| For medical practitioners and the general public - Cholesterol Journal Article Catalog. |
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| The effects of nomegestrol acetate subdermal implant (Uniplant) on serum cholesterol, triglycerides, and lipoproteins in Nigerian users Adekunle, A. O., A. F. Fakokunde, et al. (2000), Contraception 61(2): 139-44. Abstract: The study was conducted to assess the effects of a nomegestrol acetate subdermal contraceptive implant (Uniplant(R)) on the lipid profiles of indigenous Nigerian women. Cholesterol content of the major lipoproteins, along with total cholesterol and triglycerides, were measured in fasting blood samples collected before implant insertion and then at months 1, 3, 6, and 12 of use. All volunteers were of the reproductive age, healthy, and had no contraindications to hormonal contraception.The mean levels of cholesterol and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) increased gradually, albeit insignificantly, from insertion to month 12 of implant use. An initial decline in the mean levels of high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), reaching a minimal level (37.31 +/- 4.95 mg/dl) at month 3 of implant use, was observed. This was followed by a gradual rise that peaked (39.73 +/- 5.53 mg/dL) at month 12. These values were, however, not significantly different from the preinsertion value. The only significant difference (p <0. 005) was in the mean level of triglycerides at month 12 (90.90 +/- 17.75 mg/dL) when compared with the preinsertion mean level of 81.77 +/- 24.14 mg/dL. Both values were, however, within normal limits. These results indicate that Uniplant does not have a deleterious effect on the lipid profiles of Nigerian acceptors and can be safely prescribed to women seeking contraception. |
| The effects of omega-3 fatty acids on serum lipids, platelet aggregation, and endothelial injury in the cholesterol-fed rabbit Demiroglu, C., A. Ozder, et al. (1990), Klin Wochenschr 68 Suppl 22: 98-9. |
| The effects of phospholipid molecular species on cholesterol crystallization in model biles: the influence of phospholipid head groups Ringel, Y., G. J. Somjen, et al. (1998), J Hepatol 28(6): 1008-14. Abstract: BACKGROUND/AIMS: Variations in the molecular species of biliary phospholipids have been shown to exert major effects on cholesterol solubility and carriers in model and human biles. The aim of this study was to explore systematically the effects of various phospholipid head groups on the cholesterol crystallization process in model biles. METHODS: Three different control model biles were prepared using varying proportions of egg lecithin, cholesterol and Na taurocholate. In the test biles, 20% of the egg lecithin was replaced with synthetic phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol or phosphatidylcholine, keeping the phospholipid acyl chains and other biliary lipids constant in each experiment. RESULTS: Phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylglycerol significantly prolonged the crystal observation time, from 2 days to 10 and 6 days, respectively (p<0.02), while phosphatidylethanolamine had little and phosphatidylcholine no effect. The crystal growth rate was significantly slowed down with 20% phospholipid replacement in the following order: phosphatidylglycerol >phosphatidylserine >phosphatidylethanolamine. The total crystal mass after 14 days, as measured by chemical analysis, was reduced by 59% with phosphatidylserine (p<0.05), and by 73% with phosphatidylglycerol (p<0.05); while phosphatidylethanolamine had little effect. The precipitable cholesterol crystal fractions after 14 days were significantly reduced with phosphatidylserine (54%) and phosphatidylglycerol (37%), but not with phosphatidylethanolamine or phosphatidylcholine. CONCLUSIONS: Variations in the head groups of biliary phospholipids may markedly slow down the cholesterol crystallization process in model biles. |
