Interdependence of serum concentrations of vitamin K1, vitamin E, lipids, apolipoprotein A1, and apolipoprotein B: importance in assessing vitamin status.

Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) and vitamin K1 (phylloquinone) are fat-soluble vitamins and are important nutrients in health and disease. In this study serum concentrations of vitamin E and vitamin K1, lipids and apolipoproteins A1 and B were measured in neonates, normal and hyperlipidaemic individuals in an attempt to establish their interrelationships. A high degree of correlation was observed between the concentrations of the vitamins and those of lipids and apolipoproteins (r ranged from 0.42 to 0.92; p<0.001). Stepwise linear regression methods determined that serum concentrations of both vitamin E and vitamin K1 could best be predicted by using equations excluding lipids but containing only apolipoprotein A1 and B concentrations. Correlation coefficients between predicted and measured values were 0.89 for serum vitamin E, and 0.83 for serum vitamin K1 concentrations. To test the validity of the derived formulae, measured and estimated vitamin K1 and vitamin E concentrations in serum were determined in another group of neonates, normal adults and hypercholesterolemic adults and the comparisons were shown to be very good. These results indicate that the serum levels of both vitamins depend critically on the concentration of the lipoprotein carriers, apolipoproteins A1 and B. Hence, in order to identify variations in serum vitamin K1 and vitamin E concentrations, which are independent of variations in carrier concentration, it will be necessary to express these serum vitamins as ratios of vitamins to apolipoprotein A1 and B carriers.     

The effect of a gender difference in the apolipoprotein E gene DNA polymorphism on serum lipid levels in a Serbian healthy population.

To date, no data have been available on relationship between apolipoprotein E polymorphism and lipid levels in Serbian populations. Blood samples were obtained from 591 healthy normal individuals (193 women and 398 men). A 244 bp sequence of the apolipoprotein E gene including the two polymorphic sites was amplified by polymerase chain reaction. After digestion with Hhal, DNA fragments were visualized by microplate array diagonal gel electrophoresis. In men, levels of both total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol among the three apolipoprotein E genotype groups differed significantly (p <0.05). The epsilon2 allele was associated with lower concentrations of both total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, where the epsilon4 allele had the opposite effects. No significant effects of apolipoprotein E polymorphism on serum lipid levels were observed in women. The presented data could be taken into consideration in any future disease risk evaluation in this population.     

Gender-related effect of apo E polymorphism on lipoprotein particle sizes in the middle-aged subjects

OBJECTIVES: We determined the frequencies of apolipoprotein E (apo E) alleles and examined the effect of apo E polymorphism on lipoprotein particle sizes in Serbian healthy, middle-aged individuals. DESIGN AND METHODS: We performed apo E phenotype by immunobloting method in 183 men and 143 women (mean years: 56.3+/-10.60 and 54.9+/-10.31, respectively). Plasma lipid and apolipoprotein levels were measured by routine laboratory methods. LDL and HDL particle sizes were determined by nondenaturing polyacrylamide gradient (3-31%) gel electrophoresis. RESULTS: The apo E allele frequencies were epsilon2--4.9%, epsilon3--86.5%, and epsilon4--8.6%. Men with epsilon4 allele had lower HDL-C and Apo AI concentrations than epsilon3 men. The epsilon2 allele men had the smallest LDL particles, highest percent of subjects with LDL phenotype B and highest TG/HDL-C ratio. Women with epsilon2 allele had lowest concentration of apo B. The epsilon4 allele women had smallest HDL particles and highest percent of the subjects with small-sized HDL phenotype. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed gender-related effect of apo E polymorphism on lipoprotein particle size. In men, possession of the epsilon2 allele is associated with small LDL particles, whereas in women, epsilon4 allele is associated with small HDL particles. Differences in gender-related influence of apo E polymorphism on LDL and HDL particle sizes could be clinically useful in strategy for reduction of coronary disease risk in middle-aged men and women.     

