Cholesterol Journal Articles

Record 10261 to 10280

Progesterone-receptor antagonists and statins decrease de novo cholesterol synthesis and increase apoptosis in rat and human periovulatory granulosa cells in vitro
Rung, E., P. A. Friberg, et al. (2005), Biol Reprod 72(3): 538-45.
Abstract: Progesterone-receptor (PR) stimulation promotes survival in rat and human periovulatory granulosa cells. To investigate the mechanisms involved, periovulatory rat granulosa cells were incubated in vitro with or without the PR-antagonist Org 31710. Org 31710 caused the expected increase in apoptosis, and expression profiling using cDNA microarray analysis revealed regulation of several groups of genes with functional and/or metabolic connections. This regulation included decreased expression of genes involved in follicular rupture, increased stress responses, decreased angiogenesis, and decreased cholesterol synthesis. A decreased cholesterol synthesis was verified in experiments with both rat and human periovulatory granulosa cells treated with the PR-antagonists Org 31710 or RU 486 by measuring incorporation of 14Cacetate into cholesterol, cholesterol ester, and progesterone. Correspondingly, specific inhibition of cholesterol synthesis in periovulatory rat granulosa cells using 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (lovastatin, mevastatin, or simvastatin) increased apoptosis, measured as DNA fragmentation and caspase-3/7 activity. The increase in apoptosis caused by simvastatin was reversed by addition of the cholesterol synthesis-intermediary mevalonic acid. These results show that PR antagonists reduce cholesterol synthesis in periovulatory granulosa cells and that cholesterol synthesis is important for granulosa cell survival.

Progestins block cholesterol synthesis to produce meiosis-activating sterols
Lindenthal, B., A. L. Holleran, et al. (2001), Faseb J 15(3): 775-84.
Abstract: The resumption of meiosis is regulated by meiosis-preventing and meiosis-activating substances in testes and ovaries. Certain C29 precursors of cholesterol are present at elevated levels in gonadal tissue, but the mechanism by which these meiosis-activating sterols (MAS) accumulate has remained an unresolved question. Here we report that progestins alter cholesterol synthesis in HepG2 cells and rat testes to increase levels of major MAS (FF-MAS and T-MAS). These C29 sterols accumulated as a result of inhibition of Delta24-reduction and 4alpha-demethylation. Progesterone, pregnenolone, and 17alpha-OH-pregnenolone were potent inhibitors of Delta24-reduction in an in vitro cell assay and led to the accumulation of desmosterol, a Delta5,24 sterol precursor of cholesterol. A markedly different effect was observed for 17alpha-OH-progesterone, which caused the accumulation of sterols associated with inhibition of 4alpha-demethylation. The flux of 13C-acetate into lathosterol and cholesterol was decreased by progestins as measured by isotopomer spectral analysis, whereas newly synthesized MAS accumulated. The combined evidence that MAS concentrations can be regulated by physiological levels of progestins and their specific combination provides a plausible explanation for the elevated concentration of MAS in gonads and suggests a new role for progestins in fertility.

Progestogens do not affect aortic accumulation of cholesterol in ovariectomized cholesterol-fed rabbits
Haarbo, J., O. L. Svendsen, et al. (1992), Circ Res 70(6): 1198-202.
Abstract: Cardiovascular disease is a major killer in postmenopausal women in the industrialized societies. To investigate the effect of progestogen and 17 beta-estradiol replacement therapy on atherogenesis, we studied 60 cholesterol-fed ovariectomized rabbits for 13 weeks. They were randomly assigned to four groups of 15 rabbits each and received oral treatment with norethisterone acetate, levonorgestrel, 17 beta-estradiol, or placebo. The active treatment groups achieved serum hormone concentrations, which produced physiological effects on the uterus. No significant differences in serum total cholesterol or ultracentrifuged lipoproteins (very low density, intermediate density, low density, or high density lipoproteins) were found between the four groups during the experimental period. There were no significant differences between the progestogen and placebo groups in the aortic accumulation of cholesterol. The estradiol group had only accumulated about half the aortic cholesterol as compared with the placebo group and the progestogen groups (p less than 0.05). The antiatherogenic effect of 17 beta-estradiol was estimated to be equal to a 40-50% reduction in serum total cholesterol. These findings suggest that two commonly prescribed 19-nortestosterone-derived progestogens, which are considered to be "atherogenic," do not affect atherogenesis in cholesterol-fed ovariectomized rabbits, whereas 17 beta-estradiol produces a significant antiatherogenic effect that is independent of lipid metabolism in plasma, possibly the result of a direct action on the arterial wall.

