Cholesterol Journal Articles

Record 2121 to 2140

Cholesterol content in tumor tissues is inversely associated with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in serum in patients with gastrointestinal cancer
Dessi, S., B. Batetta, et al. (1994), Cancer 73(2): 253-8.
Abstract: BACKGROUND. The authors have previously demonstrated in different experimental models that sustained processes of cellular growth are characterized by alterations of cholesterol metabolism not only in the proliferating tissues but also in the plasma compartment. METHODS. To evaluate whether alterations of cholesterol metabolism similar to those observed in experimental models are also associated with human cancer, in the present study cholesterol distribution in tumor tissues and lipid composition in the plasma compartment were determined in patients with different types of gastrointestinal cancer. RESULTS. The results showed that tumor tissues contain increased amounts of cholesterol when compared with the corresponding normal tissues. Intracellular alterations of cholesterol were accompanied by specific changes of cholesterol in the plasma compartment: high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol was markedly reduced in the serum of patients with gastrointestinal cancer and the lipoprotein profiles showed a decrease in HDL3 fraction, the main HDL subfraction in human serum. The decrease of HDL cholesterol was negatively associated with the clinical stage of the disease. No changes in either total or low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were observed. CONCLUSIONS. A major function attributed to HDL is to maintain normal cell cholesterol homeostasis by removing excess of cholesterol from intracellular pools. Because the use and storage of cholesterol are increased within the tumor tissues during growth, it is possible to hypothesize that low HDL levels observed in patients with gastrointestinal cancer are associated with the increased cholesterol metabolism in proliferating tissues.

Cholesterol content of circulating immune complexes in patients with coronary stenosis and subjects without evidence of atherosclerosis
Lecomte, E., B. Herbeth, et al. (1995), Clin Chem 41(10): 1526-31.
Abstract: The biological variation factors for cholesterol in circulating immune complexes (CIC-cholesterol) were studied in 941 unselected supposedly healthy volunteers, ages 4 to 78 years. We found a complex effect of age, including the existence of two peaks of CIC-cholesterol, one in males between 11 and 14 years and in females between 11 and 30 years, and in both sexes another peak between 41 and 60 years, and in both sexes a decrease between 31 and 40 years. By use of multiple regression analysis and after adjustment for age, CIC-cholesterol was positively related to plasma cholesterol concentration and leukocyte count, values being lower in females than in males and among subjects taking anti-inflammatory drugs. In addition, CIC-cholesterol was measured in 76 coronary angiography patients and in 100 supposedly healthy controls, ages 30 to 77 years. We noticed a significant increase (P < or = 0.05) of CIC-cholesterol when patients were affected by coronary stenosis between 20% and 50% (71.8 +/- 52.5 mumol/L vs 46.2 +/- 45.9 mumol/L in controls), but this was less pronounced in those with > 50% of obstruction (58.9 +/- 54.3 mumol/L); however, serum total cholesterol was not modified or even surprisingly slightly decreased in the coronary angiography individuals. Nevertheless, an important overlap of values in controls and patients makes questionable the usefulness of this variable in clinical practice.

Cholesterol content of focal opacities and multilamellar bodies in the human lens: filipin cytochemistry and freeze fracture
VanMarle, J. and G. F. Vrensen (2000), Ophthalmic Res 32(6): 285-91.
Abstract: Adult human lenses with focal opacities were processed for normal as well as freeze fracture electron microscopy. Cholesterol was demonstrated using filipin cytochemistry. Filipin cytochemistry in combination with freeze fracture revealed that the amount of cholesterol in the normal fibre membranes was fully comparable with the amount of cholesterol in the deviating membranes of the focal opacities and the multilamellar bodies. As regards the cholesterol/phospholipid ratio, the deviating membranes have the same state of maturation as the surrounding normal lens fibre membranes, which implies that their synthesis is as highly coordinated as the synthesis of the normal lens fibre membranes.

Cholesterol content of Hungarian meat products
Horvath, E. (1994), Orv Hetil 135(38): 2087-9.

