Cholesterol Journal Articles

Record 1061 to 1080

Association between a novel 11-base pair deletion mutation in the promoter region of the scavenger receptor class B type I gene and plasma HDL cholesterol levels in Taiwanese Chinese
Hsu, L. A., Y. L. Ko, et al. (2003), Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 23(10): 1869-74.
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: Scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-BI) is a multiligand cell-surface receptor that mediates the selective uptake of lipid from HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) into cells. This study hypothesized an association between functional variants in the promoter region of SR-BI gene and HDL-C levels. METHODS AND RESULTS: We identified 2 novel mutations in the SR-BI gene promoter region by using single-strand conformation polymorphism. One mutation was an 11-bp CCCCGCCCCGT deletion mutation from positions -140 to -150 relative to the transcription start site, corresponding to an Sp1 binding site; the other was a C-->T substitution at position -142. Twenty-six of 690 unrelated subjects were heterozygous for the -140 to -150 deletion mutation, and the allele frequency in this population was 0.02. This study showed that the deletion variant prevented binding of Sp1 to this region of the SR-BI promoter and effectively reduced transcriptional activities in HepG2 cells. Notably, the -140 to -150 deletion mutation was significantly associated with increased HDL-C levels and explained approximately 0.5% of the variation in HDL-C levels in this population. CONCLUSIONS: A genetic variant at the SR-BI gene promoter region might explain a significant proportion of individual differences in HDL-C levels among Taiwanese Chinese. Our results require further replication in an independent population.

Association between a polymorphism in the carboxyl ester lipase gene and serum cholesterol profile
Bengtsson-Ellmark, S. H., J. Nilsson, et al. (2004), Eur J Hum Genet 12(8): 627-32.
Abstract: Carboxyl ester lipase (CEL) is involved in the hydrolysis and absorption of dietary lipids, but it is largely unknown to what extent CEL could be involved in determining the serum lipid levels. The C-terminal part of CEL consists of a unique structure with proline-rich O-glycosylated repeats of 11 amino-acid residues each. The common variant of the human CEL gene contains 16 proline-rich repeats, but there is a high degree of polymorphism in the repeated region. While the biological function of the polymorphic repeat region is unknown, it has been suggested that it may be important for protein stability and/or secretion of the enzyme. Given that the polymorphism in the repeated region may affect the functionality of the protein, this study aimed to investigate whether the number of repeated units is correlated to serum lipid phenotype. Comparison of CEL repeat genotype and serum lipid phenotype revealed an association between the number of repeats and serum cholesterol profile. Individuals carrying at least one allele with fewer than the common 16 repeats had significantly lower total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels compared to individuals carrying two common alleles. This gives support to the notion that CEL may be involved in determining the plasma lipid composition.

Association between apolipoprotein B promotor haplotypes and cholesterol status
Hubacek, J. A., H. Pistulkova, et al. (2001), Ann Clin Biochem 38(Pt 4): 399-400.
Abstract: Association between apolipoprotein B (apo B) promoter haplotypes and cholesterol concentration was studied in two groups of children with low and high concentrations of cholesterol. Strong linkage equilibrium was demonstrated between I/D in the signal peptide of apo B and (C-516T) polymorphism in the promotor of apo B gene, and the I/I+ allele T haplotype was associated with a low cholesterol concentration.

Association between apolipoprotein E phenotype and endogenous cholesterol synthesis as measured by deuterium uptake
Roe, R. P., P. J. Jones, et al. (1991), Cardiovasc Res 25(3): 249-55.
Abstract: STUDY OBJECTIVE--The aim was to determine if central pool cholesterol formation rate is related to apo E phenotype in healthy normolipidaemic males. DESIGN--Subjects consumed a fixed composition diet for 5 d and at 07:00 hours on d 5 drank 0.7 g deuterium oxide (D2O).kg-1 body water. Over d 5 body water deuterium enrichment was maintained by ingestion of labelled drinking water. The fractional synthetic rate of the central pool free cholesterol was determined over two consecutive 12 h intervals by the incorporation of deuterium from body water into plasma unesterified cholesterol. SUBJECTS--Participants were healthy male volunteers, mean age 26.4 years. They were divided into E2/(2 or 3) and E4/(4 or 3) alleles, n = 9 in each group. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS--Subjects with E2/- showed lower fractional synthetic rates than E4/- subjects, at 0.070(SEM 0.007) v 0.097(0.009) d-1 over the 24 h period (p less than 0.05). Cholesterol fractional synthetic rate was higher during the night than during the day (p less than 0.05). CONCLUSIONS--These findings suggest an increased central pool free cholesterol synthesis in individuals possessing the apo epsilon-4 versus epsilon-2 allele. Apo E related regulation of whole body de novo cholesterol synthesis may therefore contribute to observed variations in plasma cholesterol levels.

