Inadequate dietary magnesium intake increases atherosclerotic plaque development in rabbits

Epidemiological studies have shown dietary magnesium (Mg) intake and serum Mg levels to be inversely correlated with the development of atherosclerosis. We hypothesized that low levels of Mg would promote atherosclerotic plaque development in rabbits. New Zealand white rabbits (4 months old, n = 22) were fed an atherogenic diet containing 0.12% (−Mg), 0.27% (control), or 0.43% (+Mg) Mg for 8 weeks. Blood samples were obtained at baseline, 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks and were assayed for total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), non-HDL, triglycerides (TG), C-reactive protein, serum Mg, and erythrocyte Mg. Aortas from −Mg had significantly more plaque, with an intima thickness 42% greater than control and 36% greater than +Mg. Serum cholesterol levels rose over time, and at 8 weeks, −Mg had the highest and +Mg the lowest total and non-HDL cholesterol and TG levels, although these results did not reach significance. Over time, serum Mg levels increased, and erythrocyte Mg levels decreased. C-reactive protein significantly increased in all groups at 4 and 6 weeks but returned to baseline levels by 8 weeks. This study supports the hypothesis that inadequate intake of Mg results in an increase in atherosclerotic plaque development in rabbits.     

Cyclic tensile stretch load and oxidized low density lipoprotein synergistically induce lectin-like oxidized ldl receptor-1 in cultured bovine chondrocytes, resulting in decreased cell viability and proteoglycan synthesis.

Mechanical stimulation is known to be an essential factor in the regulation of cartilage metabolism. We tested the hypothesis that expression of lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1 (LOX-1) can be modulated by cyclic tensile stretch load in chondrocytes. Cyclic loading of repeated stretch stress at 10 cycles per minute with 10 kPa of stress for 6 h induced expression of LOX-1 to 2.6 times control in cultured bovine articular chondrocytes, equivalent to the addition of 10 microg/mL oxidized low density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) (2.4 times control). Application of the cyclic load to the chondrocytes along with 10 microg/mL ox-LDL resulted in synergistically increased LOX-1 expression to 6.3 times control. Individual application of cyclic loading and 10 microg/mL ox-LDL significantly suppressed chondrocytes viability (84.6% +/- 3.4% and 80.9% +/- 3.2% of control at 24 h, respectively; n = 3; p < 0.05) and proteoglycan synthesis [81.0% +/- 7.1% and 85.7% +/- 5.2% of control at 24 h, respectively; p < 0.05 when compared with 94.6% +/- 4.6% for native-LDL (n = 3)]. Cyclic loading and 10 microg/mL ox-LDL synergistically affected cell viability and proteoglycan synthesis, which were significantly suppressed to 45.6% +/- 4.9% and 48.7% +/- 6.7% of control at 24 h, respectively (n = 3; p < 0.01 when compared with individual application of cyclic loading or 10 microg/mL ox-LDL). In this study, we demonstrated synergistic effects of cyclic tensile stretch load and ox-LDL on cell viability and proteoglycan synthesis in chondrocytes, which may be mediated through enhanced expression of LOX-1 and which has important implications in the progression of cartilage degeneration in osteoarthritis.     

血清低密度脂蛋白胆固醇直接测定与Friedewald公式计算结果比较

采用聚乙烯硫酸（ＰＶＳ）沉淀法测定血清低密度脂蛋白胆固醇（ＬＤＬ－Ｃ）值，同时应用Ｆｒｉｅｄｅｗａｌｄ公式计算ＬＤＬ－Ｃ含量，并对两法结果进行比较分析，提出当甘油三脂（ＴＧ）＜４．５２ｍｍｏｌ／Ｌ时，Ｆ公式计算法可代替ＰＶＳ法，当ＴＧ＞４．５２ｍｍｏｌ／Ｌ时，不宜用Ｆ公式计算ＬＤＬ－Ｃ的值。     

