Cholesterol Journal Articles

Record 10801 to 10820

Relation of high TG-low HDL cholesterol and LDL cholesterol to the incidence of ischemic heart disease. An 8-year follow-up in the Copenhagen Male Study
Jeppesen, J., H. O. Hein, et al. (1997), Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 17(6): 1114-20.
Abstract: High triglyceride (TG) and low HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) is the characteristic dyslipidemia seen in insulin-resistant subjects. We examined the role of this dyslipidemia as a risk factor of ischemic heart disease (IHD) compared with that of high LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) in the Copenhagen Male Study. In total 2910 white men, aged 53 to 74 years, free of cardiovascular disease at baseline, were subdivided into four groups on the basis of fasting concentrations of serum TG, HDL-C, and LDL-C. "High TG-low HDL-C" was defined as belonging to both the highest third of TG and the lowest third of HDL-C; this group encompassed one fifth of the population. "High LDL-C" was defined as belonging to the highest fifth of LDL-C. A control group was defined as not belonging to either of these two groups. "Combined dyslipidemia" was defined as belonging to both dyslipidemic groups. Age-adjusted incidence of IHD during 8 years of follow-up was 11.4% in high TG-low HDL-C, 8.2% in high LDL-C, 6.6% in the control group, and 17.5% in combined dyslipidemia. Compared with the control group, relative risks of IHD (95% confidence interval), adjusted for potentially confounding factors or covariates (age, body mass index, alcohol consumption, physical activity, non-insulin-dependent diabetes, hypertension, smoking, and social class), were 1.5 (1.0-2.1), P <.05; 1.3 (0.9-2.0), P =.16; and 2.4 (1.5-4.0), P <.01, in the three dyslipidemic groups, respectively. In conclusion, the present results showed that high TG-low HDL-C, the characteristic dyslipidemia seen in insulin-resistant subjects, was at least as powerful a predictor of IHD as isolated high LDL-C. The results suggest that efforts to prevent IHD should include intervention against high TG-low HDL-C, and not just against hypercholesterolemia.

Relation of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides to incidence of atherosclerotic coronary artery disease (the PROCAM experience). Prospective Cardiovascular Munster study
Assmann, G. and H. Schulte (1992), Am J Cardiol 70(7): 733-7.
Abstract: The incidence of atherosclerotic coronary artery disease (CAD) was assessed in 4,559 male participants (aged 40 to 64 years) from the Prospective Cardiovascular Munster study, over a 6-year follow-up period. During this time, 186 study participants developed atherosclerotic CAD (134 definite nonfatal myocardial infarctions and 52 definite atherosclerotic CAD deaths including 21 sudden cardiac deaths and 31 fatal myocardial infarctions). Univariate analysis revealed a significant association between the incidence of atherosclerotic CAD and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (p less than 0.001) and triglycerides (p less than 0.001). The relation to HDL cholesterol remained after adjustment for other risk factors. By contrast, the relation between the incidence of atherosclerotic CAD and triglycerides disappeared if, in a multivariate analysis by means of a multiple logistic function, cholesterol or HDL cholesterol were taken into account. However, the data suggested that hypertriglyceridemia is a powerful additional coronary risk factor, when excessive triglycerides coincide with a high ratio of plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol to HDL cholesterol (greater than 5.0). Even though the prevalence of this subgroup was only 4.3%, it included a quarter of all atherosclerotic CAD events observed.

