Cholesterol Journal Articles

Record 13481 to 13500

What are the characteristics of patients in whom cholesterol calculi are formed?
Capron, J. P. (1994), Gastroenterol Clin Biol 18(11): 988-95.

What are the facts on cholesterol? Questions physicians often ask about screening and treatment
Schmidt, S. B. (1990), Postgrad Med 87(4): 51-5, 59.
Abstract: In spite of, or possibly because of, the many studies about cholesterol in the literature, some physicians remain confused or skeptical about the issues and conclusions. Reasonably clear evidence indicates that lowering the total serum cholesterol level can lessen the likelihood of primary coronary artery disease. There is no reason to believe that this benefit would not be conferred on women and the elderly, even though specific studies have not been done in these populations. Also, lowered cholesterol levels have been shown to correlate with regression of established atherosclerotic lesions. Moderate dietary changes can have significant impact on serum lipid levels in many patients, and a trial of low-dose drug therapy can usually identify those who may benefit from combination therapy.

What are the priorities for managing cholesterol effectively?
Brown, W. V. (2001), Am J Cardiol 88(4A): 21F-4F.
Abstract: Many studies have confirmed the risk of coronary artery disease associated with elevated levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). The precise role of other lipids, however, is still under investigation. The relation between elevated levels of triglycerides and low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) is complex, and the results of clinical trials evaluating interventions to lower triglycerides or increase levels of HDL-C have been equivocal. Based on the data currently available, LDL-C remains the primary target for treatment. Ongoing clinical trials will help to answer the question of how low we should set our goals for lowering cholesterol in patients at risk.

What cause of mortality can we predict by cholesterol screening in the Japanese general population?
Okamura, T., T. Kadowaki, et al. (2003), J Intern Med 253(2): 169-80.
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: In a population with a markedly lower coronary mortality such as in Japan, the benefit of cholesterol screening may be different from Western populations. We attempted to assess the importance of cholesterol screening in Japan. DESIGN: A 13.2-year cohort study for cause-specific mortality. SETTING: Three hundred randomly selected districts throughout Japan in which the National Survey on Circulatory Disorders 1980 was performed. SUBJECTS: A total of 9216 community dwelling persons aged 30 years and over, with standardized serum cholesterol measurement and without a past history of cardiovascular disease. RESULTS: There were 1206 deaths, which included 462 deaths due to cardiovascular disease with 79 coronary heart diseases. Hypercholesterolemia (>6.21 mmol L-1) showed a significant positive relation to coronary mortality (relative risk; 2.93, 95% confidence interval; 1.52-5.63) but not to stroke. Although hypocholesterolemia (<4.14 mmol L-1) was significantly associated with an increased risk of liver cancer, noncardiovascular, noncancer disease and all-cause mortality, these associations, except for liver cancer, disappeared after excluding deaths in the first 5 years of the follow-up. The multivariate adjusted attributable risk of hypercholesterolaemia for coronary disease was 0.98 per 1000 person-years, which was threefold higher than that of hypocholesterolemia for liver cancer: 0.32 per 1000 person-years. The attributable risk percentage of hypercholesterolaemia was 66% for coronary heart disease. CONCLUSION: Similar to Western populations, it is recommended to provide screening for hypercholesterolaemia in Japan, especially for males, although its attributable risk for coronary disease might be small.

What do angiographic changes after cholesterol lowering mean?
Ravnskov, U. (1994), Lancet 344(8932): 1297.

