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Keeping A Proper Check On High Cholesterol
By Javier
Though genes and obesity are the primary cause of cholesterol rise, yet diet becomes the prominent secondary factor for heavy or extra cholesterol in your body. The intake of external cholesterol Read more...
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What is Cholesterol?
About Your CholesterolCholesterol
is a type of fat and is part of all animal cells. It is
essential for many of your body’s metabolic processes, including
production and it helps the body use vitamin D.
The body is very good
at making its own cholesterol; you don’t need to help it along. In
fact, too much cholesterol in your diet can lead to heart disease.
Cholesterol is found in all cell
membranes and it is transported around the body via the plasma in your
blood. Trace amounts of cholesterol are also found in membranes of
plants and fungi. Cholesterol
is a combination steroid and alcohol, the name Cholesterol originates
from the Greek chole- (bile) and stereos (solid), and the chemical
suffix -ol for an alcohol.
 |
Most
of our cholesterol is created naturally by the body and some has its
origin in our diet. Cholesterol is more abundant in the tissues of the
liver, the spinal cord and the brain and plays a central role in many
biochemical processes important to a healthy body. Abnormally
high cholesterol levels (hypercholesterolemia) and abnormal proportions
of LDL and HDL are associated with cardiovascular disease by promoting
atheroma development in arteries (atherosclerosis).
|
This
disease process leads to heart attack (myocardial infarction), stroke
and peripheral vascular disease. As high LDL contributes to this
process, it is termed "bad cholesterol", while high levels of HDL
("good cholesterol") offer a degree of protection. The balance can be
redressed with exercise, a healthy diet, and sometimes medication.
We strive to provide only quality articles and
other resources, so if there is a specific topic related to
cholesterol that you would like us to cover, please contact us at
any time.
And again, thank you to those contributing daily to
our cholesterol website.
TheTeam@awareness-guide.com
Thanks
For Stopping by...
Decreased levels of plasma adiponectin associated with increased risk of colorectal cancer.
CONCLUSION: A decreased level of adiponectin is strongly associated with an increased risk of colorectal adenoma and early cancer. These data call for further investigation, including a controlled prospective study.
PMID: 20222170 [PubMed - in process] (Source: World Journal of Gastroenterology : WJG)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div>
Chlamydia pneumoniae IgG and IgA antibody titers and prognosis in patients with coronary heart disease: results from the CLARICOR trial
Abstract: The association observed between coronary heart disease (CHD) and Chlamydia (Chlamydophila) pneumoniae antibodies prompted, during the 1990s, several primary and secondary prevention trials with various antibiotics. In our CLARICOR trial, a randomized placebo-controlled trial in 4372 patients with stable CHD, a brief clarithromycin regimen was followed, unexpectedly, by increased long-term mortality. We now compare C. pneumoniae antibody levels at entry with population levels, with the patients' individual histories, and with their subsequent outcomes. IgG antibody levels were somewhat raised, but elevated IgA and IgG titers were unrelated to entry data (including prior acute myocardial infarction), except for an association with smoking and with not using statins. Hazards of mor...
Experimental Drug that Mimics Thryoid Hormone Safely Lowers 'Bad' Cholesterol in Statin-Treated Patients-3/10/10
People whose ?bad? cholesterol and risk of future heart disease stay too high despite cholesterol-lowering statin therapy can safely lower it by adding a drug that mimics the action of thyroid hormone. In a report published in the Mar. 11, issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, Johns Hopkins and Swedish researchers say an experimental drug called eprotirome lowered cholesterol up to 32 percent in those already on statins, an effect equal to that expected from doubling the statin drug doses, without harmful side effects. (Source: Johns Hopkins Medicine News)
Assessing screening practices among health care workers at a tertiary-care hospital in Sao Paulo, Brazil
CONCLUSIONS: A sizeable proportion of health care workers underwent screening procedures that are not recommended or for which there was insufficient evidence of a benefit. Conversely, certain recommended procedures were performed on a small proportion of such workers. These results indicate that the Brazilian National Ministry of Health must develop nationwide evidence-based screening recommendations and disseminate such recommendations among health care professionals in Brazil. (Source: Clinics)
Problem of immortal time bias in cohort studies: example using statins for preventing progression of diabetes
(Source: BMJ Online First)
[Aortic strain and distensibility in patients with metabolic syndrome.]
CONCLUSION: Aortic stiffness is increased in patients with MetS. Using a noninvasive and readily available tool, transthoracic echocardiography, arterial stiffness can easily be assessed, so that the incidence of cardiovascular diseases and associated mortality can be decreased through appropriate treatment for risk factors.
PMID: 20215837 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Turk Kardiyoloji Dernegi arsivi)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div>
Thyroid Hormone Analogue For Treating High Cholesterol
An experimental thyroid drug reduces cholesterol without the troublesome side effects experienced by some people on statins, according to a study published today in The New England Journal of Medicine. An international team of investigators at Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, the Karolinska University Hospital and Institute, and The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research tested a substance called Eprotirome in patients with high cholesterol... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)
Thyroid Hormone Analogue For Treating High Cholesterol
An experimental thyroid drug reduces cholesterol without the troublesome side effects experienced by some people on statins, according to a study published today in The New England Journal of Medicine... (Source: Cardiovascular / Cardiology News From Medical News Today)
Cholesterol Targets For Heart Patients Not Being Met
Only half of all patients at high risk of heart disease are given correct targets for lowering their cholesterol levels according to a study of 25,250 patients in Germany published online 11 March in the European Heart Journal [1]. The study investigated the way primary care doctors assessed their patients' risk factors and other health problems when deciding on cholesterol-lowering targets, and although the research focused on German doctors and their patients, the authors believe that it reflects a similar picture in the rest of Europe... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)
New Drug Candidate Reduces Blood Lipids
A thyroid-hormone-like substance that works specifically on the liver reduces blood cholesterol with no serious side effects. This according to a clinical trial conducted by researchers from the Swedish medical university Karolinska Institutet, amongst other centres, published in the top-ranking scientific periodical The New England Journal of Medicine. High cholesterol levels in the blood are primarily treated with a group of drugs called statins, but they are not always sufficiently effective and higher doses commonly cause adverse reactions... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)
Cholesterol Targets For Heart Patients Not Being Met
Only half of all patients at high risk of heart disease are given correct targets for lowering their cholesterol levels according to a study of 25,250 patients in Germany published online 11 March in the European Heart Journal [1]... (Source: Cardiovascular / Cardiology News From Medical News Today)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div>
New Drug Candidate Reduces Blood Lipids
A thyroid-hormone-like substance that works specifically on the liver reduces blood cholesterol with no serious side effects. This according to a clinical trial conducted by researchers from the Swedish medical university Karolinska Institutet, amongst other centres, published in the top-ranking scientific periodical The New England Journal of Medicine... (Source: Cholesterol News From Medical News Today)
Vitamin D Improves Insulin Sensitivity, Helps Prevent Diabetes
(NaturalNews) High-dose vitamin D supplements may help increase the body's sensitivity to the blood sugar-regulating hormone insulin, thus reducing the risk of diabetes, researchers have found.Insulin resistance (or insensitivity) occurs when the body's tissues stop responding as strongly to the presence of insulin. As a consequence, the cells uptake less sugar from the bloodstream, producing the elevated glucose levels characteristic of diabetes. In the current study, conducted by researchers from Massey University and published in the British Journal of Nutrition, researchers randomly assigned 81 South Asian women between the ages of 23 and 68 to take either a placebo or 4,000 IU of vitamin D once per day. All participants suffered from insulin sensitivity at the start of the study, but ...
The New England Journal Of Medicine Publishes Clinical Results On Karo Bio's
The Swedish biotech company Karo Bio (Reuters: KARO.ST) announced the publication of results from a clinical phase II trial evaluating the company's liver selective thyroid hormone receptor agonist eprotirome and its ability to further reduce serum LDL cholesterol levels in statin-treated patients. The results are published in the March 11, 2010 edition of the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM). The study was a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind multi-center trial of three months duration, performed between November 2007 and June 2008... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)
The New England Journal Of Medicine Publishes Clinical Results On Karo Bio's
The Swedish biotech company Karo Bio (Reuters: KARO.ST) announced the publication of results from a clinical phase II trial evaluating the company's liver selective thyroid hormone receptor agonist eprotirome and its ability to further reduce serum LDL cholesterol levels in statin-treated patients... (Source: Cholesterol News From Medical News Today)
Metabolic differences between male and female adolescents with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, as detected by ultrasound
Conclusion: Female adolescents with NAFLD showed a significantly different metabolic behaviour than males. (Source: Acta Paediatrica)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div>
Outcome of coronary plaque burden: a 10-year follow-up of aggressive medical management
Background:
: The effect of aggressive medical therapy on quantitative coronary plaque burden is not generally known, especially in ethnic Chinese. AIMS: We reasoned that Cardiac CT could conveniently quantify early coronary atherosclerosis in our patient population, and hypothesized that serial observation could differentiate the efficacy of aggressive medical therapy regarding progression and regression of the atherosclerotic process, as well as evaluating the additional impact of life-style modification and the relative effects of the application of statin therapy.MethodS: We employed a standardized Cardiac CT protocol to serially scan 113 westernized Hong Kong Chinese individuals (64 men and 49 women) with chest pain and positive coronary risk factors. In all cases included for this se...
Paper round: Friday
Doctors to be checked on English, selling fresh air, and moreRelated items from OnMedicaBMA calls for electronic records to be haltedGP leaders warn cash cuts are raising pressure on general practiceNICE issues draft guideline on childhood bed-wettingDoctors fail to give patients safe cholesterol adviceMost doctors will receive no pay rise this year (Source: OnMedica Latest News)
NPC1L1 inhibitor ezetimibe is a reliable therapeutic agent for non-obese patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Background:
We recently examined the distribution of abdominal fat, dietary intake and biochemical data in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and found that non-obese NAFLD patients did not necessarily exhibit insulin resistance and/or dysregulated secretion of adipocytokines. However, dietary cholesterol intake was superabundant in non-obese patients compared with obese patients, although total energy and carbohydrate intake was not excessive. Therefore, excess cholesterol intake appears to be one of the main factors associated with NAFLD development and liver injury.