Cholesterol content of the rat lens is lowered by administration of simvastatin, but not by pravastatin
De Vries, A. C., M. A. Vermeer, et al. (1993), Exp Eye Res 56(4): 393-9.
Abstract: The influence of the 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors pravastatin and simvastatin on lens cholesterol metabolism was investigated in the rat. Short-term organ culture experiments with explanted lenses from 21-day-old Wistar rats showed that simvastatin was at least 35 times more effective than pravastatin in inhibiting cholesterol synthesis. In vivo the cholesterol content of the rat lens increased linearly with age. Experiments were designed to answer the question whether simvastatin and pravastatin inhibit lens cholesterol synthesis in vivo, which would result in a reduced cholesterol accumulation in the lens with age. Young Wistar rats were weaned at an age of 21 days and had ad libitum access to a chow supplemented with 10-100 mg vastatin kg-1 (drug consumption: 1.5-15 mg vastatin kg-1 body weight day-1, respectively) or no additions for 3 weeks. Both drugs induced the HMG-CoA reductase activity in rat liver microsomes (isolated after 1, 2 and 3 weeks of treatment) to a similar extent. This indicates that the two drugs inhibited hepatic cholesterol synthesis to a comparable extent. During the whole treatment period no significant differences between control and drug-treated animals could be observed when the wet weight and protein content of the lenses were considered. However, a striking difference between the control group and pravastatin group (50 mg drug kg-1 diet) on the one hand and the simvastatin group (50 mg drug kg-1 diet) on the other was observed when the cholesterol content of the lenses were compared as a function of age.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cholesterol content of trout plasma membranes varies with acclimation temperature
Robertson, J. C. and J. R. Hazel (1995), Am J Physiol 269(5 Pt 2): R1113-9.
Abstract: Involvement of cholesterol in thermally induced restructuring of biological membranes was investigated in several tissues of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Cholesterol-rich plasma membranes (PM) were isolated from erythrocytes, liver, kidney, and gill of fish acclimated to 5 and 20 degrees C. Mean PM cholesterol-to-phospholipid molar ratios (C/P) from warm-acclimated animals were significantly higher than those of cold-acclimated fish in liver (0.26 vs. 0.18; P < 0.01), kidney (0.49 vs. 0.40; P < 0.02), and gill (0.66 vs. 0.60; P < 0.05); erythrocyte C/P did not differ significantly with acclimation temperature (0.28 vs. 0.25; P = 0.25). In light of the ordering effects of cholesterol on fluid-phase membranes, these results are consistent with a role for cholesterol in the homeoviscous response of some poikilotherm PMs. Tissue differences in both PM cholesterol levels and the magnitude of thermally evoked cholesterol changes may reflect tissue-specific membrane functions. Lower PM C/P of trout tissues relative to corresponding data available for homeotherms also support a possible evolutionary relationship between cholesterol content and thermal adaptation of the PM.

Cholesterol control in stroke prevention in Italy: a cross-sectional study in family practice
Filippi, A., E. Tragni, et al. (2005), Eur J Cardiovasc Prev Rehabil 12(2): 159-63.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Stroke represents worldwide the second and seventh cause of death and invalidity, respectively. Patients with ischaemic stroke or transitory ischaemic attack (TIA) are at high risk of recurrence, therefore requiring intensive treatment. Hypercholesterolaemia is a modifiable risk factor for stroke. The general practitioners attitude towards detection and treatment of dyslipidaemia among patients with stroke or TIA in Italy is unknown; we therefore aimed to address this issue taking advantage of the database of The Italian College of General Practitioners. METHODS: Prevalence of the monitored factors (lipid levels, statin prescription, and lipid level control with hypolipidaemic agents prescription) were analysed on a patient population of 465 061. RESULTS: A total of 2555 (49% women and 51% men) patients with a diagnosis of stroke and 2755 patients (52% women and 48% men) with a diagnosis of TIA were included in the study. Total plasma cholesterol (TC) was reported in more than 60% of the patients and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLc) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLc) in less than half. Total plasma cholesterol and LDLc were controlled in 70.3 and 72.8% of the patients, respectively. The percentage of controlled patients decreased to 64% when both LDLc and TC were considered. Statins and fibrates were prescribed in a small proportion of patients (16.9 and 3.5%, respectively). An acceptable control of blood lipids was achieved in a majority of those patients (60.2%). However a relatively large number of patients (646) with high plasma lipids remained untreated. CONCLUSIONS: Monitoring and intervention strategies on plasma lipid levels in patients with a diagnosis of stroke or TIA need to be improved.

Cholesterol control: long-term benefit of pancreas-kidney transplantation with FK 506 immunosuppression
Burke, G. W., G. Ciancio, et al. (1998), Transplant Proc 30(2): 513-4.

Cholesterol controls the clustering of the glycophospholipid-anchored membrane receptor for 5-methyltetrahydrofolate
Rothberg, K. G., Y. S. Ying, et al. (1990), J Cell Biol 111(6 Pt 2): 2931-8.
Abstract: The folate receptor is a glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored membrane protein that mediates the delivery of 5-methyltetrahydrofolate to the cytoplasm of MA104 cells. Ordinarily the receptor is sequestered into numerous discrete clusters that are associated with an uncoated pit membrane specialization called a caveola. By using two different methodological approaches, we found that the maintenance of both receptor clusters and caveolae depends upon the presence of cholesterol in the membrane. These results suggest that cholesterol plays a critical role in maintaining the caveola membrane domain and modulates the interaction of GPI-anchored membrane proteins via their phospholipid anchors.

Cholesterol countdown
Hawkins, L. (1992), Occup Health (Lond) 44(10): 291, 293-4.

Cholesterol crusade continues
Freeman, W. E., Jr. (1990), Ohio Med 86(2): 91.

