HDL Levels

Source: heartdisease.about.com --- 92 days ago
High HDL cholesterol Levels were found in people that lived to be 100 years old ...

Source: heartdisease.about.com --- 100 days ago
Cranberry juice is found to increase HDL Levels ...

Source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov --- 31 days ago
Related Articles Reduced leucocyte cholesteryl ester transfer protein expression in acute coronary syndromes. J Intern Med. 2008 Sep 6; Authors: Ye D, Kraaijeveld AO, Grauss RW, Willems SM, van Vark-van der Zee LC, de Jager SC, Jauhiainen M, Kuivenhoven JA, Dallinga-Thie GM, Atsma DE, Hogendoorn PC, Biessen EA, Van Berkel TJ, Jukema JW, van Eck M Objective. Cholesterol ester transfer protein (CETP) plays an important role in HDL cholesterol metabolism. Leucocytes, including monocyte-derived macrophages in the arterial wall synthesize and secrete CETP, but its role in atherosclerosis is unclear. The aim of the current study was to investigate the effect of acute coronary syndromes (ACS) on leucocyte CETP expression. Research design. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were freshly isolated from hospitalized ACS patients displaying Braunwald class IIIB unstable angina pectoris (UAP) on admission (t = 0) and at 180 days post inclusion (t = 180) for analysis of CETP expression. In addition, to prove the potential correlation between leucocyte CETP and ACS the effect of acute myocardial infarction on leucocyte CETP expression was studied in CETP transgenic mice. Results. Upon admission, UAP patients displayed approximately 3-6 fold (P < 0.01) lower CETP mRNA and nearly absent CETP protein expression in PBMCs, as compared to healthy age-/sex-matched controls. Interestingly, CETP mRNA and protein Levels were significantly elevated in ...

Source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov --- 24 days ago
Related Articles High-grade inflammation, circulating adiponectin concentrations and cardiovascular risk factors in severe rheumatoid arthritis. Clin Exp Rheumatol. 2008 Jul-Aug;26(4):596-603 Authors: Gonzalez-Gay MA, Llorca J, Garcia-Unzueta MT, Gonzalez-Juanatey C, De Matias JM, Martin J, Redelinghuys M, Woodiwiss AJ, Norton GR, Dessein PH OBJECTIVE:To assess whether obesity and systemic inflammation are potential determinants of circulating adiponectin concentrations and whether low adiponectin Levels cluster with metabolic syndrome features that are previously documented cardiovascular risk factors in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).METHODS:We investigated 33 RA patients who were treated with the TNF-alpha antagonist infliximab, immediately prior to an infliximab infusion. Adiponectin Levels were also determined immediately after administration of an infliximab dose. RESULTS:Adiponectin concentrations correlated with age (R=0.465, p=0.008) and were higher in women (mean [95% confidence interval]=21 595 [15 366 to 30 349] ng/ml) than in men (9 310 [5 653 to 15 335] ng/ml)(p=0.008). C-reactive protein (CRP) Levels correlated with circulating adiponectin concentrations (partial (p) R=-0.370, p=0.04), independent of age and gender. By contrast, the body mass index (BMI) did not correlate with adiponectin Levels (pR=-0.039, p=0.8). Adiponectin concentrations correlated with triglycerides/HDL cholesterol ratios (pR=-0.396, p=0.03), total chole ...

Source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov --- 8 days ago
Related Articles Improvement of glycaemic and lipid profiles with muraglitazar plus metformin in patients with type 2 diabetes: an active-control trial with glimepiride. Diab Vasc Dis Res. 2008 Sep;5(3):168-76 Authors: Rubin CJ, Ledeine JM, Fiedorek FT The efficacy and safety of muraglitazar versus glimepiride were evaluated in patients with type 2 diabetes. After open-label metformin monotherapy, 1,805 patients received randomised therapy with muraglitazar 2.5 mg or 5 mg or with glimepiride 1 mg in a double-blind 52-week study. The primary end point was change in glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1C); secondary end points were changes in fasting lipid Levels and glycaemic indices. At week 52, the reduction in HbA1C with muraglitazar 5 mg plus metformin was superior (p<0.0001) and with muraglitazar 2.5 mg it was non-inferior in comparison with glimepiride. At week 12, muraglitazar significantly decreased triglyceride Levels (p<0.0001) and increased Levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (p<0.0001). Oedema, weight gain and heart failure were more evident with muraglitazar. Muraglitazar 5 mg plus metformin significantly improved HbA1C, triglyceride and HDL-C Levels in patients with type 2 diabetes. Cardiovascular events were similar among groups (~2%), but there was an imbalance of total mortality in favour of glimepiride. PMID: 18777489 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] ...

