| For medical practitioners and the general public - Cholesterol Journal Article Catalog. |
| First Page | Previous Page | Next Page | Last Page |
| The caveolin triad: caveolae biogenesis, cholesterol trafficking, and signal transduction Schlegel, A. and M. P. Lisanti (2001), Cytokine Growth Factor Rev 12(1): 41-51. Abstract: Caveolins are a family of proteins that coat the cytoplasmic face of caveolae, vesicular invaginations of the plasma membrane. These proteins are central to the organization of the proteins and lipids that reside in caveolae. Caveolins transport cholesterol to and from caveolae, and they regulate the activity of signaling proteins that reside in caveolae. Through studying the genes encoding the caveolae coat proteins, we have learned much about how they perform these multiple functions. |
| The cellular biochemistry of cholesterol and statins: insights into the pathophysiology and therapy of Alzheimer's disease Wolozin, B., J. Brown, 3rd, et al. (2004), CNS Drug Rev 10(2): 127-46. Abstract: The causes of late onset Alzheimer disease (AD) are poorly understood. Although beta-amyloid (Abeta) is thought to play a critical role in the pathophysiology of AD, no genetic evidence directly ties Abeta to late onset AD. This suggests that the accumulation of Abeta and neurodegeneration associated with AD might result from an abnormality that indirectly affects Abeta production or accumulation. Increasing evidence suggests that abnormalities in the metabolism of cholesterol and related molecules, such as cholseterol esters and 24(S) hydroxycholesterol might contribute to the pathophysiology of late onset AD by increasing production of Abeta. 24(S) Hydroxycholesterol is a member of a family of oxidized cholesterol catabolites, termed oxysterols, which function to regulate export of cholesterol from the cell and transcription of genes related to cholesterol metabolism. Cholesterol esters are cholesterol derivatives used for cholesterol storage. Levels of 24(S) hydroxycholesterol increase with AD. Polymorphisms in several different genes important for cholesterol physiology are associated with an increased load or level of Abeta in AD. These genes include apolipoprotein E, cholesterol 24 hydroxylase (Cyp46), acyl-CoA:cholesterol acetyltransferase (ACAT), and the cholesterol transporter ABCA1. Other studies show that levels of cholesterol, or its precursors, are elevated in subjects early in the course of AD. Finally, studies of the processing of amyloid precursor protein show that cholesterol and its catabolites modulate amyloid precursor protein processing and Abeta production. These lines of evidence raise the possibility that genetic abnormalities in cholesterol metabolism might contribute to the pathophysiology of AD. |
| The challenge of achieving national cholesterol goals in patients with diabetes Kennedy, A. G., C. D. MacLean, et al. (2005), Diabetes Care 28(5): 1029-34. Abstract: OBJECTIVE: This study analyzed lipid results from a large community-based population of patients with diabetes to assess the feasibility of attaining the standard and new optional LDL-based lipid goals using currently available lipid-lowering medications. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Ambulatory patients with diabetes who were interviewed as part of the Vermont Diabetes Information System trial with a reported LDL were analyzed. Patients were categorized into high-risk and very-high-risk cardiovascular status. For patients not at the LDL goal, the required changes in therapy to achieve the goal were assessed. RESULTS: Of the entire cohort, 49.4% (321 of 650) had LDL <100 mg/dl. According to the National Cholesterol Education Program, 29.4% (191 of 650) of patients were very high risk and have an optional LDL goal of <70 mg/dl. Only 15.7% (30 of 191) of very-high-risk patients had an LDL <70 mg/dl. Based on our analysis of high-risk patients, 17 of 459 (3.7%) would require more than two lipid-lowering drugs to achieve an LDL <100 mg/dl. In the very-high-risk group, we estimate that 26.2% (50 of 191) of patients will not reach LDL <70 mg/dl with two lipid-lowering medications. CONCLUSIONS: In many patients with diabetes and cardiovascular disease, it will be difficult to attain an LDL goal of <70 mg/dl. Approximately 25% of patients will require more than two lipid-lowering drugs at maximal doses to attain this goal, assuming 100% tolerance of lipid-lowering medications. |
