Hormonal and Biochemical Parameters of Metabolic Syndrome in Male Patients with Body Weight Excess and Obesity

Developed form of metabolic syndrome was revealed in 64.3% men with grade 1 obesity and in 81.8% men with grade 2–3 obesity (patients of the therapeutic clinic). The major components were dyslipidemia, fatty hepatosis, arterial hypertension, and hyperinsulinemia. In patients with excess body weight, changes in some biochemical parameters also attested to the presence of some components of the metabolic syndrome, but purine metabolism disorders were more frequently observed in this group than hyperinsulinemia. Translated from Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Suppl. 1, pp. 67–69, 2008     

High-density lipoprotein cholesterol is positively associated with hypertension in apparently healthy Japanese men and women

Among five components of metabolic syndrome, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol is unique because it is not significantly associated with blood pressure. This study looks at cross-sectional relationships between HDL cholesterol and hypertension using medical check-up data from 1803 apparently healthy Japanese men aged 49.9 +/- 9.0 years, and 1150 Japanese women aged 49.5 +/- 9.0 years. Pearson's correlation coefficients between systolic blood pressure (SBP)/diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and HDL cholesterol were -0.01 (ns)/-0.01 (ns) in men and -0.04 (ns)/-0.01 (ns) in women. The standardised partial regression coefficient of HDL cholesterol for SBP/DBP (mmHg) controlling for age, body mass index (BMI), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), triglycerides, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol were 0.15 (P < 0.0001)/0.15 (P < 0.0001) in men and 0.10 (P < 0.0001)/0.12 (P < 0.0001) in women. The odds ratio (OR; 95% confidence interval [CI]) of a 1 mg/dL increment of HDL cholesterol for hypertension controlling for age, BMI, FPG, triglycerides, hs-CRP, LDL cholesterol, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, exercise status, drinking status, and smoking status was 1.03 (1.02-1.04; P < 0.001) in men and 1.03 (1.01-1.05; P = 0.002) in women. Thus, HDL cholesterol was independently positively associated with hypertension in apparently healthy Japanese men and women.     

Additive Effect of Obesity and Dyslipidemia on Wheezing in Korean Adults: A Nationwide Representative Survey Study

Besides obesity, there are limited studies regarding the relationship between the individual components of metabolic syndrome and wheezing. It is largely unknown whether the co-existence of other metabolic syndrome components has additive effects on wheezing in the adult population. The association between the individual components of metabolic syndrome and current wheezing was evaluated in adults using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2008 to 2012. Subjects with metabolic syndrome more frequently had wheezing during the past 12 months (current wheezing) (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.56; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.37–1.77) and wheezing during exercise in the past 12 months (aOR = 1.59; 95% CI = 1.37–1.84). Of the individual metabolic syndrome components, central obesity (aOR = 1.48; 95% CI = 1.31–1.66) and low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (aOR = 1.18; 95% CI = 1.05–1.34) were significantly associated with current wheezing. There were no significant associations between the other components of metabolic syndrome (high triglyceride level, blood pressure, and fasting plasma glucose level) and the presence of current wheezing. In addition, the association was much higher when both central obesity and low HDL cholesterol were present together compared to when either of the conditions was present alone (aOR = 1.67; 95% CI = 1.44–1.94). There is a significant association between metabolic syndrome and current wheezing in Korean adults. Of the components of metabolic syndrome, low HDL cholesterol and central obesity are independently and additively associated with the increased rate of current wheezing.     

Effects on lipids and lipoproteins in women treated with oestradiol and progesterone

Thirty women with climacteric symptoms were treated for 4 months with 2 mg 17β-oestradiol and different doses of progesterone (50, 100 or 200 mg). The concentrations of total and free cholesterol, phospholipids, triglycerides (TG), apoprotein A1 and apoprotein B were determined in high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) fractions and in serum. HDL levels increased and LDL levels decreased, while TG levels in VLDL remained unchanged, which indicates that the lipoprotein pattern is oestrogen-induced and that progesterone exerts little or no influence.     

