高血压脑出血血肿周围水肿与动态血压的相关性研究

目的探讨高血压脑出血血肿周围水肿与收缩压、舒张压及血压变异的关系。方法回顾性分析我院2011年1月~2014年10月收治的72例高血压脑出血患者,依据先后2次头颅CT结果分为水肿扩大组40例和水肿未扩大组32例;监测患者入院后24h动态血压,记录24h平均收缩压(24hSBP)、平均舒张压(24hDBP)、收缩压标准差(SBPSD)、舒张压标准差(DBPSD)、24h收缩压变异系数(SBPCV)、舒张压变异系数(DBPCV),分析血压与水肿的关系。结果水肿扩大组的血肿体积[(16.3±3.1)ml vs(10.8±2.5)ml,P=0.003]、24hSBP[(158.4±15.1)mm Hg vs(147.3±14.8)mm Hg,1mm Hg=0.133kPa,P=0.034]、24hDBP[(101.8±9.7)mm Hg vs(92.1±8.9)mm Hg,P=0.017]、SBPSD(P=0.011)、SBPCV(P=0.012)和DBPCV(P=0.044)明显高于水肿未扩大组。24hDBP(OR=1.811,P=0.022)、SBPSD(OR=2.014,P=0.008)、SBPCV(OR=1.994,P=0.018)是周围水肿的独立危险因素。结论 24hDBP、SBPSD、SBPCV是高血压脑出血血肿周围水肿的独立危险因素。     

血浆低密度脂蛋白水平与脑出血患者血肿增大和转归的相关性:回顾性队列研究

目的 探讨血浆低密度脂蛋白(low-density lipoprotein,LDL)水平与脑出血早期血肿增大以及3个月时临床转归和死亡的关系.方法 纳入原发性脑出血患者316例,记录其一般资料,在起病6h内及24 h行CT扫描,同时检测血脂、血糖、血压以及美国国立卫生研究院卒中量表(National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale,NIHSS)评分.随访3个月,记录其改良Rankin量表(modified RankinScale, mRS)评分及死亡例数.结果 血浆LDL水平降低[优势比(odds ratio,OR)0.323,95％可信区间(confidence interval,CL)0.128～0.819;P=0.017]和收缩压增高(OR l.015,95％ CI 1.000～1.029;P =0.043)与脑出血早期血肿增大独立相关.血浆LDL水平降低(OR 0.253,95％CI 0.102～0.629;P=0.003)和血糖水平增高(OR 1.458,95％ CI 1.257～1.693;P＜0.001)是发病3个月时的临床转归不良的独立因素.血浆LDL水平降低(OR 0.211,95％ CI 0.075～0.597;P=0.003)、血糖水平增高(OR 1.406,95％ CI 1.212～1.632;P=0.001)和收缩压增高(OR 1.026,95％ CI 1.009～1.043;P=0.002)是3个月内死亡的独立危险因素.受试者工作特征曲线显示,LDL水平＜2.58 mmol/L是血肿增大的独立预测因素(敏感性71.79％,特异性64.71％,阳性预测值40.00％,阴性预测值87.50％).结论 血浆LDL水平降低是原发性脑出血患者早期血肿增大、3个月时转归不良和死亡的独立预测因素.     

