Modest but sustained increase of serum high density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in patients with inflammatory arthritides treated with infliximab

OBJECTIVE: Tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a) is a key cytokine in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory arthritides, has proatherogenic effects, and may be positively correlated with impairment of the action of insulin. Patients with chronic inflammatory arthritides have an increased risk for cardiovascular diseases. We assessed whether anti-TNF-a treatment modifies the unfavorable lipid profile induced by chronic inflammatory arthritides. METHODS: Sixty patients (24 with rheumatoid arthritis, 26 ankylosing spondylitis, and 10 psoriatic arthritis) receiving infliximab because of ongoing disease activity despite disease modifying drugs (DMARD) were prospectively studied for 6 months. Lipid profile, total cholesterol/high density lipoprotein cholesterol (TC/HDL-C), and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)/HDL-C ratios, as well as disease activity indices (DAS28 and BASDAI), were assessed. RESULTS: A sustained increase of serum HDL-C was observed [mean increase (95% CI)] 5 (3-7) mg/dl, 3.5 (1-6) mg/dl, and 3 (1-5) mg/dl at 1, 3, and 6 months, respectively (p < 0.01). Compared to nonresponders, HDL-C increased significantly more in EULAR or BASDAI responders (0.8 vs 5.8 mg/dl; p = 0.05). Serum TC was significantly increased [11 (4-8) mg/dl; p = 0.001] only after the first month of treatment. TC/HDL-C and LDL-C/HDL-C decreased only after the first month [0.3 (0.1-0.4), p < 0.01, and 0.2 (0.1-0.4), p < 0.01, respectively]. For patients with baseline LDL-C > 130 mg/dl, LDL-C/HDL-C decreased (p < 0.05) during the whole study period and TC/HDL-C decreased (p < 0.05) at 1 and 3 months. CONCLUSION: Anti-TNF-a treatment in patients with chronic inflammatory arthritides induces a modest, but sustained, increase in serum HDL-C levels, which may have a favorable effect in reducing the cardiovascular risk in these patients.     

罗格列酮对2型糖尿病合并稳定型心绞痛血脂水平的影响

目的探讨罗格列酮对2型糖尿病合并稳定型心绞痛病人血脂水平的影响。方法2型糖尿病合并稳定型心绞痛病人58例,随机分人对照组和罗格列酮组。对照组采用原来降血糖药和冠心病二级预防药作常规治疗,不加用罗格列酮。罗格列酮组在原来降血糖药的基础上给予罗格列酮4mg口服,每日1次,共30日。治疗前后分别测定血清总胆固醇,甘油三酯,高密度脂蛋白胆固醇和低密度脂蛋白胆固醇水平。结果治疗30日后,两治疗组血脂水平血清总胆固醇,甘油三酯,低密度脂蛋白胆固醇,载脂蛋白A和载脂蛋白B均有不同程度的下降,高密度脂蛋白胆固醇升高,但两组的改变程度差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。结论罗格列酮在常规治疗的基础上可以使血脂水平进一步改善,使2型糖尿病合并稳定型心绞痛病人受益。     

The effect of L-thyroxine replacement therapy on lipid based cardiovascular risk in subclinical hypothyroidism

