Lower Total Cholesterol Levels Research Articles

Gynostemma pentaphyllum saponins alleviate non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in rats by regulating intestinal flora and short-chain fatty acid metabolism

This study aimed to explore the effects of Gynostemma pentaphyllum saponins(GPs) on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD) induced by high-fat diet in rats and reveal the underlying mechanism. The NAFLD model rats were prepared with high-fat diet. Forty male Sprague Dawley(SD) rats were randomly assigned into the control group, model group, and low-, moderate-, and high-dose GPs(50, 100, and 150 mg·kg~(-1), respectively) groups. After intragastric administration for 8 continuous weeks, we determined the body weight, liver weight, the levels of total cholesterol(TC), triglyceride(TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-c), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-c), alanine aminotransferase(ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase(AST) in serum, and the levels of TC, TG, malondialdehyde(MDA), superoxide dismutase(SOD), catalase(CAT), and interleukin 6(IL-6) in the liver. Furthermore, we observed the pathological changes of liver tissue by oil red O staining and hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining, sequenced the 16 S rRNA of the intestinal flora in rat feces, and determined the content of short-chain fatty acids in rat feces. The results showed that GPs inhibited the excessive weight gain of high-fat diet-induced NAFLD in rats, reduced the liver weight, lowered the TC, TG, LDL-c, AST, and ALT levels in serum(P<0.05), and rose the HDL-c level in serum(P<0.01). GPs relieved the liver damage caused by high-fat diet, mainly manifested by the lowered levels of TC, TG, MDA, and IL-6 in the liver(P<0.01) and elevated levels of CAT and SOD in the liver. Furthermore, GPs reversed the intestinal flora disorder caused by high-fat diet, restored the diversity of intestinal flora, increased the relative abundance of Bacteroides, and reduced the relative abundance of Firmicutes and the ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroides. Moreover, GPs promoted the proliferation of beneficial bacteria such as Akkermansia, Bacteroides, and Parabacteroides, and inhibited the growth of harmful bacteria such as Desulfovibrio, Escherichia-Shigella, and Helicobacter. GPs increased the content of short-chain fatty acids(acetic acid, propionic acid, and butyric acid)(P<0.01). These findings indicate that GPs can alleviate the high-fat diet-induced NAFLD in rats via regulating the intestinal flora and short-chain fatty acid metabolism.

The beneficial effect of Adansonia digitata products success to modulate lipid profiles and inhibit LDL oxidation in-vitro: An associational study.

There is a growing interest in medicinal plants in recent years due to their many therapeutic benefits and low side effects. Among the medicinal plants is the African Adansonia digitata (baobab) that has edible fruit. In the current study, the effect of A. digitata juice consumption on the lipid profile was investigated. In addition, inhibition of the oxidation of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in-vitro by A. digitata essential oil (EO) was also investigated. In this cohort study, a total of 70 subjects of A. digitata users (AD group, 42 male and 28 female) and 70 non A. digitata users (Non-AD group, 44 male and 26 female) were recruited to participate in this study. We evaluated lipid profile, HbA1c, liver/kidney functions, and phytosterol contents in fasting blood samples of all participants. The present findings illustrated significantly lower levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL in the AD group compared to Non-AD (p < 0.01). In addition, essential oil of A. digitata inhibited LDL oxidation in-vitro as shown by the significant decreases in the formation of malonaldehyde (MDA), protein carbonyl (PC), and lipid hydroperoxide (LHP) (P<0.05). No significant changes in fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, HDL, kidney function, and liver function enzymes between the two groups were detected (P>0.05). The juice of A. digitata has hypolipidemic and antioxidative effects and might be beneficial for the management of lipid levels in the body.