| The effects of plasma cholesterol reduction on vasoconstriction due to sympathetic activation in patients with moderate primary hypercholesterolemia Pompeo, F., N. De Luca, et al. (1994), Minerva Med 85(4): 173-8. Abstract: Recent studies have demonstrated that hypercholesterolemia is one of the major factor involved in the progression of coronary heart disease and that the reduction in plasma cholesterol reduces mortality for cardiovascular events. Indeed, recent experimental studies have demonstrated alterations in vascular reactivity in atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate in patients with primary hypercholesterolemia the consequences of an effective of chronic treatment with inhibitor of HMG-CoA reductase on vascular responsiveness to cold pressure test. We observed a significant reduction in total plasma cholesterol during the study that was accompanied by a significant decrease in the response of peripheral vascular resistances to cold pressure test (55 +/- 4% vs 73 +/- 5% p < 0.01). There was also a significant relationship between the reduction of total cholesterol and the response of vascular resistance to the cold pressure test (r = 0.853, p < 0.05). Our results demonstrate that the reduction in total plasma cholesterol may influence the haemodynamic response induced by the activation of the sympathetic system. |
| The effects of polyoxyethylated cholesterol on fecal bile acids and nitrogen and on cholesterol balance in rats Amorosa, L. E., C. P. Martucci, et al. (1991), Lipids 26(3): 209-12. Abstract: Polyoxyethylated cholesterol (POEC) is a water soluble derivative of cholesterol which decreases cholesterol absorption in rats without affecting body weight, fatty acid excretion, or intestinal histology. In the present study rat feces were analyzed for cholic, deoxycholic, chenodeoxycholic, muricholic and lithocholic acid following 3 months of feeding a standard or a 2% enriched cholesterol diet with or without 1.5% POEC. In rats maintained on the cholesterol free diet, POEC increased total bile acids (mg/day) by 50% from 14 +/- 3 to 21 +/- 3 (mean +/- SEM) but only the increase in chenodeoxycholic acid was significant (P less than 0.05). The corresponding POEC effect in the 2% cholesterol diet was 31% (70 +/- 8 to 93 +/- 3, P less than 0.01). Fecal nitrogen and serum cholesterol did not vary among groups. Comparing these data with neutral steroid excretion previously determined showed that POEC in the cholesterol-free diet increased the negative cholesterol balance more than three-fold (34 +/- 7 vs 118 +/- 13 P less than 0.01). In rats fed 2% cholesterol, POEC caused a negative cholesterol balance of 222 +/- 8 compared to the control of 27 +/- 52 (P less than 0.01). The data indicate that POEC exerts complex effects in the intestinal tract which increase both bile acid and cholesterol excretion. |
| The effects of probucol and clofibrate alone and in combination on hepatic cholesterol metabolism in the male rat Shand, J. H. and D. W. West (1995), Biochim Biophys Acta 1255(2): 123-30. Abstract: Male rats were fed for 10 days on a diet supplemented with either probucol or clofibrate, alone or in combination, and the effects of the drugs on hepatic cholesterol metabolism studied. Plasma triacylglycerols were significantly lowered (15.6%, P < 0.05) by the drugs in combination but not individually whereas plasma cholesterol levels were reduced by probucol alone (22.4%, P < 0.05) and the combined treatment effected a further decrease leading to a total reduction of 50.6% (P < 0.001). Probucol reduced hepatic cellular triacylglycerols (20.0%, P < 0.05) and cholesterol (15.3%, P < 0.05) but cholesteryl esters were unaffected. In combination with clofibrate, probucol accentuated the reductions in both cellular cholesterol and cholesteryl esters produced by clofibrate alone and lowered their levels by 22.8%, P < 0.01 and 38.5%, P < 0.001, respectively. Although probucol, on its own, did not affect the activity of acyl-coenzyme A:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT), its combination with clofibrate caused less inhibition (43.5%, P < 0.01) of this enzyme activity than clofibrate alone (65.7%, P < 0.001). Probucol had a similarly moderating effect on the clofibrate-induced reductions in microsomal cholesterol and cholesteryl esters. Neither the microsomal nor the cytosolic neutral cholesteryl ester hydrolase was affected by probucol alone although both enzymes were dramatically increased (between 350% and 550%) by clofibrate and the combined treatment. The activity of the hepatic cytosolic inhibitor of cholesteryl ester hydrolase was unaffected by clofibrate or probucol individually but the two drugs in combination increased the total activity of the inhibitor by 52.1%, P < 0.01. When allowance was made for this increased inhibitor activity, it was clear that probucol accentuated the stimulatory effect of clofibrate on the cytosolic nCEH. |
