结缔组织生长因子与关节软骨的修复

背景：结缔组织生长因子有刺激间充质细胞向软骨细胞分化的潜能,能促进软骨细胞的增殖和分化,可促进关节软骨细胞Ⅱ型胶原及蛋白多糖的表达,与其他生长因子一起在关节软骨修复的过程中发挥着重要作用。目的：重点就结缔组织生长因子的结构,在关节软骨修复中的功能,与其他物质的相互作用方面作一综述。方法：以“connective tissue growth factor,connective tissue growth factor and articular cartilage,articular cartilage damage,articular cartilage repairment”为英文检索词,以“关节软骨损伤”为中文检索词,检索PubMed数据库、中国知网-cnki数据库1980年1月至2014年7月有关关节软骨损伤修复的文献,排除与软骨损伤的修复重建相关性不强、以及内容重复、陈旧的文献。共保留32篇文献进行综述。结果与结论：结缔组织生长因子有刺激间充质细胞向软骨细胞分化的潜能,能促进软骨细胞的增殖、分化和成熟,可维持胞外基质合成以及平衡,可促进关节软骨细胞Ⅱ型胶原及蛋白多糖的表达,与其他生长因子一起在关节软骨修复的过程中发挥着重要作用。结缔组织生长因子是软骨细胞生长、增殖、分化的关键生长因子之一,贯穿软骨修复整个过程。研究发现,骨性关节炎患者的关节软骨细胞对成纤维细胞生长因子1和结缔组织生长因子表达呈现明显相关性增加。结缔组织生长因子通过对关节软骨组织的信号通路及与其他组织内的细胞因子彼此作用对关节软骨细胞及基质发挥作用。 中国组织工程研究杂志出版内容重点：组织构建;骨细胞;软骨细胞;细胞培养;成纤维细胞;血管内皮细胞;骨质疏松;组织工程全文链接：     

关节软骨修复与相关细胞因子的作用

背景：关节软骨损伤后几乎不能完全修复,在生理负荷下容易发生退行性改变,最终发展成骨性关节炎。利用细胞生长因子构建组织工程化软骨,修复重建受损关节软骨,为骨关节软骨疾病的治疗开辟了新的途径。 目的：全面了解细胞因子特性与正常关节软骨相似的组织工程软骨的构建,明确目前细胞因子促进软骨分化修复的研究进展。 方法：电子检索中国生物医学文献数据库和计算机Medline数据库1994/2009收录的关节软骨修复与相关细胞因子相关综述和论文报告,并分析其研究进展。 结果与结论：共纳入软骨细胞因子相关文献29篇。关节软骨损伤后的修复非常有限,其对创伤、炎症的反应是由软骨细胞、滑膜组织分泌或关节液中含有的细胞因子所介导的。软骨细胞基质中的生长因子,通过不同的细胞信号通路使基因表达启动或关闭,在软骨生长和分化中发挥重要作用,同时软骨细胞周围环境因素也影响调控诱导分化的结果。     

自体、异体骨软骨移植及组织工程材料修复的关节软骨损伤

背景：关节软骨损伤的修复已成为近年来医学基础研究的一个重要领域。由于关节软骨损伤后不易修复,决定了关节软骨损伤的修复是热点中的难点。目的：概述能够对关节软骨损伤进行修复和功能重建的生物材料,为选择理想的组织工程支架材料提供一种理论上的选择。方法：由第一作者通过计算机检索1989到2014年PubMed数据库和中国知网数据库。英文检索词为“articular cartilage injury,bone graft,tissue engineering scaffold materials”,中文检索词为“关节软骨损伤、骨移植、组织工程支架材料”。检索近年来关于关节软骨的结构和功能、不同关节软骨损伤修复材料的选择及修复过程中影响因素等方面的相关文献,针对目前软骨损伤修复材料的应用作一个较系统的回顾及总结,分别对软骨修复材料各自优缺点进行综合评述,从材料学的视角介绍了几种软骨修复材料在软骨组织工程支架中的应用情况,在此基础上对临床软骨损伤修复提供一种理论上的选择。结果与结论：常用的软骨修复材料包括自体、异体骨软骨移植材料,胶原、透明质酸钠和壳聚糖等天然高分子材料。自体、异体骨软骨移植的修复方法只能暂时的缓解疼痛,修复组织容易发生退变,都不能成功修复损伤软骨,与这些已经投入临床的技术相比,尚处在实验研究阶段的组织工程学技术的临床研究仍在不断进行,在众多关节软骨修复材料中,无论是自体移植材料还是组织工程支架材料其生物力学性能各有不同,且目前还无法再造与天然生成的软骨具有相同力学性能的软骨组织。中国组织工程研究杂志出版内容重点：组织构建;骨细胞;软骨细胞;细胞培养;成纤维细胞;血管内皮细胞;骨质疏松;组织工程     