CT混合征与CT血管成像斑点征对急性脑出血血肿扩大的预测价值

目的分析CT混合征与CT血管成像(CTA)斑点征对急性脑出血患者血肿扩大的预测价值。方法回顾性连续纳入2016年3月至2018年12月昆明医科大学第二附属医院脑血管病科收治的急性脑出血患者,发病6 h内进行基线CT及CTA扫描,明确血肿体积、部位、形态及密度(混合征及斑点征),并于发病24 h后复查CT判定是否出现血肿扩大,根据判定结果将符合纳入标准的186例急性脑出血患者分为血肿扩大组(56例)和非血肿扩大组(130例)。收集患者一般临床资料并进行组间比较,对血肿扩大的各影响因素进行Logistic回归分析,计算受试者工作特征(ROC)曲线下面积并比较混合征与斑点征对血肿扩大的预测价值。结果血肿扩大组出现混合征[35.7%(20/56)]、斑点征[44.6%(25/56)]的比例明显高于非血肿扩大组[混合征12.3%(16/130)、斑点征15.4%(20/130)],差异均有统计学意义(χ2值分别为13.738、18.269,均P<0.01);患者入院时存在CT混合征(OR=3.273,95%CI:1.955~5.413)、CTA斑点征(OR=3.207,95%CI:1.275~8.069)及低GCS评分(OR=1.382,95%CI:1.215~1.573)、高血糖(OR=1.281,95%CI:1.088~1.509)、基线血肿体积大(OR=1.118,95%CI:1.023~1.222)、血肿形态不规则(OR=4.530,95%CI:1.297~15.828)均是血肿扩大的独立危险因素。混合征联合斑点征预测血肿扩大的敏感度、特异度、阳性预测值、阴性预测值分别为51.8%、78.5%、50.9%、79.1%,其ROC曲线下面积为0.666(P<0.01),略高于单一斑点征(曲线下面积0.642,P=0.002)及单一混合征(曲线下面积0.617,P=0.011)。结论除血糖、GCS评分、基线血肿体积、血肿形态以外,混合征、斑点征也与血肿扩大相关。混合征联合斑点征预测急性脑出血血肿扩大的能力优于单一征象。     

残余胆固醇水平与老年急性脑梗死患者椎基底动脉延长扩张症的相关性研究

目的 探讨残余胆固醇(RC)水平与老年急性脑梗死患者椎基底动脉延长扩张症(VBD)的相关性。方法 连续回顾性纳入2020年1月至2021年7月南京医科大学附属常州市第二人民医院神经内科收治的急性脑梗死患者325例,所有患者均完成头颅MRI、头颈部CT血管成像(CTA)检查及血浆TC、TG、LDL-C、HDL-C等生化指标测定。入组患者根据影像学诊断标准分为VBD组52例和非VBD组273例,比较2组临床资料的差异,分析RC水平与老年急性脑梗死患者VBD的关系。结果 VBD组年龄、男性、高血压、吸烟、TG、RC水平高于非VBD组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05,P<0.01)。采用多因素logistic回归分析,校正年龄、男性、高血压等混杂因素后发现,年龄(OR=1.126,95%CI:1.065～1.191,P=0.000)、男性(OR=4.163,95%CI:11.173～10.120,P=0.002)、RC水平(OR=1.270,95%CI:1.151～1.401,P=0.000)是老年急性脑梗死患者发生VBD的独立危险因素。结论 年龄、男性、RC水平是老年急性脑梗死患...     

老年衰弱与动脉硬化的相关性研究

目的探讨老年患者衰弱与动脉硬化的相关性。方法收集2017年1月～2018年3月安徽医科大学第三附属医院老年病科门诊初诊及体检中心的老年患者126例,根据Fried衰弱量表评分分为衰弱组60例,非衰弱组66例。VS-1500A动脉硬化检测仪进行心踝指数及踝肱指数测量,颈动脉超声测定颈动脉内膜中层厚度(intimamedia thickness,IMT)和斑块情况,计算Crouse积分,并行6min步行试验,统计人口学资料,检测TG、TC、HDL-C、LDL-C、VLDL-C、血压、血糖水平、合并症及用药情况。结果 2组TG、TC、HDL-C、LDL-C、VLDL-C、舒张压、肿瘤、消化性溃疡、肾功能不全比较,差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。衰弱组年龄、心踝指数、颈动脉IMT、Crouse积分、空腹血糖、慢性阻塞性肺病、贫血、多重用药明显高于非衰弱组,体质量指数、踝肱指数、6min步行距离、收缩压明显低于非衰弱组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05,P0.01)。Pearson相关分析显示,Fried衰弱量表评分与心踝指数、颈动脉IMT、Crouse积分呈正相关(r=0.57,P0.05;r=0.55,P0.05;r=0.47,P0.05),与踝肱指数呈负相关(r=-0.35,P0.05)。logistic回归分析显示,年龄(OR=1.220,95%CI:1.029～1.446,P=0.022)、心踝指数(OR=1.471,95%CI:1.017～2.126,P=0.040)、颈动脉IMT(OR=1.460,95%CI:1.081～1.973,P=0.014)、6min步行距离(OR=0.992,95%CI:0.984～1.000,P=0.044)、收缩压(OR=0.906,95%CI:0.851～0.965,P=0.002)、慢性阻塞性肺病(OR=0.105,95%CI:0.015～0.735,P=0.023)以及多重用药(OR=0.059,95%CI:0.011～0.321,P=0.001)为老年人衰弱的影响因素。结论老年患者衰弱情况与动脉硬化程度有关。     

