Low-density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Research Articles

A Transcriptome Approach Evaluating the Effects of Atractylenolide I on the Secretion of Estradiol and Progesterone in Feline Ovarian Granulosa Cells

Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz (AMK) as an oriental medicine has been used in the treatment of threatened abortion. Atractylenolide I (AT-I) is one of the major bioactive components of AMK. This study aimed to investigate the effect of AT-I on the secretion of estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4) in feline ovarian granulosa cells (FOGCs), which is necessary for pregnancy. At first, the proliferation of FOGCs after AT-I treatment was measured by CCK-8. Then, the synthesis of E2 and P4 were measured by ELISA. Lastly, transcriptome sequencing was used to detect the DEGs in the FOGCs, and RNA-seq results were verified by RT-qPCR and biochemical verification. It was found that AT-I could promote proliferation and the secretion of E2 and P4 in FOGCs; after AT-I treatment, 137 significant DEGs were observed, out of which 49 were up-regulated and 88 down-regulated. The DEGs revealed significant enrichment of 52 GO terms throughout the differentiation process (p < 0.05), as deciphered by Gene Ontology enrichment analysis. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis manifested that the DEGs were successfully annotated as members of 155 pathways, with 23 significantly enriched (p < 0.05). A relatively high number of genes were enriched for the cholesterol metabolism, ovarian steroidogenesis, and biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids. Furthermore, the contents of the total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were decreased by AT-I treatment in the cell culture supernatant. The results indicated that AT-I could increase the ability of FOGCs to secrete E2 and P4, which might be achieved by activation of cholesterol metabolism.

Analyzing lipid profiles and dyslipidemia prevalence in hypertensive patients: a cross-sectional study from primary community health institutions

BackgroundA significant proportion of hypertensive patients also suffer from comorbid dyslipidemia, which critically influences their treatment outcomes and overall prognosis. Given its implications, the lipid profiles of hypertensive individuals warrant increased attention for more effective clinical management.MethodsWe analyzed data from 92,443 hypertensive patients registered at primary community health institutions in 2021. Employing a cross-sectional study design, we assessed the distribution of lipid levels and the prevalence of various dyslipidemia subtypes. Stepwise forward logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with dyslipidemia, adjusting for gender, age, body size, and other relevant characteristics.ResultsAccording to the 2023 Chinese Guidelines for the Management of Lipids, the overall prevalence of dyslipidemia was 37.5%. Subtype analysis revealed prevalence of high total cholesterol (TC) at 11.2%, high triglycerides (TG) at 16.0%, low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) at 16.0%, and high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) at 10.2%. TG abnormalities were more common among males (16.8%), whereas TC abnormalities predominated in females (14.4%). Notably, hypertensive patients with diabetes had higher levels of TG compared to non-diabetics (p = 0.009). Those with stroke and liver disease comorbidities exhibited lower TG levels than their counterparts (p = 0.018 and p < 0.001, respectively). Additionally, HDL-C levels were significantly lower in hypertensives with diabetes, coronary artery disease, and central obesity (p < 0.001, p = 0.026, p < 0.001, respectively). Regression analysis indicated that dyslipidemia prevalence correlates significantly with gender, age, diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke, family history of hypertension, body mass index (BMI), central obesity, frequency of physical activity, smoking status, regular alcohol consumption, and abdominal ultrasound findings.ConclusionOur study underscores the necessity of rigorous lipid monitoring and analysis of dyslipidemia-influencing factors for the development of effective health management strategies within the community. There is a critical need to examine lipid profiles comprehensively and implement targeted therapeutic interventions aimed at managing hyperlipidemia, a modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

Low-fat versus Low-carbohydrate Diet

Abstract The global obesity rate has risen significantly, prompting research into the optimal dietary strategies for weight loss, particularly in relation to macronutrient composition. Despite numerous studies, the most effective macronutrient balance for weight reduction remains under debate. The objective of this article is to compare the impacts of a low-carbohydrate diet and a low-fat diet on weight loss and cardiovascular health. A comprehensive literature review was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Studies included randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews to provide a broad analysis of the evidence on a low-carbohydrate versus a low-fat diet. Short-term weight loss was significantly higher with a low-carbohydrate diet compared to an unrestricted low-fat diet. However, when matched for calorie intake, no significant difference in weight was observed between the two diets, suggesting that total calorie intake may be more influential than macronutrient composition. Notably, a low-carbohydrate diet induced a greater decrease in triglyceride levels and an increase in both high-density lipoprotein and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels compared to a low-fat diet.