Methods:
We reviewed a year of follow-up data of non-obese NAFLD patients treated with Niemann-Pick C1 like 1 inhibitor ezetimibe to evaluate its therapeutic effect on clinical parameters related to NAFLD...
U.S. safety panel says big Vytorin study can go on
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Merck & Co on Thursday said an independent data safety monitoring board has approved continuation of a big study meant to determine whether its blockbuster Vytorin cholesterol drug prevents heart attacks and stroke. (Source: Reuters: Health)
Cholesterol and Cognitive Performance in Normal Controls and the Influence of Elective Statin Use after Conversion to Mild Cognitive Impairment: Results in a Clinical Trial Cohort
Neurodegenerative Dis 2010;7:183–186 (DOI:10.1159/000295660) (Source: Neurodegenerative Diseases)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div>
Cholesterol, Diabetes Medications Top List of Prescription Drug Expenses for Medicare Recipients
Metabolic agents make up nearly one quarter of all purchases by those aged 65 years and older. Medscape Medical News (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)
Cholesterol-Binding Toxins and Anti-cholesterol Antibodies as Structural Probes for Cholesterol Localization.
Authors: Ohno-Iwashita Y, Shimada Y, Hayashi M, Iwamoto M, Iwashita S, Inomata M
Cholesterol is one of the major constituents of mammalian cell membranes. It plays an indispensable role in regulating the structure and function of cell membranes and affects the pathology of various diseases. In recent decades much attention has been paid to the existence of membrane microdomains, generally termed lipid "rafts", and cholesterol, along with sphingolipids, is thought to play a critical role in raft structural organization and function. Cholesterol-binding probes are likely to provide useful tools for analyzing the distribution and dynamics of membrane cholesterol, as a structural element of raft microdomains, and elsewhere within the cell. Among the probes, non-toxic derivatives of perfrin...
Cholesterol Specificity of Some Heptameric beta-Barrel Pore-Forming Bacterial Toxins: Structural and Functional Aspects.
Authors: Harris JR, Palmer M
Apart from the thiol-specific/cholesterol-dependent cytolysin family of toxins (see Chapter 20) there are a number of other unrelated bacterial toxins that also have an affinity for plasma membrane cholesterol. Emphasis is given here on the Vibrio cholerae cytolysin (VCC) and the cytolysins from related Vibrio species. The inhibition of the cytolytic activity of these toxins by prior incubation with extracellular cholesterol or low density lipoprotein emerges as a unifying feature, as does plasma membrane cholesterol depletion. Incubation of VCC with cholesterol produces a heptameric oligomer, which is not equivalent to the pre-pore since it is unable to penetrate the plasma membrane. In structural terms, the precise sequence of VCC monomer binding to membr...
The cholesterol-dependent cytolysin family of gram-positive bacterial toxins.
Authors: Heuck AP, Moe PC, Johnson BB
The cholesterol-dependent cytolysins (CDCs) are a family of beta-barrel pore-forming toxins secreted by Gram-positive bacteria. These toxins are produced as water-soluble monomeric proteins that after binding to the target cell oligomerize on the membrane surface forming a ring-like pre-pore complex, and finally insert a large beta-barrel into the membrane (about 250 A in diameter). Formation of such a large transmembrane structure requires multiple and coordinated conformational changes. The presence of cholesterol in the target membrane is absolutely required for pore-formation, and therefore it was long thought that cholesterol was the cellular receptor for these toxins. However, not all the CDCs require cholesterol for binding. Intermedilysin, ...
Cholesterol and ion channels.
Authors: Levitan I, Fang Y, Rosenhouse-Dantsker A, Romanenko V
A variety of ion channels, including members of all major ion channel families, have been shown to be regulated by changes in the level of membrane cholesterol and partition into cholesterol-rich membrane domains. In general, several types of cholesterol effects have been described. The most common effect is suppression of channel activity by an increase in membrane cholesterol, an effect that was described for several types of inwardly-rectifying K(+) channels, voltage-gated K(+) channels, Ca(+2) sensitive K(+) channels, voltage-gated Na(+) channels, N-type voltage-gated Ca(+2) channels and volume-regulated anion channels. In contrast, several types of ion channels, such as epithelial amiloride-sensitive Na(+) channels and...<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div>
Cholesterol and myelin biogenesis.
Authors: Saher G, Simons M
Myelin consists of several layers of tightly compacted membranes wrapped around axons in the nervous system. The main function of myelin is to provide electrical insulation around the axon to ensure the rapid propagation of nerve conduction. As the myelinating glia terminally differentiates, they begin to produce myelin membranes on a remarkable scale. This membrane is unique in its composition being highly enriched in lipids, in particular galactosylceramide and cholesterol. In this review we will summarize the role of cholesterol in myelin biogenesis in the central and peripheral nervous system.
PMID: 20213556 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Sub-Cellular Biochemistry)
Cholesterol effects on nicotinic acetylcholine receptor: cellular aspects.
Authors: Barrantes FJ
Cholesterol is an essential partner of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (AChR). It is not only an abundant component of the postsynaptic membrane but also affects the stability of the receptor protein in the membrane, its supramolecular organization and function. In the absence of innervation, early on in ontogenetic development of the muscle cell, embryonic AChRs occur in the form of diffusely dispersed molecules. At embryonic day 13, receptors organize in the form of small aggregates. This organization can be mimicked in mammalian cells in culture.Trafficking to the plasmalemma is a cholesterol-dependent process. Receptors acquire association with the sterol as early as the endoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi apparatus. Once AChRs reach the cell surface, the...
Membrane cholesterol in the function and organization of g-protein coupled receptors.
Authors: Paila YD, Chattopadhyay A
Cholesterol is an essential component of higher eukaryotic membranes and plays a crucial role in membrane organization, dynamics and function. The G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the largest class of molecules involved in signal transduction across membranes, and represent major targets in the development of novel drug candidates in all clinical areas. Membrane cholesterol has been reported to have a modulatory role in the function of a number of GPCRs. Two possible mechanisms have been previously suggested by which membrane cholesterol could influence the structure and function of GPCRs (i) through a direct/specific interaction with GPCRs, or (ii) through an indirect way by altering membrane physical properties in which the receptor is embedd...
Mammalian StAR-Related Lipid Transfer (START) Domains with Specificity for Cholesterol: Structural Conservation and Mechanism of Reversible Binding.
Authors: Lavigne P, Najmanivich R, Lehoux JG
The StAR-related lipid transfer (START) domain is an evolutionary conserved protein module of approximately 210 amino acids. There are 15 mammalian proteins that possess a START domain. Whereas the functions and specific ligands are being elucidated, 5 of them have already been shown to bind specifically cholesterol. The most intensively studied member of this subclass is the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) or STARD1. While its role in steroid hormone production has been demonstrated, much less is understood about how its START domain specifically recognizes cholesterol and how it releases it to be transferred inside the mitochondria of steroidogenic cell of the gonads and adrenal cortex. A major obstacle that is slowing down p...
Prominin-1: a distinct cholesterol-binding membrane protein and the organisation of the apical plasma membrane of epithelial cells.
Authors: Corbeil D, Marzesco AM, Fargeas CA, Huttner WB
The apical plasma membrane of polarized epithelial cells is composed of distinct subdomains, that is, planar regions and protrusions (microvilli, primary cilium), each of which are constructed from specific membrane microdomains. Assemblies containing the pentaspan glycoprotein prominin-1 and certain membrane lipids, notably cholesterol, are characteristic features of these microdomains in apical membrane protrusions. Here we highlight the recent findings concerning the molecular architecture of the apical plasma membrane of epithelial cells and its dynamics. The latter is illustrated by the budding and fission of prominin-1-containing membrane vesicles from apical plasma membrane protrusions, which is controlled, at least in part...<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div>
Cholesterol at the Endoplasmic Reticulum: Roles of the Sigma-1 Receptor Chaperone and Implications thereof in Human Diseases.
Authors: Hayashi T, Su TP
Despite substantial data elucidating the roles of cholesterol in lipid rafts at the plasma membrane, the roles of cholesterol and related lipids in lipid raft microdomains at the level of subcellular membrane, such as the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane, remain less understood. Growing evidence, however, begins to unveil the importance of cholesterol and lipids on the lipid raft at the ER membrane. A few ER proteins including the sigma-1 receptor chaperone were identified at lipid raft-like microdomains of the ER membrane. The sigma-1 receptor, which is highly expressed at a subdomain of ER membrane directly apposing mitochondria and known as the mitochondria-associated ER membrane or MAM, has been shown to associate with steroids as well as cholesterol. T...
Protein mediators of sterol transport across intestinal brush border membrane.
Authors: Brown JM, Yu L
Dysregulation of cholesterol balance contributes significantly to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), the leading cause of death in the United States. The intestine has the unique capability to act as a gatekeeper for entry of cholesterol into the body, and inhibition of intestinal cholesterol absorption is now widely regarded as an attractive non-statin therapeutic strategy for ASCVD prevention. In this chapter we discuss the current state of knowledge regarding sterol transport across the intestinal brush border membrane. The purpose of this work is to summarize substantial progress made in the last decade in regards to protein-mediated sterol trafficking, and to discuss this in the context of human disease.
PMID: 20213550 [PubMed - in process]...
Cholesterol in Niemann-Pick Type C disease.