Source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov --- 1 day ago
Related Articles Lipoperoxidation and hemodialysis. Metabolism. 2008 Oct;57(10):1369-74 Authors: Ramos R, Martínez-Castelao A It has been suggested that hemodialysis patients may be under increased oxidative stress and may therefore benefit from the long-term use of antioxidants (particularly for the reduction of the risk of heart disease). The aim of this study was, first, to evaluate the effect of hemodialysis by itself on lipid and lipoprotein oxidation profiles and, second, to analyze the effect of vitamin C supplementation in patients with end-stage renal disease starting hemodialysis. Forty-one patients with end-stage renal disease were enrolled and randomized to receive 1000 mg/d vitamin C or matching placebo before starting hemodialysis. We measured lipid profile and the susceptibility of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) to oxidation using copper ions at the moment of inclusion and after 1 year. All lipoperoxidation parameters were included. Hemodialysis by itself improved the lipid profile, lowering total cholesterol (176.4 +/- 48.4 to 154.2 +/- 28.8 mg/dL, P < .01), LDL cholesterol (94.1 +/- 39.6 to 76.1 +/- 26.6 mg/dL LDL, P < .03), and phospholipids Levels (196.5 +/- 36.7 to 182.9 +/- 36.1 mg/dL, P < .05) in all patients on maintenance hemodialysis. The HDL cholesterol was also decreased (49.4 +/- 19.8 to 43.4 +/- 24.1 mg/dL HDL, P < .03). No significant differences were detected between pat ...

Source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov --- 7 days ago
Related Articles A quercetin containing supplement reduces niacin-induced flush in humans. Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol. 2008 Jul-Sep;21(3):509-14 Authors: Kalogeromitros D, Makris M, Chliva C, Aggelides X, Kempuraj D, Theoharides TC Coronary artery disease is associated with increased serum Levels of cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL, but low Levels of HDL. The most potent agent capable of reversing this trend is the vitamin nicotinic acid (niacin). However, compliance even with extended-release preparations and addition of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) is hampered by the development of a feeling of erythema and burning (flush), especially on the face. We recently showed that the natural flavonoids quercetin and luteolin can eliminate flush, as well as inhibit both niacin-induced plasma prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) and serotonin increase in an animal model. We conducted a pilot clinical study in humans. Four normal male subjects received (a) 1 g immediate release niacin either alone or after (b) the dietary formulation (Algonot-plus(R)) containing 150 mg quercetin per capsule. Subjects completed a visual scale (1=no, 5=worst response) symptom assessment. Erythema and burning sensation scores were both 4.75+/-0.50 and lasted for 3.63+/-1.11 hours. After Algonot-plus(R) administration, both scores were reduced to 2.5+/-0.58 and lasted only for 1.68+/-0.70 hours. Quercetin also inhibited methylnicotinate-induced human mast cell PGD2 release. T ...

Source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov --- 5 days ago
Related Articles Serum Adipocyte Fatty Acid-Binding Protein Levels Are Associated with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Type 2 Diabetic Patients. Diabetes Care. 2008 Oct 3; Authors: Hyun Koh J, Shin YG, Min Nam S, Young Lee M, Chung CH, Shin JY Objective Adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein (A-FABP) is a major cytoplasmic protein in adipocytes and macrophages and is closely associated with metabolic syndrome (MetS), type 2 diabetes, and atherosclerosis. Here, we investigated whether A-FABP was associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in type 2 diabetes. Research design and methods We enrolled 181 type 2 diabetic patients. Clinical and biochemical metabolic parameters were measured. The severity of NAFLD was measured by ultrasound. A-FABP, adiponectin, and retinol-binding protein-4 (RBP-4) were determined by ELISA. Results A-FABP was higher in females, patients with MetS, and patients with overt NAFLD, defined as more than a moderate degree of fatty liver, compared to males, those without MetS, and those without NAFLD. Adiponectin was decreased according to the severity of NAFLD, but RBP-4 showed no difference. Age- and sex-adjusted A-FABP showed positive correlations with body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio, waist circumference, triglycerides, gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, HbA1C, and C-reactive protein (CRP), but showed negative correlation with HDL. The odds ratio (OR) for the r ...