Brain Cholesterol Biosynthetic Pathway Is Altered in a Preclinical Model of Fragile X Syndrome

Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) is the most frequent form of inherited X-linked pathology, associated with an intellectual and developmental disability, and currently considered the first monogenic cause of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Low levels of total cholesterol reported in the serum of FXS patients, and evidence that FMRP targets a subset of mRNAs encoding proteins of lipid synthesis and transport suggests that the cholesterol metabolism impairments could be involved in FXS. Thus, the aim of the presented work was to investigate the modulations of the cholesterol biosynthetic pathway and its end-products in a recently developed Fmr1-Δexon 8 rat model of FXS. Here, we show that this experimental model mimics what is found in FXS patients, exhibiting a lower serum cholesterol content, accompanied by a reduction in food intake and body weight compared to WT animals. Moreover, alterations of proteins committed to cholesterol synthesis and uptake have been observed in the amygdala, prefrontal cortex and nucleus accumbens. Interestingly, the end-products show a brain region-dependent modulation in Fmr1-Δexon 8 rats. Overall, our results demonstrate that the cholesterol biosynthetic pathway is altered in some brain regions of this preclinical model of FXS. This finding has relevance for future studies to delve deeper into the involvement of this metabolic process in FXS, and thus its possible role as a therapeutic target.

Изменение лабораторных показателей липидного обмена у пациентов с ВИЧ-инфекцией при церебральном инсульте

The article reflects the results of assessing the state of the blood lipid spectrum in HIV-positive patients with various types of stroke. Objective: to study laboratory parameters of lipid metabolism in patients with cerebral stroke against the background of HIV infection. Materials and methods. We examined 77 patients with ischemic and 32 patients with hemorrhagic stroke against the background of comorbid HIV infection, who received treatment in hospitals in the Tyumen Region. The study of lipid metabolism parameters was carried out on the Beckman Coulter AU480 analyzer (USA). Blood sampling was carried out on the day of the patients’ admission. The control group consisted of 116 patients. The significance of differences was determined at a two-tailed significance level of p&lt;0.05. Results. The study found lower levels of total cholesterol and low-density lipoproteins in the patients with ischemic stroke against the background of HIV infection. In the patients with hemorrhagic stroke, only a decrease in the level of total cholesterol was noted. Conclusions. The state of the plasma lipid spectrum in patients with HIV infections and ischemic stroke, in comparison with those with hemorrhagic stroke, indicates a lower probability of atherosclerotic genesis of acute vascular cerebrovascular disorder. English version of the article is available at URL:https://panor.ru/articles/changes-in-laboratory-parameters-of-lipid-metabolism-in-hiv-infected-patients-with-cerebral-stroke/80579.html

Genetic variations in ABCA1/G1 associated with plasma lipid levels and risk of ischemic stroke

BackgroundATP binding cassette transporters ABCA1 and ABCG1 play a crucial role in cholesterol efflux and reverse cholesterol transport (RCT), thereby rendering ischemic stroke (IS) susceptibility. Variants of ABCA1/G1 have been implicated in etiology of IS. This study aimed to investigate the association between single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of ABCA1/G1 with plasma lipid variability and the risk of IS in Chinese Han Population. MethodsTotally 249 IS patients and 226 healthy controls were enrolled and 10 SNPs of ABCA1/G1 were screened for genotyping by kompetitive allele-specific polymerase chain reaction (KASP) and validated by sanger sequencing. The logistic regression analysis was performed to identify risk alleles of IS and appropriate genetic model. The genetic risk scores (GRS) and predicted risks for all individuals was computed. Based on different plasma lipid levels, we applied stratified analyses for subgroups. Linkage disequilibrium (LD) test was used to explore different functional haplotype combinations. Association between specific allele or genotype of the SNPs of ABCA1/G1 and plasma lipid or lipoproteins levels were also investigated. ResultsBesides total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), significant differences of clinical data were observed between IS and control group. The rare GG genotype frequencies of rs4149338 on ABCA1 was higher in IS patients than those in controls (11.4%, 4.6%, respectively, P = 0.037). Frequencies of rs57137919 on ABCG1 for rare AA genotype was lower in IS group than those in control group (4.6%, 13.3%, respectively, P = 0.030). GRS showed ability to discriminate IS patients and controls (AUC = 0.633, P < 0.001). Haplotype A-A (rs4149339-rs4149338) was correlated with reduced risk of IS (P = 0.023). Association analysis showed that subjects with rare AA genotype of rs57137919 had the lowest LDL-C levels while rare GG genotype of rs4149338 had lower TC level than those with AA genotype. The mRNA expression of ABCG1 was higher in IS patients, especially in the patients with frequent GG genotype of rs57137919, and was positively correlated with higher ABCG1 expression level and plasma LDL-C level. ConclusionsPolymorphisms of ABCA1/G1 associated with varieties of plasma lipid levels and risk of IS.