益阳地区老年体检人群高尿酸血症患病率及相关危险因素分析

目的探讨益阳地区老年体检人群高尿酸血症患病率及其危险因素。方法选择2016年6月~2017年6月在湖南益阳康雅医院体检中心参加体检的益阳市企事业单位受检者1363例,根据受检者血尿酸水平分为高尿酸血症组245例,对照组1118例。比较2组的一般临床资料,分析高尿酸血症的危险因素。结果高尿酸血症组年龄、男性、TG、LDL-C、尿素、尿酸、身高、体质量、体质量指数、收缩压明显高于对照组,而TC、HDL-C、肌酐清除率明显低于对照组(P0.05,P0.01)。Pearson相关分析显示,尿酸与年龄、TG、尿素、体质量指数、收缩压、舒张压呈正相关,与肌酐清除率、TC、LDL-C和HDL-C呈负相关(P0.01)。二元logistic回归分析显示,校正年龄后,男性、高脂血症、肥胖是高尿酸血症的独立危险因素(OR=1.857,95%CI:1.302~2.649,P=0.001;OR=1.866,95%CI:1.363~2.555,P=0.000;OR=2.214,95%CI:1.716~2.856,P=0.000),而HDL-C和肌酐清除率是高尿酸血症的保护性因素(OR=0.388,95%CI:0.242~0.623,P=0.000;OR=0.948,95%CI:0.937~0.959,P=0.000)。结论益阳地区老年人群高尿酸血症患病率较高,提示需要干预生活方式,并采用相应药物治疗。     