| The changing course of diabetic nephropathy: low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and blood pressure correlate with regression of proteinuria Ellis, D., C. Lloyd, et al. (1996), Am J Kidney Dis 27(6): 809-18. Abstract: Diabetic nephropathy (DN) as manifested by persistent and clinically evident proteinuria, has long been considered an irreversible process that predicts a rapid decline in renal function. The observation of reversal of DN in several individuals enrolled in a prospective study of the natural course of diabetes complications challenged this view and led to the current investigation into the correlates of such regression of proteinuria. DN was defined as a median albumin excretion rate (AER) over 200 microg/min in two or three urine collections obtained at baseline, and again at 2 and 4 years of follow-up. Among 658 individuals with childhood-onset insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), 146 had DN at baseline. Nine subsequently died without renal failure, and 13 were lost to follow-up. Of the 124 subjects with at least survey follow-up data, 32 (24%) developed renal failure, and 78 of the remaining 92 provided full quantitative data. AER decreased by > or = 10-fold into the microalbuminuric (20 to 200 microg/min) or normal range (<20 microg/min) in 7 of these individuals and are called "regressors of proteinuria." Compared with the remaining 71 subjects, the strongest correlate of regression of proteinuria was an improvement in fasting plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in the 7 regressors (P < 0.008). Improved glycemic control was not a significant predictor of improved AER. Five of the 7 individuals with improved AER had a baseline median AER below 500 microg/min. When the 7 regressors of proteinuria were combined with an additional 38 individuals who also experienced smaller decreases in median AER, such improvement was associated with a more favorable systolic (or diastolic) blood pressure (BP) change (P < 0.01), and a decrease in plasma LDL-C level (P = 0.01). These data suggest that proteinuria in DN may substantially regress in approximately 6% and improve in at least 34% of individuals with IDDM over a 4-year period, often in association with a decrease in plasma LDL-C concentration or stabilization or improvement in BP. Furthermore, the data suggest that the nonreversibility threshold for diabetic nephropathy may be higher (500 mg/min) than previously reported (200 microg/min). |
| The characteristics and applications of recombinant cholesterol dehydrogenase Kishi, K., Y. Watazu, et al. (2000), Biosci Biotechnol Biochem 64(7): 1352-8. Abstract: Mass production of an r-CDH derived from Nocardia species was made possible by gene technology. (Horinouchi et al., Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 57, 1386-1393 (1991)). However, the characteristics of the r-CDH have not been studied in detail and have not been improved enough for industrial use. We accordingly characterized both the native-CDH and the r-CDH prepared from Streptomyces lividans. Both CDHs were monomers with molecular masses of 37 kDa. The Km of r-CDH was 2.50 x 10(-3) M for cholesterol and 2.33 x 10(-4) M for NAD. The activators of CDHs were TritonX-100 and cholate. TritonX-405, Ag+, and Zn2+ inhibited both enzymes. The residual activity of native CDH after heat treatment was 32% (37 degrees C, 60 min), while the r-CDH showed a residual activity of 87% (37 degrees C, 60 min). The r-CDH is an enzyme with high substrate specificity for cholesterol as well as native CDH and higher thermal stability than native CDH. We have developed a novel serum cholesterol assay using the r-CDH, which permits the direct measurement of cholesterol by measuring NADH reaction products. We conclude that this r-CDH enzyme is useful and can be used to measure cholesterol in a clinical chemistry setting. |
| The characteristics of the lecithin-cholesterol-acyltransferase reaction in the blood serum during liver regeneration Chirkin, A. A., N. Konevalova, et al. (1990), Nauchnye Doki Vyss Shkoly Biol Nauki(11): 26-34. Abstract: The rate of cholesterin ether formation in blood serum during the periods of rapid recovery of liver mass decreases after partial hepatectomy in rats. This effect is connected with the changes in quantity and composition of lecithin cholesterin acyltransferase (LCAT) as well the kinetic characteristics of lipoprotein of high density. This ferment was isolated from blood serum and purified in 28,500 times at different periods of liver regeneration. A conclusion concerning the presence of reverse dependence between the pronounced regeneration processes in liver and LCAT activity at high level of nonetherificated cholesterin in substrate has been drawn. Some recommendations for LCAT activity reducing processes in liver are given. |
