| For medical practitioners and the general public - Cholesterol Journal Article Catalog. |
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| Serum pooling lowers cholesterol recovery Wills, M., G. Gerhardt, et al. (1997), Eur J Clin Chem Clin Biochem 35(7): 529-31. Abstract: Matrix effects hinder the transferability of accuracy for cholesterol. A general assumption is that pooled and individual samples yield similar results. We tested the hypothesis that serum-pooling affects the recovery for cholesterol. We pooled 100 serum samples, determining cholesterol of pool and of the individual samples with Hitachi 717 and 914. Over twenty days, we daily determined cholesterol of individual and pooled samples, using a Hitachi 736 and 747 analyzers. For the hundred-sample pool, the pool was 1.1 to 1.5% lower than the individual samples. With the daily pool study, the ratio of 747 to 736 was 1.7% lower for the pooled compared with the individual samples. Therefore, pooling of serum samples causes a decreased recovery, averaging from 1.1-1.7%, and representing 37-57% of the allowable bias for cholesterol (< 3%), and it is thereby significant. |
| Serum profiles of luteinizing hormone, oestradiol and cholesterol and ovarian functions in layer poultry birds (Gallus domesticus) fed diets containing furazolidone Khan, L. A., S. Jalali, et al. (2004), Vet Res Commun 28(3): 247-59. Abstract: This study was carried out to assess the serum profiles of luteinizing hormone (LH), oestradiol, cholesterol and ovarian functions in layer poultry birds (Rhode Island Red: Gallus domesticus) fed a diet containing various concentrations of furazolidone (FZ). A total of 40 birds were randomly assigned to receive FZ 0, 200, 400 or 800 mg/kg feed (ppm) daily during the pre-laying age, i.e. 13-18 weeks (for 5 weeks). Blood samples were collected at weekly intervals. Concentrations of LH and oestradiol in serum were estimated at alternate weeks using radioimmunoassays. Serum cholesterol levels were analysed by an enzymatic calorimetric method. Furazolidone administration was terminated at the 18th week of age. The birds were sacrificed at 22nd week of age and ovarian tissues were processed for morphometric studies. Serum LH, oestradiol and cholesterol levels were affected by age (p < 0.001) and FZ dose (p < 0.001). Serum LH and oestradiol levels were lower (p < 0.05) in birds receiving FZ 800 mg/kg feed daily compared with the controls, whereas serum cholesterol profiles were lower (p < 0.05) in all FZ-administered groups than in the control group. The mean weight of ovaries having no yolky follicles observed in the group receiving FZ 400 or 800 mg/kg feed per day was reduced (p < 0.05) compared with the control group. Dosing FZ at 800 mg/kg feed per day reduced (p < 0.05) the mean volume of ovaries having no yolky follicles compared with the control group. In birds receiving FZ 800 mg/kg feed per day, the mean length of the oviduct was reduced (p < 0.05) as compared with the control group. Morphometric studies revealed that the mean number of oocytes with diameter in the range 401-800 microm decreased (p < 0.05) in birds fed FZ 400 or 800 mg/kg feed per day. Initial egg production was affected by age (p < 0.001) and dose (p < 0.001) of FZ. The mean number of eggs laid by different groups revealed that egg production was reduced (p < 0.05) in birds receiving FZ 800 mg/kg feed per day as compared with the controls. The present data suggest that FZ causes suppression in serum profiles of LH, oestradiol, cholesterol and ovarian functions in Rhode Island Red layer poultry birds. Therefore, great care must be taken with use of FZ in layer poultry birds (Gallius domesticus) with regard to dosage and duration of administration. |
| Serum pro-oxidant-antioxidant balance and low-density lipoprotein oxidation in healthy subjects with different cholesterol levels Balkan, J., S. Dogru-Abbasoglu, et al. (2004), Clin Exp Med 3(4): 237-42. Abstract: In this study, we investigated serum pro-oxidantantioxidant balance in 210 healthy subjects divided into groups with low and high atherogenic risk according to the levels of serum total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein- cholesterol (HDL-C). Diene conjugate (DC), malondialdehyde (MDA), polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), vitamin E, and vitamin C levels and antioxidant activity (AOA) were determined in the serum. Endogenous DC and copper-induced MDA levels were also measured in the LDL fraction isolated by precipitation with buffered heparin from plasma in 80 healthy subjects with different serum LDL-C levels. Subjects with a high atherogenic risk had significantly higher plasma DC, MDA, and PUFA levels, but lower vitamin E/TC values and AOA than subjects with low atherogenic risk. Endogenous DC and copper-induced MDA levels in the LDL fraction were increased in subjects with serum LDL-C levels higher than 4.14 mM compared with those with normal LDL-C levels. In conclusion, this study clearly indicates that a disturbance in serum pro-oxidant-antioxidant balance and an increase in LDL oxidation are concomitant with higher TC and LDL-C and lower HDL-C levels in the serum. |
