| For medical practitioners and the general public - Cholesterol Journal Article Catalog. |
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| Plant sterol-enriched margarines and reduction of plasma total- and LDL-cholesterol concentrations in normocholesterolaemic and mildly hypercholesterolaemic subjects Weststrate, J. A. and G. W. Meijer (1998), Eur J Clin Nutr 52(5): 334-43. Abstract: OBJECTIVES: To compare effects on plasma total-, LDL-, and HDL-cholesterol concentrations of margarines enriched with different vegetable oil sterols or sitostanol-ester. DESIGN: A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled balanced incomplete Latin square design with five treatments and four periods of 3.5 weeks. Margarines enriched with sterols from soybean, sheanut or ricebran oil or with sitostanol-ester were compared to a non-enriched control margarine. Sterol intake was between 1.5-3.3 g/d. Two thirds of the soybean oil sterols were esterified to fatty acids. SETTING: Unilever Research Laboratory, Vlaardingen, The Netherlands. SUBJECTS: One hundred healthy non-obese normocholesterolaemic and mildly hypercholesterolaemic volunteers aged 45+/-12.8 y, with plasma total cholesterol levels below 8 mmol/L at entry. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Plasma lipid, carotenoid and sterol concentrations, blood clinical chemistry and haematology, fatty acid composition of plasma cholesterylesters and food intake. RESULTS: Ninety-five volunteers completed the study. None of the margarines induced adverse changes in blood clinical chemistry, serum total bile acids or haematology. Plasma total- and LDL-cholesterol concentrations were significantly reduced by 8-13% (0.37-0.44 mmol/L) compared to control for margarines enriched in soybean oil sterol-esters or sitostanol-ester. No effect on HDL-cholesterol concentrations occurred. The LDL- to HDL-cholesterol ratio was reduced by 0.37 and 0.33 units for these margarines, respectively. Effects on blood lipids did not differ between normocholesterolaemic and mildly hypercholesterolaemic subjects. Plasma sitosterol and campesterol levels were significantly higher for the soybean oil sterol margarine and significantly lower for the sitostanol-ester margarine compared to control. Dietary intake was very similar across treatments. The fatty acid composition of plasma cholesterylesters confirmed the good compliance to the treatment. All sterol enriched margarines reduced lipid-standardized plasma alpha- plus beta-carotene levels. Plasma lycopene levels were also reduced but this effect was not significant for all products. CONCLUSIONS: A margarine with sterol-esters from soybean oil, mainly esters from sitosterol, campesterol and stigmasterol, is as effective as a margarine with sitostanol-ester in lowering blood total- and LDL-cholesterol levels without affecting HDL-cholesterol concentrations. Incorporation in edible fat containing products of such substances may substantially reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease in the population. |
| Plant sterol-enriched spread enhances the cholesterol-lowering potential of a fat-reduced diet Cleghorn, C. L., C. M. Skeaff, et al. (2003), Eur J Clin Nutr 57(1): 170-6. Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of a plant sterol-enriched spread on plasma cholesterol concentrations when replacing butter or a standard polyunsaturated spread in a diet containing 30% of energy fat. DESIGN: Parallel butter phase followed by double-blind, randomized, cross-over polyunsaturated spread phases. SETTING: General community. SUBJECTS: Volunteer sample of 50 free-living men and women with mean age (s.d.) 46.7 y (10.5), moderately elevated plasma total cholesterol 5.95 mmol/l (0.78), and body mass index 26.0 (3.9) kg/m(2). INTERVENTION: Participants ate a moderately low-fat diet (30% of energy) for the 11-week intervention. During the first 3 weeks the diet included 20 g per day of butter. Participants were then randomized to replace the butter with 25 g of polyunsaturated spread with or without 2 g of plant sterols for 4 weeks, crossing over in the last 4 weeks to the alternate spread. