Changes in lipid profile variables in response to submaximal and maximal exercise in trained cyclists

This study examined the effect of prolonged submaximal exercise followed by a self-paced maximal performance test on cholesterol (T-Chol), triglycerides (TG), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC). Nine trained male athletes cycled at 70% of maximal oxygen consumption for 60 min, followed by a selfpaced maximal ride for 10 min. Venous blood samples were obtained at rest, at 30 and 60 min during submaximal exercise, and immediately after the performance test. Lactic acid, haematocrit (Hct), haemoglobin (Hb), T-Chol and TG were measured in the blood, while plasma was assayed for HDL-C. Plasma volume changes in response to exercise were calculated from Hct and Hb values and all lipid measurements were corrected accordingly. In order to ascertain the repeatability of lipid responses to exercise, all subjects were re-tested under identical testing conditions and experimental protocols. When data obtained during the two exercise trials were analysed by two-way ANOVA no significant differences (P > 0.05) between tests were observed. Consequently the data obtained during the two testing trials were pooled and analysed by one-way ANOVA. Blood lactic acid increased non-significantly (P > 0.05) during the prolonged submaximal test, but rose markedly (P < 0.05) following the performance ride. Lipid variables ascertained at rest were within the normal range for healthy subjects. ANOVA showed that blood T-Chol and TG were unchanged (P > 0.05), whereas HDL-C rose significantly (P < 0.05) in response to exercise. Post hoc analyses indicated that the latter change was due to a significant rise in HDL-C after the performance ride. It is concluded that apparent favourable changes in lipid profile variables occur in response to prolonged submaximal exercise followed by maximal effort, and these changes showed a good level of agreement over the two testing occasions.     

Viewing atherosclerosis through a crystal lens: How the evolving structure of cholesterol crystals in atherosclerotic plaque alters its stability

Reducing the residual risk of cardiovascular (CV) events in patients with atherosclerosis continues to be a challenge. Thus, understanding how cholesterol spontaneously self assembles into metastable structures that evolve into flat plate cholesterol crystals (CCs) in atherosclerotic plaque, and why they fundamentally change the nature of the disease provides a paradigm for the development of additional therapies. Specifically, flat plate CCs that form within lysosomes of macrophages may become large enough to disrupt lysosomal membranes leading to the release of cathepsin B and CCs fragments directly into the cytosol. In the cytosol, the surface of flat plate CCs can be recognized by complosome that together with cathepsin B may trigger pyrin domain-containing inflammasome. In addition, flat plate CCs in the cytosol may trigger caspase 8 initiating apoptosis. In the interstitial space, the surface of flat plate CCs can be recognized by complement and receptors on proinflammatory cells, and larger fragments can induce “frustrated phagocytosis” that together perpetuate inflammatory injury. In addition, rapid transition of metastable CCs into large flat plate CCs within lipid rich plaques can lead to traumatic injury by expansion of the plaque's necrotic core causing plaque disruption or rupture that may precipitate further inflammation. Other crystalloids in plaque including monosodium urate and calcium phosphate crystals can augment these processes. Thus, therapies that further limit the deposition of cholesterol in the vascular bed, slow the formation of flat plate CCs and inhibit crystal-induced inflammation may lead to further reduce CV risk in patients with established CV disease.     

Interaction of lipid micelles with blood serum lipoproteins

Laboratory of Biochemistry and Automatic Analysis, Research Institute of Physicochemical Medicine, Moscow. Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 110, No. 8, pp. 153–155, August, 1990.     