Relation of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and fibrinogen to abdominal adipose tissue, blood pressure, and cholesterol and triglyceride levels in healthy postmenopausal women
Piche, M. E., S. Lemieux, et al. (2005), Am J Cardiol 96(1): 92-7.
Abstract: The associations of inflammatory markers (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein hs-CRP, interleukin-6 IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and fibrinogen) with anthropometric and metabolic variables were examined in a sample of 112 postmenopausal women not receiving hormone therapy. Body fat distribution was measured by computed tomography, and insulin sensitivity was determined by an euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp. hs-CRP (0.10 < or = r(2) < or =0.37) and IL-6 (0.06 < or = r(2) < or =0.31) were significantly associated with anthropometric and metabolic variables, including visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and insulin sensitivity (p <0.05). Women with greater hs-CRP concentrations showed deterioration in their metabolic risk profiles, including abdominal obesity, greater triglyceride and lower HDL cholesterol concentrations, and lower insulin sensitivity compared with women with lower hs-CRP levels. Fifty-nine percent of women with high hs-CRP concentrations had the metabolic syndrome as recently defined by the Third Report of the National Cholesterol Education Program Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults. After adjustment for visceral adipose tissue, most of the differences in the plasma lipid-lipoprotein profile were eliminated between women with high hs-CRP levels and women with low hs-CRP levels, whereas some differences in blood pressure variables, insulin sensitivity, and inflammatory markers (IL-6 and fibrinogen) remained significant. In conclusion, these results suggest that increased visceral adipose tissue levels appear to be a determinant covariable of the association between high hs-CRP concentrations and alteration in the metabolic profile.

Relation of infant feeding to adult serum cholesterol concentration and death from ischaemic heart disease
Fall, C. H., D. J. Barker, et al. (1992), Bmj 304(6830): 801-5.
Abstract: OBJECTIVE--To examine whether method of infant feeding is associated with adult serum lipid concentrations and mortality from ischaemic heart disease. DESIGN--Follow up study of men born during 1911-30. SETTING--Hertfordshire, England. SUBJECTS--5718 men, for 5471 of whom information on infant feeding had been recorded by health visitors and 1314 of whom had died. 485 of the men born during 1920-30 and still living in Hertfordshire who had blood lipid measurements. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--Death from ischaemic heart disease; serum cholesterol and apolipoprotein concentrations. RESULTS--474 men had died from ischaemic heart disease. Standardised mortality ratios were 97 (95% confidence interval 81 to 115) in men who had been breast fed and had not been weaned at 1 year, 79 (69 to 90) in breast fed men who had been weaned at 1 year, and 73 (59 to 89) in men who had been breast and bottle fed. Compared with men weaned before one year men not weaned had higher mean serum concentrations of total cholesterol (6.9 (not weaned) v 6.6 (weaned) mmol/l), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (5.0 v 4.6 mmol/l) and apolipoprotein B (1.14 v 1.08 g/l). Men who had been bottle fed also had a high standardised mortality ratio for ischaemic heart disease (95; 68 to 130) and high mean serum concentrations of total cholesterol (7.0 mmol/l), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (5.1 mmol/l), and apolipoprotein B (1.14 g/l). In all feeding groups serum apolipoprotein B concentrations were lower in men with higher birth weight and weight at 1 year. CONCLUSIONS--Age of weaning and method of infant feeding may influence adult serum low density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations and mortality from ischaemic heart disease. Adult serum apolipoprotein B concentrations are related to growth in fetal life and infancy.

Relation of lipoprotein(a) as coronary risk factor to type 2 diabetes mellitus and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in patients > or =65 years of age (The Italian Longitudinal Study on Aging)
Solfrizzi, V., F. Panza, et al. (2002), Am J Cardiol 89(7): 825-9.
Abstract: High levels of serum lipoprotein(a) Lp(a) have been associated with increased risk of coronary artery disease (CAD), but this association apparently is not confirmed in elderly people. We evaluated the interactions of Lp(a) with lipid and nonlipid CAD risk factors in a sample of subjects enrolled in the prevalence survey (1992 to 1993) of the Italian Longitudinal Study on Aging (ILSA). The entire population consisted of 5,632 elderly people, aged 65 to 84 years, randomly selected in 8 Italian municipalities. The present cross-sectional study included 400 free-living elderly subjects (74 +/- 6 years) from the randomized cohort of Casamassima (Bari, Southern Italy) (n = 704). The results showed that in the elderly population, high serum Lp(a) is a CAD risk factor dependent on type 2 diabetes mellitus and elevated low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels. In particular, the combined effect of high Lp(a) (> or =20 mg/dl) and high LDL cholesterol (> or =3.63 mmol/L > or =140 mg/dl), increases coronary risk by 2.75 (95% confidence interval 7.70 to 0.99); finally, the effect of Lp(a) > or =20 mg/dl and LDL cholesterol > or =3.63 mmol/L (> or =140 mg/dl), combined with type 2 diabetes mellitus, increases risk of CAD by 6.65 (95% confidence interval 35.40 to 1.25). In the elderly, elevated Lp(a) levels appear not to be an independent predictor of CAD, but this lipoprotein is a risk factor only in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus and elevated LDL cholesterol.