Authors: Bi X, Liao G
Niemann-Pick Type C (NPC) disease is associated with accumulation of cholesterol and other lipids in late endosomes/lysosomes in virtually every organ; however, neurodegeneration represents the fatal cause for the disease. Genetic analysis has identified loss-of-function mutations in NPC1 and NPC2 genes as the molecular triggers for the disease. Although the precise function of these proteins has not yet been clarified, recent research suggests that they orchestrate cholesterol efflux from late endosomes/lysosomes. NPC protein deficits result in impairment in intracellular cholesterol trafficking and dysregulation of cholesterol biosynthesis. Disruption of cholesterol homeostasis is also associated with deregulation of autophagic activity and early-onset neuroinfl...
Caveolin, sterol carrier protein-2, membrane cholesterol-rich microdomains and intracellular cholesterol trafficking.
Authors: Schroeder F, Huang H, McIntosh AL, Atshaves BP, Martin GG, Kier AB
While the existence of membrane lateral microdomains has been known for over 30 years, interest in these structures accelerated in the past decade due to the discovery that cholesterol-rich microdomains serve important biological functions. It is increasingly appreciated that cholesterol-rich microdomains in the plasma membranes of eukaryotic cells represent an organizing nexus for multiple cellular proteins involved in transmembrane nutrient uptake (cholesterol, fatty acid, glucose, etc.), cell-signaling, immune recognition, pathogen entry, and many other roles. Despite these advances, however, relatively little is known regarding the organization of cholesterol itself in these plasma membrane microdomains. Al...
Cholesterol interaction with proteins that partition into membrane domains: an overview.
Authors: Epand RM, Thomas A, Brasseur R, Epand RF
Biological membranes are complex structures composed largely of proteins and lipids. These components have very different structural and physical properties and consequently they do not form a single homogeneous mixture. Rather components of the mixture are more enriched in some regions than in others. This can be demonstrated with simple lipid mixtures that spontaneously segregate components so as to form different lipid phases that are immiscible with one another. The segregation of molecular components of biological membranes also involves proteins. One driving force that would promote the segregation of membrane components is the preferential interaction between a protein and certain lipid components. Among the varied lipid componen...<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div>
Lipoprotein modification and macrophage uptake: role of pathologic cholesterol transport in atherogenesis.
Authors: Miller YI, Choi SH, Fang L, Tsimikas S
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is a major extracellular carrier of cholesterol and, as such, plays important physiologic roles in cellular function and regulation of metabolic pathways. However, under pathologic conditions of hyperlipidemia, oxidative stress and/or genetic disorders, specific components of LDL become oxidized or otherwise modified, and the transport of cholesterol by modified LDL is diverted from its physiologic targets toward excessive cholesterol accumulation in macrophages and the formation of macrophage "foam" cells in the vascular wall. This pathologic deposition of modified lipoproteins and the attendant pro-inflammatory reactions in the artery wall lead to the development of atherosclerotic lesions. Continued accumu...
High density lipoprotein structure-function and role in reverse cholesterol transport.
Authors: Lund-Katz S, Phillips MC
High density lipoprotein (HDL) possesses important anti-atherogenic properties and this review addresses the molecular mechanisms underlying these functions. The structures and cholesterol transport abilities of HDL particles are determined by the properties of their exchangeable apolipoprotein (apo) components. ApoA-I and apoE, which are the best characterized in structural terms, contain a series of amphipathic alpha-helical repeats. The helices located in the amino-terminal two-thirds of the molecule adopt a helix bundle structure while the carboxy-terminal segment forms a separately folded, relatively disorganized, domain. The latter domain initiates lipid binding and this interaction induces changes in conformation; the alpha-helix content increas...
Oxysterol-binding proteins.
Authors: Ridgway ND
In eukaryotic cells, membranes of the late secretory pathway contain a disproportionally large amount of cholesterol in relation to the endoplasmic reticulum, nuclear envelope and mitochondria. At one extreme, enrichment of the plasma membrane with cholesterol and sphingolipids is crucial for formation of liquid ordered domains (rafts) involved in cell communication and transport. On the other hand, regulatory machinery in the endoplasmic reticulum is maintained in a relatively cholesterol-poor environment, to ensure appropriate rapid responses to fluctuations in cellular sterol levels. Thus, cholesterol homeostasis is absolutely dependent on its distribution along an intracellular gradient. It is apparent that this gradient is maintained by a combination of sterol-...
Cholesterol oxidase: structure and function.
Authors: Vrielink A
Cholesterol oxidase is a bacterial-specific flavoenzyme that catalyzes the oxidation and isomerisation of steroids containing a 3beta hydroxyl group and a double bond at the Delta5-6 of the steroid ring system. The enzyme is a member of a large family of flavin-specific oxidoreductases and is found in two different forms: one where the flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) cofactor is covalently linked to the protein and one where the cofactor is non-covalently bound to the protein. These two enzyme forms have been extensively studied in order to gain insight into the mechanism of flavin-mediated oxidation and the relationship between protein structure and enzyme redox potential. More recently the enzyme has been found to play an important role in bacterial pathogenesis...
Sterol-protein interactions in cholesterol and bile Acid synthesis.
Authors: De Fabiani E, Mitro N, Gilardi F, Crestani M
Cholesterol and other cholesterol related metabolites, oxysterols, and bile acids, establish specific interactions with enzymes and other proteins involved in cholesterol and bile acid homeostasis, triggering a variety of biological responses. The substrate-enzyme binding represents the best-characterized type of complementary interaction between proteins and small molecules. Key enzymes in the pathway that converts cholesterol to bile acids belong to the cytochrome P450 superfamily. In contrast to the majority of P450 enzymes, those acting on cholesterol and related metabolites exhibit higher stringency with respect to substrate molecules. This stringency, coupled with the specificity of the reactions, dictates the chemical feature...<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div>
Cholesterol-binding viral proteins in virus entry and morphogenesis.
Authors: Schroeder C
Up to now less than a handful of viral cholesterol-binding proteins have been characterized, in HIV, influenza virus and Semliki Forest virus. These are proteins with roles in virus entry or morphogenesis. In the case of the HIV fusion protein gp41 cholesterol binding is attributed to a cholesterol recognition consensus (CRAC) motif in a flexible domain of the ectodomain preceding the trans-membrane segment. This specific CRAC sequence mediates gp41 binding to a cholesterol affinity column. Mutations in this motif arrest virus fusion at the hemifusion stage and modify the ability of the isolated CRAC peptide to induce segregation of cholesterol in artificial membranes.Influenza A virus M2 protein co-purifies with cholesterol. Its proton translocation activity, resp...
Cholesterol in Alzheimer's Disease and other Amyloidogenic Disorders.
Authors: Harris JR, Milton NG
The complex association of cholesterol metabolism and Alzheimer's disease is presented in depth, including the possible benefits to be gained from cholesterol-lowering statin therapy. Then follows a survey of the role of neuronal membrane cholesterol in Abeta pore formation and Abeta fibrillogenesis, together with the link with membrane raft domains and gangliosides. The contribution of structural studies to Abeta fibrillogenesis, using TEM and AFM, is given some emphasis. The role of apolipoprotein E and its isoforms, in particular ApoE4, in cholesterol and Abeta binding is presented, in relation to genetic risk factors for Alzheimer's disease. Increasing evidence suggests that cholesterol oxidation products are of importance in generation of Alzheimer's ...
Cholesterol-protein interaction: methods and cholesterol reporter molecules.
Authors: Gimpl G
Cholesterol is a major constituent of the plasma membrane in eukaryotic cells. It regulates the physical state of the phospholipid bilayer and is crucially involved in the formation of membrane microdomains. Cholesterol also affects the activity of several membrane proteins, and is the precursor for steroid hormones and bile acids. Here, methods are described that are used to explore the binding and/or interaction of proteins to cholesterol. For this purpose, a variety of cholesterol probes bearing radio-, spin-, photoaffinity- or fluorescent labels are currently available. Examples of proven cholesterol binding molecules are polyene compounds, cholesterol-dependent cytolysins, enzymes accepting cholesterol as substrate, and proteins with cholesterol binding motifs. Ma...
Eprotirome Further Reduces Cholesterol Levels in Statin-Treated Patients
The thyroid hormone analog further reduced total- and LDL-cholesterol levels, as well as triglycerides, without any adverse effects. Commonly observed side effects of past thyroid hormone mimetics have included a rapid heart rate or atrial dysrhythmias, but these were not reported with eprotirome. Heartwire (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)
Experimental drug that mimics thryoid hormone safely lowers 'bad' cholesterol
People whose "bad" cholesterol and risk of future heart disease stay too high despite cholesterol-lowering statin therapy can safely lower it by adding a drug that mimics the action of thyroid hormone. (Source: ScienceDaily Headlines)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div>
Doctors Failing to Lower Heart Patients Cholesterol Levels
Doctors are failing to lower heart patients' cholesterol adequately - Women are particularly at risk of incorrect cholesterol targets. (Source: Disabled World)
Merck: Safety board decides study of Vytorin cholesterol pill's effectiveness should continue
TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — Researchers will continue a study of a controversial Merck & Co. cholesterol drug after safety monitors decided data so far indicate the drug is safe and effective, the company said Thursday.
The drugmaker said the data... (Source: OrlandoSentinel: Medical Research)
Merck: Safety board decides study of Vytorin cholesterol pill's effectiveness should continue
WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J. (AP) — Researchers will continue a study of a controversial Merck & Co. cholesterol drug after safety monitors decided data so far indicate the drug is safe and effective.
