Lipids in Health and Disease - Latest Articles
The latest research articles published by Lipids in Health and Disease

Ezetimibe/simvastatin vs simvastatin in coronary heart disease patients with ...
by Carlo RotellaAugusto ZaninelliCristina Le GrazieMary HansonGian Franco Gensini
26 Jul 2010 at 6:00pm
Background: Treatment guidelines recommend LDL-C as the primary target of therapy in patients with hypercholesterolemia. Moreover, combination therapies with lipid-lowering drugs that have different mechanisms of action are recommended when it is not possible to attain LDL-C targets with statin monotherapy. Understanding which treatment or patient-related factors are associated with attaining a target may be clinically relevant. Methods: Data were pooled from two multicenter, randomized, double-blind studies. After stabilization on simvastatin 20 mg, patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) alone and/or type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) were randomized to ezetimibe 10 mg/simvastatin 20 mg (EZ/Simva) or simvastatin 40 mg. The change from baseline in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), TC/HDL-C ratio, triglycerides, and the proportion of patients achieving LDL-C<2.6 mmol/L (100 mg/dL) after 6 weeks of treatment were assessed, and factors significantly correlated with the probability of achieving LDL-C<2.6 mmol/L in a population of high cardiovascular risk Italian patients were identified. A stepwise logistic regression model was conducted with LDL-C<2.6 mmol/L at endpoint as the dependent variable and study, treatment, gender, age ([greater than or equal to]65 years or <65 years), as independent variables and baseline LDL-C (both as continuous and discrete variable). Results: EZ/Simva treatment (N=93) resulted in significantly greater reductions in LDL-C, TC, and TC/HDL-C ratio and higher attainment of LDL-C<2.6 mmol/L vs doubling the simvastatin dose to 40 mg (N=106). Study [including diabetic patients (OR=2.9, p=0.003)], EZ/Simva treatment (OR=6.1, p<0.001), and lower baseline LDL-C (OR=0.9, p=0.001) were significant positive predictors of LDL-C target achievement. When baseline LDL-C was expressed as a discrete variable, the odds of achieving LDL-C<2.6 mmol/L was 4.8 in favor of EZ/Simva compared with Simva 40 mg (p<0.001), regardless of baseline LDL-C level. Conclusion: EZ/Simva is an effective therapeutic option for patients who have not achieved recommended LDL-C treatment targets with simvastatin 20 mg monotherapy.Clinical trial registration numbers: NCT00423488 and NCT00423579
Postprandial oxidative stress in response to dextrose and lipid meals of diff...
by Richard BloomerMohammad KabirKate MarshallRobert CanaleTyler Farney
26 Jul 2010 at 6:00pm
We have recently noted that ingestion of dietary lipid (in the form of heavy whipping cream) leads to greater oxidative stress than dietary carbohydrate (in the form of dextrose), when consumed in isocaloric amounts. Objective: In the present investigation we attempted to replicate our work and also to determine the oxidative stress response to dextrose and lipid meals of two different kilocalorie (kcal) amounts. Design: Nine young (22+/-2 years), healthy men consumed in a random order, cross-over design one of four meals/drinks: dextrose at 75g (300 kcals), dextrose at 150g (600 kcals), lipid at 33g (300 kcals), lipid at 66g (600 kcals). Blood samples were collected Pre meal, and at 30min, 60min, 120min, 180min post meal. Samples were assayed for glucose, triglycerides (TAG), malondialdehyde (MDA), and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Area under the curve (AUC) was calculated for each variable, and a 4 x 5 ANOVA was utilized to further analyze data. Results: A meal x time effect (p=0.0002) and a time effect was noted for glucose (p Pre, 1hr, 2hr, and 3hr). The dextrose meals primarily contributed to this time effect. No other effects were noted for glucose (p>0.05). A meal effect was noted for TAG (p=0.01; 66g lipid meal > 75g and 150g dextrose meals). No other effects were noted for TAG (p>0.05). An AUC effect was noted for MDA (p=0.04; 66g lipid meal > 75g and 150g dextrose meals). A meal x time effect (p=0.02) and a meal effect was noted (p=0.004; 66g lipid meal > 75g and 150g dextrose meals). No time effect was noted for MDA (p=0.72). An AUC effect was noted for H2O2 (p=0.0001; 66g lipid meal > 33g lipid meal and 75g and 150g dextrose meals). A meal x time effect (p=0.0002), a meal effect (p 33g lipid meal and 75g and 150g dextrose meals), and a time effect was noted (p Pre, 30min, and 1hr; 3hr > Pre). The time effect for H2O2 was primarily influenced by the 66g lipid meal. Conclusions: These data indicate that 1) minimal oxidative stress is observed following ingestion of dextrose loads of either 75g or 150g, or a lipid load of 33g and 2) lipid ingestion at 66g leads to greater oxidative stress than lipid at 33g or dextrose at either 75g or 150g. Hence, in a sample of young and healthy men, only 66g of lipid (taken in the form of heavy whipping cream) leads to a significant increase in blood oxidative stress, as measured by MDA and H2O2.
