| For medical practitioners and the general public - Cholesterol Journal Article Catalog. |
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| The arrangement of cholesterol in membranes and binding of NAP-22 Epand, R. M., R. F. Epand, et al. (2003), Chem Phys Lipids 122(1-2): 33-9. Abstract: Cholesterol forms crystals when the mol fraction of sterol in a membrane bilayer exceeds a certain value. The solubility limit of cholesterol is very dependent on the nature of the phospholipid with which it is mixed. NMR methods have proven useful in quantifying the amount of cholesterol monohydrate crystals present in mixtures with phospholipids. A protein, NAP-22, present in high abundance in the synaptic cell membrane and synaptic vesicle, promotes the formation of cholesterol crystallites in lipid mixtures in which cholesterol would be completely dissolved in the membrane in the absence of protein. This finding, along with effects of the protein on the phase transitions of mixtures of phosphatidylcholine (PC) and cholesterol indicate that NAP-22 facilitates the formation of cholesterol-rich domains. This protein will bind only to membranes of PC that contain either cholesterol or phosphatidylethanolamine (PE). The process requires the presence of a myristoyl group on the N-terminus of NAP-22. The phenomenon also does not occur with a 19 amino acid myristoylated peptide corresponding to the amino terminal segment of NAP-22. The basis of the selectivity of NAP-22 for interacting with membranes of specific composition is suggested to be due to the accessibility of the myristoyl group. |
| The association between cholesterol and death from injury Cummings, P. and B. M. Psaty (1994), Ann Intern Med 120(10): 848-55. Abstract: PURPOSE: To review the association between low serum cholesterol and death from injury. DATA SOURCES: Relevant English-language papers identified through MEDLINE and Current Contents searches and bibliographies of identified articles. STUDY SELECTION: More than 150 articles were reviewed to identify data, meta-analyses, or important reviews of the association between low cholesterol and injuries. DATA EXTRACTION: Estimates of the association between cholesterol and death from injury were extracted from published reports. DATA SYNTHESIS: Animal studies and descriptive studies have provided little information about serum cholesterol and injuries. The Conference on Low Blood Cholesterol pooled results from 14 cohort studies in men and found a relative risk of 1.4 for death from injury in men whose cholesterol levels were lower than 4.14 mmol/L (160 mg/dL) compared with men whose cholesterol levels were 4.14 to 5.15 mmol/L (P = 0.003). Most cohort studies support this finding. The strongest evidence that cholesterol and death from injury are related comes from a meta-analysis of six randomized cardiac primary prevention trials of cholesterol reduction; the relative risk for death from injury for treated men compared with controls was 1.42 (95% Cl, 0.94 to 2.15). CONCLUSIONS: In cohort studies, the strength of the association between low serum cholesterol levels and subsequent death from injury is weak and may be caused by confounding factors such as socioeconomic status. The modestly elevated risk ratio found in a meta-analysis of trials of cholesterol reduction in men is of borderline statistical significance. This association may be related to efforts to lower cholesterol rather than to low absolute levels of serum cholesterol. Until more data are available, the hypothesized relation between low cholesterol and injuries remains unsettled. |
| The association between low birth weight and high levels of cholesterol is not due to an increased cholesterol synthesis or absorption: analysis in twins Ijzerman, R. G., C. D. Stehouwer, et al. (2002), Pediatr Res 52(6): 868-72. Abstract: Low birth weight may be associated with high levels of cholesterol in later life through genetic factors that affect both birth weight and cholesterol metabolism. Alterations in cholesterol synthesis and absorption may play an important role in this association. We examined birth weight and plasma ratios of a precursor of cholesterol, lathosterol (an estimate of cholesterol synthesis), and plant sterols, campesterol and beta-sitosterol (estimates of cholesterol absorption), to cholesterol in 53 dizygotic and 58 monozygotic adolescent twin pairs. After adjustment for current weight, birth weight was not associated with