The drugmaker says the data safety monitoring board... (Source: OrlandoSentinel: Medical Research)
Metabolic Meds Top Medicare Drug Spending
Metabolic drugs (MedPage Today) -- namely cholesterol and diabetes meds -- account for the greatest Medicare prescription expenses, researchers say. (Source: MedPage Today Public Health)
Efficacy and Safety of Rosuvastatin Therapy for Children With Familial Hypercholesterolemia
This study was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy and safety of rosuvastatin therapy for children with familial hypercholesterolemia.Background: Familial hypercholesterolemia is a common inherited disorder causing markedly elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels from birth and resulting in premature atherosclerosis. In children, statins have been shown to be effective in reducing LDL-C, restoring flow-mediated dilation, and slowing carotid intima-media thickening. However, few children in these trials achieved current LDL-C goals.Methods: This study comprised a 12-week double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, followed by a 40-week open-label, titration-to-goal extension phase in 177 pubertal children, ages 10 to 17 years, with familial hypercholesterolemia. ...<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div>
New Thyroid Medicine Works As Well As Statins, Study Shows
From Newsday (Melville, NY) (March 11, 2010)
An experimental thyroid medication lowers cholesterol just as
effectively as statins -- the most popularly prescribed cholesterol
drugs on the market -- and without many of the bothersome side
effects,... (Source: Drugs.com - Pharma News)
Novel Thyroid Hormone Analogue Aids Lipid Lowering (CME/CE)
An experimental agent that mimics thyroid hormone in the liver enhanced the lipid-lowering effect of statins in a randomized, controlled trial. (Source: MedPage Today Cardiovascular)
Docs Often Miss Lipid Targets, More So with Women (CME/CE)
Primary care doctors may only treat to recommended cholesterol targets about half the time, and even less when the patient is a woman, a survey of German physicians showed. (Source: MedPage Today Cardiovascular)
Cardiovascular risk factors and not disease activity, severity or therapy associate with renal dysfunction in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Conclusions
Renal dysfunction in RA is quite common and associates with classic cardiovascular risk factors such as advanced age and dyslipidaemia, levels of SUA and the presence of extra-articular disease. Renal dysfunction was not related to other RA-related factors including disease activity and duration, disability and past or present use of nephrotoxic medications. (Source: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases)
Cholesterol lowering
Research suggests eprotirome has potential, but more research is needed (Source: BHF National News)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div>
New Drug Reduces Bad Cholesterol And Triglycerides Without Statin Side Effects
A new drug, eprotirome, has been shown to significantly lower bad cholesterol, triglycerides and Lp(A), without the side effects that statins cause in many people. Results of a study were published in the New England Journal of Medicine. "Our study has shown a dramatic reduction in the dangerous fats that cause heart disease, the number one killer of Americans," said Dr. John Baxter, director of the Genomic Medicine Program at The Methodist Hospital Research Institute and co-author for the study... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)
Experimental Drug That Mimics Thyroid Hormone Safely Lowers 'Bad' Cholesterol In Statin-Treated Patients
People whose "bad" cholesterol and risk of future heart disease stay too high despite cholesterol-lowering statin therapy can safely lower it by adding a drug that mimics the action of thyroid hormone. In a report published in the Mar. 11, issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, Johns Hopkins and Swedish researchers say an experimental drug called eprotirome lowered cholesterol up to 32 percent in those already on statins, an effect equal to that expected from doubling the statin drug doses, without harmful side effects... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)
New Drug Reduces Bad Cholesterol And Triglycerides Without Statin Side Effects
A new drug, eprotirome, has been shown to significantly lower bad cholesterol, triglycerides and Lp(A), without the side effects that statins cause in many people. Results of a study were published in the New England Journal of Medicine. "Our study has shown a dramatic reduction in the dangerous fats that cause heart disease, the number one killer of Americans," said Dr... (Source: Cholesterol News From Medical News Today)
Experimental Drug That Mimics Thyroid Hormone Safely Lowers 'Bad' Cholesterol In Statin-Treated Patients
People whose "bad" cholesterol and risk of future heart disease stay too high despite cholesterol-lowering statin therapy can safely lower it by adding a drug that mimics the action of thyroid hormone. In a report published in the Mar... (Source: Cholesterol News From Medical News Today)
New cholesterol drug tested
Conclusion
This is an important and well-conducted trial, which has demonstrated the potential of a drug, eprotirome, to lower cholesterol levels. However, conclusions about the effects of this drug should not be made too prematurely and much further research is needed:
So far, use of the drug alone has not been compared to statin treatment. In this trial eprotirome or inactive placebo was only ever given in addition to people?s long-term statins. Therefore no comparison of cholesterol-lowering effect of each of the treatments alone can be made.
Only a small number of people were included in the trial: 47 on the 25microgram dose, 46 on 50micrograms, and 44 on the 100microgram dose of eprotirome. These groups of participants are too small to draw any conclusions on the safety or eff...<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div>
Agency For Healthcare Research And Quality News And Numbers: High Cholesterol, Diabetes Lead Drug Spending For The Elderly
Purchases of cholesterol and diabetes prescription drugs by elderly Medicare beneficiaries reached nearly $19 billion in 2007 - about one-fourth of the approximately $82 billion spent for medications for the elderly, according to the latest AHRQ News and Numbers... (Source: Cholesterol News From Medical News Today)
Agency For Healthcare Research And Quality News And Numbers: High Cholesterol, Diabetes Lead Drug Spending For The Elderly
Purchases of cholesterol and diabetes prescription drugs by elderly Medicare beneficiaries reached nearly $19 billion in 2007 - about one-fourth of the approximately $82 billion spent for medications for the elderly, according to the latest AHRQ News and Numbers. Metabolic drugs, which are used to lower cholesterol levels, keep diabetes under control and for weight and thyroid problems, topped the list of the five leading categories of drugs purchased by the elderly... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)
New 'statin' without side effects developed by scientists
Eprotirome tablets rapidly lowered cholesterol and other dangerous blood fats in men and women for whom statins were not working well. (Source: the Mail online | Health)
Recent Studies Link Obesity To Food Allergies
First Lady Michelle Obama's "Let's Move" Campaign tells us that about 32 percent of children and teens (or 25 million) are obese or overweight. It revealed those extra pounds put them at greater risk of developing debilitating and costly diseases including diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol and may also cause them to lead a two to five year shorter life than their parents... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)
'Improved Doctor-pharmacist Collaboration Needed': Study
A research team from the Laval Centre de santé et de services sociaux, Université de Montréal and the McGill University Health Centre has examined the benefits of greater collaboration between family physicians and community pharmacists for select patients. Published in the March 8 edition of the Canadian Medical Association Journal, the research project focused on patients with high levels of cholesterol who are at risk of cardiovascular disease. In all, 77 family physicians, 108 community pharmacists and 225 patients were recruited for the study... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div>
Recent Studies Link Obesity To Food Allergies
First Lady Michelle Obama's "Let's Move" Campaign tells us that about 32 percent of children and teens (or 25 million) are obese or overweight. It revealed those extra pounds put them at greater risk of developing debilitating and costly diseases including diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol and may also cause them to lead a two to five year shorter life than their parents... (Source: Allergy News From Medical News Today)
Cardiac Catheterizations: Too Many Performed?
Title: Cardiac Catheterizations: Too Many Performed?Category: Health NewsCreated: 3/11/2010 10:14:00 AMLast Editorial Review: 3/11/2010 10:14:51 AM (Source: MedicineNet Cholesterol General)
High Natural Estrogen Might Raise Women's Stroke Risk
Title: High Natural Estrogen Might Raise Women's Stroke RiskCategory: Health NewsCreated: 3/10/2010 12:10:00 PMLast Editorial Review: 3/11/2010 (Source: MedicineNet Cholesterol General)
Alternative to Statins Shows Promise
Title: Alternative to Statins Shows PromiseCategory: Health NewsCreated: 3/10/2010 6:10:00 PMLast Editorial Review: 3/11/2010 (Source: MedicineNet Cholesterol General)
Alternative to Statins Shows Promise
Title: Alternative to Statins Shows PromiseCategory: Health NewsCreated: 3/10/2010 6:10:00 PMLast Editorial Review: 3/11/2010 (Source: MedicineNet Crohn's Disease General)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div>
Alternative to Statins Shows Promise
Title: Alternative to Statins Shows PromiseCategory: Health NewsCreated: 3/10/2010 6:10:00 PMLast Editorial Review: 3/11/2010 (Source: MedicineNet Senior Health General)
Alternative to Statins Shows Promise
Title: Alternative to Statins Shows PromiseCategory: Health NewsCreated: 3/10/2010 6:10:00 PMLast Editorial Review: 3/11/2010 (Source: MedicineNet Mens Health General)
Thyroid hormone analogue for treating high cholesterol
(North Shore-Long Island Jewish (LIJ) Health System) An experimental thyroid drug reduces cholesterol without the troublesome side effects experienced by some people on statins, according to a study published today in the New England Journal of Medicine. An international team of investigators at Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, the Karolinska University Hospital and Institute, and The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research tested a substance called Eprotirome in patients with high cholesterol. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)
GPs 'lax' on cholesterol targets
Many lives could be saved if GPs followed guidelines for reducing cholesterol in those at high risk of heart disease, a study suggests. (Source: BBC News | Health | UK Edition)
Doctors fail to cut cholesterol enough
LONDON (Reuters) - Only half of patients at high risk of heart disease are given the right targets for cutting their cholesterol and millions may suffer heart attack or stroke due to doctors' poor advice, scientists said on Thursday. (Source: Reuters: Health)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div>
CVN: Heart Minute
Red Yeast Rice or Statins? (Source: Cardiosource)
Testosterone synthesized in cultured human SZ95 sebocytes derives mainly from dehydroepiandrosterone
Please cite this paper as: Testosterone synthesized in cultured human SZ95 sebocytes derives mainly from dehydroepiandrosterone. Experimental Dermatology 2010.Abstract: Human sebaceous gland possesses all the steroidogenic enzymes required for androgen synthesis. It remains unclear whether the testosterone produced in situ mainly derives from circulating dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) or from de novo synthesis utilizing serum cholesterol. Using testosterone radioimmunoassay, we found that testosterone was barely detectable in the supernatant of cultured human SZ95 sebocytes when cholesterol was added alone, indicating a low basal expression of steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) in SZ95 cells. Human chorionic gonadotropin and fibroblast growth factor-9 were as potent as forskolin ...
