Impaired compensatory beta‐cell function and growth in response to high‐fat diet in LDL receptor knockout mice

In this study, we investigated the effect of low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLr) deficiency on gap junctional connexin 36 (Cx36) islet content and on the functional and growth response of pancreatic beta-cells in C57BL/6 mice fed a high-fat (HF) diet. After 60 days on regular or HF diet, the metabolic state and morphometric islet parameters of wild-type (WT) and LDLr−/− mice were assessed. HF diet-fed WT animals became obese and hypercholesterolaemic as well as hyperglycaemic, hyperinsulinaemic, glucose intolerant and insulin resistant, characterizing them as prediabetic. Also they showed a significant decrease in beta-cell secretory response to glucose. Overall, LDLr−/− mice displayed greater susceptibility to HF diet as judged by their marked cholesterolaemia, intolerance to glucose and pronounced decrease in glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. HF diet induced similarly in WT and LDLr−/− mice, a significant decrease in Cx36 beta-cell content as revealed by immunoblotting. Prediabetic WT mice displayed marked increase in beta-cell mass mainly due to beta-cell hypertrophy/replication. Nevertheless, HF diet-fed LDLr−/− mice showed no significant changes in beta-cell mass, but lower islet–duct association (neogenesis) and higher beta-cell apoptosis index were seen as compared to controls. The higher metabolic susceptibility to HF diet of LDLr−/− mice may be explained by a deficiency in insulin secretory response to glucose associated with lack of compensatory beta-cell expansion.     

Biochemical and immunohistochemical changes in delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol-treated type 2 diabetic rats

The regulation of glucose, lipid metabolism and immunoreactivities of insulin and glucagon peptides by delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ⁹-THC) in diabetes were examined in an experimental rat model. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups: (1) control, (2) Δ⁹-THC treated, (3) diabetic, and (4) diabetic + Δ⁹-THC. The type 2 diabetic rat model was established by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of nicotinamide (85 mg/kg body weight) followed after 15 min by i.p. injection of streptozotocin (STZ) at 65 mg/kg of body weight. Δ⁹-THC and Δ⁹-THC treated diabetic groups received 3 mg/kg/day of Δ⁹-THC for 7 days. The immunolocalization of insulin and glucagon peptides was investigated in the pancreas using a streptavidin–biotin–peroxidase technique. High density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), very low density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL), triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC) and total protein (TP) levels were measured in serum. Total islet area percent of insulin immunoreactive cells slightly changed in diabetic + Δ⁹-THC rats compared to diabetic animals. However, the area percent of glucagon immunoreactive cells showed a decrease in diabetic + Δ⁹-THC rats compared to that of diabetic animals alone. Serum TC, HDL and LDL levels of diabetes + Δ⁹-THC group showed a decrease compared to the diabetic group. These results indicate that Δ⁹-THC may serve a protective role against hyperlipidemia and hyperglycemia in diabetic rats.     

Tracking and determinants of LDL particle size in healthy children from 7 to 11 years of age: the STRIP Study

Serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particle composition varies according to lifestyle and age. To analyze its long-term tracking, we studied LDL particle size consecutively in 100 children at the ages of 7, 9 and 11 years using a high-resolution 3% polyacrylamide gel tube, electrophoresis method, searching also for long-term determinants of the particle size. The mean LDL particle sizes at 7 and 9 years, and at 7 and 11 years correlated directly (r = 0.72 and 0.39, respectively). The probability that children would remain in the same LDL particle size tertile between 7 and 11 years of age was 48% (p = 0.008). Longitudinally, total, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and LDL cholesterol concentrations and body mass index (BMI) associated directly with mean LDL particle size, and triglyceride concentration and triglyceride/HDL cholesterol ratio correlated inversely. A shift from pre-puberty to puberty was associated with an increase in LDL particle size. Sex, serum insulin concentration, or energy nutrient intakes did not associate with LDL particle size. In conclusion, although mean LDL particle size tracks in 7- to 11-year-old healthy children, changes in serum triglycerides, HDL, LDL, and total cholesterol concentration, BMI, and pubertal status all modify LDL particle size.     

Reduced progression of atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice treated with lacidipine is associated with a decreased susceptibility of low-density lipoprotein to oxidation

A study has been carried out in the apolipoprotein (apo) E-deficient mouse to investigate the activity of lacidipine (a calcium antagonist with antioxidant properties) in inhibiting the development of atherosclerotic lesions; of particular interest were changes in the susceptibility of low-density lipoproteins (LDL) to oxidation. Mice receiving a Western-type diet to accelerate the development of atherosclerosis were treated orally with vehicle or lacidipine at 3 or 10 mg/kg/day for 8 weeks. Lacidipine treatment (at 3 or 10 mg/kg) had no effect on the plasma lipid profile. However, a significant (P < 0.01) dose-related reduction of 43 and 50% of the aortic lesion area in respect to vehicle-treated mice was observed. Moreover, the resistance of mouse plasma LDL to undergo lipid peroxidation was significantly (P < 0.01) increased in apo E-deficient mice treated with lacidipine. The native LDL-like particle, derived from apo E-deficient mice treated with lacidipine, contained significantly lower concentrations of malonyldialdehyde than the vehicle-treated control group (P < 0.01). After exposure to human umbilical vein endothelial cells, LDL-like particle vitamin E levels (expressed as area under the curve; AUC), were significantly higher (P < 0.01) in both the 3 and 10 mg/kg lacidipine-treated groups, in comparison with the vehicle-treated control animals. We conclude that lacidipine reduced the extent of the atherosclerotic area in hypercholesterolaemic apo E-deficient mice, and that this reduction may be associated with the capacity of the drug to decrease the susceptibility of LDL to oxidation.     