| The effects of renin-angiotensin system inhibition on aortic cholesterol content in cholesterol-fed rabbits Sugano, M., N. Makino, et al. (1996), Atherosclerosis 127(1): 123-9. Abstract: To investigate how the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) might be involved in cholesterol-induced atherosclerosis, we studied the effects of a nonsulhydryl angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, enalapril, and an angiotensin II receptor antagonist, E-4177, in cholesterol fed rabbits. Japanese white rabbits were randomly divided into four groups with the following dietary regimens: group A (n = 8) received a standard diet; group B (n = 8) had a 0.5% cholesterol diet; group C (n = 8) had a 0.5% cholesterol diet plus enalapril (10 mg/kg/day, p.o.); group D (n = 8) received a 0.5% cholesterol diet plus E-4177 (20 mg/kg/day, p.o.) and were fed these diets for 5 weeks. Enalapril or E-4177 had no significant effect on either the total plasma or the high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol concentrations. However, the aortic cholesterol content in groups C and D was equally significantly less than that in group B. The plasma and aortic ACE activities were significantly reduced only in group C compared with those in the other groups. The aortic ACE mRNA and AT1 mRNA levels were assessed by a reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The aortic ACE mRNA level was only significantly less in group C than in any of the other groups. The aortic AT1 mRNA level increased significantly in group B compared with that in group A and was significantly and equally reduced in both groups C and D compared with that in group B. These data indicate that angiotensin II rather than ACE may therefore be related to aortic cholesterol content. It follows therefore that the inhibition of angiotensin II by either ACE inhibitor or angiotensin II (type 1) receptor antagonist may play a role in prevention of atherosclerosis. |
| The effects of season and exercise on the levels of plasma polyunsaturated fatty acids and lipoprotein cholesterol in young rats Masumura, S., H. Furui, et al. (1992), Biochim Biophys Acta 1125(3): 292-6. Abstract: Plasma concentrations of polyunsaturated fatty acids (20:4(n - 6), 20:5(n - 3), 22:6(n - 3)) and high- or low-density lipoprotein cholesterols (HDL-C, LDL-C) in young rats were measured to elucidate a possible relationship between the levels of 20:5(n - 3) 20:4(n - 6)-1, 22:6(n - 3) 20:4(n - 6)-1 and LDL-C HDL-C-1. Seasonal change in LDL-C HDL-C-1 in the sedentary and exercised rats was found to correlate with the respective values of 20:5(n - 3) 20:4(n - 6)-1 and/or 22:6(n - 3) 20:4(n - 6)-1. Moderate exercise in summer decreased plasma arachidonic acid (20:4(n - 6)). With the decrement of the 20:4(n - 6) acid, the ratios of 20:5(n - 3) 20:4(n - 6)-1 and 22:6(n - 3) 20:4(n - 6)-1 increased to a greater degree. The LDL-C HDL-C-1 values in this case were inversely associated with the levels of 22:6(n - 3) 20:4(n - 6)-1. We therefore suggest that moderate physical training in summer protects arteries from thrombogenesis and lipid accumulation. |
| The effects of short-term vitamin C on plasma bun, uric acid, cholesterol and triglyceride levels Beser, E. (1991), Acta Med Hung 48(1-2): 73-8. Abstract: The effects of daily 0.5 g vitamin C on plasma urea nitrogen, uric acid, cholesterol and triglyceride levels were recorded over a period of one month. There was a significant reduction in plasma cholesterol level (P less than 0.05). There was no significant effect of vitamin C on plasma urea nitrogen, uric acid and triglyceride levels (P greater than 0.05). It was a placebo-controlled trial. The research and control groups were formed of 105 and 47 volunteer university students, respectively. In these groups the mean ages were 20 +/- 0.33 (mean +/- S.E.M.) and 20 +/- 0.49 years, respectively. Mean body mass indices were 22.2 +/- 0.13 and 22.3 +/- 0.19 kg/m2, respectively. |