On-Target Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol in Adults with Diabetes Not at High Cardiovascular Disease Risk Predicts Greater Mortality, Independent of Early Deaths or Frailty

Background/Objectives: Lowering low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) to <70 mg/dL is recommended for most patients with diabetes. However, clinical trials investigating subjects with diabetes who are not at high cardiovascular risk are inconclusive regarding the all-cause mortality benefit of the current target, and real-world studies suggest greater mortality. We aimed to assess the all-cause mortality at different LDL-C levels among subjects with diabetes not at high risk and to examine the potential roles of early deaths and frailty for this greater mortality. Methods: We followed 2098 such participants of the ELSA-Brasil cohort between 2008 and 2019. Results: Over 10.3 (1.4) years of follow-up, 204 (9.7%) individuals died. In the proportional hazards models, participants with LDL-C values < 100 mg/dL and <70 mg/dL had greater adjusted mortality compared to those with LDL-C 100–129 mg/dL (HR = 1.67; 95%CI 1.21–2.30 and HR = 2.27; 95%CI 1.51–3.41, respectively). Increased risk when LDL-C was <100 mg/dL was higher in those >60 years (HR = 2.12; 95%CI 1.35–3.34) and greatest for deaths due to cancer (HR = 2.55; 95%CI 1.10–5.91). Further analyses for those with LDL-C < 100 mg/dL that excluded early deaths and adjusted for the frailty phenotype (HR = 2.01; 1.19–3.41) or frailty index (HR = 1.92; 1.17–3.16) did not materially alter the results. The risk of death across the spectrum of LDL-C was U-shaped, with a nadir at 112.2 mg/dL. Conclusions: The higher risk of all-cause mortality in these subjects with LDL-C within currently recommended levels was not explained by early deaths or frailty. Given the recent decline in cardiovascular mortality and the increased risk of cancer and infections in persons with diabetes, the clinical significance of low LDL-C in diabetes requires reconsideration and the definition of LDL-C treatment targets in diabetes warrants further trial evaluation.

Lipid Profile Improvement after Switching to Dolutegravir-Based Regimen in People Living with HIV: A Cohort Study

Background: Integrase inhibitor (INSTI) based antiretroviral therapy is the mainstay for people living with HIV (PLHIV). Due to its favorable efficacy and safety profile, dolutegravir (DTG) is widely used in combination with nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs). TLD, a fixed-dose combination of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), lamivudine (3TC), and DTG, is the first-line treatment for PLHIV in Thailand. However, data on metabolic complications from DTG-based regimens in the Thai population have not been thoroughly investigated. Materials and Methods: A cohort study non-randomized trial was conducted at Buddhachinaraj Hospital, Phitsanulok, Thailand. Data on demographics, baseline antiretroviral regimens, and metabolic profiles such as triglycerides, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), fasting blood sugar, and aminotransferases, were collected at baseline and six months after switching to a DTG-based regimen in virologically suppressed PLHIV between November 1, 2022 and August 31, 2023. Informed consents were obtained from all participants. Results: One hundred thirty-eight PLHIV were enrolled, with a majority being men, at 59%, and a median age of 47.5 years (IQR 36.2, 55.1). Median CD4 count was 608 cells/mm³ (IQR 452, 805) and median duration of antiretroviral treatment was 13 years (IQR 8, 18). Underlying conditions included dyslipidemia with 44.2%, hypertension for 29.7%, and type II diabetes for 14.5%. Of the participants, 107 out of 138 (77.5%) were on TDF, 3TC, or emtricitabine (FTC) combined with a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) such as efavirenz (EFV) or rilpivirine (RPV) as their baseline regimen. After six months, significant changes were observed in median triglycerides, from 138.5 to 97.5 mg/dL (p<0.001), total cholesterol from 201 to 173 mg/dL (p<0.001), and LDL cholesterol from 117 to 103 mg/dL (p<0.001). Median body weight increased from 63.2 to 63.35 kg (p<0.001). Conclusion: DTG, a second-generation INSTI, is widely used as a key antiretroviral therapy in Thailand. While it demonstrates favorable effects on lipid profiles, body weight gain, which is a crucial factor for cardiovascular outcomes, should be monitored closely. Keywords: Integrase inhibitor; People living with HIV (PLHIV); Dolutegravir (DTG); Triglyceride; Total cholesterol; LDL-cholesterol; HDL-cholesterol; Fasting blood sugar; Aminotransferase

THE ROLE OF ASPROSIN IN LIPID METABOLISM IN PATIENTS WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS AND CHRONIC PANCREATITIS