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Plasma cholesterol and fatty acids. RESULTS: Replacing butter with a standard polyunsaturated fat spread reduced mean plasma total cholesterol concentrations by 4.6% (from 6.09 (0.82) to 5.81 (0.77) mmol/l, P<0.01) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol by 5.5% (from 3.98 (0.76) to 3.76 (0.74) mmol/l, P<0.05). Replacing butter with a polyunsaturated spread containing plant sterols reduced plasma total cholesterol by 8.9% (from 6.09 (0.82) to 5.55 (0.76) mmol/l, P<0.01) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol by 12.3% (from 3.98 (0.76) to 3.49 (0.72) mmol/l, P<0.01). Plasma high density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration was the same on the three diets. CONCLUSION: In people with moderately raised plasma cholesterol concentrations consuming reduced-fat diets the reduction in plasma total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations achieved by replacing butter with a polyunsaturated spread is enhanced by addition of plant sterols. |
| Plant sterol-fortified orange juice effectively lowers cholesterol levels in mildly hypercholesterolemic healthy individuals Devaraj, S., I. Jialal, et al. (2004), Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 24(3): e25-8. Abstract: OBJECTIVE: Hypercholesterolemia is a major risk factor for coronary artery disease. Therapeutic lifestyle changes include dietary modifications such as inclusion of phytosterols, which effectively lowers low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in margarines and other fats. Their effectiveness in nonfat moieties is not yet established. The aim of this study was to examine if phytosterols alter the plasma lipoprotein profile when incorporated into nonfat orange juice. METHODS AND RESULTS: After a 2-week run-in phase with orange juice, 72 mildly hypercholesterolemic healthy subjects were randomized to receive either placebo orange juice (placebo OJ) or plant sterol-fortified orange juice (sterol OJ) (2g/d) for 8 weeks. Fasting blood was obtained at baseline, after 2 weeks of OJ, and after 8 weeks of placebo/sterol-OJ supplementation. Sterol OJ supplementation significantly decreased total (7.2%), LDL (12.4%), and non-high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (7.8%) compared with baseline and compared with placebo OJ (P<0.01). Apolipoprotein B levels were significantly decreased (9.5%) with sterol OJ. There were no significant changes in HDL cholesterol or triglycerides with the sterol OJ. While folate and B12 levels significantly increased, homocysteine levels were unchanged. CONCLUSIONS: Orange juice fortified with plant sterols are effective in reducing LDL cholesterol and could easily be incorporated into the therapeutic lifestyle changes dietary regimen. |
| Plant sterols are efficacious in lowering plasma LDL and non-HDL cholesterol in hypercholesterolemic type 2 diabetic and nondiabetic persons Lau, V. W., M. Journoud, et al. (2005), Am J Clin Nutr 81(6): 1351-8. Abstract: BACKGROUND: Because of hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia, diabetic persons have higher cholesterol synthesis and lower cholesterol absorption rates than do nondiabetic persons. Differences in plant sterol efficacy between diabetic and nondiabetic persons have not been examined. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to compare the degree of response of plasma lipid concentrations and glycemic control to plant sterol consumption in a controlled diet between hypercholesterolemic type 2 diabetic and nondiabetic subjects. DESIGN: Fifteen nondiabetic subjects and 14 diabetic subjects participated in a double-blinded, randomized, crossover, placebo-controlled feeding trial. The diet included 1.8 g/d of either plant sterols or cornstarch placebo over 21 d, separated by a 28-d washout period. RESULTS: Plant sterol consumption significantly reduced (P < 0.05) LDL-cholesterol concentrations from baseline in both nondiabetic and diabetic subjects by 15.1% and 26.8%, respectively. The diabetic subjects had significantly (P < 0.05) lower absolute concentrations of total cholesterol after treatment than did the nondiabetic subjects; however, there was no significant difference in the percentage change from the beginning to the end of the trial. There was also a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in absolute non-HDL-cholesterol concentrations after treatment in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that plant sterols are efficacious in lowering LDL cholesterol and non-HDL cholesterol in both diabetic and nondiabetic persons. Plant sterol consumption may exist as a dietary management strategy for hypercholesterolemia in persons with type 2 diabetes. |