What is an optimal diet? Relationship of macronutrient intake to obesity, glucose tolerance, lipoprotein cholesterol levels and the metabolic syndrome in the Whitehall II study
Brunner, E. J., H. Wunsch, et al. (2001), Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord 25(1): 45-53.
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: Saturated fats have adverse effects on health. To investigate which is more beneficial for energy replacement, we compare the effects of polyunsaturated fatty acid and carbohydrate intake on obesity and metabolic variables (fasting triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and 2 h glucose). Further, because the optimum diet may differ according to glucose tolerance, we examine the same associations in glucose tolerant and intolerant groups. Finally, we test the effect of macronutrient intake on the presence or absence of the metabolic syndrome. DESIGN: Cross-sectional analysis. SUBJECTS: A total of 4497 men and 1865 women aged 39--62 in the Whitehall II study. RESULTS: In men, higher intakes of both polyunsaturated fats and carbohydrates were linked to lower waist-hip ratio, triglycerides and LDL-cholesterol. Higher carbohydrate intake alone was linked to decreased body mass index (for 10 g higher carbohydrate intake, -0.12 kg/m(2), P<0.0001) and lower HDL-cholesterol (-0.01 mmol/l, P<0.01). In normoglycaemic men, higher carbohydrate intakes were associated with higher 2 h insulin and glucose levels (0.25 pmol/l, P<0.05 and 0.01 mmol/l, P=0.001, respectively). Dietary effects among women were similar, the exception being a positive association of polyunsaturated fat intake with body mass index and waist--hip ratio (0.47 kg/m(2), P<0.05 and 0.006, P<0.05, respectively). Dietary components, with the exceptions of cholesterol and protein in men, were unrelated to prevalence of the metabolic syndrome, and adjustment for differences in macronutrient intake did not account for the strong inverse association between socioeconomic position and the metabolic syndrome. CONCLUSION: Our observational data provide evidence that both polyunsaturated fatty acids and carbohydrates offer small metabolic benefits with few adverse effects compared with saturated fats. International Journal of Obesity (2001) 25, 45-53

What is the correct answer in the cholesterol debate?
Ravnskov, U. (1992), Ugeskr Laeger 154(24): 1716-8.

What is the nutritional value of cholesterol-free butter consumption?
Apfelbaum, M. (1992), Rev Prat 42(15): 1925-6.

What is the role of intensive cholesterol lowering in the treatment of acute coronary syndromes?
Waters, D. D. and P. Y. Hsue (2001), Am J Cardiol 88(7B): 7J-16J.
Abstract: Cholesterol lowering with statins reduces coronary events in a primary-prevention setting and in patients with stable coronary disease. However, where the risk of a coronary event is highest, in the early months after an episode of unstable angina or non-Q-wave infarction, the effect of statin therapy has not been evaluated until recently. The lack of an early benefit in the 3 main statin trials in stable coronary disease may have discouraged this type of investigation. Yet, evidence suggests that intensive cholesterol lowering can rapidly influence several mechanisms intimately related to the pathogenesis of acute coronary syndromes; specifically, improvement in endothelial function, decreased propensity for platelet thrombus formation, and reduced inflammation. Furthermore, 3 nonrandomized, observational studies have recently reported an improved outcome in statin-treated compared with untreated patients after acute coronary syndromes.

What is your diagnosis? Cholesterol granuloma or cholesterol cyst
Bonneville, F., E. Barrali, et al. (1999), J Neuroradiol 26(3): 147-9.

What this CEO didn't know about his cholesterol almost killed him
Franklin, D. (2001), Fortune 143(6): 154-8, 160, 162.

What unfavorable factors are associated with low serum total cholesterol in a Japanese population?
Mao, X., T. Okamura, et al. (2002), J Epidemiol 12(3): 271-9.
Abstract: An inverse association between blood cholesterol level and excess mortality in low cholesterol level subjects has been reported, but there has been no reasonable explanation widely accepted. To evaluate the associations between unfavorable factors and low blood cholesterol in non-Western populations, we performed a cross-sectional study in a rural Japanese population. A self-administered questionnaire concerning health characteristics and a nutritional survey, using a continuous 48-hour dietary record, was conducted on 461 males and 571 females aged 20-79 years old. The serum total cholesterol (TC) of less than 160 mg/dl was defined as low cholesterol, which accounted for 18% of the subjects. The multivariate odds ratio of having low cholesterol adjusted for age and selected variables were 0.70 (95% Cl: 0.52-0.94) for 1 SD increment of Key's lipid factor, 0.71 (0.51-0.97) for 1SD increment of vitamin A intake, 2.23 (1.01-4.91) for heavy drinking, 2.80 (1.21-6.46) for being underweight and 2.59 (1.01-6.61) for blood transfusion in males, and 1.04 (1.00-1.08) for 10 cigarette-year increase in smoking in females. Even when further adjusted for body mass index, these associations were still significant except for those who were underweight and had undergone blood transfusion in males. These findings may partly explain the excess mortality of the Japanese males with low serum TC.