Relation of long chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid intake to serum high density lipoprotein cholesterol among Japanese men in Japan and Japanese-American men in Hawaii: the INTERLIPID study
Okuda, N., H. Ueshima, et al. (2005), Atherosclerosis 178(2): 371-9.
Abstract: Epidemiologic evidence shows an inverse relationship between fish consumption and coronary heart disease (CHD) mortality. Associations between dietary intake of long chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and serum high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol concentration are unknown. In this study, the association between n-3 PUFA (eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and docosapentaenoic acid (DPA)) intake and serum HDL cholesterol among Japanese men and women in Japan and Hawaii was examined. The study population consisted of Japanese ancestries from five research centers of the International Study of Macronutrients and Blood Pressure (INTERMAP) study, in Japan and Hawaii (672 men and 676 women), surveyed between 1996 and 1998. Four 24-h dietary recalls and one set of serum lipid measurements were performed. For men, n-3 PUFA intake and HDL cholesterol were higher in Japan than in Hawaii (n-3 PUFA: 1.32 g/day versus 0.47 g/day, p<0.001). For women, n-3 PUFA intake was higher in Japan than in Hawaii (p<0.001) but HDL cholesterol was not significantly different (p=0.752). After adjustment for age, body mass index, physical activity, number of cigarettes per day, alcohol intake, and hormone replacement therapy (for women), n-3 PUFA intake was positively associated with serum HDL cholesterol in men (4.6 mg/dl higher HDL cholesterol with 1%kcal higher n-3 PUFA intake, p=0.011). This association was not observed in women. This positive association of dietary n-3 PUFA with serum HDL cholesterol may partially explain the low mortality from CHD among Japanese men.

Relation of pacing-induced coronary resistance vessel dilation to total serum cholesterol and heart rate-blood pressure product
Anderson, T. J., D. M. Goodhart, et al. (1997), Am J Cardiol 80(1): 16-20.
Abstract: Coronary risk factors adversely affect coronary resistance vessel dilation to acetylcholine, but little is known about the effect of risk factors on coronary blood flow (CBF) responses to physiologic stimuli. CBF was derived from Doppler flow velocity (0.018-inch Doppler wire) and coronary diameter (quantitative angiography) in response to rapid atrial pacing in 50 patients (mean age 52 +/- 12 years). Patients were prospectively divided into 3 groups based on their angiograms: group 1 (n = 17), normal coronary arteries; group 2 (n = 18), 1-vessel coronary artery disease (CAD) with a smooth study artery; group 3 (n = 15), 1-vessel CAD and an irregular study artery (<20% stenosis). Pacing produced a significant increase in CBF compared with baseline in groups 1 and 2 (34 +/- 40%, 42 +/- 35%, p < 0.0001), respectively, but not in group 3 (21 +/- 33%), but there was no difference in the pacing response among the 3 groups. The increase in CBF to pacing was inversely related to serum cholesterol (p = 0.01) and triglycerides (p = 0.06) and directly related to the increase in heart rate-blood pressure product (p = 0.007). By multivariate analysis, total cholesterol and the increase in double product were the only factors related to the increase in CBF. Increases in CBF to atrial pacing are inversely related to serum total cholesterol and are not related to the angiographic presence of atherosclerosis in patients with mild CAD.