Background. Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is a highly prevalent metabolic disease that significantly affects patients' quality of life and increases mortality due to complications. Understanding the relationships between T2DM and chronic pancreatitis (CP) is very important, as both conditions significantly impact metabolic processes in the body, particularly lipid metabolism. Asprosin, a recently discovered adipokine, plays a key role in regulating glucose homeostasis and appetite. Its elevated levels are associated with obesity, insulin resistance, and T2DM, making it a potential biomarker for diagnosing and monitoring metabolic disorders. Objective. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationships between asprosin levels and lipid metabolism indicators in patients with T2DM and CP. Materials and Methods. The study included 100 patients treated at the Kharkiv Regional Clinical Hospital from 2020 to 2022, divided into two groups: the first group included 70 patients with T2DM and CP, and the second group consisted of 30 patients with T2DM. The control group consisted of 20 relatively healthy men and women of appropriate age. Asprosin levels were determined by indirect non-competitive heterogeneous enzyme immunoassay. Lipid profile indicators were determined by standard biochemical methods. Correlations were assessed using Pearson's linear correlation coefficient. Results. In the group of patients with T2DM and CP, the level of total cholesterol (TC) was 5.01 ± 0.78 mmol/L, triglycerides (TG) – 2.29±0.84 mmol/L, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) – 1.19±0.19 mmol/L, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) – 3.32±1.1 mmol/L, and very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C) – 0.92±0.47 mmol/L. In the T2DM group, the levels of TC, TG, HDL-C, LDL-C, and VLDL-C were 5.35±1.15, 1.91±0.64, 1.03±0.14, 3.5±0.8, and 0.96±0.51 mmol/L, respectively. In the control group, these indicators were 4.25±1.08, 1.01±0.25, 1.31±0.22, 2.35±0.55, and 0.65±0.21 mmol/L, respectively. The levels of all studied lipid metabolism indicators exhibited statistically significant differences between the control group and both the first and second groups. The highest asprosin level (10.06±3.56 ng/mL) was noted in the group with comorbid type 2 diabetes mellitus and chronic pancreatitis. In the patients with isolated type 2 diabetes mellitus significant moderate correlations between asprosin and total cholesterol, and LDL-C (direct) and HDL-C (reverse) levels were established. In the group of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and chronic pancreatitis, significant moderate direct correlations between asprosin and total cholesterol, and LDL-C levels were also established. Conclusions. Asprosin is a new adipokine associated with lipid metabolism disorders, that making it a potential target for therapeutic intervention in type 2 diabetes mellitus and its complications. Further research is needed to better understand the role of asprosin in the pathogenesis of these diseases and to develop new approaches to their treatment.

The relationship between remnant cholesterol and low testosterone in adult males.

Remnant cholesterol (RC) is the cholesterol of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins, which has a high degree of atherogenic effect. This study investigates the association between RC and low testosterone in male adults in the United States. Data were drawn from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2013-2014 and 2015-2016cycles, focusing on males aged over 20. RC was measured as the difference between total cholesterol (TC) and the sum of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c). Analyses between RC and low testosterone included logistic regression, subgroup assessment, smooth curve fitting, and mediation analysis. Low testosterone was defined by a serum testosterone level below 300ng/dL in male adults. Out of the 2248 participants, 442 exhibited low testosterone levels. Those deficient in testosterone demonstrated notably higher RC levels (P< 0.001). A direct relationship between RC and low testosterone was evident (OR = 1.02, 95% CI: 1.01-1.03, P< 0.001), and smooth curve fitting revealed a linear trend. Subgroup analysis did not identify any special populations. Moreover, body mass index (BMI) and HOMA-IR was found to partially mediate this relationship. Evaluating low testosterone in individuals with high RC levels can be beneficial. Similarly, monitoring lipid profiles, particularly RC levels, in patients with low testosterone might be important for preventing cardiovascular diseases. This study uses data from NHANES, which is nationally representative and has a large sample size. However, the causal relationship needs further investigation due to the cross-sectional design of this study. This nationwide study provides initial evidence of a close correlation between RC and the risk of low testosterone.

Hypolipidemic Effects of Eryngium Caucasicum Leaves Extract on Rats with Induced Diabetes Mellitus

Research Article AJVS. 2024; 17(2): 1-7doi: 10.37940/AJVS.2024.17.2.1 Hypolipidemic Effects of Eryngium Caucasicum Leaves Extract on Rats with Induced Diabetes Mellitus Glaucio Dire Feliciano. Abstract This research aimed to assess the hypolipidemic effects of an extract from Eryngium caucasicum in a Rat model of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus produced by Streptozotocin. Forty adult male Wistar rats were divided into five groups, with a total of eight rats in each: (1) healthy control rats, (2) diabetic rats with no diabetes, (3) diabetic rats given insulin, (4) diabetic rats given 200 mg/kg orally for 30 days of Eryngium caucasicum extract, and (5) diabetic rats given 300 mg/kg orally for 30 days. Injecting Nicotinamide and Streptozotocin intraperitoneally caused diabetes. Fasting blood sugar, hepatic enzymes, and lipid profiles were determined from blood samples taken after the trial. The levels of HDL were increased significantly in G3, G4, and G5 compared to G2. The insulin group and the group given 300 mg/kg of Eryngium caucasicum substantially reduced LDL cholesterol compared to the G2. It should be mentioned that the diabetic control group had higher TC compared to the healthy control group after rat diabetes induction (P = 0.020). Compared to the G2, G3 treated with insulin and groups treated with extract at dosages of 200 as well as 300 mg/kg body weight had a substantially lower TC (P &lt; 0.01). Serum TG was improved when insulin and Eryngium caucasicum extract were administered at 200 and 300 mg/kg dosages, respectively (P &lt; 0.05). Serum ALT and AST levels were shown to be elevated after STZ diabetes induction as compared to the G1. Even though diabetic rats' ALT and AST levels were enhanced by insulin and all 2 plant trial dosages, 200 and 300 mg/kg. In summary, our findings suggest that the antidiabetic, hypolipidemic, and hepato-protective properties of Eryngium caucasicum, when administered to an animal model of Type 2 diabetes mellitus, may vary with dosage.