冠心病患者血清过氧化脂质的变化及其与动脉硬化关系的研究

对３０例不稳定型心绞痛（ＵＡ）、１９例急性心肌梗塞（ＡＭＩ）患者血清过氧化脂质（ＬＰＯ）、血清总胆固醇（ＴＣ）、甘油三酯（ＴＧ）、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇（ＨＤＬ－ｃ）进行了测定，并计算动脉硬化指数（ＡＩ）。发现ＵＡ及ＡＭＩ患者ＬＰＯ、ＴＣ、ＴＧ、ＡＩ值均显著高于正常人，ＨＤＬ－ｃ均低于正常人。ＵＡ与ＡＭＩ患者血清ＬＰＯ及血脂诸值比较差异均无显著性。ＵＡ与ＡＭＩ两组患者的ＬＰＯ水平均与ＡＩ呈显著正相关。     

猕猴脑动脉硬化造型过程中血清脂质的变化

高脂高胆固醇喂养幼年(2—4岁)和成年(10—13岁)雄性猕猴16—17个月,并辅以服用甲基琉氧嘧啶。实验结果,发现第二个月的胆固醇水平超过250mg%,并持续到实验结束。低密度脂蛋白—胆固醇(LDL—C),伴随着总胆固醇升高而升高,甘油三酯(TG)和高密度脂蛋白—胆固醇(HDL—C)变化不大。幼年和成年组之间无显著性差异。     

Long-term post-menopausal hormone therapy and serum HDL-C, total cholesterol and triglycerides

Serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL cholesterol), total cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations were determined in 158 post-menopausal women following long-term oral hormone replacement therapy. Oestradiol valerate (2 mg/day) was taken by 53 of the women and oestriol succinate (2 mg/day) by 42 others. The duration (means +/- SD) of the oestradiol valerate therapy was 6.4 (+/- 2.9) yr and of the oestriol succinate therapy 6.4 (+/- 2.3) yr. The remaining 63 women received oestradiol valerate (2 mg/day) combined sequentially with norgestrel (0.5 mg/day). The average duration of treatment with this combination was 3.3 (+/- 2.4) yr. The control group comprised 100 post-menopausal women who received no hormone therapy whatsoever. The HDL cholesterol levels in the women receiving oestradiol valerate were higher than those in the controls (P = 0.001) and in the women on oestradiol valerate plus norgestrel therapy (P less than 0.001). The HDL cholesterol levels in the oestriol succinate group did not differ significantly from those in the controls. The women receiving oestradiol valerate in combination with norgestrel had lower serum HDL cholesterol concentrations than the controls (P less than 0.05). Serum total cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations did not differ in either oestrogen group from those in the controls, but were lower in the oestradiol valerate-plus-norgestrel group than in the controls (P less than 0.001). There were no differences in serum total oestrogen, oestrone, oestradiol and oestriol levels between control subjects with normal HDL cholesterol concentrations and those with low concentrations.     

Associations of usual sleep duration with serum lipid and lipoprotein levels

STUDY OBJECTIVES: We examined the individual association between sleep duration and a high serum triglyceride, low HDL cholesterol, or high LDL cholesterol level. DESIGN AND SETTING: The present study analyzed data from the National Health and Nutrition Survey that was conducted in November 2003 by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. This survey was conducted on residents in the districts selected randomly from all over Japan. PARTICIPANTS: The subjects included in the statistical analysis were 1,666 men and 2,329 women aged 20 years or older. INTERVENTION: N/A. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Among women, both short and long sleep durations are associated with a high serum triglyceride level or a low HDL cholesterol level. Compared with women sleeping 6 to 7 h, the relative risk of a high triglyceride level among women sleeping <5 h was 1.51 (95% CI, 0.96-2.35), and among women sleeping > or =8 h was 1.45 (95% CI, 1.00-2.11); the relative risk of a low HDL cholesterol level among women sleeping <5 h was 5.85 (95% CI, 2.29-14.94), and among women sleeping > or =8 h was 4.27 (95% CI, 1.88-9.72). On the other hand, it was observed that the risk of a high LDL cholesterol level was lower among men sleeping > or =8 h. These analyses were adjusted for the following items: age, blood pressure, body mass index, plasma glucose level, smoking habit, alcohol consumption, dietary habits, psychological stress, and taking cholesterol-lowering medications. CONCLUSIONS: Usual sleep duration is closely associated with serum lipid and lipoprotein levels.     