| Plant sterols lower LDL cholesterol without improving endothelial function in prepubertal children with familial hypercholesterolaemia de Jongh, S., M. N. Vissers, et al. (2003), J Inherit Metab Dis 26(4): 343-51. Abstract: In adults with familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH), cholesterol lowering with statins has been shown to improve the endothelial function, a hallmark of early atherogenesis. Currently, therapeutic options for treating high cholesterol levels in FH children are limited. Plant sterols safely and effectively reduce serum cholesterol concentrations by inhibiting cholesterol absorption. Therefore, we evaluated the effect of plant sterols on cholesterol and vascular function in prepubertal children with FH. We included 41 children (5-12 years old) with FH in a double-blind crossover trial using spreads containing 2.3 g of plant sterols (mainly sitosterol and campesterol) per 15 g spread and a placebo spread for a 4-week period, separated by a 6-week washout period. Lipid levels and endothelial function were assessed after both 4-week treatment periods. Endothelial function was assessed as flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial artery using a wall tracking system. Data were compared to those of 20 healthy controls. Intake of 2.3 g plant sterols per day decreased total cholesterol (-11%) and low-density cholesterol (-14%) as compared to placebo spread in FH children. FH children treated with placebo spread were characterized by an impaired FMD compared to healthy control children (7.2% +/- 3.4% versus 10.1% +/- 4.2%, p < 0.005). However, the reduction of LDL in FH children did not improve FMD (placebo: 7.2% +/- 3.4% versus plant sterols: 7.7% +/- 4.1%). In conclusion, the present study shows a clear reduction of LDL cholesterol by plant sterol treatment. However, short-term plant sterol treatment does not improve the endothelial function in FH children. |
| Plaque cholesterol and calcium: the value of EBCT in the detection of coronary atherosclerosis Cham, B. E. (2001), Eur J Clin Invest 31(6): 467-8. |
| Plasma activities of lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase, lipid transfer proteins and post-heparin lipases in inbred strains of rabbits hypo- or hyper-responsive to dietary cholesterol Meijer, G. W., P. N. Demacker, et al. (1993), Biochem J 293 (Pt 3): 729-34. Abstract: Plasma lipoproteins, plasma activities of lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT), phospholipid transfer protein (PLTP), cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) and post-heparin lipases were measured before and after cholesterol challenge in two inbred strains of rabbits with either a high (hyper-responders) or a low (hyporesponders) response of plasma cholesterol to dietary cholesterol. The purpose of this study was to provide clues about the mechanisms underlying the effect of dietary cholesterol on lipoprotein levels and composition, and particularly those underlying the strain difference of this effect. Cholesterol feeding (0.15 g of cholesterol/100 g of diet) caused increased plasma total cholesterol concentrations and an increased ratio of cholesteryl esters:triacylglycerol in all lipoprotein particles in both strains; these effects were significantly greater in hyper- than hypo-responsive rabbits. Feeding on the high-cholesterol diet lowered plasma triacylglycerols in hyper-responders, but caused increased plasma triacylglycerol levels in hyporesponders. This was accompanied by significantly greater increases in the activities of hepatic triacylglycerol lipase and lipoprotein lipase in hyper- than in hypo-responders. Both strains showed a dietary-cholesterol-induced rise in plasma CETP as well as in PLTP activity. The increase in PLTP activity was greater in the hyper-responders, but that of CETP was less. There was no effect of dietary cholesterol on LCAT activity. It is hypothesized that the lipases are involved in the removal of cholesterol-rich lipoproteins. |