Abnormalities of lipoprotein metabolism in patients with the nephrotic syndrome

BACKGROUND AND METHODS. Patients with the nephrotic syndrome characteristically have multiple abnormalities of lipoprotein metabolism, but the cause and exact nature of these abnormalities are uncertain. In this study, we measured serum lipids and apoproteins in 57 patients with the nephrotic syndrome. We also determined the kinetic indexes of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) metabolism in six patients, and again in three of the six after recovery. RESULTS. The patients with the nephrotic syndrome had elevated serum concentrations of cholesterol, triglycerides, and phospholipids, which were confined to the lipoproteins containing apoprotein B. The serum concentrations of high-density lipoproteins and the associated A-I and A-II apoproteins were similar in the patients with the nephrotic syndrome and normal subjects. The relative proportions of lipids and their positive association with the increased serum concentrations of apoproteins B, C-II, C-III, and E suggest quantitative rather than qualitative differences in the lipoproteins. All the patients had lipiduria, which probably reflected the excretion of high-density lipoproteins, although no intact immunoreactive apoprotein A-I was found in urine. Serum albumin concentrations were inversely related to serum lipid concentrations in the patients, the severity of the hypoalbuminemia corresponding to the degree of change in serum lipoprotein concentrations. The kinetic studies of lipoprotein metabolism revealed an overproduction of LDL apoprotein B that returned to normal after recovery. CONCLUSIONS. The elevated serum concentrations of LDL cholesterol, other lipids, and apoprotein B in patients with uncomplicated nephrotic syndrome are due to reversible increases in lipoprotein production.     

Interaction of rifabutin with model membranes

Liposomal and free rifabutin were separated by the method of gel filtration. The percents of rifabutin bound to liposomes of different phospholipid composition were measured. The presence of negatively charged phospholipids increased the degree of binding. Binding decreased with increasing the ionic strength. Incubation of rifabutin with liposomes containing anthryl phosphatidylcholine was accompanied by fluorescence quenching. Activity of rifabutin depended on the phospholipid composition of liposomes. Our results indicate that binding of rifabutin is associated with electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions. __________ Translated from Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 140, No. 12, pp. 664–666, December, 2005     

Simvastatin and Preparation of Polyunsaturated Phospholipids Produce Similar Changes in the Phospholipid Composition of High-Density Lipoproteins during Hypercholesterolemia

We studied the phospholipid composition of high-density lipoproteins in patients with coronary heart disease and hypercholesterolemia treated with simvastatin (Zocor, inhibitor of the key enzyme of cholesterol synthesis) and preparation of polyunsaturated phospholipids (lipostabil forte). Simvastatin produced a hypolipidemic effect and modulates the phospholipid composition of high-density lipoproteins (similarly to lipostabil forte). These changes contribute to functional activity of high-density lipoproteins in the reverse cholesterol transport.__________Translated from Byulleten Eksperimentalnoi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 139, No. 2, pp. 178–180, February, 2005     

Metabolic syndrome in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus genotype 1 infection who do not have obesity or type 2 diabetes

OBJECTIVE:

The individual components of metabolic syndrome may be independent predictors of mortality in patients with liver disease. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its related components in hepatitis C virus–infected patients who are not obese and do not have type 2 diabetes.

METHODS:

This cross-sectional study included 125 patients infected with hepatitis C virus genotype 1. Metabolic syndrome was defined according to the International Diabetes Federation. Anthropometric data were measured according to standardized procedures. Bioimpedance analysis was performed on all patients.