膝关节软骨损伤的治疗进展

[摘要]膝关节具有多样且复杂的运动形式,是人体承重最大的关节,最易导致关节软骨损伤。由于其再生修复的能力很弱,故其损伤后很难自身修复,进而导致骨关节炎的发生。膝关节软骨损伤后目前主要有以下的手术治疗方式：①自体骨软骨移植技术（马赛克移植技术）;②同种异体骨软骨移植技术;③自体软骨细胞移植; ④合成或生物支架植入（组织工程技术）;⑤微骨折技术;⑥粉碎软骨修复技术;⑦生物制剂辅助治疗。通过选择性运用上述治疗可以在短期内改善临床症状,延迟或者避免行关节置换手术,本文将对其一一进行综述。     

组织工程软骨种子细胞的定向诱导分化

背景：软骨修复一直是骨科治疗难题和研究热点。随着组织工程学的发展,近年来应用种子细胞诱导分化为软骨细胞,构建组织工程软骨修复软骨缺损的思路倍受关注,并已取得一定成功。 目的：讨论组织工程软骨的种子细胞选择、成软骨定向诱导分化的培养条件,尤其是细胞因子、诱导方法、培养方式等因素的作用。 方法：计算机检索中国期刊全文数据库及PubMed 数据库2000-01/2010-09相关文章,检索词为“软骨形成,软骨缺损,刺激因子,软骨修复,组织工程,chondrification, cartilage defect; stimulating factor,cartilage repair,tissue engineering”。语种限定为：中文与英文。纳入与软骨形成、诱导分化、组织工程支架方面的基础和临床研究,排除内容陈旧及重复研究。计算机初检得到155篇文献,根据纳入排除标准,最终纳入41篇。 结果与结论：种子细胞在特定细胞因子作用下可定向分化为软骨细胞。通过选择合适的种子细胞及细胞因子定向诱导分化构建组织工程软骨,能够为成功治愈关节软骨缺损提供新思路。软骨定向分化因子转化生长因子β、碱性成纤维细胞生长因子、骨生成蛋白、胰岛素样生长因子、生长激素等调控诱导可通过介质添加物、基因转染、不同培养方式等几种方式促进向软骨方向转化。相信随着软骨定向诱导分化研究的深入,为临床上运用软骨组织工程学来解决关节软骨缺损修复这一难题提供了有效依据,有广泛的临床应用前景。     

关节软骨的修复与修复失败

文题释义： 自体软骨细胞移植：对于3.5-10 cm2的软骨缺损或多个缺损来说,自体软骨细胞移植是一种有效的软骨修复措施,取少量患者自体软骨于体外培养软骨细胞,并增殖到一定数量后植入软骨缺损处,从而达到修复缺损的目的。 基质诱导的自体软骨细胞移植：把经培养增殖后的软骨细胞接种到Ⅰ/Ⅲ型双层胶原膜上,继续培养数日,细胞与支架结合紧密之后,使用生物蛋白胶粘贴到关节软骨缺损病灶底部。术后,软骨细胞从胶原膜上游离并穿过生物胶,迁徙到软骨缺损的基底部。胶原膜和生物胶逐步降解并被吸收。接种的软骨细胞在局部生长、繁殖,并分泌基质,形成新的软骨组织修复缺损。背景：由于关节软骨具有复杂的生物学特性和高度的耐用性,自然退变或创伤引起的缺损都可能导致其结构和功能上不可逆的损害,因此关节软骨损伤后的修复治疗是临床上急需解决的问题。 目的：报告关节软骨修复技术失败最常见的危险因素及其发生率,分析影响选择特定手术治疗方法来处理软骨修复失败最重要的因素。 方法：以“articular cartilage, repair, clinic/clinical failure, surgery”为检索词,检索 PubMed和MEDLINE数据库,时限为2007至2019年,语言限制为英文。初检得到文献约343篇,根据纳入排出标准筛选,共纳入38篇文章进行分析。 结果与结论：①微骨折术和软骨镶嵌成形术在关节软骨修复后的前期和中期显示出不可忽视的失败率,而使用自体软骨细胞移植和异体骨软骨移植修复关节软骨的效果更好。②对于软骨修复失败的治疗：在以往软骨修复失败的患者中应用异体骨软骨移植可能是一个安全的选择,但对于失败的异体骨软骨移植的修复则有更高的失败率;而既往自体软骨细胞移植或基质诱导的自体软骨细胞移植失败的患者,经进一步的自体软骨细胞移植或基质诱导的自体软骨细胞移植治疗后,其治疗效果是可以接受的。此外,有软骨下骨髓刺激病史的患者,自体软骨细胞移植的失败率更高。③软骨修复失败的处理取决于手术治疗失败的类型以及软骨缺损的面积、部位的不同,异体骨软骨移植是治疗软骨下骨髓刺激患者软骨修复失败的最可靠的方法,而自体软骨细胞移植或基质诱导的自体软骨细胞移植在既往软骨修复失败的患者中显示出可以接受的治疗效果,在处理软骨修复失败的患者时,应该特别注意软骨下骨质的情况。ORCID: 0000-0002-3907-9145(张宇) 中国组织工程研究杂志出版内容重点：人工关节;骨植入物;脊柱;骨折;内固定;数字化骨科;组织工程     