The aim of our study was to assess the changes in serum lipid profiles after replacement therapy with L-T4 in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH), and to see whether there is an improvement in dyslipidemia based cardiovascular risk. Thirty non-smoker pre-menopausal women with newly diagnosed SCH (TSH between 4 and 10 microIU/ml) were involved in our study; twenty-six euthyroid healthy subjects were used as control group. TSH, free T3 (FT3), free T4 (FT4), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) and LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) levels were measured before and after 6 months of L-T4 (50-100 microg/ day) therapy. TSH levels were targeted as < 2.0 microIU/ml. LDL-C was calculated using the Friedewald formula, while the cardiovascular risk was assessed with the TC/HDL-C ratio. Pre-treatment serum TC and LDL-C concentrations in SCH patients were significantly higher than those of euthyroid subjects (199.8 +/- 22.2 vs 181.5 +/- 24.6 mg/dl, p < 0.01; 146.3 +/- 26.1 vs 124.8 +/- 12 mg/dl, p < 0.001, respectively). TC, LDL-C levels and the TC/HDL-C ratio were reduced significantly after 6-month replacement therapy (-21.1 +/- 34.4 mg/dl or -10.5%, p < 0.01; -21.5 +/- 30.3 mg/dl or -14.7%, p < 0.001, respectively; and TC/HDL-C from 4.8 +/- 0.6 to 4.1 +/- 0.5 mg/dl, p < 0.01), while body mass index (BMI) values did not change. In conclusion, even mild elevations of TSH are associated with changes in lipid profile significant enough to raise the cardiovascular risk ratio, and these changes are corrected once the patients have been rendered euthyroid.     

Lipids, lipoproteins, lifestyle, adiposity and fat-free mass during middle age: the Fels Longitudinal Study

INTRODUCTION: Although lipid profiles tend to worsen with age, it is not fully known if such age-related changes are influenced primarily by body composition and lifestyle or by other aspects of aging. OBJECTIVE: We investigated the extent to which the fat and fat-free components of body mass index (BMI) and lifestyle factors influence patterns of change in lipids independent of age. DESIGN: Serial data were analyzed using sex-specific longitudinal models. These models use serial data from individuals to assume a general pattern of change over time, while allowing baseline age and the rate of change to vary among individuals. SUBJECTS: Serial data were obtained from 940 examinations of 269 healthy white participants (126 men, 143 women), aged 40-60 years, in the Fels Longitudinal Study. MEASUREMENTS: Measurements included age, the fat (FMI) and fat-free mass (FFMI) components of BMI, high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C), triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), fasting glucose and insulin, physical activity, alcohol use and smoking, and women's menopausal status and estrogen use. RESULTS: In both sexes, increased FMI was significantly associated with increased LDL-C, TG and TC, and decreased HDL-C. Increased FFMI was significantly related to decreased HDL-C and increased TG. Independent age effects remained significant only for LDL-C and TC in men and TC in women. Increased insulin was significantly related to increased TG in women. Moderate alcohol consumption was associated with higher HDL-C in men. Physical activity lowered male LDL-C and TC levels, and increased female HDL-C levels. Menopause was associated with increases in LDL-C. Premenopausal women not using estrogen had significantly lower HDL-C, TG, and TC than postmenopausal women taking estrogen. CONCLUSIONS: (1) Age is an important independent predictor for LDL-C and TC in men, and TC in women, but it is not as influential as body composition and lifestyle on HDL-C and TG in men and women, and LDL-C in women. (2) Increasing FMI is the major contributor to elevated TC, LDL-C and TG levels, and decreased HDL-C levels in men and women. (3) FFMI significantly influences HDL and TG levels in both sexes. (4) Maintaining a lower BMI via a reduced fat component may be more beneficial in lowering CVD risks than other factors.     

Reduction of serum cholesterol and hypercholesterolemic atherosclerosis in rabbits by secoisolariciresinol diglucoside isolated from flaxseed