Prognostic and therapeutic significance of low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol: current perspectives
Gotto, A. M., Jr. (1999), Arch Intern Med 159(10): 1038-40.

Prognostic relevance of lipoprotein cholesterol levels in acute lymphocytic and nonlymphocytic leukemia
Baroni, S., D. Scribano, et al. (1996), Acta Haematol 96(1): 24-8.
Abstract: We studied serum lipid and lipoprotein changes before and after induction treatment in 25 acute nonlymphocytic leukemia (ANLL) and in 18 acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) patients in order to investigate their relationship with disease activity and their prognostic relevance. ANLL at diagnosis is associated with significantly low levels of all lipid parameters, the same applies to ALL patients apart from plasma triglycerides and very-low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C) which are significantly higher than in the normal population. In ANLL responders, after effective chemotherapy, a significant increase of total cholesterol, low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and apolipoprotein B levels, without changes of high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) values, is observed. A further decrease of total cholesterol and LDL-C was found in nonresponders and in ANLL responders treated with granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), known for its cholesterol-lowering action; in fact after the completion of GM-CSF therapy, these parameters returned progressively toward normal values. In ALL responders an increase of total cholesterol, HDL-C and apolipoprotein A1 with a simultaneous decrease of triglycerides and VLDL-C is evident; no variation was found in the nonresponder group. These results suggest a close correlation between serum lipids and acute leukemia: total cholesterol and LDL-C in ANLL, and HDL-C and VLDL-C in ALL may be considered reliable markers of complete remission and may be useful in the follow-up of leukemic patients.

Prognostic significance of low serum cholesterol after cardiothoracic surgery
Stachon, A., A. Boning, et al. (2000), Clin Chem 46(8 Pt 1): 1114-20.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: The precise prognostic significance of critically low cholesterol concentrations in patients undergoing cardiothoracic surgery is unknown. METHODS: In a retrospective case-control study, we analyzed the database of 2074 patients, of whom 87 died postoperatively in hospital. All patients underwent cardiothoracic surgery using a heart-lung machine. Age, sex, body mass index, preoperative ejection fraction, smoking, diabetes mellitus, type of operation, emergency surgery, renal deficiency, pulmonary hypertension, and endocarditis were considered together with serum concentrations of cholesterol, C-reactive protein, alanine aminotransferase, and triglycerides. The statistics included sensitivity, specificity, predictive value, odds ratio, and the ROC curve. RESULTS: Cholesterol decreased sharply immediately after surgery in both the deceased and the survivors. In the deceased, the mean cholesterol concentration (+/- SE) remained rather low between days 4 and 7 after surgery 2.46 +/- 0.16 mmol/L (95 +/- 6 mg/dL). In the survivors at that time, the mean cholesterol concentration was significantly (P <0.001) higher 4.37 +/- 0.03 mmol/L (169 +/- 1 mg/dL). The positive predictive value of a critically low cholesterol concentration <3.10 mmol/L (<120 mg/dL) was 25.4%, increasing to 66.6% at a cutoff value of 1.55 mmol/L (60 mg/dL). The odds ratio under those circumstances was 15.5, and the area under curve (C-statistic) was 0.90. CONCLUSIONS: The cholesterol concentration between days 4 and 7 after cardiothoracic surgery possesses a high prognostic significance in terms of in-hospital mortality.

