete a health and life‑style questionnaires. Groups with different AD risk‑genes were compared. Differences in granulocyte profiles were found in healthy carriers of AD risk‑genes who had slightly elevated eosinophil levels as compared to non-risk carriers. An exploratory analysis showed some alteration in mean corpuscular hemoglobin content and concentration (MCH/MCHC) levels between risk‑carriers subgroups and non-risk carriers. No other differences in blood count or lipoprotein profile were found between healthy APOE/PICALM risk‑carriers and non-risk carriers. Longitudinal studies will reveal if and how those changes contribute to the development of AD pathology.

Chronic-binge ethanol feeding aggravates systemic dyslipidemia in Ldlr-/- mice, thereby accelerating hepatic fibrosis.

Chronic ethanol consumption is known to cause alcohol-associated liver disease, which poses a global health concern as almost a quarter of heavy drinkers develop severe liver damage. Alcohol-induced liver disease ranges from a mild, reversible steatotic liver to alcoholic steatohepatitis and irreversible liver fibrosis and cirrhosis, ultimately requiring liver transplantation. While ethanol consumption is associated with dysregulated lipid metabolism and altered cholesterol homeostasis, the impact of dyslipidemia and pre-existing hypercholesterolemia on the development of alcohol-associated liver disease remains to be elucidated. To address the influence of systemic dyslipidemia on ethanol-induced liver disease, chronic-binge ethanol feeding was applied to female C57BL/6J (wild type) mice and mice deficient for the low-density lipoprotein receptor (Ldlr-/-), which display a human-like lipoprotein profile with elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels in circulation. Respective control groups were pair-fed an isocaloric diet. Chronic-binge ethanol feeding did not alter systemic lipid levels in wild type mice. While increased systemic cholesterol levels in Ldlr-/- mice were not affected by ethanol feeding, chronic-binge ethanol diet aggravated elevated plasma triglyceride levels in Ldlr-/- mice. Despite higher circulatory triglyceride levels in Ldlr-/- mice, hepatic lipid levels and the development of hepatic steatosis were not different from wild type mice after ethanol diet, while hepatic expression of genes related to lipid metabolism (Lpl) and transport (Cd36) showed minor changes. Immunohistochemical assessment indicated a lower induction of infiltrating neutrophils in the livers of ethanol-fed Ldlr-/- mice compared to wild type mice. In line, hepatic mRNA levels of the pro-inflammatory genes Ly6g, Cd11b, Ccr2, Cxcl1 and F4/80 were reduced, indicating less inflammation in the livers of Ldlr-/- mice which was associated with reduced Tlr9 induction. While systemic ALT and hepatic MDA levels were not different, Ldlr-deficient mice showed accelerated liver fibrosis development after chronic-binge ethanol diet than wild type mice, as indicated by increased levels of Sirius Red staining and higher expression of pro-fibrotic genes Tgfb, Col1a1 and Col3a1. Ldlr-/- and wild type mice had similar plasma ethanol levels and did not show differences in the hepatic mRNA levels of Adh1 and Cyp2e1, important for ethanol metabolism. Our results highlight that chronic-binge ethanol feeding enhances systemic dyslipidemia in Ldlr-/- mice which might accelerate the development of hepatic fibrosis, independent of hepatic lipid levels.

Improvement of lipid and lipoprotein profiles in children and adolescents with cystic fibrosis on CFTR modulator therapy