BACKGROUND: Secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG) is a plant lignan isolated from flaxseed. Lignans are platelet-activating factor-receptor antagonists that would inhibit the production of oxygen radicals by polymorphonuclear leukocytes. SDG is an antioxidant. Antioxidants studied thus far are known to reduce hypercholesterolemic atherosclerosis. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of SDG on various blood lipid and aortic tissue oxidative stress parameters and on the development of atherosclerosis in rabbits fed a high-cholesterol diet. METHODS AND RESULTS: Rabbits were assigned to 4 groups: group 1, control; group 2, SDG control (15 mg. kg body wt-1. d-1 PO); group 3, 1% cholesterol diet; and group 4, same as group 3 but with added SDG (15 mg. kg body wt-1. d-1 PO). Blood samples were collected before (time 0) and after 4 and 8 weeks of experimental diets for measurement of serum triglycerides, total cholesterol (TC), and LDL, HDL, and VLDL cholesterol (LDL-C, HDL-C, and VLDL-C). The aorta was removed at the end of the protocol for assessment of atherosclerotic plaques; malondialdehyde, an aortic tissue lipid peroxidation product; and aortic tissue chemiluminescence, a marker for antioxidant reserve. Serum TC, LDL-C, and the ratios LDL-C/HDL-C and TC/HDL-C increased in groups 3 and 4 compared with time 0, the increase being smaller in group 4 than in group 3. Serum HDL-C decreased in group 3 and increased in group 4 compared with time 0, but changes were lower in group 3 than in group 4. SDG reduced TC and LDL-C by 33% and 35%, respectively, at week 8 but increased HDL-C significantly, by>140%, as early as week 4. It also decreased TC/LDL-C and LDL-C/HDL-C ratios by approximately 64%. There was an increase in aortic malondialdehyde and chemiluminescence in group 3, and they were lower in group 4 than in group 3. SDG reduced hypercholesterolemic atherosclerosis by 73%. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that SDG reduced hypercholesterolemic atherosclerosis and that this effect was associated with a decrease in serum cholesterol, LDL-C, and lipid peroxidation product and an increase in HDL-C and antioxidant reserve.     

Sustained alterations in lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations dependent on the daily distribution of lipid intake

Since the fat content of a single meal influences chylomicron size and hence intestinal apoprotein synthesis, we determined the chronic effects of the daily distribution of fat intake on plasma concentrations of total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Eight normal male subjects ingested 100 g of fat (a) as a bolus at the evening meal (SL) or (b) equally distributed over 4 meals (q4h) (DL). Each diet was consumed for 7 days; studies were performed 14 days apart using a crossover design and paired comparisons. Nutrient intake and body weight were held constant. At the end of the DL dietary regimen, fasting plasma concentrations of TC, LDL-C and HDL-C were significantly increased as compared to the SL phase of study (TC: 174 +/- 2.9 (mean +/- SEM) vs 161 +/- 2.7; LDL-C: 108 +/- 3.2 vs 98 +/- 3.3 and HDL-C: 53 +/- 1.1 vs 48 +/- 0.8) (P less than 0.05). The consumption of 100 g/day of fat in several small meals results in a sustained increase in LDL-C and HDL-C. This may be due to increased synthesis of lipoprotein components (e.g. apoprotein A-I) or to altered metabolism of intestinal and hepatic TG-rich lipoproteins dependent on size, number and apoprotein composition.     

氨氯地平对阿托伐他汀调脂作用的影响

目的观察氨氯地平对高血压合并冠心病患者阿托伐他汀调脂作用的影响。方法选择高血压合并冠心病患者174例,根据用药情况将患者分为2组,A组86例,以氨氯地平为基础的降压方案+阿托伐他汀;B组88例,无氨氯地平的降压方案+阿托伐他汀。分别观察2组在治疗前,治疗后2、4、8周时血脂、肝功、肌酸激酶等变化及不良反应发生情况。结果 A组与B组患者治疗前血清TC、TG、LDL-C、HDL-C水平差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。与治疗前比较,A组和B组患者治疗后2、4、8周血清TC、LDL-C水平明显降低,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);A组患者治疗后4、8周血清HDL-C水平明显升高,8周血清TG水平明显降低,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);B组患者治疗后2、4、8周血清HDL-C水平虽有升高趋势,TG水平虽有下降趋势,但差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。与B组比较,A组患者治疗后4、8周血清TC、LDL-C水平明显下降;治疗后8周血清HDL-C水平明显升高,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论氨氯地平可能加强高血压合并冠心病患者阿托伐他汀的调脂作用,合用无明显不良反应。     

Metabolic effects of growth hormone (GH) replacement in children and adolescents with severe isolated GH deficiency due to a GHRH receptor mutation