| Serum retinol, beta-carotene, alpha-tocopherol and cholesterol in healthy French children Malvy, D. J., B. Burtschy, et al. (1993), Int J Epidemiol 22(2): 237-46. Abstract: Age- and sex-specific reference intervals of data derived from a healthy paediatric population are presented for retinol, beta-carotene, alpha-tocopherol, cholesterol and related proteins in serum. Age was an important covariate for the micronutrient concentration values. Retinol was highly correlated with alpha-tocopherol and cholesterol. Strong correlation was found with both beta-carotene and cholesterol. Serum levels were considered for their appropriateness as indicators of micronutrient status. |
| Serum testosterone associates with lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in black and white males, 10 to 15 years of age, through lowered apolipoprotein AI and AII concentrations Morrison, J. A., D. L. Sprecher, et al. (2002), Metabolism 51(4): 432-7. Abstract: High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) concentrations decrease during adolescence in males in association with increasing pubertal maturation and free testosterone (F-T). To determine whether F-T effects lower HDL-C levels by decreasing the amount of cholesterol associated with the major protein moeities associated with HDL-C (apolipoprotein apoAI and AII) or by decreasing the concentrations of these proteins, we studied 251 black and 285 white boys, ages 10 to 15 years. In cross-sectional analysis, advancing puberty associated with decreasing HDL-C, apoAI, and apoAII in boys of each ethnic group. The decreases were greater in white (1.49 to 1.24 mmol/L) than black boys (1.68 to 1.53 mmol/L). Backward stepwise regression analyses indicated that F-T was a significant negative predictor of all 3 lipid parameters--HDL-C, apoAI, and apoAII. Ethnic group was associated with HDL-C (blacks higher) and apoAII (whites higher), but not apoAI. The ratio of HDL-C to apo (AI+AII) varied significantly (and negatively) with body mass index (BMI; kg/m(2)), but not with pubertal stage or F-T. Thus, increased F-T appears to explain decreased HDL-C via decreased apoAI and apoAII, not decreases in the amount of cholesterol associated with these proteins. |
| Serum testosterone level is the major determinant of the male-female differences in serum levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and HDL2 cholesterol Asscheman, H., L. J. Gooren, et al. (1994), Metabolism 43(8): 935-9. Abstract: We studied prospectively the effect of exogenous testosterone (testosterone undecanoate TU 160 mg/d orally) on lipoprotein profiles in eight hypogonadal males and 10 females (female-to-male transsexuals). Testosterone administration to androgen-deficient men and to eugonadal women produced similar serum levels of testosterone (7.67 +/- 5.47 nmol/L v 8.45 +/- 3.81 nmol/L) and 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) (3.27 +/- 3.52 nmol/L v 3.97 +/- 2.35 nmol/L) in the two groups, while serum estradiol levels were three to four times higher in the females (90 +/- 24 pmol/Lv 376 +/- 315 pmol/L). After testosterone treatment serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels decreased from 1.41 +/- 0.27 mmol/L to 1.27 +/- 0.22 mmol/L after 3 months and 1.17 +/- 0.23 mmol/L after 6 months (P <.01) in female-to-male transsexuals and from 1.31 +/- 0.39 mmol/L to 1.09 +/- 0.31 mmol/L after 3 months and 1.10 +/- 0.32 mmol/L (P <.05) after 6 months in hypogonadal males. In particular, serum HDL2 cholesterol levels decreased from 0.71 +/- 0.44 mmol/L to 0.45 +/- 0.20 mmol/L after 3 months and 0.49 +/- 0.39 mmol/L after 6 months (P <.01) in female-to-male transsexuals and from 0.52 +/- 0.12 mmol/L to 0.38 +/- 0.18 mmol/L after 3 months and 0.34 +/- 0.19 mmol/L after 6 months (P <.05) in hypogonadal males. Serum apolipoprotein (apo) A1 levels decreased concomitantly. In both sexes, serum levels of HDL cholesterol and HDL2 cholesterol decreased by approximately 15% and 35%, respectively, whereas serum levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, apo A2, and apo B were not affected.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) |