青年及中老年脑出血血肿扩大相关危险因素研究

目的分析青年及中老年脑出血患者血肿扩大的相关危险因素。方法回顾性连续纳入2016年5月至2018年8月北京协和医院脑小血管病队列中的数据共502例自发性脑出血患者。比较青年(76例,≤50岁)及中老年(426例, 50岁)脑出血患者血肿扩大与无扩大患者在性别、入院美国国立卫生研究院卒中量表(NIHSS)评分和格拉斯哥昏迷量表(GCS)评分、首次血压、脑血管病危险因素及影像学等特征,并通过多因素Logisitc回归分析研究青年脑出血血肿扩大的相关危险因素。结果中老年与青年脑出血患者血肿扩大比例差异无统计学意义[34. 7%(148/426)比27. 6%(21/76),P=0. 227]。发生血肿扩大的青年患者中,男性比例显著高于无扩大者[(95. 2%(20/21)比61. 8%(34/55),P=0. 004)],且吸烟患者均为男性。在青年及中老年患者中,发生血肿扩大的患者入院时NIHSS评分[青年:13(5,17)分比7(4,12)分,P 0. 05;中老年:1 3 (8,1 7)分比6 (3,1 1)分,P 0. 0 5]、入院时收缩压[青年:1 9 0 (1 7 0,2 0 4) mmHg比1 6 0 (1 4 0,1 9 0) mmHg,P 0. 05;中老年:180 (164,200) mmHg比160 (143,178) mmHg,P 0. 05]、血肿体积[青年:11. 3(5. 7,24. 6) ml比5. 7(1. 5,14. 7) ml,P 0. 05;中老年:11. 8(6. 3,22. 6) ml比4. 7(1. 6,11. 3) ml,P 0. 05]均显著高于未发生血肿扩大患者,入院时GCS评分[青年:12 (9,15)分比15 (13,15)分,P 0. 05;中老年:13(9,15)分比15(14,15)分,P 0. 05]显著低于未发生血肿扩大患者。多因素Logistic回归分析结果显示,入院时GCS评分是预测青年脑出血患者血肿扩大的独立危险因素(OR=0. 660,95%CI:0. 517～0. 842,P=0. 001);入院时NIHSS评分(OR=1. 112,95%CI:1. 062～1. 164,P 0. 01)、收缩压(OR=1. 025,95%CI:1. 016～1. 034,P 0. 01)、血肿体积(OR=1. 037,95%CI:1. 011～1. 063,P=0. 005)、使用抗血小板聚集药(OR=1. 847,95%CI:0. 999～3. 415,P=0. 005)及密度不均征(OR=1. 640,95%CI:1. 025～2. 624,P=0. 039)与中老年脑出血血肿扩大相关。结论青年与中老年脑出血患者发生血肿扩大的比例差异无统计学意义。入院时GCS评分是青年患者发生血肿扩大的独立预测因素。入院时NIHSS评分、收缩压、血肿体积、密度不均征是中老年脑出血患者血肿扩大的独立预测因素。     

血浆基质金属蛋白酶9与急性高血压性脑出血患者血肿扩大的相关性研究

目的研究血浆基质金属蛋白酶9(MMP-9)与急性高血压性脑出血血肿扩大的关系。方法前瞻性纳入发病后12 h内经头部CT确诊的高血压性脑出血患者,证实脑出血后4 h内抽取静脉血,检测血浆MMP-9浓度。记录患者入院时血压、头部CT特征、美国国立研究院卒中量表(NIHSS)评分、既往病史等资料。距首次头部CT检查42～54 h内复查CT或患者意识障碍加重时即刻复查CT,与首次CT结果比较,血肿体积差≥12.5 cm3或2次血肿体积之比>1.4即为血肿扩大。分析MMP-9水平与血肿扩大的关系。结果共纳入186例患者,其中41例发生血肿扩大,发生率为22.0%。①单因素分析显示,血肿扩大组MMP-9中位数水平为112μg/L,血肿非扩大组为79μg/L;血肿扩大组入院时的NIHSS评分、首次测量的收缩压水平高于血肿非扩大组,发病至首次CT检查时间短于血肿非扩大组;血肿形态为不规则的比率高于血肿非扩大组。两组上述指标比较,差异有统计学意义。②多因素Logistic回归分析显示,除发病至首次CT检查时间短、血肿形态不规则外,血浆中MMP-9水平升高也是脑出血患者血肿扩大的独立危险因素(OR值=15.65,95%CI:5.30～46.15)。③通过ROC曲线获得MMP-9的临界值为97.5μg/L,其预测血肿扩大的敏感度是0.791,特异度是0.727。结论血浆MMP-9水平增高是急性高血压性脑出血患者血肿扩大的独立危险因素。     