Source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov --- 9 days ago
Related Articles Expression of SR-BI and LDL receptor and differential use of lipoproteins to support early steroidogenesis in luteinizing macaque granulosa cells. Endocrinology. 2008 Oct 1; Authors: Cherian-Shaw M, Puttabyatappa M, Greason E, Rodriguez A, Vandevoort CA, Chaffin CL An ovulatory hCG stimulus to rhesus macaques undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation protocols results in a rapid and sustained increase in progesterone synthesis. The use of lipoproteins as a substrate for progesterone synthesis remains unclear, and the expression of lipoprotein receptors (VLDLR, LDLR, SR-BI) soon after hCG (<12 hr) has not been characterized. This study investigated lipoprotein receptor expression and lipoprotein (VLDL, LDL, HDL) support of steroidogenesis during luteinization of macaque granulosa cells. Granulosa cells were aspirated from rhesus monkeys undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation before or up to 24 hr after an ovulatory hCG stimulus. The expression of VLDLR decreased within 3 hr of hCG, while LDLR and SR-BI increased at 3 and 12 hr, respectively. Granulosa cells isolated prior to hCG were cultured for 24 hr in the presence of FSH or FSH+hCG with or without VLDL, LDL, or HDL. Progesterone Levels increased in the presence of hCG regardless of lipoprotein addition, although LDL, but not HDL, further augmented hCG-induced progesterone. Other cells were cultured with FSH or FSH+hCG without an exogenous source of lipoprotein f ...

Source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov --- 4 days ago
Related Articles Rofecoxib impairs adipose tissue development in a murine model of nutritionally induced obesity. Thromb Haemost. 2008 Aug;100(2):338-42 Authors: Lijnen HR, Van Hoef B, Lu HR, Gallacher DJ The effect of rofecoxib (Vioxx), a cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 inhibitor, on adipose tissue development was studied in a murine model of diet-induced obesity. Oral administration of Vioxx for six weeks (34 mg/kg/day) to C57Bl/6 mice kept on high-fat diet (n = 19) resulted in a significant reduction in total body weight (p < 0.01) and of subcutaneous (p < 0.05) and gonadal (p < 0.01) adipose tissue mass, as compared to placebo-treated animals (n = 21). There was no significant difference in food intake between both groups (2.8 +/- 0.09 vs. 3.0 +/- 0.10 g/day; p = 0.20). Administration of Vioxx resulted in reduced total cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol Levels (p < 0.0001) and in enhanced Levels of liver enzymes, as compared to place-bo. In the gonadal but not in the subcutaneous adipose tissue, adipocytes were smaller after Vioxx treatment (p < 0.05). The macrophage content was significantly lower in gonadal adipose tissues of Vioxx-treated mice (p < 0.05), but not in the subcutaneous adipose tissues. This was, however, not associated with differences in adipose tissue Levels of the pro-inflammatory tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha. Blood vessel size or density in either fat pad were not affected by Vioxx treatment ...

Source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov --- 10 days ago
Related Articles Role of caveolin-1 in the regulation of lipoprotein metabolism. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol. 2008 Jul;295(1):C242-8 Authors: Frank PG, Pavlides S, Cheung MW, Daumer K, Lisanti MP Lipoprotein metabolism plays an important role in the development of several human diseases, including coronary artery disease and the metabolic syndrome. A good comprehension of the factors that regulate the metabolism of the various lipoproteins is therefore key to better understanding the variables associated with the development of these diseases. Among the players identified are regulators such as caveolins and caveolae. Caveolae are small plasma membrane invaginations that are observed in terminally differentiated cells. Their most important protein marker, caveolin-1, has been shown to play a key role in the regulation of several cellular signaling pathways and in the regulation of plasma lipoprotein metabolism. In the present paper, we have examined the role of caveolin-1 in lipoprotein metabolism using caveolin-1-deficient (Cav-1(-/-)) mice. Our data show that, while Cav-1(-/-) mice show increased plasma triglyceride Levels, they also display reduced hepatic very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) secretion. Additionally, we also found that a caveolin-1 deficiency is associated with an increase in high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and these HDL particles are enriched in cholesteryl ester in Cav-1(-/-) mice when compared with HDL obtained fro ...