| Serum total and fractionated cholesterol distribution and prevalence of hypercholesterolemia in urban and rural communities in Saudi Arabia al-Nuaim, A. R. (1997), Int J Cardiol 58(2): 141-9. Abstract: Hypercholesterolemia is recognized as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Data on serum total cholesterol concentration distribution from Saudi Arabia are scarce. We have conducted a cross sectional, national, epidemiological randomized household survey to study the distribution of serum total cholesterol (TCC), low density lipoprotein (LDL) and high density lipoprotein (HDL) concentrations, total cholesterol/high density lipoprotein (CH/HDL) ratio and prevalence of hypercholesterolemia (HC) among subjects aged 25-64 years in urban and rural communities of Saudi Arabia. The sample was 2924 Saudi subjects which was adjusted in accordance with the national population distribution with respect to age, gender, regional and residency, urban vs. rural population distribution. Height and weight were measured with calculation of body mass index (BMI). Blood samples were drawn and assayed for total cholesterol, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein concentration and calculation of low density lipoprotein concentration. The mean of BMI was significantly higher among female subjects and significantly higher among urban subjects. The prevalence of obesity was higher among female subjects and higher, however, not significant, among urban subjects. Mean serum TCC was higher among rural subjects. Mean serum LDL concentration was higher among female subjects and higher among urban subjects. Mean serum HDL concentration was lower among female subjects and lower among urban subjects. Mean CH/HDL ratio was higher among female subjects and higher for urban subjects. Female and male subjects living in rural communities had the highest and lowest percentages of subjects with high concentrations of LDL, respectively. Female and male subjects, living in rural communities had the highest and lowest percentages of subjects with low concentration of HDL, respectively. Male and female subjects living in rural communities had the highest and lowest percentages of studied subjects with a high CH/HDL ratio. The age-adjusted prevalence of HC (5.2-6.2 mmol/l) was equal among all the four groups. The prevalence of HC (> 6.2 mmol/l) was significantly higher among rural male subjects, compared with their counterparts in urban areas, while it was equal among female subjects. There was an increase in age-specific prevalence of HC (> 6.2 mmol/l) with maximum prevalence achieved at an age of 56-64 years for urban subjects, while it was achieved a decade earlier for rural subjects. The prevalence of HC, in general, was higher among rural male and urban female subjects. In conclusion, among Saudi subjects, means of total, fractionated cholesterol concentration, CH/HDL ratio > 6.5 and prevalence of obesity were higher among urban female subjects. The prevalence of HC, whether > 5.2 or > 6.2 mmol/l was higher among rural subjects. The difference, however, reached significance among female subjects. There is a need to study the possible underlying factors for the increase in prevalence of HC among rural subjects with special emphasis on the food components and nutritional habits of rural communities in Saudi Arabia. There is also a need to establish a control program throughout the country with the aim of halting the upward trend in incidence of CVD through control of modifiable risk factor such as obesity and hypercholesterolemia. |
| Serum total and lipoprotein cholesterol levels and awareness, treatment, and control of hypercholesterolemia in China He, J., D. Gu, et al. (2004), Circulation 110(4): 405-11. Abstract: BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease has become the leading cause of death in China. We examined the levels of serum total and lipoprotein cholesterol and status of awareness, treatment, and control of hypercholesterolemia in China. METHODS AND RESULTS: A cross-sectional survey in a nationally representative sample of 15,540 Chinese adults 35 to 74 years of age was conducted during 2000 to 2001. Serum cholesterol was measured by use of standard methods, and information on treatment of hyperlipidemia was obtained by use of a standard questionnaire. Age-standardized mean levels of total, HDL, and LDL cholesterol and triglycerides were 186.1, 51.7, 109.5, and 128.1 mg/dL, respectively. Of the Chinese population 35 to 74 years of age, 23.8% (112,500000 persons) had borderline high total cholesterol (200 to 239 mg/dL), and 9.0% (42,540000 persons) had high total cholesterol (> or =240 mg/dL). The population estimates for borderline high (130 to 159 mg/dL), high (160 to 189 mg/dL), and very high (> or =190 mg/dL) LDL cholesterol were 17.0% (80,122000 persons), 5.1% (24,329000 persons), and 2.7% (12,822000 persons), respectively. In addition, 19.2%, or 90 803 000 persons, had a low HDL cholesterol (<40 mg/dL). Among those who had a total cholesterol > or =200 mg/dL or who were on cholesterol-lowering medications, the proportion of men and women who were aware, treated, and controlled was only 8.8% and 7.5%, 3.5% and 3.4%, and 1.9% and 1.5%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of hypercholesterolemia was relatively high and the percentage of adults with controlled blood cholesterol was low in China. Prevention and treatment of hypercholesterolemia should be an important component of a national strategy to reduce the substantial and increasing burden of cardiovascular disease in China. |