中性粒细胞与淋巴细胞比值对急性脑出血病人短期预后不良的预测价值

目的探讨入院时外周血中性粒细胞与淋巴细胞比值(NLR)对急性脑出血病人短期预后不良的预测价值。方法回顾性分析2018年1月—2018年12月在扬州市江都人民医院住院的急性脑出血病人128例,根据3个月时改良Rankin评分量表(mRS)评分分为预后良好组(mRS≤3分)87例,预后不良组(mRS3分)41例,单因素分析两组病人入院时的临床、影像学及实验室资料,采用二分类Logistic回归分析探讨影响急性脑出血病人短期预后不良的危险因素,采用受试者工作特征(ROC)曲线评价NLR对急性脑出血病人短期预后不良的预测价值。结果①128例急性脑出血病人中预后不良41例(32.0%)。②与预后良好组相比,预后不良组病人糖尿病病史、脑卒中病史、饮酒史的比例以及年龄、美国国立卫生研究院卒中量表(NIHSS)评分均升高,血肿体积大,出血破入脑室比例高,白细胞计数、中性粒细胞计数、NLR及入院时即刻血糖(ABG)升高,淋巴细胞计数低(P均0.05)。③二分类Logistic回归分析显示,年龄[OR=1.120,95%CI(1.026,1.222),P0.05]、血肿体积[OR=1.165,95%CI(1.038,1.307),P0.01]、NLR[OR=1.260,95%CI(1.042,1.525),P0.05]、ABG[OR=1.707,95%CI(1.112,2.621),P0.05]及NIHSS评分[OR=1.304,95%CI(1.110,1.530),P0.01]升高为急性脑出血病人短期预后不良的独立危险因素。④Spearman和Pearson相关性分析显示,NLR与基线NIHSS评分和血肿体积之间均呈明显的正相关(P0.05);⑤ROC曲线分析表明,NLR预测急性脑出血病人短期预后不良的曲线下面积为0.817[95%CI(0.744～0.890),P0.001],预测价值优于白细胞计数、中性粒细胞计数、淋巴细胞计数。结论入院时升高的NLR值对急性脑出血病人短期预后不良有一定的预测价值。     

急性脑出血患者血清炎性因子与血肿周围低密度的关系

目的观察急性脑出血患者血清炎性因子含量变化与血肿周围低密度的相关性。方法42例急性脑出血患者(脑出血组)行血清肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)、白细胞介素-1β(IL-1β)、P-选择素(Ps)及S-100蛋白检测,CT检查动态观察血肿及其周围低密度的变化。对照组为同期住院的25例非神经系统器质性疾病患者。结果脑出血组患者入院时血清TNF-αI、L-1β、Ps、S-100水平较对照组显著增高。单因素分析显示,TNF-α(r=0.678,P<0.001)I、L-1β(r=0.423,P=0.011)、Ps(r=0.458,P=0.006)与血肿周围低密度均有显著相关性,logistic回归分析显示,TNF-α水平为影响血肿周围低密度的惟一因素(OR=3.694,95%CI:1.670~8.173,P=0.001)。结论急性脑出血患者血清炎性因子TNF-αI、L-1β、Ps及S-100水平显著增高,患者入院时血清TNF-α水平与血肿周围脑水肿密切相关。     

Individuals with high total cholesterol/hdl cholesterol ratios are insulin resistant

Jeppesen J, Facchini FS, Reaven GM. (The Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, and Shaman Pharmaceuticals Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA). Individuals with high total cholesterol/hdl cholesterol ratios are insulin resistant. Journal of Internal Medicine 1998; 243 : 293–98.

Objectives

To define the pathophysiologic characteristics of patients at high risk for coronary heart disease due to an increased ratio of total cholesterol (TC) to high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C).

Design

Cross-sectional.

Setting

Clinical Research Center.

Subjects

One hundred-20 healthy, non-diabetic, normotensive, volunteers were screened for this study. From this pool, 40 individuals (20 females and 20 males) with the highest and the lowest TC/HDL-C ratios were selected for comparison.

Main Outcome Measures

Values for body mass index (BMI), ratio of waist to hip girth (WHR), and blood pressure were obtained on all patients. In addition, measurements were made of fasting lipid and lipoprotein concentrations, plasma glucose and insulin responses to an oral glucose challenge, and insulin resistance as assessed by the insulin suppression test.