Association between Initial Serum Cholesterol Levels and Outcomes of Patients Hospitalized after Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest: A Retrospective Multicenter Registry Study.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the association between total serum cholesterol levels and outcomes upon discharge in patients after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). Methods: We performed a retrospective observational study using the Korean Cardiac Arrest Resuscitation Consortium (KoCARC) registry. Patients after OHCA whose total serum cholesterol levels were measured within 24 h after arriving at the emergency department were included in the analysis. The association between total serum cholesterol level and neurological outcomes upon discharge and survival to discharge was estimated. Results: Of the 12,321 patients after OHCA enrolled in the registry from October 2015 to June 2020, 689 patients were included. The poor neurologic outcome upon discharge group had a statistically significant lower total serum cholesterol level compared to the good neurologic outcome group (127.5 ± 45.1 mg/dL vs. 155.1 ± 48.9 mg/dL, p < 0.001). As a result of multivariate logistic regression analysis, the odds ratio for the neurologic outcome of total serum cholesterol levels was 2.00 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01–3.96, p = 0.045). The odds ratio for in-hospital death was 1.72 (95% CI 1.15–2.57, p = 0.009). Conclusions: Low total serum cholesterol levels could be associated with poor neurologic outcomes upon discharge and in-hospital death of patients hospitalized after OHCA.

Телмісартан і фіксована комбінація «S-амлодипін/аторвастатин» у лікуванні гіпертонічної хвороби: досвід та перспективи клінічного використання

Метою дослідження є оцінка антигіпертензивної ефективності телмісартану та його впливу на активність системного запалення і показники вуглеводного та ліпідного метаболізму у хворих на гіпертонічну хворобу (ГХ). Матеріали та методи. Обстежено 29 пацієнтів із ГХ І–ІІ стадії, 1–2-го ступеня, яким після 7-денного безмедикаментозного періоду та через 6 місяців терапії телмісартаном проводили комплексне клінічне дослідження, амбулаторне моніторування артеріального тиску (АТ), визначення вмісту С-реактивного протеїну (СРП), интерлейкіну-6 (ІЛ-6) і фактора некрозу пухлини α (ФНП-α), показників вуглеводного (глюкоза, інсулін, НОМА, глікований гемоглобін (HbA1с)) та ліпідного метаболізму. Результати. Монотерапія телмісартаном дозволила досягти цільового АТ у 75,6 % пацієнтів; через 6 місяців лікування зниження систолічного АТ становило 20 мм рт.ст., діастолічного АТ — 13 мм рт.ст. Препарат сприяв відновленню нормального двофазного ритму АТ у пацієнтів з вихідними його порушеннями та зменшував варіабельність систолічного АТ в нічні години. Обговорення. Під впливом телмісартану відбулось поліпшення показників вуглеводного обміну, що проявлялось достовірним зменшенням базальної інсулінемії на 21,5 %, зниженням рівня глюкози з 5,5 ± 0,2 ммоль/л до 5,3 ± 0,1 ммоль/л (р = 0,04) і HbA1c з 5,6 ± 0,1 % до 5,4 ± 0,1 % (р = 0,04). На фоні прийому телмісартану зменшився вміст у крові тригліцеридів на 17 % (р = 0,03), спостерігалась тенденція до зниження рівня загального холестерину та холестерину ліпопротеїдів низької щільності. Встановлено, що лікування телмісартаном сприяє зниженню сироваткового рівня СРП на 13,9 % (р = 0,04) та ІЛ-6 на 36,4 % (р = 0,02), проте не впливає на вміст ФНП-α в крові хворих на ГХ. Висновки. Отримані дані свідчать про високу антигіпертензивну ефективність і сприятливі метаболічні ефекти телмісартану, а також його здатність пригнічувати активність запалення низької градації. В статті також обґрунтовано поєднане використання телмісартану та фіксованої комбінації «S-амлодипін/аторвастатин» з точки зору поліпшення прогнозу хворих на ГХ за рахунок синергізму антигіпертензивного та ліпідознижуючого потенціалу і плейотропних ефектів цих препаратів, дія яких направлена на сповільнення прогресування ГХ і атеросклерозу.