| Plasma amino acids and cholesterol following consumption of dietary casein or soy protein in minipigs Hagemeister, H., K. E. Scholz-Ahrens, et al. (1990), J Nutr 120(11): 1305-11. Abstract: Numerous investigators have claimed that protein-induced differences in plasma cholesterol are mediated by differences in amino acid composition. We have explored whether the venous postprandial amino acid profile reflects differences in the amino acid composition of the protein consumed. Six adult Gottingen miniature pigs were fed a semisynthetic diet based on either casein or soy protein isolate. Frequent blood sampling was performed over a whole day after consumption of each diet for 6 wk. Postprandial plasma amino acid concentrations reached their maxima within the first 3 h. A group of eight protein amino acids (Met, Arg, Tyr, Val, Trp, Leu, Lys and Cys) exhibited the most marked and significant protein-dependent differences during this early postprandial phase, whereas Thr and His showed less marked differences. With one exception (Ser) all protein amino acids exhibited venous plasma concentration changes in qualitative accordance with their content in the dietary protein consumed. In quantitative terms, however, venous plasma amino acid changes were less marked than expected from the amino acid composition of the dietary proteins. We conclude that neither the considerable number of amino acids showing differences as reported herein nor the multitude of contradictory reported by others concerning single amino acids affecting serum cholesterol favor the hypothesis that one or several amino acid(s) cause protein-induced hypercholesterolemia. |
| Plasma and hepatic cholesterol and hepatic activities of 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-CoA reductase and acyl CoA: cholesterol transferase are lower in rats fed citrus peel extract or a mixture of citrus bioflavonoids Bok, S. H., S. H. Lee, et al. (1999), J Nutr 129(6): 1182-5. Abstract: The cholesterol-lowering effects of tangerine peel extract and a mixture of two citrus flavonoids were tested. Male rats were fed a 1 g/100 g high-cholesterol diet for 42 d with supplements of either tangerine-peel extract or a mixture of naringin and hesperidin (0.5 g/100 g) to study the effects of plasma and hepatic lipids, hepatic enzyme activities, and the excretion of fecal neutral sterols. Both the tangerine-peel extract and mixture of two flavonoids significantly lowered the levels (mean +/- SE) of plasma (2.44 +/- 0. 59 and 2.42 +/- 0.31 mmol/L, vs. 3.80 +/- 0.28 mmol/L, P < 0.05), hepatic cholesterol (0.143 +/- 0.017 and 0.131 +/- 0.010 mmol/g vs. 0.181 +/- 0.003 mmol/g, P < 0.05), and hepatic triglycerides (0.069 +/- 0.007 and 0.075 +/- 0.006 mmol/g vs. 0.095 +/- 0.002 mmol/g, P < 0.05) compared to those of the control. The 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA) reductase (1565.0 +/- 106. 0 pmol. min-1. mg protein-1 and 1783.0 +/- 282 pmol. min-1. mg protein-1 vs. 2487.0 +/- 210.0 pmol. min-1. mg protein-1, P < 0.05) and acyl CoA: cholesterol O-acyltransferase (ACAT) activities (548.0 +/- 65.0 and 615.0 +/- 80.0 pmol. min-1. mg protein-1 vs. 806.0 +/- 105.0 pmol. min-1. mg protein-1, P < 0.05) were significantly lower in the experimental groups than in the control. These supplements also substantially reduced the excretion of fecal neutral sterols compared to the control (211.1 +/- 26.7 and 208.2 +/- 31.6 mg/d vs. 521.9 +/- 53.9 mg/d). The inhibition of HMG-CoA reductase and ACAT activities resulting from the supplementation of either tangerine-peel extract or a combination of its bioflavonoids could account for the decrease in fecal neutral sterol that appears to compensate for the decreased cholesterol biosynthesis in the liver. |