the ratios of lathosterol, campesterol, and beta-sitosterol either in the overall sample +0.07 micro mol/mmol/kg (95% confidence interval: -0.11 to 0.25), p = 0.5; +0.02 micro mol/mmol/kg (-0.33 to 0.37), p = 0.9; and -0.04 micro mol/mmol/kg (-0.23 to 0.15), p = 0.8, respectively or in the intrapair analysis in dizygotic twins +0.27 micro mol/mmol/kg (-0.28 to 0.82), p = 0.3; -0.03 micro mol/mmol/kg (-1.07 to 1.01), p = 1.0; and +0.04 micro mol/mmol/kg (-0.56 to 0.64), p = 0.9, respectively or in the intrapair analysis in monozygotic twins +0.54 micro mol/mmol/kg (-0.09 to 1.18), p = 0.09; -0.60 micro mol/mmol/kg (-1.59 to 0.39), p = 0.2; and -0.43 micro mol/mmol/kg (-0.99 to 0.14), p = 0.14, respectively. Plasma levels of lathosterol, campesterol, and beta-sitosterol, which are indicators of cholesterol synthesis and absorption, thus do not explain the association of low birth weight with high levels of total and LDL cholesterol. As an alternative hypothesis, we suggest that a decrease in cholesterol clearance may play an important role. |
| The association between occupational lead exposure and serum cholesterol and lipoprotein levels Kristal-Boneh, E., D. Coller, et al. (1999), Am J Public Health 89(7): 1083-7. Abstract: OBJECTIVES: This study sought to clarify the possible associations between blood lead level and serum cholesterol and lipoprotein levels in subjects occupationally exposed to lead. METHODS: Levels of blood lead, serum total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides in 56 male industrial employees who were exposed to lead were compared with those in 87 unexposed employees. RESULTS: Mean blood lead levels were 42.3 (+/- 14.9) micrograms/dL in the exposed group and 2.7 (+/- 3.6) micrograms/dL in the nonexposed group. The exposed subjects had higher mean levels of total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol. CONCLUSIONS: Blood lead levels are positively associated with total and HDL cholesterol. |
| The association between serum albumin and HDL and total cholesterol Gillum, R. F. (1993), J Natl Med Assoc 85(4): 290-2. Abstract: Relatively low serum albumin is a predictor of increased mortality and coronary heart disease incidence. To shed light on the likelihood of confounding this association by high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol or other risk factors, data from the National Center for Health Statistics were examined. Serum albumin concentration was significantly correlated with HDL cholesterol concentration only in white men aged 25 to 34 and 35 to 44 years. Serum albumin was positively correlated with serum total cholesterol. Several other cardiovascular risk factors were correlated with serum albumin in whites and blacks. Further studies are needed. |
| The association between the T102C polymorphism of the HTR2A serotonin receptor gene and HDL cholesterol level in Koreans Choi, J. H., S. Y. Zhang, et al. (2005), J Biochem Mol Biol 38(2): 238-42. Abstract: 5-HT2A is one of major serotonin receptor that is involved in the action of serotonin-targeting drugs. Previous clinical studies have shown an unexpected association between lower cholesterol level and psychiatric diseases, in which T102C polymorphism of HTR2A, gene of 5-HT2A serotonin receptor, might be involved. Therefore, we hypothesized a potential association between lower cholesterol level and T102C polymorphism. The effect of the T102C polymorphism on the serum lipid profiles of 646 subjects without specific psychiatric disease was investigated. Genotype was determined by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. There were significantly lower levels of total cholesterol (193.6 +/- 35.0 versus 202.1 +/- 45.5 mg/dl, p = 0.016) and HDL-cholesterol (42.7 +/- 11.6 versus 46.3 +/- 12.7 mg/dl, p = 0.004) in CC genotype than non-CC genotypes. Moreover, multivariate analysis showed that the CC genotype is a strong predictor of a lower HDL-cholesterol level (p < 0.001). In conclusion, this study shows that the CC genotype of the HTR2A gene is related to lower HDL-cholesterol level in Koreans. This is the first demonstration showing the potential genetic relationship between the serotonin receptor gene polymorphism and the HDL-cholesterol level. |