间充质干细胞向软骨分化及在软骨修复中应用的研究进展

关节软骨是一种负重结缔组织,常因肿瘤、运动、退行性变或老年性疾病造成损伤;然而关节软骨自身修复能力有限,给临床治愈软骨缺损造成了很大困难.近些年出现了多种治疗软骨缺损的方法,包括自体软骨细胞移植、微裂缝和镶嵌成形术,但这些方法各自都有其局限性.近年来,组织工程软骨成为软骨修复研究的新热点,间充质干细胞（MSCs）是其当前最有前景的种子细胞.就MSCs在体外诱导分化为软骨细胞的培养条件及MSCs在软骨修复中应用的研究进展进行综述.     

组织工程技术修复损伤关节软骨的研究与应用

背景：软骨是一种无血管的组织,软骨损伤后自身修复能力有限。当前用于治疗关节软骨损伤的方法从保守治疗到手术治疗多种多样。随着组织工程技术的发展,关节软骨的修复又进入了新的高度。 目的：综述组织工程方法修复软骨损伤的新进展。 方法：由第一作者在2013年5月应用计算机检索2000至2013年PubMed 数据库及CNKI 数据库,英文以“cartilage tissue engineering,cartilage defect;stem cell,scaffold;growth factor”为关键词,中文以“软骨组织工程,软骨缺损,干细胞,支架,生长因子”为关键词,选择内容与软骨组织工程、软骨损伤修复相关的文章,同一领域文献则选择近期发表或发表在权威杂志文章,共纳入64篇文献。 结果与结论：软骨组织工程三大要素——种子细胞、支架和细胞因子,三者必须协调发展和互利。现阶段组织工程方法修复关节软骨损伤的研究虽已取得很大进展,但大多停留于实验探索阶段,尚未应用于临床。随着新材料的不断研发,新的组织工程软骨修复材料将兼顾材料学和生物科学的需要,使其更接近机体自身组织生物学特性。在新的技术支持下,动物实验研究也将向临床试验转变,使关节软骨损伤的治疗取得突破性进展。     

间充质干细胞促进关节软骨的修复与再生

背景：关节软骨损伤后,软骨组织几乎没有修复能力,关节软骨损伤的修复一直是临床工作的难点。 目的：探讨修复关节软骨损伤的干细胞种类及其生物学特性,明确干细胞在修复关节软骨损伤中的作用及优缺点。 方法：由第一作者检索1998至2015年PubMed数据及CNKI中国期刊全文数据库,英文检索词“Articular cartilage injury,Mesenchymal stem cells ,regeneration”;中文检索词“关节软骨损伤,间充质干细胞,再生”,纳入47篇文献进行分析。 结果与结论：关节软骨损伤最有效的修复方案是以细胞为基础的治疗方法,来源于骨髓、脂肪及脐血的间充质干细胞均有较强的成软骨特性和克隆能力。骨髓间充质干细胞具有更高的分化潜能,对软骨缺损有修复作用,来源于脐血的间充质干细胞致瘤性低,脂肪源性干细胞的生长增殖速度更快。干细胞复合天然载体材料如胶原、明胶、纤维蛋白和藻酸盐等可促进细胞黏附、分化和增殖,以此构建组织工程软骨将有效修复关节软骨缺损。 中国组织工程研究杂志出版内容重点：干细胞;骨髓干细胞;造血干细胞;脂肪干细胞;肿瘤干细胞;胚胎干细胞;脐带脐血干细胞;干细胞诱导;干细胞分化;组织工程      