RESULTS:

Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed in 21.6% of patients. Of the subjects with metabolic syndrome, 59.3% had hypertension, 77.8% had insulin resistance, 85.2% were overweight, 48.1% had a high waist circumference, 85.2% had an increased body fat percentage, and 92.3% had an elevated waist:hip ratio. In the bivariate analysis, female sex (OR 2.58; 95% CI: 1.09–6.25), elevated gamma-glutamyl transferase (γGT) (OR 2.63; 95% CI: 1.04–7.29), elevated fasting glucose (OR 8.05; 95% CI: 3.17-21.32), low HDL cholesterol (OR 2.80; 95% CI: 1.07–7.16), hypertriglyceridemia (OR 7.91; 95% CI: 2.88–22.71), elevated waist circumference (OR 10.33; 95% CI: 3.72–30.67), overweight (OR 11.33; 95% CI: 3.97–41.07), and increased body fat percentage (OR 8.34; 95% CI: 2.94–30.08) were independent determinants of metabolic syndrome. Using the final multivariate regression model, similar results were observed for abdominal fat (OR 9.98; 95% CI: 2.63–44.41) and total body fat percentage (OR 8.73; 95% CI: 2.33–42.34). However, metabolic syndrome risk was also high for those with blood glucose ≥5.55 mmol/L or HDL cholesterol <0.9 mmol/L (OR 16.69; 95% CI: 4.64–76.35; OR 7.23; 95% CI: 1.86–32.63, respectively).

CONCLUSION:

Metabolic syndrome is highly prevalent among hepatitis C virus–infected patients without type 2 diabetes or obesity. Metabolic syndrome was significantly associated with hypertension, insulin resistance, increased abdominal fat, and overweight.     

Effects of apolipoproteins C on oxidative phosphorylation in rat liver mitochondria

It is shown that apoC-III, but not other apoC proteins, components of very low density lipoproteins (apoC-I, apoC-II, apoC-III), reduced the rate of mitochondrial respiration in various metabolic states. This effect depended on the dose of apoprotein, type of oxidized substrate, and the presence of Ca ions in the incubation medium. ApoC-III completely blocked oxidative phosphorylation during oxidation of palmitoyl carnitine by mitochondria, while the respiration rate in metabolic state 4 remained unchanged. Translated fromByulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 130, No. 8, pp. 184–186, August, 2000     

Plasma high-density lipoproteins and liver lipids and proteins in man. Relation to hepatic histology and microsomal enzyme induction

The association of high-density lipoproteins (HDL) in plasma with liver lipids and proteins was investigated in 28 subjects with diagnostic liver biopsy. Lipids and proteins were evaluated in relation to hepatic histology and microsomal enzyme induction, assessed by liver cytochrome P-450. Moderate-severe hepatic parenchymal changes were associated with low liver phospholipids, protein and cytochrome P-450, low plasma HDL cholesterol (HDL-C), and high hepatic triglycerides. Liver microsomal induction accompanying anticonvulsant therapy was associated with high liver phospholipids and protein, high plasma HDL-C, apoproteins A-I and A-II, and high HDL-C/total cholesterol (T-C) ratio. HDL-C, A-I and the HDL-C/T-C ratio were directly proportional to liver phospholipids, protein and cytochrome P-450, inversely related to hepatic triglycerides. Increases in hepatic phospholipids and protein, characteristic of microsomal induction, may lead to the elevation of plasma HDL apoprotein and HDL-C levels and HDL-C/T-C ratios, and thus reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.     

Circulating pentraxin 3 levels are higher in metabolic syndrome with subclinical atherosclerosis: evidence for association with atherogenic lipid profile