Prognostic value of cholesterol in women of different ages
Emond, M. J. and W. Zareba (1997), J Womens Health 6(3): 295-307.
Abstract: We assessed the short-term and long-term prognostic relationship between cholesterol and mortality in women of different ages with the aid of statistical graphics. Our population-based cohort study involved 2873 women in the Framingham Heart Study, with a median follow-up of 31 years. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality. Secondary outcome measures were coronary heart disease, noncoronary heart disease, and stroke mortality. We found that significant age interactions were present in the relationships between total cholesterol and mortality from all causes, coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke, and non-CHD causes. For women ages < or = 55, cholesterol is related positively to both short-term (p > 0.05) and long-term (p = 0.05) all-cause mortality. For women ages 56-70, there are significant U-shaped relationships between cholesterol and both short-term and long-term all-cause mortality (p < 0.01). Lowest short-term and long-term mortality rates for women in this age group are at cholesterol values between 240 and 280 mg/dl. For women ages > 70, cholesterol < 240 mg/dl is associated with increased short-term mortality (p < 0.01), and no significant long-term association was detected. These cholesterol/mortality relationships and age interactions can be explained by patterns of association between mortality and both high- and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol among women in the different age groups. These results do not support the hypothesis that cholesterol < 200 mg/dl leads to decreased mortality in women > 55 years old.

Prognostic value of progressive decrease in serum cholesterol in predicting survival in Child-Pugh C viral cirrhosis
D'Arienzo, A., F. Manguso, et al. (1998), Scand J Gastroenterol 33(11): 1213-8.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: The identification of cirrhotic patients with low life expectancy is an open clinical problem. Hypocholesterolemia is frequently found in severe chronic hepatic insufficiency because the liver is the most active site of cholesterol metabolism, but poor information is available on its precise prognostic value. We evaluated the prognostic role of hypocholesterolemia in patients with advanced liver cirrhosis. METHODS: Serial serum cholesterol concentrations of 34 patients with virus-induced cirrhosis, from the first appearance of Child-Pugh class C to death, were considered. To compare survival functions, we established three base-line cholesterol cut-off points (150, 125, and 100 mg/dl) and stratified patients into groups A and B, with base-line cholesterol levels lower and higher than each cut-off value, respectively. RESULTS: Cholesterolemia decreased progressively in all patients. At the 100 mg/dl cut-off point all group-A patients died within 17 months, whereas 75% of group-B patients were alive at 24 months (P < 0.0001). Moreover, cholesterolemia was significantly correlated with cholinesterase, indirect bilirubin, and total bilirubin at entry time and immediately before death. No correlation was observed between cholesterol and these variables when stratified for the Child-Pugh score. CONCLUSIONS: Base-line serum cholesterol levels lower than 100 mg/dl identify a subgroup of Child-C cirrhotic patients with high mortality risk within a 2-year follow-up. The prognostic importance of cholesterolemia may also be deduced by the significant correlation with other well-established indicators of survival.

Prognostic value of serum cholesterol level in Japanese patients with coronary artery disease
Takahashi, T., T. Chikamori, et al. (1997), Jpn Circ J 61(2): 139-44.
Abstract: To determine the prognostic value of serum cholesterol level in Japanese patients with established coronary artery disease, we followed 330 consecutive patients with a left ventricular ejection fraction of > or = 50%. Over a period of 4.0 +/- 2.5 years, 53 patients (16%) experienced cardiac events. Multivariate analysis using Cox proportional hazard modeling revealed that obesity (risk ratio 4.3; p = 0.0001), the number of diseased vessels (risk ratio 1.9; p = 0.0001) and a serum cholesterol level > or = 220 mg/dl (risk ratio 2.3; p = 0.01) or > or = 200 mg/dl (risk ratio 2.1; p < 0.02) increase the risk of cardiac events. These results suggest that patients with established coronary artery disease and a serum cholesterol level > or = 200 mg/dl have a similar risk of experiencing a cardiac event as patients without left ventricular dysfunction and a serum cholesterol level > or = 220 mg/dl. Although the prevalence of coronary artery disease is low in Japan, the serum cholesterol level should be strictly controlled in subjects with established coronary artery disease to avoid future cardiac events.

Prognostic value of serum levels of cholesterol and apolipoprotein A1 in pulmonary cancer
Charet, J. C., J. Watine, et al. (1997), Ann Biol Clin (Paris) 55(1): 52.

