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Biomedical subjects

H Gylling

Publications and source records attributed to H Gylling.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Dietary squalene increases cholesterol synthesis measured with serum non-cholesterol sterols after a single oral dose in humans.

Studies considering long-term squalene consumption have revealed no consistent effects on serum cholesterol levels but the immediate effect of dietary squalene on cholesterol synthesis has not been studied. Thus, the effect of a single dose of dietary squalene on postprandial lipid metabolism was studied in 16 male volunteeers aged 22-79 years. Two oral fat meals a week apart were administered to every subject, one without (control) and the other with 500 mg of squalene. Lipids, retinyl palmitate, squalene and non-cholesterol sterols were measured at baseline and after 3, 4, 6, 9, 12 and 24 h postprandially in plasma, chylomicron, VLDL and VLDL bottom and, in six randomly chosen subjects, also in IDL, LDL and HDL. In the fasting samples, squalene was mainly transported in LDL and HDL, whereas in squalene-supplemented postprandium most of squalene was carried in the triglyceride-rich lipoproteins. Postprandial squalene and retinyl palmitate curves closely resembled each other. After the squalene-enriched dietary fat load, squalene was significantly increased compared to control fat loads in plasma, chylomicrons, VLDL and IDL. Squalene addition increased significantly lathosterol/campesterol ratio in chylomicrons and VLDL at 12 h and in VLDL bottom at 9-12 h, and increased significantly VLDL lanosterol/campesterol ratio at 12 h, indicating enhanced cholesterol synthesis caused by squalene. Plasma plant sterol levels remained unchanged. In conclusion, a single oral dose of squalene representing a potential daily dietary amount increases cholesterol synthesis within 9-12 h detected in chylomicrons, VLDL and VLDL bottom.

Administration, Oral↗

Plant stanol ester margarine lowers serum total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations of healthy children: the STRIP project. Special Turku Coronary Risk Factors Intervention Project.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate cholesterol-lowering efficacy and safety of plant stanol ester margarine in healthy 6-year-old children already consuming a low-saturated-fat, low-cholesterol diet. STUDY DESIGN: Eighty-one intervention children from the STRIP project, a randomized prospective trial aimed at reducing exposure of young children to the known environmental atherosclerosis risk factors, were recruited to this double-blind crossover study at 6 years of age. In randomized order the families were advised to replace daily 20 g of the child's dietary fat intake with plant stanol ester margarine or control margarine for 3 months. The washout period lasted 6 weeks. Statistical analysis was performed according to intention-to-treat principle with analysis of variance for crossover design. RESULTS: The mean daily plant stanol ester margarine consumption was 18.2 g (1.5 g plant stanol). The well-tolerated plant stanol ester margarine reduced serum total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations by 5.4% and 7.5%, respectively (P =.0001 for both). The serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations and alpha-tocopherol to low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio remained unchanged. The serum beta-carotene to low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio decreased by 19% (P =.003). CONCLUSION: Plant stanol ester margarine significantly diminishes serum total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration without adverse clinical effects in healthy children who already consume a low-saturated-fat, low-cholesterol diet but decreases the serum beta-carotene to low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio.

Child↗

Effect of stanol ester on postabsorptive squalene and retinyl palmitate.