The Effects of COVID-19 Lockdown on Glycaemic Control and Lipid Profile in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on glycaemic control and other metabolic parameters in patients with type 2 diabetes is still evolving. Aim: This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to examine the effects of COVID-19 lockdown on glycaemic control and lipid profile in patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods: The PRISMA framework was the method used to conduct the systematic review and meta-analysis, and the search strategy was based on the population, intervention, control and outcome (PICO) model. The Health Sciences Research databases was accessed via EBSCO-host, and EMBASE were searched for relevant articles. Searches were conducted from inception of the databases until 17 September 2021. Results: The results identified three distinct areas: glycaemic control, lipid parameters and body mass index. It was found that COVID-19 lockdown led to a significant (p < 0.01) increase in the levels of glycated haemoglobin (%) compared with pre-COVID group (gp) with a mean difference of 0.34 (95% CI: 0.30, 0.38). Eleven studies contributed to the data for glycated haemoglobin analysis with a total of 16,895 participants (post-COVID-19 lockdown gp, n = 8417; pre-COVID gp, n = 8478). The meta-analysis of fasting plasma glucose (mg/dL) also showed a significant (p < 0.05) increase in levels of post-COVID-19 lockdown gp compared with pre-COVID gp, with a mean difference of 7.19 (95% CI: 5.28, 9.10). Six studies contributed to fasting plasma glucose analysis involving a total of 2327 participants (post-COVID-19 lockdown, n = 1159; pre-COVID gp, n = 1168). The body mass index (BMI) (kg/m2) analysis also demonstrated that post-COVID-19 lockdown gp had a significantly (p < 0.05) higher BMI than the pre-COVID gp with a mean difference of 1.13 (95% CI: 0.99; 1.28), involving six studies and a total of 2363 participants (post-COVID-19 lockdown gp, n = 1186; pre-COVID gp, n = 1177). There were significantly (p < 0.05) lower levels of total cholesterol (mmol/L), triglyceride (mmol/L) and LDL cholesterol (mmol/L), and higher levels of HDL cholesterol (mg/dL) in the post-COVID-19 lockdown gp compared with pre-COVID gp, although these results were not consistent following sensitivity analysis. Conclusion: The findings of the systematic review and meta-analysis have demonstrated that COVID-19 lockdown resulted in a significant increase (p < 0.05) in the levels of glycated haemoglobin, fasting glucose and body mass index in patients with type 2 diabetes. In contrast, the effect of the lockdown on lipid parameters, including total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL and HDL cholesterol was not consistent.

Cardiovascular risk assessment tools in Asia.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is becoming the most important burden to health care systems in most part of the world, especially in Asia. Aiming at identifying high risk individuals and tailoring preventive treatment, many cardiovascular risk assessment tools have been established and most of them were developed in Western countries. However, these cardiovascular risk assessment tools cannot be used interchangeably without recalibration because of the different risk factor profiles (ie, greater absolute burden of hypertension and lower level of total‐cholesterol in Asians and higher prevalence of metabolic disorders in South Asians) and different CVD profiles (higher ratio of stroke/coronary heart disease in Asians) between Western and Asian populations. Original risk models such as Prediction for ASCVD Risk in China (China‐PAR) and Japan Arteriosclerosis Longitudinal Study (JALS) score have been developed and well validated for specific countries, while most of countries/regions in Asia are using established models. Due to higher incidence of stroke in Asians, risk factors like hypertension should weigh more in cardiovascular risk assessment comparing with Western populations, but their actual proportions should be based on CVD profiles in specific countries/regions. The authors encourage the development of new cardiovascular risk assessment tools for Asians, if possible. Still, modifying established models with native epidemiological data of risk factor as well as CVD is acceptable in regions where health care resources are insufficient.