Association between calcific aortic stenosis and hypercholesterolemia: is there a need for a randomized controlled trial of cholesterol-lowering therapy?
Chui, M. C., D. E. Newby, et al. (2001), Clin Cardiol 24(1): 52-5.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Calcific aortic stenosis may have common etiological factors with atherosclerosis. HYPOTHESIS: In this retrospective, case-control study, we aimed to determine whether there is an association between hypercholesterolemia and calcific aortic valve stenosis. METHODS: Consecutive patients undergoing single aortic or mitral valve replacement in a regional cardiothoracic surgical center were reviewed and preoperative patient characteristics were recorded: demographics, comorbidity (including coronary artery disease and associated risk factors), serum total cholesterol, lipid-lowering therapy, and serum creatinine. RESULTS: Serum total cholesterol concentrations were significantly higher in patients with calcific aortic stenosis than in controls (6.2+/-1.1 vs. 5.3+/-1.1 mmol/l; p < 0.001). The significant difference in serum cholesterol concentrations remained following correction for gender and body mass index (p = 0.02) and when patients with coronary artery disease were excluded (6.3+/-1.1 vs. 5.3+/-1.4 mmol/l; p<0.001). Subgroup analysis demonstrated that the association between elevated serum cholesterol concentrations and calcific aortic stenosis was particularly strong in patients with tricuspid aortic valves (6.4+/-1.2 vs. 5.3+/-1.1 mmol/l; p < 0.001) compared with those with bicuspid valves (5.9+/-1.1 vs. 5.3+/-1.1 mmol/l; p = 0.06). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that hypercholesterolemia is associated with calcific aortic stenosis and may be implicated in its pathogenesis and progression. We believe that there is now a need for a randomized, controlled trial of cholesterol-lowering therapy in patients with calcific aortic stenosis.

Association between cholesterol level and mortality in dialysis patients: role of inflammation and malnutrition
Liu, Y., J. Coresh, et al. (2004), Jama 291(4): 451-9.
Abstract: CONTEXT: Total cholesterol level is inversely associated with mortality in dialysis patients, a group at high risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). This paradox may be explained by systemic inflammation and/or malnutrition, which are associated with lower cholesterol levels and higher mortality. OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship between cholesterol level and outcome in patients undergoing dialysis, accounting for inflammation and malnutrition. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Prospective study of 823 patients enrolled from October 1995 to June 1998 who recently initiated dialysis, from 79 clinics, classified by absence or presence of inflammation and/or malnutrition (defined as serum albumin levels <3.6 mg/dL, C-reactive protein > or =10 mg/L, or interleukin 6 > or =3.09 pg/mL). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: All-cause and cardiovascular disease mortality. RESULTS: During a median follow-up of 2.4 years, 324 deaths (159 CVD deaths), 153 renal transplantations, and 10 losses to follow-up occurred. Average serum cholesterol level was lower in the presence of inflammation/malnutrition than in its absence. In a Cox model adjusted for age, race, and sex, a 40-mg/dL (1.0-mmol/L) increment in baseline total serum cholesterol level was associated with a decreased risk of all-cause mortality overall (relative hazard RH, 0.92; 95% confidence interval CI, 0.87-0.98) and in the presence of inflammation/malnutrition (RH, 0.89; CI, 0.84-0.95). In contrast, serum cholesterol level was associated with an increased risk in the absence of inflammation/malnutrition (RH, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.07-1.63). For CVD mortality, an inverse trend was not statistically significant in the presence of inflammation/malnutrition, and a positive association was evident in the absence of inflammation/malnutrition (RH, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.04-1.89). Further adjustment for traditional CVD risk factors, dialysis modality, comorbidity, and inflammatory markers attenuated the inverse association but strengthened the positive association. CONCLUSIONS: The inverse association of total cholesterol level with mortality in dialysis patients is likely due to the cholesterol-lowering effect of systemic inflammation and malnutrition, not to a protective effect of high cholesterol concentrations. These findings support treatment of hypercholesterolemia in this population.