Metabolic syndrome is characterized by increased cardiovascular risk. Pentraxin 3 (PTX3), an acute phase protein, is involved in atherosclerosis. No information is available on PTX3 plasma concentrations in metabolic syndrome and on its associations with metabolic alterations and subclinical atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to assess PTX3 plasma levels in metabolic syndrome patients compared to control subjects and their potential associations with anthropometric and clinical components of the syndrome as well as with carotid artery intima-media thickness (cIMT), a marker of subclinical atherosclerosis. Plasma was obtained from metabolic syndrome patients (NCEP-ATP III criteria n = 41, 20 M/21F) and by age-matched control subjects (n = 32, 16 M/16F). PTX3 was measured using sandwich ELISA and cIMT with ultrasound. Compared to those of the control subjects, plasma levels of PTX3 were higher (+~100%, P = 0.0009) in metabolic syndrome patients. In univariate analysis, plasma PTX3 was negatively (P = 0.005) associated with high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and positively (P = 0.046) with plasma triglycerides and with cIMT (P = 0.045) in the patients (n = 41). In multivariate analysis the direct association between PTX3 and cIMT was no longer significant after correction for HDL. None of these associations were detected in the control patients. These data demonstrate that PTX3, a novel marker of vascular disease, is higher in patients with metabolic syndrome associated with subclinical atherosclerosis. In addition, PTX3 is significantly independently correlated with low HDL cholesterol, but not with cIMT, suggesting a novel association between PTX3 and atherogenic lipid profile.     

Apolipoprotein E polymorphism is not associated with lipid levels and coronary artery disease in Greek patients with familial hypercholesterolaemia

Abstract Familial hypercholesterolaemia is a genetic disorder characterised by high low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol concentrations, which frequently gives rise to premature coronary artery disease (CAD). The clinical expression of familial hypercholesterolaemia is highly variable even in patients carrying the same LDL receptor gene mutation. This variability may be due to environmental and other genetic factors. Apolipoprotein E (Apo-E) has been extensively studied for its effects on the phenotype of familial hypercholesterolaemia. In this study we examined the influence of Apo-E genotype on lipid parameters and the incidence of CAD in 93 Greek patients with familial hypercholesterolaemia. Apo-E E2, E3 and E4 allele frequencies were 0.06, 0.86 and 0.09 respectively. The levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, apolipoproteins A and B and lipoprotein α did not differ significantly among carriers and non-carriers of the E4 allele. The prevalence of CAD and hypertension did not differ either. Our results suggest that the E4 allele is not associated with lipid levels or with the prevalence of CAD among familial hypercholesterolaemia patients of the Greek population. *The two authors were equally involved in the work     

Plasma kinetics of an LDL-like nanoemulsion and lipid transfer to HDL in subjects with glucose intolerance

OBJECTIVE:

Glucose intolerance is frequently associated with an altered plasma lipid profile and increased cardiovascular disease risk. Nonetheless, lipid metabolism is scarcely studied in normolipidemic glucose-intolerant patients. The aim of this study was to investigate whether important lipid metabolic parameters, such as the kinetics of LDL free and esterified cholesterol and the transfer of lipids to HDL, are altered in glucose-intolerant patients with normal plasma lipids.

METHODS:

Fourteen glucose-intolerant patients and 15 control patients were studied; none of the patients had cardiovascular disease manifestations, and they were paired for age, sex, race and co-morbidities. A nanoemulsion resembling a LDL lipid composition (LDE) labeled with ¹⁴C-cholesteryl ester and ³H-free cholesterol was intravenously injected, and blood samples were collected over a 24-h period to determine the fractional clearance rate of the labels by compartmental analysis. The transfer of free and esterified cholesterol, triglycerides and phospholipids from the LDE to HDL was measured by the incubation of the LDE with plasma and radioactivity counting of the supernatant after chemical precipitation of non-HDL fractions.

RESULTS:

The levels of LDL, non-HDL and HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, apo A1 and apo B were equal in both groups. The ¹⁴C-esterified cholesterol fractional clearance rate was not different between glucose-intolerant and control patients, but the ³H-free- cholesterol fractional clearance rate was greater in glucose-intolerant patients than in control patients. The lipid transfer to HDL was equal in both groups.