| The association of cholesteryl ester transfer protein polymorphism with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and coronary artery disease in Koreans Park, K. W., J. H. Choi, et al. (2003), Clin Genet 63(1): 31-8. Abstract: Cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) is a key protein involved in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) metabolism. It is known to affect plasma HDL-C levels, and its genetic regulation may be involved in the development of coronary artery disease (CAD). The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of the CETP Taq1B polymorphism in Koreans, and to investigate its relationship with plasma HDL-C levels and CAD. One-hundred and nineteen patients with significant CAD and 106 controls were examined with respect to their genotypes, lipid profiles and other risk factors of CAD. The genotype frequencies of B1B1:B1B2:B2B2 in males and females were 35.5%:50%:14.5% and 34.7%:42.6%:22.7%, respectively, which is comparable to previous reports in other ethnic groups. The B1B1 homozygote was associated with significantly lower HDL-C levels in females (p = 0.049) and non-smoking males (p = 0.037). After controlling for gender, body mass index (BMI) and smoking, the TaqIB polymorphism was still significantly associated with HDL-C levels (p = 0.046) and explained 5.4% of the HDL-C variation in this study. By univariate analysis, the B1B1 homozygote was a significant predictor of CAD (p = 0.043), and this was confirmed by multivariate analysis with traditional risk factors, i.e. the B1B1 homozygote was an independent predictor of CAD (p = 0.026, odds ratio = 1.97, 95% confidence interval: 1.08-3.57). In conclusion, the B1B1 homozygote of the CETP Taq1B polymorphism is associated with low HDL-C levels in females and non-smoking males, and may be an independent genetic risk factor of CAD in the Korean population. |
| The association of low serum cholesterol with depression and suicidal behaviours: new hypotheses for the missing link Manfredini, R., S. Caracciolo, et al. (2000), J Int Med Res 28(6): 247-57. Abstract: Several observational studies indicate that reduction of serum cholesterol levels is related to an increase in violent deaths and suicide but the nature of this possible relationship remains unclear. Many confounding factors, e.g. poor health, depression and loss of appetite may play a role in the apparent relationship between serum cholesterol levels and suicide. Two separate phenomena should be considered: lowering total cholesterol and low total cholesterol. This review considers the evidence from epidemiological studies on serum cholesterol lowering and psychiatric disturbances. The available evidence does not seem to substantiate the view that large-scale intervention to reduce cholesterol concentrations could lead to more violent and aggressive behaviour, and generally greater unhappiness. In recent trials using statin treatment, there were slightly fewer deaths from accidents and suicide in the treated group compared with the placebo group. We believe that clinicians should not be deterred from prescribing cholesterol-lowering drugs, to reduce the risk of death from coronary heart disease, when they are indicated. |
| The association of serum nonesterified fatty acids and cholesterol, management and feeding practices with peripartum disease in dairy cows Kaneene, J. B., R. Miller, et al. (1997), Prev Vet Med 31(1-2): 59-72. Abstract: A prospective study was conducted to determine the relationship of serum nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) and cholesterol concentrations and herd management practices to the occurrence of metritis, mastitis and retained placenta in Holstein cows in Michigan. Serum samples were collected once prepartum and once postpartum from 257 cows. Animals were under observation for disease occurrence from the date of calving until 3 months postpartum. Metabolic variables used were (1) prepartum only; (2) postpartum only; (3) the NEFA/cholesterol ratio for both pre- and postpartum samples. Management variables included maternity management, feed management, and factors such as season and parity. Multivariable logistic models with random-effect terms to account for the herd effect were used for data analysis. Results showed that: (1) metabolic events associated with energy insufficiency-increased fat mobilization and serum lipoprotein metabolism-were related to increased risk of metritis and retained placenta; (2) higher energy consumption during the last weeks of the dry period might reduce disease risk at parturition; (3) serum NEFA and cholesterol concentrations have potential as indicators of disease risk in dairy cows. |