BACKGROUND: The interpretation of the true effect of GH replacement therapy (GHRT) on metabolic status in GH deficiency (GHD) is often complicated by differing aetiologies of GHD and by the presence of additional hormone deficits. OBJECTIVE: To study the growth and response of the lipid profile and body composition to GHRT in a cohort of children with the same mutation in the GHRH receptor gene. Design Nine GH-deficient subjects (mean age 12.8 years, range 5-17.5 years; three male) in a rural community in Northeast Brazil were treated with GHRT for 2 years and compared with indigenous normal controls. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triglycerides (TG) and body composition were measured at baseline and after 3, 12 and 24 months of GHRT. RESULTS: At baseline, the subjects with GHD had an adverse lipid profile, including elevated TC, elevated LDL-C and elevated TG. GHRT normalized TG in 3 months, LDL-C in 12 months and TC in 24 months. At baseline, older pubertal subjects with GHD had adverse body composition, including higher percentage fat mass (%FM), and GHRT induced a reduction in %FM that was maintained after 24 months. By contrast, younger prepubertal subjects did not have an adverse body composition. CONCLUSIONS: Lipid profile was abnormal at baseline, while abnormal body composition was only seen in older subjects in late puberty, indicating that body composition is less sensitive to the effect of GHD than lipid profile. GHRT improves lipid profile at all ages, while it affects body composition only towards the end of growth, emphasizing its importance in achieving normal somatic development in the transition period.     

中老年人群血脂水平对新发颈动脉斑块的预测作用

目的 了解2002年至2007年中老年人群颈动脉斑块的变化情况,评价基线血脂水平对新发颈动脉斑块的预测作用.方法 研究样本来自中美队列中的石景山人群和多省市队列中的北京大学社区人群.2002年9月对这两个人群进行基线颈动脉超声检查和心血管病危险因素调查,2007年9至10月复查颈动脉超声.以两次颈动脉检查数据完整的2000名中老年人为研究对象,对基线血脂水平与颈动脉斑块的关系进行分析.结果 (1)2002年至2007年,颈动脉斑块患病率男性从30.3%增加到62.2%,女性从21.5%增加到51.5%;新发斑块率男性为41.8%,女性为34.1%.(2)男女两性颈动脉新发斑块率随着基线总胆固醇(TC)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)、非高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(non-HDL-C)及总胆固醇与HDL-C比值(TC/HDL-C)水平的增高而增加,其变化趋势差异均有统计学意义(P＜0.05或P＜0.01).(3)交叉分析显示,LDL-C,HDL-C,甘油三酯对斑块发生率有协同作用.(4)多因素分析显示,高LDL-C、高non-HDL-C和高TC/HDL-C是男女两性新发颈动脉斑块的独立影响因素(男性OR值分别为1.44、1.45、1.59,女性OR值分别为1.47、1.35、1.64,均P＜0.05).结论 2002年至2007年,中老年人群颈动脉斑块患病率在快速增长.高LDL-C、nonHDL-C和TC/HDL-C水平是中老年人群新发颈动脉斑块的独立预测指标.     

The efficacy of gemfibrozil therapy for raising high density lipoprotein levels.