Vitamin D metabolism and cardiovascular risk factors in postmenopausal women

Objectives

The purpose of this review is to focus on the association of vitamin D and cardiovascular risk factors in postmenopausal women.

Methods

Review of the relevant literature and results from recent clinical studies as well as critical analysis of published results concerning the association of vitamin D and cardiovascular risk factors in postmenopausal women obtained from both a PubMed and individual searches.

Results and discussion

Both basic science and clinical studies support the protective role of vitamin D on cardiovascular health, although there are controversial results in the literature. Hypovitaminosis D is associated with disturbed glucose metabolism and pancreatic β-cell dysfunction, lipoprotein alterations, hypertension, overweight and obesity. The evidence highlights the importance of improving vitamin D status in the general population for the prevention of adverse long-term health risks, including cardiovascular health. The optimal vitamin D dose remains to be determined. However, correction of low vitamin D itself does not guarantee the prevention of these conditions.     

Lp(a) lipoprotein is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease: pathogenic mechanisms and clinical significance

The results of two previous and two recent studies of middle-aged males and females are presented to exemplify the clinical importance of lipoprotein (a) (Lp(a)) as a risk factor for atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease. In these studies various conventional and recently suggested risk factors were included and different methods for Lp(a) quantification were used. Lp(a) was a significant risk factor in all four studies. In the recent prospective case-control study, Lp(a) and cholesterol were found to act synergistically and predict primary acute myocardial infarction in Swedish males. A cholesterol level above 6.5 mmol/1 increased the risk of acute myocardial infarction if the Lp(a) level was above 200 mg/1. The plasma apo A-I level was a protective factor. In the other recent case-control study, an Lp(a) level above 500 mg/1 was a highly significant risk factor in Black and White US women with myocardial infarction or advanced coronary artery disease in addition to low density lipoprotein cholesterol levels above 130 mg/dl. A high apo A-I level was a protective factor. In these studies no other factors tested reached significance in multivariate logistic regression analysis. A hypothetical association between high Lp(a) levels and intracellular infection with Chlamydia pneumoniae is discussed. The results suggest that the Lp(a) level is useful in identifying high-risk individuals. Lowering low density lipoprotein cholesterol below 100 mg/dl (7lt;2.6 mmol/1) seems to be most important in both males and females with high-risk Lp(a) levels.     

脂代谢相关基因在低密度脂蛋白受体基因缺失幼龄小鼠肝脏中的表达分析

目的 探讨脂代谢相关基因在低密度脂蛋白受体(LDLR)基因缺失(LDLR-/-)小鼠肝脏中的表达特征及其与血脂紊乱和动脉粥样硬化早期病变的关系.方法 应用RT-PCR技术分析14、30、60和90天龄LDLR-/-与野生型(WT)小鼠靶基因表达差异,并进行血生化及主动脉形态学检测.结果 与同龄WT小鼠相比,LDLR-/-小鼠肝脏中载脂蛋白AⅣ、脂肪酸转运酶和肉碱棕榈酰转移酶Ⅰ的mRNA水平在14天龄时即显著下调(P＜0.05);30天龄时载脂蛋白A Ⅰ显著上调,载脂蛋白F则显著下调(P＜0.05);60天龄时肝X受体α显著升高(P＜0.05),酰基辅酶A氧化酶1在90天龄时显著下调(P＜0.05);载脂蛋白A Ⅴ、载脂蛋白E、过氧化物增殖物激活受体α和血管生成素样蛋白3差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).血清总胆固醇、甘油三酯和低密度脂蛋白C含量从14天龄起均显著高于同龄WT小鼠(均P＜0.05),并随年龄增长持续升高.结论 上述脂代谢相关基因在幼龄小鼠即发生表达水平的改变,与血脂紊乱及主动脉病变发生过程呈正相关,说明其可能共同参与幼龄小鼠的脂质代谢紊乱,进而影响动脉内皮细胞功能改变乃至动脉粥样硬化早期病变的发生.     

云芝多糖B抑制ox-LDL诱导巨噬细胞株单核细胞趋化蛋白-1mRNA表达的调控机制

目的：探讨云芝多糖（CVPS）-CVPS-B对氧化修饰低密度脂蛋白（ox-LDL）诱导的巨噬细胞(RAW264.7)单核细胞趋化蛋白-1（MCP-1）mRNA表达的影响，及对核因子-κB（NF-κB）和细胞内谷胱甘肽（GSH）的调控作用。方法:应用反转录聚合酶链反应（RT-PCR）测定RAW264.7细胞MCP-1 mRNA的表达；凝胶滞留法（EMSA）测定NF-κB的结合活性；荧光分光光度法测定细胞内GSH的活性。结果:CVPS-B呈剂量依赖性抑制ox-LDL诱导的RAW264.7细胞MCP-1 mRNA的表达。应用GSH 特异性消耗剂buthionine-［S，R］-sulfoximine （BSO），ox-LDL不能诱导RAW264.7细胞MCP-1 mRNA的表达。CVPS-B抑制ox-LDL诱导RAW264.7细胞内GSH活性下降。CVPS-B呈剂量依赖性抑制 ox-LDL诱导的RAW264.7细胞NF-κB活性；在完全消耗GSH的RAW264.7细胞，ox-LDL不能诱导NF-κB的活性。结论:CVPS-B可抑制ox-LDL诱导RAW264.7细胞MCP-1 mRNA的表达；其抑制作用可能通过GSH/NF-κB的调控。