Difference in the Standard and Novel Lipid Profile Parameters Between Patients With Alzheimer’s Disease and Vascular Dementia Stratified by the Degree of Cognitive Impairment

Background: Lipids and lipoproteins are significantly involved in maintaining structural and functional components of the human brain and neurons, but their role in the development of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and vascular dementia (VD) remains unclear. Objective: The aim of the present study was to explore the differences in the standard and novel lipid profile parameters in patients with AD and VD, stratified by the degree of cognitive impairment (CI). Methods: Present study included 66 patients with AD, 50 patients with VD, and 60 control subjects. For an evaluation of the global cognitive function the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) test was used. In order to distinguish patients with VD from those with AD the Hachinski ischemic score was used. Plasma total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein -cholesterol (HDL-C), and triglycerides (TG) levels were determined using standard enzymatic colorimetric techniques, whereas the Friedewald formula was used to calculate low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) levels. The non-traditional lipid indices such as TG/HDL-C, TC/HDL-C, and LDL-C/HDL-C ratio were separately calculated. The differences between the groups were analyzed with the Kruskal Wallis test followed by the Mann-Whitney test or with ANOVA followed by the Tuckey posthoc test. Results: Results of the conducted study have found that the patients in AD group with moderate CI and patients in AD group with severe CI exhibited significantly lower levels of serum TC, TG, LDL-C, VLDL-C, Non-HDL-C, atherogenic index, TG/HDL-C, TC/HDL-C and LDL-C/HDL-C compared to cognitively normal control subjects. Moreover, patients in VD group with severe and moderate CI had significantly lower level of TG compared to control group of subjects. Our results have also shown that patients in AD group with moderate CI had significantly lower level of TC, TG, LDL-C, Non-HDL-C, atherogenic index, TG/HDL-C, TC/HDL-C compared to VD patients with moderate CI. In addition, patients in AD group with severe CI had significantly lower level of TC, LDL-C, Non-HDL-C and TC/HDL-C compared to VD patients with severe CI. Conclusion: The results of this study have shown dysregulation of lipid metabolism in AD and VD patients with different degree of CI. In both moderate and in severe CI, patients with AD had lower levels of majority of standard and novel lipid parameters compared to patients with VD. Further larger prospective studies are required to elucidate the accuracy of standard and novel lipid parameters in the assessment of different degree of CI in AD and VD.

Designer meat production, carcass quality, and hemato-biochemical parameters of broilers fed dietary synbiotic derived from trimmed asparagus by-products combined with probiotic supplementation.

This experiment investigated the effects of synbiotic supplementation produced from probiotics and prebiotics from trimmed asparagus by-products (TABP) on broiler chicken diets in order to yield designer meat production. A total of 320 one-day-old Ross 308® chicks were randomly allocated to dietary treatments with four replications each (n = 20). The dietary treatments were composed of a control group without supplementation and treatment groups fed with 10, 30, and 50 gm/kg of TABP supplementation in diets combined with 2 gm/kg probiotics. The results showed that broilers fed dietary supplementation of TABP with 2 gm/kg had a lower level of total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in the serum, which reduced the atherogenic indices of the serum, such as cardiac risk ratio and atherogenic coefficient (p < 0.05). In addition, the cholesterol content and the fatty acid profile of breast meat, including palmitic acid, oleic acid, saturated fatty acid, and omega 9 levels, also declined with the increasing levels of TABP inclusion (p < 0.05). Moreover, the supplementation of TABP in diets caused a decline in the atherogenic and thrombogenicity indices and a rise in Δ-9 desaturase (16) index and hypocholesterolemic to the hypercholesterolemic ratio of meat (p < 0.05). Synbiotic supplementation of up to 30 gm/kg TABP combined with 2 gm/kg probiotics in the chicken diet can potentially be utilized for the production of designer meat.

Traditional and Non-traditional Lipid Profiles in Bosnian Patients with Probable Alzheimer's Disease and Vascular Dementia.

