Dietary cholesterol and oxidised cholesterol: effects on sperm characteristics,antioxidant status and hormonal profile in rats

Present study was designed to compare the potential effects of high serum levels of LDL and oxidised LDL (OxLDL) on spermatogenesis parameters in male Wistar rats. Animals were allocated into three groups and were fed for 14 weeks with normal, cholesterol‐rich and oxidised cholesterol‐rich diets. Blood lipid profile, sex hormones level, as well as sex organs weight were evaluated. The sex organs weight in oxidised cholesterol‐fed group was significantly reduced (P < 0.05). Spermatozoa count in the group with high serum concentration of OxLDL (64 ± 4.2 × 10⁶) was markedly lower (P < 0.01) than that of normal rats (87 ± 4.1 × 10⁶) and rats with high serum level of LDL (90 ± 6.3 × 10⁶). Similarly, the percentage of viable spermatozoa was significantly (P < 0.001) decreased from 78% to 52% by high level of OxLDL in serum. While, nonoxidised LDL did not have suppressive effects on spermatogenesis and organs weight. Consistent with these effects, the serum concentration of sex hormones including FSH (P < 0.001), LH (P < 0.001) and testosterone (P < 0.01) was significantly decreased only in rats with high level of OxLDL but not in rats with high level of nonoxidised LDL. In conclusion, high OxLDL level showed higher destructive effect on reproductive system compared to the high LDL level.     

Effect of probucol on cholesterol synthesis, plasma lipoproteins and the activities of lipoprotein and hepatic lipase in the rat

The postheparin plasma lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity and plasma HDL and LDL cholesterol concentrations, decreases significantly during probucol treatment of the rat. The reduction of the LPL activity obviously took place in adipose tissue. The activity of hepatic lipase and the in vitro synthesis of cholesterol in the liver or isolated jejunal villous cells were unaffected by the probucol treatment. Plasma triglyceride and VLDL cholesterol concentrations remained similar in the control and probucol groups despite the difference in the LPL activity, whereas the esterified VLDL cholesterol level was significantly reduced in the probucol group. The results suggest that the HDL lowering action of probucol is contributed by the reduced LPL activity probably via impaired VLDL metabolism.     

Role of cytochrome epoxygenase (CYP2J2) in the pathophysiology of coronary artery disease in South Indian population

Background

The cytochrome P-450 2J2 (CYP2J2) is known to be one of the major enzymes of epoxygenase pathway of arachidonic acid in extrahepatic tissues, which produces series of regioisomeric cis-epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) such as 5,6-, 8,9-, 11,12-, and 14,15-EETs. In the present study, we analyzed the impact of a genetic variant in CYP2J2 on coronary artery disease (CAD) in the Telangana region of Indian population.

The Role of Low Density Lipoprotein Apheresis in the Treatment of Familial Hypercholesterolemia

Abstract: The chief indication for low density lipoprotein (LDL) apheresis is the treatment of homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), a potentially fatal condition that responds poorly to conventional therapy. Dextran sulfate/cellulose adsorption columns (Kaneka) and on-line heparin precipitation (HELP) are the most popular systems used in LDL apheresis. Weekly or biweekly procedures plus concomitant drug therapy enable LDL cholesterol to be maintained at 30–50% of its untreated level, with regression of xanthomas, arrest of progression of coronary atherosclerosis, and improved life expectancy. However, aortic stenosis may progress despite apheresis and necessitate valve replacement. Better control of hypercholesterolemia results from combining apheresis with a new 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitor, atorvastatin. LDL apheresis can also be useful in treating drug-resistant FH heterozygotes with coronary disease. However, the FH Regression Study showed no evidence that reduction by apheresis of both LDL and lipoprotein(a), was more advantageous than reduction by combination drug therapy of LDL alone.     