Cholesterol crystal appearance time of gallbladder bile in middle-aged women
Chijiiwa, K., K. Nakano, et al. (1993), J Clin Gastroenterol 16(3): 195-8.
Abstract: The aim of our study was to examine the hypothesis that the cholesterol nucleation time of gallbladder bile might be rapid in women in their fourth and fifth decades, which increases their risk of cholesterol gallstones. Fifty-four gallbladder bile samples were collected from gallstone-free patients and patients with cholesterol gallstones in a functioning gallbladder. We examined the relations of nucleation time to age and sex in each group. The nucleation time of gallbladder bile tended to be prolonged with age, but there was no correlation between nucleation time and age in each group. Cholesterol nucleation time was not significantly different between age-matched females and males in each group, nor was it faster in middle-aged females than in older females. Thus, nucleation time was not rapid in middle-aged females even in the gallstone-free group. These results indicate that cholesterol nucleation time is not significantly influenced by either sex or age, and cannot therefore account for the higher frequency of cholesterol gallstone disease in females in the fourth and fifth decades.

Cholesterol crystal arthropathy
Gur, H. and M. Ehrenfeld (1994), Harefuah 126(10): 602-4.

Cholesterol crystal binding of biliary immunoglobulin A: visualization by fluorescence light microscopy
Lammert, F., S. Sudfeld, et al. (2001), World J Gastroenterol 7(2): 198-202.
Abstract: AIM: To assess potential contributions of biliary IgA for crystal agglomeration into gallstones, we visualized cholesterol crystal binding of biliary IgA. METHODS: Crystal binding biliary proteins were extracted from human gallbladder bile using lectin affinity chromatography.Biliary IgA was isolated from the bound protein fraction by immunoaffinity chromatography. Pure cholesterol monohydrate crystals were incubated with biliary IgA and fluoresceine isothiocyanate (FITC)conjugated anti IgA at 37 degree. Samples were examined under polarizing and fluorescence light microscopy with digital image processing. RESULTS: Binding of biliary IgA to cholesterol monohydrate crystals could be visualized with FITC conjugated anti IgA antibodies.Peak fluorescence occurred at crystal edges and dislocations. Controls without biliary IgA or with biliary IgG showed no significant fluorescence. CONCLUSION: Fluorescence light microscopy provided evidence for cholesterol crystal binding of biliary IgA. Cholesterol crystal binding proteins like IgA might be important mediators of crystal agglomeration and growth of cholesterol gallstones by modifying the evolving crystal structures in vivo.

Cholesterol crystal emboli after fibrinolytic treatment
Dupin, N., O. Chosidow, et al. (1992), Ann Dermatol Venereol 119(11): 842-4.

Cholesterol crystal embolisation
van Jaarsveld, B. C., A. K. Bartelink, et al. (1991), Neth J Med 38(1-2): 86-92.

Cholesterol crystal embolism after anticoagulant treatment
Caux, F., O. Chosidow, et al. (1991), Presse Med 20(39): 1949-50.

Cholesterol crystal embolisms: an exciting search for "pearls"
Balestra, B., M. Reiner, et al. (1997), Schweiz Rundsch Med Prax 86(15): 615-8.
Abstract: This article is meant to increase the interest in an often forgotten clinical entity. Cholesterol emboli are in the majority of cases only diagnosed at post-mortem examination. Even though the triad livedo reticularis, renal failure and eosinophilia constitutes its most prominent feature, the variable clinical manifestations of this disorder with multiorgan involvement ("pseudovasculitis") make the search for cholesterol crystals particularly exciting. The discovery of 10 cases of cholesterol emboli over 2 years in a regional hospital's internal medicine department demonstrates that this occurrence is not rarely and that its accurate identification can be particularly relevant. It is important to recognize this disease since it is often iatrogenic, affects elderly people with atherosclerosis of the large vessels and causes high morbidity and mortality.

Cholesterol crystal embolization after intravenous thrombolysis by anistreplase for suspected myocardial infarction
Coppere, B., G. Granade, et al. (1992), Presse Med 21(42): 2061.

Cholesterol crystal embolization and the digestive system
Moolenaar, W. and C. B. Lamers (1991), Scand J Gastroenterol Suppl 188: 69-72.
Abstract: Atherosclerotic vascular disease can give rise to provoked or spontaneous cholesterol crystal embolization to organ systems. Lodging in downstream arterioles, these crystals can produce granuloma formation, infarction, ulceration, and perforation. Histologic sections of the tissue concerned invariably show pathognomonic empty needle-shaped clefts left by the crystals after processing of the material. In the digestive system these events can cascade to many and often misleading presentations. They can be the cause of massive bleeding, acute acalculous cholecystitis, pancreatitis, or teleangiectasis with chronic intractable blood loss. Owing to the progressive nature of the disease the treatment options described in this paper can only give temporary, but nevertheless often worthwhile relief.

Cholesterol Articles and Abstracts

Cholesterol Journal Articles