Stanol ester dissolved in margarine inhibits cholesterol absorption in general and, despite increasing cholesterol synthesis, decreases serum total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels, but its effects on postprandial lipid metabolism are unknown. We performed fat tolerance tests in 11 men at baseline and during short-term stanol ester consumption without and with stanol esters added to the test meal also containing retinol and squalene. Cholesterol, triglycerides, retinyl palmitate, and squalene were analyzed in plasma, chylomicrons, and very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) at baseline and 3, 4, 6, 9, 12, and 24 hours after the test meal. Serum total and LDL cholesterol only tended to diminish after the 2-week stanol ester consumption. However, the proportion of plasma plant sterol and cholesterol-precursor sterol to cholesterol was significantly altered, suggesting that cholesterol absorption was diminished and cholesterol synthesis was increased. Postprandial peak times of squalene and retinyl palmitate in plasma, chylomicrons, and VLDL were significantly reduced by stanol esters, but their concentrations in chylomicrons were unchanged. Stanol esters reduced the VLDL squalene peak concentration by 23% (P < .05) and the incremental area under the curve (AUIC) in plasma and VLDL by 22% and 32% (P < .01 for both). Chylomicron remnant metabolism measured with triglycerides only tended to diminish. The effects of stanol esters in the diet only and both in the diet and with supplementation did not differ significantly. We conclude that dietary stanol esters reduce postprandial lipoproteins measured with dietary retinyl palmitate and especially squalene, and the reduction is observed even though serum total and LDL cholesterol are only inconsistently decreased after short-term stanol ester consumption.

Aged↗

Independent association of serum squalene and noncholesterol sterols with coronary artery disease in postmenopausal women.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the study was to investigate whether cholesterol metabolism is associated with coronary artery disease (CAD) in postmenopausal women. BACKGROUND: Although hypercholesterolemia, a predominant risk factor of CAD, is related to cholesterol metabolism, the association between cholesterol metabolism and CAD is not well known. METHODS: In addition to conventional coronary risk factors, fasting serum squalene, delta8-cholestenol, desmosterol, lathosterol (indicators of cholesterol synthesis), cholestanol, campesterol and sitosterol (indicators of cholesterol absorption) were measured in 48 50- to 55-year-old consecutive women with angiographically verified CAD and in 61 age-matched healthy controls. RESULTS: The coronary patients had elevated ratios of squalene (p < 0.001), desmosterol (p = 0.005), campesterol (p = 0.028) and sitosterol (p = 0.022) to cholesterol, but had lower respective lathosterol value (p = 0.041) compared with the controls, despite similar serum cholesterol levels. Adjusted for age, body mass index, family history of CAD, smoking, hypertension, serum triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol level and glycosylated hemoglobin A1c% (GHbA1c), the ratios of squalene (odds ratio, 1.36; 95% confidence interval, 1.17 to 1.57), lathosterol (0.98; 0.97 to 0.99), campesterol (1.01; 1.00 to 1.01) and sitosterol (1.01; 1.00 to 1.03) were significantly associated with the risk of CAD. In addition, family history of CAD and GHbA1c% were also independently related to the presence of CAD. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that women with elevated ratios of serum squalene, campesterol and sitosterol to cholesterol and low respective lathosterol values have enhanced risk for CAD. Thus, enhanced absorption and reduced synthesis of cholesterol may be related to coronary atherosclerosis.

Case-Control Studies↗

Comparison of the effects of plant sterol ester and plant stanol ester-enriched margarines in lowering serum cholesterol concentrations in hypercholesterolaemic subjects on a low-fat diet.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate cholesterol-lowering effects of stanol ester (STAEST) and sterol ester (STEEST)-enriched margarines as part of a low-fat diet. DESIGN: According to a Latin square model randomized double-blind repeated measures design with three test margarines and three periods. SETTING: Outpatient clinical trial with free-living subjects. SUBJECTS: Thirty-four hypercholesterolaemic subjects completed the study. INTERVENTIONS: Subjects consumed three rapeseed oil-based test margarines (STAEST, STEEST and control (no added stanols or sterols)) as part of a low-fat diet each for 4 weeks. RESULTS: Mean daily intake of total plant sterols plus stanols was 2.01-2.04 g during the two test margarine periods. In reference to control, serum total cholesterol was reduced by 9.2 and 7.3% with the STAEST and STEEST margarine, respectively (P<0.001 for both). The respective reductions for low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol were 12.7 and 10.4% (P<0. 001). The cholesterol-lowering effects of the test margarines did not differ significantly. The presence of apolipoprotein E4 allele had a significant effect on LDL cholesterol response during the STAEST margarine only. Serum sitosterol and campesterol increased by 0.83 and 2.77 mg/l with the STEEST (P<0.001), respectively and decreased by 1.18 and 2.60 mg/l with the STAEST margarine (P<0.001). Increases of serum sitostanol and campestanol were 0.11 and 0.19 mg/l with the STAEST margarine (P<0.001), repsectively. No significant changes were found in serum fat-soluble vitamin and carotenoid concentrations when related to serum total cholesterol. CONCLUSIONS: STAEST and STEEST margarines reduced significantly and equally serum total and LDL cholesterol concentrations as part of a low-fat diet. SPONSORSHIP: Grant to the University of Kuopio by Raisio Benecol Ltd, Raisio, Finland.

