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Biomedical subjects

L Ose

Publications and source records attributed to L Ose.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

The C677T mutation in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene predisposes to hyperhomocysteinemia in children with familial hypercholesterolemia treated with cholestyramine.

In children with familial hypercholesterolemia, heterozygosity and homozygosity for the C677T mutation in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene was associated with low serum folate and increased susceptibility to elevation of plasma total homocysteine during cholestyramine treatment. Because of the independent relationship between elevated plasma total homocysteine and cardiovascular disease, folate supplementation may be prudent in these children.

Anticholesteremic Agents↗

Carotid intima-media thickness and plaque in patients with familial hypercholesterolaemia mutations and control subjects.

BACKGROUND: In individuals with familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH), ultrasonographic measurement of carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and plaque may provide a non-invasive assessment of cardiovascular risk. METHODS: We examined carotid artery IMT and its determinants in 79 non-smoking, normotensive, treated men and women with FH aged 26-46 years, and in 79 non-smoking, normotensive sex-, age- and body mass index-matched control subjects. FH was verified by molecular genetic analyses. The underlying mutation in the low-destiny lipoprotein receptor gene included a splice-site mutation, mutations predicted or shown to lead to class 2B mutations or other mutations that probably represent class I mutations (null alleles). RESULTS: The carotid bifurcation and common carotid artery IMT was increased in men with FH compared with control subjects (0.81 +/- 0.15 mm vs. 0.74 +/- 0.19 mm and 0.61 +/- 0.13 mm vs. 0.55 +/- 0.14 mm respectively; P < 0.05). The carotid bifurcation IMT was increased in women with FH compared with control subjects (0.74 +/- 0.17 vs. 0. 66 +/- 0.15; P = 0.005). More subjects with FH had carotid plaque (54% vs. 14%; P = 0.0001). In multivariate analysis, male gender, level of low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, cholesterol-years score and xanthoma were associated with IMT and plaque in subjects with FH. FH subjects with class 2B mutations had lower cholesterol levels than subjects with mutations belonging to the other classes. They also had a tendency towards a decreased common carotid artery IMT. CONCLUSION: These findings confirm the importance of gender, xanthoma and lifetime cholesterol levels in relation to carotid atherosclerosis in FH. Whether the type of mutation causing FH modulates carotid artery IMT and plaque requires further study.

Adult↗

[Diagnosis and treatment of severe hyperlipidemia].

Though severe hyperlipidaemia (total cholesterol level > or = 13 mmol/l in this study) is uncommon, it is important to make a precise diagnosis. We examined 57 patients with isolated severe hypercholesterolaemia. Of these, four were homozygotes for familial hypercholesterolaemia, 48 were heterozygotes for familial hypercholesterolacmia and one had sitosterolemia. The heterozygotes carried 15 different LDL receptor mutations, with no one mutation predominating. When the diagnosis is made, relatives should be given the opportunity to be tested. Combined severe hyperlipidaemia is usually due to a secondary cause, at our clinic, the most common cause is diabetes mellitus. The underlying disease should be treated first. However, many patients will require additional lipid-lowering drugs because the underlying disease may be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. With the exception of fish oil capsules, drugs that reduce serum triglyceride levels substantially are not registered in Norway at present.

Adult↗

[What happens with patients after participation in a clinical trial?].

107 patients with primary hypercholesterolaemia participated for five years in a clinical trial with dietary and drug treatment (a statin) at the Lipid Clinic. At the end of the study the patients were referred back to their own physicians, with written advice on diet and drug therapy. At a recall two years later we studied to what extent recommended therapy and follow-up had been implemented. 15% had no follow-up after participating in the study and 18% had not measured their cholesterol for one year or more. The majority of the patients did not follow the recommended diet and level of physical activity satisfactorily, and 20% had stopped their lipid-lowering medication. In general they had been prescribed too low doses of the lipid-lowering agent, and 70% of the patients had not reached the target of the LDL-cholesterol. In conclusion, adequate treatment and a five-year follow-up is not sufficient to keep the patient compliant when the follow-up becomes less intensive. When a clinical trial is terminated, greater efforts should be made to secure better compliance to therapy.

Adult↗

Flow cytometric measurement of low density lipoprotein receptor activity validated by DNA analysis in diagnosing heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia.