Changes in serum lipid concentrations during iron depletion and after iron supplementation

To investigate the effects of body iron depletion and iron supplementation on serum lipid concentrations, hematologic indices, iron markers, and serum lipid profiles were measured in 427 girls, age 14-19 yr. There were no significant differences in serum lipid concentrations between subjects with moderate iron deficiency anemia (blood Hb < 12.0 g/dL) and healthy controls. However, serum total cholesterol concentration (mean +/- SD, 148 +/- 16 mg/dL) in severely anemic subjects with blood Hb < 8.0 g/dL was significantly lower than in subjects with blood Hb > or = 14.0 g/dL (170 +/- 17 mg/dL) (p < 0.01). Moreover, serum triglyceride concentration in subjects with blood Hb > 14.0 g/dL was 2-fold higher than in the severely anemic subjects. Mean values of serum total cholesterol and triglyceride (149 +/- 17 mg/dL and 58 +/- 22 mg/dL) in girls with severe anemia were significantly elevated after iron supplementation (164 +/- 17 mg/dL and 98 +/- 26 mg/dL) (p < 0.01, respectively). In the severely anemic subjects, blood Hb concentration was correlated with serum total cholesterol (r = 0.49, p < 0.01) and triglyceride concentrations (r = 0.51, p < 0.01). These findings indicate that severe iron deficiency anemia in girls is attended by decreased concentrations of serum total cholesterol and triglyceride, and that these reduced serum lipid levels return to normal following iron supplementation.     

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.     

Changes in the lipid composition of blood plasma and liver in rats induced by severe psychic trauma

The concentration of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides in rat serum sharply decreased after psychic trauma caused by life hazard. The content of these substances remained unchanged for not less than 1 week after trauma. The concentration of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was low, while serum content of triglycerides increased 6 weeks after trauma. The concentration of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol significantly decreased after repeated psychic trauma. These changes were accompanied by a sharp increase in the concentration of triglycerides in the serum. Total cholesterol concentration in the liver decreased under these conditions. __________ Translated from Byulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 141, No. 5, pp. 575–578, May, 2006     

Effect of maximal oxygen uptake and different forms of physical training on serum lipoproteins

Summary 260 well trained male sportsmen between 17 and 30 years of age participating in a variety of events were examined for total serum cholesterol and lipoprotein cholesterol and compared with 37 moderately active leisure-time sportsmen and 20 sedentary controls of similar ages and sex. Lipoprotein cholesterol distribution was determined by quantitative electrophoresis.Mean HDL-cholesterol increased progressively from the mean of the sedentary controls to the mean of the long-distance runners, indicating a graded effect of physical activity on HDL-cholesterol. In all sporting groups mean LDL-cholesterol tended to be lower than in the controls, no association between LDL-cholesterol and form of training being apparent. Except for the long-distance runners, all sporting groups tended to be lower in total cholesterol than the controls. The HDL-/total cholesterol and LDL/HDL ratios yielded a better discrimination between the physically active and inactive than the HDL-cholesterol alone.Significant positive correlations with maximal oxygen uptake and roentgenologically determined heart volume were found for HDL-cholesterol and HDL-/total cholesterol, and negative ones for LDL/HDL. Differences in the regressions among subsets made up of sporting groups under different physical demands suggest a positive relationship between lipoprotein distribution and the magnitude of the trained muscle mass.With support of Bundesinstitut für Sportwissenschaft, Köln-Lövenich     

Changes in heart size during long-term timolol treatment after myocardial infarction

The effect of long-term timolol treatment on heart size after myocardial infarction was evaluated by X-ray in a double-blind study including 241 patients (placebo 126, timolol 115). The follow-up period was 12 months. The timolol-treated patients showed a small but significant increase in heart size from baseline in contrast to a decrease in the placebo group. These differences may be caused by timolol-induced bradycardia and a compensatory increase in end-diastolic volume. The timolol-related increase in heart size was observed only in patients with normal and borderline heart size. In patients with cardiomegaly, the increase in heart size was similar in both groups. After re-infarction, heart size increased in the placebo group and remained unchanged in the timolol group.     