Adult↗

Sialic acid content of low-density lipoprotein in women with coronary artery disease.

A low sialic acid content in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) has been associated with coronary artery disease (CAD) in studies that have included mostly male subjects. We compared the sialic acid-to-apolipoprotein B ratios of total LDL and its subfractions in middle-aged women with CAD (CAD+, n = 22) with those ratios in healthy female control subjects (CAD-, n = 11). CAD+ subjects had a lower sialic acid ratio in total LDL and in its subfractions as compared with results in CAD- subjects. In total, light, and dense LDL, the sialic acid ratio was negatively correlated with the respective cholesterol and phospholipid concentrations, and in very dense LDL, it was negatively correlated with triglyceride concentration. In multivariate analysis, CAD and LDL cholesterol contributed to the explanation of the variability of LDL sialic acid ratios. In summary, a low sialic acid-to-apolipoprotein B ratio in LDL was associated with the presence of CAD in middle-aged women with mild to moderate hypercholesterolemia.

Age Factors↗

Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome and other sterol disorders among Finns with developmental disabilities.

Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome (SLOS) is an inherited disorder of cholesterol metabolism in which 7- and 8-dehydrocholesterols are accumulated in blood and tissues. Diagnosis of SLOS and other disorders in cholesterol metabolism (eg, cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis, phytosterolemia, desmosterolosis, and X-linked dominant Conradi-Hünermann-Happle syndrome) can be performed by gas-liquid chromatographic analysis of serum sterols. To elucidate their involvement in developmental disability, we evaluated serum sterols in two study groups: developmentally disabled subjects in long-term care (N = 322) and newborns and young children (N = 49) with features of SLOS in the Finnish population of 5 million. Only 1 SLOS case (type II) was found from among the 49 children. Seven additional adult cases (type I) with a wide range of clinical features and the serum sterol abnormalities characteristic of SLOS were detected from among the developmentally disabled subjects. The frequency of SLOS in the latter group was relatively high (7 in 322). No other hereditary sterol disorders were found, but two subgroups with low serum cholesterol precursor sterols and high serum plant sterols were identified. Several subjects, including the 7 SLOS patients, used ample medication and had abnormalities in serum sterol concentrations. Thus, among the subjects taking melperone, a high serum delta8-cholestenol level suggests an interference by the drug with cholesterol synthesis. Our results emphasize the importance of analyzing the serum sterols of developmentally disabled subjects to diagnose SLOS and of finding putative undiagnosed disorders in sterol metabolism associated with these clinical conditions.

Adolescent↗

Serum, biliary, and fecal cholesterol and plant sterols in colectomized patients before and during consumption of stanol ester margarine.