Programmed expression of cholesterol sulfotransferase and transglutaminase during epidermal differentiation of murine skin development
Kagehara, M., M. Tachi, et al. (1994), Biochim Biophys Acta 1215(1-2): 183-9.
Abstract: To clarify the role of cholesterol sulfate (CS) in the process of epidermal differentiation in vivo, we investigated the concentration of CS and the specific activities of cholesterol sulfotransferase (CST), cholesterol sulfate sulfatase (CS sulfatase) and epidermal transglutaminase (ETG) in murine skin in the pre- and postnatal periods. In the skin at day 14 of gestation, CS was not detected with TLC and the specific activities of all the enzymes were low. However, concomitant with the formation of the multilayered structure of the epidermis (at day 16), the specific activities of CST steeply increased. Although the insoluble CS sulfatase in the microsomal fraction remained at a relatively constant level, the soluble CST in the cytosol fraction showed a 6-fold increase from day 14 to day 16, and the activity decreased continuously in the following period, reaching one forty-sixth of the maximum level at 4-months-old mice. Reflected by the increase in activity, CS was detected in fetal skin at day 15, and the concentration in epidermis significantly increased during the gestation period, reaching maximum level at day 17. Furthermore, the changes in the concentration of cholesterol sulfate were identical with those of N-(O-linoleoyl)-omega-hydroxy fatty acyl sphingosine and its glucosyl derivative in the epidermis. On the other hand, the specific activity of ETG increased after birth. Thus, the activation of CST and ETG was shown to occur separately in association with the formation of the multilayered structure and thickening of the stratum corneum, respectively.

Programming of cholesterol metabolism by breast or formula feeding
Mott, G. E., D. S. Lewis, et al. (1991), Ciba Found Symp 156: 56-66; discussion 66-76.
Abstract: We tested the hypothesis that breast or formula feeding and cholesterol intake during the neonatal period influence cholesterol metabolism and arterial fatty streaks in young adult baboons. Genetic variation was controlled by randomly assigning half-sib sire progeny to a factorial dietary design. We measured serum cholesterol and lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations enzymically and cholesterol production and bile acid excretion rates isotopically. The bile cholesterol saturation index was calculated from enzymic analyses of cholesterol, bile salt and phospholipid concentrations in gallbladder bile. Breast-fed baboons had higher serum VLDL + LDL cholesterol/HDL cholesterol ratios in the early postweaning period (six months) until adulthood (7-8 years) than formula-fed baboons. In adulthood a high cholesterol diet increased bile acid excretion by approximately 40% in formula-fed baboons but did not significantly increase the bile acid excretion rate among breast-fed animals. Adult baboons breast fed as infants also had an approximately 8% lower cholesterol production rate than formula-fed animals and a 20% higher bile cholesterol saturation index. The level of cholesterol in the infant formulas influenced cholesterol metabolism in adulthood but not serum lipoprotein concentrations. As young adults, breast-fed baboons had more extensive arterial fatty streaks than formula-fed baboons. This difference could be accounted for by differences in the lipoprotein ratios. These results demonstrate that breast and formula feeding differentially modify cholesterol metabolism. This may influence the development of chronic diseases.

Progress in gene delivery by cationic lipids: guanidinium-cholesterol-based systems as an example
Aissaoui, A., N. Oudrhiri, et al. (2002), Curr Drug Targets 3(1): 1-16.
Abstract: Artificial self-assembling systems are currently widely investigated as an alternative approach to recombinant viruses for gene transfection in vitro and in vivo. Cationic lipids are particularly attractive, as a great variety of well-characterized reagents can be synthesized from there. Over the last few years, numerous cationic lipid systems have been developed and shown to be efficient for in vitro transfection. However, although some promising results have been reported in the in vivo setting (even in clinical gene therapy trials in man), the in vivo use of cationic lipid-based systems is still problematic, especially when considering the systemic route of administration. Herein, we summarize our own research on a particular class of cationic lipids, cholesterol derivatives characterized by polar headgroups with guanidinium functions, in order to illustrate the basic principles of and the positive results already obtained by cationic lipid-mediated gene delivery as well as the remaining problems that need to be urgently resolved, particularly as regards the systemic administration. In this forward-looking review, we also discuss the present efforts to develop modular systems for improved in vivo transfection. Indeed, lipid-based vectors offer the possibility to create sophisticated modular gene delivery systems capable of self-assembly via hydrophobic interaction between their components, the role of the different functional elements being to help in overcoming the distinct extracellular and cellular barriers to in vivo gene transfection into the various somatic target tissues.