Effect of the consumption of cashew nut (Anacardium occidentale l.) flour-based biscuits in overweight children: a pilot randomized clinical trial.

cashew nut is an almond known for its cardiovascular benefits in adults and weight gain effects in malnourished children, as supported by research. However, its impact on overweight children remains unexplored. to analyze the effect of consuming biscuits made with cashew nut flour on the blood glucose and serum triglyceride levels of children with overweight/obesity over four weeks. a pilot, randomized, open-label clinical study was conducted with 19 overweight children (11 in intervention group 1 [G1] and 8 in group 2 [G2], aged between 7 and 15 years. Over four consecutive weeks, they consumed, daily, three biscuits with 50 % cashew nut flour composition (G1) and six biscuits with 50 % cashew nut flour composition (G2). The biomarkers analyzed were glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and total cholesterol (TC) at baseline and seven days post-biscuit consumption. post-experiment, the TG (p = 0.153), HDL-C (p = 0.895), and TC (p = 0.122) biomarkers showed no significant changes. LDL-C levels experienced a slight but statistically significant increase of 0.52 % across all participants (p = 0.031). In contrast, non-HDL cholesterol levels saw a minor yet significant reduction of -1.7 % in serum concentration (p = 0.014). Independent of group allocation, the participants' HbA1c and average blood glucose levels significantly decreased by 12.1 % (p < 0.001) and 17.9 % (p < 0.001), respectively (Cohen's Δ = 1, in both instances). consumption of biscuits containing cashew nut flour by overweight/obese children positively affected the reduction of blood glucose and non-HDL cholesterol biomarkers in both groups, regardless of the formulations used.

Effect of LDL-C/HDL-C ratio on severity of coronary artery disease and 2-year long-term prognosis in elderly patients with coronary heart disease

Objective: To explore the effect of low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)/high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) ratio on the severity of coronary artery disease and 2-year adverse events in elderly patients with coronary heart disease. Methods: This prospective, multicenter, observational cohort study was from the prospective observational multicenter cohort for ischemic and hemorrhage risk in coronary artery disease patients (PROMISE) study, in which 18 701 patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) were included from January 2015 to May 2019. Among them, 6 770 elderly patients with CHD were enrolled in the current study. According to the median of LDL-C/HDL-C ratio (2.1), the patients were divided into two groups: low LDL-C/HDL-C group (LDL-C/HDL-C≤2.1, n=3 346) and high LDL-C/HDL-C group (LDL-C/HDL-C2.1, n=3 424). Baseline data and 2-year outcomes (including death, myocardial infarction, revascularization, stroke) were collected and analyzed in order to found the differences of elderly CHD patients with different LDL-C/HDL-C levels, and explore the correlation between LDL-C/HDL-C ratio with the severity of coronary artery disease and prognosis using Cox multivariate regression analysis. Results: Patients in the low LDL-C/HDL-C group were older [(71.9±5.5) vs (71.5±5.4) years old, P=0.003], and there was no statistically significant difference in the proportion of males between the two groups (61.9% vs 63.4%,P=0.208). The indicators reflecting the severity of coronary artery lesions, including the number of target lesions, the number of coronary artery disease, preoperative SNYTAX score, and the proportion of triple-vessel disease (1.01±0.81 vs 0.88±0.78, 2.28±0.81 vs 2.14±0.83, 16.05±10.67 vs 13.59±9.49, 49.0% vs 41.0%, respectively, all P0.05) were higher in the high LDL-C/HDL-C group. The 2-year follow-up showed that there was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE), all-cause mortality, cardiac death, myocardial infarction, and revascularization between the high LDL-C/HDL-C ratio group and the low LDL-C/HDL-C ratio group. Compared by gender, the incidence of all-cause death and cardiac death in the high LDL-C/HDL-C group of female patients were higher than the low LDL-C/HDL-C group (6.9% vs 4.8%, 5.3% vs 3.7%, both P0.05, respectively); There was no statistically difference in the incidence of adverse events between the two groups of male patients. Cox multivariate regression analysis showed that, regardless of gender, the LDL-C/HDL-C ratio was not a risk factor for 2-year MACCE in elderly patients with CHD (male: HR=1.21, 95%CI: 0.87-1.69; female: HR=0.96, 95%CI: 0.65-1.43;total: HR=1.09, 95%CI: 0.85-1.39,all P0.05). Conclusions: The severity of coronary artery disease is higher in elderly patients with high LDL-C/HDL-C ratio than in those with low LDL-C/HDL-C ratio. The LDL-C/HDL-C ratio is not a risk factor for 2-year adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events in elderly patients with coronary heart disease. However, the incidences of 2-year adverse cardiovascular events of female patients with high LDL-C/HDL-C ratio are higher than patients with low LDL-C/HDL-C ratio.