Thirty subjects, 5 normotriglyceridemic (NTG) with low HDL cholesterol (HDL-C < 35 mg/dl) and 25 hypertriglyceridemic (HTG) with low and high HDL-C (HDL-C > 35 mg/dl) were selected fo this study. They were treated with gemfibrozil (600 mg BID) for 12 weeks. In both groups, gemfibrozil significantly reduced serum TG levels (p < 0.005), yet HDL-C increased significantly only in HTG patients (p < 0.005). The changes in HDL-C levels were highly variable (-40 to 50%) and appeared to be dependent on the levels of serum TG achieved during treatment. Based on post-treatment serum TG, the HTG patients were divided into 2 groups. Group 1 with serum TG of < 100 mg/dL and Group 2 with serum TG levels > 100 mg/dl. Significant post treatment increases in HDL-C were seen only in Group 1 (p < 0.005). The two groups had similar pretreatment serum TG and HDL-C levels but the LDL-C was significantly higher in Group 1 (p < 0.025). Pretreatment serum LDL-C also correlated positively with the increases in HDL-C during treatment (r = 0.51, p < 0.01, n = 25). Consequently, the patients were divided into three groups based on their initial serum LDL-C levels (Group 1: LDL-C < 130 mg/dl. Group 2: LDL-C, 130-159 mg/dl and Group 3: LDL-C > 160 mg/dl). The HDL-C levels increased significantly upon treatment only in Group 3. Pretreatment levels of serum TG and HDL-C were not significantly different among the three groups. Initial body weight (r = -0.43 p < 0.025, n = 30) and percent change in body weight during treatment (r = -0.47, p < 0.025, n = 30) correlated negatively with the percent reduction in serum TG. The change in body weight also showed significant negative correlation with the changes in HDL cholesterol (r = -0.48, p < 0.25, n = 30). We conclude that gemfibrozil is most effective in reducing serum triglycerides, LDL-C and increasing serum HDL-cholesterol in HTG patients who also have comparatively high initial LDL cholesterol levels (Fredrickson's type IIb phenotype). For effective improvement of HDL-cholesterol in most HTG patients, serum TG levels need to be lowered below 100 mg/dl. Furthermore, the benefit of gemfibrozil therapy may be significantly enhanced by weight loss during treatment.     

Obese children lipid profile: effects of hypocaloric diet and aerobic physical exercise

Diet and exercise help improve obese adults' lipid profile. However, their effect on obese children, the aim of the present study, is poorly known. Fifty obese children were studied into 2 paired groups: Group D (1,500 - 1,800 kcal diet: 55% carbohydrate, 30% fat, 15% protein), and Group DE (same diet + aerobic physical activity 1 hour/day 3 times a week). After 5 months BMI, triglycerides, total cholesterol (TC) and fractions were assessed. No change in triglycerides, TC and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels were reported in both groups. However, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) increased (+10.3%; p< 0.01) only in DE Group. Screening patients with TC > 170 mg/dL, LDL-C > 110 mg/dL and HDL-C < 35 mg/dL we had: similar reduction for TC in both groups (-6.0% x -6.0%; p= ns), LDL-C reduction in both groups (-14.2% x -13.5%; p= ns), and HDL-C increase only in DE Group (+10.0%; p< 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: 1) Hypocaloric diet (HD) + exercise, rather than diet only, increase obese children's HDL-C levels irrespective of baseline levels; 2) HD only and HD + exercise lead to TC and LDL-C reduction in obese children with TC and LDL-C above normal values.     

Association of the Low-density Lipoprotein Cholesterol/High-density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Ratio with Glecaprevir-pibrentasvir Treatment

Objective The change in serum lipid levels by direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatment for chronic hepatitis C varies depending on the type of DAA. How the lipid level changes induced by glecaprevir-pibrentasvir (G/P) treatment contribute to the clinical outcome remains unclear. We conducted a prospective observational study to evaluate the effectiveness of G/P treatment and the lipid level changes. Methods The primary endpoint was a sustained virologic response at 12 weeks (SVR12). The total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and triglyceride (TG) levels and LDL-C/HDL-C (L/H) ratio were measured every two weeks. Patients This study included 101 patients. Seventeen cases of liver cirrhosis and nine cases of DAA retreatment were registered. The G/P treatment period was 8 weeks in 74 cases and 12 weeks in 27 cases. Results SVR12 was evaluated in 96 patients. The rate of achievement of SVR12 in the evaluable cases was 100%. We found significantly elevated TC and LDL-C levels over the observation period compared to baseline. The serum levels of HDL-C did not change during treatment but were significantly increased after treatment compared to baseline. The L/H ratio was significantly increased two weeks after the start of treatment but returned to the baseline after treatment. Conclusion The primary endpoint of the SVR12 achievement rate was 100%. G/P treatment changed the serum lipid levels. Specifically, the TC and LDL-C levels increased during and after treatment, and the HDL-C levels increased after treatment. G/P treatment may be associated with a reduced thrombotic risk. Therefore, validation in large trials is recommended.     