| The effects of simvastatin and cholestyramine, alone and in combination, on hepatic cholesterol metabolism in the male rat. off Shand, J. H. and D. W. West (1995), Lipids 30(10): 917-26. Abstract: The influence of dietary simvastatin, cholestyramine, and the combination of simvastatin plus cholestyramine on hepatic cholesterol metabolism has been investigated in male rats. Recovery from the effects of the drugs was also investigated by refeeding normal chow for 24 h. Both drugs, alone and in combination, increased 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA) reductase activity in vitro, but activity returned toward control values, after drug withdrawal. Acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) was significantly reduced (P < 0.001) by simvastain (-75%), cholestyramine (-71%), and by the drug combination (-81%), due both to a decrease in microsomal cholesterol and to nonsubstrate-dependent modulation of enzyme activity. Refeeding control diet increased ACAT activity but not to control levels. The enhanced activity arose partly from higher microsomal cholesterol and partly from increases in total enzyme activity. Cytosolic neutral cholesteryl ester hydrolase (CEH) activity was substantially elevated by simvastatin (3-fold) and by the drug combination (6-fold), whereas the effect of cholestyramine was smaller (1.5-fold). Normal chow for 24 h only partially returned cytosolic CEH activity to control values. Microsomal CEH activity was increased by simvastatin, alone and in combination with cholestyramine (1.4 to 1.7-fold), and was also enhanced, in the cholestyramine-treated animals, following drug withdrawal. Removal of simvastatin did not allow recovery of this enzyme activity, while withdrawal of the drug combination led to values 29% below controls. The results indicate that in the rat, simvastatin and cholestyramine alter both ACAT and CEH activity, as well as inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase activity. |
| The effects of simvastatin combined with different antioxidant vitamin regimens on serum lipid profile in patients with low HDL cholesterol levels Pirat, B., M. E. Korkmaz, et al. (2004), Anadolu Kardiyol Derg 4(4): 318-22. Abstract: OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to compare the effects of simvastatin versus a combination of simvastatin with vitamin C or E on serum lipid profile, particularly, high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol (C) level, in patients with a low HDL-C level. METHODS: Fifty-nine women and 49 men, who had a baseline HDL-C level equal to or lower than 40 mg/dl were randomized to one of the following study treatment groups: Group S (n=39) simvastatin 20 mg/day, Group S+C (n=33) simvastatin 20 mg/day + vitamin C 500 mg/day, and Group S+E (n=36) simvastatin 20 mg/day + vitamin E 400 IU/day. The groups' lipid profiles were obtained at baseline, 3rd and 6th months. RESULTS: Comparing with baseline values, total-C and low-density cholesterol (LDL-C) values significantly reduced (p<0.001) and HDL-C values significantly increased (Group S--33.9+/-3.9 mg/dl vs. 39.8+/-6.9 mg/dl, Group S+C--34.2+/-3.5 mg/dl vs. 38.1+/-6.1 mg/dl, Group S+E--33.1+/-3.6 mg/dl vs. 34.8+/-5.9 mg/dl, p<0.001) on therapy within the groups; however, there were no significant differences among the groups with regards to these parameters. The HDL-C levels increased from baseline by 14.0%, 11.7% and 10.2% in Group S, S+C, and S+E, respectively (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: A combination of simvastatin with antioxidant vitamins does not offer any beneficial effect over simvastatin alone. Particularly vitamin E seems to blunt the simvastatin induced HDL-C increase. |
| The effects of simvastatin on plasma lipoproteins and cholesterol homeostasis in patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia Hagemenas, F. C., A. S. Pappu, et al. (1990), Eur J Clin Invest 20(2): 150-7. Abstract: We have examined the influence of simvastatin, a competitive inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3-methyl glutaryl coenzyme A reductase on plasma concentrations of lipids and lipoproteins, the rates of cholesterol biosynthesis and degradation of 125I-labelled LDL by freshly isolated mononuclear leucocytes and the 24 h urinary excretion of mevalonic acid in patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia. Patients were treated with progressively increasing doses of simvastatin (20, 40, and 80 mg day-1) taken in a twice-daily dosage