Диагностическая эффективность и прогностическая значимость антропометрических параметров как маркеров гиперлептинемии у подростков

Leptin is an energy homeostasis marker synthesized by cells of adipose tissue (adipocytes) and gastric mucosa. The search for clinical and anthropometric parameters associated with energy homeostasis disorders in excess body weight (BW) and obesity is necessary for stratification of patients at risk for early implementation of energy homeostasis disorders. The purpose of this re-search was to evaluate the relationship between serum leptin concentration and anthropometric parameters reflecting the topography of subcutaneous fat in adolescents of different ethnicities with excess BW and obesity in order to identify the most informative anthropometric parameters of energy homeosta-sis disorders. Materials and methods used: a single-center cross-sectional study of 362 adolescents aged 11 to 17 y/o residing in the Republic of Buryatia and the Irkutsk Oblast of Russia was conducted in 2015-2016 that included the participants as follows: 186 Caucasians (46 boys/140 girls) and 176 Mongoloids (96 boys/80 girls); 136 adolescents in the control group (38%) and 226 adolescents with excess BW and obesity (62%). All par-ticipants had their linear height, BW, waist (WC) and hip (HC) circumference, skinfold thickness measured as well as the body mass index (BMI, in kg per m2) calculated. The concentrations of glucose, total cholesterol, high-density, low-density and very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides and in-sulin were determined. The HOMA index was calculated. Serum leptin was de-termined by enzyme immunoassay using DBC Leptin ELISA kit (Diagnostics Biochem Canada Inc., Canada) with detection using BioTek Elx808 Microplate Spectrophotometer (Agilent Technologies, Inc., USA). Results: a strong posi-tive correlation was found between serum leptin levels and SDS BMI and trip-onderal BMI in adolescents of both ethnic groups: in Caucasian boys r=0.747 (p&lt;0.001), r=0.767 (p&lt;0.001), in Caucasian girls r=0.687 (p&lt;0.001) and r=0.695 (p&lt;0.001); in Mongoloid boys r=0.765 (p&lt;0.001), r=0.852 (p&lt;0.001), in Mongoloid girls r=0.612 (p&lt;0.001), r=0.667 (p&lt;0.001), respectively. Ac-cording to the results of ROC analysis, AUC WC/height showed good diagnos-tic significance for detecting hyperleptinemia (AUC=0.8-0.9) in adolescents from all the studied groups. Conclusion: the triponderal index and the WC/height ratio are informative anthropometric indicators for energy metabo-lism disorders and hyperleptinemia in Caucasian and Mongoloid adolescents of both genders with excess BW and obesity.

Association of dietary patterns with blood lipid level among the older adults over 65 years old in 9 longevity areas of China

Objective: To explore the impact of adherence to plant-based and animal-based dietary patterns on blood lipid level in Chinese older adults aged≥65. Methods: The study subjects were from the Chinese Longitudinal Health Biomarker Survey on Aging conducted between 2008 and 2018. The project carried out a baseline survey on elderly people in nine longevity areas of China from 2008 to 2009, and conducted 3 follow-up visits respectively in 2011-2012, 2014, and 2017-2018. The information about their demographic characteristics, lifestyles, physical examinations and fasting venous blood samples were collected. Food Frequency Questionnaire was used to collect data on food intake frequency. Priori plant-based and priori animal-based dietary patterns were constructed, and plant-based diet index (PDI) and animal-based diet index (ADI) were calculated in 2 011 older adults. Linear mixed-effects models were used to analyze the associations of different dietary pattern indices with blood lipid level in older adults. Results: The average age of 2 011 subjects was (83.1±11.5) years, 52.8% (1 061) of them were women. The PDI and ADI [M (Q1, Q3)] were 41.0 (38.0, 45.0) and 43.0 (39.0, 46.0), respectively. After adjusting for covariates, the results of the linear mixed effects model analysis showed that for each increment of 10-unit in PDI, total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels decreased by 0.097 (95%CI:-0.151--0.042) mmol/L and 0.078 (95%CI:-0.118--0.038) mmol/L, respectively. For each increment of 10-unit in ADI, TC and LDL-C levels increased by 0.096 (95%CI: 0.042-0.151) mmol/L and 0.078 (95%CI: 0.038-0.118) mmol/L, respectively. Conclusions: In Chinese older adults≥65 years, higher adherence to the plant-based dietary pattern may lead to reductions in TC and LDL-C levels, while higher adherence to the animal-based dietary pattern may lead to increases in TC and LDL-C levels.