Effect of levothyroxine on total lipid profiles as assessed by analytical capillary isotachophoresis in a patient with hypothyroidism

The patient was a 51-year-old Japanese female who had been diagnosed with hyperlipidemia. At the first medical examination, her serum levels of total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) were 482 and 205 mg/dl, respectively. Since hyperlipidemia was not improved by pravastatin, atorvastatin or niceritrol, and since the levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and free T4 were 730 IU/ml and 0.3 ng/dl, respectively, the patient was diagnosed as secondary hyperlipidemia with hypothyroidism. A method for the charge isolation of lipoproteins using capillary isotachophoresis (cITP) is proposed as a clinical application because it allows us to quantitatively measure electronegative low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), a potent marker of coronary heart disease. After 5 months of treatment with levothyroxine, Serum TC and LDL-C levels drastically decreased without statin treatment and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) increased. In the lipoprotein profiles as assessed by cITP after treatment with levothyroxin, all HDL-C subfractions were increased and fast-migrating LDL/electronegative LDL appeared to be greatly reduced after treatment, while the area under the non-modified LDL peak was increased. The cITP analysis was able to obtain more information about coronary risk factors and may be clinically useful for evaluating the effect of treatment with levothyroxine in patients with hypothyroidism and secondary hyperlipidemia.     

Impact of interferon-free antivirus therapy on lipid profiles in patients with chronic hepatitis C genotype 1b

AIM To investigate the influence of interferon-free antivirus therapy on lipid profiles in chronic hepatitis C virus genotype 1b(HCV1b) infection.METHODS Interferon-free antiviral agents were used to treat 276 patients with chronic HCV1 b infection, and changes in serum lipids of those who achieved sustained virologic response(SVR) were examined. The treatment regimen included 24 wk of daclatasvir plus asunaprevir(DCV + ASV) or 12 wk of sofosbuvir plus ledipasvir(SOF + LDV). SVR was achieved in 121(85.8%) of 141 patients treated with DCV + ASV and 132(97.8%) of 135 patients treated with SOF + LDV. In the two patient groups(DCV + ASV-SVR and SOF + LDV-SVR), serum total cholesterol(TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C), and triglycerides were measured at baseline during treatment and at 4 and 12 wk after treatment. Then, longitudinal changes in lipid profiles were analyzed.RESULTS Serum levels of TC, LDL-C, and HDL-C were significantly increased throughout the observation period in both the DCV + ASV-SVR and SOF + LDV-SVR groups. During antivirus treatment, the increases in TC and LDL-C were significantly greater in the SOF + LDVSVR group than in the DCV + ASV-SVR group(P 0.001). At 4 and 12 wk after the therapy, serum levels of TC and LDL-C were similar between the two groups and were significantly greater than those at baseline. Approximately 75%-80% of the increase in TC was derived from an increased LDL-C. In multiple regression analysis, the difference in therapy protocol(DCA + ASV or SOF + LDV) was an independent predictor that was significantly associated with the increase in TC and LDL-C at 4 wk of therapy.CONCLUSION Serum cholesterol significantly increased during SOF + LDV treatment. After treatment, HCV elimination was associated with a similar increase in cholesterol regardless of the therapy protocol.     

Usefulness of preheparin lipoprotein lipase mass as a parameter for predicting the efficacy of colestimide

This study was conducted to clarify the characteristics of colestimide responders. Forty-seven non-diabetic patients with high levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) received colestimide at 3,000 mg/day and were followed up for 4 months. After 4 months, body weight was reduced but the change was not statistically significant. Total serum cholesterol (TC) and LDL-C levels significantly decreased from 280 to 232 mg/dl and from 195 to 150 mg/dl, respectively (p<0.01 versus before colestimide was administered). Serum triglyceride (TG) levels increased, but the change was not significant. Preheparin lipoprotein lipase mass (preheparin LPL mass) at baseline was significantly higher in colestimide responders (greater than a 20% decrease of LDL-C: n=28) than non-responders (76.2 ng/ml versus 50.3 ng/ml, p<0.05: n=19). Next, the subjects were divided into those with a high (n=33) and low (n=14) preheparin LPL mass at baseline. LDL-C levels were significantly decreased in patients with a high preheparin LPL mass while TG levels were significantly increased in patients with a low preheparin LPL mass. These results suggest that baseline preheparin LPL mass may be a marker of the response to colestimide.     