Impact of leptin and leptin-receptor gene polymorphisms on serum lipids in Japanese obese children
Conclusion: These results suggest that LEPR gene polymorphisms may partly contribute to serum lipid profile in obese children. (Source: Acta Paediatrica)
Doctors fail to give patients safe cholesterol advice
Only half of all patients with high risk of heart disease receive correct adviceRelated items from OnMedicaPoor patients more likely to die after heart surgery than richSlow walkers at increased risk of cardiovascular deathAll over-55s should take blood pressure pillsOnline teen health quiz launched todayPlan launched to curb 'couch potato culture' (Source: OnMedica Latest News)
Association of LIPC -250G>A polymorphism and several environmental factors with serum lipid levels in the Guangxi Bai Ku Yao and Han populations
This study was designed to detect the association of LIPC -250G>A (rs2070895) polymorphism and several environmental factors with serum lipid levels in the Guangxi Bai Ku Yao and Han populations.
Methods:
A total of 778 subjects of Bai Ku Yao and 648 participants of Han Chinese aged 15-80 were randomly selected from our previous stratified randomized cluster samples. Genotyping of the LIPC -250G>A was performed by polymerse chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism combined with gel electrophoresis, and then confirmed by direct sequencing.
Results:
The levels of serum total cholesterol (TC), HDL-C, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and apolipoprotein (apo) AI were lower in Bai Ku Yao than in Han (P (Source: Lipids in Health and Disease)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div>
Thyroid hormone analogue eprotirome may be useful for statin-treated dyslipidaemia
Source: NEJM
Area: News
According to research published in the New England Journal of Medicine, the thyroid hormone analogue eprotirome may be a useful option in patients in whom statins alone cannot reverse dyslipidaemia.
Researchers state that because thyroid hormone lowers levels of serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and has other potentially favourable actions on lipoprotein metabolism, they evaluated the safety and efficacy of the thyromimetic compound eprotirome (KB2115) in lowering the level of serum LDL cholesterol in patients with hypercholesterolemia who were already receiving simvastatin or atorvastatin.
The placebo-controlled, double-blind study involved a total of 184 patients randomised to receive either placebo (n=47) or eprotirome at a do...
Eprotirome further reduces cholesterol levels in statin-treated patients
The thyroid hormone analog further reduced total- and LDL-cholesterol levels, as well as triglycerides, without any adverse effects. Commonly observed side effects of past thyroid hormone mimetics...
For complete story visit theheart.org. (Source: theHeart.org)
Alternative to Statins Shows Promise
Broader study needed to check for possible long-term effects, experts say
Source: HealthDay
Related MedlinePlus Pages: Cholesterol, Medicines, Statins (Source: MedlinePlus Health News)
Direct measurement of cholesterol levels comparable to standard methods
Direct measurement of both high- and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol using modern assay techniques reveals similar levels to those found using standard methods, say US researchers. (Source: MedWire News - Lipidology)
Pharmacotherapeutic disparities: Racial, ethnic, and sex variations in medication treatment.
Conclusion A literature review revealed significant disparities in the medication treatment received by racial and ethnic minorities and women.
PMID: 20208053 [PubMed - in process] (Source: American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy : AJHP)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div>
High glucose promotes intracellular lipid accumulation in vascular smooth muscle cells by impairing cholesterol influx and efflux balance
Conclusion
These results suggested that hyperglycaemia-induced foam cell formation in VSMCs was related to the imbalanced lipid flux by increasing CD36-mediated modified low-density lipoprotein uptake and reducing ABCG1-regulated cellular cholesterol efflux. Moreover, this effect was associated with increased oxidative stress and activated NF-B pathway signalling. (Source: Cardiovascular Research)
Concomitant statin use does not impair the clinical outcome of patients with diffuse large B cell lymphoma treated with rituximab-CHOP
Abstract Preclinical data indicated a detrimental effect of statins on the anti-lymphoma activity of rituximab. We evaluated the impact
of concomitant statin medication on the response and survival of patients with diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) receiving
rituximab?cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone (R-CHOP) as first-line therapy. Medical histories of patients
with DLBCL who were treated with R-CHOP as first-line therapy were assessed for concomitant statin use, response after completion
of chemotherapy, event-free survival (EFS), and overall survival (OS). Furthermore, 2-[18F]fluor-2-deoxyglucose (FDG)-PET/CT results after completion of first-line therapy were compared between the groups. Overall,
145 patients with DLBCL treated with R-CHOP fro...
Influence of Lys656asn Polymorphism of Leptin Receptor Gene on Surgical Results of Biliopancreatic Diversion
Conclusion Weight loss was higher in mutant group (Lys656Asn and Asn656Asn) than wild-type group (Lys656Lys) after bariatric surgery.
Carriers of the allelic variant (Asn) had higher basal weight.
Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original ArticleDOI 10.1007/s11605-010-1181-3Authors
Daniel Antonio de Luis, University of Valladolid Institute of Endocrinology and Nutrition, Medicine School. Unit of Investigation and Endocrinology Department, Hospital Rio Hortega Valladolid 47130 SpainRocio Aller, University of Valladolid Institute of Endocrinology and Nutrition, Medicine School. Unit of Investigation and Endocrinology Department, Hospital Rio Hortega Valladolid 47130 SpainManuel González Sagrado, University of Valladolid Institute of Endocrinology and Nutrition, Me...
Breeding experience affects condition: blood metabolite levels over the course of incubation in a seabird
Abstract In vertebrates little is known about causes and correlates of differences in individual body condition. This is, however,
essential if we are to gain an understanding of environmental influences on wild populations. To track changes in individual
physiological state we analysed blood metabolite concentrations in breeding common terns Sterna hirundo. We selected birds to contrast sex, breeding experience, sampling year and nutritional state and collected repeated samples
from individuals during incubation. Unlike cholesterol, triglyceride and uric acid levels strongly correlated with nutritional
state. While cholesterol levels in males remained stable throughout incubation, comparatively lower levels were measured in
females directly after egg-laying. In 2006, only ...
Plasma triglyceride concentrations are rapidly reduced following individual bouts of endurance exercise in women
Abstract It is known that chronic endurance training leads to improvements in the lipoprotein profile, but less is known about changes
that occur during postexercise recovery acutely. We analyzed triglyceride (TG), cholesterol classes and apolipoproteins in
samples collected before, during and after individual moderate- and hard-intensity exercise sessions in men and women that
were isoenergetic between intensities. Young healthy men (n = 9) and young healthy women (n = 9) were studied under three different conditions with diet unchanged between trials: (1) before, during and 3 h after 90 min
of exercise at 45% VO2peak (E45); (2) before, during and 3 h after 60 min of exercise at 65% VO2peak (E65), and (3) in a time-matched sedentary c...<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div>
Associations between liver 18F fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose accumulation and various clinical parameters in a Japanese population: influence of the metabolic syndrome
Conclusions BMI was the strongest determinant of liver 18F-FDG uptake, and the liver 18F-FDG uptake of metabolic syndrome subjects was significantly higher than that of non-metabolic syndrome subjects. This result
suggests that a subject with a high liver 18F-FDG uptake should be screened for the metabolic syndrome.
Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original ArticleDOI 10.1007/s12149-009-0338-1Authors
Kiyohisa Kamimura, Fujimoto Hayasuzu Hospital Department of Radiology 17-1 Hayasuzu-cho, Miyakonojo Miyazaki 885-0055 JapanShigeki Nagamachi, Fujimoto Hayasuzu Hospital Department of Radiology 17-1 Hayasuzu-cho, Miyakonojo Miyazaki 885-0055 JapanHideyuki Wakamatsu, Fujimoto Hayasuzu Hospital Department of Radiology 17-1 Hayasuzu-cho, Miyakonojo Miyazaki 885-0055 Japa...
The Pathogenesis and Treatment of the Valvulopathy of Aortic Stenosis: Beyond the SEAS
Abstract Fibrocalcific aortic stenosis (AS) results from an active process similar to atherosclerosis that involves basement membrane
disruption, lipid deposition, inflammatory cell infiltration, and calcification. Consequently, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl
coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors (statins) have been extensively studied as potential therapeutic agents capable
of slowing the progression of AS. However, two randomized trials, SALTIRE and the SEAS study, showed no benefit with statin
therapy for AS. These results have shed doubt over the efficacy of statin therapy for AS, although their potential efficacy
at early stages of aortic valve disease remains possible. In this article, we review the pathophysiology of fibrocalcific
AS and discuss future directions fo...
Accumulation of intraneuronal A? correlates with ApoE4 genotype
Abstract In contrast to extracellular plaque and intracellular tangle pathology, the presence and relevance of intraneuronal A? in
Alzheimer?s disease (AD) is still a matter of debate. Human brain tissue offers technical challenges such as post-mortem delay
and uneven or prolonged tissue fixation that might affect immunohistochemical staining. In addition, previous studies on intracellular
A? accumulation in human brain often used antibodies targeting the C-terminus of A? and differed strongly in the pretreatments
used. To overcome these inconsistencies, we performed extensive parametrical testing using a highly specific N-terminal A?
antibody detecting the aspartate at position 1, before developing an optimal staining protocol for intraneuronal A? detection
in para...