for a period of 6 weeks on each dose. Plasma concentrations of LDL cholesterol decreased by 36.6%, 45.6% and 47.1% respectively on the three doses. High-affinity degradation of 125I-LDL by freshly isolated mononuclear leucocytes increased significantly on the 20 mg day-1 dosage but no further increase was observed on doses of 40 and 80 mg of simvastatin per day. Rates of 2-14C acetate incorporation into cholesterol by freshly isolated mononuclear leucocytes (obtained 12-15 h after the last dose of simvastatin) increased by 62%, 71% and 29% in cells isolated from patients on 20, 40, and 80 mg day-1 of simvastatin compared with values at baseline. In contrast, the 24 h excretion of mevalonic acid in the urine fell by 16.9%, 31.4% and 31.9% respectively on these three doses. Our results indicate that the potent hypocholesterolaemic effects of simvastatin are accompanied by increases in high-affinity LDL receptor-mediated degradation of LDL and a compensatory increase in cholesterol biosynthesis in freshly isolated mononuclear leucocytes but that rates of mevalonic acid excretion in the urine decrease. |
| The effects of taurine on atherosclerosis development in cholesterol-fed rabbits Petty, M. A., J. Kintz, et al. (1990), Eur J Pharmacol 180(1): 119-27. Abstract: The effect of taurine on the development of atherosclerotic lesions in rabbits maintained on a 2% cholesterol diet for a 14 week period has been examined. Taurine (0.2 and 0.5%) administered in the drinking water reduced thoracic aorta involvement. The area covered by atherosclerotic lesions was 58 +/- 15 and 52.5 +/- 12% (P less than 0.05) respectively, compared to 72.4 +/- 19% in the control group. Taurine had no significant effect on serum or tissue cholesterol, calcium, triglyceride or phospholipid concentrations. Nevertheless 0.2% taurine caused an increase in dP/dtmax (measured from the systemic blood pressure) and 0.5% lowered systemic blood pressure. The anti-atherosclerotic effects of taurine appear to be unrelated to a fall in blood pressure. The possibility that taurine is reducing the development of atherosclerotic lesions through a mechanism involving its antioxidant activity is discussed. |
| The effects of the 3-hydroxy, 3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitor pravastatin on bile composition and nucleation of cholesterol crystals in cholesterol gallstone disease Smit, J. W., K. J. van Erpecum, et al. (1995), Hepatology 21(6): 1523-9. Abstract: 3-hydroxy,3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors reduce biliary cholesterol saturation index (CSI) in duodenal bile in hypercholesterolemic patients and might be useful for gallstone dissolution. However, preliminary data suggest that these drugs are not effective in this respect. We therefore studied 33 patients with radiolucent gallstones in an opacifying gallbladder who were scheduled for elective cholecystectomy. Patients were treated with 40 mg pravastatin day-1 or placebo during the 3 weeks before surgery. Six patients could not be evaluated. Baseline characteristics (age, sex, body mass index, serum cholesterol, and the solitary/multiple gallstone ratio) were similar in both groups. Serum cholesterol fell by 39% in the pravastatin group (P <.001) and remained unchanged in the placebo group. Biliary cholesterol (9.5 +/- 1.3 vs. 14.3 +/- 1.5 mmol/L, P =.026), and phospholipid concentrations (24.8 +/- 3.9 vs. 36.7 +/- 3.9 mmol/L, P =.043) were lower in the pravastatin group. Although bile salt concentrations were lower in the pravastatin group (114 +/- 21 vs. 152 +/- 15 mmol/L), this difference was not significant. CSI was not different between both groups (142 +/- 27% pravastatin vs. 113 +/- 6% placebo, P = NS). Cholesterol crystals were present in fresh bile in 7 of 13 patients in the pravastatin group and in 11 of 14 controls (P = NS). Nucleation time was comparable between the 2 groups (13 +/- 3 vs. 9 +/- 3 days, P = NS). Bile salt species and molecular species of phospholipids determined with high-performance liquid chromatography did not differ either between both groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) |
