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A van Tol

Publications and source records attributed to A van Tol.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

CETP inhibition in cardiovascular risk management: a critical appraisal.

In view of the cardioprotective effect of high-density lipoproteins (HDL) and the limited effects of statin and fibrate therapy on HDL cholesterol, it is clinically relevant to test whether pharmacological treatment aimed at raising HDL lowers cardiovascular risk. Cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) is a new therapeutic target, because the cholesteryl ester transfer process lowers HDL cholesterol and contributes to an atherogenic lipoprotein profile, particularly when plasma triglycerides are high. Clinical evidence suggests that coronary artery calcification as well as intima media thickness is positively related to plasma cholesteryl ester transfer, and that high plasma CETP concentration is associated with increased cardiovascular risk in hypertriglyceridaemia. However, CETP could also have anti-atherogenic potential, since it provides a potentially beneficial route for delivery of HDL-derived cholesteryl esters to the liver. In addition, CETP could also favourably stimulate peripheral cell cholesterol removal and enhance hepatic cholesterol uptake. Recent evidence suggests that a high CETP level may confer lower cardiovascular risk in the context of low triglycerides. At maximal doses, the CETP inhibitors JTT-705 and torcetrapib elicit a marked rise in HDL cholesterol of up to 34% and 91-106%, respectively. The effectiveness of these drugs on (intermediate) clinical outcome measures is currently being tested in large-scale phase III clinical trials, with torcetrapib being only evaluated in combination therapy with atorvastatin. When and how to use CETP inhibitors, e.g. in combination with a statin or a fibrate, is a major challenge. We propose that low HDL cholesterol in the context of high triglycerides, such as found in type 2 diabetes mellitus, could become an important indication area for this new class of drugs.

Atherosclerosis↗

Plasma cholesteryl ester transfer protein mass and phospholipid transfer protein activity are associated with leptin in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Adipose tissue contributes to plasma levels of lipid transfer proteins and is also the major source of plasma adipokines. We hypothesized that plasma cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) mass, phospholipid transfer protein (PLTP) activity and cholesteryl ester transfer (CET, a measure of CETP action) are determined by adipokine levels. In this study, relationships of plasma CETP mass, PLTP activity and CET with leptin, resistin and adiponectin were analyzed in type 2 diabetic patients and control subjects. Plasma PLTP activity (P<0.001), CET (P<0.001), leptin (P=0.003), resistin (P<0.001), high sensitive C-reactive protein (P=0.005), and insulin resistance (HOMA(ir)) (P<0.001) were higher, whereas HDL cholesterol (P<0.001) and plasma adiponectin (P<0.001) were lower in 83 type 2 diabetic patients (32 females) than in 83 sex-matched control subjects. Multiple linear regression analysis demonstrated that in diabetic patients plasma leptin levels were related to plasma CETP mass (P=0.018) and PLTP activity (P<0.001), but not to the other adipokines measured. Plasma CET was inversely correlated with adiponectin in univariate analysis, but this association disappeared in multivariate models that included plasma lipids and CETP. In conclusion, both plasma CETP mass and PLTP activity are associated with plasma leptin in type 2 diabetes. The elevated CET in these patients is not independently related to any of the measured plasma adipokines.

Blood Proteins↗

Plasma apolipoprotein A5 and triglycerides in type 2 diabetes.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Variation in the human apolipoprotein (APO) A5 gene (APOA5) is associated with elevated plasma triglycerides. However, data on the exact role of plasma concentrations of APOA5 in human triglyceride homeostasis are lacking. In the present study, we estimated plasma APOA5 levels in patients with type 2 diabetes at baseline and during atorvastatin treatment, a lipid-lowering treatment that results in a reduction in plasma triglycerides and APOC3. SUBJECTS, MATERIALS AND METHODS: Plasma APOA5 concentration was measured by ELISA in 215 subjects with type 2 diabetes, who were taken from the Diabetes Atorvastatin Lipid-lowering Intervention (DALI) study, a 30-week randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, and given atorvastatin 10 mg or 80 mg daily. RESULTS: At baseline, average plasma APOA5 concentration was 25.7+/-15.6 mug/100 ml. Plasma APOA5 (R (s)=0.40), APOC3 (R (s)=0.72) and APOE (R (s)=0.45) were positively correlated with plasma triglyceride levels (all p<0.001). In multiple linear regression analysis, adjusted for age and sex, the variation in plasma triglycerides was explained mostly by APOC3 (52%) and only to a small extent by APOA5 (6%) and APOE (1%). Atorvastatin treatment decreased plasma triglycerides, APOA5, APOC3 and APOE (all p<0.0001). After treatment, APOC3 remained the major determinant of plasma triglyceride levels (59%), while the contributions of APOA5 and APOE were insignificant (2 and 3%). CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: Our findings reveal a positive association between plasma APOA5 and triglycerides in patients with type 2 diabetes. Treatment with atorvastatin decreased plasma APOA5, APOC3, APOE and triglycerides. In contrast to APOC3, APOA5 is not a major determinant of triglyceride metabolism in these patients.