Lipoprotein lipase in relation to inflammatory activity in rheumatoid arthritis

Objective. To evaluate the impact of chronic inflammation on lipoprotein lipase (LPL) levels and triglyceride metabolism in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Design. Plasma levels of LPL activity and mass before and after heparin were determined in post-menopausal women with active RA and in controls. The results were related to lipid levels and inflammatory variables. The LPL activity and mass together with triglyceride levels were also measured before and 6 h after an oral fat load. Setting. The study was performed on in- and out-patients at a University Rheumatology clinic. The controls came from the same reference area. Subjects. Altogether 17 consecutive post-menopausal female patients with RA and 16 age and sex matched controls were enrolled for the initial determination of LPL. Fifteen of the patients and 15 of the controls agreed to take part in the fat load. Of these, one patient and one control were excluded. Main outcome measures. LPL determination: basal levels and post-heparin levels of LPL activity and mass. Correlations between LPL and blood lipids (cholesterol, triglycerides), lipoprotein levels (high density lipoprotein, HDL; low density lipoprotein, LDL), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) acute phase proteins (orosomucoid, haptoglobin, fibrinogen mass) and cytokines (tumour necrosis factor α, TNF-α; interleukin 1β, IL-1β; and interleukin-6, IL-6). Fat tolerance test: LPL activity, mass and triglyceride levels before and 6 h after a per oral fat load. Results. Pre-heparin LPL mass (P<0.01) and activity (P<0.01) were significantly lower in the rheumatoid patients. Pre-heparin LPL mass showed no correlation to the lipid levels, but an inverse correlation to several inflammatory parameters; it was significant for orosomucoid (r_s=?0.63, P<0.05) and C-reactive protein (CRP) (r_s=?0.54, P<0.05) and close to significant for haptoglobin (r_s=?0.48, P=0.087) and IL-6 (r_s=?0.52, P=0.061). Six hours after a lipid load the LPL activity and mass were significantly lower in RA (P<0.05 and P<0.01, respectively) but the triglyceride level was not significantly different compared to controls. Conclusion. An inverse relationship exists between inflammatory status and pre-heparin LPL mass. Pre-heparin LPL mass reflects mainly the inactive monomeric fraction of LPL. This has been shown to hinder the uptake of remnant lipoprotein particles through competition with lipoprotein bound dimeric LPL for the LDL receptor-related protein (LRP receptor) on hepatocytes and macrophages in culture. A decrease of the level of monomeric LPL in plasma may thus be beneficial for remnant catabolism. The same mechanism may on the other hand increase macrophage uptake of lipids. This may not affect global lipid metabolism but may be important in driving the atherosclerotic process in the vessel wall.     

食管癌、胃癌组织的低密度脂蛋白受体分析

以１２５Ⅰ－ＬＤＬ为配体对食管癌、胃癌及其相应的正常组织进行了ＬＤＬ受体水平的测定，同时分析了各组织中蛋白质、ＤＮＡ的含量，以探讨食管癌和胃癌发生与ＬＤＬ代谢之间的关系。结果显示，癌组织和正常组织的ＬＤＬ受体亲和性差异无显著性，但癌变组织的蛋白质、ＤＮＡ和ＬＤＬ受体水平均明显高于相应正常组织。癌细胞需要大量的胆固醇满足其有丝分裂，细胞通过受体升高机制使ＬＤＬＲ增多，以增加对ＬＤＬ的摄取和利用。     

一种LDL吸附剂载体-聚丙烯酰胺微球的合成及应用

研究用于低密度脂蛋白 (L DL)吸附的聚丙烯酰胺微球载体的合成工艺、结构特性及吸附 L DL 的性能 ,为进一步研发 L DL 吸附剂载体提供实验依据。采用反相悬浮聚合法按一定的配方合成聚丙烯酰胺微球载体 ,通过扫描电镜、图像分析仪、X光小角散射等手段对其结构特性 (粒径、孔径等 )进行表征 ;同时在微球上固定丝氨酰 -天冬氨酰 -谷氨酸 (SDE)三肽配体制成 L DL 吸附剂 ,通过体外静态吸附对其吸附性能进行了初步研究。结果表明微球粒径为 14 2 .1μm,孔径为 119.8nm,符合作为 L DL 吸附载体的需要 ;在交联剂与单体总量一定的条件下 ,微球孔径随着交联剂用量的增加而减小 ;合成的聚丙烯酰胺微球对 L DL 的非特异性吸附很小 ,而在其上偶联配体制成吸附剂后 ,又表现出对 L DL 的特异性吸附。本实验合成的聚丙烯酰胺微球是一种有效的 L DL 吸附剂载体。     