| The characterization of plasma membrane Ca2+-ATPase in rich sphingomyelin-cholesterol domains Pang, Y., H. Zhu, et al. (2005), FEBS Lett 579(11): 2397-403. Abstract: According to the raft hypothesis, sphingolipid-cholesterol (CHOL) microdomains are involved in numerous cellular functions. Here, we have prepared liposomes to simulate the lipid composition of rafts/caveolae using phosphatidylchone, sphingomyelin (SPM)-CHOL in vitro. Experiments of both 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene and merocyanine-540 fluorescence showed that a phase transition from l(d) to l(o) can be observed clearly. In particular, we investigated the behavior of a membrane protein, plasma membrane Ca(2+)-ATPase (PMCA), in lipid rafts (l(o) phase). Three complementary approaches to characterize the physical appearance of PMCA were employed in the present study. Tryptophan intrinsic fluorescence increase, fluorescence quenching by both acrylamid and hypocrellin B decrease, and MIANS fluorescence decrease, indicate that the conformation of PMCA embedded in lipid l(o) phase is more compact than in lipid l(d) phase. Also, our results showed that PMCA activity decreased with the increase of SPM-CHOL content, in other words, with the increase of l(o) phase. This suggests that the specific domains containing high SPM-CHOL concentration are not a favorable place for PMCA activity. Finally, a possible explanation about PMCA molecules concentrated in caveolae/rafts was discussed. |
| The chemiluminescent determination of cholesterol Filippova, N., V. Rodionov Iu, et al. (1991), Lab Delo(9): 20-3. Abstract: A chemiluminescent method has been offered to assay the blood serum total cholesterol. The method is based on coupled enzymatic reactions in two steps: (1) esterified cholesterol hydrolysis by cholesterol esterase in the presence of sodium cholate and (2) cholesterol oxidation by cholesterol oxidase and chemiluminescent assay of the released hydrogen peroxide in peroxidase reaction with luminol and p-iodophenol. Separation of these steps results in a better accuracy of the test as against the one-step procedure. High sensitivity of the method (the detection limit being 1 mM of cholesterol in a luminometer cuvette) permits high dilutions of the serum, this essentially eliminating the admixture effects on the enzymatic reactions. The findings of the suggested method are in good correlation with those of the spectrophotometric assay of cholesterol using the KONE kit. |
| The Cholesterol 2000 document: is it useful for renal patients? Lurdes Comas Mongay, M., E. Castellote Alonso, et al. (2001), Rev Esp Cardiol 54(6): 807-8. |
| The cholesterol absorption inhibitor, ezetimibe, decreases diet-induced hypercholesterolemia in monkeys van Heek, M., D. S. Compton, et al. (2001), Eur J Pharmacol 415(1): 79-84. Abstract: Ezetimibe (1-(4-fluorophenyl)-(3R)-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-(3S)-hydroxypropyl-(4S)-(4-h ydroxyphenyl)-2-azetidinone) potently and selectively inhibits the intestinal absorption of cholesterol, thereby reducing plasma cholesterol in preclinical models of hypercholesterolemia. In rhesus monkeys fed a diet containing 375 mg/day of cholesterol, 0.1 mg/kg of ezetimibe completely prevented the doubling of plasma cholesterol normally induced under these dietary conditions (ED(50)=0.0005 mg/kg). Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) was dose-dependently reduced, while high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) and plasma triglyceride were unchanged. A single dose of an ezetimibe analog administered to cynomolgus monkeys fed a single cholesterol-containing meal caused a significant reduction (-69%) of cholesterol in chylomicrons during the postprandial phase without affecting triglyceride content. In rhesus monkeys, apolipoprotein (apo) B(48) concentrations in chylomicrons did not differ between control and the ezetimibe analog, but apo B(100) was significantly reduced in LDL (-41%). These data indicate that these cholesterol absorption inhibitors reduce cholesterol content in chylomicrons, which indirectly leads to a decrease in LDL cholesterol and particle number. |