Blindness
Title: BlindnessCategory: Diseases and ConditionsCreated: 3/10/2010 3:30:00 PMLast Editorial Review: 3/10/2010 3:30:02 PM (Source: MedicineNet Cholesterol General)
Alzheimer's 'Epidemic' Hitting Minorities Hardest
Title: Alzheimer's 'Epidemic' Hitting Minorities HardestCategory: Health NewsCreated: 3/9/2010 10:10:00 AMLast Editorial Review: 3/10/2010 (Source: MedicineNet Cholesterol General)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div>
Botox Approved for Spasticity in Stroke Victims
Title: Botox Approved for Spasticity in Stroke VictimsCategory: Health NewsCreated: 3/9/2010 6:10:00 PMLast Editorial Review: 3/10/2010 (Source: MedicineNet Cholesterol General)
New drug candidate reduces blood lipids
(Karolinska Institutet) A thyroid-hormone-like substance that works specifically on the liver reduces blood cholesterol with no serious side effects. This according to a clinical trial conducted by researchers from the Swedish medical university Karolinska Institutet, amongst other centers, published today in the top-ranking scientific periodical the New England Journal of Medicine. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)
Experimental drug that mimics thryoid hormone safely lowers 'bad' cholesterol
(Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions) People whose "bad" cholesterol and risk of future heart disease stay too high despite cholesterol-lowering statin therapy can safely lower it by adding a drug that mimics the action of thyroid hormone. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)
Doctors are failing to lower heart patients' cholesterol adequately
(European Society of Cardiology) Only half of all patients at high risk of heart disease are given correct targets for lowering their cholesterol levels according to a study of 25,250 patients published on Thursday March 11 in the European Heart Journal. The study investigated how primary care doctors assessed their patients' risk factors and other health problems when deciding on cholesterol-lowering targets, and although the research focused on German doctors and their patients, the authors believe that it reflects a similar picture in the rest of Europe. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)
Impact of a nurse-led intervention to improve screening for cardiovascular risk factors in people with Severe Mental Illnesses. Phase-two cluster randomised feasibility trial of Community Mental Health Teams
Conclusions:
The nurse-led intervention was superior, resulting in an absolute increase of approximately 30% more people with SMI receiving screening for each CVD risk factor. The feasibility of the trial was confirmed in terms of CMHT recruitment and the intervention, but the response rate for outcome collection was disappointing; possibly a result of the cluster design. The trial was not large or long enough to detect changes in risk factors.International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Registration Number (ISRCTRN) 58625025 (Source: BMC Health Services Research)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div>
A review of fatty acid profiles and antioxidant content in grass-fed and grain-fed beef
Growing consumer interest in grass-fed beef products has raised a number of questions with regard to the perceived differences in nutritional quality between grass-fed and grain-fed cattle. Research spanning three decades suggests that grass-based diets can significantly improve the fatty acid (FA) composition and antioxidant content of beef, albeit with variable impacts on overall palatability. Grass-based diets have been shown to enhance total conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) (C18:2) isomers, trans vaccenic acid (TVA) (C18:1 t11), a precursor to CLA, and omega-3 (n-3) FAs on a g/g fat basis. While the overall concentration of total SFAs is not different between feeding regimens, grass-finished beef tends toward a higher proportion of cholesterol neutral stearic FA (C18:0), and less cholest...
Paradoxical Decrease in High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol with Fenofibrate: A Quite Rare Phenomenon Indeed
Some recent clinical reports have suggested that paradoxical decreases in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels after fenofibrate treatment may be quite common. These appear to occur mainly in patients with combined fibrate/statin therapy and possibly in those with low baseline HDL-C. Reports on HDL-C reductions after fenofibrate are possibly supported by the disappointing results in terms of HDL-C responses from the recent FIELD study. A survey on 581 patients treated for 1 year or longer was carried out in our Clinical Center. This indicated that paradoxical HDL-C reductions are a relatively uncommon phenomenon. Not more than 15.3% of the present series showed an HDL-C reduction, mostly of a modest degree. Further, reductions of HDL-C appear to occur mainly in individuals w...
Overexpression of translocator protein in inflammatory bowel disease: Potential diagnostic and treatment value
Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs), such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, are chronic inflammatory disorders that increase the risk for colorectal cancer. The mitochondrial translocator protein (TSPO) is a high-affinity drug- and cholesterol-binding protein expressed in the colon and its expression is increased in colon cancers. The aim of this study was to investigate TSPO expression in IBD biopsies and to establish an animal model of IBD to examine the role of TSPO. In addition, we evaluated the potential use of TSPO drug ligands in diagnosing and treating IBD.TSPO expression in IBD biopsies was evaluated using immunohistochemistry. IBD was induced in a rat experimental model via treatment with dextran sodium sulfate (DSS). Colon morphology, TSPO expression, and proinflammatory...
Thyroid Hormone Analogue Improves Cholesterol Lowering
The addition of the thyroid hormone analogue eprotirome to conventional statin therapy further reduces
low-density lipoprotein cholesterol substantially, without significant adverse events, according to a study in the
March 11 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine. (Source: Modern Medicine)
Use of the Thyroid Hormone Analogue Eprotirome in Statin-Treated Dyslipidemia
This randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, multicenter trial assessed the safety and efficacy of the thyromimetic compound eprotirome in lowering the serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level in patients with hypercholesterolemia who were already receiving simvastatin or atorvastatin. Eprotirome was associated with decreased LDL levels in patients treated with statins. (Source: New England Journal of Medicine)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div>
Identification of a recurrent insertion mutation in the LDLR gene in a Pakistani family with autosomal dominant hypercholesterolemia.
Authors: Ajmal M, Ahmed W, Sadeque A, Ali SH, Bokhari SH, Ahmed N, Qamar R
Familial Hypercholesterolemia (FH) results in elevated levels of blood lipids including total cholesterol (TC) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) with normal triglycerides (TG). This disease is one of the major contributors towards an early onset of coronary heart disease (CHD). The aim of the present study was to identify the genes responsible for causing FH in Pakistani population, for this purpose a large consanguineous FH family was selected for genetic analysis. Serum lipid levels, including TC, TG, LDL-C and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), were determined in patients and healthy controls. In order to find the causative mutation in this family, direct sequencing of the low density...
Associations Between Lipid Measures and Metabolic Syndrome, Insulin Resistance and Adiponectin:
Conclusions: Lipid ratios of TC/HDL-C, LDL-C/HDL-C and TG/HDL-C, as well as TG and HDL, were consistently associated with MetS and IR in participants without MetS. Lipid ratios might be used as integrated and simple lipid measures.
PMID: 20215701 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Circulation Journal)
Relationship between insulin resistance, inflammation and liver cell apoptosis in patients with severe obesity
In obesity, insulin resistance appears frequently after activation of proinflammatory molecules. Caspase-generated cytokeratin-18 (CK-18) fragments are produced during the apoptosis of hepatic cells. The main objective in the present study is to investigate the relationship between insulin resistance and caspase-generated CK-18 fragments in patients with severe obesity.Sixty-two patients selected for bariatric surgery were clinically studied (sex, age, weight, waist diameter, body mass index, arterial pressure and type 2 diabetes mellitus) and analytic parameters were measured in blood (glucose concentration, cholesterol, triglycerides, insulin, glycosylated hemoglobin, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, adiponectin, interleukin 6, in...
Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Interactions Between the Immunosuppressant Sirolimus and the Lipid-Lowering Drug Ezetimibe in Healthy Volunteers.
Authors: Oswald S, Nassif A, Modess C, Keiser M, Hanke U, Engel A, Lütjohann D, Weitschies W, Siegmund W
Organ transplant recipients who have dyslipidemia related to immunosuppression may benefit from cholesterol-lowering therapy with ezetimibe, a substrate of ABCB1, ABCC2, and OATP1B1. Adverse pharmacokinetic interactions are hypothesized with sirolimus, which is a substrate of OATP1B1 and OATP1B3 and an inhibitor of ABCB1, OATP1B1, and OATP1B3 but not of ABCC2. However, competition between sirolimus and ezetimibe for ABCB1 and OATP1B1 is not of major clinical relevance, as confirmed in our randomized, controlled, single-dose study in healthy subjects.
PMID: 20220747 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics)
10 Tips to Ease Concerns About Your Weight
Given the focus on weight by the health establishment, the government and the media, it is not surprising that many people in this country are anxiously asking the same question. And there is no shortage of recommendations out there directing people to lose weight with this or that diet, lifestyle program or eating regimen.
Unfortunately, the research over the last 25 years is quite clear. There is simply no evidence that any of these approaches results in long-term weight loss for the vast majority of people who engage in them. There are no exceptions and none of the approaches (low fat, low calorie, low carb, etc.) work any better than any of the others.
Even more unfortunately however, this complete lack of evidence does not stop people from being seduced into trying to lose weight with...<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div>
Myeloperoxidase and serum amyloid A contribute to impaired in vivo reverse cholesterol transport during the acute phase response but not group IIA secretory phospholipase A2 [Research Articles]
In conclusion, our data demonstrate that acute inflammation impairs cholesterol efflux in patients and macrophage-to-feces RCT in vivo in mice. Myeloperoxidase and SAA contribute to a certain extent to reduced RCT during inflammation but not sPLA2. However, reduced bile acid formation and decreased biliary sterol excretion might represent major contributing factors to decreased RCT in inflammation. (Source: The Journal of Lipid Research)
Baseline cholesterol absorption and the response to ezetimibe/simvastatin therapy: a post-hoc analysis of the ENHANCE trial [Research Articles]
Subjects with increased cholesterol absorption might benefit more from statin therapy combined with a cholesterol absorption inhibitor. We assessed whether baseline cholesterol absorption markers were associated with response to ezetimibe/simvastatin therapy, in terms of LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) lowering and cholesterol absorption inhibition, in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH). In a posthoc analysis of the two-year ENHANCE trial, we assessed baseline cholesterol-adjusted campesterol (campesterol/TC) and sitosterol/TC ratios in 591 FH patients. Associations with LDL-C changes and changes in cholesterol absorption markers were evaluated by multiple regression analysis. No association was observed between baseline markers of cholesterol absorption and the extent of LDL-C respo...