Association between estradiol, estrogen receptors, total lipids, triglycerides, and cholesterol in patients with benign and malignant breast tumors
Mady, E. A. (2000), J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 75(4-5): 323-8.
Abstract: This study addresses the correlation between the levels of estradiol (E2), total lipids, triglycerides, and cholesterol in serum and tissue samples of age-matched patients with benign (40 cases; 16 were premenopausal and 24 were postmenopausal) and malignant (50 cases; 17 were premenopausal and 33 were postmenopausal) breast tumors. Estradiol levels were determined in serum and cytosol, estrogen receptors (ER) were assayed in cytosol, and total lipids, triglycerides and cholesterol were determined in serum and membrane fractions of all benign and malignant breast disease patients. Serum E2 was significantly higher in malignant cases than benign ones (P<0.05) with a significant reduction (40%) in postmenopausal than premenopausal women. ER-positive tumors were significantly higher in postmenopausal women with malignant breast tumors than benign cases (P<0.05). Tissue levels of total lipids, triglycerides, and cholesterol were highly significantly increased in breast cancer women than women with benign breast diseases (P<0.05, P<0.005 and P<0.05 respectively) and they were also significantly correlated with estradiol levels. It could be concluded that the uptake of lipids from plasma by the tumor tissue is greatly correlated to estradiol and it may confirm the possible role of lipids as risk factor in breast cancer.

Association between HaeIII polymorphism of scavenger receptor class B type I gene and plasma HDL-cholesterol concentration
Hong, S. H., Y. R. Kim, et al. (2002), Ann Clin Biochem 39(Pt 5): 478-81.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Evidence has recently been found for significant associations between genetic variation within the scavenger receptor class B type I gene (SR-BI), plasma lipids and anthropometric measurements in healthy Caucasians. The present case-control study was conducted to determine whether there is an association between three polymorphisms identified by the restriction endonucleases HaeIII, AluI and ApaI of SR-BI and coronary artery disease (CAD) in Korean subjects. METHODS: DNA was extracted from 137 subjects with CAD and 124 age-matched controls; it was amplified using the polymerase chain reaction. Individual alleles at each of the three polymorphic sites were identified by digestion with the appropriate restriction enzyme. RESULTS: Only a single allele was identified at the AluI and ApaI polymorphic sites. The frequency of the common (+) allele at the HaeIII polymorphic site was higher in CAD patients than in the controls (P = 0.001). The concentrations of plasma HDL-cholesterol and apolipoprotein AI also varied significantly among HaeIII genotypes in the CAD patients. The common (+) allele of the HaeIII polymorphism was associated with a lower body mass index in female controls. CONCLUSIONS: Allele frequencies of the AluI and ApaI polymorphisms in this study were different to those in a Caucasian population studied previously, suggesting a difference in the genetic background. Further comparative studies of SR-BI polymorphism in other racial or ethnic groups should therefore prove to be of value.

Association between HbA1c and HDL-cholesterol independent of fasting triglycerides in a Caucasian population: evidence for enhanced cholesterol ester transfer induced by in vivo glycation
Bakker, S. J., J. M. Dekker, et al. (1998), Diabetologia 41(10): 1249-50.

Association between HDL-cholesterol and the Taq1B polymorphism in the cholesterol ester transfer protein gene in obese women
Heilbronn, L. K., M. Noakes, et al. (2002), Atherosclerosis 162(2): 419-24.
Abstract: Cholesterol ester transfer protein (CETP) facilitates reverse cholesterol transport via HDL-C and this activity may be increased in obese subjects. In normal weight subjects the Taq1B variant of the CETP gene is associated with lower CETP activity and higher HDL-C. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between the Taq1B polymorphism and HDL-C in obese women before and after weight loss. A total of 245 women (41 with type 2 diabetes) were genotyped for the Taq1B variant. Plasma lipids, insulin, glucose and oral glucose tolerance were also measured before and after weight loss. When all subjects were examined together the Taq1B genotype was not associated with HDL-C. However, when non-diabetic subjects were divided by median fasting insulin, a strong linear association was observed between Taq1B genotype and HDL-C in subjects below median for fasting insulin (B1B1 1.19+/-0.07 mmol/l, B1B2 1.35+/-0.06, B2B2 1.71+/-0.09, P<0.000). This association was not observed in subjects with fasting insulin above median or subjects with type 2 diabetes, either before or after weight loss. Therefore, the B2B2 genotype is associated with elevated HDL-C in obese women with low fasting insulin only. Improved insulin sensitivity during weight loss did not change this relationship in women with high fasting insulin or type 2 diabetes.