| The assumed assimilation of cholesterol by Lactobacilli and Bifidobacterium bifidum is due to their bile salt-deconjugating activity Klaver, F. A. and R. van der Meer (1993), Appl Environ Microbiol 59(4): 1120-4. Abstract: To study the mechanism of the propsed assimilation of cholesterol, we cultured various strains of Lactobacillus acidophilus and a Bifidobacterium sp. in the presence of cholesterol and oxgall. During culturing, both cholesterol and bile salts were precipitated. Because of bacterial bile salt deconjugation, no conjugated bile salts were observed in either the culture fluids or the pellets. During incubation, the cell count and optical density decreased. The degree of precipitation of bile salts and of cholesterol was dependent on the culture conditions. If L. acidophilus RP32 was cultured under acidifying conditions, the degree of precipitation of deconjugated bile salts was higher than if the pH was maintained at 6.0. Under acidifying conditions, cholesterol was coprecipitated with the bile salts, whereas in pH-controlled cultures, no coprecipitation of cholesterol was observed. From control experiments with different mixtures of bile salts, it appeared that coprecipitation of cholesterol during culturing was a result of formation of deconjugated bile salts, which have a decreased solubility at pH values lower than 6.0. It is concluded that the removal of cholesterol from the culture medium by L. acidophilus RP32 and other species is not due to bacterial uptake of cholesterol, but results from bacterial bile salt-deconjugating activity. |
| The atherogenic effect of lupus sera: systemic lupus erythematosus-derived immune complexes stimulate the accumulation of cholesterol in cultured smooth muscle cells from human aorta Kabakov, A. E., V. V. Tertov, et al. (1992), Clin Immunol Immunopathol 63(3): 214-20. Abstract: The influence of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients' sera on lipid accumulation in the cultured smooth muscle cells (SMC) from unaffected human aortic intima was examined. It was demonstrated that the cholesterol uptake in the SMC cultured in the presence of SLE sera is 1.5- to 6-fold higher than in the cells cultured with normal human sera (NHS) obtained from healthy donors. Incubation of the SMC with circulating immune complexes (CIC) isolated from lupus sera by precipitation with 2.5% polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG) caused a 3- to 4-fold rise in the intracellular cholesterol level. The atherogenic effect of lupus sera, as well as isolated CIC, strongly correlated (r = 0.98) with the low density lipoprotein (LDL) content in the PEG-precipitated CIC. The cholesterol level in cultured SMC also increased 2- to 3-fold when growth medium was supplemented with LDL, DNA, and anti-DNA autoantibodies (IgG) affinity isolated from lupus sera. Using immunofluorescent staining, it was shown that the addition of a DNA-anti-DNA IgG mixture to the growth medium, together with NHS, stimulated LDL incorporation in the SMC. The results of double-label staining suggest the formation of LDL-DNA-IgG complexes which seem to be entrapped in cells more actively than free LDL. The composition of PEG-precipitated CIC was studied by electrophoresis and immunoblotting. Significant amounts of apolipoprotein B, as well as low molecular weight DNA and immunoglobulins, were found in SLE-derived CIC. The data obtained suggest that the atherogenic effect of human lupus sera in vitro is generally due to the appearance of LDL-containing immune complexes. Different mechanisms possibly involved in the lupus atherogenesis are discussed. |
| The atherogenic effects of chlamydia are dependent on serum cholesterol and specific to Chlamydia pneumoniae Hu, H., G. N. Pierce, et al. (1999), J Clin Invest 103(5): 747-53. Abstract: Epidemiological investigations have linked Chlamydia pneumoniae infection to atherosclerosis. It is not clear, however, whether C. pneumoniae infection plays a causal role in the development of atherosclerosis. Mice with low-density lipoprotein receptor deficiency were induced to develop atherosclerotic lesions in aorta with a cholesterol-enriched diet that increased serum cholesterol by two- to threefold. Using this mouse model, we found that the chlamydial infection alone with either the C. pneumoniae AR39 or the C. trachomatis MoPn strain failed to induce any significant atherosclerotic lesions in aorta over a