Results

Age, BMI, and WHR were the same in the two groups. However, the group with a high TC/HDL-C ratio had higher (P < 0.05) systolic and diastolic blood pressures. In addition, patients with a high TC/HDL-C ratio had significantly higher (P < 0.001) very low density (VLDL) and low density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol concentrations and lower HDL-cholesterol concentrations, with significant (P < 0.001) correlations between the TC/HDL-C ratio and VLDL (r= 0.60), LDL (r= 0.54), and HDL (r=? 0.73) cholesterol concentrations. Patients with a high TC/HDL-C ratio were also significantly (P < 0.05–0.001) more insulin resistant, glucose intolerant with a greater plasma insulin response to oral glucose, and hypertriglyceridemic.

Conclusions

The results indicate that an increase in LDL-cholesterol concentration is not necessarily the major contributor to a high ratio of TC/HDL-C. Furthermore, individuals with this epidemiologic designation are insulin resistant, and liable to all the other abnormalities associated with this metaboic defect.

     

Hypocholesterolemia in adult patients with thalassemia: a link with the severity of genotype in thalassemia intermedia patients

Objectives: Hypocholesterolemia has been previously described in patients affected by thalassemia. In this study we retrospectively evaluated the cholesterol level in two groups of patients affected by either thalassemia major (TM) or thalassemia intermedia (TI), with the aim of establishing factors correlated to hypocholesterolemia within both populations. Methods: All patients referring to our Unit of Thalassemia were considered. Observation time, defined as the interval between the first and last set of laboratory test, was 2 yr (January 2005–December 2006). Results: We found that patients with TI had significantly lower cholesterol and hemoglobin level as compared with TM patients. In addition there was no correlation between groups with identical genotype and cholesterol levels in both populations. However, within the TI group, lower values of cholesterol were found in patients with more severe genotype and lower body mass index. Conclusions: Our data support the hypothesis that, independently from single genotype involved, the reduced level of cholesterol in patients with TI are sustained by active erythropoiesis which increases cholesterol requirement.     

Association of cholesterol with risk of pancreatic cancer:A meta-analysis

AIM: To evaluate the effect of dietary cholesterol and serum total cholesterol(TC) on the risk of pancreatic cancer. METHODS: A literature search was performed up to June 2014 in Pub Med, EMBASE, China National Knowledge Infrastructure and China Biology Medicalliterature database for relevant articles published in English or Chinese. Pooled relative risks(RRs) with 95% confidence intervals(CIs) were calculated with a random-effects model. RESULTS: We included 14 published articles with 439355 participants for dietary cholesterol, and 6 published articles with 1805697 participants for serum TC. For the highest vs lowest category of dietary cholesterol, the pooled RR(95%CI) of pancreatic cancer was 1.308(1.097-1.559). After excluding two studies(RR > 3.0), the pooled RR(95%CI) was 1.204(1.050-1.380). In subgroup analysis stratified by study design, the pooled RRs(95%CIs) were 1.523(1.226-1.893) for case-control studies and 1.023(0.871-1.200) for cohort studies. The association of dietary cholesterol with the risk of pancreatic cancer was significant for studies conducted in North America [1.275(1.058-1.537)] and others [2.495(1.565-3.977)], but not in Europe [1.149(0.863-1.531)]. No significant association [1.003(0.859-1.171)] was found between the risk of pancreatic cancer and serum TC. CONCLUSION: Dietary cholesterol may be associated with an increased risk of pancreatic cancer in worldwide populations, except for Europeans. The results need to be confirmed further.     