Aged↗

Elevated plasma phospholipid transfer protein activity is a determinant of carotid intima-media thickness in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

AIM/HYPOTHESIS: The plasma activity of phospholipid transfer protein (PLTP), which has putative pro- and anti-atherogenic roles in lipoprotein metabolism, is increased in type 2 diabetes mellitus. We analysed the relationship between carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT), an established marker of atherosclerosis, and PLTP activity in diabetic patients and control subjects. METHODS: The IMT (mean of three segments in both carotid arteries by ultrasonography), clinical variables, plasma PLTP activity (phospholipid vesicle-HDL system), lipoproteins, C-reactive protein and insulin were measured in 87 non-smoking men and women, who had type 2 diabetes mellitus, no cardiovascular disease, and were not on insulin or lipid-lowering medication, and in 83 age-matched control subjects. RESULTS: In diabetic patients, carotid IMT (p=0.02), pulse pressure (p=0.003), plasma PLTP activity (p<0.001), triglycerides (p=0.01), C-reactive protein (p<0.01) and insulin (p<0.001) were higher, whereas HDL cholesterol was lower (p<0.001) than in control subjects. Multiple stepwise linear regression analysis demonstrated that in type 2 diabetic patients IMT was independently associated with age (p<0.001), sex (p=0.001), pulse pressure (p=0.003), plasma PLTP activity (p=0.03) and HDL cholesterol (p=0.03), but not with very low density lipoprotein+LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, C-reactive protein and insulin (all p>0.20). The relationship between plasma PLTP activity and IMT was not significant in control subjects. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: Plasma PLTP activity is a positive determinant of IMT in type 2 diabetes mellitus, suggesting that high PLTP activity is involved in accelerated atherosclerosis in this disease.

Aged↗

Cellular cholesterol efflux to plasma from moderately hypercholesterolaemic type 1 diabetic patients is enhanced, and is unaffected by simvastatin treatment.

AIM/HYPOTHESIS: Cellular cholesterol efflux to plasma is important in reverse cholesterol transport and may be affected by simvastatin in type 1 diabetes mellitus. METHODS: In 14 moderately hypercholesterolaemic type 1 diabetic and 13 healthy men we determined plasma (apo)lipoproteins, pre-beta HDL formation, cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) activity, phospholipid transfer protein (PLTP) activity, cholesterol esterification, cholesteryl ester transfer and the capacity of plasma to induce cholesterol efflux out of Fu5AH cells and fibroblasts. After diet run-in, diabetic patients were randomly treated with simvastatin 10, 20, 40 mg and placebo, once daily each, for 6 weeks in a double-blind crossover design. RESULTS: Plasma very low density lipid protein (VLDL)+LDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL phospholipids, apolipoprotein (apo) A-I, apo B, CETP activity, PLTP activity, cholesterol esterification, cholesteryl ester transfer and the capacity of plasma to induce cholesterol efflux from Fu5AH cells and fibroblasts were higher in diabetic patients. Pre-beta HDL formation was unaltered. Simvastatin treatment decreased VLDL+LDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides and apo B, CETP activity, cholesterol esterification and cholesteryl ester transfer. HDL cholesterol increased and its change was correlated with the change in cholesteryl ester transfer. The ability to promote cholesterol efflux from Fu5AH cells and fibroblasts did not change after simvastatin. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: The capacity of plasma from moderately hypercholesterolaemic type 1 diabetic patients to induce cholesterol efflux out of Fu5AH cells and fibroblasts is enhanced, probably due to higher apo A-I, HDL phospholipids and PLTP activity. Simvastatin increases HDL cholesterol in type 1 diabetic patients via lowering of plasma cholesteryl ester transfer. The HDL changes after simvastatin do not increase cellular cholesterol efflux further.