关节软骨缺损的组织工程修复

背景：软骨组织工程主要由种子细胞、生物支架、生长因子3方面组成,如何完善软骨组织工程修复一直是科研工作者研究的重点。 目的：全面了解应用软骨组织工程修复软骨损伤的研究现状。 方法：计算机检索PubMed和CNKI数据库中2005/2010相关文献。以“Cartilage, tissue engineering, repair”或“关节软骨、组织工程、修复”为检索词进行检索。纳入与软骨组织工程密切相关的文献,排除重复性研究。 结果与结论：共检索到167篇文献,排除无关重复的文献,保留20篇文献进行综述。研究认为种子细胞是软骨组织工程最关键的方面,包括软骨细胞、骨髓间充质干细胞、胚胎干细胞和通过基因工程得到的种子细胞。目前应用最多、应用前景最好的是骨髓间充质干细胞。生物支架经历了一个漫长的过程,趋向于复合性和功能性的方向发展。各种生长因子在组织工程中必不可少。转化生长因子、胰岛素样生长因子、骨形态发生蛋白等在软骨修复中发挥了重要的功能。     

Characteristics of 681 Low Vision Patients in Korea

The purpose of our study was to evaluate the characteristics and the changes of low vision patients over ten years in Korea, and to establish useful data for planning low vision services, active care and rehabilitation. We conducted a retrospective study of 681 low vision patients who visited two low vision clinics in Seoul from 1995 to 2008. Age and sex distribution, cause of low vision, type of prescribed low vision aids, and changes of the characteristics were reviewed. In result, male were more than female. The age group between 11 and 20-yr-old (18.1%) was the largest age group. Optic atrophy (28.3%) was main causes of low vision. However, elderly low vision patients is increasing and macular degeneration is becoming a leading cause of low vision (P<0.05). One thousand five low vision aids (LVAs) were prescribed for 681 patients (1.46±0.62 aids for each patient). Near LVAs were prescribed more than distance LVAs. In most patients, the use of LVAs improved both near and distance visual function. This study is the first survey of a large number of low vision patients over a ten year period in Korea. On the base of this study, the planning of low vision services and more active rehabilitation for low vision patients, especially elderly patients, need in Korea.     

Genetic control of the antibody response to poly(L Tyr, L Glu)-poly(DL Ala)--poly(L Lys) in mice: analysis of (low responder x low responder)F1 hybrids

The antibody response to the synthetic polypeptide poly (L Tyr, L Glu)-poly (DL Ala)--poly (L Lys) designated (T,G)-A--L, was investigated in inbred, congenic, F1 and F2 hybrid strains of mice. The antibody response was analysed at both low (10 microgram) and high (50 microgram) immunizing doses of (T,G)-A--L. Antibodies were measured using both a modified Farr assay and a plate binding assay. At low immunizing doses it was found that all of the congenic and non-congenic (low responder x low responder) F1 hybrids were low responders. However, the quantitative antibody response of one non-congenic (low responder x low responder) F2 hybrid segregated in a 1:1 ratio of high responders to low responders, suggesting some form of complementation of (T,G)-A--L Ir genes. At high immunizing doses it was found that congenic and non-congenic (low responder x low responder) F1 hybrids were all high responders, indicating a complementation of Ir genes to (T,G)-A--L. This complementation was confirmed using two different routes of immunization, namely footpad and intraperitoneal. Furthermore the quantitative antibody responses of (low responder x low responder) F2 hybrids segregate in a 1:1 ratio of high responders to low responders. The class of antibodies produced to (T,G)-A--L in (low responder x low responder) F1 hybrids was determined by gel filtration on Sephadex G-200, and found to be predominantly IgG, with lesser amounts of IgM.     