Background:Conflicting data exist on traditional lipid profiles in patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and vascular dementia (VD), whereas scarce number of studies evaluated non-traditional lipid profiles in patients with AD and VD. Studies have shown that ethnic background may affect lipid profile.Objective:The aim of the present study was to conduct comparative assessment of traditional and non-traditional lipid profiles in Bosnian patients with AD and VD.Methods:A controlled, cross-sectional study was performed with 66 patients with AD, 50 patients with VD, and 60 control subjects. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) test was used for an evaluation of the global cognitive function. The Hachinski ischemic score was used to distinguish patients with VD from those with AD. Plasma total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein -cholesterol (HDL-C), and triglycerides (TG) levels were determined using standard enzymatic colorimetric techniques, whereas the Friedewald formula was used to calculate low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) levels. The non-traditional lipid indices such as TG/HDL-C, TC/HDL-C, and LDL-C/HDL-C ratio were separately calculated. The differences between the groups were analyzed with ANOVA followed by the Tuckey posthoc test or with the Kruskal Wallis test followed by the Mann-Whitney test.Results:Results of the present study have shown that patients in AD group had significantly lower level of TC, TG, LDL-C, VLDL-C, Non-HDL-C and significantly lower atherogenic index compared to the control group (CG) and compared to the VD patients. Significant difference in values of TG and VLDL-C was observed between VD and the CG, whereas no significant difference in values of TC, LDL-C, atherogenic index and Non-HDL-C was observed between these two groups. Our results have also shown that TG/HDL-C, TC/HDL-C, and LDL-C/HDL-C ratios were significantly lower in AD patients compared to the VD and CG. Moreover, TG/HDL-C ratio was significantly lower in VD compared to the CG. However, a significant difference in TC/HDL-C and LDL-C/HDL-C was not observed between VD and the CG.Conclusion:Based on the results of the present study it can be deduced that there is a difference in traditional and non-traditional lipid profiles between AD and VD patients of Bosnian descent. Obtained results suggest that lipids are decreased in AD and in VD to a certain extent. However, since there is an inconsistence in literature whether there is an association between cholesterol and cognition, large prospective studies are required to elucidate this controversy.

Low serum cholesterol level as a risk factor for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: a case-control study.

ObjectiveWe aimed to identify the association between low serum total cholesterol levels and the risk of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA).MethodsThis case-control study was performed using datasets from the Cardiac Arrest Pursuit Trial with Unique Registration and Epidemiologic Surveillance (CAPTURES) project and the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). Cases were defined as emergency medical service-treated adult patients who experienced OHCA with a presumed cardiac etiology from the CAPTURES project dataset. Four controls from the KNHANES dataset were matched to each case based on age, sex, and county. Multivariable conditional logistic regression analysis was conducted to evaluate the effect of total cholesterol levels on OHCA.ResultsA total of 607 matched case-control pairs were analyzed. We classified total cholesterol levels into six categories (<148, 148-166.9, 167-189.9, 190-215.9, 216-237.9, and ≥238 mg/dL) according to the distribution of total cholesterol levels in the KNHANES dataset. Subjects with a total cholesterol level of 167-189.9 mg/dL (25th-49th percentile of the KNHANES dataset) were used as the reference group. In both the adjusted models and sensitivity analysis, a total cholesterol level of <148 mg/dL was significantly associated with OHCA (adjusted odds ratio [95% confidence interval], 6.53 [4.47-9.56]).ConclusionWe identified an association between very-low total cholesterol levels and an increased risk of OHCA in a large, community-based population. Future prospective studies are needed to better understand how a low lipid profile is associated with OHCA.

Insights into modifiable risk factors of cholelithiasis: AMendelian randomization study.