Preventive effects of chronic exogenous growth hormone levels on diet-induced...
by Ying QinYa-ping Tian
25 Jul 2010 at 6:00pm
Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which is characterized by hepatic steatosis, can be reversed by early treatment. Several case reports have indicated that the administration of recombinant growth hormone (GH) could improve fatty liver in GH-deficient patients. Here, we investigated whether chronic exogenous GH levels could improve hepatic steatosis induced by a high-fat diet in rats, and explored the underlying mechanisms. Results: High-fat diet-fed rats developed abdominal obesity, fatty liver and insulin resistance. Chronic exogenous GH improved fatty liver, by reversing dyslipidaemia, fat accumulation and insulin resistance. Exogenous GH also reduced serum tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) levels, and ameliorated hepatic lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress. Hepatic fat deposition was also reduced by exogenous GH levels, as was the expression of adipocyte-derived adipokines (adiponectin, leptin and resistin), which might improve lipid metabolism and hepatic steatosis. Exogenous GH seems to improve fatty liver by reducing fat weight, improving insulin sensitivity and correcting oxidative stress, which may be achieved through phosphorylation or dephosphorylation of a group of signal transducers and activators of hepatic signal transduction pathways. Conclusions: Chronic exogenous GH has positive effects on fatty liver and may be a potential clinical application in the prevention or reversal of fatty liver. However, chronic secretion of exogenous GH, even at a low level, may increase serum glucose and insulin levels in rats fed a standard diet, and thus increase the risk of insulin resistance.
Structured triacylglycerol containing behenic and oleic acids suppress...
by Makiko KojimaNobuhiko TachibanaTakashi YamahiraSatoshi SeinoAyako IzumisawaNobuo SagiToshiharu ArishimaMitsutaka KohnoKiyoharu TakamatsuMotohiko HirotsukaIkuo Ikeda
23 Jul 2010 at 6:00pm
Background: Dietary 1(3)-behenoyl-2,3(1)-dioleoyl-rac-glycerol (BOO) has been reported to inhibit pancreatic lipase activity in vitro and suppress postprandial hypertriacylglycerolemia in humans. In the present study, the anti-obesity activities of BOO and its inhibitory effects on lymphatic triacylglycerol (TAG) absorption were investigated in rats. Methods: In Experiment 1, rats were fed either BOO or soybean oil (SO) diet for 6 weeks. In the BOO diet, 20% of SO was replaced with an experimental oil rich in BOO. In Experiments 2 and 3, rats cannulated in the thoracic duct were administered an emulsions containing trioleoylglycerol (OOO) or an oil mixture (OOO:BOO, 9:1). Tri[1-14C]oleoylglycerol (14C-OOO) was added to the emulsions administered in Experiment 3. Results: No observable differences were detected in food intake or body weight gain between the BOO and SO groups in Experiment 1. Plasma and liver TAG concentrations and visceral fat weights were significantly lower in the BOO group than in the SO group. The apparent absorption rate of fat was significantly lower in the BOO group than in the SO group. In Experiment 2, the lymphatic recovery of oleic and behenic acids was significantly lower at 5 and 6 h after BOO administration than after OOO administration. In Experiment 3, the lymphatic recovery of 14C-OOO was significantly lower at 5 and 6 h after BOO administration than after OOO administration. Conclusions: These results suggest that BOO prevents deposition of visceral fat and hepatic TAG by lowering and delaying intestinal absorption of TAG.
Effects of aerobic and strength-based training on metabolic health indicators...
by Raul MartinsManuel VerissimoManuel Coelho e SilvaSean CummingAna Teixeira
21 Jul 2010 at 6:00pm
Background: The weakening of the cardiovascular system associated with aging could be countered by increasing levels of physical activity and functional fitness. However, inconsistent findings have been found, and the variety of characteristics of exercise used in previous studies may partly explain that inconsistent results.ObjectiveTo investigate the training effect of sixteen weeks of moderate intensity, progressive aerobic and strength-based training on metabolic health of older women and men. Methods: Sixty three sedentary individuals (mean (SD) age 76 (8) years) were randomly assigned to control (n = 31) or exercising (n = 32) groups. The training group was separated to aerobic (n = 18) or strength-based (n = 14). Training took place three times a week. Subjects agreed not to change their diet or lifestyle over the experimental period. Results: Exercising group attained after treatment significant differences on body weight, waist circumference, body mass index, diastolic blood pressure, triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, total cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol relationship, high sensitivity C-reactive protein, and 6-minute walk distance. The control group only had significant differences on waist circumference. Conclusion: The training programs produced significant benefits on metabolic health indicators of sedentary older women and men.