Adult↗

Alcohol.

Alcohol consumption affects overall mortality. Light to moderate alcohol consumption reduces the risk of coronary heart disease; epidemiological, physiological and genetic data show a causal relationship. Light to moderate drinking is also associated with a reduced risk of other vascular diseases and probably of type 2 diabetes. Mortality and disease risk increase at higher levels of alcohol consumption. A substantial portion of the benefit of moderate drinking is connected with the alcohol component. However, small differences in effects of various alcoholic beverages on minor risk factors may occur. Proposed protective mechanisms include improved vascular elasticity, anti-thrombotic and anti-inflammatory processes and most importantly, the stimulation of high-density lipoprotein-mediated processes such as reverse cholesterol transport and antioxidative effects.

Alcohol Drinking↗

Effects of increasing doses of simvastatin on fasting lipoprotein subfractions, and the effect of high-dose simvastatin on postprandial chylomicron remnant clearance in normotriglyceridemic patients with premature coronary sclerosis.

Postprandial hyperlipidemia has been linked to premature coronary artery disease (CAD) in fasting normotriglyceridemic patients. We investigated the effects of increasing doses of simvastatin up to 80 mg/day on fasting and postprandial lipoprotein metabolism in 18 normotriglyceridemic patients with premature CAD. Fasting lipoprotein subfractions and cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) activity were determined after each 5-week dose titration (0, 20, 40 and 80 mg/day). At baseline and after treatment with simvastatin 80 mg/day, standardised Vitamin A oral fat loading tests (50 g/m2; 10 h) were carried out. Ten normolipidemic healthy control subjects matched for gender, age and BMI underwent tests without medication. Treatment with simvastatin resulted in dose-dependent reductions of fasting LDL-cholesterol, without changing cholesterol levels in the VLDL-1, VLDL-2 and IDL fractions. In addition, simvastatin decreased CETP activity dose-dependently, although HDL-cholesterol remained unchanged. Simvastatin 80 mg/day decreased fasting plasma triglycerides (TG) by 26% (P < 0.05), but did not decrease significantly TG levels in any of the subfractions. The TG/cholesterol ratio increased in all subfractions. The plasma TG response to the oral fat loading test, estimated as area under the curve (TG-AUC), improved by 30% (from 21.5 +/- 2.5 to 15.1 +/- 1.9 mmol h/L; P < 0.01). Treatment with simvastatin 80 mg/day improved chylomicron remnant clearance (RE-AUC) by 36% from 30.0 +/- 2.6 to 19.2 +/- 3.3 mg h/L (P < 0.01). After therapy, remnant clearance in patients was similar to controls (19.2 +/- 3.3 and 20.3 +/- 2.7 mg h/L, respectively), suggesting a normalization of this potentially atherogenic process. In conclusion, high-dose simvastatin has beneficial effects in normotriglyceridemic patients with premature CAD, due to improved chylomicron remnant clearance, besides effective lowering of LDL-cholesterol. In addition, the lipoprotein subfractions became more cholesterol-poor, as reflected by the increased TG/cholesterol ratio, which potentially makes them less atherogenic.

Apolipoproteins↗

Human plasma phospholipid transfer protein activity is decreased by acute hyperglycaemia: studies without and with hyperinsulinaemia in Type 1 diabetes mellitus.