BACKGROUND: Cholesterol metabolic studies are simplified in colectomized patients because of rapid intestinal passage and reduced bacterial action. OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to study the effect on cholesterol and plant sterol metabolism of feeding a margarine containing stanol ester to 11 colectomized patients. DESIGN: A margarine containing 2 g stanol was consumed for 7-18 d. Serum, biliary, and fecal lipids were measured before and during consumption of the margarine. RESULTS: Serum cholesterol concentrations and the ratio of plant sterol to cholesterol decreased after 1 d of consumption of stanol esters (P < 0.05). After 7 d, serum cholesterol decreased by 16% (P < 0.01), cholesterol absorption efficiency decreased by approximately 40%, and fecal output of cholesterol as neutral sterols (but not as bile acids) increased by 36%. Biliary bile acid composition and the molar percentage of biliary cholesterol were unchanged. Increased ratios of cholesterol precursor sterols in serum and bile indicated enhanced cholesterol synthesis during consumption of stanol esters; the percentage absorption of plant sterols and the ratios of plant sterols to cholesterol decreased, whereas serum and biliary plant stanols and their biliary secretion gradually increased. In feces, 95% of cholesterol and 90% of plant stanols were in unesterified form. CONCLUSIONS: In colectomized patients, effective inhibition of cholesterol absorption and lowering of serum cholesterol concentrations and plant sterol ratios occurs within 1 d of the start of consumption of stanol esters. The composition of major bile lipids is unchanged, indicating that gallstone formation is unlikely. Small amounts of plant stanols are recovered in serum and bile during consumption of stanol esters but effectively are secreted through bile, thereby balancing the intake-induced increase in their absorption.

Adult↗

Introducing a new component of the metabolic syndrome: low cholesterol absorption.

BACKGROUND: Weight reduction is the recommended treatment of obese type 2 diabetes, but the effects of weight reduction on cholesterol metabolism are poorly understood. OBJECTIVE: We investigated glucose, cholesterol, and lipoprotein metabolism at baseline and 2 y after weight reduction in obese patients with type 2 diabetes consuming an isoenergetic diet. DESIGN: Sixteen subjects were randomly chosen to consume a very-low-energy or low-energy diet for 3 mo, after which they consumed a weight-maintenance diet for up to 2 y. Cholesterol absorption and metabolism, LDL and HDL kinetics, and variables of glucose metabolism were studied at baseline and 2 y. RESULTS: Baseline serum sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) was significantly related to cholesterol absorption efficiency, and serum glucose and insulin concentrations were associated with cholesterol synthesis. After 2 y, body weight was reduced by 6 +/- 1 kg (P < 0.01), body mass index by 6% (P < 0.05), and blood glucose by 14% (P < 0.01); the ratio of serum SHBG to insulin increased by 66% (P < 0.05). Serum and VLDL, LDL, and HDL triacylglycerol were significantly reduced by 13-24%. Despite unchanged serum concentrations of cholesterol, cholesterol absorption efficiency and the ratio of serum plant sterols to cholesterol-indicators of cholesterol absorption-increased by 28% (P < 0.01) and 20-31% (P < 0. 05 for both), respectively; the fractional removal of LDL apolipoprotein B decreased. Fecal excretion of cholesterol as neutral sterols decreased significantly by 11%. Changes in body weight were significantly negatively correlated with changes in ratios of cholesterol to serum plant sterols and cholestanol. CONCLUSIONS: Baseline cholesterol absorption and synthesis were related to respective serum SHBG, glucose, and insulin values. Weight reduction increased cholesterol absorption and improved variables of glucose metabolism. These results suggest that low cholesterol absorption and high synthesis may be part of the insulin resistance syndrome.

Blood Glucose↗

Postprandial retinyl palmitate and squalene metabolism is age dependent.

Most of our awake time is spent in a postprandial state. It has not been investigated in detail whether the post-prandial clearance of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins is age dependent. In addition, postabsorptive squalene metabolism has not been studied in relation to age. Accordingly, we investigated postprandial lipid metabolism in six young (22-25 years of age) and eight old (78-79 years of age) healthy men by use of an oral fat load containing 345,000 IU of vitamin A and 0.5 g of squalene as postprandial markers. Postprandial samples were drawn after 3, 4, 6, 9, 12 and 24 hours after the fat load. The retinyl palmitate area under the incremental curve of the old subjects was higher in plasma than that of the young subjects (p < .01). The pattern of postprandial very low density lipoprotein squalene responses differed significantly in the old compared with the young subjects (p < .01), but the areas under the incremental curve did not differ. Postprandial retinyl palmitate and squalene concentrations correlated significantly at 3-12 hours (p < .01). These data suggest that postprandial lipoprotein metabolism measured by retinyl palmitate and squalene is retarded with increasing age.