Apolipoprotein E polymorphism in the Tunisian population: frequency and effect on lipid parameters

OBJECTIVES: We determined the frequencies of apolipoprotein E (apo E) gene alleles and examined the association between apo E polymorphism and lipid parameters in a sample of the Tunisian population. DESIGN AND METHODS: Apo E polymorphism was investigated using PCR, and plasma lipid parameters were measured in 122 men and 111 women aged 35 to 87 years. RESULTS: The allele frequencies were epsilon2: 7.3%, epsilon3: 84.6%, and epsilon4: 8.1%. Apo E polymorphism was associated with significant differences (P<0.001) in total cholesterol, apo B and LDL cholesterol in both men and women. epsilon2 carriers had the lowest mean total cholesterol, apo B and LDL-C concentrations, and subjects with the epsilon4 allele had the highest levels. Triglycerides levels increased with the epsilon4 allele, but this did not reach statistical significance. These results remained unchanged after adjustment for age, body mass index, sex, hypertension, diabetes and smoking. However, in obese subjects (BMI>30 kg/m2), TG concentrations were significantly lower in individuals homozygous for the epsilon3 allele compared to those with the alleles epsilon2 or epsilon4. CONCLUSION: In this sample of the Tunisian population, the distribution of apo E gene alleles is similar to that observed in Southern European populations with low prevalence of the epsilon4 allele. Variations in the apo E gene play a role in determining plasma lipid levels. These data also suggest that effects of apo E alleles on lipids levels are partly dependent on environmental variables such as BMI. These findings highlight the importance of the gene/environment interaction on the deleterious effect of obesity on cardiovascular risk factors.     

The relationship between apolipoprotein E and serum oxidation-related variables is apolipoprotein E phenotype dependent

To examine the relationship between apolipoprotein E and serum oxidation status, we assayed apolipoprotein E level, apolipoprotein E phenotype, and levels of lipid peroxides and transition metal ions and their binding proteins in sera from apparently healthy individuals. The study group included 129 women aged 22–63 years and 53 men aged 22–56 years. Among subjects with apolipoprotein E 4/3 phenotype, lipid peroxide levels were higher compared with E 3/2 phenotype (786±182 nmol/l vs. 659±174 nmol/l,P=0.015), and ceruloplasmin levels were slightly higher compared with apolipoprotein E 3/3 phenotype (0.28±0.08 mg/l vs. 0.26±0.06 mg/l,P=0.035). In the study group as a whole, there were significant associations between serum apolipoprotein E level, and serum levels of ceruloplasmin (r=0.266,P<0.001) and ferritin (r=0.2,P<0.007). Among subjects with apolipoprotein E 4/3 phenotype, there was a significant association between serum apolipoprotein E and lipid peroxide levels (r=0.470,P<0.01), which was not apparent among subjects with E 3/3 or E 3/2 phenotypes. In multivariate analysis, apolipoprotein E phenotype was a small but significant independent contributor to variation in serum lipid peroxide levels. These data suggest that there may be heterogeneity among apolipoprotein E phenotypes in their relationships with serum lipid oxidation status.     

Concentrations of apolipoproteins B, C-I, C-II, C-III and E in sera from normal men and their relation to serum lipoprotein levels

The concentrations of apolipoproteins B, C-I, C-II, C-III and E (by enzyme immunoassay), and cholesterol, triglycerides and phospholipids both in while serum and in serum very low (VLDL), low (LDL) and high (HDL) density lipoproteins, HDL2 and HDL3, were determined in sera from 29 randomly selected normolipidemic men, age 40-60 years, in Stockholm, Mean values, +/- SD, were for, apolipoprotein B, 720 +/- 162; C-I, 63 +/- 14; C-II, 27 +/- 11; C-III, 125 +/- 57; and for E, 25 +/- 6 mg/l. A skewness to the right of the distributions was found for apolipoproteins B and C-II and for serum triglycerides and VLDL lipids. The relations between the different variables were studied by linear correlation analysis. Several significant correlations existed between the lipoprotein levels. Apolipoprotein C-I, C-II and C-III were significantly correlated with each other, whereas neither apolipoprotein B nor apolipoprotein E was correlated with any other apolipoprotein. The following significant, positive correlations existed between the apolipoproteins and total serum lipids and/or lipids of lipoprotein density classes: apolipoprotein B with serum cholesterol and LDL lipids, apolipoprotein C-I with HDL3 cholesterol, apolipoprotein C-II with serum triglycerides and VLDL lipids, apolipoprotein C-III with serum cholesterol and phospholipids. Apolipoprotein E showed no correlation with either serum lipids or lipoproteins.     

