| For medical practitioners and the general public - Cholesterol Journal Article Catalog. |
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| Biotransformation of cholesterol using Lactobacillus bulgaricus in a glucose-controlled bioreactor Kumar, R., J. S. Dahiya, et al. (2001), Bioresour Technol 78(2): 209-11. Abstract: A novel single-step microbial transformation process for the production of testosterone from cholestrol by Lactobacillus bulgaricus in an aerated fermenter was investigated. The metabolism of glucose possibly supplying reducing power as NADH was necessary for the reduction of androst-4-en-3,17-dione (AD) to testosterone (TS). The growth period for the accumulation of testosterone in maximal amount and the residual glucose increased in parallel with the amount of glucose supplement in growth cultures. After the glucose in the fermentation culture was completely exhausted, most of the testosterone was oxidized to AD. Addition of a larger amount of glucose could prevent oxidation of testosterone to AD. The biotransformation of cholestrol was significantly increased in the presence of cyclodextrin (CD) in the fermenting medium. The addition of 0.1% CD to the growth medium facilitated the transport of the steroid substrate through the microbial cell wall. |
| Biphasic effects of the natural estrogen 17beta-estradiol on hepatic cholesterol metabolism in intact female rats Parini, P., B. Angelin, et al. (2000), Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 20(7): 1817-23. Abstract: The protective influence of estrogens in cardiovascular disease is believed to be partly due to beneficial effects on cholesterol metabolism. Much of the experimental data are based on models in which synthetic estrogens have been used in pharmacological doses, and therefore, the physiological role of estrogens in cholesterol metabolism is uncertain. To evaluate this important issue, we performed experiments in intact female rats with use of the natural estrogen 17beta-estradiol (E2) administered either subcutaneously or orally. After physiological doses of E2 (< or =0.04 mg. kg(-1). d(-1)) were administered, plasma levels of high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and apolipoprotein (apo) A-I were increased. In the liver, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase and cholesterol 7alpha-hydroxylase activities were increased, as well as cholesterol 7alpha-hydroxylase mRNA levels. These effects were abolished during treatment with higher doses of E2, whereas apo A-I mRNA increased in a dose-dependent way. After treatment with pharmacological doses of E2 (> or =0.2 mg. kg(-1). d(-1)), the number of hepatic low density lipoprotein receptors increased and plasma cholesterol was reduced. These effects were similar after both oral and subcutaneous administration of E2. Our results show that the responses to E2 are biphasic: plasma HDL, apo A-I, and hepatic enzyme activities governing bile acid and cholesterol synthesis increased only at physiological doses of E2. At pharmacological doses of E2, hepatic low density lipoprotein receptors are stimulated and plasma cholesterol is reduced. Therefore, under physiological conditions, E2 exerts its major effects on hepatic cholesterol metabolism through mechanisms other than stimulation of low density lipoprotein receptor expression. |
| Biphasic modulation of atherosclerosis induced by graded dietary copper supplementation in the cholesterol-fed rabbit Lamb, D. J., T. Y. Avades, et al. (2001), Int J Exp Pathol 82(5): 287-94. Abstract: There has been considerable debate about how copper status may affect the biochemical and cellular processes associated with atherogenesis. We have investigated the effects of graded dietary copper supplementation on processes likely to contribute to atherogenesis, using the cholesterol-fed New Zealand White rabbit model. Rabbits (n = 40) were fed a 0.25-1% cholesterol diet deficient in copper. Animals received either 0, 1, 3 or 20 mg copper/day and were killed after 13 weeks. Plasma cholesterol levels were similar in each dietary group. Aortic concentrations of copper were higher in the 20 mg copper/day animals compared to those receiving 0 mg copper/day (3.70 +/- 0.78 vs. 1.33 +/- 0.46 microg/g wet tissue; P < 0.05). Aortic superoxide dismutase activity was higher in animals receiving 20 mg copper/day (323 +/- 21 IU/mg tissue) compared to the other groups (187 +/- 21; 239 +/- 53; 201 +/- 33 IU/mg tissue) (P > 0.05). En face staining of aortae with oil red O showed that both high copper supplementation (20 mg/day) (67.1 +/- 5.5%) and a deficient diet (0 mg/day) (63.1 +/- 4.8%) was associated with significantly larger lesions (P < 0.05) compared to moderately supplemented animals (1 mg/day and 3 mg/day) (51.3 +/- 6.3 and 42.8 +/- 7.9%). These data indicate that in the cholesterol-fed rabbit, there is an optimal dietary copper intake and that dietary copper deficiency or excess are associated with an increased susceptibility to aortic atherosclerosis. Many Western diets contain insufficient copper and these findings indicate that a moderate dietary copper content may confer a degree of cardiac protection to the human population. |