We have evaluated whether low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor activity of stimulated lymphocytes, as measured by an improved flow cytometric assay, may be used to diagnose familial hypercholesterolemia (FH). Cells were isolated from 75 children suspected from strict clinical criteria to be FH heterozygotes and from 29 normal children. DNA from the FH patients were also subjected to molecular genetic analysis of the LDL receptor gene in order to confirm the clinical diagnosis. A molecular genetic diagnosis of FH was obtained in 68 of the 75 patients; 67 of these had a low (below 70% of normal) receptor activity and 1 had a borderline (71%) activity. By contrast, 28 of the normal children showed a normal (above 80%) and 1 a borderline (78%) receptor activity. Of the 7 patients in whom no mutation in the LDL receptor gene was found, 4 showed a normal, 1 a borderline, and 2 showed a low activity. In summary, measurement of LDL receptor activity allowed us to separate between genetically diagnosed FH heterozygotes and healthy children. The combined use of LDL receptor activity measurements and molecular genetic analysis allows us both to diagnose and exclude FH in children suspected to suffer from this disease.

Child↗

[Application of gene technology in the diagnosis of familial hypercholesterolemia].

Familial hypercholesterolaemia is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by hypercholesterolaemia, xanthomas and premature coronary heart disease. Treatment of hypercholesterolemia is effective and consists of dietary changes and lipid lowering drugs. Only a minor proportion of familial hypercholesterolaemia patients are adequately treated, however. One explanation for this is assumed to be the relatively vague clinical diagnostic criteria applied. Because familial hypercholesterolaemia is caused by a mutation in the gene encoding the low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor, mutation analysis of this gene could form the basis for specific diagnosis. 29 different mutations in the LDL receptor gene have been found to cause familial hypercholesterolaemia among Norwegian patients, and a total of 681 patients from 322 unrelated families have been provided with a molecular genetic diagnosis. We conclude that the use of molecular genetic analysis is feasible, and should be used clinically.

DNA Mutational Analysis↗

[Is there a need for genetic/molecular diagnosis of familial hypercholesterolemia?].

Patients with familial hypercholesterolaemia have a significantly elevated risk of coronary heart disease. Accordingly, it is of crucial importance to diagnose and treat these patients before they contract premature coronary heart disease. At present, however, only a small proportion of familial hypercholesterolaemia patients are treated adequately. One main reason for this is probably the relatively vague clinical diagnostic criteria applied. We therefore advocate instead the use of molecular genetics to obtain a specific diagnosis by identifying the underlying genetic defect.

Female↗

Molecular genetics of familial hypercholesterolaemia in Norway.

OBJECTIVES: To characterize mutations in the low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor gene causing familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) amongst Norwegian patients. DESIGN: Molecular genetic analyses of the LDL receptor gene have been performed in patients with a clinical diagnosis of FH. SUBJECTS: A total of 742 probands have been studied. Of these, 476 had a diagnosis of definite FH. The rest had a diagnosis of possible FH. RESULTS: Twenty-three different mutations in the LDL receptor gene as well as the apolipoprotein B-3500 mutation have been found. Six of the mutations in the LDL receptor gene are novel mutations. A molecular genetic diagnosis was achieved in 295 of the probands with definite FH (62%) and in 317 probands total. Of the 317 probands, 3% carried the apolipoprotein B-3500 mutation. When family members were included, a total of 624 persons carried a mutation in the LDL receptor gene and 20 carried the apolipoprotein B-3500 mutation. CONCLUSIONS: Approximately 5% of Norwegian FH patients have been provided with a molecular genetic diagnosis. Our data suggest that molecular diagnosis of FH in Norway is feasible and should be implemented in clinical medicine.

Adult↗

Functional modeling of vitamin responsiveness in yeast: a common pyridoxine-responsive cystathionine beta-synthase mutation in homocystinuria.