非传统脂质指标与缺血性卒中

缺血性卒中预防和治疗的个性化管理依然是神经病学领域的重中之重。文章旨在阐述非传统脂质谱与传统脂质在急性缺血性卒中发病以及复发中的作用,以期为卒中预防、风险分级和高危人群筛查提供全新指标,并试图探讨非传统脂质指标的潜在预测价值。     

Lysosomal cholesterol accumulation: driver on the road to inflammation during atherosclerosis and non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis

Many studies show an association between the accumulation of cholesterol inside lysosomes and the progression towards inflammatory disease states that are closely related to obesity. While in the past, the knowledge regarding lysosomal cholesterol accumulation was limited to its association with plaque severity during atherosclerosis, recently, a growing body of evidence indicates a causal link between lysosomal cholesterol accumulation and inflammation. These findings make lysosomal cholesterol accumulation an important target for intervention in metabolic diseases that are characterized by the presence of an inflammatory response. In this review, we aim to show the importance of cholesterol trapping inside lysosomes to the development of inflammation by focusing upon cardiovascular disease and non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in particular. We summarize current data supporting the hypothesis that lysosomal cholesterol accumulation plays a key role in the development of inflammation during atherosclerosis and NASH. In addition, potential mechanisms by which disturbed lysosomal function can trigger the inflammatory response, the challenges in improving cholesterol trafficking in macrophages and recent successful research directions will be discussed.     

Obesity and the risk and prognosis of gallstone disease and pancreatitis

Obesity is a risk factor for the formation of cholesterol gallstones and exposes patients to increased risk of gallstone-related complications and cholecystectomy. Rapid weight loss achieved by very low calorie diets or bariatric surgery is also a risk factor for cholelithiasis in obese patients, and therapy should take into account the higher prevalence of gallstones, the possibility of more frequent complications and the need for prophylactic treatment with oral ursodeoxycholic acid during weight loss. Obesity is also frequent in children and adolescents, and the burden of cholesterol cholelithiasis is increasing in this population. The chance to develop acute pancreatitis and the severity of the disease are higher in obese subjects because of specific pathogenic factors, including supersaturated bile and crystal formation, rapid weight loss, and visceral obesity. All health policies aimed at reducing the incidence of obesity worldwide will decrease the incidence of gallstones and gallstone-related complications. The pathophysiological scenarios and the therapeutic implications for obesity, gallstone disease, and pancreatitis are discussed.     

Cholesterol in midlife increases the risk of Alzheimer's disease during an up to 43-year follow-up

PurposeVascular risk factors in midlife may play a role in the development of cognitive decline, dementia and Alzheimer’ disease (AD). The role of serum total cholesterol has yielded inconsistent results in diverse cohorts.ObjectiveTo analyze the relationship between the midlife cholesterol level and AD in late life in a homogenous cohort of Caucasian men.MethodsThe Helsinki Businessmen Study is a cohort of male business executives who have been followed-up since 1964. Midlife cholesterol level was available in 3293 men, of whom 205 developed a register-verified AD. Cognitively intact men in 2007 (n = 844) served as controls, and logistic regression adjusted for age and cardiovascular risk factors was used to investigate the association between cholesterol and AD.ResultsAt baseline, the men with subsequent AD diagnosis had 0.4 mmol/L higher total cholesterol level than controls (6.7 vs 6.3 mmol/L). In adjusted analyses 1 mmol/L rise in total cholesterol was associated with a 22% increased risk of AD (odds ratio [OR] 1.22, 95% confidence interval 1.06 to 1.40, P = 0.005). Risk of AD (OR with 95% CI) also increased in a stepwise manner from the lowest to highest quartile of midlife cholesterol from 1.0 (referent) to 1.6 (1.01–2.6), 1.9 (1.2–3.0), and 2.0 (1.2–3.3), respectively.ConclusionIn this longitudinal study with up to 43 years of follow-up, higher serum total cholesterol in early midlife was clearly associated with a higher risk of AD in late life.