Association between high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and breast cancer varies by menopausal status
Moorman, P. G., B. S. Hulka, et al. (1998), Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 7(6): 483-8.
Abstract: A nested case-control study was conducted to investigate the hypothesis that women with high levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) are at an increased risk of breast cancer. The source population was a cohort of 95,000 women enrolled in the Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program who underwent a routine multiphasic health examination between 1964 and 1971. From the more than 2,000 breast cancer cases diagnosed in this cohort, 200 cases were randomly selected for this study. For each case, one control who matched on age and date of examination was chosen. Lipid and lipoprotein levels were measured in archived serum samples collected at the time of the women's examinations. Breast cancer risk factor information was obtained from questionnaires completed by the women when their blood was drawn and was supplemented with information from medical records. HDL-C levels were not significantly different between the cases and controls overall; however, a statistically significant interaction between the HDL-C level and menopausal status at diagnosis was detected. Premenopausal cases had mean HDL-C levels 3.48 mg/dl lower than matched controls 95% confidence interval (CI), -7.05, 0.09, whereas postmenopausal cases had levels 2.05 mg/dl higher than controls (95% CI, -0.94, 5.03). In multivariate conditional logistic regression analyses, the odds ratio associated with each 1 mg/dl increase in HDL-C was 0.96 (95% Cl, 0.93-1.0) for premenopausal women and 1.02 (95% CI, 0.99-1.05) for postmenopausal women. Although many breast cancer risk factors are associated with high HDL-C, the relationship between breast cancer and HDL-C was independent of other factors evaluated.

Association between increased arterial-wall thickness and impairment in ABCA1-driven cholesterol efflux: an observational study
van Dam, M. J., E. de Groot, et al. (2002), Lancet 359(9300): 37-42.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Decreased concentrations of HDL cholesterol are associated with increased cardiovascular risk. These concentrations are directly related to cholesterol efflux from cells-the first step and a key process in reverse cholesterol transport. Cholesterol efflux is mediated by the ATP-binding cassette A1 transporter (ABCA1), the rate-limiting step in the production of HDL. We aimed to assess the relation between cholesterol efflux, HDL concentrations, and arterial-wall changes in individuals with impaired ABCA1 function. METHODS: We investigated 30 individuals from families with ABCA1 mutations, and 110 controls matched for age, sex, and ethnic origin. We measured concentrations of HDL cholesterol in plasma and intima-media thickness of the carotid arteries by B-mode ultrasonography in all participants. We also measured cholesterol efflux from skin fibroblasts in nine individuals with ABCA1 mutations and in ten controls. FINDINGS: Individuals with ABCA1 mutations had lower amounts of cholesterol efflux, lower HDL cholesterol concentrations, and greater intima-media thicknesses than controls. An intima-media thickness at the upper limit of normal (0.80 mm) was reached by age 55 years in the ABCA1 heterozygotes, and at age 80 years in unaffected controls (p<0.0001). Additionally, strong positive correlations were seen between HDL cholesterol concentrations and cholesterol efflux (r=0.90, p=0.001), and negative correlations between apolipoprotein-AI-mediated (r=-0.61, p=0.030) and HDL-particle-mediated (r=-0.60, p=0.018) efflux and intima-media thickness in the ABCA1 mutation carriers. INTERPRETATION: These results show a direct relation between ABCA1-mediated cellular cholesterol efflux and arterial-wall thickness, and therefore suggest that increasing efflux could inhibit atherosclerosis progression before the manifestation of symptomatic cardiovascular disease.