AIMS: Little is known about the regulation of phospholipid transfer protein (PLTP), that plays a key role in lipoprotein metabolism. PLTP secretion may be up-regulated by glucose in vitro, whereas plasma PLTP activity is decreased by exogenous hyperinsulinaemia and glucose-induced hyperinsulinaemia in vivo. In the present study, we evaluated the separate effects of hyperglycaemia and hyperinsulinaemia in C-peptide-negative Type 1 diabetic patients. METHODS: The protocol was carried out in 16 patients (eight females). In each individual, plasma PLTP mass and activity (measured by enzyme-linked immuno-sorbent assay and liposome-high density lipoprotein system, respectively) as well as plasma cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) activity, lipids and apolipoprotein levels were determined at the end of four different glucose clamps, each lasting 210 min: standard insulin (30 mU/kg/h) and standard glucose (glucose 5.0 mmol/l) (SI-SG), standard insulin and high glucose (glucose 12 mmol/l) (SI-HG), high insulin (150 mU/kg/h) and standard glucose (HI-SG), and high insulin and high glucose (HI-HG). RESULTS: Plasma lipids and (apo)lipoproteins, measured at the end of the SI-HG, HI-SG and HI-HG clamps, were not significantly different compared with the levels obtained at the end of the SI-SG clamp. Median plasma PLTP mass and activity at the end of the SI-SG clamp were 12.8 mg/l and 13.2 micromol/ml/h, respectively. Median plasma PLTP mass decreased by 9.1% at the end of the HI-HG clamp (P < 0.01), whereas the changes at the end of the SI-HG and HI-SG clamps were not significant. Median plasma PLTP activity decreased by 5.7, 4.6 and 8.6% at the end of the SI-HG, HI-SG and HI-HG clamps, respectively (all P < 0.05). Median plasma CETP activity was 177 nmol/ml/h at the end of the SI-SG clamp, and decreased by 4.9% (P < 0.05) and by 8.3% (P < 0.05) at the end of the HI-SG and the HI-HG clamps, respectively. Plasma CETP activity did not change significantly at the end of the SI-HG clamp. CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrates that plasma PLTP activity is independently decreased by acute hyperglycaemia and hyperinsulinaemia in humans in vivo. These data do not support a direct role of short-term hyperglycaemia in up-regulating plasma PLTP levels.

Adult↗

Moderate alcohol consumption increases cholesterol efflux mediated by ABCA1.

Moderate alcohol consumption increases HDL cholesterol, which is involved in reverse cholesterol transport (RCT). The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of moderate alcohol consumption on cholesterol efflux, using J774 mouse macrophages and Fu5AH cells, and on other parameters in the RCT pathway. Twenty-three healthy men (45-65 years) participated in a randomized, partially diet-controlled, crossover trial. They consumed four glasses of whisky (40 g of alcohol) or water daily for 17 days. After 17 days of whisky consumption, serum capacity to induce ABCA1-dependent cholesterol efflux from J774 mouse macrophages was increased by 17.5% (P = 0.027) compared with water consumption. Plasma capacity to induce cholesterol efflux from Fu5AH cells increased by 4.6% (P = 0.002). Prebeta-HDL, apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I), and lipoprotein A-I:A-II also increased by 31.6, 6.2, and 5.7% (P < 0.05), respectively, after whisky consumption compared with water consumption. Changes of cAMP-stimulated cholesterol efflux correlated (r = 0.65, P < 0.05) with changes of apoA-I but not with changes of prebeta-HDL (r = 0.30, P = 0.18). Cholesterol efflux capacities from serum of lean men were higher than those from overweight men. In conclusion, this study shows that moderate alcohol consumption increases the capacity of serum to induce cholesterol efflux from J774 mouse macrophages, which may be mediated by ABCA1.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter 1↗

Heterozygosity for ABCA1 gene mutations: effects on enzymes, apolipoproteins and lipoprotein particle size.

A cohort of 13 female and 14 male heterozygotes for ATP binding cassette A1 (ABCA1) gene defects was directly compared with 13 and 14 unaffected female and male family members of almost exact same age. The activities of three proteins that play key roles in HDL metabolism were measured in addition to extensive lipid and (apo) lipoprotein subfraction analysis. Compared to controls, LCAT activity was reduced by 15% in affected subjects (P < 0.001) while PLTP activity was unaffected. Interestingly, CETP activity was elevated by 50% in the heterozygote siblings of one kindred but was unaffected in heterozygotes of the three other families. With respect to lipids, the heterozygotes had normal total cholesterol (TC), and LDL-cholesterol concentrations but presented with a trend towards increased triglyceride levels (13%; P = 0.08). HDL metabolism, by contrast, was severely affected as illustrated by 40% reductions in HDL-cholesterol (P < 0.001) with concomitant reductions in apoAI (25%; P < 0.001) levels and in lipoprotein subfraction LpAI (28%; P < 0.001), LpAI:AII (24%; P=0.014), and LpCIII:nonB (34%; P < 0.001) concentrations. We furthermore observed reduced average HDL particle size (5%; P = 0.004; 16% in female and 3.6% in male) and reduced plasma apoCIII concentration (15%; P = 0.006) while apoAII, apoAIV, apoE and apoB levels were unchanged. In conclusion, heterozygosity for ABCA1 defects was associated with reduced LCAT activity in absence of effects on PLTP activity. Of special interest was our finding that the effects of compromised ABCA1 function on HDL were more pronounced in women than in men.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter 1↗

Trans monounsaturated fatty acids and saturated fatty acids have similar effects on postprandial flow-mediated vasodilation.