Apolipoprotein E polymorphisms in Mexican patients with coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND: Apolipoprotein E polymorphisms have important effects on plasma lipid levels and in the genetic susceptibility to development of cardiovascular diseases. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate the association of apolipoprotein E polymorphisms with coronary artery disease and with plasma lipid levels in a group of Mexican Mestizo patients. METHODS: Apolipoprotein E polymorphisms were determined in 156 Mexican patients with coronary artery disease and 200 non-related healthy controls using the restriction fragment length polymorphism technique. The correlation of these polymorphisms with lipid profile (total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides) in the patient group was determined. RESULTS: A similar distribution of allele and genotype frequencies in coronary artery disease patients and healthy controls was found. Higher serum levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and lower levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides and glucose were found in patients with the APOE*2/3 genotype when compared to patients with the APOE*3/4 and APOE*3/3 genotypes, although these differences were not significant. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that genetic variation at the APOE is not a genetic factor related to the genetic susceptibility to coronary artery disease in Mexican individuals, but the role of this polymorphism in determining the lipid profile cannot be excluded.     

The apolipoprotein A5 gene -1131T-->C polymorphism affects vitamin E plasma concentrations in type 2 diabetic patients.

BACKGROUND: Variations of the apolipoprotein A5 (APOA5) gene are strongly associated with hypertriglyceridemia. Vitamin E is transported in triglyceride (TG)-rich lipoproteins and therefore could also be modulated by apoAV. Patients with type 2 diabetes have a tendency towards high TG values and increased oxidative stress. METHODS: We examined the impact of genetic APOA5 variation (-1131T-->C) on vitamin E and oxidative status in 169 non-smoker type 2 diabetic patients. Plasma samples were analyzed for lipids, lipoproteins, vitamin E, oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL), lipoperoxides, autoantibodies against oxLDL and diene formation of LDL. RESULTS: Vitamin E concentrations were higher in TC carriers compared with TT carriers (45.48+/-8.20 micromol/L vs. 40.32+/-10.47 micromol/L; p=0.02). The prevalence of the TC genotype was 2.6-fold higher among individuals with high vitamin E concentrations (p=0.02). The APOA5 polymorphism did not determine any differences in oxidative status. Fasting TG concentration was a significant 21% higher in carriers of the TC genotype (p=0.04) due to higher TG concentrations in very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) and high-density lipoprotein. CONCLUSIONS: The APOA5-1131T-->C polymorphism is associated with both higher vitamin E concentrations and higher VLDL-TGs in diabetic patients.     

Plasma vitamin E,total antioxidant status and vascular function in young adults

BACKGROUND: Epidemiological studies have reported an inverse relationship between vitamin E status and coronary heart disease. This relationship has not, however, been confirmed by the majority of intervention studies, which have been carried out relatively late in the disease process. The protective effects of vitamin E may be more important earlier in life, before vascular changes have become established. This study investigated whether dietary vitamin E could prevent preclinical arterial changes in young adults relevant to the development of cardiovascular disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Measures of vascular function (arterial distensibility and endothelial-dependent and -independent vascular responses) were assessed by noninvasive high resolution ultrasound and related to plasma vitamin E and total antioxidant concentrations in 326 adults, aged 20-28 years. RESULTS: Neither vitamin E (alone or adjusted for lipids) nor total antioxidant status were significantly related to vascular endothelial function or arterial distensibility in either sex. There was no threshold level of vitamin E above which vascular function improved and neither vitamin E nor total antioxidant status interacted with any risk factor, such as smoking or increased low-density lipoprotein concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: Neither plasma vitamin E concentrations nor total antioxidant status achieved by dietary intake during young adulthood were related to vascular endothelial function or arterial distensibility.     