Background and AimsThe risk factors of cholelithiasis have not been clearly identified, especially for total cholesterol. Here, we try to identify these causal risk factors.Approach and ResultsWe obtained genetic variants associated with the exposures at the genome‐wide significance (p < 5 × 10−8) level from corresponding genome‐wide association studies. Summary‐level statistical data for cholelithiasis were obtained from FinnGen and UK Biobank (UKB) consortia. Both univariable and multivariable Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses were conducted to identify causal risk factors of cholelithiasis. Results from FinnGen and UKB were combined using the fixed‐effect model. In FinnGen, the odds of cholelithiasis increased per 1‐SD increase of body mass index (BMI) (OR = 1.631, p = 2.16 × 10−7), together with body fat percentage (OR = 2.108, p = 4.56 × 10−3) and fasting insulin (OR = 2.340, p = 9.09 × 10−3). The odds of cholelithiasis would also increase with lowering of total cholesterol (OR = 0.789, p = 8.34 × 10−5) and low‐density lipoprotein–cholesterol (LDL‐C) (OR = 0.792, p = 2.45 × 10−4). However, LDL‐C was not significant in multivariable MR. In UKB, the results of BMI, body fat percentage, total cholesterol, and LDL‐C were replicated. In meta‐analysis, the liability to type 2 diabetes mellitus and smoking could also increase the risk of cholelithiasis. Moreover, there were no associations with other predominant risk factors.ConclusionsOur MR study corroborated the risk factors of cholelithiasis from previous MR studies. Furthermore, lower total cholesterol level could be an independent risk factor.

Liver Health and Dementia in an Italian Older Population: Findings From the Salus in Apulia Study.

Objectives: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) currently affects a quarter of the global population. Systemic inflammation, metabolic syndrome, and coronary artery disease, all conditions associated with NAFLD, have also been related to cognitive dysfunction in older age. The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between NAFLD risk and a dementia diagnosis in a large population-based sample aged > 65 years.Methods: We selected 1,542 participants (723 men) from the Salus in Apulia Study. To assess the risk of fat distribution in the liver, we used the Fatty Liver Index (FLI). Dementia was diagnosed according to the American Psychiatric Association criteria (DSM-5).Results: The overall prevalence of dementia was 8.5% [95% confidence interval (CI): 7–10%]. Subjects with dementia were older [effect size (ES): −0.89, 95% CI: −1.07 to −0.70], had a lower level of education (ES:0.88, 95% CI:0.69–1.06), higher levels of gamma-glutamyl transferase (ES: −0.21, 95% CI: −0.39 to −0.03), lower levels of total cholesterol (ES: −0.24, 95% CI: −0.42 to −0.06) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (ES: −0.20, 95% CI: −0.38 to 0.02), and a higher FLI (ES: −0.22, 95% CI: −0.39 to −0.04). In the logistic regression model adjusted for age, sex, education, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, alcohol consumption, smoking habits, stroke, cholesterol, and Apo-E, a dementia diagnosis was positively associated with FLI > 60 [odds ratio (OR):1.81; standard error (SE): 0.53; 95% CI: 1.02–3.21].Conclusion: Our findings suggested that an increased NAFLD risk may be associated to dementia and cognitive decline in older age. Considering the high NAFLD prevalence, the possible adverse disease effects on cognitive performance pose a health problem with significant social and economic implications.

STUDY OF SERUM LIPID PROFILE IN BETA-THALASSEMIA MAJOR PATIENTS

Background: To study lipid profile in Beta-Thalassemia Major Patients.&#x0D; Methods: A cross-sectional was done on 30 diagnosed Cases of beta-thalassemia major in the age group of 1 year to 18 years receiving regular blood transfusions; not suffering from any ailment or any other disease leading to deranged lipid profile were included.&#x0D; Results: Lipid analyses of controls and thalassemic children. It is clear from the results that beta thalassemia major patients had significantly lower total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) and low-density lipoprsotein cholesterol (LDL) compared with controls.&#x0D; Conclusion: Lipid profile in Beta thalassmia patients show significantly low levels of total cholesterol, LDLC and HDL-C.&#x0D; Keywords: Beta Thalassemia Major, Lipid Profile, LDL, HDL.

Various effects of nutritional status on clinical outcomes after intracerebral hemorrhage.