Liver X receptor activation promotes macrophage-to-feces reverse cholesterol transport in a dyslipidemic hamster model [Research Articles]
Liver X receptor (LXR) activation promotes reverse cholesterol transport (RCT) in rodents but has major side effects (increased triglycerides and LDL-cholesterol levels) in species expressing cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP). In the face of dyslipidemia, it remains unclear whether LXR activation stimulates RCT in CETP species. We therefore used a hamster model made dyslipidemic with a 0.3% cholesterol diet and treated with vehicle or LXR agonist GW3965 (30 mg/kg bid) over 10 days. To investigate RCT, radiolabeled 3H-cholesterol macrophages or 3H-cholesteryl oleate-HDL were then injected to measure plasma and feces radioactivity over 72 or 48 h, respectively. The cholesterol-enriched diet increased VLDL-triglycerides and total cholesterol levels in all lipoprotein fractions and str...
FXR activation reverses insulin resistance and lipid abnormalities and protects against liver steatosis in Zucker (fa/fa) obese rats [Research Articles]
In this study, we investigated the effect of FXR activation by 6-ethyl-chenodeoxycholic acid, (6E-CDCA, 10 mg/kg) on insulin resistance and liver and muscle lipid metabolism in fa/fa rats and compared its activity with rosiglitazone (10 mg/kg) alone or in combination with 6E-CDCA (5 mg/kg each). In comparison to lean (fa/+), fa/fa rats on a normal diet developed insulin resistance and liver steatosis. FXR activation protected against body weight gain and liver and muscle fat deposition and reversed insulin resistance as assessed by insulin responsive substrate-1 phosphorylation on serine 312 in liver and muscles. Activation of FXR reduced liver expression of genes involved in fatty acid synthesis, lipogenesis, and gluconeogenesis. In the muscles, FXR treatment reduced free fatty acid synth...
Analysis of lipid transfer activity between model nascent HDL particles and plasma lipoproteins: implications for current concepts of nascent HDL maturation and genesis [Research Articles]
The specifics of nascent HDL remodeling within the plasma compartment remain poorly understood. We developed an in vitro assay to monitor the lipid transfer between model nascent HDL (LpA-I) and plasma lipoproteins. Incubation of -125I-LpA-I with plasma resulted in association of LpA-I with existing plasma HDL, whereas incubation with TD plasma or LDL resulted in conversion of -125I-LpA-I to preβ-HDL. To further investigate the dynamics of lipid transfer, nascent LpA-I were labeled with cell-derived [3 H]cholesterol (UC) or [3H]phosphatidylcholine (PC) and incubated with plasma at 37°C. The majority of UC and PC were rapidly transferred to apolipoprotein B (apoB). Subsequently, UC was redistributed to HDL for esterification before being returned to apoB. The presence of a phosphol...<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div>
Disruption of the C-terminal helix by single amino acid deletion is directly responsible for impaired cholesterol efflux ability of apolipoprotein A-I Nichinan [Research Articles]
Apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) Nichinan, a naturally occurring variant with E235 in the C terminus, is associated with low plasma HDL levels. Here, we investigated the tertiary structure, lipid-binding properties, and ability to induce cellular cholesterol efflux of apoA-I Nichinan and its C-terminal peptide. Thermal and chemical denaturation experiments demonstrated that the E235 mutation decreased the protein stability compared with wild type (WT). ApoA-I Nichinan exhibited capabilities to bind to or solubilize lipid vesicles that are intermediate to that of WT and a L230P/L233P/Y236P variant in which the C-terminal -helix folding is completely disrupted and forms relatively larger and unstable discoidal complexes, indicating that perturbation of the C-terminal -helical structure by the E23...
Marked accumulation of 27-hydroxycholesterol in SPG5 patients with hereditary spastic paresis [Research Articles]
Patients with a recessively inherited "pure" hereditary spastic paresis (SPG5) have mutations in the gene coding for the oxysterol 7 hydroxylase (CYP7B1). One of the expected metabolic consequences of such mutations is accumulation of oxysterol substrates due to decreased enzyme activity. In accordance with this, we demonstrate here that four patients with the SPG5 disease have 6- to 9-fold increased plasma levels of 27-hydroxycholesterol. A much higher increase, 30- to 50-fold, was found in cerebrospinal fluid. The plasma levels of 25-hydroxycholesterol were increased about 100-fold. There were no measurable levels of this oxysterol in cerebrospinal fluid. The pattern of bile acids in serum was normal, suggesting a normal bile acid synthesis. The findings are discussed in relation to two ...
Quantitation of serum angiopoietin-like proteins 3 and 4 in a Finnish population sample [Research Articles]
We have developed and validated quantitative ELISAs for human angiopoietin-like (ANGPTL)3 and 4 and correlated their serum levels with parameters of lipid and carbohydrate metabolism. For this study, we used a random subsample of the Health 2000 Health Examination Survey consisting of 125 men and 125 women, aged 30–94 years. The anthropometric and biochemical parameters of subjects were characterized in detail. ANGPTL 3 and 4 levels were determined using the developed ELISAs. The intra- and inter-assay coefficients of variation for the assays were less than 15%. The average serum concentration of ANGPTL3 was 368 ± 168 ng/ml (mean ± SD) and for ANGPTL4 it was 18 ± 23 ng/ml (mean ± SD). ANGPTL4 serum levels displayed high variability between individuals rang...
Glucose stimulates cholesterol 7{alpha}-hydroxylase gene transcription in human hepatocytes [Research Articles]
This study uncovers a novel link between hepatic glucose metabolism and bile acid synthesis. Glucose induction of bile acid synthesis may have an important implication in metabolic control of glucose, lipid, and energy homeostasis under normal and diabetic conditions. (Source: The Journal of Lipid Research)
The acute phase response inhibits reverse cholesterol transport [Commentary]
(Source: The Journal of Lipid Research)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div>
INSIG1 influences obesity-related hypertriglyceridemia in humans [Research Articles]
In our analysis of a quantitative trait locus (QTL) for plasma triglyceride (TG) levels [logarithm of odds (LOD) = 3.7] on human chromosome 7q36, we examined 29 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) across INSIG1, a biological candidate gene in the region. Insulin-induced genes (INSIGs) are feedback mediators of cholesterol and fatty acid synthesis in animals, but their role in human lipid regulation is unclear. In our cohort, the INSIG1 promoter SNP rs2721 was associated with TG levels (P = 2 x 10–3 in 1,560 individuals of the original linkage cohort, P = 8 x 10–4 in 920 unrelated individuals of the replication cohort, combined P = 9.9 x 10–6). Individuals homozygous for the T allele had 9% higher TG levels and 2-fold lower expression of INSIG1 in surgical liver biopsy ...
Wayne State University Researchers Discover Potentially New Means to Regulate Bad Cholesterol and Raise HDL (Good Cholesterol) With Bioactive Molecules Derived From ProAlgaZyme(TM) -- a Proprietary Algal Extract
DETROIT, March 9, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Researchers at Wayne State University's Department of Nutrition and Food Science believe they've uncovered a unique method to control and regulate cholesterol using biologically active molecules isolated from ProAlgaZyme(tm) ("PAZ") -- a proprietary algal infusion produced by Health Enhancement Products, Inc., of Scottsdale, Arizona (OTCBB:HEPI). (Source: Medical News (via PRIMEZONE))
Cholesterol trafficking is required for mTOR activation in endothelial cells [Pharmacology]
Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) constitutes a nodal point of a signaling network that regulates cell growth and proliferation in... (Source: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences)
DASH Diet, Exercise, Calorie Restriction May Help Improve Mental Function, Heart Health In Overweight, Hypertensive Adults
The DASH diet, combined with exercise and calorie restriction, improved mental functioning by 30 percent in overweight adults with high blood pressure compared to those who didn't diet or exercise, researchers reported in Hypertension: Journal of the American Heart Association. The DASH diet emphasizes eating low-fat dairy products, foods low in cholesterol and high in carbohydrates, and fruits and vegetables. The DASH diet comes from the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension trial, conducted by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)
Lipid Peroxidation and Antioxidant System in Rats Acutely Treated with Acetone
The objective of the present study was to determine the effects of acute treatment (AT) with acetone on the oxidative and metabolic status of rats. The AT group (n=16) was treated by gavage with a single administration of 7.0 g acetone/kg body weight at a concentration of 25% (m/v). Eight rats were euthanized 6 h later (AT6) and eight 24 h later (AT24). Acetone levels were determined in blood and urine and oxidative parameters were analyzed by determining thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS, indicators of lipid peroxidation) and reduced glutathione (GSH) and vitamin E as antioxidant parameters. Serum glucose, blood cholesterol and triglycerieds and hepatic fat were also determined. The results indicated a significant difference in the hepatic oxidative parameters,...<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div>
Free radical scavenging activity of
Rathod N R, Raghuveer I, Chitme H R, Chandra RIndian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences 2009 71(6):615-621Swarnabhasma , an Ayurvedic preparation containing Calotropis gigantea R. Br. (Asclepiadaceae) is extensively used by Ayurvedic physicians for treatment of diabetes mellitus, bronchial asthma, rheumatoid arthritis and nervous disorders. In the present study, we report the effect of chloroform extracts of Calotropis gigantea leaf and flower on free radical scavenging activity, and lipid profile in streptozotozin-induced diabetic rats. The lipid peroxidation, superoxide dismutase, and catalase were measured in liver homogenate and serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase, serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, lipid profile were measured in blood serum. Administration ...
Does Getting Fat Protect against Fat?