Impaired absorption of cholesterol and bile acids in patients with an ileoanal anastomosis

Background—No data exist on cholesterolabsorption in patients with an ileoanal anastomosis (IAA).
Aims—To study cholesterol absorption and itseffects on cholesterol and bile acid metabolism in patients with an IAA.
Patients and methods—Cholesterol absorption, andserum, biliary, and faecal lipids were studied in 24 patients with anIAA and 20controls.
Results—Fractional cholesterol absorption wassignificantly lower in the patients (36% versus 47% in controls).Surprisingly, the calculated intestinal influx of endogenouscholesterol was reduced so that the absolute absorption of cholesterolwas decreased; elimination of cholesterol as faecal neutral steroidsremained normal. Thus, the slightly increased cholesterol synthesis was mainly due to increased faecal bile acid excretion, which, in turn, wasassociated with reduced absorption and biliary secretion of bile acids.Serum total and low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and LDLtriglycerides were lower in the patients. Molar percentage andsaturation index of biliary cholesterol were slightly higher inpatients with an IAA. Proportions of secondary bile acids in bile andfaeces were diminished, and faecal unidentified bile acids were higherin patients.
Conclusions—Cholesterol absorption issignificantly impaired in patients with an IAA, and is closely relatedto changes in serum and biliary lipids observed in these patients.

Keywords:cholesterol absorption; cholesterol synthesis; faecal bile acids; inflammatory bowel disease

     

Serum metabolites associate with lipid phenotypes among Bogalusa Heart Study participants

Background and aimsDyslipidemia has been identified as a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. We aimed to identify metabolites and metabolite modules showing novel association with lipids among Bogalusa Heart Study (BHS) participants using untargeted metabolomics.Methods and resultsUntargeted ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectroscopy was used to quantify serum metabolites of 1 243 BHS participants (816 whites and 427 African-Americans). The association of single metabolites with lipids was assessed using multiple linear regression models to adjust for covariables. Weighted correlation network analysis was utilized to identify modules of co-abundant metabolites and examine their covariable adjusted correlations with lipids. All analyses were conducted according to race and using Bonferroni-corrected α-thresholds to determine statistical significance.Thirteen metabolites with known biochemical identities showing novel association achieved Bonferroni-significance, p < 1.04 × 10⁻⁵, and showed consistent effect directions in both whites and African-Americans. Twelve were from lipid sub-pathways including fatty acid metabolism (arachidonoylcholine, dihomo-linolenoyl-choline, docosahexaenoylcholine, linoleoylcholine, oleoylcholine, palmitoylcholine, and stearoylcholine), monohydroxy fatty acids (2-hydroxybehenate, 2-hydroxypalmitate, and 2-hydroxystearate), and lysoplasmalogens [1-(1-enyl-oleoyl)-GPE (P-18:1) and 1-(1-enyl-stearoyl)-GPE (P-18:0)]. The gamma-glutamylglutamine, peptide from the gamma-glutamyl amino acid sub-pathway, were also identified. In addition, four metabolite modules achieved Bonferroni-significance, p < 1.39 × 10⁻³, in both whites and African-Americans. These four modules were largely comprised of metabolites from lipid sub-pathways, with one module comprised of metabolites which were not identified in the single metabolite analyses.ConclusionThe current study identified 13 metabolites and 4 metabolite modules showing novel association with lipids, providing new insights into the physiological mechanisms regulating lipid levels.     

Management of the patient with a low HDL-cholesterol

While there is epidemiologic evidence linking a low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol level with coronary disease events, and interventions that raise HDL while lowering low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels have been shown to reduce subsequent coronary events, there are no studies showing benefit from raising HDL when a low HDL level is the sole lipid abnormality. HDL is thought to play a key role in reverse cholesterol transport, removing lipids from peripheral cells, but the precise role of HDL in cholesterol metabolism is not understood. The measurement of HDL levels has not been well standardized. Reliance on ratios relating HDL to LDL or to total cholesterol may be misleading in the management of patients. It has not been shown that measuring HDL subfractions or apolipoprotein levels is superior to measuring total HDL levels in predicting coronary risk. HDL levels may be raised by hygienic measures such as smoking cessation and exercise, but a considerable amount of exercise over a long period of time is required. Alcohol consumption and weight loss through dieting inconsistently raise HDL. Estrogen therapy raises and progestational agents lower HDL. Certain beta-blocking drugs lower HDL levels. For the patient with an isolated low HDL level the hygienic measures may be advised, but drug therapy such as nicotinic acid or gem-fibrozil should be prescribed only when low HDL is accompanied by elevated LDL levels that are unresponsive to diet and hygienic measures.     