Metabonomic Biomarkers of Plaque Burden and Instability in Patients With Coronary Atherosclerotic Disease After Moderate Lipid-Lowering Therapy.

Contemporary risk assessment in patients with coronary atherosclerotic disease (CAD) often relies on invasive angiography. However, we aimed to explore the potential of metabolomic biomarkers in reflecting residual risk in patients with CAD after moderate lipid-lowering therapy. We analyzed serum metabolomic profile among 2560 patients with newly diagnosed CAD undergoing moderate lipid-lowering therapy, through nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and quantified 175 metabolites, predominantly lipoproteins and their components. CAD severity was evaluated using Gensini score for plaque burden and circulating cardiac troponin T levels for plaque instability. The association of metabolites with CAD severity was examined using multivariate linear regression, and the underlying potential causality was explored using a 2-sample Mendelian randomization approach. Two composite metabolomic indices were constructed to reflect CAD severity using least absolute shrinkage and selection operator linear regression, and their associations with risk of major adverse cardiac events during a median follow-up of 3.8 years were evaluated using Cox models. Our investigation revealed that triglycerides and apolipoprotein B in low-density lipoprotein particles displayed stronger associations with CAD severity compared with the clinically used low-density lipoprotein cholesterol marker. In large high-density lipoprotein, components like cholesterol, cholesterol esters, triglyceride, apolipoprotein A1/A2 showed inverse associations with CAD severity. Certain metabolites, including apolipoprotein B and dihydrothymine, showed a putative causal link with Gensini score. Notably, per standard deviation increase in Gensini score-based metabolomic index was associated with 14.8% higher major adverse cardiac event risk (hazard ratio, 1.148 [95% CI, 1.018-1.295]) independent of demographic factors, medication use, and disease status. Our findings highlight the potential of nuclear magnetic resonance-based metabolomics in identifying novel biomarkers of plaque burden and instability. Metabolites related to plaque burden may facilitate noninvasive assessment of CAD prognosis.

Impact of Exposure to a Mixture of Organophosphate Esters on the Adrenal Glands of Sprague Dawley Rats.

There is growing evidence that organophosphate esters (OPEs) can act as endocrine-disrupting chemicals. However, only a few studies have assessed the effects of OPE exposure on one of the most important endocrine glands in the body, the adrenal gland. Our aim was to test the effects of a mixture of OPEs detected in Canadian house dust on adrenal function in Sprague Dawley rats. Adult male and female rats (n = 15 per treatment group) were administered either a vehicle or an OPE mixture (0.048, 1.6, or 48 mg/kg bw/day) for 70-72 days via their diet. With OPE exposure, adrenal glands from male adult rats were reduced in weight, while those of female rats showed an increase in weight. This led us to investigate whether OPEs induce sex-specific effects on adrenal gland function and the mechanisms involved. Serum levels of two adrenal hormones, aldosterone and corticosterone, were decreased only in male serum samples. Serum levels of renin and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), which regulate aldosterone and corticosterone synthesis, respectively, were assessed. Exposure to the OPE mixture decreased renin levels only in males. Serum biochemistry analysis revealed that triglycerides and LDL cholesterol levels were increased in males. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that the top affected pathways in male adrenal glands from all three treatment groups were related to potassium channels, which play a role in regulating aldosterone and corticosterone levels. The most affected pathways in female adrenal glands were related to cholesterol biosynthesis and immune functions. These results show that an environmentally relevant mixture of OPEs affects adrenal function and that these effects are sex specific.

The Impact of Structured Physical Activity on Glycemic Control and Metabolic Outcomes in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Type-2 diabetes is a major health challenge, requiring effective interventions for glycemic and metabolic control. Structured physical activity offers a promising non-pharmacological approach to improving these outcomes. Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of structured physical activity on glycemic control and metabolic outcomes in patients with Type-2 diabetes (T2D). Methods: This randomized controlled trial included 200 adult patients with T2D, randomly assigned to one of three groups: structured exercise once a week, thrice a week or usual care. Participants followed for 6 months and exercise interventions were combined aerobic and resistance training. Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and fasting glucose the primary while Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference and lipid profiles were secondary outcomes Results: HbA1c was reduced significantly more in the thrice-weekly exercise group (-0.38%, p = 0.005) than in the once week group (-0.16%, p &gt; 0.05) or control group. Changes in the once weekly group were not significant, whereas the thrice weekly group’s fasting glucose levels improved significantly (-0.25%, p &lt; 0.05). BMI and lipid profile improvements were also more pronounced in the thrice weekly group with greater reductions in total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol compared to other groups. Conclusion: Thrice-weekly structured exercise significantly improves glycemic control and metabolic outcomes in T2D compared to once-weekly regimens, highlighting the importance of exercise frequency. Future research should focus on strategies to enhance adherence to frequent exercise programs.