| Serum total bile acid concentration in rhesus monkeys: effects of feeding cholesterol and inhibiting cholesterol absorption and synthesis Bhattacharyya, A. K. and J. P. Strong (1992), Ann Nutr Metab 36(1): 55-60. Abstract: The serum total bile acid concentration was measured in rhesus monkeys fed diets practically free of cholesterol and with added cholesterol at two levels. Also, the effects of inhibiting cholesterol absorption by feeding plant sterols and inhibiting cholesterol synthesis by feeding triparanol upon the serum total bile acid levels were studied. Cholesterol feeding significantly increased the serum bile acid concentration. The serum bile acid level was decreased in the high responders fed plant sterols but only when the diet contained the highest level of cholesterol. In both groups serum bile acid levels were not altered when cholesterol biosynthesis was inhibited by feeding triparanol. It is suggested that cholesterol feeding increases the serum bile acid level probably due to an increase in the intestinal pool of bile acids as a result of increased production of bile acids in the liver and their excretion into the bile. |
| Serum total cholesterol and cardiovascular mortality in Israeli males: the CORDIS Study. Cardiovascular Occupational Risk Factor Determination in Israeli Industry Froom, P., E. Kristal-Boneh, et al. (2000), Isr Med Assoc J 2(9): 668-71. Abstract: BACKGROUND: The degree to which serum total cholesterol predicts cardiovascular disease is uncertain. While most authors have placed TC among the most powerful risk indicators of CVD, some have claimed that it predicted CVD in women only, or even not at all. OBJECTIVE: To determine the predictive value of serum total cholesterol relative to diabetes, smoking, systolic blood pressure and body mass index (kg/m2), for cardiovascular disease mortality in 3,461 occupationally active Israeli males. METHODS: A prospective follow-up was carried out for the years 1987-1998 to determine the effect of age, smoking habits, a history of diabetes, SBP, BMI and TC, at entry, on CVD mortality. RESULTS: There were 84 CVD deaths during a total of 37,174 person-years follow up. The hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) for CVD mortality with respect to variables at entry were: diabetes 5.2 (2.1-13.2), age 2.2 (1.7-2.9), smoking 1.3 (1.0-1.8), SBP 1.4 (1.1-2.0), TC 1.5 (1.0-2.1) and BMI 1.2 (0.7-2.2). Among non-obese, non-diabetic, normotensive subjects the hazard ratio of TC adjusted for age and smoking was 1.16 (1.09-1.22) per 10 mg/dl. In the remaining subjects it was 1.04 (0.98-1.12) only. There was a significant interaction between TC and diabetes, hypertension or obesity (P = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: In this population of Israeli males we found an interaction between TC and other risk indicators for CVD. Confirmation is required for the unexpected finding that the predictive value of TC for CVD mortality among non-diabetic, non-obese and normotensive subjects exceeded that among subjects with either of these risk factors. |
| Serum total cholesterol and ferritin and blood haemoglobin concentrations in primary schoolchildren Hammond, J., S. Chinn, et al. (1994), Arch Dis Child 70(5): 373-5. Abstract: Serum total cholesterol and ferritin and haemoglobin concentrations were measured in blood samples obtained by venepuncture in 378 of 593 children aged 5-6 or 8-9 years from seven primary schools in Canterbury. This study formed part of an investigation to assess the feasibility of including a venepuncture procedure for monitoring purposes in primary schoolchildren. Although only one child had a very low haemoglobin concentration of 61 g/l, a large percentage, 25% in the rising 6 years and 7% in the rising 9 years, had concentrations between 100 and 115 g/l--that is, less than the reference fifth centile. Eight per cent had a serum ferritin concentration less than 8 micrograms/l. Cholesterol concentrations higher than 5.2 mmol/l were found in 20% of the 5-6 year olds and 23% of the 8-9 year olds, and in 19% of boys and 25% of girls. About 5% of children had cholesterol concentrations above 6 mmol/l. The number of children with anaemia, iron deficiency, and high cholesterol raises serious concerns about the nutritional and coronary heart disease risk of British children. |