OBJECTIVE: Several studies suggest that a fatty meal impairs flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD), a measure of endothelial function. We tested whether the impairment was greater for trans fats than for saturated fats. We did this because we previously showed that replacement of saturated fats by trans fats in a controlled diet decreased FMD after 4 weeks. DESIGN: We fed 21 healthy men two different test meals with 0.9-1.0 g fat/kg body weight in random order: one rich in saturated fatty acids (Sat), mainly from palm kernel fat, and one rich in trans fatty acids (Trans) from partially hydrogenated soy bean oil. The study was performed in our metabolic ward. We had complete data for both diets of 21 men. RESULTS: FMD increased from a fasting value of 2.3+/-2.0% of the baseline diameter to 3.0+/-1.7% after the Sat test meal (95% CI for change -0.33, 1.70) and from 2.7+/-2.3 to 3.1+/-2.0% after the Trans test meal (95% CI for change -0.57, 1.29). The increase after the Sat meal was 0.22 (-1.18-1.61) FMD% higher than after the Trans meal. Serum triacylglycerols increased by 0.46+/-0.36 mmol/l after the Sat test meal and by 0.68+/-0.59 mmol/l after the Trans test meal; a difference of 0.23 (0.07, 0.39) mmol/l. Serum HDL-cholesterol was hardly affected by the test meals. The activity of serum paraoxonase, an esterase bound to HDL, increased slightly after the two test meals but the difference between meals was not significant. CONCLUSION: FMD was not impaired and not different after test meals with saturated or trans fatty acids. Thus, differences in long-term effects of these fats are not caused by differences in acute effects on the vascular wall.

Adult↗

Evaluation of phospholipid transfer protein and cholesteryl ester transfer protein as contributors to the generation of pre beta-high-density lipoproteins.

High-density lipoproteins (HDLs) are considered anti-atherogenic because they mediate peripheral cell cholesterol transport to the liver for excretion and degradation. An important step in this reverse cholesterol-transport pathway is the uptake of cellular cholesterol by a specific subclass of small, lipid-poor apolipoprotein A-I particles designated pre beta-HDL. The two lipid-transfer proteins present in human plasma, cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) and phospholipid transfer protein (PLTP), have both been implicated in the formation of pre beta-HDL. In order to investigate the relative contribution of each of these proteins, we used transgenic mouse models. Comparisons were made between human CETP transgenic mice (huCETPtg), human PLTP transgenic mice (huPLTPtg) and mice transgenic for both lipid-transfer proteins (huCETPtg/huPLTPtg). These animals showed elevated plasma levels of CETP activity, PLTP activity or both activities, respectively. We evaluated the generation of pre beta-HDL in mouse plasma by immunoblotting and crossed immuno-electrophoresis. Generation of pre beta-HDL was equal in huCETPtg and wild-type mice. In contrast, in huPLTPtg and huCETPtg/huPLTPtg mice, pre beta-HDL generation was 3-fold higher than in plasma from either wild-type or huCETPtg mice. Our findings demonstrate that, of the two plasma lipid-transfer proteins, PLTP rather than CETP is responsible for the generation of pre beta-HDL. These data support the hypothesis of a role for PLTP in the initial stage of reverse cholesterol transport.

Animals↗

Apolipoprotein A-II/A-I ratio is a key determinant in vivo of HDL concentration and formation of pre-beta HDL containing apolipoprotein A-II.