Evaluation of Lipid Profile and Statin Therapy in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation: Real-Life Data from a Tertiary Hospital

Objectives: Dyslipidemia is a modifiable risk factor of atrial fibrillation (AF). However, the majority of patients either do not receive low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) lowering treatment or do not meet their LDL-C and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) goal. We aimed to search whether patients with AF are being treated for dyslipidemia and/or are at target LDL-C and non-HDL-C levels if treated. Methods: This cross-sectional analysis includes 725 AF patients and was performed between 20 May 2023 and 25 November 2023, in cardiology outpatient clinics of a tertiary hospital. The demographic and clinical features of the patients were recorded. Systemic coronary risk estimation-2 (SCORE2) and old person version algorithms were used for cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk estimation. Primary prevention (PP) group involved patients with low-to-moderate, high and very high CVD risk without established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and secondary prevention (SP) group was consisted of patients with established ASCVD. Results: The mean age of the participants was 71.98± 9.01 and 54.5% (n=368) of patients were females. 207 (30.7%) of patients were paroxysmal AF, and 468 (69.3%) were permanent AF. Prevalence of dyslipidemia and hypertriglyceridemia were 364 (53.9%) and 248 (36.7%) respectively. 9 (1.3%) and 152 (22.5%) of patients were on fibrate and statin treatment respectively. Mean LDL-C and non-HDL-C were 107.81±35.97 and 135.42±41.19 and their target attainment rates were 62 (9.2%) and 107 (15.9%), respectively. Conclusion: Control of dyslipidemia in patients with atrial fibrillation was severely poor and the most common cause was physician negligence.

Independent Association of Individual Lipid Abnormalities with Cardiovascular All-cause Mortality: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Abnormalities in total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and triglycerides (TG) are each associated with increased cardiovascular risk, after adjusting for non-lipid risk factors. However, whether and to what extent the association for each lipid measure is confounded by other lipid measures is less understood. This study aims to investigate the association of each lipid measure with cardiovascular and all-cause mortality while precluding the confounding caused by abnormalities in other lipid measures. The study utilized data from the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III, 1988-1994) and ten cycles of continuous NHANES (1999-2018). The study cohort included 23,761 participants who were 20 years or older, not pregnant, not receiving lipid-lowering treatment, and had complete data on all four lipid measures and mortality status. Participants were categorized into seven subgroups based on their lipid profiles. Kaplan-Meier survival curves and Cox proportional hazards models were used to examine the association between lipid abnormalities and mortality. During a median follow-up of 140 months, 5,003 participants (14.1%) died, with 1,665 deaths (4.2%) attributable to cardiovascular causes. Compared with the reference group in which the four lipid measures were all normal, the subgroups with isolated high TC, two to three lipid abnormalities, and four lipid abnormalities were associated with increased risks for both cardiovascular and all-cause mortality in univariate analysis. However, only those with isolated high TC (for cardiovascular mortality, HR 1.52, 95% CI 1.13-2.06) and four lipid abnormalities (for all-cause mortality, HR 1.34, 95% CI 1.04-1.72) remained statistically significant after adjusting for non-lipid risk factors. Of note, compared with the reference group, the profile of non-lipid risk factors was apparently less favorable in the subgroup with two to three lipid abnormalities but similar (and some factors even more favorable) in the subgroup with isolated high TC. When the lipid measures were analyzed as continuous variables, a U-shaped relationship between HDL-C and mortality risk was observed for both cardiovascular and all-cause mortality, and very low LDL-C level was associated with increased mortality risk. No statistically significant association was found between TG levels and mortality risk. Isolated high TC, very low LDL-C, and concurrent abnormalities in all four lipid measures were associated with increased mortality risk, whereas isolated high TG was not. A U-shaped relationship may exist between HDL-C level and mortality. Overall, these findings underscore the need for integrated management of dyslipidemia that takes all four lipid measures as well as non-lipid cardiovascular risk factors into account, particularly for those with concurrent abnormalities in two or more lipid measures.