Effect of apoA-I on cholesterol release and apoE secretion in human mature ad...
by Karima BencharifLaurence HoareauRavi MurumallaEvelyne TarnusFrank TalletRoger ClercChristophe GardesMaya CesariRegis Roche
19 Jul 2010 at 6:00pm
Background: The risk of cardiovascular disease is inversely correlated to level of plasma HDL-c. Moreover, reverse cholesterol transport (RCT) from peripheral tissues to the liver is the most widely accepted mechanism linked to the anti-atherosclerotic activity of HDL. The apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) and the ABC transporters play a key role in this process.Adipose tissue constitutes the body's largest pool of free cholesterol. The adipose cell could therefore be regarded as a key factor in cholesterol homeostasis. The present study investigates the capacity of primary cultures of mature human adipocytes to release cholesterol and explores the relationships between apoA-I, ABCA1, and apoE as well as the signaling pathways that could be potentially involved. Results: We demonstrate that apoA-I induces a strong increase in cholesterol release and apoE secretion from adipocytes, whereas it has no transcriptional effect on ABCA1 or apoE genes. Furthermore, brefeldin A (BFA), an intracellular trafficking inhibitor, reduces basal cholesterol and apoE secretion, but does not modify induction by apoA-I. The use of statins also demonstrates that apoA-I stimulated cholesterol release is independent of HMG-CoA reductase activation. Conclusion: Our work highlights the fact that adipose tissue, and particularly adipocytes, may largely contribute to RCT via a mechanism specifically regulated within these cells. This further supports the argument that adipose tissue must be regarded as a major factor in the development of cardiovascular diseases, in particular atherosclerosis.
Efficacy of frog skin lipids in wound healing
by Venkat Raghavan KMary BabuRama RajaramKorrapati Purna Sai
18 Jul 2010 at 6:00pm
Background: Frog skin has been sequentially and scientifically evaluated by our group for its wound healing efficiency. Owing to the complex structure of skin, attempts were being made to analyse the role of individual constituents in different phases of healing. Our earlier papers have shown the significance of frog skin not only in wound healing but also enhancing the proliferating activity of the epidermal and dermal cells which are instrumental for normal healing process. We also have identified for the first time novel antimicrobial peptides from the skin of Rana tigerina and thereby reduce the complications involved in the sepsis.Purpose of the study and Results: The current study envisages the role of frog skin lipids in the inflammatory phase of wound healing. The lipid moiety of the frog skin dominated by phospholipids exhibited a dose dependent acceleration of healing irrespective of the mode of application. The efficiency of the extract is attributed partially to the anti-inflammatory activity as observed by the histochemical and immunostimulatory together with plethysmographic studies. Conclusions: Thus, frog skin for the first time has been demonstrated to possess lipid components with pharmaceutical and therapeutic potential. The identification and characterization of such natural healing molecules and evaluating their mechanism of action would therefore provide basis for understanding the cues of Nature and hence can be used for application in medicine.
Differential effect of Pistacia vera extracts on experimental atherosclerosis...
by Katerina MarinouKaterina GeorgopoulouGeorge AgrogiannisTheodore KaratzasDimitrios IliopoulosApostolos PapaloisAchilles ChatziioannouProkopios MagiatisMaria HalabalakiNektaria TsantilaLeandros Alexios SkaltsounisEfstratios PatsourisIsmene Dontas
15 Jul 2010 at 6:00pm
Background: Lipid-enriched diets and oxidative stress are risk factors for the development of atherosclerosis. The effects of the methanolic (ME) and cyclohexane (CHE) extracts of the Pistacia vera nut, often included in the Mediterranean diet, were studied in the rabbit model of atherosclerosis.Methods and results: Twenty-four New Zealand White rabbits received atherogenic diet (Control Group), supplemented with ME (Group ME) or CHE (Group CHE) for 3 months. Previously, a GC-MS and a UHPLC LC-DAD-ESI(-)-HRMS/MS method were developed to investigate the extracts' chemical profiles. Blood samples at baseline and monthly determined lipid profile, lipid peroxidation and liver function. The aorta, myocardium and liver were examined histologically at 3 months.Groups ME and CHE had significantly higher HDL- and non-significantly lower LDL-cholesterol median % changes from baseline than the Control Group. Triacylglycerol was significantly higher in Group CHE vs. Control. MDA values were significantly lower in Group ME vs. Control and CHE. ALT and AST were significantly higher in Group CHE vs. Control. gamma-GT was lower in Group ME vs. Control. Aortic intimal thickness was significantly less in Groups ME and CHE vs. Control; Group ME atherosclerotic lesions were significantly less extensive vs. Groups Control and CHE. Only Group CHE had significant liver fatty infiltration. Conclusions: During short-term administration concomitantly with atherogenic diet, both P. vera extracts were beneficial on HDL-, LDL-cholesterol and aortic intimal thickness. The ME additionally presented an antioxidant effect and significant decrease of aortic surface lesions. These results indicate that P. vera dietary inclusion, in particular its ME, is potentially beneficial in atherosclerosis management.