Association between increased serum cholesterol and signs of depressive mood
Ledochowski, M., C. Murr, et al. (2003), Clin Chem Lab Med 41(6): 821-4.
Abstract: Hypercholesterolemia is associated with an increased risk of atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease. Therefore, therapeutic lowering of cholesterol is an important preventive measure of cardiac morbidity and death. As one side effect, cholesterol-lowering drugs appear to increase the mortality due to suicides or violence, and low lipid concentrations were found to be associated with trait measures of depression. We compared serum cholesterol concentrations and the Beck Depression Rating Scale (Beck's score) in 604 otherwise healthy outpatients who visited the physician's office for a medical health check-up; 65.4% of individuals presented with serum cholesterol concentrations > or = 5.2 mmol/l (> 200 mg/dl) and 5.3% had elevated Beck's score (> 19), indicative for depression. Beck's score was higher in patients with cholesterol concentrations above the 75th percentile (= 6.2 mmol/l; U = 31221, p < 0.02, Mann-Whitney U-test), and Beck's score correlated with cholesterol concentrations and with age. Thus, in contrast to the widely accepted view, in our study, higher cholesterol concentrations were associated with signs of depressive mood. Hypercholesterolemia may not necessarily increase the risk of depressive mood, conversely, increased intake of fat and carbohydrates by individuals with depressive mood may increase cholesterol levels.

Association between low plasma levels of cholesterol and relapse in cocaine addicts
Buydens-Branchey, L. and M. Branchey (2003), Psychosom Med 65(1): 86-91.
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: In light of recent studies suggesting the existence of associations between low concentrations of cholesterol and various psychiatric disorders, we decided to explore relationships between cholesterol levels and relapse rates in a group of cocaine addicts who had undergone inpatient detoxification. METHODS: The total cholesterol levels of 38 non-opiate-dependent and non-alcohol-dependent cocaine addicts were determined while they were hospitalized. Drug use was subsequently assessed 3, 6, and 12 months after patients were discharged from the hospital. RESULTS: Comparisons of the cholesterol levels (obtained during hospitalization) of relapsers and nonrelapsers by analyses of covariance with age and weight as covariates revealed significantly lower cholesterol values in patients who relapsed at 3 months (p =.046), 6 months (p =.030), and 12 months (p =.019) after discharge. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed an association between a low total cholesterol level and relapse rates in detoxified cocaine addicts. Reasons for the predictive value of low cholesterol levels for relapse for up to 1 year after cholesterol measurements were made are unclear. These data are preliminary and in need of replication.

Association between periodontal pockets and elevated cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol levels
Katz, J., M. Y. Flugelman, et al. (2002), J Periodontol 73(5): 494-500.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Periodontitis is associated with increased prevalence of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality; however, the nature of this association is unclear. There is a rationale that indicates that the presence of periodontal pockets which can harbor pathogenic microorganisms and evoke a host response could elicit a systemic effect. The hypothesis of this study is that periodontal pockets may be associated with elevated blood lipid levels, a known risk factor for atherosclerotic disease. METHODS: The periodontal health of 10,590 Israeli military service men and women was assessed using the Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs (CPITN). The relationship of blood lipids and periodontal disease and CPITN index was tested, controlling for factors that are related to elevated cholesterol levels, including high body mass index (BMI), age, diastolic blood pressure, and smoking. RESULTS: The presence of periodontal pockets was positively associated with higher cholesterol and low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol blood levels in men. No significant association was found in women. CONCLUSIONS: In this large cohort study, the presence of periodontal pockets as measured by CPITN was positively associated with total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol. The findings of the study support the reports linking increased prevalence of cardiovascular mortality among patients with periodontal disease.

Association between plasma HDL-cholesterol concentration and Taq1B CETP gene polymorphism in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus
Bernard, S., P. Moulin, et al. (1998), J Lipid Res 39(1): 59-65.
Abstract: The effects of CETP gene Taq1B polymorphism on plasma lipoproteins were investigated in 176 patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. The distribution of CETP genotypes was similar to that previously described in the general population. A significant association was found between CETP genotype and both CETP and HDL cholesterol (HDL-c) concentrations. B1B1 had the highest CETP and the lowest HDL-c whereas B2B2 had the lowest CETP and the highest HDL-c. However, HDL-c was not correlated with CETP concentration, even when genetic groups were separately considered. By multivariate analysis, the determinants of HDL were body mass index, triglycerides concentration, net mass CE transfer, and CETP genotype. No association was found between CETP genetic groups and HDL or LDL size distribution. In contrast, net mass CET was positively and HDL and LDL sizes were negatively correlated with plasma triglyceride concentration. Overall, our work demonstrates that, in a population of diabetic patients where lipoprotein-related parameters vary over a large range, the association of CETP gene polymorphism with HDL-c is independent of plasma CETP concentration.

Association between serum cholesterol and leucocyte lysosomal function
Waters, P. J., M. D. Flynn, et al. (1994), Ann Clin Biochem 31 (Pt 1): 91-3.