| Plasma and hepatic cholesterol levels and fecal neutral sterol excretion are altered in hamsters fed straw mushroom diets Cheung, P. C. (1998), J Nutr 128(9): 1512-6. Abstract: The effect of the fruiting body and mycelium of Volvariella volvacea (straw mushroom) on the concentrations of plasma lipids, liver cholesterol, fecal neutral sterol and bile acid excretions was investigated in male Golden Syrian hamsters. The hamsters were fed a purified hypercholesterolemic diet (0.1% cholesterol, 10% fat) for 4 wk to elevate plasma lipid concentrations. Twelve hamsters with elevated plasma total cholesterol were randomly assigned to each treatment group: control (5% cellulose), mushroom fruiting body (5%) and mushroom mycelium (5%). After 4 wk of mushroom diet consumption, the plasma total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and combined VLDL + LDL cholesterol concentrations (mmol/L) were significantly lower than control in the group fed the fruiting body-diet (40, 38 and 43%, respectively) (P < 0.05). The liver cholesterol levels were significantly lower in both the mushroom fruiting body- and the mycelium-fed groups (28 and 21% in terms of concentration; 39 and 30% in terms of total content, respectively) (P < 0.05) than that in the control group. Fecal neutral sterol excretion in the mushroom fruiting body- and mycelium-fed groups was significantly higher (81 and 74%, respectively) (P < 0.05) than that in the control group. Although no significant differences (P > 0.05) in the excretion of fecal bile acids were observed among groups fed the mushroom diets and the control diet, the mushroom fruiting body diet-fed hamsters apparently had less bacterial degradation of cholic acid as indicated by a significantly greater proportion (P < 0.05) of fecal cholic acid than in controls. They also had a significantly lower proportion of fecal deoxycholic acid (P < 0.05). This study suggests that the fruiting body of the straw mushroom lowers elevated plasma cholesterol in hypercholesterolemic hamsters, whereas the mycelium does not. |
| Plasma and yolk cholesterol levels in Japanese quail divergently selected for plasma cholesterol response to adrenocorticotropin Marks, H. L. and K. W. Washburn (1991), Poult Sci 70(3): 429-33. Abstract: Studies were conducted to determine the effect of divergent selection for plasma cholesterol response to adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) on the levels and relationships between plasma and yolk cholesterol in Japanese quail. Cholesterol data were obtained in Generation 25, following seven generations of relaxed selection, from birds maintained under a normal environment with no exposure to exogenous ACTH. Levels of plasma and yolk cholesterol were determined at 22 and 28 wk. Plasma cholesterol levels of quail in the low cholesterol line were significantly (P less than.01) lower than levels in the high line at both ages (224 versus 383 and 209 versus 326 mg/100 mL, respectively). In contrast, yolk cholesterol levels were significantly (P less than.01) higher in the low line than in the high line (24.1 versus 21.5 and 21.1 versus 16.9 mg cholesterol/g yolk at 22 and 28 wk, respectively). A significant line by sex interaction was present at both ages for plasma cholesterol with females having higher cholesterol values than males in the low line and males having higher values than females in the high line. A negative relationship was observed between changes in plasma and yolk cholesterol in the selected lines. Greater deposition of cholesterol in the yolk of the line with lower plasma cholesterol indicates that excretion rate may play a role in explaining genetic differences in plasma cholesterol. |