Adult↗

Stanol ester margarine alone and with simvastatin lowers serum cholesterol in families with familial hypercholesterolemia caused by the FH-North Karelia mutation.

In heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), serum low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels are already elevated at birth. Premature coronary heart disease occurs in approximately 30% of heterozygous untreated adult patients. Accordingly, to retard development of atherosclerosis, preventive measures for lowering cholesterol should be started even in childhood. To this end, 19 FH families consumed dietary stanol ester for 3 months. Stanol ester margarine lowers the serum cholesterol level by inhibiting cholesterol absorption. Each individual in the study replaced part of his or her daily dietary fat with 25 g of 80% rapeseed oil margarine containing stanol esters (2.24 g/d stanols, mainly sitostanol). The families who consumed this margarine for 12 weeks included 24 children, aged 3 to 13 years, with the North Karelia variant of FH (FH-NK), 4 FH-NK parents, and 16 healthy family members, and a separate group of 12 FH-NK adults who consumed the margarine for 6 weeks and who were on simvastatin therapy (20 or 40 mg/d). Fat-soluble vitamins were measured by high-pressure liquid chromatography, and cholesterol precursor sterols (indexes of cholesterol synthesis) and cholestanol and plant sterols (indexes of cholesterol absorption efficiency) were assayed by gas-liquid chromatography. No side effects occurred. Serum LDL cholesterol levels were reduced by 18% (P<0.001), 11%, 12% (P<0.001), and 20% (P<0.001) in the 4 groups, respectively. The serum campesterol-to-cholesterol ratios fell by 31% (P<0.001), 29%, 23% (P<0.001), and 36% (P<0.001), respectively, suggesting that cholesterol absorption efficiency was inhibited. Serum lathosterol ratios were elevated by 38% (P<0.001), 11%, 15% (P<0.001), and 19% (P<0.001), respectively, suggesting that cholesterol synthesis was compensatorily upregulated. The FH-NK children increased their serum lathosterol ratio more than did the FH-NK adults treated with stanol ester margarine and simvastatin (P<0.01). In the FH-NK children, serum retinol concentration and alpha-tocopherol-to-cholesterol ratios were unchanged by stanol ester margarine, but alpha- and beta-carotene concentrations and ratios were decreased. As assayed in a genetically defined population of FH patients, a dietary regimen with stanol ester margarine proved to be a safe and effective hypolipidemic treatment for children and adults. In FH-NK adults on simvastatin therapy, serum LDL cholesterol levels could be reduced even further by including a stanol ester margarine in the regimen.

Adolescent↗

Noncholesterol sterols and cholesterol lowering by long-term simvastatin treatment in coronary patients: relation to basal serum cholestanol.

Coronary patients with low baseline ratios of serum cholestanol and plant sterols to cholesterol (indicating low cholesterol absorption) but not those with high ratios (high absorption) experienced reduced recurrences of coronary events during simvastatin treatment in the Scandinavian Simvastatin Survival Study. Thus, in the present study, serum cholesterol, its precursor sterols (reflecting cholesterol synthesis), plant sterols (campesterol and sitosterol), and cholestanol were measured before and during a 5-year period of placebo treatment (n=433) and simvastatin treatment (n=434) in patients from a subgroup of the Scandinavian Simvastatin Survival Study to determine whether changes in cholesterol synthesis and serum levels were related to cholesterol absorption. Serum cholesterol level was unchanged, the ratios of cholesterol precursor sterols to cholesterol were decreased, and the ratios of plant sterols to cholesterol were increased in relation to increasing baseline ratios of cholestanol quartiles. The latter predicted 5-year ratios and simvastatin-induced reductions of the precursor sterols, with the lowering of the ratios (cholesterol synthesis reduction) being almost twice higher in the lowest versus the highest quartile. The ratios of plant sterols, especially campesterol, to cholesterol were markedly increased during simvastatin treatment, mostly in subjects with the highest baseline cholestanol quartiles. Simvastatin reduced serum cholesterol more (P=0.003) in the lowest versus the highest cholestanol quartile during the 5-year treatment period. The results show for the first time that baseline cholesterol metabolism, measured by serum noncholesterol sterols, predicts the effectiveness of simvastatin in reducing cholesterol synthesis and serum levels of cholesterol. The drug suppresses the synthesis of cholesterol markedly more effectively in subjects with high than with low baseline synthesis but reduces respective serum cholesterol levels less markedly than synthesis. Subjects with high cholesterol absorption and low synthesis may need a combination therapy to lower more effectively their serum cholesterol levels and prevent an increase in the levels of plant sterols.