CONCLUSION:

In these glucose-intolerant patients with normal plasma lipids, a faster removal of LDE free cholesterol was the only lipid metabolic alteration detected in our study. This finding suggests that the dissociation of free cholesterol from lipoprotein particles occurs in normolipidemic glucose intolerance and may participate in atherogenic signaling.     

Metabolic syndrome in young Czech women with polycystic ovary syndrome

METHODS: Sixty-nine young women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) [age 25.2+/- 4.7 years, with body mass index (BMI) 24.3 +/- 4.8 kg/m2; mean 6 SD] and 73 age-matched healthy females (BMI 22.3 +/- 3.3 kg/m2; mean +/- SD) were evaluated for the occurrence of features of metabolic syndrome according to the Adult Treatment Panel III. RESULTS: Overt metabolic syndrome (the presence of three and more risk factors) was not more common in PCOS women (1/64, 1.6%) than in healthy controls (0/73, 0%). On the other hand, in nearly 50% of PCOS women isolated features of metabolic syndrome, most often a decrease in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, were found. Women with at least one feature of metabolic syndrome were, in comparison with women without any of these features, significantly more obese (P = 0.0001), with lower insulin sensitivity (P = 0.05). When comparing PCOS women according to the degree of insulin sensitivity, as determined by euglycaemic clamp, isolated features of metabolic syndrome were found in 8/17 women above the upper quartile, compared with 11/16 women below the lower quartile of insulin sensitivity (P = 0.20). CONCLUSIONS: Overt metabolic syndrome is only rarely encountered in young Czech females affected by PCOS but its isolated features are relatively frequent, both in young PCOS patients and in age-matched control women.     

JCL roundtable: High-density lipoprotein function and reverse cholesterol transport

High-density lipoproteins (HDL) have been known since the 1960s to be associated with protection from atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. However, the mechanisms of this protection are unclear. The extent to which HDL per se vs other correlated metabolic factors may mitigate atherosclerosis has been seriously questioned. In fact, new epidemiologic studies have found that in some clinical settings, very high HDL cholesterol levels correlate with increased atherosclerotic risk. Most importantly, over the past 2 decades, randomized clinical trials targeting HDL have failed to reproduce the usual epidemiologic inverse relation of HDL cholesterol to atherosclerotic events. In this roundtable discussion, we bring together 3 expert investigators working in the HDL field to elucidate questions of HDL function. One area of agreement is that reverse cholesterol transport remains a primary hypothesis for an anti-atherogenic role of HDL. Bioassays that measure cholesterol efflux capacity of HDL (or of apolipoprotein [apo] B-depleted plasma) have emerged as potentially accurate surrogates for reverse cholesterol transport. ApoA-I is the major functional apoprotein of HDL, but apoE- and apoC-III-containing subpopulations of HDL may have significant roles. Anti- and pro-inflammatory functions of various HDL particles, as well as the role of oxidative and other modifications, are gaining attention.     

Effect of Alchemilla vulgaris extract on the structure and function of erythrocyte membranes during experimental arterial hypertension

The course of treatment with Alchemilla vulgaris extract increased the concentrations of lipids and phospholipids in erythrocyte membranes, decreased the number of abnormal erythrocytes, and improved deformability of red blood cells in rats with arterial hypertension. __________ Translated from Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 141, No. 6, pp. 656–659, June, 2006     

Lipoprotein and apoprotein levels in different types of dialysis

Cardiovascular disease is common in chronic renal failure and its progression during dialysis has been described. We evaluated lipoprotein and apoprotein profiles in 30 male and 28 female uremic patients on dialysis in order to compare the results with 30 male and 19 female non-uremic controls and to detect any differences in lipemic pattern due to different types of dialysis. The dyslipidemic picture typical of uremia was observed in both sexes, coupled with significant hypertriglyceridemia and an increase in the lipid components of the very low density lipoprotein (VLDL). There was also a significant reduction in high density lipoproteins (HDL) cholesterol and HDL2 cholesterol. Apo C levels were increased, whereas Apo AI and AII were diminished. Apo B levels were unchanged. We also evaluated their lipid profile in relation to three types of dialysis: hemodialysis, hemofiltration and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. Analysis of variance of three different types of dialysis performed for comparable periods of time showed that the parameters typically altered in uremia (Tg, VLDL, ApoC, ApoE) were uniform, whereas differences were observed in the variables indicative of cholesterol and phospholipid metabolism. The alterations of cholesterol metabolism in some subjects, in addition to the specific alterations of Tg metabolism, help explain the elevated prevalence of atherosclerotic complications in dialysed uremic patient.     