Serum lipid comparison in patients treated by statins or fibrates: existence of bad HDL-C responders to statins

INTRODUCTION: Major cardiac events are strongly associated with high levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). The HDL-C target level (40 mg/dl) is often not achieved with statins. The aim of this study was to compare the proportions of patients achieving the HDL-C target levels after one year of treatment with statins or fibrates. Furthermore, a subgroup with low HDL-C levels during statin treatment was investigated and suggestions are made for a better management of these patients. METHODS: A survey of lipid levels, cardiovascular disease and risk factors in 120 outpatients treated with a statin or a fibrate for hyperlipidaemia (total cholesterol (TC) > 250 mg/dl or triglycerides (TG) > 200 mg/dl after diet). After one year of treatment the proportions of patients achieving the target levels for TC, LDL-C, HDL-C,TG,TC/HDL-C and LDL-C/HDL-C are compared for statins and fibrates. RESULTS: The proportions of patients achieving the target lipid levels with statins or fibrates are comparable except for HDL-C. Compared to the baseline, the proportion of patients achieving the HDL-C target level of 40 mg/dl increases only by 8.3% for statins and by 42.9% for fibrates. In total, 38.5% of the statin group had low HDL-C-levels after one year of treatment. Among these patients, eight were treated with a fibrate before the statin and six were treated with a fibrate afterwards. In those 14 patients, mean HDL-C increased during fibrate treatment by 48.5% and TC/HDL-C and LDL-C/HDL-C decreased by 25.7 and 26.5%, respectively as compared with statins. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with low levels of HDL-C during statin treatment had far better levels of HDL-C, TC/HDL-C and LDL-C/HDL-C with fibrates. A randomised double-blind crossover trial with simvastatin and fenofibrate has been initiated to corroborate these findings.     

Variable effects of weight loss on serum lipids and lipoproteins in obese patients

After a 500 calorie diet and 6 months of low fat, maintenance diet, weight, serum lipid, and lipoprotein levels were compared to baseline in 46 obese patients. Mean weight decreased by 25.9 percent (29.2 kg). Mean total (TC) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and triglycerides (TG) decreased by 5.5 percent (12.1 mg/dl), 11 percent (15.5 mg/dl) and 23.6 percent (34.5 mg/dl); mean high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) increased by 20.6 percent (10.3 mg/dl) and TC/HDL-C decreased by 25 percent (1.2), P less than 0.01. Females and males had equal increases in HDL-C. The decrease in TG and TC in patients who continued to lose 4.2 kg during the 6 month maintenance period was significantly greater than in those who regained 7.8 kg (P less than 0.015). Greater changes in HDL-C and TC/HDL-C occurred in younger individuals (r = -0.35 and r = -0.37); in those with more abnormal initial values (r = -0.60, r = 0.64); and for HDL-C, a larger increase occurred in those with greater weight loss (r = 0.32; P less than 0.04).     