| Birth weight and blood cholesterol level: a study in adolescents and systematic review Owen, C. G., P. H. Whincup, et al. (2003), Pediatrics 111(5 Pt 1): 1081-9. Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between birth weight and blood total cholesterol (TC) and to compare its strength with that of the relationship between current body mass index and TC. METHODS: 1). Cross-sectional study of adolescents, with retrospective ascertainment of birth weight from birth records or parental recall; 2). systematic review of studies examining the relations between birth weight and cholesterol at all ages. PARTICIPANTS: 1). 1532 individuals (92% white, 55% male) in 10 British towns; 2). 28 studies with 32 observations showing the change in TC per 1 kg increase in birth weight-6 in infancy, 14 in adolescents, 12 in adults. RESULTS: In the cross-sectional study, there was a weak inverse relation between birth weight and TC level (-.061 mmol/L fall in TC per kg increase in birth weight, 95% confidence interval -.131 to.008 mmol/L per kg) which was little affected by adjustment for current body size. The difference in TC corresponding to an interquartile range increase in birth weight (-.03 mmol/L) was approximately a quarter of that for an equivalent increase in body mass index (11 mmol/L). In the systematic review, an inverse association between birth weight and TC of a similar size to that in the cross-sectional study was observed (-.048 mmol/L per kg, 95% confidence interval -.078 to -.018 mmol/L per kg) similar in strength at all ages. CONCLUSION: The relation of fetal nutrition to TC appears to be weak and is probably of limited public health importance when compared with the effects of childhood obesity. |
| Birth weight and subsequent cholesterol levels: exploration of the "fetal origins" hypothesis Huxley, R., C. G. Owen, et al. (2004), Jama 292(22): 2755-64. Abstract: CONTEXT: Inverse associations between birth weight and subsequent blood cholesterol levels have been used to support the "fetal origins" hypothesis of the relevance of fetal nutrition to adult disease. OBJECTIVES: To perform a systematic review of the association between birth weight and total blood cholesterol levels, and to explore the impact of including unpublished results, adjusting for potential confounders. DATA SOURCES AND STUDY SELECTION: Relevant studies published by September 30, 2004, were identified through literature searches using EMBASE and MEDLINE and MeSH heading search strategy (using terms such as birth weight, intrauterine growth retardation, fetal growth retardation and cholesterol, lipoprotein, lipid). Studies that reported qualitative or quantitative estimates of the association between birth weight and total blood cholesterol, or had recorded both measures but not reported on their associations, were included. DATA EXTRACTION: A total of 79 relevant studies involving a total of 74,122 individuals were identified; 65 had reported on the direction of the association between birth weight and total blood cholesterol. Although regression coefficients were published for only 11 studies and other quantitative estimates for 3 other studies, regression coefficients (published or unpublished) were obtained for 58 studies among 68,974 individuals. DATA SYNTHESIS: Inverse associations were observed in 11 of 14 studies that had previously published quantitative estimates but in only 18 of the remaining 51 that had reported on the direction of this association (heterogeneity P =.004). Similarly, the weighted estimate for the 11 studies was -1.89 mg/dL (-0.049 mmol/L) total cholesterol per kilogram birth weight compared with -0.69 mg/dL (-0.018 mmol/L) per kilogram for 47 studies that provided unpublished regression coefficients (heterogeneity P =.009). Overall, the weighted estimate from the 58 contributing studies was -1.39 mg/dL (-0.036 mmol/L) per kilogram (95% confidence interval, -1.81 to -0.97 mg/dL -0.047 to -0.025 mmol/L), but there was significant heterogeneity between their separate results (P<.001). Part of this heterogeneity appears to reflect stronger associations reported from smaller studies and studies of cholesterol levels in infants. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that impaired fetal growth does not have effects on blood cholesterol levels that would have a material impact on vascular disease risk. |