period of nine months. However, in the presence of a high-cholesterol diet, infection with the C. pneumoniae AR39 strain significantly exacerbated the hypercholesterolemia-induced atherosclerosis, demonstrating that a hypercholesterolemic condition is required for the C. pneumoniae to aggravate the development of atherosclerosis. Although both AR39 and MoPn antigens were detected in aorta of mice infected with the corresponding strains, only mice infected with the C. pneumoniae strain AR39 displayed enhanced atherosclerotic lesions, suggesting that the C. pneumoniae species may possess a unique atherogenic property. This study may provide a model for further understanding the mechanisms of C. pneumoniae atherogenesis and evaluating chlamydial intervention strategies for preventing the advancement of atherosclerotic lesions enhanced by C. pneumoniae infection. |
| The atherogenic plasma remnant-like particle cholesterol concentration is increased in the fasting and postprandial state in active acromegalic patients Twickler, T. B., G. M. Dallinga-Thie, et al. (2001), Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) 55(1): 69-75. Abstract: BACKGROUND: Premature atherosclerosis is a clinical feature in untreated acromegaly. Increased postprandial lipoprotein remnant levels are associated with premature atherosclerosis. In most studies, remnants have been measured indirectly using retinyl esters (RE) as a chylomicron core label. Remnants can also be directly quantified by immunoseparation using monoclonal antibodies to apolipoprotein (apo) AI and apo B100 to remove nonremnant lipoproteins. Cholesterol is quantified in the remaining apo E-rich remnant fraction (RLP-C). OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of postprandial lipaemia in patients with acromegaly to further define abnormalities leading to increased susceptibility for atherosclerosis. PATIENTS: In a case-control study, the plasma postprandial lipoprotein remnant fraction (RLP-C and RE) were analysed in six patients with active acromegaly two females, four males; aged 53 +/- 9 years; body mass index (BMI), 29 +/- 4 kg/m2 and in six normolipidaemic control subjects (matched for age, gender, BMI and apo E genotype). They underwent an oral vitamin A fat loading test. RESULTS: Baseline plasma triglycerides (TG) were not significantly different in patients (1.75 +/- 0.71 mM) and controls (1.15 +/- 0.46 mM). Lipoprotein lipase activity was significantly lower in patients than in controls (108 +/- 21 vs. 141 +/- 19 U/l, respectively; P < 0.05). Baseline plasma apo E levels were higher in patients (60.8 +/- 7.9 mg/l) than in controls (48.3 +/- 5.9 mg/l; P < 0.05). No differences were found in the area under the postprandial TG curve (AUC-TG), the incremental AUC-TG (DeltaAUC-TG) and AUC-RE in the Sf < 1000 remnant fraction. However, fasting plasma RLP-C concentrations, isolated by immunoseparation, were increased in patients with active acromegaly (0.41 +/- 0.13 mM) compared to control subjects (0.20 +/- 0.07 mM; P < 0.05). Incremental postprandial RLP-C response (corrected for fasting values) was also significantly elevated in patients (2.14 +/- 1.19 mM/h/l) compared to controls (0.86 +/- 0.34 mM/h/l; P < 0.05). In both groups, the maximal RLP-C concentration was reached between 2 and 4 h. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, the atherogenic postprandial remnants, represented by RLP-C, were significantly elevated at baseline and in the postprandial period, whereas the larger-sized remnants, represented by retinyl esters (Sf < 1000), were not different from controls. The disturbances in the postprandial RLP-C response increased the susceptibility for premature atherosclerosis as observed in patients with acromegaly. |
| The awareness of the risk of elevated cholesterol levels and knowledge about cholesterol-lowering action in Australia Rushworth, R. L., A. J. Plant, et al. (1990), Med J Aust 152(2): 72-5. Abstract: We report on a survey of the frequency of the assessment of cholesterol levels and blood pressure in the Australian population. Attitudes to risk-factor modification for cardiovascular disease also were evaluated and emphasis was placed on the assessment of knowledge about dietary modification in relation to cardiovascular disease. Respondents in this survey more frequently reported that they had undergone a blood pressure assessment than that they had had their blood cholesterol levels measured (96% and 46% of