| Plasma apolipoprotein L concentrations correlate with plasma triglycerides and cholesterol levels in normolipidemic, hyperlipidemic, and diabetic subjects Duchateau, P. N., I. Movsesyan, et al. (2000), J Lipid Res 41(8): 1231-6. Abstract: Apolipoprotein L is a newly recognized component of human plasma lipoproteins. Mainly associated with apoA-I-containing lipoproteins, it is a marker of distinct HDL subpopulations. In an effort to gain inference as to its as yet unknown function, we studied biological determinants of apoL levels in human plasma. The distribution of apoL in normal subjects is asymmetric, with marked skewing toward higher values. No difference was found in apoL concentrations between males and females, but we observed an elevation of apoL in primary hypercholesterolemia (10.1 vs. 8.5 microgram/mL in control), in endogenous hypertriglyceridemia (13.8 microgram/mL, P < 0.001), combined hyperlipidemia phenotype (18.7 g/mL, P < 0.0001), and in patients with type II diabetes (16.2 microgram/mL, P < 0.02) who were hyperlipidemic. Significant positive correlations were observed between apoL and the log of plasma triglycerides in normolipidemia (0.446, P < 0.0001), endogenous hypertriglyceridemia (0.435, P < 0.01), primary hypercholesterolemia (0.66, P < 0.02), combined hyperlipidemia (0.396, P < 0.04), hypo-alphalipoproteinemia (0.701, P < 0.005), and type II diabetes with hyperlipidemia (0.602, P < 0. 01). Apolipoprotein L levels were also correlated with total cholesterol in normolipidemia (0.257, P < 0.004), endogenous hypertriglyceridemia (0.446, P = 0.001), and non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) (0.548, P < 0.02). No significant correlation was found between apoL and body mass index, age, sex, HDL-cholesterol or fasting glucose and glycohemoglobin levels. ApoL levels in plasma of patients with primary cholesteryl ester transfer protein deficiency significantly increased (7.1 +/- 0.5 vs. 5.47 +/- 0.27, P < 0.006). |
| Plasma apolipoprotein(b) to LDL cholesterol ratio as a marker of small, dense LDL Griffin, B. A., N. Furlonger, et al. (2000), Ann Clin Biochem 37 (Pt 4): 537-9. |
| Plasma cholecystokinin and hepatic enzymes, cholesterol and lipoproteins in ammonium perfluorooctanoate production workers Olsen, G. W., J. M. Burris, et al. (2000), Drug Chem Toxicol 23(4): 603-20. Abstract: Ammonium perfluorooctanoate is a potent synthetic surfactant used in industrial applications. It rapidly dissociates in biologic media to perfluorooctanoate CF3(CF2)6CO2-, which is the anion of perfluorooctanoic acid PFOA, CF3(CF2)6COOH. PFOA is a peroxisome proliferator known to increase the incidence of hepatic, pancreas and Leydig cell adenomas in rats. The pancreas acinar cell adenomas may be the consequence of a mild but sustained increase of cholecystokinin as a result of hepatic cholestasis. Although no significant clinical hepatic toxicity was observed, PFOA was reported to have modulated hepatic responses to obesity and alcohol consumption among production workers. To further assess these hypotheses, we examined medical surveillance data of male workers involved in ammonium perfluorooctanoate production in 1993 (n=111), 1995 (n=80) and 1997 (n=74). Serum PFOA was measured by high-performance liquid chromatography mass spectrometry methods. Plasma cholecystokinin was measured (only in 1997) by the use of direct radioimmunoassay. Serum biochemical tests included hepatic enzymes, cholesterol and lipoproteins. Serum PFOA levels, by year, were: 1993 (mean 5.0 ppm, SD 12.2, median 1.1 ppm, range 0.0-80.0 ppm); 1995 (mean 6.8 ppm, SD 16.0, median 1.2 ppm, range 0.0-114.1 ppm); and 1997 (mean 6.4 ppm, SD 14.3, median 1.3 ppm, range 0.1-81.3 ppm). Cholecystokinin values (mean 28.5 pg/ml, SD 17.1, median 22.7 pg/ml, range 8.8-86.7 pg/ml) approximated the assay's reference range (up to 80 pg/ml) for a 12 hour fast and were negatively, not positively, associated with employees' serum PFOA levels. Our findings continue to suggest there is no significant clinical hepatic toxicity associated with PFOA levels as measured in this workforce. Unlike a previously reported observation, PFOA did not appear to modulate hepatic responses to either obesity or alcohol consumption. Limitations of these findings include: 1) the cross-sectional design as only 17 subjects were common for the three surveillance years; 2) the voluntary participation that ranged between 50 and 70 percent; and 3) the few subjects with serum levels > or = 10 ppm. |
