lower-cholesterol-16.matches:
lower cholesterol
Conicity index and waist-hip ratio and their relationship with total cholesterol and blood pressure in middle-aged European and migrant Pakistani men.

Bose K, Mascie-Taylor CG.

King's College London, UK.

A comparative study of abdominal adiposity, total cholesterol (TC), systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) in middle-aged European (n = 262) and mainly migrant Pakistani (n = 100) men of Mirpuri (Kashmiri) origin found no significant ethnic difference in mean body mass index (BMI), waist-hip ratio (WHR) and conicity index (CI). However, Pakistanis had significantly lower mean TC (p < 0.0001) and SBP (p < 0.005) but significantly higher mean (p < 0.05) DBP. Correlations of WHR and CI with age, BMI, TC, SBP and DBP were not significantly different within and between the two ethnic groups. However, multiple regression analysis revealed that Pakistanis had significantly lower cholesterol and systolic blood pressure for any given CI or WHR but no ethnic difference was observed for diastolic blood pressure. There is no evidence from this study that CI shows any advantage over WHR, as a surrogate for abdominal adiposity, in cross-sectional epidemiological investigation of risk factors for coronary heart disease (CHD) in ethnic groups like South Asians.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=9483204&dopt=Abstract lower cholesterol



lower-cholesterol-16.matches:
lower cholesterol
Immaturity alters plasma lipoprotein composition of intravenously alimented newborn infants.

Koletzko B, Filler RM, Heim T.

Kinderpoliklinik, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitat Munchen, Germany.

Plasma lipoprotein composition in infants receiving fat-free parenteral nutrition reflects the endogenous synthesis and metabolism of lipids. We studied the composition of plasma lipoproteins in 49 appropriate for gestational age newborn infants after surgery who received only glucose and amino acid solutions for 5.4 +/- 0.3 days (M +/- SE). Of the infants studied, 31 were fullterm (gestational age 39.5 +/- 0.2 weeks) and 18 premature (34.3 +/- 0.7 weeks). Plasma lipid levels (total lipids, triglycerides, free cholesterol, sterol, esters, phospholipids) did not differ between term and premature infants, but triglycerides and cholesterol were markedly lower than in young, fasting adults. The contribution of triglycerides to lipoprotein lipids was strikingly low in chylomicrons (21% vs. 90% in young fasting adults) and VLDL (34 vs 60%) and the infants had a consistently lower cholesterol content of HDL (21 mg/dl vs. 45-50 mg/dl in adults) and LDL (43 mg/dl vs. 100 mg/dl). All infantile lipoproteins were enriched with phospholipids. These results are comparable to those reported for cord plasma. In premature babies, VLDL were markedly reduced and contained less triglycerides, free and esterified cholesterol than in term infants. In contrast, HDL were increased in preterm infants and carried more phospholipids. VLDL contributed to al lesser and HDL to a greater extent to plasma lipid transport in premature infants. We conclude that in premature infants hepatic synthesis of triglycerides and cholesterol and their secretion as VLDL is reduced, which may be caused by low substrate availability or an immaturity of the synthetic pathway. In premature infants, HDL appears to play a major role in transporting plasma lipids to peripheral tissues.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=9512974&dopt=Abstract lower cholesterol



lower-cholesterol-10.matches:
lower cholesterol
Age and residual cholesterol efflux affect HDL cholesterol levels and coronary artery disease in ABCA1 heterozygotes.

Clee SM, Kastelein JJ, van Dam M, Marcil M, Roomp K, Zwarts KY, Collins JA, Roelants R, Tamasawa N, Stulc T, Suda T, Ceska R, Boucher B, Rondeau C, DeSouich C, Brooks-Wilson A, Molhuizen HO, Frohlich J, Genest J Jr, Hayden MR.

Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

We and others have recently identified mutations in the ABCA1 gene as the underlying cause of Tangier disease (TD) and of a dominantly inherited form of familial hypoalphalipoproteinemia (FHA) associated with reduced cholesterol efflux. We have now identified 13 ABCA1 mutations in 11 families (five TD, six FHA) and have examined the phenotypes of 77 individuals heterozygous for mutations in the ABCA1 gene. ABCA1 heterozygotes have decreased HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) and increased triglycerides. Age is an important modifier of the phenotype in heterozygotes, with a higher proportion of heterozygotes aged 30-70 years having HDL-C greater than the fifth percentile for age and sex compared with carriers less than 30 years of age. Levels of cholesterol efflux are highly correlated with HDL-C levels, accounting for 82% of its variation. Each 8% change in ABCA1-mediated efflux is predicted to be associated with a 0.1 mmol/l change in HDL-C. ABCA1 heterozygotes display a greater than threefold increase in the frequency of coronary artery disease (CAD), with earlier onset than unaffected family members. CAD is more frequent in those heterozygotes with lower cholesterol efflux values. These data provide direct evidence that impairment of cholesterol efflux and consequently reverse cholesterol transport is associated with reduced plasma HDL-C levels and increased risk of CAD.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11086027&dopt=Abstract lower cholesterol



lower-cholesterol-16.matches:
lower cholesterol
Differing characteristics of hepatitis B and C risk factors among elders in a rural area in Taiwan.

Wang CS, Chang TT, Chou P.

A-Lein Community Health Center, Taiwan, Republic of China.

BACKGROUND: Both hepatitis B and C are major health concerns in Taiwan. The goal of this study was to determine how risk factors for hepatitis B and C differed in this study population. It was also hoped that the data might help determine how age and place of residence affect hepatitis risk factors. METHODS: Complete serum and hepatitis marker analysis (HBsAg and AntiHCV) was done for 282 individuals over 65 years old. Of these, 254 were interviewed for risk factor analysis. RESULTS: Of the 282 subjects, 8.2% were HBsAg+, 27.3% were AntiHCV+, and 3.2% were both HBsAg+ and AntiHCV+. AntiHCV+ subjects were more likely than AntiHCV-subjects to have had frequent medical injections, odds ratio (OR) = 2.94, 95% confidence interval (CI) (1.68, 5.12), and it was the only independent risk factor for determining AntiHCV+, OR = 3.26, 95% CI (1.85, 6.11) (N = 254). The AntiHCV+ group had higher alanine and asparate aminotransferase levels but lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels than AntiHCV- and HBsAg+ groups (p < .0001). Abnormal ALT existed in 40.3% of AntiHCV+ and 10.7% of AntiHCV- cases. ALT was associated with AntiHCV and sex, although abnormal AST was only associated with AntiHCV. CONCLUSIONS: AntiHCV was closely related with frequent medical injections and was the primary risk factor for abnormal ALT and AST levels in this study population. It appears that frequent medical injections are an important risk factor because of the previously common habit of reusing syringes. This is of major concern to elders in Taiwan because of their much greater likelihood of repeated exposure.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=9520916&dopt=Abstract lower cholesterol



lower-cholesterol-16.matches:
lower cholesterol
Elevated triglycerides and low HDL cholesterol in transgenic mice expressing human apolipoprotein A-I(Milano).

Chiesa G, Stoltzfus LJ, Michelagnoli S, Bielicki JK, Santi M, Forte TM, Sirtori CR, Franceschini G, Rubin EM.

Center E. Grossi Paoletti, Institute of Pharmacological Sciences, University of Milan, Italy.

In general, plasma concentrations of high density lipoproteins (HDL) are inversely related to the incidence of coronary artery disease. One exception to this trend is individuals with apolipoprotein A-I(Milano) (apo A-IM), a molecular variant of apo A-I, which results in very low plasma apo A-I and HDL-cholesterol levels. Despite these low levels, and other lipoprotein defects, individuals with this mutation have no increased risk for cardiovascular disease. As a first step in proving why apo A-IM carriers appear to be protected from the pro-atherogenic effect of a low HDL, transgenic mice expressing apo A-IM were generated. Mice expressing either wild-type human apo A-I or apo A-IM, together with human apo A-II, were crossed into mice lacking murine apo A-I. Apo A-IM/A-II mice had lower cholesterol and HDL plasma levels compared to apo A-I/A-II mice. Moreover, as in human carriers, apo A-IM mice were characterized by elevated triglyceride plasma levels and by the presence of a population of very small HDL particles. These results indicate that the expression of apo A-IM in a mouse model reproduces the major lipid/lipoprotein abnormalities observed in human carriers. Thus, apo A-IM transgenic mice appear to be a suitable model in which to assess whether the mutation has an anti-atherogenic effect.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=9544740&dopt=Abstract lower cholesterol



lower-cholesterol-16.matches:
lower cholesterol
Psychological distress in HIV-1 disease in relationship to hypocholesterolemia.