| The cholesterol and alpha-cholesterol levels in pre-eclampsia Dakov, D. (1990), Akush Ginekol (Sofiia) 29(5): 8-12. Abstract: Cholesterol and alpha-cholesterol were determined in blood serum of 78 pregnant women. The obtained results were compared with those of healthy pregnant women at the same gestational age. The studies were made by an automatic biochemical analyzer. The values of cholesterol increased in comparison with the control group at 25 weeks' gestation and reached the peak during 40 weeks' gestation. Alpha-cholesterol is a complex of lipoproteins with high density and cholesterol. The author found a reduction of alpha-cholesterol at 32 weeks' gestation especially in women with severe forms of preeclampsia. Delivery did not affect the values of cholesterol and alpha-cholesterol in women with preeclampsia. |
| The cholesterol and lysophospholipid content of the plasma and blood cells in patients with stable stenocardia of effort Stukal, I. V. and I. P. Gereliuk (1990), Vrach Delo(11): 33-5. Abstract: A study of 13 patients with stable exertion stenocardia and a positive bicycle ergometry correction of veloergometric test revealed an activation of the thrombocytic lysoform factors (lyso-FAT) along with reduction of cholesterol lipoproteids of density activity of lecithincholesterolacyltranferase. Increase of lyso-FAT is associated with accumulation of cholesterol and lysophosphatidylcholine in thrombocytes and erythrocytes. The participation of lyso-FAT in the pathogenesis of stable exertion stenocardia is suggested. |
| The cholesterol campaign--evaluation of a local action Matthiesen, S. B., K. I. Klepp, et al. (1990), Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen 110(8): 983-8. Abstract: As part of a Norwegian action to reduce cholesterol, we registered the names, addresses and cholesterol levels of 354 persons. In order to evaluate selected aspects of the campaign, we mailed a short questionnaire to all participants 1-2 weeks after the registration (the response rate was 94.9%). One out of five participants had a cholesterol level of 8 mmol/l or higher. Compared with the percentage in the general population, relatively few participants in the study were daily smokers. As much as 79% of the participants reported having benefited from the campaign. As a result of the campaign a majority reported being more motivated for dietary change. Participants with an education equivalent to compulsory school were most positive towards the campaign. 6% reported that, when told about their own cholesterol level, their immediate reaction, was one of fear. Those who were alarmed, and those with the highest level of cholesterol were as positive towards the campaign as those with lower levels of cholesterol. Persons with high cholesterol levels stated more often than others that they planned to change their diet. |
| The cholesterol century Erkelens, D. W. (1997), Neth J Med 51(1): v-vii. |
| The cholesterol contained in low-density lipoproteins or apolipoprotein B in the prediction of cardiovascular risk? Vella Ramirez, J. C. (1992), Rev Sanid Hig Publica (Madr) 66(5-6): 251-5. |
| The cholesterol content in immune complexes as a marker of coronary and peripheral atherosclerosis Kalenich, O. S., V. V. Tertov, et al. (1991), Ter Arkh 63(9): 59-61. Abstract: As many as 107 patients with coronary atherosclerosis, 66 with peripheral atherosclerosis, 27 with unaltered coronary arteries and 30 healthy blood donors were examined. The content of cholesterol in immune complexes was significantly higher in patients with coronary and peripheral atherosclerosis as compared to patients with intact arteries and healthy subjects. The highest content of cholesterol in immune complexes was detected in patients with combined lesions of coronary arteries and arteries of the lower limbs. It exceeded 3.5-5.5-fold the content of cholesterol in immune complexes in the control groups. The accuracy of the diagnosis with the aid of measuring the content of cholesterol in immune complexes in atherosclerosis of any sites was equal to 85%, in peripheral atherosclerosis to 89%, which slightly exceeded the diagnosis accuracy in atherosclerosis of coronary arteries (83%). |
| The cholesterol content of biomembranes (an electron microscopic study) Gusev, S. A., T. M. Povalii, et al. (1995), Vestn Ross Akad Med Nauk(12): 17-22. Abstract: A new specific cholesterol marker and scanning electron microscopy were used to study the quantity and distribution of cholesterol in the artifical phospholipid membranes and in the plasmalemma of animal and human endotheliocyte and erythrocytes in health and in hypercholesterolemia. |
| The cholesterol content of shellfish Hotzel, D. (1991), Dtsch Med Wochenschr 116(20): 795. |
| The cholesterol controversy Dock, D. S. (1990), Circulation 81(4): 1440. |
| The cholesterol controversy Eisenberg, S. (1991), Harefuah 120(2): 105-6. |