Anticholesteremic Agents↗

Oral guar gum, a gel-forming dietary fiber relieves pruritus in intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: Guar gum is a gel-forming fiber, which increases fecal elimination of bile acids. It may therefore be beneficial in the treatment of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy. METHODS: Forty-eight patients with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy were randomized double-blind to receive either guar gum or placebo until delivery. Serum bile acid concentration was measured. Pruritus was assessed by both the investigator and the patient. RESULTS: At baseline, the intensity of pruritus and the serum bile acid concentration were significantly related. Guar gum diminished or prevented worsening of pruritus, while in the placebo group pruritus was enhanced (p<0.05). In the placebo group serum bile acid concentration increased significantly, whereas in the guar gum group it remained unchanged (p<0.05 between the groups). Guar gum treatment-induced changes of the pruritus score and serum bile acid concentrations were significantly related (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Guar gum relieved the intensity of pruritus without any side effects and prevented the rise in serum bile acid concentration in this placebo-controlled and double-blind study of patients with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy.

Administration, Oral↗

Sialic acid content of low density lipoprotein and its relation to lipid concentrations and metabolism of low density lipoprotein and cholesterol.

A low sialic acid content in low density lipoprotein (LDL) has been associated with atherogenicity and coronary artery disease (CAD) in many but not all studies. We investigated associations of the sialic acid-to-apolipoprotein B (apoB) ratio of LDL with lipoprotein lipid concentrations, kinetics of LDL, metabolism of cholesterol, and the presence of CAD in 98 subjects (CAD(+), n = 56; CAD(-), n = 42). The sialic acid ratios of total, dense, and very dense LDL were lower in the CAD(+) than CAD(-) subjects, especially at high sialic acid ratios. The LDL sialic acid ratio was inversely associated with respective lipid and apoB concentrations and positively with lipid-to-apoB ratios of LDL. The transport rates (TRs) for total and dense LDL apoB were negatively associated with their sialic acid ratios. The sialic acid ratio of dense LDL, but not that of total LDL, was inversely correlated with serum levels of cholesterol precursor sterols, indicators of cholesterol synthesis, and positively with serum levels of plant sterols, indicators of cholesterol absorption. In addition, the TR for dense LDL was positively correlated with cholesterol synthesis. In conclusion, a low LDL sialic acid ratio was associated with CAD, high numbers of small LDL particles, and a high TR for LDL apoB, and in dense LDL also with high synthesis and low absorption of cholesterol.

Apolipoproteins B↗

An olive oil-rich diet results in higher concentrations of LDL cholesterol and a higher number of LDL subfraction particles than rapeseed oil and sunflower oil diets.