Cystathionine beta-synthase (CBS) deficiency is an autosomal recessive disorder which results in extremely elevated levels of total plasma homocysteine (tHcy) and high risk of thromboembolic events. About half of all patients diagnosed with CBS deficiency respond to pyridoxine treatment with a significant lowering of tHcy levels. We examined 12 CBS-deficient patients from 10 Norwegian families for mutations in the CBS gene and identified mutations in 18 of the 20 CBS alleles. Five of the seven patients classified as pyridoxine-responsive contain the newly identified point mutation, G797A (R266K). This point mutation is tightly linked with a previously identified 'benign' 68 bp duplication of the intron 7-exon 8 boundary within the CBS gene. We tested the effect of all of the mutations identified on human CBS function utilizing a yeast system. Five of the six mutations had a distinguishable phenotype in yeast, indicating that they were in fact pathogenic. Interestingly, the G797A allele had no phenotype when the yeast were grown in high concentrations of pyridoxine, but a severe phenotype when grown in low concentrations, thus mirroring the behavior in humans. These studies show that the G797A mutation is an important cause of pyridoxine-responsive CBS deficiency and demonstrate the utility of yeast functional assays in the analysis of human mutations.

Adolescent↗

Heterozygosity for apolipoprotein A-I(R160L)Oslo is associated with low levels of high density lipoprotein cholesterol and HDL-subclass LpA-I/A-II but normal levels of HDL-subclass LpA-I.

We studied a Norwegian patient and his family, who presented with low HDL-cholesterol. DNA sequence analysis of the apoA-I gene revealed heterozygosity for a mutation in the apoA-I gene that causes a leucine for arginine replacement at residue 160. Compared to unaffected family members, heterozygous carriers of apoA-1 (R160L)Oslo had 60-70% lower mean levels of HDL-cholesterol, 50-60% lower mean levels of apoA-I and 70-80% lower levels of apoA-II. Moreover, the serum concentration of the apoA-II-containing HDL-subclass LpA-I/A-II was decreased by 70% whereas the concentration of the apoA-II-free HDL-subclass LpA-I did not differ from that in unaffected family members. The decrease of LpA-I/A-II was associated with the lack of large LpA-I/A-II. ApoA-I(R160L)Oslo was present at increased concentrations relative to normal apoA-I in plasma, HDL3, and LpA-I. However, only trace amounts of the variant isoform were detectable in immunopurified LpA-I/A-II. Pre beta1-LpA-I contained normal and variant apoA-I isoforms. We conclude that the failure of apoA-I(R160L)Oslo to form LpA-I/A-II causes low HDL-cholesterol in heterozygous carriers of this apoA-I variant.

Adult↗

Results of intensive long-term treatment of familial hypercholesterolemia.

Fifty-seven patients with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) with mean age of 48 years (range 30 to 69), participated in a follow-up examination 5.5 years after the completion of a 1-year trial with lovastatin, cholestyramine, probucol, or omega-3 fatty acids. The goals were to record quality of life, compliance to treatment, adverse effects, and clinical outcome. The quality of life was similar to that in a Norwegian reference population. The factors causing most distress to patients were keeping a diet low in saturated fats, taking medication, and fear of death. The medication was mostly prescribed in maximum dosages. At follow-up, the reduction in total cholesterol was 36% (p < 0.05), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol 38% (p < 0.05), triglycerides 20% (p < 0.05) compared with being on diet therapy only. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol increased 8% (p < 0.05). Intake of saturated and monounsaturated fat increased 1.5% and 1.7% (p < 0.05), respectively; polyunsaturated fat was unchanged. Three patients experienced myocardial infarction, of whom 2 died and 1 developed angina pectoris. Before the start of lovastatin treatment, 27 coronary events occurred per 1,000 patient-years in this group compared with 12 events per 1,000 patient-years thereafter. Of 28 patients reporting adverse events, 4 discontinued lovastatin and 3 discontinued cholestyramine. Several practical and psychological difficulties were associated with FH. Long-term intensive lipid-lowering therapy was possible in FH outpatients without loss of effect and with good compliance to therapy. Intensive therapy, today is, however, not sufficient for many FH patients to reach a therapeutic goal of LDL cholesterol < 4.0 mmol/L. More potent lipid-lowering agents are needed.