| Plasma cholesterol and depressive symptoms in older men Morgan, R. E., L. A. Palinkas, et al. (1993), Lancet 341(8837): 75-9. Abstract: In several clinical trials of interventions designed to lower plasma cholesterol, reductions in coronary heart disease mortality have been offset by an unexplained rise in suicides and other violent deaths. We have tried to find out whether depressive illness is related to low plasma cholesterol concentrations in men of 50 years and older. In 1985-87, Beck depression inventories were obtained from 1020 white men, aged 50-89 years, in the Rancho Bernardo, California, cohort. Disease history and behaviours were assessed by standard questionnaires. Plasma cholesterol and weight were measured at this time, as they had been in 1972-74. Among men aged 70 years and older, categorically defined depression was three times more common in the group with low plasma cholesterol (< 4.14 mmol/L) than in those with higher concentrations (5/31 16% vs 22/363 6%; p = 0.033). Depressive symptom scores correlated significantly and inversely with plasma cholesterol concentrations, even after adjustment for age, health status, number of chronic illnesses, number of medications, and exercise, as well as measured weight loss and change in plasma cholesterol in the previous 13 years. Our finding that low plasma cholesterol is associated with depressive symptoms in elderly men is compatible with observations that a very low total cholesterol may be related to suicide and violent death. Since cholesterol lowering in the general population is widely recommended, this observation warrants further investigation. |
| Plasma cholesterol and endogenous cholesterol synthesis during refeeding in anorexia nervosa Feillet, F., C. Feillet-Coudray, et al. (2000), Clin Chim Acta 294(1-2): 45-56. Abstract: Normal or high levels of cholesterol have been measured in patients with anorexia nervosa (AN). Given that cholesterol intake in AN is usually very low, the reasons for this anomaly are not clearly understood. We studied lipid and lipoprotein profiles and endogenous cholesterol synthesis, estimated by serum lathosterol, in a population of 14 girls with AN, before and during a period of 30 days refeeding. The initial body mass index (BMI) of the patients was 13.41+/-1.62 kg/m(2). No changes were observed during refeeding in endocrine parameters (ACTH, cortisol and estradiol). At Day 0 the lipids data measured here showed normal levels of triglycerides, and total cholesterol at the upper limits of the normal range (5.44+/-1 mmol/l). At this time, total and LDL cholesterol were negatively correlated with transthyretin and BMI. Serum lathosterol (a precursor in cholesterol synthesis pathway) increased significantly (5.99+/-1.75 (Day 0) vs. 8.39+/-2.96 (Day 30); P=0.02) while there was a significant decrease in apo B (0.79+/-0.33 (Day 0) vs. 0. 60+/-0.17 g/l (Day 30), P=0.02) with refeeding. Thus, patients with initial high cholesterol levels have the worst nutritional status and high cholesterol levels are not related to a de novo synthesis. This profile returns to normal with refeeding. An increase of cellular cholesterol uptake may be responsible for this apparently paradoxical evolution with increase of cholesterol synthesis and decrease of apo B during renutrition. |
| Plasma cholesterol and lathosterol levels in term infants in the early neonatal period Hamilton, J. J., A. Synnes, et al. (1992), Pediatr Res 31(4 Pt 1): 396-400. Abstract: Plasma cholesterol concentrations increase after birth. Whether this is due to increased cholesterol synthesis has not been reported. Additionally, it is not known if formulas, which lack cholesterol, result in higher rates of cholesterol synthesis than feeding breast milk. To address this, plasma lathosterol (quantitated by gas chromatography), a potential indicator of cholesterol synthesis, was measured in term infants at birth (cord) and 4 d of age fed either formula or breast milk (n = 6 each), normal adults (n = 6) at the expected nadir and peak of the diurnal rhythm (1700 h and 0830 h), and cholestyramine-treated hypercholesterolemic adults (n = 6). Plasma cholesterol and apo B increased, and apo AI (measured by immunoprecipitation) did not change over the first 4 d of life. The increase in plasma cholesterol was greater in the formula-fed infants compared with breast-fed