BackgroundAssociation of a high-fat diet with increased risks of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and type 2 diabetes, has prompted evaluation of lipids in people with CF (pwCF). However, most evidence on dyslipidemia was published before CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) modulators became a standard of care. The main goal of this study was to investigate the effect of CFTR modulator therapies on lipid and lipoprotein profiles in children and adolescents with CF. MethodsBlood samples were collected from 153 pwCF (10.1 ± 4.7 years of age) and 60 age-matched controls. Most pwCF were pancreatic insufficient on pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy. By the end of the study, 65% of CF participants were on CFTR modulator therapy for >1 month. The results of traditional and advanced lipid testing in pwCF were correlated with clinical and dietary information. ResultsTotal cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol were significantly lower in pwCF compared to non-CF participants. Those not receiving CFTR modulators also had significantly lower high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and HDL particle number than controls. Individuals with CF on modulator therapy had significantly higher concentrations of anti-atherogenic HDL cholesterol and HDL particles along with lower levels of atherogenic large very-low density lipoprotein (VLDL) particles, total and small LDL particles, and triglycerides compared to those without CFTR modulator therapy. ConclusionCFTR modulator therapy has a beneficial effect on dyslipidemia in CF. It remains to be seen if these positive changes translate into decreased CVD risk later in life given the increasing life expectancy in CF.

Serum il-18 and rs187238 single nucleotide polymorphism are associated with high-density lipoprotein changes in covid-19 outpatients

AimCOVID-19 is an inflammatory disease and its prognosis is associated with cardiovascular risk, which can be associated with changes in lipoprotein metabolism. The single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs187238 of Interleukin (IL)-18 is extensively reported in association with worsening inflammatory and cardiovascular disease (CVD). This study evaluated the association of IL-18 levels and its SNP rs187238 with lipoprotein profile changes in COVID-19 outpatients. MethodsObservational, analytical, cross-sectional study that evaluated 250 patients with respiratory syndrome, 36% (n = 90) with COVID-19. Serum total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), triglycerides (TG), apolipoproteins A-I and B (Apo A-I and Apo B) and IL-18 levels were determined. Polymorphism genotyping was done by real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). The significance level was p < 0.05. ResultsPatients with COVID-19 showed a reduction in TC and HDL-c, without difference in IL-18. HDL-c and LDL-c had a high frequency outside the reference values. There was a negative correlation of IL-18 with HDL-c and a positive correlation with Apo B/Apo A-I ratio. The frequencies of the C (wild) and G (polymorphic) alleles between patients with and without COVID-19 followed the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. However, COVID-19 was associated with reduced HDL-c and Apo A-I values in patients with the CC genotype. ConclusionIL-18 levels and its SNP rs187238 were associated with decreased HDL-c and Apo A-I in COVID-19 outpatients.

Blood lipid profiles, fatty acid deposition and expression of hepatic lipid and lipoprotein metabolism genes in laying hens fed palm oils, palm kernel oil, and soybean oil.

The palm oil, palm kernel oil and soybean oil have unique and distinctive fatty acid chain length and saturation profiles, and how they affect lipid peroxidation, fatty acid intake and metabolism is worth exploring in poultry. This study elucidated the influence the dietary oils on lipid peroxidation, blood lipid profiles, fatty acid deposition of liver, serum and yolk and the expression of liver genes related to lipid and lipoprotein metabolism in laying hens. About 150 Hisex brown laying hens were fed diets containing crude palm oil (CPO), red palm oil (RPO), refined palm oil (RBD), palm kernel oil (PKO) or soybean oil (SBO) for 16 weeks. Serum, liver and yolk lipid peroxidation were not different between dietary oils. The PKO increased liver, serum and yolk medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA). There was no difference in liver saturated fatty acids (SFA). The CPO and RPO reduced serum SFA, but the PKO increased yolk SFA. The SBO increased polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in liver serum and yolk. No difference in liver elaidic acid (C18:1-trans), but SBO lowered elaidic acid (C18:1-trans) in serum. Higher very-low density lipoprotein (VLDL) in CPO than RPO and SBO and greater serum lipase in CPO, RBD and PKO than SBO. There was no difference in sterol regulatory element-binding protein 2 (SREBP-II) between oils. Apolipoprotein VLDL-II (APOVLDL2) was upregulated in palm oils and apolipoprotein B-100 (APOB) in RBD. Downregulation in peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha (PPAR-α), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) and low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) was observed in palm oils and PKO. In conclusion, different dietary oils greatly influence several aspects of fatty acid metabolism, deposition and lipoprotein profiles but have no influence on reducing lipid peroxidation.