| Serum total cholesterol and long-term coronary heart disease mortality in different cultures. Twenty-five-year follow-up of the seven countries study Verschuren, W. M., D. R. Jacobs, et al. (1995), Jama 274(2): 131-6. Abstract: OBJECTIVE--To compare the relationship between serum total cholesterol and long-term mortality from coronary heart disease (CHD) in different cultures. DESIGN--Total cholesterol was measured at baseline (1958 through 1964) and at 5- and 10-year follow-up in 12,467 men aged 40 through 59 years in 16 cohorts located in seven countries: five European countries, the United States, and Japan. To increase statistical power six cohorts were formed, based on similarities in culture and cholesterol changes during the first 10 years of follow-up. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--Relative risks (RRs), estimated with Cox proportional hazards (survival) analysis, for 25-year CHD mortality for cholesterol quartiles and per 0.50-mmol/L (20-mg/dL) cholesterol increase. Adjustment was made for age, smoking, and systolic blood pressure. RESULTS--The age-standardized CHD mortality rates in the six cohorts ranged from 3% to 20%. The RRs for the highest compared with the lowest cholesterol quartile ranged from 1.5 to 2.3, except for Japan's RR of 1.1. For a cholesterol level of around 5.45 mmol/L (210 mg/dL), CHD mortality rates varied from 4% to 5% in Japan and Mediterranean Southern Europe to about 15% in Northern Europe. However, the relative increase in CHD mortality due to a given cholesterol increase was similar in all cultures except Japan. Using a linear approximation, a 0.50-mmol/L (20-mg/dL) increase in total cholesterol corresponded to an increase in CHD mortality risk of 12%, which became an increase in mortality risk of 17% when adjusted for regression dilution bias. CONCLUSION--Across cultures, cholesterol is linearly related to CHD mortality, and the relative increase in CHD mortality rates with a given cholesterol increase is the same. The large difference in absolute CHD mortality rates at a given cholesterol level, however, indicates that other factors, such as diet, that are typical for cultures with a low CHD risk are also important with respect to primary prevention. |
| Serum total cholesterol and mortality in a Japanese population Iso, H., Y. Naito, et al. (1994), J Clin Epidemiol 47(9): 961-9. Abstract: Although the relation between serum total cholesterol and coronary heart disease is well established, the relation with mortality from non-coronary disease is controversial. Inverse relations of serum cholesterol with hemorrhagic stroke and cancer have stimulated the examination of cholesterol-non-coronary mortality associations. The population surveyed is 12,187 men and women aged 40-69 years living in Yao City, a suburb of Osaka, who undertook baseline examinations between 1975 and 1984 and had no history of stroke and coronary heart disease at baseline. The subjects were followed on average 8.9 years until the end of 1988 using systematic mortality surveillance. During the follow-up, there were 343 deaths, comprising 170 cancer deaths (International Classification of Death 9th edition: ICD-9, 140-239), 21 coronary heart disease deaths (ICD-9, 410-414), 67 other cardiovascular deaths (ICD-9, 390-458 excluding 410-414), and 85 non-cardiovascular, non-cancer deaths. There was a significant inverse association of serum cholesterol with total and cancer mortality for men, and no significant association for women. The cholesterol-disease association, although not significant, was positive for coronary heart disease and other cardiovascular disease deaths, and inverse for non-cardiovascular, non-cancer deaths in both sexes. The inverse association of serum cholesterol with total and cancer mortality for men remained significant after controlling for age, job classification, hypertension category, usual alcohol intake, cigarette smoking, and relative weight index.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) |
| Serum total cholesterol and mortality. Confounding factors and risk modification in Japanese-American men Iribarren, C., D. M. Reed, et al. (1995), Jama 273(24): 1926-32. Abstract: OBJECTIVE--To further investigate the relationship between serum total cholesterol (TC) level and mortality due to major causes. In particular, is the elevated mortality among persons with low TC levels due to confounding conditions that both lower TC level and increase the risk of mortality, and is the association between low or high TC level and mortality homogeneous in the population or, alternatively, restricted to persons with other risk factors? STUDY DESIGN--Prospective cohort study. SETTING--Free-living population in Oahu, Hawaii. PARTICIPANTS--A total of 7049 middle-aged men of Japanese ancestry. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--Age- and risk factor-adjusted mortality due to coronary heart disease, hemorrhagic stroke, cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, nonmalignant liver disease, trauma, miscellaneous and unknown, and all causes. RESULTS--During 23 years of follow-up, a total of 1954 deaths were documented (38% cancer, 25% cardiovascular, and 37% other). Men with low serum TC levels (< 4.66 mmol/L < 180 mg/dL) were found to have several adverse health characteristics, including a higher prevalence of current smoking, heavy drinking, and certain gastrointestinal conditions. In an age-adjusted model, and in relation to the reference group (4.66 to 6.19 mmol/L 180 to 239 mg/dL), those in the lowest TC group (< 4.66 mmol/L < 180 mg/dL) were at significantly higher risk of mortality due to hemorrhagic stroke (relative risk RR, 2.41; 95% confidence interval Cl, 1.45 to 4.00), cancer (RR, 1.41; 95% Cl, 1.17 to 1.69), and all causes (RR, 1.23; 95% Cl, 1.09 to 1.38). Adjustment for confounders in multivariate analysis (and exclusion of cases with prevalent disease at baseline and deaths through year 5) did not explain the risk of fatal hemorrhagic stroke but reduced the excess risk of cancer mortality by 51% (to 1.20 from 1.41) and reduced the excess risk of all-cause mortality by 56% (to 1.10 from 1.32) in the low TC group. In addition, there were clear differences in the patterns of risk when comparing men with and without selected risk factors (ie, smoking, alcohol consumption, and untreated hypertension). CONCLUSIONS--We conclude that the excess mortality at low TC levels can be partially explained by confounding with other determinants of death and by preexisting disease at baseline, and TC-mortality associations are not homogeneous in the population. In our study, TC level was not associated with increased cancer or all-cause mortality in the absence of smoking, high alcohol consumption, and hypertension. |
| Serum total cholesterol and risk of hospitalization, and death from respiratory disease Iribarren, C., D. R. Jacobs, Jr., et al. (1997), Int J Epidemiol 26(6): 1191-202. Abstract: BACKGROUND: In earlier studies, serum total cholesterol was inversely associated with death due to respiratory diseases. METHODS: Relationships of cholesterol with risk of respiratory diseases were examined between 1978 and 1993 in a health maintenance organization in Northern California (48,188 men, 55,276 women, about 60% white, age range 25-89). Incident and fatal endpoints were ascertained using hospital discharge diagnostic codes and underlying cause of death, respectively. RESULTS: An inverse association of cholesterol level with pneumonia/influenza hospitalization was found among men and women except that, contrary to hypothesis, a positive association was seen in women under 55 years of age. Inconsistent inverse associations were found in men, but not women, between cholesterol level and hospitalization for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Hospitalization for asthma was unrelated to cholesterol level. An inverse association existed between cholesterol level and hospitalization for miscellaneous respiratory diseases among men, but not women. Exclusion of early hospitalizations tended to attenuate risk for cholesterol level below 4.14 mmol/l, but not the risk gradient across higher cholesterol levels. For deaths, cholesterol level was statistically significantly inversely associated only with COPD. CONCLUSIONS: Cholesterol had graded inverse associations with some respiratory diseases, but not others, tending to be stronger in men than in women, and in older than in younger participants. Associations varied for hospitalizations compared to deaths. More epidemiological and basic research is needed to elucidate the potential mechanisms underlying the observed associations. |
| Serum total cholesterol and systolic blood pressure as risk factors for mortality from ischemic heart disease among elderly men and women Weijenberg, M. P., E. J. Feskens, et al. (1994), J Clin Epidemiol 47(2): 197-205. Abstract: Serum total cholesterol (TC) and systolic blood pressure (SBP) were investigated as risk factors for mortality from ischemic heart disease among 272 elderly men and women during 17 years of follow-up. For men, TC was not significantly associated with mortality from ischemic heart disease. Among women, a significant positive association was found (p-trend = 0.03 when adjusted for age, body mass index, SBP, alcohol consumption, smoking, and the prevalence of myocardial infarction, angina pectoris and diabetes mellitus). Among women a significant positive association was also observed for SBP after adjustment for all potential confounders (p-trend = 0.05). Among men, the adjusted association with SBP was not statistically significant. The results suggest that TC and SBP are stronger independent risk factors for mortality from ischemic heart disease among elderly women than among elderly men. These differences between genders may be due to selective mortality among middle-aged men and physiological changes in women during menopause. |