respondents, respectively). The proportion (5%) of respondents who recalled a cholesterol assessment with elevated cholesterol levels was found to be substantially lower than was that for participants in the 1983 National Heart Foundation Risk Factor Prevalence Study (19% of men and 21% of women had cholesterol levels of more than 6.5 mmol/L). Very few (9%) respondents in this survey nominated that they would reduce their dietary fat intake in order to modify their risk of developing cardiovascular disease. However, a greater number of respondents answered appropriately when asked about their potential modification of specific food items. More than 80% of respondents reported that they would reduce their intake of fried foods, although fewer would minimize their intakes of dairy products and meat. Women and respondents with a higher level of education were found to be more likely to respond appropriately. In addition, of those respondents who recalled ever having had their blood cholesterol level measured, those who reported that they had an elevated cholesterol level were more likely to indicate appropriate dietary modifications compared with those who reported normal cholesterol levels. Cholesterol reduction continues to be an important public-health issue in Australia. The results of this survey indicate that there is a need for both increased identification of individuals with elevated cholesterol levels in the population and further educational programmes about the relationship among cholesterol, diet and cardiovascular disease. |
| The Beaver County Lipid Study. Sixteen-year cholesterol tracking Stuhldreher, W., R. Donahue, et al. (1991), Ann N Y Acad Sci 623: 466-8. |
| The beneficial effects of plant sterols on serum cholesterol Wong, N. C. (2001), Can J Cardiol 17(6): 715-21. Abstract: Phytosterol-enriched margarines are a recent addition to the list of so-called 'functional foods'. The ingestion of phyto-sterols lowers the serum cholesterol by inhibiting intestinal uptake of the sterol. The phytosterols available in consumer products are comprised predominantly of beta-sitosterol and sitostanol. The esterified form of these phytosterols increases their solubility and enhances their residence time in the small intestine. Their ability to displace cholesterol from micelles in the small intestine underlies the mechanism that inhibits cholesterol absorption, leading to a 10% reduction in total serum cholesterol. Numerous well designed studies have documented the beneficial actions of these phytosterols on serum cholesterol. |
| The benefit of lowering cholesterol: relative risk can be absolutely misleading! Meleady, R. and I. M. Graham (1998), Ir J Med Sci 167(2): 92-3. |
| The benefits of lowering cholesterol in subjects with mild hyperglycemia Goldberg, R. B. (1999), Arch Intern Med 159(22): 2627-8. |
| The benefits of reducing cholesterol levels Shaw, J. (1992), Med J Aust 156(3): 222-3. |
| The benefits of reducing cholesterol levels: the need to distinguish primary from secondary prevention. 1. A meta-analysis of cholesterol-lowering trials Silberberg, J. S. and D. A. Henry (1991), Med J Aust 155(10): 665-6, 669-70. Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To use meta-analysis to estimate the benefits of drug treatment to lower cholesterol levels in the primary and secondary prevention of coronary heart disease (CHD) events. DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE search from 1967 to 1990; bibliographies of review articles. STUDY SELECTION: Nine trials met the entry criteria: they were monofactorial, randomised and controlled. DATA EXTRACTION: Two independent, unblinded observers. DATA SYNTHESIS: The odds ratio (and 95% Cl) for death from CHD was 0.85 (0.64, 1.14) in primary prevention and 0.84 (0.75, 0.95) in secondary prevention studies when calculated by the method of Peto. The event rate in the secondary prevention studies was higher than that in the primary prevention studies, and the absolute risk reduction achieved by therapy in the former (3.2%) was much higher than that in the latter (0.1%). The number of subjects needing to be treated to prevent one death from CHD was 38 in secondary prevention and 675 in primary prevention. Results with the method of DerSimonian and Laird were similar. CONCLUSIONS: The benefits of cholesterol lowering to prevent death from CHD are substantially greater in the secondary prevention setting than in primary prevention. |