What works best for worksite cholesterol education? Answers from targeted focus groups
McCarthy, P. R., D. Lansing, et al. (1992), J Am Diet Assoc 92(8): 978-81.
Abstract: Focus group discussions are an effective way to determine the needs and interests of a target population. In August 1989, eight focus group discussions were conducted with municipal employees in Phoenix, Ariz, to determine the needs and interests of potential participants in a worksite cholesterol education program. Employees were selected for the focus groups on the basis of an initial screening that determined their motivation to change customary eating habits. Individuals categorized as "somewhat motivated" were invited to participate in the focus groups because researchers thought they would best represent the motivation level of the majority of potential participants in the cholesterol education program. The focus group participants indicated that they preferred educational formats and approaches that appealed to diverse learning styles and recognized individual differences. Several of the program features identified by the focus groups are consistent with principles of adult education, especially active participation in the learning activity. The focus group participants wanted information presented in a simple, easy-to-understand manner, and they asked for behavioral directives rather than background information or medical jargon. Release time from work and employer commitment to the program were viewed as important to the success of the program. We conclude that employees respond best to worksite wellness programs that are simple, practical, and relevant and that allow them to participate actively in the learning activity during work time.

What's so special about cholesterol?
Mouritsen, O. G. and M. J. Zuckermann (2004), Lipids 39(11): 1101-13.
Abstract: Cholesterol (or other higher sterols such as ergosterol and phytosterols) is universally present in large amounts (20-40 mol%) in eukaryotic plasma membranes, whereas it is universally absent in the membranes of prokaryotes. Cholesterol has a unique ability to increase lipid order in fluid membranes while maintaining fluidity and diffusion rates. Cholesterol imparts low permeability barriers to lipid membranes and provides for large mechanical coherence. A short topical review is given of these special properties of cholesterol in relation to the structure of membranes, with results drawn from a variety of theoretical and experimental studies. Particular focus is put on cholesterol's ability to promote a special membrane phase, the liquid-ordered phase, which is unique for cholesterol (and other higher sterols like ergosterol) and absent in membranes containing the cholesterol precursor lanosterol. Cholesterol's role in the formation of special membrane domains and so-called rafts is discussed.

Wheat bread supplemented with depolymerized guar gum reduces the plasma cholesterol concentration in hypercholesterolemic human subjects
Blake, D. E., C. J. Hamblett, et al. (1997), Am J Clin Nutr 65(1): 107-13.
Abstract: Recent human studies have shown that the physiologic effects of guar gum are not diminished by partial depolymerization of its galactomannan fraction. We evaluated the effect of depolymerized guar galactomannan on fasting plasma cholesterol and triacylglycerol concentrations in healthy volunteers with moderately raised plasma cholesterol concentrations (range: 5.2-8.0 mmol/L). This study was designed as a randomized, double-blind crossover of two 3-wk feeding periods separated by a 4-wk washout period. Control and guar wheat breads were prepared by a commercial bread-making process. Subjects (n = 11) were asked to replace their normal bread with that provided, receiving control bread for one 3-wk period and guar bread for the other period, without altering their baseline diet. Subjects recorded their intake of foods for 6 consecutive days on three occasions during the study. Fasting venous blood samples (10 mL) were taken from subjects on two consecutive mornings at the start and end of each feeding period. No significant changes in body weight or dietary intake were recorded in the control and guar bread periods. There was a significant reduction (10%) in total plasma cholesterol concentration after the guar treatment (P < 0.001), mainly because of a reduction in the low-density-lipoprotein-cholesterol fraction. No changes in plasma high-density-lipoprotein-cholesterol or triacylglycerol concentrations were seen. The cholesterol-lowering effect of partially depolymerized guar gum appears to be of a magnitude similar to that of high-molecular-weight guar gum used in earlier studies.