| Birth weight, subsequent growth, and cholesterol metabolism in children 8-12 years old born preterm Mortaz, M., M. S. Fewtrell, et al. (2001), Arch Dis Child 84(3): 212-7. Abstract: AIMS: To test the hypothesis that plasma lipids, lipoproteins, and markers of cholesterol biosynthesis (lathosterol) and absorption efficiency (campesterol) in children aged 8-12 years are related to birth size and subsequent growth. METHODS: A total of 412 girls and boys weighing less than 1850 g at birth were studied. Birth weight, gestation, and weight at 18 months were recorded and followed up at 8-12 years. Plasma total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, apolipoprotein A1, apolipoprotein B, triacylglycerol, lathosterol, and campesterol were measured. RESULTS: Birth weight for gestational age was positively related to plasma campesterol, and remained so after adjusting for current body size or fatness. Birth weight was negatively related to current plasma lathosterol but only after adjusting for current body size or fatness. For both lathosterol and campesterol the significant relation with birth size adjusted for current size indicates that the change in size between these points (postnatal upward centile crossing) was influential. These relations were absent for total cholesterol, lipoproteins, apolipoproteins, and triacylglycerol. CONCLUSION: Preterm children who were smaller for gestational age at birth had lower predicted cholesterol absorption efficiency 8-12 years later. Among children of the same current size, predicted endogenous cholesterol synthesis was higher and cholesterol absorption efficiency lower in those who showed the greatest increase in weight centile between birth and follow up. This finding was not confined to children with the smallest birth weights for gestational age. We suggest that both fetal and childhood growth relate to programming of cholesterol metabolism in children born preterm. |
| Bisphosphonates used for the treatment of bone disorders inhibit squalene synthase and cholesterol biosynthesis Amin, D., S. A. Cornell, et al. (1992), J Lipid Res 33(11): 1657-63. Abstract: Some bisphosphonates used for the treatment of bone disorders are also potent inhibitors of squalene synthase, a critical enzyme for sterol biosynthesis. Among seven drugs tested, YM 175 (cycloheptylaminomethylene-1,1-bisphosphonic acid) was the most potent inhibitor of rat liver microsomal squalene synthase (Ki = 57 nM) and sterol biosynthesis from 14Cmevalonate in rat liver homogenate (IC50 = 17 nM). EB 1053 (3-(1-pyrolidino)-1-hydroxypropylidene-1,1-bisphosphonic acid) and PHPBP (3-(1-piperidino)-1-hydroxypropylidene-1,1-bisphosphonic acid) were less potent inhibitors in both these assays. Pamidronate and alendronate were poor inhibitors of squalene synthase (IC50 > 10 microM) but were potent inhibitors of sterol biosynthesis from mevalonate (IC50 = 420 and 168 nM, respectively), suggesting that the latter two agents may have inhibited other enzymes involved in the synthesis of farnesyl pyrophosphate from mevalonate. Etidronate and clodronate were inactive in both these assays. YM 175 also inhibited sterol biosynthesis in mouse macrophage J774 cells (IC50 = 64 microM) and in rats, when administered acutely, it inhibited cholesterol biosynthesis in the liver (ED50 = 30 mg/kg, s.c.). Structural modifications on YM 175 to enhance cell permeability may result in a new class of cholesterol-lowering agents. |
| Bivalent cholesterol-based coupling of oligonucletides to lipid membrane assemblies Pfeiffer, I. and F. Hook (2004), J Am Chem Soc 126(33): 10224-5. |
| Bivariate linkage analysis of cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the Framingham Heart Study Zhang, X. and K. Wang (2003), BMC Genet 4 Suppl 1: S62. Abstract: We performed a bivariate analysis on cholesterol and triglyceride levels on data from the Framingham Heart Study using a new score statistic developed for the detection of potential pleiotropic, or cluster, genes. Univariate score statistics were also computed for each trait. At a significance level 0.001, linkage signals were found at markers GATA48B01 on chromosome 1, GATA21C12 on chromosome 8, and ATA55A11 on chromosome 16 using the bivariate analysis. At the same significance level, linkage signals were found at markers 036yb8 on chromosome 3 and GATA3F02 on chromosome 12 using the univariate analysis. A strong linkage signal was also found at marker GATA112F07 by both the bivariate analysis and the univariate analysis, a marker for which evidence for linkage had been reported previously in a related study. |
| Bivariate variance-component analysis, with application to systolic blood pressure and total cholesterol levels in the Framingham Heart Study Cui, J. S. and L. J. Sheffield (2003), BMC Genet 4 Suppl 1: S81. Abstract: BACKGROUND: The correlations between systolic blood pressure (SBP) and total cholesterol levels (CHOL) might result from genetic or environmental factors that determine variation in the phenotypes and are shared by family members. Based on 330 nuclear families in the Framingham Heart Study, we used a multivariate normal model, implemented in the software FISHER, to estimate genetic and shared environmental components of variation and genetic and shared environmental correlation between the phenotypes. The natural logarithm of the phenotypes measured at the last visit in both Cohort 1 and 2 was used in the analyses. The antihypertensive treatment effect was corrected before adjustment of the systolic blood pressure for age, sex, and cohort. RESULTS: The univariate correlation coefficient was statistically significant for sibling pairs and parent-offspring pairs, but not significant for spouse pairs. In the bivariate analysis, the cross-trait correlation coefficients were not statistically significant for all relative pairs. The shared environmental correlation was statistically significant, but the genetic correlation was not significant. CONCLUSION: There is no significant evidence for a close genetic correlation between systolic blood pressure and total cholesterol levels. However, some shared environmental factors may determine the variation of both phenotypes. |