The lipid composition of highly differentiated human hepatomas,with special reference to fatty acids.

The lipid compositions of homogenates and microsomal fractions derived from surgical samples of highly differentiated human hepatoma, morphologically normal regions outside the tumours and from normal livers were analysed. A few enzyme activities were also assayed. Hepatoma microsomes demonstrated considerably lowered levels of cytochromes P-450 and b5. Hepatoma homogenates exhibited increased levels of cholesterol, normal amounts of dolichyl-P and slightly lowered levels of total phospholipid. The levels of dolichol, dolichol ester and ubiquinone in hepatoma homogenates were prominently decreased. In tumour microsomes the levels of cholesterol and dolichyl phosphate were increased considerably while the levels of phospholipid and dolichol were lowered. The phospholipid composition of tumour homogenates was roughly similar to that of control tissue. In tumour microsomes the relative amounts of phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylinositol were about 30% decreased, whereas the major phospholipids showed minor increases in amount. The rate and pattern of incorporation of [3H]glycerol into individual phospholipids in liver slices from control and hepatoma tissue did not differ to any larger extent. The fatty acid composition of tumour homogenates exhibited minor differences in comparison to the control with the greatest changes in the sphingomyelin fraction. In hepatoma microsomes the fatty acid compositions of the major phospholipids were altered moderately, with evident decreases in the relative amounts of the long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. In hepatoma homogenates the fatty acid composition of dolichol esters differed only slightly from the control pattern. These results indicate that the major disturbance in the lipid metabolism of highly differentiated hepatomas is localized to the mevalonate pathway, thus affecting mainly the levels of cholesterol, dolichol and ubiquinone.     

The lipid composition of highly differentiated human hepatomas, with special reference to fatty acids

The lipid compositions of homogenates and microsomal fractions derived from surgical samples of highly differentiated human hepatoma, morphologically normal regions outside the tumours and from normal livers were analysed. A few enzyme activities were also assayed. Hepatoma microsomes demonstrated considerably lowered levels of cytochromes P-450 and b5. Hepatoma homogenates exhibited increased levels of cholesterol, normal amounts of dolichyl-P and slightly lowered levels of total phospholipid. The levels of dolichol, dolichol ester and ubiquinone in hepatoma homogenates were prominently decreased. In tumour microsomes the levels of cholesterol and dolichyl phosphate were increased considerably while the levels of phospholipid and dolichol were lowered. The phospholipid composition of tumour homogenates was roughly similar to that of control tissue. In tumour microsomes the relative amounts of phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylinositol were about 30% decreased, whereas the major phospholipids showed minor increases in amount. The rate and pattern of incorporation of [3H]glycerol into individual phospholipids in liver slices from control and hepatoma tissue did not differ to any larger extent. The fatty acid composition of tumour homogenates exhibited minor differences in comparison to the control with the greatest changes in the sphingomyelin fraction. In hepatoma microsomes the fatty acid compositions of the major phospholipids were altered moderately, with evident decreases in the relative amounts of the long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. In hepatoma homogenates the fatty acid composition of dolichol esters differed only slightly from the control pattern. These results indicate that the major disturbance in the lipid metabolism of highly differentiated hepatomas is localized to the mevalonate pathway, thus affecting mainly the levels of cholesterol, dolichol and ubiquinone.