Wheat germ policosanol failed to lower plasma cholesterol in subjects with normal to mildly elevated cholesterol concentrations
Lin, Y., M. Rudrum, et al. (2004), Metabolism 53(10): 1309-14.
Abstract: Sugar cane policosanol, a mixture of long-chain primary alcohols (approximately 67% as octacosanol), has been reported to lower plasma low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol. We investigated the effect of wheat germ policosanol (WGP) on plasma lipid profiles in 58 adults (30 men and 28 women, aged 49 +/- 11 years) with normal to mildly elevated plasma cholesterol concentrations in a double-blind, randomized, parallel placebo-controlled study. Subjects consumed chocolate pellets with or without 20 mg/d WGP for 4 weeks. Plasma lipid concentrations, routine blood chemistry and hematology were determined at the start and the end of the study. The initial plasma total, LDL-cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, and triacylglycerol concentrations in the WGP and the control groups were identical. Over the 4 weeks, neither the WGP nor the control treatment significantly changed plasma total cholesterol, LDL- and HDL-cholesterol, or triacylglycerol concentrations when compared to baseline values. In addition, there was no significant difference in plasma lipid profiles between the WGP and the control groups at the end of the study. WGP did not result in any adverse effects as indicated by plasma activities of L-gamma-glutamyltransferase (gamma-GT), ALT, AST, bilirubin concentrations, and blood cell profiles. Chemical analysis showed that WGP consists of 8% hexacosanol, 67% octacosanol, 12% triacosanol, and 13% other long-chain alcohols, which is similar to the composition of sugar cane policosanol. In conclusion, WGP at 20 mg/d had no beneficial effects on blood lipid profiles. It therefore seems unlikely that the long chain (C24-34) alcohols have any cholesterol-lowering activity.

When good cholesterol goes bad
Fogelman, A. M. (2004), Nat Med 10(9): 902-3.

When 'normal' cholesterol levels injure the endothelium
Creager, M. A. and A. Selwyn (1997), Circulation 96(10): 3255-7.

Where does cholesterol act during activation of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor?
Addona, G. H., H. Sandermann, Jr., et al. (1998), Biochim Biophys Acta 1370(2): 299-309.
Abstract: Why agonist-induced activation of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAcChoR) fails completely in the absence of cholesterol is unknown. Affinity-purified nAcChoRs from Torpedo reconstituted into 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphatidylcholine/1, 2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphate/steroid bilayers at mole ratios of 58:12:30 were used to distinguish between three regions of the membrane where cholesterol might act: the lipid bilayer, the lipid-protein interface, or sites within the protein itself. In the bilayer, the role of fluidity has been ruled out and certain neutral lipids can substitute for cholesterol C. Sunshine, M.G. McNamee, Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1191 (1994) 59-64; therefore, we first tested the hypothesis that flip-flop of cholesterol across the membrane is important; a plausible mechanism might be the relief of mechanical bending strain induced by a conformation change that expands the two leaflets of the bilayer asymmetrically. Cholesterol analogs prevented from flipping by charged groups attached to the 3-position's hydroxyl supported channel opening, contrary to this hypothesis. The second hypothesis is that interstitial cholesterol binding sites exist deep within the nAcChoR that must be occupied for channel opening to occur. When cholesterol hemisuccinate was covalently 'tethered' to the glycerol backbone of phosphatidylcholine, channel opening was still supported. Thus, if there are functionally important cholesterol sites, they must be very close to the lipid-protein interface and might be termed periannular.

Which cholesterol are we measuring with the Roche direct, homogeneous LDL-C Plus assay?
Ordonez-Llanos, J., A. M. Wagner, et al. (2001), Clin Chem 47(1): 124-6.

Cholesterol Articles and Abstracts

Cholesterol Journal Articles