Relation of plasma phospholipid and cholesterol ester fatty acid composition to carotid artery intima-media thickness: the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study
Ma, J., A. R. Folsom, et al. (1997), Am J Clin Nutr 65(2): 551-9.
Abstract: We examined the relation of fatty acid composition of plasma phospholipids and cholesterol esters with carotid artery intima-media thickness (a measure of atherosclerosis) in 2872 white men and women aged 45-64 y from the Minneapolis center of the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study. In both men and women, average carotid intima-media thickness was associated significantly (P < 0.01) and positively with saturated (SFA) and monounsaturated fatty acid composition, and inversely with polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) composition and the ratio of PUFAs to SFAs in both phospholipids and cholesterol esters. These associations were independent of age, cigarette smoking, low-density-lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, high-density-lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, body mass index, diabetes, and hypertension in men; but in women, only SFAs and PUFAs in the cholesterol esters and the ratio of PUFAs to SFAs were independently associated. The plasma fatty acid pattern is associated with carotid atherosclerosis in a direction generally consistent with the dietary fat-coronary artery disease relation. These results support recommendations to reduce dietary saturated fat to prevent cardiovascular disease.

Relation of response of subclinical atherosclerosis detected by electron beam tomography to baseline low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels
Hecht, H. S. and S. M. Harman (2004), Am J Cardiol 93(1): 101-3.
Abstract: Calcified plaque progression by electron beam tomography was evaluated in 176 aggressively treated asymptomatic patients. Similar plaque progression was noted irrespective of baseline low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, including those with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol <100 mg/dl. These findings indicate that subclinical atherosclerosis may respond to drug therapy in a fashion parallel to that of clinical disease demonstrated in the Heart Protection Study.

Relation of saphenous vein graft obstruction to serum cholesterol levels
Daida, H., H. Yokoi, et al. (1995), J Am Coll Cardiol 25(1): 193-7.
Abstract: OBJECTIVES. To determine the potential of lipid-lowering therapy to reduce saphenous vein graft obstruction, we retrospectively studied the association between graft obstruction and serum cholesterol levels. BACKGROUND. Atherosclerosis is the major cause of vein graft obstruction. Approximately 50% of grafts are occluded by 10 years after operation. It remains to be established whether lipid control affects long-term graft survival. METHODS. We carried out a retrospective review of all 284 patients who had undergone coronary artery bypass graft surgery at Juntendo University Hospital between 1976 and 1991 and met the following additional criteria: at least one saphenous vein graft, repeat coronary arteriography at some point after coronary artery bypass graft surgery and a serum cholesterol level > or = 200 mg/dl before operation. Saphenous vein graft obstruction rates were compared among three groups classified by serum cholesterol levels at follow-up arteriography: group I < 200 mg/dl; group II 200 to 239 mg/dl; group III > or = 240 mg/dl. A vein graft was considered obstructed if it was narrowed by > or = 70%. RESULTS. In group I, 88% of grafts were not obstructed 7 years after operation. The respective rates were 61% in group II and 57% in group III (p < 0.005). This relation was true for vein grafts to the left anterior descending and other coronary arteries. CONCLUSIONS. Lower serum cholesterol levels are associated with lower rates of vein graft obstruction for up to 7 years. This suggests that cholesterol-lowering therapy may improve long-term saphenous vein graft survival after coronary artery bypass surgery.

Relation of serum cholesterol, lipid, serotonin and tryptophan levels to severity of depression and to suicide attempts
Almeida-Montes, L. G., V. Valles-Sanchez, et al. (2000), J Psychiatry Neurosci 25(4): 371-7.
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To determine if there is a relation to low serum cholesterol, lipoprotein, serotonin or tryptophan levels in patients with depression who have recently attempted suicide. DESIGN: Biochemical and behavioural study. SETTING: Inpatient and outpatient treatment at the Instituto Mexicano de Psiquiatria. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-three patients with a diagnosis of major depressive episode. Eighteen of these patients had attempted suicide in the month before the start of the study; 15 patients had never attempted suicide. OUTCOME MEASURES: Serum levels of total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), triglycerides, serotonin (5-HT) and tryptophan. Scores on Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, Carroll Depression Rating Scale, Beck Hopelessness Scale and Beck Suicide Attempt Severity Scale. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between patients who had attempted suicide and those who had not in terms of serum cholesterol, HDL, LDL and triglyceride levels. Serum levels of 5-HT and tryptophan were significantly lower in patients with depression who had a recent suicide attempt than in those patients who had never attempted suicide. A comparison of patients not taking antidepressant medication found serum 5-HT levels to be more than 3 times lower in those patients with a recent suicide attempt than in patients with no history of suicide attempt. CONCLUSIONS: The study found no difference in lipid profiles between patients who had attempted suicide and those who had not. Low serum levels of 5-HT may increase the risk of suicide attempt in patients who are depressed.