The effects of oral anti-hyperglycaemic medications on serum lipid profiles in patients with type 2 diabetes

Aim:  Patients with type 2 diabetes often have dyslipidaemia, putting them at risk of cardiovascular disease, and are frequently treated with oral anti-hyperglycaemic medications (OAMs). This review compares the effects of OAMs on serum lipids [total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triglycerides (TGs) and free fatty acids (FFAs)] in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Methods:  medline was searched for entries indexed from January 1966 to November 2002; search terms included the names of OAMs and serum lipids, limited to English language and human subjects. We selected clinical studies in type 2 diabetes of OAM monotherapy that included serum lipid data, treated all patients in a treatment group with the same drug, used therapeutic OAM doses not higher than the maximum recommended in the USA, compared therapy with baseline or placebo and specified statistical tests used. One unblinded investigator selected studies for inclusion. Data reported include number of patients, study length, OAM dose, serum lipid data at baseline and endpoint, p-values and statistical tests.
Results:  Data on the serum lipid effects of sulphonylureas, repaglinide, nateglinide and miglitol were inconclusive. Acarbose increased HDL-C and decreased LDL-C and voglibose reduced TC. Metformin at higher doses reduced TC; data on its effects on other lipids were inconclusive. Rosiglitazone increased LDL-C, HDL-C and TC and reduced FFAs but had no effect on TGs. Pioglitazone increased HDL-C and reduced TGs and FFAs but did not affect LDL-C or TC.
Conclusions:  Lipid changes as a result of improved glycaemic control are not uniform findings associated with anti-diabetic therapy. Only metformin, acarbose, voglibose, rosiglitazone and pioglitazone had significant effects on the lipid profile. These effects should be considered when selecting OAMs for patients with type 2 diabetes.     

Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol: association with mortality and hospitalization in hemodialysis patients

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Hypocholesterolemia is a common finding in hospitalized elderly people, critically ill surgical patients, septic patients and end-stage renal disease patients. The different effect of lipid subfractions on patients with end-stage renal disease has never been demonstrated. We aim to study the effect of lipid subfractions on hospitalization and mortality in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients. METHODS: Lipid subfractions, including total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were measured in 210 patients with MHD in a single dialysis center. Patients were stratified into three groups based on the tertiles of lipid levels, and differences in patient characteristics and survival were evaluated. RESULTS: Of a total of 22 deceased patients in our MHD cohort, infection-related mortality (50%) was higher than cardiovascular-related mortality (18.2%). Significant differences (p < 0.05) in the duration and frequency of hospitalization and in mortality events were observed when patients were divided into different subgroups according to the tertiles of baseline TC and LDL-C levels. Patients with lower LDL had significantly lower levels of albumin, TC and TG. The LDL-C tertiles were similar in terms of age, hypertension, diabetes, biochemical results, hematocrit, adequacy of hemodialysis and normalized protein catabolism rate. Both TC and LDL-C predicted survival (p < 0.001), but not TG and HDL-C in the Kaplan-Meier model. The Cox proportional hazard model demonstrated that baseline serum LDL-C was the best lipid subfraction in predicting all-cause death with an adjusted hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) for each 10 mg/dl of 0.752 (0.631-0.898; p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: We firstly demonstrated that lipid subfractions, including TC and LDL-C, predict poor outcomes in a MHD cohort with high infection-related mortality.     

匹伐他汀对动脉粥样硬化患者脂蛋白颗粒和氧化型低密度脂蛋白的影响

目的探讨匹伐他汀对动脉粥样硬化(AS)患者脂蛋白颗粒和氧化型低密度脂蛋白(ox-LDL)的影响。方法连续入选未经降脂药物治疗的受试人群36例(AS患者18例,健康受试者18例),分为匹伐他汀组和对照组。Lipoprint脂蛋白分类检测仪分别对LDL和HDL颗粒进行分类。治疗8周后比较两组治疗前后脂蛋白颗粒和ox-LDL的变化。结果与治疗前相比,匹伐他汀治疗后低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C),总胆固醇(TC),甘油三酯(TG)和载脂蛋白B的浓度显著降低(P<0.05),大颗粒、中等颗粒和小颗粒LDL-C的浓度及中等颗粒和小颗粒LDL的百分比也显著降低(P<0.05)。同时,高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)浓度显著增加(P<0.05),ox-LDL浓度显著降低(P<0.05)。结论匹伐他汀治疗8周可显著改善AS患者的血脂谱,并降低LDL-C和ox-LDL浓度,减少氧化应激反应。