| Serum total cholesterol and triglycerides levels in patients with lung cancer Siemianowicz, K., J. Gminski, et al. (2000), Int J Mol Med 5(2): 201-5. Abstract: Epidemiological studies indicate that low serum total cholesterol level may increase the risk of death due to cancer, mainly lung cancer. The aim of our study was to evaluate serum levels of total cholesterol (TC) and triglycerides (TG) in patients with squamous cell and small cell lung cancer and their dependence on the histological type and the clinical stage of the neoplasm. Lung cancer patients (n=135) and healthy controls (n=39) entered the study. All lung cancer patients had higher rate of hypocholesterolemia and lower TC and TG levels than the control group. TC concentration was lower in lung cancer patients and in both histological types in comparison with the control group, TG level was lower only in patients with squamous cell lung cancer. There were no statistically significant differences of TC and TG levels between the histological types, or between the clinical stages of each histological type. |
| Serum total cholesterol concentrations and awareness, treatment, and control of hypercholesterolemia among US adults Folsom, A. R. (2003), Circulation 108(21): e152; author reply e152. |
| Serum total cholesterol concentrations and awareness, treatment, and control of hypercholesterolemia among US adults: findings from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1999 to 2000 Ford, E. S., A. H. Mokdad, et al. (2003), Circulation 107(17): 2185-9. Abstract: BACKGROUND: Serum cholesterol concentrations have decreased in the US population. Whether the decline continued during the 1990s is unknown. METHODS AND RESULTS: We used data from 4148 men and women aged > or =20 years who had a total cholesterol determination or reported using cholesterol-lowering medications and who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 1999 to 2000 (this is a cross-sectional health examination survey of the US population), and we compared the results with data from 15 719 participants in NHANES III (1988 to 1994). For all adults, the age-adjusted mean total cholesterol concentration decreased from 5.31 mmol/L (205 mg/dL) in NHANES III to 5.27 mmol/L (203 mg/dL) in NHANES 1999 to 2000 (P=0.159). The age-adjusted mean total cholesterol concentration decreased by 0.02 mmol/L (0.7 mg/dL) among men (P=0.605) and 0.06 mmol/L (2.3 mg/dL) among women (P=0.130). Significant decreases were observed among men aged > or =75 years, black men, and Mexican-American women. Among participants who had a total cholesterol concentration > or =5.2 mmol/L (200 mg/dL) or who reported using cholesterol-lowering medications, 69.5% reported having had their cholesterol checked, 35.0% were aware that they had hypercholesterolemia, 12.0% were on treatment, and 5.4% had a total cholesterol concentration <5.2 mmol/L (200 mg/dL) after age adjustment. CONCLUSIONS: The mean serum total cholesterol concentration of the adult US population in 1999 to 2000 has changed little since 1988 to 1994. The low percentage of adults with controlled blood cholesterol concentration suggests the need for a renewed commitment to the prevention, treatment, and control of hypercholesterolemia. |
| Serum total cholesterol of new students enrolled at Okayama University: trend during 1989-1998 Ogura, T., K. Matsuura, et al. (2001), Acta Med Okayama 55(5): 269-76. Abstract: To clarify the trend of hypercholesterolemia in Japanese adolescents, we investigated the serial changes in body mass index (BMI) and serum total cholesterol (TC) concentrations among 5,700 new students enrolled at Okayama University in 1989, 1993, and 1998. After confirming the stability of the TC assay of serum samples stored at -80 degrees C, we measured serum TC levels in stored serum samples using an automated assay system. Although serum TC levels were higher in females than in males, these levels correlated weakly and positively with BMI (r = 0.21, P < 0. 001) in males but not in females. Serum TC concentrations progressively increased from 1989-1998 in both sexes, irrespective of changes in BMI. In subjects with normal BMI (> or = 19 and < 23 kg/m2), a significant increase in serum TC was noted from 1989-1998 in both males (157.2 +/- 1.0 to 163.6 +/- 0.9 mg/dl) and females (172.0 +/- 1.1 to 175.6 +/- 1.0 mg/dl). Our results indicate on increased incidence of hypercholesterolemia even in nonobese young Japanese adolescents. A concerted effort by health and education officials together with parents is necessary to prevent a further rise in the incidence of hypercholesterolemia among young Japanese. |