Relation of serum lipoprotein cholesterol levels to presence and severity of angiographic coronary artery disease
Romm, P. A., C. E. Green, et al. (1991), Am J Cardiol 67(6): 479-83.
Abstract: To assess the relation of lipid levels to angiographic coronary artery disease (CAD), lipid profiles were obtained on 125 men and 72 women undergoing diagnostic coronary angiography. CAD, defined as greater than or equal to 25% diameter narrowing in a major coronary artery, was present in 106 men (85%) and 54 women (75%). Multiple regression analyses revealed that only high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol level in men, and age and total/HDL cholesterol ratio in women, were independently associated with the presence of CAD after adjustment for other risk factors. HDL cholesterol level and age were significantly correlated with both extent (number of diseased vessels) and severity (percent maximum stenosis) of CAD in men. In women, age was the only independent variable related to severity, whereas age and total/HDL cholesterol ratio were related to extent. Of 71 patients with total cholesterol less than 200 mg/dl, 79% had CAD. With multiple regression analyses, HDL cholesterol was the only variable independently related to the presence and severity of CAD in these patients after adjustment for age and gender; extent was significantly associated with age and male gender, and was unrelated to any of the lipid parameters. With use of multiple logistic and linear regression analyses of the group of 197 patients, HDL cholesterol was the most powerful independent variable associated with the presence and severity of CAD after adjustment for age and gender. HDL cholesterol was also an independent predictor of extent. Age was independently associated with each of the end points examined, and was the variable most significantly related to extent. These data add to the growing body of information demonstrating an important association between HDL and CAD.

Relation of serum testosterone levels to high density lipoprotein cholesterol and other characteristics in men
Freedman, D. S., T. R. O'Brien, et al. (1991), Arterioscler Thromb 11(2): 307-15.
Abstract: Although levels of high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol in males decrease during adolescence and after treatment with testosterone derivatives, several studies have reported that levels of HDL cholesterol are positively associated with endogenous levels of testosterone in men. This association was further examined using data collected during 1985 and 1986 from 3,562 white and 500 black men who ranged in age from 31 to 45 years. Black men had higher mean levels of both HDL cholesterol (8 mg/dl) and total testosterone (33 ng/dl) than white men, and positive associations were observed between testosterone and HDL cholesterol levels (r = 0.22, whites; r = 0.26, blacks). In addition, levels of testosterone were related positively to alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking and negatively to age, Quetelet index, and use of beta-blockers. We used stratification and regression analyses to determine if any of these characteristics could account for the positive association between levels of HDL cholesterol and total testosterone. Although controlling for most factors had little influence, adjusting for Quetelet index reduced the strength of the association between levels of testosterone and HDL cholesterol by approximately 30%. These findings suggest that the positive association between levels of testosterone and HDL cholesterol may not be causal. Multivariable analyses that control for obesity and other potentially confounding characteristics should be used in studies that assess the relation of testosterone levels to coronary heart disease.

Relation of serum total cholesterol and other factors to risk of cerebral infarction in Japanese men with hypercholesterolemia
Iwashita, M., Y. Matsushita, et al. (2005), Circ J 69(1): 1-6.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Risk factors for cerebral infarction have not been well clarified, except for hypertension (HT), and few studies have examined the risk factors in the elderly. METHODS AND RESULTS: Clinical and behavioral risk factors for cerebral infarction were examined in 4,349 Japanese men aged 45-74 years with a serum total cholesterol (TC) concentration of 220 mg/dl or greater who participated in the Kyushu Lipid Intervention Study. A total of 81 men developed definite cerebral infarction in a 5-year follow-up period. The Cox proportional hazards model was used with serum TC at baseline and during the follow-up, serum high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), HT, diabetes mellitus (DM), and other factors as covariates. Serum TC during the follow-up, not at baseline, was positively associated with cerebral infarction, showing a stronger association in the elderly (>or=65 years old) than in the middle-aged (<65 years old). Statin use was related to a moderate decrease in the risk of cerebral infarction when follow-up TC was not considered, but the decrease was almost nullified after adjustment for follow-up TC. A low concentration of serum HDL-C, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and angina pectoris were each related to an increased risk. No clear association was observed for body mass index, smoking or alcohol use. CONCLUSIONS: Lowering cholesterol is important in the prevention of cerebral infarction in men with moderate hypercholesterolemia. A low concentration of HDL-C, DM, and HT are independent predictors of cerebral infarction.