Association between serum lipoprotein-cholesterol levels and HDL subpopulations
Gou, L. T., M. D. Fu, et al. (2005), Sichuan Da Xue Xue Bao Yi Xue Ban 36(1): 24-7.
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence of serum HDL-C or LDL-C levels on the components of serum HDL subpopulations. METHODS: Apolipoprotein (apo) A-I contents of serum HDL subpopulations in 292 subjects were determined by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis in conjunction with immunodection. RESULTS: With the decrease of serum HDL-C levels, the apoA-I contents of pre beta1-HDL and HDL3b increased and were significantly higher (P<0.01; P<0.05) in the low HDL-C group than in the high HDL-C group. But on the contrary, with the decrease of serum HDL-C levels, the apoA-I contents of HDL2b and HDL2a decreased and were significantly lower (P<0.01) in the middle and low HDL-C groups than in the high HDL-C group. With the increase of serum LDL-C levels, the apoA-I contents of pre beta1-HDL, HDL3C and HDL3b increased; the apoA-I contents of pre beta1-HDL and HDL3b were significantly higher in the high LDL-C group (P<0.05) and very high LDL-C group (P<0.01), and those of HDL3C were also significantly higher in the very high LDL-C group (P<0.01). But on the contrary, with the increase of LDL-C levels, the apoA-I contents of HDL2b decreased and were significantly lower in the high LDL-C group (P<0.05) and very high LDL-C group (P<0.01) when compared with the apoA-I contents of the desirable LDL-C group. CONCLUSION: With the decrease of serum HDL-C levels or increase of serum LDL-C levels, the small-sized HDL increased and the large-sized HDL decreased; furthermore, the HDL-C levels were more closely related to the components of the large-sized HDL (HDL2a, HDL2b).

Association between serum total cholesterol and HIV infection in a high-risk cohort of young men
Claxton, A. J., D. R. Jacobs, Jr., et al. (1998), J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr Hum Retrovirol 17(1): 51-7.
Abstract: Low serum total cholesterol (TC) is associated with a variety of nonatherosclerotic diseases, but the association of TC with infectious disease has been little studied. In this study, we examined the relationship between serum TC and HIV infection in members of a large health maintenance organization in Northern California. The cohort consisted of 2446 unmarried young men 15 to 49 years of age at high risk of HIV infection, defined as self-reported history of sexually transmitted disease or liver disease. Baseline measurements were taken between 1979 and 1985, and subjects were passively followed for HIV infection until the end of 1993 (average length of follow-up, 7.7 years). From a multivariate-adjusted Cox regression, the rate ratio (RR) of HIV infection was 1.66 (95% CI = 1.07, 2.56) for men with serum TC levels <160 mg/dl compared with those with TC levels between 160 and 199 mg/dl. Similar excess risk of AIDS and AIDS-related death was observed. These findings suggest that low serum TC levels should be considered a marker of increased risk of HIV infection in men already at heightened risk of HIV infection.

Association between single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the endothelial lipase (LIPG) gene and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels
Mank-Seymour, A. R., K. L. Durham, et al. (2004), Biochim Biophys Acta 1636(1): 40-6.
Abstract: Endothelial lipase (LIPG) is the latest addition to the triglyceride lipase family of genes that includes pancreatic lipase (PL), hepatic lipase (HL), and lipoprotein lipase (LPL). These lipolytic enzymes demonstrate both triglyceride lipase as well as phospholipase activities and are integrally involved in lipid absorption, transport, and metabolism. Several studies have demonstrated that LIPG is important for affecting lipid levels in mice but the data in humans is less complete. To more thoroughly characterize the LIPG gene, we resequenced it from an ethnically diverse population. Thirteen novel single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified and seven others confirmed. High linkage disequilibrium was found among these SNPs spanning the length of the transcript, allowing interrogation of the entire gene for functional variation. Subjects with either high or low HDL cholesterol were used to investigate its association with LIPG gene variation. Associations were found with the most significant being the intronic variants C+42T/In5 and T+2864C/In8 (P=0.007 and 0.004, respectively). A trend for an association of the same SNPs with fewer myocardial infarctions (P=0.03) was also observed but was not significant after correction for multiple testing. The results of this study provide data linking variation in the human LIPG gene with HDL cholesterol levels as well as further evidence in support of LIPG as a potential target for therapeutic intervention.

Cholesterol Articles and Abstracts

Cholesterol Journal Articles