Regional differences in apolipoprotein E polymorphism in Finland

Apolipoprotein E (apoE) polymorphism is a genetic determinant of plasma lipid levels and of coronary heart disease risk. We determined apoE phenotypes and plasma lipid levels in 1564 subjects aged three to 18 years, living in five geographical areas of Finland in 1980. ApoE phenotyping was performed directly from plasma by isoelectric focusing and immunoblotting. The serum concentrations of total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol and apolipoprotein B varied with apoE phenotype, and there were increases in all three variables (all P less than 0.001) of the order of E2/2 less than E3/2 less than E4/2 less than E3/3 less than E4/3 less than E4/4. These differences were present in all five areas. The mean levels of high density lipoprotein cholesterol, apolipoprotein A-I and triglyceride in the subjects did not differ between the apoE phenotypes or between their areas of residence. The apoE phenotype dependency of serum total and LDL cholesterol remained significant in all five areas during the six year follow-up from 1980 to 1986, when the mean level of serum total cholesterol fell by 5.8% in east (P less than 0.05) and by 4.4% in west Finland (P less than 0.05); the fall was steeper (P less than 0.01) in the east than the west. In all subjects, particularly those in west Finland, the size of the falls of serum total and LDL cholesterol concentrations depended on the apoE phenotype in the order of E3/2 less than E3/3 less than E4/3, but this effect was not seen in the east.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Apolipoprotein E3Basel: new insights into a highly conserved protein region

BACKGROUND: Apolipoprotein E is important for the receptor-mediated uptake of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins. Mutations in the gene encoding apolipoprotein E may cause a reduced uptake of these lipoproteins. Particular apolipoprotein E mutations have been also found to be associated with nephrologic, neurologic, and even ophthalmologic diseases. Hence, a continuously expanding role in biology is being attributed to this protein. DESIGN: Randomly selected volunteers from of a large Swiss cohort were genotyped for the common apolipoprotein E isoforms (apolipoprotein E2, apolipoprotein E3, apolipoprotein E4). RESULTS: In one of the volunteers, a novel C-to-T mutation causing an alanine-to-valine substitution (A106V, designated apolipoprotein E3Basel) was discovered. Alanine at residue 106 is highly conserved between mammalian species and is located in the immediate vicinity of the 112C/R polymorphism (apolipoprotein E4). Recombinant apolipoprotein E3Basel, expressed in the baculovirus system, displayed no detectable reduction in its low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor- and heparin-binding activities. Despite normal binding functions, apolipoprotein E3Basel might cause modifications in the lipoprotein pattern. In the index case, plasma triglycerides were elevated and in two further apolipoprotein E3Basel-carriers, cholesterol, phospholipid, apolipoprotein CIII levels, LDL-cholesterol/apoB-100- and VLDL-triglyceride/VLDL-cholesterol-ratios were higher compared with apolipoprotein E3Basel-noncarriers when pair-matched for age and gender. One of the four apolipoprotein E3Basel-carriers from the index family had a personal history of Alzheimer's disease. CONCLUSIONS: Alanine at amino acid position 106 is highly conserved but not crucial in the receptor-mediated uptake of lipoprotein particles. Nevertheless, amino acid position 106 might be involved in the apolipoprotein E-dependent regulation of the lipoprotein lipase that hydrolyzes triglycerides and in the development of Alzheimer's disease.     

Associations of apolipoprotein E concentration and polymorphism with lipids and apolipoprotein levels in Chinese from Beijing and Shanghai.

The association of apolipoprotein E concentration and common polymorphism (codons 112/158) with lipid and apolipoprotein concentrations was studied in two Chinese healthy population samples from Beijing (n=99) and Shanghai (n=67). Body mass index and apolipoproteins E and AI and triglyceride concentrations were significantly different between the two populations (0.001相似文献   