Everyone knows that obesity is bad for your health. Packing on the pounds, we’re told, leads to all sorts of medical problems: high cholesterol, insulin resistance, greater risk of diabetes and heart disease. But researchers at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center see things a little differently. In a paper in the journal Trends in Endocrinology and Metabolism [see http://bit.ly/bKaP33 ], they argue that being fat can actually protect us from these disorders. [More] (Source: Scientific American - Official RSS Feed)
Health Care Partnership Examined In Canadian Medical Association Journal
A research team from the Laval Centre de sante et de services sociaux, Universite de Montreal and McGill University Health Centre has examined the benefits of greater collaboration between family physicians and community pharmacists for select patients. Published in the March 8 edition of the Canadian Medical Association Journal, the research project focused on patients with high levels of cholesterol who are at risk of cardiovascular disease. In all, 77 family physicians, 108 community pharmacists and 225 patients were recruited for the study... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)
Health Care Partnership Examined In Canadian Medical Association Journal
A research team from the Laval Centre de sante et de services sociaux, Universite de Montreal and McGill University Health Centre has examined the benefits of greater collaboration between family physicians and community pharmacists for select patients... (Source: Cholesterol News From Medical News Today)
D-4F, an Apolipoprotein A-I Mimetic Peptide, Promotes Cholesterol Efflux from Macrophages via ATP-Binding Cassette Transporter A1.
In conclusion, these results suggest that the synthetic peptide D-4F promotes cholesterol efflux in macrophages through the cAMP-PKA-ABCA1 pathway, which may open new avenues for the treatment of atherosclerosis.
PMID: 20208418 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: The Tohoku Journal of Experimental Medicine)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div>
Collaborative Care Plans Between Physicians And Pharmacists Have Little Impact On Clinical Outcomes
The use of a physician-pharmacist collaborative care plan to manage lipid control in patients with high cholesterol does not have significant clinical impact, found an article in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal). The role of community pharmacists is expanding worldwide. More than 40 states in the US have collaborative practice laws and in Quebec, pharmacists can start and adjust drug therapy in accordance with a physician's prescription... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)
Obesity As Protection Against Metabolic Syndrome, Not Its Cause
The collection of symptoms that is the metabolic syndrome - insulin resistance, high cholesterol, fatty liver, and a greater risk for diabetes, heart disease, and stroke - are all related to obesity, but, according to a review in the March 9th issue of the Cell Press publication Trends in Endocrinology and Metabolism, not in the way you probably think they are... (Source: Cholesterol News From Medical News Today)
Obesity As Protection Against Metabolic Syndrome, Not Its Cause
The collection of symptoms that is the metabolic syndrome - insulin resistance, high cholesterol, fatty liver, and a greater risk for diabetes, heart disease, and stroke - are all related to obesity, but, according to a review in the March 9th issue of the Cell Press publication Trends in Endocrinology and Metabolism, not in the way you probably think they are. In fact, says Roger Unger of the University of Texas Southwestern at Dallas, obesity is the body's way of storing lipids where they belong, in fat tissue, in an effort to protect our other organs from lipids' toxic effects... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)
Obesity as protection against metabolic syndrome, not its cause
The collection of symptoms that is the metabolic syndrome -- insulin resistance, high cholesterol, fatty liver, and a greater risk for diabetes, heart disease, and stroke -- are all related to obesity, but, according to a new review not in the way you probably think they are. (Source: ScienceDaily Headlines)
Bleeding Alert Sounded for Stroke Drugs
Title: Bleeding Alert Sounded for Stroke DrugsCategory: Health NewsCreated: 3/8/2010 4:10:00 PMLast Editorial Review: 3/9/2010 (Source: MedicineNet Cholesterol General)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div>
Stroke Risk Runs in the Family
Title: Stroke Risk Runs in the FamilyCategory: Health NewsCreated: 3/8/2010 4:10:00 PMLast Editorial Review: 3/9/2010 (Source: MedicineNet Cholesterol General)
Pioglitazone improves lipid and insulin levels in overweight rats on a high cholesterol and fructose diet by decreasing hepatic inflammation
Conclusion and implications: Chronic pioglitazone administration reduced hepatic inflammatory responses in rats fed a HCF diet. These effects were associated with changes in hepatic expression of SOCS-3, which may be a crucial link between the reduced local inflammation and the improved insulin signalling. (Source: British Journal of Pharmacology)
Preadmission statin use and one-year mortality among patients in intensive care - A cohort study
Conclusions:
Preadmission statin use was associated with reduced risk of death following intensive care. The associations seen could be a pharmacological effect of statins, but unmeasured differences in characteristics of statin users and non-users cannot be entirely ruled out. (Source: BioMed Central)
Dietary saponins of sea cucumber alleviate orotic acid-induced fatty liver in rats via PPAR alpha and SREBP-1c signaling
Conclusions:
According to our study, the lipids-lowering effect of dietary SSC may be partly associated with the enhancement of beta-oxidation via PPAR alpha activation. In addition, the inhibited SREBP-1c- mediated lipogenesis caused by SSC may also contribute to alleviating fatty liver. (Source: Lipids in Health and Disease)
Letter by superko and king regarding article, "lipid treatment assessment project 2: a multinational survey to evaluate the proportion of patients achieving low-density lipoprotein cholesterol goals".
Authors: Superko HR, King S
PMID: 20212288 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Circulation)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div>
Documentation of preventive screening interventions by general practitioners: a retrospective chart audit
Conclusions:
Documentation of preventive screening interventions by general practitioners was relatively low compared to the number of patients eligible for preventive screening. Some physicians opt to screen for PSA and DRE which is not recommended by the Canadian Task Force on Preventive HealthCare. (Source: BMC Family Practice)
The changes in various hydroxyproline fractions in aortic tissue of rabbits are closely related to the progression of atherosclerosis
Conclusions:
These results suggest that percentage decrease in various Hyp fractions in aortic tissue of HFD rabbits are closely related to percentage decrease of collagen content in aortic tissues of HFD rabbits. These results also suggest that it may be possible to use the changes in various Hyp fractions in aortic tissues of rabbits as an important risk factor during the progression of atherosclerosis. (Source: Lipids in Health and Disease)
Iron restriction improves type II diabetes mellitus of Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rats.
In conclusion, iron depletion improved diabetic complications by inhibition of oxidative stress and TGF-beta signal pathways and the maintenance of pancreatic PPAR-beta/delta and HIF-1alpha pathways.
PMID: 20215574 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: American Journal of Physiology. Endocrinology and Metabolism)
Production of microbial secondary metabolites: Regulation by the carbon source.
Authors: Ruiz B, Chávez A, Forero A, García-Huante Y, Romero A, Sánchez M, Rocha D, Sánchez B, Rodríguez-Sanoja R, Sánchez S
Microbial secondary metabolites are low molecular mass products, not essential for growth of the producing cultures, but very important for human health. They include antibiotics, antitumor agents, cholesterol-lowering drugs, and others. They have unusual structures and are usually formed during the late growth phase of the producing microorganisms. Its synthesis can be influenced greatly by manipulating the type and concentration of the nutrients formulating the culture media. Among these nutrients, the effect of the carbon sources has been the subject of continuous studies for both, industry and research groups. Different mechanism...
A Significant Decline in IGF-I May Predispose Young Africans to Subsequent Cardiometabolic Vulnerability.
Conclusions: Africans presented lower IGF-I levels than Caucasians due to an accelerated decline in serum IGF-I concentration prior to 40 yr of age. Strong associations of low serum IGF-I with blood pressure and arterial stiffness in young Africans suggest that the loss of cardiometabolic protection by IGF-I could predispose them to earlier disease onset.
PMID: 20215395 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div>
The Association between Glycemia, Serum Lipoproteins and the Risk of Oral Leukoplakia: The Population-Based Study SHIP.
Conclusions Diabetes is associated with the risk of oral leukoplakia which is exaggerated by smoking. The risk is positively correlated with HbA(1c) concentrations.
PMID: 20215451 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Diabetes Care)
Inhibitory Effect of Seabuckthorn (Hippophea rhamnoides) on Platelet Aggregation and Oxidative Stress
Extracts from seabuckthorn (Hippophea rhamnoides) leaves, fruit and seed oil were screened for anti-platelet properties in-vitro using human platelets stimulated with 0.2 mM ADP. Half maximal inhibitory concentration was found to be 55 microg/ml platelet rich plasma(PRP) for leaf extract, 47.7 microg/ml PRP for fruit extract and 0.62 microl/ml PRP for seed oil. In-vitro incubation of platelets with increasing concentrations of seed oil was found to inhibit oxidative stress in resting as well as agonist stimulated platelets as evident by decreased formation of peroxide and superoxide radicals. Leaf extract and seed oil were further evaluated for antiplatelet and antioxidant action in-vivo in cholesterol-induced experimental atherosclerosis in rabbits. Rabbits fed on diet supplemented with c...
Potential Use of 10-Year and Lifetime Coronary Risk Information for Preventive Cardiology Prescribing Decisions: A Primary Care Physician Survey [Original Investigation]
Conclusions Providing 10-year coronary risk information improved some hypothetical aspirin-prescribing decisions and improved lipid management when the short-term risk was moderately high. High lifetime risk sometimes led to more intensive prescription of aspirin or lipid-lowering medication. This outcome suggests that, to maximize the benefits of risk-calculating tools, specific guideline recommendations should be provided along with risk estimates. (Source: Archives of Internal Medicine)
Spirulina Improves Antioxidant Status by Reducing Oxidative Stress in Rabbits Fed a High-Cholesterol Diet
Journal of Medicinal Food , Vol. 0, No. 0. (Source: Journal of Medicinal Food)
Additional
Resources
Why Do You Need A Hospital Program For Cholesterol Monitoring?
By Javier
Maintaining a desired cholesterol level is a must for you. For, there are many serious implications of wrong cholesterol levels. It is thus recommended to adopt a cholesterol monitoring program to Read more...
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Additional Resources
Using A Cholesterol Test Kit At Home
By Kathryn Whittaker
Blood cholesterol testing is usually performed with the help of health specialists. However, with various home medical supplies available on the market, you can now monitor your cholesterol levels in Read more...
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