Dissolution of Cholesterol Gallbladder Stones with Methyl Tert-Butyl Ether in Patients with Increased Surgical Risk

The safety and efficacy of methyl fert-butyl ether (MTBE) dissolution of cholesterol gallbladder stones were evaluated in 25 patients with increased risk for surgery. Two patients were treated twice. The MTBE was infused and aspirated manually through a percutaneous transhepatic catheter to the gallbladder. The placement of the catheter failed in three patients (11%). In 19 of 24 patients (79%) there was complete dissolution of stones after a mean treatment time of 12.2 h (range, 4.3-19.5 h). In five patients treatment was discontinued before complete dissolution owing to technical problems or side effects. Side effects were nausea, pain, vasovagal reaction, and fever. Fifteen patients were followed up for a mean of 15.7 months after dissolution. Stone recurrence was found in eight patients, five of whom suffered symptomatic relapse. We conclude that dissolution therapy with MTBE is a safe and adequate alternative to surgery in selected high-risk patients.     

Gallbladder cancer associated with cholesterosis

We report herein two cases of carcinoma in situ of the gallbladder associated with cholesterosis. The patient in case 1 was an 81-year-old man who underwent a cholecystectomy for cholelithiasis. The resected specimens revealed gallbladder cancer in the fundus which was diagnosed histologically as mucinous carcinoma. Other findings included 13-mm, 12-mm, and 5-mm poly-poid lesions in the neck of the gallbladder which macroscopically appeared to be cholesterol polyps, but histologically demonstrated carcinoma in situ with cholesterosis. The patient in case 2 was a 76-year-old man in whom ultrasonography revealed a highly echogenic, elevated lesion in the gallbladder. Cholecystectomy was performed, and a 33×28-mm papillary, elevated lesion with cholesterosis was resected from the neck of the gallbladder. Histologically, this was demonstrated to be papillary adenocarcinoma in situ with cholesterosis surrounded by glandular dysplasia. The distribution of the carcinomas and cholesterosis in both of these patients suggests that the adenoma or carcinoma of the gallbladder had occurred first. Then, the tumor epithelium absorbed cholesterol from the bile, and foamy cells were produced. Thus, when treating cholesterol polyps, it should be remembered that it is often difficult to distinguish between cholesterol polyp and gallbladder cancer with cholesterosis.     

Apolipoprotein E genotype is a determinant of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and of its response to a low-cholesterol diet in Type 1 diabetic patients with elevated urinary albumin excretion

The effect of the apolipoprotein (apo) E genotype on the lipoprotein response to a 1 year low cholesterol diet (200 mg cholesterol per day) was evaluated in 36 patients with Type 1 diabetes mellitus with albuminuria between 10 and 200 μg min⁻¹. Apo E genotype was characterized by polymerase chain reaction and restriction isotyping. In 11 Type 1 DM patients with at least one ϵ4 allele (apo E4 group), baseline serum total and low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol were higher (p < 0.05 for both) than in 25 patients without an ϵ4 allele and with at least one ϵ3 allele (apo E3 group). Dietary counselling resulted in a similar decrease in cholesterol intake in both groups, whereas linoleic acid did not change. In the apo E4 group, serum total and LDL cholesterol at follow-up fell (p < 0.01 for both) to levels that were not different from those in the apo E3 group, and the changes in these parameters were greater (p < 0.02) than those in the apo E3 group. We conclude that the apo E4 allele is associated with atherogenic lipoprotein abnormalities in Type 1 DM patients with minor elevations in albuminuria when they use their habitual diet. Apo E4 carrying patients respond better to a low cholesterol diet. Copyright © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.