血管性痴呆患者与载脂蛋白E基因多态性关系的配对分组实验

背景载脂蛋白E是血浆主要载脂蛋白之一,具有多形性,参与机体脂质代谢及调节胆固醇平衡,同时参与神经系统的正常生长和损伤后的修复过程.目的对血管性痴呆患者的载脂蛋白E基因多态性进行分析,并与脑梗死、健康者进行对照,探讨载脂蛋白E基因多态性与血管性痴呆的关系.设计病例-对照实验.单位解放军济南军区总医院神经内科.对象选择2001-08/2003-10解放军济南军区总医院门诊或住院的脑血管病患者以及健康查体者,包括35例血管性痴呆患者,36例脑梗死患者,以及40例健康者.方法全部受检者禁食12 h后,采取肘静脉血4 mL,应用聚合酶链反应-限制性片段长度多态性技术,检测35例血管性痴呆患者、36例脑梗死患者以及40例健康人的载脂蛋白E基因型,同时检测其血脂及载脂蛋白的含量.主要观察指标①所有被检者的载脂蛋白E等位基因频率.②不同载脂蛋白E等位基因的血管性痴呆患者三酰甘油、总胆固醇、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇和载脂蛋白A以及载脂蛋白B水平.结果35例血管性痴呆患者、36例脑梗死患者以及40例健康对照者血样均进入结果分析.①血管性痴呆组和脑梗死组患者ε 4频率均高于对照组(22.86%,22.22%,7.5%,P＜0.01),ε3频率均低于对照组(70%,69.45%,86.25%,P＜0.05),而两组患者间各等位基因频率基本一致(P＞0.05).②血管性痴呆患者载脂蛋白Eε4等位基因携带者三酰甘油、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇、载脂蛋白B水平均较载脂蛋白E ε2,ε3携带者高[(5.85±1.03),(4.73±0.29),(4.96±0.87)mmol/L;(3.91±0.87),(3.12±0.65),(3.06±0.33)mmol/L;(1.34±0.21),(1.00±0.28),(0.94±0.32)g/L,(P＜0.05)].结论载脂蛋白E基因多态性与血管性痴呆的发病有关,ε4基因可能为该病的危险因子,且可能与其在脑梗死中的作用相似.     

Effects of vitamin E supplementation on blood antioxidants levels in patients with Behçet’s disease

Behçet’s disease (BD) is known for many years, yet its etiology remains unknown. In BD, the increased production of reactive oxygen species from activated neutrophils may reduce concentrations of antioxidant vitamins and enzymes in plasma and red blood cells (RBC). Vitamin E is an important fat soluble antioxidant and its role on antioxidant parameters of BD is unclear. The study was undertaken to evaluate the role of vitamin E on lipid peroxidation (MDA) levels, antioxidant vitamin and enzyme concentrations in plasma and RBC in patients with BD. There were three groups i.e., control, patient and treatment groups with twenty-five subjects in each. Nonsmoking patients with BD, patient group, was compared with an equal number of healthy control subjects (control group). Blood samples were taken from both control and patient groups and then oral vitamin E was daily supplemented to the patients with BD for six weeks (treated group). At the end of six weeks, blood was taken from the treated group once more.

RBC and plasma MDA levels, serum neopterin, complement system (C₃ and C₄), ASO, CRP, rheumatoid factor, plasma lipoprotein (a), total cholesterol concentrations and erythrocyte sedimentation rate were higher in the patient group than in the control group, but they were lower in the treatment group than in the patient group. While vitamins A, E and β-carotene concentrations in plasma, catalase, glutathione peroxidase activities and reduced glutathione levels in RBC and plasma were lower in patient group than in the controls, they were found to be higher in the treatment group than in the patient group.

These results provide some evidence for a potential role of increased lipid peroxidation and decreased enzymatic and non enzymatic antioxidants in BD by its inflammatory character and vitamin E which may strengthen the antioxidant defense system, and may contribute to the treatment of BD.     

Radioimmunoassay of human arginine-rich apolipoprotein, apoprotein E. Concentration in blood plasma and lipoproteins as affected by apoprotein E-3 deficiency.