Overexpression of human apolipoprotein A-II (apo A-II) in mice induced postprandial hypertriglyceridemia and marked reduction in plasma HDL concentration and particle size [Boisfer et al. (1999) J. Biol. Chem. 274, 11564-11572]. We presently compared lipoprotein metabolism in three transgenic lines displaying plasma concentrations of human apo A-II ranging from normal to 4 times higher, under ad libitum feeding and after an overnight fast. Fasting dramatically decreased VLDL and lowered circulating human apo A-II in transgenic mice; conversely, plasma HDL levels increased in all genotypes. The apo A-I content of HDL was inversely related to the expression of human apo A-II, probably reflecting displacement of apo A-I by an excess of apo A-II. Thus, the molar ratios of apo A-II/A-I in HDL were significantly higher in fed as compared with fasted animals of the same transgenic line, while endogenous LCAT activity concomitantly decreased. The number and size of HDL particles decreased in direct proportion to the level of human apo A-II expression. Apo A-II was abundantly present in all HDL particles, in contrast to apo A-I mainly present in large ones. Two novel findings were the presence of pre-beta migrating HDL transporting only human apo A-II in the higher-expressing mice and the increase of plasma HDL concentrations by fasting in control and transgenic mice. These findings highlight the reciprocal modifications of VLDL and HDL induced by the feeding-fasting transition and the key role of the molar ratio of apo A-II/A-I as a determinant of HDL particle metabolism and pre-beta HDL formation.

Animals↗

Effect of dietary elaidic versus vaccenic acid on blood and liver lipids in the hamster.

Male hamsters (30 per group) were fed five different semi-purified diets ad libitum. The diets, containing 30% of energy (en%) as fat, differed in their dietary fat composition (specified fatty acids exchanged at 10 en%) and were fed for 4 weeks. The five fatty acids compared in mixed triglycerides were elaidic acid (C18:1 9t), vaccenic acid (C18:1 11t), their cis-counterpart oleic acid (C18:1 9c), medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA; C8:0 and C10:0), and palmitic acid (C16:0). Compared with oleic acid, dietary MCFA and palmitic acid tended to increase blood cholesterol levels in the hamsters. The effect of elaidic and vaccenic acid on blood cholesterol did not differ from that of oleic acid. When elaidic acid and vaccenic acids were compared directly, the ratio of LDL/HDL-cholesterol in plasma was significantly higher in hamsters fed vaccenic acid than in those fed elaidic acid, and elaidic acid was incorporated at low levels, but more efficiently than vaccenic acid at the sn-2 position of platelet phospholipids. Biological consequences of this low incorporation are considered unlikely as levels of arachidonic acid (C20:4 n-6) and docosohexaenoic acid (C22:6 n-3) in the platelet phospholipids of all dietary groups did not differ. With respect to the effect on the LDL/HDL-cholesterol ratio, elaidic acid may be preferable to vaccenic acid. We conclude that this animal study does not provide evidence for the suggestion, based on epidemiological observations, that elaidic acid would be more detrimental to cardiovascular risk than vaccenic acid.

Animals↗

Twenty four hour insulin infusion impairs the ability of plasma from healthy subjects and Type 2 diabetic patients to promote cellular cholesterol efflux.

Removal of cholesterol from peripheral cells by high density lipoproteins (HDL) is regarded as an important defence mechanism against atherosclerosis development. PLTP is involved in the generation of pre beta-HDL that can act as initial acceptors of cellular cholesterol. Exogenous hyperinsulinaemia may not only decrease HDL cholesterol, but also plasma phospholipid transfer protein (PLTP) activity. The effect of 24-h insulin infusion (30 mU/kg/h) on the ability of plasma to promote cholesterol efflux from Fu5AH cells was examined in eight healthy men and eight male Type 2 diabetic patients, matched for HDL cholesterol. Baseline HDL cholesterol and phospholipids, pre beta-HDL in incubated plasma, plasma apolipoprotein (apo) AI, PLTP activity and cholesterol efflux to plasma were not different between the groups. In both groups, HDL lipids, as well as plasma apo AI and PLTP activity decreased after 24 h of insulin (P<0.05 to P<0.01) compared to baseline and recovery, i.e. 1 week after insulin. Pre beta-HDL in incubated plasma did not significantly change. Cholesterol efflux to plasma from both groups decreased after insulin (P<0.05). Using plasma from healthy subjects, cholesterol efflux was correlated positively with HDL cholesterol, HDL phospholipids, pre beta-HDL in incubated plasma, plasma apo AI and PLTP activity (P<0.05 to P<0.001). Using plasma from diabetic patients, cholesterol efflux was not significantly correlated with any of these parameters. In conclusion, 24-h moderate hyperinsulinaemia impairs the ability of plasma to promote cholesterol efflux from Fu5AH cells. It is suggested that, apart from HDL, plasma PLTP activity is a determinant of cholesterol efflux via stimulation of pre beta-HDL formation. Cellular cholesterol efflux to plasma from selected Type 2 diabetic patients is maintained, but the interaction of Fu5AH cells with HDL may be altered.