Shor-Posner G, Baldewicz T, Feaster D, Blaney NT, Miguez-Burbano M, Szapocznik J, Goodkin K, Eisdorfer C, Baum MK.

Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami School of Medicine, FL 33101, USA.

OBJECTIVE: Altered levels of serum cholesterol, which are prevalent in early HIV-1 infection, have been associated with disturbances in mood state and behavior. The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship of serum cholesterol status and psychological distress in HIV-1 seropositive and seronegative men. METHOD: The association between serum cholesterol level and psychological distress, measured with the Profile of Mood States (POMS), was examined in 169 individuals (117 HIV-1 seropositive and 52 seronegative homosexual men), controlling for negative life events, social support, coping style, and HIV-1 serostatus. RESULTS: Individuals with hypocholesterolemia (serum cholesterol levels < 150 mg/dL), exhibited significantly higher levels of distress, relative to individuals with values of cholesterol > 150 mg/dL (p = 0.01). HIV-1 seropositive men had significantly lower cholesterol levels (p = 0.0001) and higher levels of distress than the seronegative men (p = 0.03). A significant interaction between negative life events and cholesterol status was demonstrated as well (p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Hypocholesterolemia appears to be associated with increased psychological distress. Whereas the causal direction of the cholesterol-distress association cannot be specified, our results suggest that HIV-1 infected men with low cholesterol levels may benefit from being monitored for changes in distress level, so that appropriate psychosocial intervention can be instituted, as necessary.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=9565721&dopt=Abstract lower cholesterol



lower-cholesterol-17.matches:
lower cholesterol
Characterization of the ovariectomized rat model for the evaluation of estrogen effects on plasma cholesterol levels.

Lundeen SG, Carver JM, McKean ML, Winneker RC.

Women's Health Research Institute, Wyeth-Ayerst Research, Radnor, Pennsylvania 19087, USA. lundees war.wyeth.com

Estrogens protect against cardiovascular disease in women through effects on the vascular wall and liver. Here we further characterize the rat as a model for the evaluation of estrogenic effects on plasma lipid levels vs. uterine wet weight. In adult ovariectomized female rats treated for 4 days s.c., 17alpha-ethinyl estradiol (EE) was the most potent agent to lower plasma total and high density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, followed by 17beta-estradiol and 17alpha-estradiol. However, 17alpha-estradiol had the greatest separation of uterotropic vs. cholesterol-lowering effects. EE had the same lipid-lowering potency whether administered s.c. or orally to adult rats. It had no effect on cholesterol levels in immature rats, even though the uterotropic response was dramatic. Testosterone propionate, dexamethasone, and progesterone did not significantly lower cholesterol levels. The antiestrogens tamoxifen and raloxifene lowered cholesterol levels, but with less efficacy and potency than the estrogens. ICI 182780 had no effect on cholesterol levels. When coadministered with EE, ICI 182780 inhibited the cholesterol-lowering and uterotropic activities of EE, suggesting that the estrogen receptor pathway is involved. In conclusion, although the information from the rat is limited as a model of the low density lipoprotein-lowering effects of estrogens in humans, it can be used to study the effects and mechanism of action of estrogen and antiestrogens on plasma cholesterol levels.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=9075715&dopt=Abstract lower cholesterol



lower-cholesterol-17.matches:
lower cholesterol
Additive hypocholesterolemic effect of psyllium and cholestyramine in the hamster: influence on fecal sterol and bile acid profiles.

Daggy BP, O'Connell NC, Jerdack GR, Stinson BA, Setchell KD.