We investigated the effect of olive oil, rapeseed oil, and sunflower oil on blood lipids and lipoproteins including number and lipid composition of lipoprotein subclasses. Eighteen young, healthy men participated in a double-blinded randomized cross-over study (3-week intervention period) with 50 g of oil per 10 MJ incorporated into a constant diet. Plasma cholesterol, triacylglycerol, apolipoprotein B, and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), intermediate density lipoprotein (IDL), and low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol concentrations were 10;-20% higher after consumption of the olive oil diet compared with the rapeseed oil and sunflower oil diets [analysis of variance (ANOVA), P < 0.05]. The size of IDL, VLDL, and LDL subfractions did not differ between the diets, whereas a significantly higher number (apolipoprotein B concentration) and lipid content of the larger and medium-sized LDL subfractions were observed after the olive oil diet compared with the rapeseed oil and sunflower oil diets (ANOVA, P < 0.05). Total HDL cholesterol concentration did not differ significantly, but HDL(2a) cholesterol was higher after olive oil and rapeseed oil compared with sunflower oil (ANOVA, P < 0.05).In conclusion, rapeseed oil and sunflower oil had more favorable effects on blood lipids and plasma apolipoproteins as well as on the number and lipid content of LDL subfractions compared with olive oil. Some of the differences may be attributed to differences in the squalene and phytosterol contents of the oils.

Adult↗

Sialic acid content of LDL and lipoprotein metabolism in combined hyperlipidemia and primary moderate hypercholesterolemia.

Low density lipoprotein (LDL) with low sialic acid content has been shown to cause intracellular lipid accumulation and therefore is suggested to be atherogenic. We investigated the sialic acid content of total LDL and its subfractions, and their relations to lipoprotein kinetics in 22 subjects with primary moderate hypercholesterolemia (IIa) and in 21 subjects with combined hyperlipidemia (IIb) matched for age, sex, BMI and the frequency of coronary artery disease. Sialic acid to protein ratio decreased gradually from VLDL and IDL to light and dense LDL and HDL, but was high in very dense LDL probably due to presence of Lp(a). Sialic acid to apo B ratio was significantly lower in dense and very dense subfractions of IIb than IIa. The sialic acid/apo B ratios of dense and very dense LDL subfractions were interrelated and were negatively associated with their cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations, and with the transport rate (TR) for dense LDL apo B. The only metabolic variable differing between the groups was the TR for dense LDL apo B, which was significantly higher in IIb vs. IIa. In addition, the TR for dense LDL apo B was positively associated with the esterification percentage of LDL cholesterol. In conclusion, low sialic acid content in dense and very dense LDL subfractions was associated with enhanced TR for LDL apo B and type IIb dyslipidemia.

Female↗

Retinol, vitamin D, carotenes and alpha-tocopherol in serum of a moderately hypercholesterolemic population consuming sitostanol ester margarine.

We have shown earlier that sitostanol ester margarine lowers serum cholesterol by inhibiting cholesterol absorption so that, theoretically, there could be interference with the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins. Accordingly, we investigated whether sitostanol ester margarine affects the serum levels of vitamin D, retinol, alpha-tocopherol and alpha- and beta-carotenes during 1-year treatment in 102 subjects and 49 controls with moderate hypercholesterolemia. The vitamins were assayed at baseline on home diet, on margarine alone, after 1 year's consumption of sitostanol ester margarine and after an additional 2 months on home diet. In the sitostanol group, serum plant sterols, indicators of cholesterol absorption efficiency, were reduced up to -38% in relation to controls from home diet (P < 0.01) indicating that cholesterol absorption was markedly reduced. Vitamin D and retinol concentrations and the ratio of alpha-tocopherol to cholesterol were unchanged by sitostanol ester. Serum beta-carotenes and alpha-carotene concentration but not proportion were reduced in the sitostanol group from baseline and in relation to controls (P < 0.01). Retinol and vitamin D were unassociated with serum cholesterol, plant sterols or other vitamins, whereas alpha-tocopherol and carotenes were significantly associated with serum plant sterols suggesting that the higher cholesterol absorption efficiency, the higher the alpha-tocopherol and carotene levels in serum. We conclude that sitostanol ester did not affect vitamin D and retinol concentrations and alpha-tocopherol/cholesterol proportion, but reduced serum beta-carotene levels. Alpha-tocopherol and carotenes, but not vitamin D and retinol, were related to serum cholesterol and cholesterol absorption.

Adult↗