Source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov --- 1 day ago
Related Articles A role for hepatic scavenger receptor class B, type I in decreasing high-density lipoprotein Levels in mice that lack phosphatidylethanolamine N-methyltransferase. J Biol Chem. 2008 Oct 8; Authors: Robichaud JC, Francis GA, Vance DE Phosphatidylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PEMT) is a liver-specific enzyme that converts phosphatidylethanolamine to phosphatidylcholine (PC). Mice that lack PEMT have reduced plasma Levels of PC and cholesterol in high density lipoproteins (HDL). We have investigated the mechanism responsible for this reduction with experiments designed to distinguish between a decreased formation of HDL particles by hepatocytes or an increased hepatic uptake of HDL lipids. Therefore, we analyzed lipid efflux to apoA1 and HDL lipid uptake using primary cultured hepatocytes isolated from Pemt(+/+) and Pemt(-/-) mice. Hepatic Levels of the ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 are not significantly different between Pemt genotypes. Moreover, hepatocytes isolated from Pemt(-/-) mice released cholesterol and PC into the medium as efficiently as did hepatocytes from Pemt(+/+) mice. Immunoblotting of liver homogenates showed a 1.5-fold increase in the amount of the scavenger receptor, class B, type 1 (SR-BI) in Pemt(-/-) compared to Pemt(+/+) livers. In addition, there was a 1.5-fold increase in the SR-BI-interacting protein PDZK1. Lipid uptake experiments using radiolabeled HDL particles revealed a greater u ...

Source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov --- 23 hours ago
Related Articles Similar increase in oxidative stress after fat overload in persons with baseline hypertriglyceridemia with or without the metabolic syndrome. Clin Biochem. 2008 Jun;41(9):701-5 Authors: Cardona F, Tunez I, Tasset I, Murri M, Tinahones FJ OBJECTIVE: We compared the Levels of biomarkers of oxidative stress before and after a fat overload in three groups. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 17 controls and two groups with hypertriglyceridemia: 43 without the metabolic syndrome (TG-non-MS) and 29 with the metabolic syndrome (TG-MS). All subjects underwent a 60 g fat overload. Baseline measurements included glucose, BMI (body mass index), waist circumference and HOMA IR (homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance). Cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL (high density lipoprotein) cholesterol, TNF-alpha (tumor necrosis factor) and IL-6 (interleukin-6), lipoperoxide (LPO), carbonylated proteins, reduced glutathione (GSH), oxidized glutathione (GSSG), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX), glutathione reductase (GSH-Rd), catalase and glutathione transferase (GST) were measured at baseline and 3 h after fat overload. RESULTS: Compared to the controls, the two patient groups had higher plasma Levels at baseline and after overload of cholesterol, triglycerides and apolipoprotein B, LPO, carbonylated proteins and GSSG, and lower Levels of antioxidants at baseline and after the fat overload. CONCLUSION: The two patient groups had the same degree of o ...

Source: www.moreover.com --- 3 days ago
Circ Cardiovasc Genet 2008; 1: 10â??20 MedWire News: Two intergenic variants associated with the cholesterol ester transfer protein gene (CETP) and the endothelial lipase gene (LIPG) influence population Levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) ...

Source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov --- 1 day ago
Related Articles Serum oxidizability, total antioxidant status and albumin serum Levels in patients with aneurysmal or arterial occlusive disease. Clin Biochem. 2008 Jun;41(9):706-11 Authors: Delimaris I, Georgopoulos S, Kroupis C, Zachari A, Liberi M, Bastounis E, Dionyssiou-Asteriou A OBJECTIVES: Oxidative stress is involved in the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis. The aim of the present study was to estimate the extent of oxidative stress in patients with aneurysmal and arterial occlusive disease (AAOD) by analyzing the magnitude of serum oxidizability, total antioxidant status and serum antioxidants and to evaluate their potential clinical significance. DESIGN AND METHODS: The study was conducted on 47 patients with AAOD and 49 healthy individuals. Oxidative stress was assessed by: a) copper-induced lipid oxidation described in terms of "lag-time" (t(LAG)) and "maximal rate of accumulation of absorbing products" (RA) and b) the measurement of serum total antioxidant status (TAS) and hydrophilic serum antioxidants (albumin, uric acid, transferrin, bilirubin). LDL-cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol were also estimated. RESULTS: A decrease of t(LAG) and albumin Levels in patients as compared to controls was observed. t(LAG) was negatively correlated with RA in both patients and controls. RA and LDL-cholesterol did not differ between the two groups. HDL-cholesterol was decreased in patients in comparison to controls. There is statistic ...