Relation of serum total cholesterol and other risk factors to risk of coronary events in middle-aged and elderly Japanese men with hypercholesterolemia: the Kyushu Lipid Intervention Study
Iwashita, M., Y. Matsushita, et al. (2004), Circ J 68(5): 405-9.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: The role of serum total cholesterol (TC) in the development of coronary heart disease (CHD) may differ in different age groups. METHODS AND RESULTS: The relation of serum TC and other risk factors to CHD events was examined in middle-aged (<65 years) and elderly (> or =65 years) men separately in the Kyushu Lipid Intervention Study (KLIS). Subjects were 4,349 men aged 45-74 years with serum TC of 220 mg/dl or greater who had no history of myocardial infarction, coronary angioplasty, or stroke. There were 123 CHD events (ie, myocardial infarction, coronary bypass surgery, coronary angioplasty, cardiac death, and sudden death) in a 5-year follow-up period. The Cox proportional hazards model was used with baseline and follow-up serum TC, baseline high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and other factors as covariates. Serum TC concentration during the follow-up, not at baseline, was associated with an increased risk of CHD events, especially in elderly men. High concentrations of serum HDL cholesterol were associated with a modest, statistically nonsignificant decrease in the risk among middle-aged men. An increased risk of CHD events associated with diabetes mellitus was greater in middle-aged men. Hypertension and smoking were not measurably related to the risk in either middle-aged or elderly men. CONCLUSIONS: Both the serum TC concentration during follow-up and diabetes mellitus are important predictors of CHD events in Japanese men with moderately elevated serum TC.

Relation of serum total cholesterol, serum triglycerides and fasting plasma glucose to colorectal carcinoma in situ
Yamada, K., S. Araki, et al. (1998), Int J Epidemiol 27(5): 794-8.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: No one has previously examined the relation of serum total cholesterol, serum triglycerides and fasting plasma glucose to colorectal carcinoma in situ. METHODS: A case-control study was performed with 129 cases of colorectal carcinoma in situ and 258 matched controls among examinees undergoing a health check-up in Tokyo from January 1991 to March 1993. RESULTS: There was a significant, positive association between serum total cholesterol levels and the risk of colorectal carcinoma in situ after adjustment for age, sex, body mass index, smoking status and alcohol consumption. Serum triglyceride levels were significantly and positively associated with colorectal carcinoma in situ risk regardless of adjustment for the above covariates. Although there was no clear relation between colorectal carcinoma in situ and fasting plasma glucose levels, a modest increase of colorectal carcinoma in situ risk was observed in the highest category (> or =116 mg/dl) of fasting plasma glucose levels. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest a positive association between serum total cholesterol levels and the risk of colorectal cancer, rather than an inverse relation. The strong association with serum triglyceride levels and the weak association with fasting plasma glucose levels support the hypothesis that hyperinsulinaemia may play an important role in colorectal carcinogenesis.