Effect of oral intake of capsaicinoid beadlets on catecholamine secretion and...
by Richard BloomerRobert CanaleSid ShastriSujata Suvarnapathki
14 Jul 2010 at 6:00pm
Background: In the present investigation we compared blood epinephrine (EPI), norepinephrine (NE), free fatty acids (FFA) and glycerol concentrations in response to a capsaicinoid supplement or placebo in healthy adults before and after acute exercise. Methods: Twenty subjects ingested a placebo or supplement (CapsimaxTM, OmniActive Health Technologies; 2 mg capsaicinoids in a microencapsulated matrix) with one week separating conditions. Fasting blood samples were collected during each visit; 30 minutes following a rest period and before placebo or supplement intake (Pre); 2 hours post intake (2hr); one minute following the cessation of 30 minutes of exercise performed at 65% of maximal heart rate reserve (2.5hr); 90 minutes following the cessation of exercise (4hr). Heart rate (HR), systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure were recorded at all times. Results: A time effect was noted for HR, SBP, and DBP (p0.05). However, a time effect was noted for all variables (p<0.0001), with values higher than Pre at 2.5hr for EPI and glycerol, at 2hr and 2.5 hours for FFA, and at 2hr, 2.5hr, and 4hr for NE (p<0.05). In terms of percent change from Pre, glycerol was higher with CapsimaxTM than for placebo at 4hr (p=0.011) and FFA was higher with CapsimaxTM than for placebo at 2hr (p=0.025) and at 2.5hr (p=0.015). Conclusion: Ingestion of low dose (2mg) CapsimaxTM was associated with an increase in blood FFA and glycerol at selected times post ingestion, as compared to placebo. However, CapsimaxTM had no differing effect on EPI or NE compared to placebo. Lastly, no difference was noted in HR, SBP, or DBP between placebo and CapsimaxTM.
Immediate effect of intensive atorvastatin therapy on lipid parameters in pat...
by Dagmar VondrakovaPetr OstadalAndreas Kruger
13 Jul 2010 at 6:00pm
Background: Intensive statin therapy decreases mortality and incidence of coronary events in patients after acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Recently it has been reported that spontaneous lipid levels remain clinically stable during ACS. The immediate influence of lipid levels by high-dose statin therapy initiated at admission in ACS patients is, however, not clear. Methods: We have analyzed a group of 114 patients with ACS (mean age 63.7; females 25.4%). Atorvastatin 80 mg was administered at admission and then once daily for the rest of hospitalization. The levels of total cholesterol (TC), LDL-cholesterol (LDL), HDL-cholesterol (HDL), and triglycerides (TG) were measured at admission (D0), and then every morning of hospitalization (D1, D2). Results: The mean entry values (D0) of TC, LDL, HDL and TG (in mmol/L) were 5.24, 3.26, 1.07 and 1.31, respectively. The therapy with atorvastatin 80 mg resulted in a decrease of TC levels in the first morning (D1) by 6.1% and in the second morning (D2) by 13.2% (p < 0.001 for all comparisons with the entry value D0); LDL was decreased by 5.8% (D1) and 15.6% (D2) (p < 0.001 vs. D0); the level of HDL was decreased by 7.5% (D1) and 12.1% (D2) (p < 0.001 vs. D0). In contrast, the TG level was higher in the first morning (D1) by 20.6% and in the following morning (D2) by 25.5% (p < 0.05 vs. D0). Conclusions: We have shown that intensive statin therapy started at admission in ACS patients has a highly significant, immediate effect on all monitored lipid levels. Since TC and LDL levels were decreased as predicted, reduction in HDL and increase in TG levels suggest a different acute effect of high-dose statin on lipid levels in comparison with long-term treatment of ACS patients.

Presented by MedRat®

MedRat BioArchives MedRat News Home e-Journals Home MedRat Feedback Download e-Journals Links Disclaimer / Copyrights