Studies on human low serum IgD phenotype and Gm markers

The human "low serum IgD phenotype" was studied by simultaneous Gm typing and IgD immunoassay of several populations. An association between Gm (f+b+) haplotype and low human IgD was confirmed and extended to the "low serum IgD phenotype"--as defined from population distribution and genetic studies by Dunnette et al. 1978. Further, it was shown that Black American sera determined by Gm haplotype, had a similar percentage of "low serum IgD phenotype" samples (16%) although they lacked the "associated" Gm(f+b+) haplotype of White American samples. Sardinian sera showed a low incidence of the "low serum IgD phenotype" which was not correlated with Gm haplotype distribution. Familial aggregation of the "low serum IgD phenotype" was observed. No association was found between "low serum IgD phenotype" and serum IgE values. Age related abiotrophy of IgD could not be attributed to selective survival of "low serum IgD phenotype" persons.     

Studies on the development of an insulin resistant rat model by chronic feeding of low magnesium high sucrose diet.

Magnesium deficiency and excess sucrose in the diet have been shown to play an important role in the development of insulin resistance. In the present study we have looked at the combined effect of a low magnesium high sucrose diet on basal glucose and insulin levels, erythrocyte insulin receptors and lipid profile in rats. For this purpose rats were divided into four groups and fed control, low magnesium, high sucrose and low magnesium high sucrose diets respectively for three months. The biochemical analysis showed a significant increase in blood glucose and triglyceride levels after one, two and three months of feeding in both the high sucrose and the low magnesium high sucrose groups, while rats fed a low magnesium diet showed a significant increase in blood glucose and triglyceride levels only after the second month. Insulin levels increased significantly in low magnesium, high sucrose and low magnesium high sucrose groups by the end of the study period. Compared to control rats, the binding of insulin to the erythrocyte insulin receptors was reduced significantly in the high sucrose and the low magnesium high sucrose groups. Cholesterol levels were found to increase significantly in the high sucrose group at the end of one month and three months of feeding. HDL-cholesterol decreased significantly in the low magnesium high sucrose group by the end of the study. Serum and RBC magnesium levels demonstrated a significant decrease in the low magnesium and the low magnesium high sucrose groups. The post heparin plasma lipoprotein lipase activity was decreased significantly in low magnesium, high sucrose and low magnesium high sucrose groups compared to control rats. These findings suggest that feeding a diet low in magnesium and high in sucrose causes insulin resistance in rats.     

Failure of affinity maturation leads to increased susceptibility to immune complex glomerulonephritis.

Mice, previously selected for the production of low affinity antibody after four injections of protein antigens in saline, fell into two groups on the basis of their antibody response after injection of adjuvantized antigen. One group produced antibody of sequentially rising affinity but the other produced only low affinity antibody. Mice from the latter group were interbred to produce low affinity non-maturing mice (low N/M mice). Daily injections in these mice produced a more rapid and severe glomerulonephritis than that observed in mice of the original low affinity line. Male low N/M mice were more severely affected than female low N/M mice. Susceptibility to the disease were associated not only with an inability to produce the maturational transition from low affinity to high affinity antibody with time but also with the production of low levels of antibody. It is suggested that these quantitative and qualitative defects in the antibody response may lead to increased susceptibility to immune complex disease.     

Dose dependence of oral tolerance to nickel

The dose dependence of oral nickel tolerance was analyzed by comparing three different subsets of C57BL/6 mice: Ni(very low) mice were reared in a nickel-reduced environment, Ni(low) and Ni(high) mice were reared in a stainless steel-containing environment and the latter received oral NiCl(2) (10 mM). In spleen and feces, Ni(very low) mice exhibit significantly lower nickel concentrations than Ni(low) and Ni(high) mice. In contrast to Ni(very low) mice that can be sensitized with a single intradermal administration of NiCl(2) alone, Ni(low) mice can only be sensitized in the presence of an adjuvant and Ni(high) mice cannot be sensitized at all. This dose-dependent resistance to nickel sensitization (i.e. Ni(high) > Ni(low) > Ni(very low)) correlates with differences in the number and type of nickel-specific T regulatory (Treg) cells. Adoptive transfer studies into Ni(very low) recipients showed that Ni(very low) mice completely lack specific Treg cells whereas Ni(low) and Ni(high) mice harbor them, albeit their numbers and/or suppressive strength are much higher in Ni(high) than Ni(low) mice. The principal Treg subset in Ni(low) mice consists of CD4(+)CD25(+) cells, among which CD4(+)CD25(+)alpha(E)beta(7)(+) cells are the most effective. In Ni(high) mice, CD4(+)CD25(+) Treg cells co-exist with an ensemble of CD8(+) Treg and CD4(+)CD25(-) suppressor-inducer cells.     