Progression and regression of atherosclerosis, what roles for LDL-cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol: a perspective
Barth, J. D. and A. C. Arntzenius (1991), Eur Heart J 12(8): 952-7.
Abstract: Numerous observational and intervention studies have shown that total (and LDL) cholesterol levels correlate positively with progression of atherosclerosis. It has also been shown that a mean low HDL cholesterol level is a potent predictor of CHD (coronary heart disease) in populations in which atherosclerotic diseases are prevalent. Recently, studies based on repeat angiographic examination, which are reviewed here, have shed new insight on the different roles that total cholesterol (or LDL) and HDL-cholesterol play on progression and regression of coronary atherosclerosis, respectively. From an epidemiological viewpoint, based on observational as well as intervention studies, the theory emerges that progression correlates best with total (and LDL-) cholesterol and that regression correlates best with HDL-cholesterol. The working hypothesis, if confirmed, will have practical implications for primary and secondary preventive measures.

Progression of induced aortic atherosclerosis in rabbits fed a high cholesterol diet
Restori, G., L. Boiardi, et al. (1990), Int Angiol 9(4): 263-5.
Abstract: In this study we have evaluated the progression of atheromatosis in aortic arch, thoracic aorta and abdominal aorta in rabbits fed a high cholesterol diet. The aortic atheromatosis decreased progressively from the aortic arch to the abdominal aorta after 6 months of high cholesterol diet. It is possible that a different segmental resistance to hypercholesterolemic damage may be involved in the cranio caudal progression of atheromatosis in rabbits.

Progressive kidney failure due to cholesterol embolization. A complication following arteriography
Schalk, J., E. W. Herbst, et al. (1992), Rofo 156(2): 200-1.

Proliferating human granulosa-lutein cells in long term monolayer culture: expression of aromatase, cholesterol side-chain cleavage, and 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase
McAllister, J. M., J. I. Mason, et al. (1990), J Clin Endocrinol Metab 71(1): 26-33.
Abstract: The development of long term culture conditions with which to study the regulation of expression of aromatase, cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme, and 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3 beta HSD) in human granulosa-lutein cells is described in this report. Conditions have been established for the dispersal, growth, freezing, and storage of functional human granulosa cells isolated from preovulatory follicles of women undergoing laparoscopy for gamete intrafallopian tube transfer and in vitro fertilization procedures. Optimal growth conditions for human granulosa-lutein cells were determined by plating cells at a low density and testing the capacity of a variety of culture conditions to support growth. A combination of fetal bovine serum (FBS), horse serum, and the serum substitute UltroSer G was found to increase cell number to maximal levels, 8- to 10-fold higher than with sera alone. Human granulosa-lutein cells grown under these conditions had a doubling rate of 36-40 h and were morphologically distinct from human theca interna cells grown under similar conditions. Human granulosa-lutein cells treated with forskolin retracted and rounded up, whereas cultures of human ovarian theca interna cells or human fibroblasts treated similarly did not retract. Human granulosa-lutein cells were grown for successive passages and transferred to serum-free medium containing forskolin, LH, hCG, or cholera toxin. Addition of these agents resulted in a time- and dose-dependent increase in aromatase activity and progesterone secretion. In these studies FSH treatment was found not to increase aromatase activity. In a study of the time course of 3 beta HSD activity in the absence of forskolin under serum-free conditions, it was found that 3 beta HSD activity increased 3-fold during the 72-h treatment period. Forskolin-stimulated 3 beta HSD activity also increased in a time-dependent manner, with levels in treated cells 3-fold higher than those in control cells. Northern analysis performed on total RNA obtained from forskolin- or hCG-stimulated granulosa-lutein cells confirmed that the increase in aromatase activity was associated with a corresponding increase in levels of mRNA specific for aromatase cytochrome P-450. Levels of mRNA encoding cholesterol side-chain cleavage cytochrome P-450 were similarly increased in cells treated with forskolin compared with unstimulated values at each of the time points investigated. Under serum-free conditions in the absence of stimulation, the 3.4-kilobase band of aromatase cytochrome P-450 mRNA was detectable.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Prolonged circulation time in vivo of large unilamellar liposomes composed of distearoyl phosphatidylcholine and cholesterol containing amphipathic poly(ethylene glycol)
Maruyama, K., T. Yuda, et al. (1992), Biochim Biophys Acta 1128(1): 44-9.
Abstract: The effect of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) on the circulation time of liposomes in mice was examined by employing amphipathic PEGs (phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) derivatives of PEG) with average molecular weights of 1000, 2000, 5000 and 12,000. The activity of dioleoyl phosphatidylethanolamine-PEG (DOPE-PEG) in prolonging the circulation time of egg phosphatidylcholine/cholesterol large unilamellar liposomes (ePC/CH LUVs) (200 nm) was proportional to the molecular weight of PEG, i.e., 12000 = 5000 greater than 2000 greater than 1000. On the other hand, inclusion of distearoylphosphatidylethanolamine-PEG (DSPE-PEG) or dipalmitoyl-phosphatidylethanolamine-PEG (DPPE-PEG) of low molecular weight such as 1000 and 2000 in distearoylphosphatidylcholine (DSPC)/CH LUVs or dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine (DPPC)/CH LUVs effectively increased their blood circulation time. At least 3 mol% of amphipathic PEG in liposomes was required for activity. Addition of CH, which has a bilayer-tightening effect, to DSPC/CH/DSPE-PEG2000 LUVs further increased the blood residence time. A size of less than 300 nm was essential for prolonging the residence time of amphipathic PEG-containing liposomes in blood. DSPC/CH/DSPE-PEG2000 LUVs (1:1:0.13, m/m) containing 6 mol% of PEG and 200 nm in diameter remained in the circulation for over 24 h after injection and may be clinically useful for sustained release of an entrapped drug in the bloodstream and for drug accumulation in solid tumors.