Adult↗

Short-term Acipimox decreases the ability of plasma from Type 2 diabetic patients and healthy subjects to stimulate cellular cholesterol efflux: a potentially adverse effect on reverse cholesterol transport.

AIMS: To evaluate the effect of short-term administration of the anti-lipolytic agent, Acipimox, on the ability of plasma to stimulate cellular cholesterol removal, which represents one of the first steps in the anti-atherogenic process of reverse cholesterol transport. METHODS: Eight male Type 2 diabetic patients and eight healthy subjects were studied after a 12-h fast at baseline, after 24 h of Acipimox administration, 250 mg every 4 h, and again after 1 week (recovery). Plasma lipids, apolipoprotein AI, phospholipid transfer protein (PLTP) activity, pre-beta high-density lipoproteins (HDL) in incubated plasma and efflux of radiolabelled cholesterol from Fu5AH rat hepatoma cells to plasma were measured at each time point. RESULTS: Acipimox lowered plasma triglycerides in diabetic patients (P = 0.001) and healthy subjects (P = 0.002), whereas plasma non-esterified fatty acids were decreased in diabetic patients (P = 0.001) compared with the averaged values at baseline and recovery. Acipimox decreased HDL cholesterol in healthy subjects (P = 0.007) and plasma apolipoprotein AI in both groups (P = 0.001 for diabetic patients; P = 0.008 for healthy subjects). Not only plasma PLTP activity (P = 0.001 for diabetic patients; P = 0.01 for healthy subjects), but also pre-beta HDL in incubated plasma (P = 0.001 for diabetic patients; P = 0.03 for healthy subjects) and cellular cholesterol efflux to plasma (P = 0.04 for diabetic patients; P = 0.005 for healthy subjects) were lowered by Acipimox in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Short-term Acipimox administration impairs the ability of plasma from Type 2 diabetic patients and healthy subjects to stimulate cellular cholesterol efflux, in conjunction with alterations in HDL parameters and in PLTP activity. If the impairment of cellular cholesterol efflux to plasma is sustained with long-term treatment, this potentially adverse effect should be considered when treating diabetic dyslipidaemia with Acipimox. Diabet. Med. 18, 509-513 (2001)

Animals↗

Plasma cholesteryl ester transfer and hepatic lipase activity are related to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in association with insulin resistance in type 2 diabetic and non-diabetic subjects.

We evaluated the hypothesis that plasma cholesteryl ester transfer (CET) and lipase activities are influenced by insulin sensitivity and contribute to the low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol observed in type 2 diabetic patients and insulin-resistant non-diabetic subjects. Sixteen type 2 diabetic and 16 non-diabetic subjects participated. Diabetic and non-diabetic subjects were divided in equal groups of eight subjects with low or high insulin sensitivity, which was documented as the glucose infusion rate (M-value) during the last hour of a 3-h euglycaemic hyperinsulinaemic clamp (150 mU kg(-1) h(-1), blood glucose target 4.6 mmol L(-1)). Post-heparin plasma lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and hepatic lipase (HL) activities were measured in samples obtained 1-2 weeks before the clamp. Plasma CET was measured by a radioisotope method. Compared to non-diabetic men with high insulin sensitivity (n = 8) HDL cholesterol was lower in type 2 diabetic men (n=8, p<0.01) and non-diabetic men (n=8, p <0.05) with low insulin sensitivity, and the HDL cholesterylester content was lower in type 2 diabetic men with high insulin sensitivity (n=8, p<0.05). In non-diabetic subjects with high insulin sensitivity, plasma CET was lower than in the other groups (p<0.05 for all). Multiple regression analysis showed that plasma CET (p=0.001) and HL activity (p=0.02) were independently and negatively associated with the M-value. No association between the M-value and LPL activity was observed. Independent negative relationships of HDL cholesterol with plasma CET (p = 0.04) and HL activity (p=0.03) were observed. This study supports the hypothesis that a low HDL cholesterol associated with insulin resistance in type 2 diabetic and non-diabetic subjects is related to a high plasma CET and a high HL activity.

Adult↗