infants. The plasma lathosterol concentrations (mumol/L) and the lathosterol:cholesterol ratios (10(2) x mmol lathosterol/mol cholesterol) decreased from birth to 4 d of age by 12 and 36%, respectively, in the breast-fed infants and by 20 and 46%, respectively, in formula-fed infants. The infant plasma lathosterol concentrations, however, were not different from normal adult levels 1700 h: 5.50 +/- 1.52 (SD); 0830 h: 6.18 +/- 1.80, but were lower than those of cholestyramine-treated adults (20.48 +/- 13.41). Sterol ratios of infants were higher than those of normal adults (1700 h: 112.5 +/- 26.0; 0830 h: 129.4 +/- 42.2), but not different from those of cholestyramine-treated adults (322.9 +/- 168.4).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) |
| Plasma cholesterol and lipoprotein levels during fetal development and infancy Carlson, S. E. (1991), Ann N Y Acad Sci 623: 81-9. Abstract: Intrauterine changes in plasma cholesterol and lipoprotein concentrations have been linked to the development of the adrenal gland (utilization of cholesterol) and liver (production of cholesterol by new synthesis). At term birth, racial and gender differences have been observed with white compared to black, and female compared to male, infants having higher cholesterol concentrations. Within hours of the beginning of oral feeding, total and LDL cholesterol rise significantly. Little further increase occurs after 7 days, and the concentration seen after this time is highly dependent upon the cholesterol and polyunsaturated fat content of the diet. By 12 months of age, investigators cease to find any effect of the milk source fed earlier in infancy on cholesterol and lipoproteins. This is not evidence that diet no longer influences cholesterol and lipoprotein concentrations, but only that individual lipid intakes are varied and difficult to quantitate. Cross-cultural comparisons of infants at this age in fact provide strong suggestive evidence that a large environmental component determines the circulating cholesterol and lipoprotein concentrations seen at one year and beyond. |
| Plasma cholesterol and other cardiac risk factors in adolescent girls Bermingham, M. A., E. Jones, et al. (1995), Arch Dis Child 73(5): 392-7. Abstract: The aim was to examine the effects of smoking, physical activity, and body mass on total cholesterol and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) in adolescent schoolgirls in Sydney, Australia. Body mass index (BMI) and waist to hip ratio (WHR) were determined in 144 girls aged 15 to 18 years. Total cholesterol (TC) and HDL-C were estimated on fingerprick blood and behavioural variables assessed by questionnaire. Prevalence of overweight (> 90th centile for BMI) was less in Australian adolescents than reported from the USA. Smokers had lower total cholesterol than non-smokers; this was partly explained by a lower HDL-C in the smokers. Physical activity was associated with a less atherogenic TC/HDL-C ratio. Girls with BMI > 90th centile had higher mean TC/HDL-C and apoprotein B than the group as a whole but those > 90th centile for WHR did not. |
| Plasma cholesterol and triglycerides in heroin addicts Maccari, S., C. Bassi, et al. (1991), Drug Alcohol Depend 29(2): 183-7. Abstract: We examined total cholesterolemia, triglyceridemia, high density lipoproteins- (HDL) cholesterolemia, apolipoproteins A1 and B, body mass index, albuminemia and alanine aminotransferase in 60 heroin addicts. After comparing 23 control subjects with the heroin addicts the result was that the latter have significantly lower mean values of total cholesterolemia and of HDL-cholesterolemia and higher values of triglyceridemia. They also have significantly higher prevalences of cases of hypocholesterolemia and of hypo-HDL-cholesterolemia. Within the addict group there is no linear correlation between total cholesterolemia and body mass index; there is, however, an inverse linear correlation between total cholesterolemia and alanine aminotransferase. Therefore, the alterations found in the lipid pattern of heroin addicts are not due to malnutrition but hypothetically to liver diseases which are frequent in these patients. |