Seven DNA polymorphisms in the LDL receptor gene: application to the study of familial hypercholesterolemia in Spain

We have performed restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis at the low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) locus in order to investigate the molecular genetics of familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) in Spain. Firstly, a sample of 50 unrelated patients with a clinical diagnosis of FH was screened for the presence of major rearrangements at this locus by Southern blot analysis of Bgt II digested genomic DNA. Four different mutations were detected, accounting for 8% of the mutant alleles in the Spanish FH sample. Then, we determined the relative allele frequency and estimated linkage disequilibrium between seven RFLPs of the LDLR gene in the remaining 46 FH patients and in 61 normolipidemic controls. Hindi, Avail, Pvu II, Msp I, and Nco I are the most polymorphic sites with individual PIC values higher than 0.28, whereas the Taq I and Stu I sites display low levels of polymorphism. The usefulness of the seven RFLPs to confirm a clinical diagnosis of FH was investigated in 15 FH-families, consisting of 118 individuals, in whom the presence of Familial Defective Apolipoprotein B-100 (FDB) due to the apoB₃₅₀₀ mutation was excluded. Independent haplotypes were constructed for 71 chromosomes: 15 FH and 56 control haplotypes. A total of 14 different haplotypes was found. In 12 families, clinical diagnosis of FH was confirmed by cosegregation analysis, which makes these RFLPs useful for studying the inheritance of the LDLR gene in 80% of Spanish families with FH. Comparison of haplotypes found in the Spanish sample with those found in Swiss and Norwegians suggests heterogeneity of haplotypes among European populations.     

胎牛主动脉内皮细胞LDL受体分析

培养的胎牛主动脉内皮细胞具有可饱和性、高亲和性和配体持异性的LDL受体。该受体最大结合容量(Bmax)为378ng/mg细胞蛋白,平衡亲和常数(kd)为13μg/ml据估计,每个细胞表面的受体数目为8～9万。我们初步发现亚融合和融合但失去“接触抑制”特点的FBAE的LDL受体活性无明显差异。     

Sevelamer hydrochloride with or without alphacalcidol or higher dialysate calcium vs calcium carbonate in dialysis patients: an open-label, randomized study.

BACKGROUND: Sevelamer hydrochloride was recently proposed as a phosphate binder to prevent hypercalcaemia in place of calcium alkaline salts in dialysis patients. So far, it has been evaluated only in patients receiving calcitriol, without comparison with CaCO(3) alone, although the latter was found to be as effective as the combination of calcitriol and Al(OH)(3) in suppressing parathyroid hormone (PTH) without inducing hypercalcaemia and to have a better lowering effect on serum phosphate. Moreover, this bile salt binder may decrease serum 25-OH vitamin D. Therefore, we compared for 5 months two strategies for controlling moderate hyperparathyroidism: CaCO(3) alone vs sevelamer in conjunction with measures to increase calcium balance. METHODS: Forty-two patients were randomized: 21 continued their treatment with 4.8 g/day CaCO(3) and 21 were switched to sevelamer (initial dose: 2.4 g/day, increased to 4.4 g/day). Each month, when serum-corrected calcium decreased below 2.30 mmol/l, dialysate calcium was increased or alphacalcidol was given at each dialysis session, according to serum PO(4) levels. The following parameters were monitored: serum Ca, PO(4), bicarbonate and protein, weekly; and serum PTH, 25-OH vitamin D and total, LDL and HDL cholesterol monthly. RESULTS: Except for higher serum phosphate at month 1, lower serum bicarbonate at month 2 and lower LDL cholesterol at month 5 in the sevelamer group, no difference was found between the two groups. Compared with baseline levels, PTH increased and 25-OH vitamin D decreased significantly in both groups, these two parameters being inversely correlated. CONCLUSIONS: Given comparable control of plasma calcium, phosphate and 25-OH vitamin D, PTH control is comparable in both strategies. Sevelamer does not induce greater vitamin D depletion than CaCO(3). The transient decrease of serum bicarbonate after discontinuation of CaCO(3) in the sevelamer group suggests a less optimal prevention of acidosis. The sevelamer-induced decrease in LDL cholesterol gives this drug a potential advantage in cardiovascular prevention.