潘特生治疗高脂血症120例临床观察

目的 观察潘特生调节血脂的临床效果。方法 把120例经化验确诊为高脂血症的病人(男80例,女40例,平均年龄65.5岁),随机分为两组。潘特生治疗组70例,32例病人胆固醇(TC)及甘油三脂(TG)均增高,48例仅有TG增高,在饮食控制和适量运动的同时口服潘特生(黑龙江省豪康制药有限公司,生产批准文号:黑卫药准字1995第200009号)60mg,3/d,疗程3个月。烯康丸对照组50例,22例TC及TG均增高,28例仅TG增高,口服烯康丸2粒,3/d,也进行饮食控制及适量运动,疗程与潘特生治疗组相同。结果 潘特生治疗组在降低TC、TG与对照组有显著性差异,均无明显副作用。结论 潘特生降脂疗效是令人满意的,可以作为一种经济、安全的降血脂药物用于临床。     

广西人群IL-22基因多态性分布特征及其与血脂的关系

目的:研究广西正常人群中白细胞介素22(IL-22)基因rs2227485C/T和rs2227491A/G位点的多态性分布特点和在不同人群间的分布差异,探讨不同基因型间常见血脂指标水平的差异。方法:采取多重单碱基延伸法(SNa Pshot)和DNA测序相结合的方法对280例广西人群IL-22基因的rs2227485C/T和rs2227491A/G位点进行基因分型检测,并用统计学方法比较各组间多态性分布的差异及不同基因型间血脂指标水平的差异。结果:rs2227485C/T存在CC、CT和TT 3种基因型,分布频率分别为17.1%、49.3%和33.6%,此位点基因型及等位基因频率在广西人群不同性别间的差异无统计学显著性(P0.05),其基因型及等位基因与国际人类基因组单体型图计划公布的意大利、北京、日本和墨西哥人群相比,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);rs2227491A/G存在AA、AG和GG 3种基因型,分布频率分别为16.1%、52.8%和31.1%,此位点基因型及等位基因频率在广西人群不同性别间的差异无统计学显著性(P0.05),基因型频率与意大利、日本和墨西哥人群之间的差异有统计学意义(P0.05),等位基因分布频率与其他4个人群相比差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。rs2227491A/G位点3种基因型间的HDL-C和LDL-C差异有统计学意义(P0.05),其中HDL-C在AG/AA与GG组比较差异有统计学意义(P0.05),LDL-C在AG/GG和AA组比较差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:IL-22基因rs2227485C/T和rs2227491A/G位点多态性在不同人群间存在着差异。rs2227491A/G多态性与血脂水平相关。     

Changes in serum antibody levels during treatment with grass pollen-tyrosine adsorbate

Atopic subjects treated with pollen-tyrosine showed increased IgG and IgE antibody levels; in the second year of treatment the IgE response was suppressed.     

Changes in attainment of lipid goals by general practitioners and specialists in patients at high cardiovascular risk in Hungary during 2004-2008

Introduction

Lipid-lowering therapy should achieve target levels. We assessed the change of the achievement of targets and the mean low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels in high-risk Hungarian patients.

Material and methods

Six studies performed with patients of general practitioners (GPs) and specialists between 2004 and 2008 were evaluated: 9,508 patients from GPs and 2809 from specialist practices (total 12,317).

Results

During this 4-year period the LDL-C level decreased by 0.73 mmol/l and the LDL-C goal achievement rate increased from 14 to 32% in patients treated by GPs. LDL-C showed a decrease of 0.48 mmol/l and the goal achievement rate changed from 20 to 43% in patients treated by specialists. In the majority of the patients not achieving the LDL-C goal (57% for specialists and 89% for GPs) there was no modification in the current therapy. In addition to emphasizing the priority of LDL-C lowering, we should also strive for residual risk reduction, which means raising high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and lowering triglyceride levels. There was no significant improvement in HDL-C or triglyceride levels during the examined period.

Conclusion

More attention needs to be paid to changing treatment of patients to achieve target levels.