Source: www.moreover.com --- 24 days ago
MedWire News: Low baseline Levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol predict recurrent stroke, and baseline HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and the low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-to-HDL ratio are associated with major cardiovascular events ...

Source: www.moreover.com --- 28 days ago
Q. I heard that eating an Atkins diet could raise good HDL Levels. Surely that is not true! Presumably all that saturated fat raises bad cholesterol even more. ...

Source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov --- 13 days ago
Related Articles Prevalence and risk factors of metabolic syndrome in Brazilian and Italian obese adolescents: a comparison study. Int J Clin Pract. 2008 Oct;62(10):1526-32 Authors: Caranti DA, Lazzer S, Dâmaso AR, Agosti F, Zennaro R, de Mello MT, Tufik S, Sartorio A Background: Metabolic syndrome (MS) prevalence between different populations in obese adolescents is scanty to date. Objective: To compare the MS prevalence and related risk factors in Brazilian and Italian obese adolescents. Methods: A total of 509 adolescents (110 Brazilian, 399 Italian), aged 15-19 years. Anthropometric characteristics, triglycerides (TG), total, low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-, high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), insulin, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and blood pressure were measured. Results: Age, body mass index (BMI) and BMI z-score were not significantly different between the two subgroups. BMI z-score, TG, FPG, HOMA-IR and systolic blood pressure (SBP) were significantly higher in boys than in girls both in Brazilian and Italian adolescents, while HDL-cholesterol Levels were lower in boys than in girls. No significant differences were observed in BMI, LDL and total-cholesterol and DBP in two genders and groups. Insulin, FPG, HOMA-IR and TG were significantly higher, while LDL-cholesterol and SBP were significantly lower in Brazilian than in Italian subjects, both in males and fe ...

Source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov --- 33 days ago
Related Articles The effects of pioglitazone and metformin on plasma visfatin Levels in patients with treatment naive type 2 diabetes mellitus. Diabetes Res Clin Pract. 2008 Sep 6; Authors: Erdem G, Dogru T, Tasci I, Bozoglu E, Muhsiroglu O, Tapan S, Ercin CN, Sonmez A AIMS: Circulating visfatin Levels are altered in insulin resistant states. We evaluated the effects of two insulin-sensitizing hypoglycemic agents on plasma visfatin and adiponectin Levels in patients with newly diagnosed and untreated type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). METHODS: Forty-four patients with T2DM were randomized to treatment either with pioglitazone (15-45mg/day) or metformin (1000-2000mg/day). Plasma visfatin and adiponectin Levels and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) scores were determined at baseline and at 12th week of treatment. RESULTS: By the end of the 12th week, fasting plasma glucose, HbA1c, HOMA-IR scores and waist circumferences improved equally in both treatment arms. HDL cholesterol and adiponectin Levels increased only in the pioglitazone group (p=0.01 and p=0.003, respectively). On the other hand, metformin treatment had additional regulatory effects on BMI, blood pressure and total and LDL-cholesterol Levels (p=0.002, p=0.01, p=0.004, p=0.001 and p<0.001, respectively). Neither pioglitazone nor metformin displayed a significant effect on circulating visfatin concentration. CONCLUSIONS: Despite improvements in insuli ...

Source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov --- 40 days ago
Related Articles Banana prevents plasma oxidative stress in healthy individuals. Plant Foods Hum Nutr. 2008 Jun;63(2):71-6 Authors: Yin X, Quan J, Kanazawa T There is increasing evidence that lipid peroxidation and oxidative modification of low density lipoprotein (LDL) is important in atherogenesis. The present study was designed to study the effects of a single banana meal on plasma lipids and lipoprotein profile, plasma oxidative stress and susceptibility of LDL to oxidation in 20 healthy volunteers. Lipid and lipid peroxide (LPO) Levels were measured before the meal (baseline, fasting) and 2 h after it (post-dose). The susceptibility to copper-induced oxidation of baseline and post-dose LDL was measured as conjugated diene (CD) formation. Results showed that the LPO contents in plasma, very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), LDL and high density lipoprotein (HDL) decreased significantly in the 2 h post-dose phase. Prolongation of lag phase and decrease of CD formation during LDL oxidation indicated that post-dose LDL was less susceptible to oxidative modification than the homologous fasting LDL. In conclusion, the consumption of banana reduces the plasma oxidative stress and enhances the resistance to oxidative modification of LDL. PMID: 18264767 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] ...