| The effects of the cholesterol ester transfer protein gene and environmental factors on the plasma high density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in the Korean population Song, G. J., G. H. Han, et al. (1997), Mol Cells 7(5): 615-9. Abstract: The cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) is a plasma glycoprotein that transfers neutral lipids between plasma lipoproteins. The distribution of variations in the CETP gene and their influences on lipid levels were investigated among random members of the Korean population (n = 270) whose profiles of environmental factors were known. The frequencies of the major allele at BamHI, EcoNI, TaqIA, TaqIB, New HinfI RFLPs, and the D442G mutation were 0.77, 0.55, 0.84, 0.62, 0.81, and 0.94, in serial order. The significant associations of the BamHI RFLP and the D442G mutation with the plasma high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels were observed in this population. Subjects with genotype B2B2 of the BamHI RFLP had significantly lower HDL cholesterol levels than the mean of total subjects. Subjects with D442G mutant allele had a significantly higher HDL cholesterol levels only in males. Analysis of the covariance model (ANOCOVA) showed that allelic variations in the BamHI RFLP and the D442G mutation sites accounted independently for 4.0 and 5.9% of the total inter-individual variation in plasma HDL cholesterol in males (F = 2.29, p = 0.10; F = 3.4, p = 0.03). The effect of the CETP genotype was very high (about 10%), compared to the total effects of sex, body mass index, age, and smoking habit (20%). In conclusion, the genetic variation of the CETP gene is related to the regulation of plasma HDL cholesterol levels and the extent of the effect seems to be different between male and female in the Korean population. |
| The effects of the cholesterol synthesis inhibitor simvastatin in patients with hypercholesterolemia with and without diabetes mellitus van Deursen, R. T., A. C. Nieuwenhuijzen Kruseman, et al. (1990), Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd 134(44): 2142-6. Abstract: We studied the short-term effects of simvastatin on lipid variables in 33 dyslipidemic patients without and 18 with diabetes mellitus who were on a lipid-lowering diet for at least 3 months. Six diabetic patients had type I, and 12 had type II diabetes mellitus, of whom 5 were using insulin. In the whole group total cholesterol decreased by 28%, from 9.35 (SD 2.10) mmol/l to 6.69 (SD 1.47) mmol/l after 3 months and 6.60 (SD 1.27) mmol/l after 6 months (mean daily dose of simvastatin 21 (SD 12) mg). Calculated LDL-cholesterol showed a decrease of 38%, HDL-cholesterol increased by 10% and plasma triglycerides decreased by 13%. In patients receiving 10, 20, or 40 mg simvastatin daily, the following changes were observed: total cholesterol -26, -31 and -34% and LDL-cholesterol -37, -38 and -39%, respectively. The effect of simvastatin in the diabetic patients was comparable with that in the non-diabetic individuals, although in the diabetics LDL-cholesterol before therapy was lower, as was the daily dose of simvastatin after 6 months (14 versus 24 mg). In the diabetic patients blood glucose control, measured as HbA1c, was not affected. One patient discontinued therapy because of stomach complaints. Our results show that a low daily dose (10 mg) of simvastatin effectively lowers plasma total and LDL-cholesterol and that the drug can be safely used in diabetic patients. |
| The effects of uncoupling protein-1 genotype on lipoprotein cholesterol level in Korean obese subjects Oh, H. H., K. S. Kim, et al. (2004), Metabolism 53(8): 1054-9. Abstract: Uncoupling protein-1 (UCP-1) plays a major role in thermogenesis, and has been implicated in the pathogenesis of obesity and metabolic disorders. The purpose of this study was to estimate the effects of A-3826G polymorphism of the UCP-1 gene on the plasma lipid profiles in 190 Korean obese subjects with a body mass index (BMI) more than 30 kg/m2. Height, weight, BMI, wait-to-hip ratio (WHR), obesity index, and body composition were measured and genotype of UCP-1 was analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) method. Serum concentrations of fasting glucose, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and triglyceride were measured. The frequencies of UCP-1 genotypes were AA type, 22.1%; AG type, 53.7%; and GG type, 24.2%; and the frequency of G allele was 0.51. Among many parameters, diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (P =.023) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (P =.011) were significantly higher in AG and GG types compared with AA type, whereas HDL cholesterol was significantly lower in GG type compared with other types (P <.05). Atherogenic index was significantly higher in GG type compared with AA type (P = 0.027). LDL-to-HDL cholesterol ratio was significantly increased in the order of AA < AG < GG types (P =.001). When the subjects were divided into a normal group and a hyper-LDL cholesterolemia group by LDL cholesterol level of 3.626 mmol/L (140 mg/dL), the frequency of hyper-LDL cholesterolemia was significantly higher in GG type compared with other types by Fisher's exact (chi-square) test (P =.05). When logistic regression analysis was conducted to find the risk factors of hyper-LDL cholesterolemia, the odds ratio was 4.115 (P =.03) for GG type of UCP-1 gene. These results suggest that the GG type of the UCP-1 gene has a strong association with increased LDL cholesterol level and might be a significant risk factor for hyper-LDL cholesterolemia among Korean obese subjects. |
| The effects of vitamin C supplementation on biomarkers of oxygen radical generated damage in human volunteers with "low" or "high" cholesterol levels Anderson, D., B. J. Phillips, et al. (1997), Environ Mol Mutagen 30(2): 161-74. Abstract: A human volunteer study was conducted to test the effect of vitamin C supplementation on biomarkers of oxygen radical-mediated damage in individuals with a range of serum cholesterol levels. A group of 48 non-smokers, 24 men and 24 women, was selected from a panel of over 100 volunteers to give as wide a range of serum cholesterol levels as possible. None of the volunteers was taking medication to control cholesterol levels and they maintained their normal dietary habits so as not to compromise their cholesterol status. Volunteers were allocated to three groups of 16, each consisting of four males with low cholesterol levels (< 6 mmol/L) matched for age and build with four males with high cholesterol levels (> 6 mmol/L) and eight females matched in the same way. A three-treatment, three-treatment period, cross-over design was adopted to take account of any temporal differences in response. The three treatments given were placebo, 60 mg vitamin C/day (the recommended daily allowance) and 6 g vitamin C/day. Each treatment was given for 14 days with 6 weeks between the treatment periods. All procedures were performed to the standards of Good Clinical Practice. Blood samples were taken at the end of each treatment period. Serum was assayed for cholesterol whilst vitamin C, total antioxidant capacity, lipid peroxidation breakdown products and ras p21 protein levels were measured in plasma. Lymphocytes were examined for DNA damage using the Comet assay and chromosome aberration test. The Comet assay was conducted with and without challenge with hydrogen peroxide and the chromosome aberration test with and without challenge with bleomycin. Vitamin C supplementation caused a statistically significant increase in plasma vitamin C concentrations and total antioxidant capacity but did not affect cholesterol levels or ras p21 protein levels. There was a non-significant dose-related decrease in lipid peroxidation breakdown products with vitamin C supplementation. No effect on DNA damage was observed in the Comet assay, either with or without hydrogen peroxide challenge, or in the chromosome aberration test without bleomycin. However, a statistically significant increase in bleomycin-induced aberrations was found after vitamin C supplementation. This may be due to effects of vitamin C on iron status. Comparison of male and female subjects showed statistically significant differences in plasma vitamin C levels, the antioxidant capacity of the plasma and the number of chromosome aberrations induced by bleomycin challenge of lymphocytes in vitro. The results were the same for both low and high cholesterol subjects. This study provides no evidence of a beneficial effect on any of the biomarkers studied of vitamin C supplementation over a short-term supplementation period of 2 weeks in a population of healthy, non-smoking individuals eating a nutritionally adequate diet. |