Prolonged hypoxic stress increases adrenal cholesterol reserve in rats without causing adrenal hypertrophy
Cheng, B., S. Abraham, et al. (1999), Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol 26(11): 927-8.
Abstract: 1. It is known that, in rats, hypoxia stimulates adrenal steroidogenesis, but our understanding of the hypoxic effect on the glandular parameters remains incomplete. 2. Adrenals were collected and analysed from rats that had been exposed to hypoxic conditions for 3 weeks. 3. The results reveal increased adrenal concentrations of corticosterone, free cholesterol and total cholesterol without a change in glandular weight and protein concentration. The increased total cholesterol is primarily associated with enriched cholesteryl adrenate (CE22: 4), cholesteryl arachidonate (CE20: 4) and cholesteryl oleate (CE18: 1).

Prolonged infection with hepatitis B virus and association between low blood cholesterol concentration and liver cancer
Chen, Z., A. Keech, et al. (1993), Bmj 306(6882): 890-4.
Abstract: OBJECTIVE--To determine whether prolonged infection with hepatitis B virus is associated with a lower blood cholesterol concentration. DESIGN--Cross sectional study. SETTING--81 villages in rural China with a high prevalence of chronic infection with hepatitis B virus. SUBJECTS--1556 apparently healthy men aged 35-64 years, randomly selected. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--Hepatitis B virus carrier state; plasma concentrations of cholesterol, apolipoprotein B, and apolipoprotein A I. RESULTS--238 (15%) of the men were positive for hepatitis B surface antigen, indicating that they were chronic carriers. Plasma concentration of cholesterol was 4.2% (0.11 mmol/l) lower among carriers (that is, positive for hepatitis B surface antigen) than among non-carriers (95% confidence interval 0.6% to 8.0% (0.01 to 0.21 mmol/l), p < 0.05), and apolipoprotein B concentration was 7.0% (0.036 g/l) lower (2.8% to 11.2% (0.014 to 0.058 g/l), p < 0.001). In contrast, no association was observed between plasma concentrations of cholesterol or apolipoprotein and hepatitis B that had been eradicated (that is, patient positive for hepatitis B core antibody but negative for hepatitis B surface antigen). CONCLUSIONS--Chronic hepatitis B virus infection, which usually starts in early childhood in China, seems to lead not only to a greatly increased risk of death from liver disease but also to a somewhat lower cholesterol concentration in adulthood. This common cause produces an inverse association between cholesterol concentration and risk of death from liver cancer or from other chronic liver diseases.

Cholesterol Articles and Abstracts

Cholesterol Journal Articles