A radioimmunoassay for apolipoprotein E in human blood serum has been developed that measures equally the major polymorphic species of the protein (apolipoproteins E-1, E-2, E-3, and E-4) and the apo E in the dimer of apolipoproteins E and A-II. The assay is specific and yields values for apolipoprotein E in very low density lipoproteins that agree closely with those obtained by a quantitative electrophoretic method. Apolipoprotein E is also present in at least one species of high density lipoprotein, but the content of apolipoprotein E in the lipoprotein fractions of plasma is uncertain owing to dissociation during ultracentrifugation. The concentration of apolipoprotein E is higher in serum of normolipidemic, premenopausal women than in men of comparable age and is a direct function of the serum triglyceride level. Apolipoprotein E levels are increased out of proportion to triglyceride levels in hyperlipidemic patients with familial dysbetalipoproteinemia (homozygotes for lack of apolipoprotein E-3). Heterozygous relatives of homozygotes have significantly higher apolipoprotein E levels in serum than unaffected relatives. The concentration of partially degraded (remnant) triglyceride-rich lipoproteins also appears to be increased in heterozygotes, who comprise about 15% of the population.     

The effect of the APOE polymorphism on HDL-C concentrations depends on the cholesterol ester transfer protein gene variation in a Southern European population

BACKGROUND: Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) locus has consistently shown a significant association with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). However, its impact on high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) has been highly controversial suggesting that it may be context-dependent. We examined the gene-gene interaction between the common ApoE and the CETP polymorphisms in determining HDL-C concentrations in men and women from the general population. METHODS: 550 unrelated Caucasian subjects were randomly selected from a Mediterranean Region in Spain. Plasma lipids, anthropometric, clinical and lifestyle variables were measured. Common ApoE and CETP-TaqIB polymorphisms were determined. RESULTS: We have found a gene-gene interaction between and ApoE and the CETP loci in determining HDL-C concentrations. Thus, after adjustment for gender, age, body mass index, tobacco smoking, alcohol consumption, physical exercise and medication, carriers of the E4 allele had lower HDL-C concentrations [mean and (standard error): 40.1 (2.6) mg/dL] than E2 subjects [47.7 (3.2) mg/dL; p=0.019], and even lower than those of the E3 subjects [44.7 (1.4) mg/dL; p=0.042], only if they had the B1B1 genotype. However, mean HDL-C concentrations were higher among those with E4 allele carrying the B2 allele at the CETP gene locus [50.5 (2.3) mg/dL], and lower among E2 subjects carrying the B2 allele [45.5 (2.6) mg/dL]. This interaction was observed in both men and women. This gene-gene interaction remained statistically significant even after additional adjustment for triglycerides. CONCLUSIONS: The effect of the ApoE polymorphism on HDL-C concentrations depends on the CETP polymorphism, explaining some of the controversial results previously reported for this polymorphism.     

The -256T>C polymorphism in the apolipoprotein A-II gene promoter is associated with body mass index and food intake in the genetics of lipid lowering drugs and diet network study

BACKGROUND: Apolipoprotein A-II (APOA2) plays an ambiguous role in lipid metabolism, obesity, and atherosclerosis. METHODS: We studied the association between a functional APOA2 promoter polymorphism (-265T>C) and plasma lipids (fasting and postprandial), anthropometric variables, and food intake in 514 men and 564 women who participated in the Genetics of Lipid Lowering Drugs and Diet Network (GOLDN) study. We obtained fasting and postprandial (after consuming a high-fat meal) measures. We measured lipoprotein particle concentrations by proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and estimated dietary intake by use of a validated questionnaire. RESULTS: We observed recessive effects for this polymorphism that were homogeneous by sex. Individuals homozygous for the -265C allele had statistically higher body mass index (BMI) than did carriers of the T allele. Consistently, after multivariate adjustment, the odds ratio for obesity in CC individuals compared with T allele carriers was 1.70 (95% CI 1.02-2.80, P = 0.039). Interestingly, total energy intake in CC individuals was statistically higher [mean (SE) 9371 (497) vs 8456 (413) kJ/d, P = 0.005] than in T allele carriers. Likewise, total fat and protein intakes (expressed in grams per day) were statistically higher in CC individuals (P = 0.002 and P = 0.005, respectively). After adjustment for energy, percentage of carbohydrate intake was statistically lower in CC individuals. These associations remained statistically significant even after adjustment for BMI. We found no associations with fasting lipids and only some associations with HDL subfraction distribution in the postprandial state. CONCLUSIONS: The -265T>C polymorphism is consistently associated with food consumption and obesity, suggesting a new role for APOA2 in regulating dietary intake.     