Procter & Gamble Company, Cincinnati, OH 45040, USA.

Recent findings suggest that the effects of cholestyramine and psyllium in combination could be additive for cholesterol-lowering. We therefore examined the effect of both agents, alone and in combination, on lipoprotein cholesterol and neutral and acidic steroid excretion in the hamster. Animals (n = 8/group) were fed for 21 days, either a basal chow diet supplemented with 10% palm oil and 0.2% cholesterol, or one of four treatments consisting of the basal diet plus: 5.5% cellulose; 5% psyllium with 0.5% cellulose; 0.5% cholestyramine with 5% cellulose; or 5% psyllium with 0.5% cholestyramine. Psyllium and cholestyramine both had significant hypocholesterolemic effects, but in combination produced additive reductions in lipoprotein and hepatic cholesterol. Psyllium, cholestyramine, and the combination increased total bile acid excretion by 26%, 57%, and 79%, respectively. Psyllium affected only unconjugated bile acid excretion while cholestyramine also increased the excretion of conjugated and primary bile acids. Neither agent, nor the combination, affected fecal neutral sterol excretion. We conclude that, while both agents lower cholesterol by a mechanism of increased bile acid excretion, these studies indicate that psyllium does not bind bile acids in vivo and lend further support for the concomitant use of these agents for cholesterol-lowering.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=9101430&dopt=Abstract lower cholesterol



lower-cholesterol-17.matches:
lower cholesterol
Changes in population cholesterol levels and coronary heart disease deaths in seven countries.

Menotti A, Blackburn H, Kromhout D, Nissinen A, Fidanza F, Giampaoli S, Buzina R, Mohacek I, Nedeljkovic S, Aravanis C, Toshima H.

Division of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA.

BACKGROUND: Are trends in coronary heart disease deaths based on risk factor changes? OBJECTIVE: To study the relationship between trends in coronary deaths and changes in blood cholesterol in the Seven Countries Study. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixteen cohorts of men aged 40-59 years from seven countries (U.S.A., Finland, the Netherlands, Italy, Croatia (former Yugoslavia), Serbia (former Yugoslavia), Greece, Japan) were units for the analyses of serum cholesterol measured at entry and after 5 and 10 years, and for mortality over 25 years. RESULTS: In the populations, the ecological relationship of mean serum cholesterol at entry to late coronary heart disease death rates during the 10- to 25-year follow-up was weak, with an R-square of 0.31. Cholesterol measurements made at year 10, and an indicator of cholesterol change during the first 10 years, increased the association (R-square, 0.49). A negative and significant interaction was shown between baseline population cholesterol levels and their 10-year change. As an indicator of acceleration in mortality, cholesterol change over 10 years was also positively correlated (partial R-square 0.44) with the ratio of 25-year to 5-year deaths. CONCLUSIONS: In the Seven Countries Study, late coronary heart disease death rates are largely "explained' by changes in blood cholesterol levels during the early phases of the study, mainly due to increases in lower cholesterol levels among some cohorts.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=9129884&dopt=Abstract lower cholesterol



lower-cholesterol-17.matches:
lower cholesterol
Relationship of job strain to standard coronary risk factors and psychological characteristics in women and men of the Family Heart Study.

Weidner G, Boughal T, Connor SL, Pieper C, Mendell NR.

Department of Psychology, State University of New York at Stony Brook 11794-2500, USA.

This study reports on standard coronary risk factors (plasma lipids and lipoproteins, blood pressure, heart rate, age, body mass index) and psychosocial variables (job strain, Type A behavior, hostility, illnesses, medical and psychological symptoms, health-damaging behavior) in a community sample of 324 employed men, 203 employed women, and 155 female homemakers. Employed women reported less hostility and fewer illnesses than homemakers and had lower cholesterol levels than homemakers and men. Job characteristics were unrelated to standard coronary risk factor levels in both sexes, but predicted medical symptoms and health-damaging behavior in men. These findings suggest that employment is associated with enhanced medical and physical well-being among women and point to possible behavioral and psychological pathways by which job strain may adversely influence men's health.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=9152702&dopt=Abstract lower cholesterol