| Black pigment gallstones with cholesterol gallstones in the same gallbladder. 13 cases in a surgical series of 1226 patients with gallbladder stones Cetta, F., F. Lombardo, et al. (1995), Dig Dis Sci 40(3): 534-8. Abstract: We studied 1312 consecutive patients who underwent surgery for gallstones in the biliary tract at one university hospital in Siena, Italy, with a systematic classification of gallstones found within the gallbladder. Of these patients, 1226 were found to have gallbladder stones; 94 of these had black pigment gallstones. Of these, 13 patients were found to have black pigment gallstones and cholesterol gallstones within their gallbladder. They all had multiple black pigment gallstones, usually very small (all < 6 mm diameter), in association with larger cholesterol stones in the gallbladder lumen. The cholesterol gallstones were single in seven cases, double in two cases, and multiple in four cases. All 13 of these patients with black pigment stones in association with cholesterol stones had histologic evidence of either adenomyomatosis or Rokitansky-Aschoff sinuses in the gallbladder wall. In nine of the 13 patients, the black pigment stones were located both in the gallbladder lumen and in close association with the gallbladder wall (in areas of adenomyomatosis or in Rokitanski-Aschoff sinuses). In the other four patients, the stones were found in close association with the gallbladder wall alone and not freely mobile within the gallbladder lumen. It is concluded that cholesterol stones and black pigment stones may be found in the same gallbladder. This association is infrequent with an incidence of 13 of 1226 (1.06%) in our series. There appears to be some relationship between the formation of the black pigment stones and the presence of adenomyomatosis or Rokitanski-Aschoff sinuses.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) |
| Black tea consumption reduces total and LDL cholesterol in mildly hypercholesterolemic adults Davies, M. J., J. T. Judd, et al. (2003), J Nutr 133(10): 3298S-3302S. Abstract: Despite epidemiological evidence that tea consumption is associated with the reduced risk of coronary heart disease, experimental studies designed to show that tea affects oxidative stress or blood cholesterol concentration have been unsuccessful. We assessed the effects of black tea consumption on lipid and lipoprotein concentrations in mildly hypercholesterolemic adults. Tea and other beverages were included in a carefully controlled weight-maintaining diet. Five servings/d of tea were compared with a placebo beverage in a blinded randomized crossover study (7 men and 8 women, consuming a controlled diet for 3 wk/treatment). The caffeine-free placebo was prepared to match the tea in color and taste. In a third period, caffeine was added to the placebo in an amount equal to that in the tea. Five servings/d of tea reduced total cholesterol 6.5%, LDL cholesterol 11.1%, apolipoprotein B 5% and lipoprotein(a) 16.4% compared with the placebo with added caffeine. Compared with the placebo without added caffeine, total cholesterol was reduced 3.8% and LDL cholesterol was reduced 7.5% whereas apolipoprotein B, Lp(a), HDL cholesterol, apolipoprotein A-I and triglycerides were unchanged. Plasma oxidized LDL, F2-isoprostanes, urinary 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine, ex vivo ferric ion reducing capacity and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances in LDL were not affected by tea consumption compared with either placebo. Thus, inclusion of tea in a diet moderately low in fat reduces total and LDL cholesterol by significant amounts and may, therefore, reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. Tea consumption did not affect antioxidant status in this study. |
| Blocking late cholesterol biosynthesis inhibits the growth of transplanted Morris hepatomas (7288CTC) in rats Xu, G., G. Salen, et al. (1996), Hepatology 24(2): 440-5. Abstract: The conversion of 7-dehydrocholesterol to cholesterol is the last reaction in the cholesterol biosynthesis pathway catalyzed by the microsomal enzyme, 7-dehydrocholesterol-delta 7-reductase. We studied whether malignant tumor growth that depends on cholesterol could be slowed by inhibiting late cholesterol biosynthesis. The inhibitor 7-dehydrocholester-delta 7-reductase, BM 15.766 alone, or in combination with 2% cholesterol was fed to 20 male Buffalo rats for 2 weeks immediately after Morris hepatoma 7288CTC was implanted in both flanks. Tumor weights were compared and sterol composition, hepatic hydroxymethyl glutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase activity, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor binding in the tumor were correlated with those in the liver. In the plasma of rats treated with BM 15.766, cholesterol levels dropped 75% and the precursor, 7-dehydrocholesterol rose substantially. Tumor weights were 43% less (P <.05) than controls (5.9 +/- 1.5 g vs. 10.4 +/- 2.2 g) with sterol concentrations reduced 25%, and the precursor, 7-dehydrocholesterol, increased to represent 71% of the tumor sterols. Feeding cholesterol with BM 15.766 normalized plasma but only partially restored tumor cholesterol concentrations, which still remained 49% below the hepatomas in the control group. With BM 15.766, hepatic cholesterol decreased 76% and was associated with a marked rise of 7-dehydrocholesterol that could be almost entirely prevented by feeding cholesterol. After the tumor was implanted, hepatic HMG-CoA reductase activity increased 56% and was 8.6 times higher than in the tumor. Enzyme activities were enhanced about 50% in the liver and the tumor after BM 15.766 was administered but decreased 38% below control when cholesterol was added to the diet. Hepatic receptor-mediated LDL binding rose 67% after tumor implantation, and declined to control levels with cholesterol feeding. These results suggest that de novo cholesterol synthesis in Morris hepatoma 7288CTC is much lower than the liver and tumor growth depends on circulating plasma cholesterol. Inhibiting the last step in cholesterol biosynthesis profoundly reduced tissue and plasma cholesterol concentrations and accumulated precursors substantially to slow hepatoma growth. Feeding cholesterol restored liver but not hepatoma cholesterol levels. Thus, inhibiting late cholesterol synthesis hinders growth of rapidly enlarging malignant tumors. |
| Blocking the absorption of cholesterol in the treatment of hyperlipidemia--old and new ways of treatment Vanhanen, H. (2004), Duodecim 120(9): 1105-10. |
| Blood cholesterol and apolipoprotein B levels in relation to intakes of animal and plant proteins in US adults Smit, E., F. J. Nieto, et al. (1999), Br J Nutr 82(3): 193-201. Abstract: Few studies have examined the association between specific sources of protein and blood lipids in a national sample of adults. We examined this relationship in a sample of adults 20 years and older who participated in phase 1 (1988-91) of the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a representative sample of the United States non-institutionalized population. After excluding those participants who reported having been told they had high blood cholesterol concentrations, the final sample size was 6228. Mean intakes of different sources of proteins, as a percentage of total protein, were compared in quartiles of blood lipids. Intakes were adjusted for age, sex and race. Additional adjustments were made for other dietary variables, recall day, BMI, smoking, and income. We observed a lower percentage meat, fish and poultry (MFP) protein intake, including a lower percentage of beef and pork protein, among persons in the lowest quartile of serum total cholesterol and apolipoprotein B (ApoB) concentrations than among persons in the higher quartiles. The percentage of plant protein intake was higher in the lowest quartile than in the highest quartile of serum cholesterol. We also observed a higher percentage of fruit protein intake with lower serum cholesterol and ApoB concentrations. We conclude that in this cross-sectional sample, consumption of MFP proteins was consistently higher among persons with higher cholesterol concentrations while consumption of plant proteins was consistently higher among persons with lower cholesterol concentrations. Our findings support the importance of assessing intake of specific protein sources, especially in studies that address dietary intake in relation to blood lipids. |
| Blood cholesterol and coronary heart disease: changing perspectives Temple, N. J. and A. R. Walker (1994), J R Soc Med 87(8): 450-3. Abstract: There has been much controversy concerning the value of efforts to reduce blood cholesterol levels. In this contribution, the risks and benefits of interventions are discussed. Lowering cholesterol level by drugs is not recommended except in a small minority of subjects at very high risk of coronary heart disease (CHD), since it causes an excess of non-CHD deaths. Dietary intervention, by contrast, is safe. However, for it to be effective it must be sufficiently vigorous to achieve a drop in blood cholesterol of at least 6%, though considerably more is preferable. This action should be part of a more general effort aimed at the prevention of all Western diseases based on changes in lifestyle. |
| Blood cholesterol and HDL cholesterol in cigarette smokers Pugalendi, K. V. and S. Ramakrishnan (1991), Indian J Physiol Pharmacol 35(2): 138-40. Abstract: 24 cigarette smokers were investigated for their blood cholesterol and HDL cholesterol. They had elevated total cholesterol compared to age and sex matched controls. 21 smokers out of 24 had significant decrease of HDL cholesterol. It is suggested that smoking, which is a major risk factor for coronary heart disease, might act through its effect on total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol. |