Serum folic acid and B12 in 272 psychiatric in-patients

Serum folate and B12 estimations were carried out on 272 admissions to a psychiatric unit during 1972 and 1973. 21.3% had serum folate below 2 ng/ml and 26.1% serum B12 below 150 pg/ml. The organic psychosis patients had a significantly lower mean B12 than the others, and were over-represented among the low B12 group. Low B12 status was also associated with low RBC and WBC. Low folate status was linked with depression, malnutrition, physical illness and low Hb, RBC and WBC. There were more chronic alcoholics than others with serum folate greater than 4-9 ng/ml, low RBC and macrocytosis. The presence of one or more haematological abnormalities (macrocytosis, low Hb, low RBC or low WBC) predicted low folate in 76%, and low B12 in 79%, but these were also found in 40% of the normal folate and 41% of the normal B12 patients. Macrocytosis may prove to be a reliable sign of alcoholic abuse.     

重新评价产钳术在阴道助产中的地位

目的重新评价产钳术在阴道助产中的地位。方法对387例产妇实施产钳阴道助产。低位产钳219例（56．59％），低中位产钳152例（39．28％），高中位产钳16例（4．13％）。结果386例产钳成功，成功率99．74％。不同类型产钳术对母婴的影响：低位、低中位及高中位产钳造成母体并发症分别为10．04％、56，58％及119％，三者比较有显著性差异，（P＜0．001）。低位、低中位及高中位产钳造成新生儿并发症分别为10．5％、26．32％及137．5％。三者比较有显著性差异，（P＜0．001）。结论产钳主要限于低位及低中位产钳，对高中位产钳应取审慎态度。正确合理的使用产钳，可减少母婴并发症。在头位难产中，为抢救胎儿，保护母体，及时结束分娩，产钳术是安全的，是每个产科医师必须掌握的助产方法之一。     

Effect of a low magnesium diet on in vitro glucose uptake in sucrose fed rats.

Dietary magnesium deficiency and excess sucrose in the diet have been shown to play an important role in the development of insulin resistance. This study is an extension of a previously published experiment (Magnes Res 2004; 17: 293-300) and is focused on the effect of a low magnesium diet on in vitro glucose uptake in sucrose fed rats. For this purpose male Wistar rats were divided into four groups and fed control, high sucrose, low magnesium and high sucrose low magnesium diets for a period of three months. Serum and erythrocyte magnesium values demonstrated a significant drop in the low magnesium and high sucrose low magnesium groups. A significant increase was observed in the body weight of the high sucrose group, whereas the weights of animals in the high sucrose low magnesium group remained unchanged from controls. The biochemical analysis showed a significant decrease in in vitro glucose uptake in liver, muscle and diaphragm of rats consuming high sucrose, low magnesium and high sucrose low magnesium diets. The maximum reduction, however, was observed in the combined high sucrose low magnesium group. These findings seem to suggest the potential of a high sucrose low magnesium diet to cause insulin resistance by reducing glucose uptake in target tissues of rats.     

Effects of long-term treatment with simvastatin on plasma lipids and lipoproteins in patients with primary hypercholesterolemia

Summary We investigated long-term hypolipidemic effects and clinical safety of simvastatin, a new competitive inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase in 24 patients with familial and non-familial hypercholesterolemia. Patients received up to 40 mg simvastatin for a period of 30 months. Significant decreases were noted in plasma cholesterol (30%), plasma triglycerides (25%), very low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (26%), and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (40%), whereas an increase in plasma high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (11%) was observed. Furthermore, the percentage decrease in plasma low density lipoprotein cholesterol was independent of individual baseline concentrations. Simvastatin did not alter the composition of low density lipoproteins or high density lipoproteins. The percentage decrease in total plasma and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol was independent of apoprotein E isoforms and low density lipoprotein-receptor activity as assayed in cultured fibroblasts. The drug therapy was well tolerated and clinical examinations revealed no adverse effects. Clinical chemistry indices and hematological, as well as endocrinological parameters remained within normal limits and ranges.Abbreviations VLDL very low density lipoprotein - LDL low density lipoprotein - HDL high density lipoprotein - CHD coronary heart disease - LDL-C low density lipoprotein-cholesterol - FH familial hypercholesterolemia - HMG-CoA 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A - HELP heparin extracorporeal low density lipoprotein precipitation This work was supported by a grant from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft to A.K. Walli (Wa 458/I-1)Dedicated to Prof. Dr. med. F. Scheler on the occasion of his 65th birthday