Although the assessment of nutrition is essential for stroke patients, detailed associations between nutritional status at admission, subsequent complications, and clinical outcomes in patients with acute intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) are unclear. We aimed to elucidate these associations using the Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score. Consecutive patients with acute ICH were investigated. Nutritional status was evaluated using the CONUT score, calculated from the serum albumin level, lymphocyte count, and total cholesterol level. Subsequent complications, such as hemorrhage expansion (HE) during the acute stage and aspiration pneumonia during hospitalization, were evaluated. Poor outcome was defined as a modified Rankin Scale score of ≥ 3 at 3months. Of the 721 patients, 49 had HE, 111 had aspiration pneumonia, and 409 had poor outcomes. Patients with HE had significantly lower total cholesterol levels than those without HE. Patients with aspiration pneumonia had significantly lower albumin levels, lower lymphocyte counts, and higher CONUT scores than those without aspiration pneumonia. Patients with poor outcomes had significantly lower albumin levels, lower lymphocyte counts, lower total cholesterol levels, and higher CONUT scores than those with good outcomes. Multivariable logistic analysis showed that higher CONUT scores were independently associated with poor outcome (odds ratio, 1.28; 95% confidence interval, 1.09-1.49; P = 0.002) after adjusting for baseline characteristics, HE, and aspiration pneumonia. Each component of CONUT was a useful predictor of subsequent complications. Malnutrition, determined using the CONUT score, was independently associated with poor outcomes in patients with ICH after adjusting for these complications.

Association of glycemic variability and hypoglycemia with distal symmetrical polyneuropathy in adults with type 1 diabetes

Previous studies exploring the influence of glycemic variability (GV) on the pathogenesis of distal symmetrical polyneuropathy (DSPN) in type 1 diabetes (T1DM) produced conflicting results. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between GV and DSPN in T1DM. Adults with T1DM were included in this cross-sectional study and asked to undergo 3-day CGM. GV quantified by coefficient of variation (CV) and mean amplitude of glucose excursions (MAGE) were obtained from CGM. Clinical characteristics and biochemical assessments were collected for analysis. The study comprised 152 T1DM patients (53.9% males) with mean age of 44.2 year. Higher levels of age and duration of diabetes and lower levels of total cholesterol, LDL, fasting C-peptide and postprandial C-peptide were observed in DSPN subjects. DSPN groups displayed a higher blood glucose between 00:00 and 12:59 according to the CGM profile. Higher MAGE and CV were associated with increased risk of DSPN in the fully adjusted model. Meanwhile, a significant association between measurements of hypoglycemia, especially nocturnal hypoglycemia, and DSPN was found after multiple tests. CGM parameters describing the glycemic variability and hypoglycemia were potential risk factors for DSPN in adults with T1DM.

Prevalence of Risk Factors for Stroke Patients at UKI General Hospital in 2015

Stroke is a disease caused by disturbance of brain blood circulation influenced by many risk factors such as age, blood pressure, blood sugar, and blood lipid level. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of risk factors that contribute to stroke incidence in stroke patients hospitalized at UKI General Hospital in 2015. The design of this study is retrospective with research methodology descriptive observational. The sample in this study is all cases of a stroke at UKI General Hospital in 2015. The result showed that the highest type of stroke is ischemic stroke (77%) with the largest age group of 40-60 years (51.3%), male sex (60 people). Prevalence risk factors are hypertension stage 2 (52,2%), blood glucose level &lt;200 mg/dl (81,4%) low total cholesterol level (47,8%), LDL level borderline high (23%), low HDL level (44,2%).&#x0D; Keywords: stroke, risk factor, the prevalence

Effect of κ-carrageenan on glucolipid metabolism and gut microbiota in high-fat diet-fed mice

In this study, the κ-carrageenan supplementation significantly reduced the gains in weight, fat mass, adipocyte size, fasting blood glucose as well as blood lipid in mice with high-fat diet. The investigation of the gene expression levels revealed that κ-carrageenan could improve high-fat diet induced obesity by the AMPK and PPARγ signaling pathway. The level of TNF-α and LPS in the LCGN group was significantly lower than that in the high-fat diet (HFD) group, while there were no significant difference in the HCGN group. The κ-carrageenan treatment was beneficial to the recovery of intestinal homeostasis in mice with high-fat diet, expecially LCGN. The abundance of Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Lachnospiraceae, and Desulfovibrionaceae were positively correlated with body weight, fasting blood glucose (FBG), serum low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), total cholesterol (TC), and triglyceride (TG) levels. By contrast, Bacteroidetes were negatively correlated with LDL-c and TC levels, while positively with FBG.