Relation of the -514C/T polymorphism in the hepatic lipase gene to serum HDL and LDL cholesterol levels in postmenopausal women under hormone replacement therapy
Yamakawa-Kobayashi, K., Y. Somekawa, et al. (2002), Atherosclerosis 162(1): 17-21.
Abstract: Hepatic lipase (HL) is a lipolytic enzyme that catalyzes hydrolysis of triglycerides and phospholipids in all major classes of lipoproteins. Recently, a -514C/T polymorphism in the promoter region of the HL gene was found to be associated with variations in hepatic lipase activity and serum high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels. Postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has known favorable effects on serum lipid and lipoprotein levels. In this study, we examined the relation between the -514C/T polymorphism and serum lipid and lipoprotein levels in postmenopausal women prior to and after 3 months of HRT. Significant associations between the -514 C/T polymorphism and HDL-C, low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and apolipoprotein A-I (apo A-I) levels were observed before and/or after 3 months of HRT. With HRT, serum total cholesterol (TC), LDL-C and apolipoprotein B (apo B) levels were reduced significantly (P=0.0001), and HDL-C and apo A-I levels were increased significantly (P=0.0001). However, the degrees of change in lipid and lipoprotein levels due to HRT did not differ significantly between the HL genotypes.

Relations between HDL-cholesterol and cardiovascular diseases
Emmerich, J., E. Bruckert, et al. (1992), Arch Mal Coeur Vaiss 85 Spec No 3: 21-8.
Abstract: Many retrospective and prospective epidemiological studies have demonstrated an inverse relationship between HDL-cholesterol and coronary risk. The predictive value of HDL-cholesterol is observed both in asymptomatic subjects and those with a primary vascular event. Several genetic abnormalities may be responsible for low HDL cholesterol (under 100 mg/dl or 0.26 mmol/l) or for a less severe hypoalphalipoproteinaemia. Despite some very low values, these rare causes of HDL deficiency are not all atherogenic and serve to emphasize the complexity of HDL metabolism. The protective role of HDL is explained by a number of mechanisms such as their role in the reverse transport from the peripheral tissues to the liver, their anti-oxidant effect and the increase in prostacyclin levels. The correction of isolated hypoalphalipoproteinaemia by drugs is controversial, but associated hyperlipidaemic states would be an indication to use drugs which increase the HDl-cholesterol the most.

Relationship among age, serum cholesterol level and population percentile in adults
Chung, S. J. (1992), Int J Biomed Comput 31(2): 99-116.
Abstract: The data of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey comprehensively have shown that distributions of serum cholesterol levels in the US adult population are age and sex dependent. General formulas were constructed and published by the author on the basis of the data of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey to predict the population percentile for serum cholesterol levels by age. A mathematical model and a computer program previously published by the author were employed in the study. Analysis of the computer-assisted predicted and the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey-reported percentiles indicated that the designed program for calculating the formulas was accurate and reliable. The formula could determine the relationship among adult age, serum cholesterol level and population percentile. A comprehensive table and nomograms that show the relationship among age, serum cholesterol level and population percentile in men and women for each year group between 20 and 79 years of age are obtained in this study, using the previously published formulas. The population percentiles predicted by the formula may reflect the relative degrees of risk for coronary heart disease. The population percentile, simultaneously expressed as 'risk percentile', may be used as a parameter of risk assessment for coronary heart disease for all adult ages and sexes. Seventy-five population percentile of serum cholesterol level is suggested as a cutoff point of high 'risk percentile' for coronary heart disease. This information on the percentile may have a preventive diagnostic value for detection, evaluation and treatment of patients with high cholesterol levels. The comprehensive table and nomograms showing the relationship among age, serum cholesterol level and population percentile may be hopefully available to clinicians and useful in their medical practice and may also be helpful in future clinical investigation.

Relationship among bile tolerance, bile salt deconjugation, and assimilation of cholesterol by Lactobacillus acidophilus
Walker, D. K. and S. E. Gilliland (1993), J Dairy Sci 76(4): 956-61.
Abstract: The relationships among growth in the presence of bile, deconjugation of sodium taurocholate, and assimilation of cholesterol by 19 cultures of Lactobacillus acidophilus were examined. Cultures of L. acidophilus were grown at 37 degrees C in lactobacilli MRS broth supplemented with sodium thioglycollate, sodium taurocholate, and cholesterol (cholesterol phosphatidyl choline micelles). Deconjugation activity was maximum in the late exponential phase of growth, which also coincided with maximum assimilation of cholesterol. Considerable variation existed among cultures in their ability to grow in the presence of bile, to deconjugate sodium taurocholate, and to assimilate cholesterol. However, statistical analyses revealed no significant correlations.

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Cholesterol Journal Articles