The waist-to-height ratio is a good predictor for insulin resistance in women with polycystic ovary syndrome

ObjectiveThis study aimed to explore the role of the waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) in assessing insulin resistance (IR) in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).Materials and methodsWe enrolled 882 PCOS-afflicted women in a cross-sectional analysis to evaluate the association of the WHtR with IR. Their demographic characteristics, anthropometric parameters, and fasting blood samples were collected and measured. Moreover, IR was evaluated by homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). We estimated the relationship between the WHtR and IR and the cut-off thresholds of the WHtR for IR using multivariable linear regression and logistic regression models, respectively.Result(s)The prevalence rate of IR was 51.9%. The patients with PCOS and IR displayed significantly increased values for body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), WHtR, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), free androgen index (FAI), HOMA-IR, total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and apolipoprotein B (ApoB). However, the patients with PCOS and IR showed a reduction in estradiol (E2), luteinizing hormone (LH), LH/FSH ratio, sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C) values than those without IR. Moreover, BMI (log-transformed), WC, and HOMA-IR (log-transformed) were positively correlated with the WHtR. When adjusting for potential confounding variables, the WHtR was significantly associated with HOMA-IR (log-transformed), with a standardized regression coefficient of 0.271. Furthermore, the WHtR was significantly associated with an increased risk of IR, with the adjusted odds ratio (OR) of 3.15 (WHtR multiplied by 10). Additionally, the WHtR helped to identify IR in women with PCOS with an optimal cut-off point of 0.519 (Youden index = 0.433).Conclusion(s)The WHtR had a positive association with IR in women with PCOS. Hence, we suggest that the WHtR, as a simple, practical, and reliable anthropometric measure, can be used to predict the risk of IR in patients with PCOS.

No Evidence of Interaction Between FADS2 Genotype and Breastfeeding on Cognitive or Other Traits in the UK Biobank.

Breastfeeding is hypothesised to benefit child health and cognitive functioning by providing long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, which are essential for brain development. In 2007, Caspi et al. found evidence in two cohorts for an interaction between genetic variation in the FADS2 gene (a gene involved in fatty acid metabolism) and breastfeeding on IQ. However, subsequent studies have provided mixed evidence for the existence of an interaction. We investigated the relationship between genetic variation in the FADS2 region, breastfeeding, and their interaction in up to 335,650 individuals from the UK Biobank. We tested for the interaction over a range of cognitive functioning tests, as well as educational attainment and other traits thought to be influenced by breastfeeding, including cardiometabolic traits, number of offspring, and atopic allergy. FADS2 alleles associated with an increase in docosahexaenoic acid in blood serum (the C allele of rs174575) were associated with decreased verbal-numerical reasoning ( ) and triglycerides ( ), increased number of offspring ( ), total cholesterol ( ), HDL ( ), and LDL cholesterol ( ). We observed no evidence of an interaction in any of the traits, regardless of the modelling strategy on any cognitive or non-cognitive traits. We postulate that the previous positive findings are likely to be spurious, perhaps due to lack of appropriate control for latent population structure.

Allopurinol use predicts lower LDL cholesterol in patients with pre-dialysis CKD - a prospective cohort study

Abstract Background Hyperuricemia influences lipid metabolism, yet relationships between urate-lowering therapy with allopurinol, serum urate, and lipid levels in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) remain underexplored. Methods This was a post-hoc analysis of 1,970 participants of the CAN AIM to PREVENT who had pre-dialysis CKD and were not receiving lipid-lowering therapy or febuxostat. Joint generalized structural equation modelling was used to investigate associations between allopurinol use (yes or no), serum urate (as a continuous or categorical variable (target if &amp;lt;6 mg/dL or high if ≥6 mg/dL)), and lipid levels (total cholesterol, LDL-C, HDL-C, and triglycerides) assessed every 6 months for up to 3 years, along with time-to-event outcomes (death or initiation of renal replacement therapy), adjusting for demographic and clinical factors. Mediation analysis was used to determine allopurinol's direct and indirect effects (via urate) on lipid levels. Results Allopurinol use independently predicted lower total cholesterol (-7.94%, 95% CI: -12.13% to -3.54%, p&amp;lt;0.001)) and LDL-C (-13.84%, (-21.14 to -5.87), p=0.001). Serum urate independently predicted a small increase in LDL-C (0.02% per mg/dL (0.009 to 0.03), p&amp;lt;0.001). Patients on allopurinol with target urate had lower LDL-C compared to those not on allopurinol with target urate (-4.46% (-8.25 to -0.50), p=0.027) and those on allopurinol with high urate (-10.15% (-13.16 to -7.04), p&amp;lt;0.001. Mediation analysis showed that serum urate indirectly mediated only 24% of the effect of allopurinol on LDL-C. Conclusion Allopurinol use predicted lower total and especially LDL cholesterol independently of serum urate in this cohort of patients with pre-dialysis CKD. Future studies could investigate underlying mechanisms, evaluate clinical implications, and confirm these findings in this and other populations.