| The effects of zinc supplementation on serum zinc and cholesterol concentrations in hemodialysis patients Chevalier, C. A., G. Liepa, et al. (2002), J Ren Nutr 12(3): 183-9. Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of zinc sulfate supplementation on the concentrations of serum zinc and serum cholesterol in hemodialysis (HD) patients. SETTING: Outpatient dialysis center in a large metropolitan city. DESIGN: Randomized, double-blind, before-after trial. PATIENTS: Twenty-eight maintenance HD patients were selected. Twenty (15 women and 5 men) completed the study. Subjects were identified for inclusion in the study by the following criteria: HD treatment for a minimum of 6 months, no signs of gastrointestinal disorders, and no record of hospitalizations for reasons other than vascular access complications within the last 3 months. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were given a daily supplement of 7.7 micromol zinc sulfate (50 mg elemental zinc) or a cornstarch placebo capsule for 90 days. Patients completed 2-day food records, at day 0 and day 90 of the study, which included 1 dialysis day and 1 nondialysis day. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Fasting, predialysis serum samples were collected on days 0, 40, and 90 to determine serum zinc and total cholesterol (TCHOL) concentrations. Dietary parameters, including zinc, protein, and energy intake, were also analyzed on days 0 and 90. RESULTS: Initial concentrations of serum zinc indicated subjects were below the normal range for serum zinc standards (12 micromol/L 80 microg/dL). After supplementation, subjects in the zinc-supplemented group showed significant increases in serum zinc concentrations from 0.79 microg/mL at day 0 to 0.96 microg/mL at day 90. Serum TCHOL concentrations were initially low among subjects in the control (2.914 +/- 0.158 mmol/L 112.7 +/- 6.1 mg/dL) and zinc-supplemented (3.155 +/- 0.354 mmol/L 122.0 +/- 13.7 mg/dL) groups. Serum TCHOL concentrations in the control group increased slightly throughout the study period but did not reach statistical significance. A progressive increase in serum TCHOL concentration was observed in the zinc-supplemented group from the beginning (3.155 +/- 0.354 mmol/L 122.0 +/- 13.7 mg/dL) to the end (4.445 +/- 0.478 mmol/L 171.9 +/- 18.5 mg/dL) of the study (r =.63, P <.05). Mean serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol concentrations for the zinc-supplemented group were 0.959 mmol/L +/- 0.11 (37.1 mg/dL +/- 4.3), 0.825 mmol/L +/- 0.08 (31.9 mg/dL +/- 3.2), and 0.908 mmol/L +/- 0.10 (35.1 mg/dL +/- 3.9) from the beginning to the end of the experimental period. The mean serum HDL cholesterol concentrations for the control group were 0.760 mmol/L +/- 0.075 (29.4 mg/dL +/- 2.9), 0.760 +/- 0.08 (29.4 mg/dL +/- 3.0), and 0.799 mmol/L +/- 0.13 (30.9 mg/dL +/- 4.9) from the beginning to the end of the experimental period. A progressive increase in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol concentration was observed for the zinc-supplemented group throughout the study. Mean LDL cholesterol concentrations for the zinc-supplemented group were 2.19 mmol/L +/- 0.39 (85 mg/dL +/- 15.0), 3.30 mmol/L +/- 0.36 (127.8 mg/dL +/- 14.1), and 3.53 mmol/L +/- 0.53 (136.7 mg/dL +/- 20.6) from the beginning to the end of the study period. When serum zinc concentration was correlated with serum LDL cholesterol concentration, a significant correlation was found (r =.62, P <.03) for the zinc-supplemented group and no significant difference was found for the control group. No significant differences in LDL cholesterol concentrations were found within the control group from the beginning to the end of the study. Dietary intake of zinc, cholesterol, total fat, and saturated fat remained constant and did not statistically influence serum values. Reported energy intake increased significantly in the zinc-supplemented group from 5,799 kJ/24 h (1,385 kcal/d) at day 0 to 7,042 kJ/24 h (1,682 kcal/d) at day 90. CONCLUSION: Zinc supplementation is an effective means of improving serum levels of zinc and cholesterol in the HD patient. |
| The efficacy and safety of pravastatin in patients aged 60 to 85 years with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol > 160 mg/dl Glasser, S. P., R. DiBianco, et al. (1996), Am J Cardiol 77(1): 83-5. Abstract: This study demonstrated that pravastatin 20 mg once daily significantly lowered total cholesterol (by 19%) and LDL cholesterol by 25%. |