| Blood cholesterol and lipid-lowering effects of carrageenan on human volunteers Panlasigui, L. N., O. Q. Baello, et al. (2003), Asia Pac J Clin Nutr 12(2): 209-14. Abstract: Algal polysaccharides such as carrageenan are good sources of dietary fibre. Previous studies have shown that carrageenan has hypoglycemic effects, but its cholesterol and lipid-lowering effects have yet to be demonstrated. In this study, carrageenan was incorporated into 4 food items, then fed to 20 human volunteers to determine its effects on blood cholesterol and lipid levels. The study followed a randomized crossover design. Each phase of the study--control and experimental--lasted for 8 weeks separated by a 2-week washout. At control, the subjects consumed their usual food intake; at experimental, they were given test foods with carrageenan partly substituting similar items in their usual diet. Fasting venous blood samples were collected immediately before and after each phase to assay serum cholesterol and triglyceride. The mean serum cholesterol was significantly lower (P<0.0014) after the experimental phase at 3.64 mmol/L compared with the mean level after the control phase, 5.44 mmol/L. The mean triglyceride level after the experimental phase, 0.87 mmol/L, was significantly lower (P<0.0006) in comparison to the level after the control phase, 1.28 mmol/L. The mean HDL cholesterol level significantly increased (P<0.0071) after the experimental phase at 1.65 mmol/L compared to the mean value after the control phase, 1.25 mmol/L. No significant differences were observed between the LDL cholesterol levels after the experimental and the control phases. This study indicates that regular inclusion of carrageenan in the diet may result in reduced blood cholesterol and lipid levels in human subjects. |
| Blood cholesterol and mortality Richard, J. L., E. Bruckert, et al. (1992), Arch Mal Coeur Vaiss 85 Spec No 3: 11-9. Abstract: Mortality rates vary with serum cholesterol levels: the causal nature of this relationship is studied by prospective studies (analysis of associations) and unifactorial primary prevention trials (experimentation to determine causality). In prospective studies all cause mortality is often increased at low and high cholesterol levels because of the inverse relationships of this factor with cardiovascular mortality (positive) and non-cardiovascular mortality (negative). Coronary death increases proportionally to serum cholesterol levels in all populations, including those with low cholesterol levels, in both sexes and at all ages. The relationship with cerebrovascular mortality seems to depend on the clinical feature: increased mortality rate due to cerebral haemorrhage in patients with low serum cholesterol and a positive correlation with cerebral thrombosis. Mortality due to cancers is generally negatively correlated to serum cholesterol levels with a significant increase in mortality in patients with a low serum cholesterol. This relationship often becomes less significant as the time between measurement and death increases. Mortality due to violent causes is not usually related to serum cholesterol. The multitude of possible causes of confusion makes any causal interpretation of data illusory. Experimentation by unifactorial primary prevention trials is essential for any etiological research but none of the trials performed to date was designed to analyse the effect of lowering serum cholesterol on global or coronary mortality.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) |
| Blood cholesterol and MRI activity in first clinical episode suggestive of multiple sclerosis Giubilei, F., G. Antonini, et al. (2002), Acta Neurol Scand 106(2): 109-12. Abstract: OBJECTIVES: The present study was planned to investigate the relationship between the plasma lipid profile and disease activity in patients with a first clinical episode suggestive of multiple sclerosis (MS). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eighteen consecutive out-patients underwent a monthly brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), blood sample and neurological assessment over 6 months. Blood samples were used to evaluate total cholesterol and triglyceride levels as well as their lipoprotein fractions. Plasma total apolipoprotein E concentration was also determined. RESULTS: We found a significant correlation between the mean number of enhancing lesions and the mean plasma level of both total and low density lipoprotein cholesterol. The total plasma cholesterol level increased on average by 4.4 mg/dl for each enhancing lesion. CONCLUSION: Our preliminary data suggest a potential role of plasma cholesterol level as a biological marker of disease activity after a first demyelinating event. Further studies need, however, to be designed to determine whether the plasma cholesterol level is of practical use in monitoring the disease course. |