Serum vitamin E,lipid peroxide and glutathione peroxidase in patients with chronic pancreatitis

It has been reported that lipid peroxidation increases in patients with antioxidant deficiencies, such as vitamin E and glutathione peroxidase. The relationships between serum lipid peroxide and vitamin E on the one hand and glutathione peroxidase on the other were examined in 22 patients with chronic pancreatitis, often accompanied by malabsorption of fats and fat-soluble vitamins due to the impaired exocrine pancreatic function.Both serum vitamin E concentrations and glutathione peroxidase activities were depressed, especially in patients with chronic calcifying pancreatitis. On the other hand, serum lipid peroxide levels were elevated. A significant negative correlation was found between the serum lipid peroxide levels and vitamin E concentration.These findings suggest that an elevation of the serum lipid peroxide level may be due to the lack of an antioxidative defense mechanism, such as vitamin E, against lipid peroxide.     

Compounding of vitamin A, D3, E and K3 supplements for cystic fibrosis patients: formulation and stability study

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Cystic fibrosis (CF) patients suffer from malabsorption of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E and K). These vitamins are available as water-dispersible (A, D(3) and E) or water-soluble grades (K(3)), which is favoured in CF patients as they fail to absorb oil-based products. The objective of this study was to determine stability of these raw materials after opening the original package and to develop a compounded formulation of acceptable quality, stability and taste, allowing flexible dose adaptation and being appropriate for administration to children and elderly people. METHODS: The raw materials were stored after opening their original package for 8 months at 8 degrees C and room temperature (RT). Stability was assessed using a validated HPLC method after extraction of the vitamin from the cold water-soluble matrix (vitamin A acetate, D(3) and E) or using a spectrophotometrical method (vitamin K(3)). These materials were mixed with an appropriate lactose grade (lactose 80 m for vitamins A and D(3); lactose 90 m for vitamin E, lactose very fine powder for vitamin K(3)) and filled in hard gelatin capsules. Mass and content uniformity were determined and stability of the vitamins in the capsules was assessed after 2 months storage at 8 degrees C and RT. RESULTS: All raw materials showed good stability during storage in the opened original package for 8 months storage at 8 degrees C as well as RT (>95% of the initial content). The compounded formulations complied with the requirements of the European Pharmacopoeia for mass and content uniformity and can be stored for 2 months at 8 degrees C or RT while maintaining the vitamin content between 90% and 110%. CONCLUSIONS: As these fat-soluble vitamins are not commercially available on the Belgian market, compounded formulations are a valuable alternative for prophylactic administration of these vitamins to CF patients, i.e. a stable formulation, having an acceptable taste, allowing flexible dose adaptation and being appropriate for administration to children and elderly people.     

Apolipoprotein E phenotypes, serum lipoproteins and apolipoproteins in angiographically assessed coronary heart disease

To determine the influence of the apolipoprotein E polymorphism on the occurrence of coronary artery disease (CAD) and on serum lipids, lipoproteins and apolipoproteins we studied 145 patients with angiographically defined CAD and compared them with 153 control subjects without history or complaints of vascular disease and with 35 subjects without significant stenosis on coronary arteriography. Subjects with hypertension, diabetes mellitus and endocrine or metabolic disorders were excluded. Covariance analysis and logistic regression analysis were performed with adjustment for age, sex, smoking habits and relative body weight. There were no significant differences for the apoE phenotypes on risk of cardiovascular disease. The CAD group had significantly higher mean values of serum cholesterol and triglycerides, very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL)-cholesterol and VLDL-triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol and apoprotein B; they had lower high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol and apo A-I. The combination of LDL-cholesterol, apoA-I and VLDL-cholesterol was the best model in predicting cardiovascular disease. ApoE phenotype group E3/E2 had significantly lower values for serum cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and apoB and higher levels of apoE in comparison with the phenotype groups E3/E3 and E4/E3. The combination of LDL-cholesterol, cholesterol, apoE and VLDL-triglycerides was the best model in predicting the apoE phenotype. Thus, taking other risk factors into account, the apoE phenotype is not an independent risk factor for CAD; the apoE polymorphism influences lipoprotein levels and possibly, in that way, indirectly also the risk for CAD.