Adult↗

Efficacy and safety of cholestyramine therapy in peripubertal and prepubertal children with familial hypercholesterolemia.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy and safety of cholestyramine therapy in young children with familial hypercholesterolemia. SUBJECTS: Boys aged 6 to 11 years (n = 57) and girls aged 6 to 10 years (n = 39) with familial hypercholesterolemia. DESIGN: After 1 year of a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet, children with low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels > or = 4.9 mmol/L (190 mg/di) or < or = 4.1 mmol/L (160 mg/dl) in the presence of familial premature cardiovascular disease were randomly assigned to a double-blind comparison of 8 gm cholestyramine (n = 36) and placebo (n = 36) for 1 year. OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary efficacy and safety outcomes were serum LDL cholesterol levels and height velocity, respectively. Secondary safety outcomes were erythrocyte folate, total plasma homocysteine, serum fat-soluble vitamins, and side effects. RESULTS: Twenty-two subjects in the cholestyramine group and 26 in the placebo group completed the 1-year study. Most withdrawals from the study were related to unpalatability of the study drug or placebo. The LDL cholesterol levels changed by -16.9% (95% confidence interval, -10.8% to -22.9%) in the cholestyramine group compared with 1.4% (95% confidence interval, -4.4% to 7.2%) in the placebo group. Mean height velocity standard deviation scores during 1 year for the children in the cholestyramine and the placebo groups who had not started puberty were 0.24 +/- 1.14 and 0.11 +/- 0.68, respectively (not significant). In the cholestyramine group, mean levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D decreased. One girl had low folate and elevated homocysteine levels, and there was one case of intestinal obstruction caused by adhesions. CONCLUSIONS: Significant reductions in LDL cholesterol are achievable during treatment with cholestyramine in about half of eligible children. Growth is not adversely affected. Folate deficiency may occur, even with a low dose of cholestyramine, and vitamin D supplements should be considered. Caution should possibly be exercised in starting cholestyramine therapy within 3 months of abdominal surgery in children.

Anticholesteremic Agents↗

The effect of growth hormone on low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and lipoprotein (a) levels in familial hypercholesterolemia.

Severe elevations of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol are not always normalized with conventional drugs. Growth hormone decreases LDL cholesterol levels, in part by augmenting liver LDL receptor activity. This increase may be on the order of magnitude of the increase induced by statins. We investigated the effect of growth hormone in familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Thirty-one men with FH aged 20 to 48 years, of whom 81% had a known LDL receptor gene mutation, discontinued all lipid-lowering drugs 6 weeks before the study. Dietary stabilization continued for 5 more weeks, followed by single-blind placebo injections for 1 week. Thereafter, 16 subjects were allocated to recombinant growth hormone 0.05 IU/kg/d and 15 to placebo injected subcutaneously for 12 weeks. Baseline lipid levels were similar in both groups. One subject in the growth hormone group withdrew after 8 weeks due to shoulder pain. Mean compliance among the rest of the subjects was 98%. The mean change in LDL cholesterol was -0.46 mmol/L (95% confidence interval [CI], -1.00 to 0.09 mmol/L) in the growth hormone group versus 0.08 mmol/L (95% CI, -0.55 to 0.71 mmol/L) in the placebo group (difference not significant). No changes occurred in the levels of other lipids, lipoprotein particles, or apolipoproteins, with the exception of lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)]. The median changes in Lp(a) were 33% (interquartile range, 2% to 53%) and -15% (interquartile range, -22% to 18%) in the growth hormone and placebo groups, respectively (P = .02). We conclude that the effect of growth hormone on LDL cholesterol levels in FH is less than expected, based on its LDL-catabolic effects, and is counteracted by profound increases in Lp(a) levels, resulting in unchanged levels of apolipoprotein B. Thus, growth hormone is probably not useful as adjunctive therapy in FH.

Adult↗

Effect of hormone replacement therapy on the susceptibility of low-density lipoprotein to oxidation among postmenopausal hypercholesterolaemic women.

The effect of sequential combined hormone replacement therapy on the susceptibility of low-density lipoprotein to oxidative modification was investigated in a double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled study. Hypercholesterolaemic, postmenopausal women were supplemented with 17 beta-oestradiol and norethisterone acetate (n = 13 subjects) or placebo capsules (n = 15 subjects) for 12 weeks. They were instructed to follow the American Heart Association step one diet. Low-density lipoprotein, isolated before and after treatment, was subjected to copper-catalysed lipid peroxidation. There were no significant differences between low-density lipoprotein from the hormone replacement therapy and placebo groups, as assessed by measuring the lag time for formation of conjugated dienes, the rate of formation and the amount of conjugated dienes formed, the amount of lipid peroxides generated, and the relative electrophoretic mobility at baseline and after treatment. Dietary records showed that the subjects were consuming similar amounts of fat and vitamins. No major differences were found in the fatty acid pattern of low-density lipoprotein from the two groups. In conclusion, the results indicated that hormone replacement therapy with 17 beta-oestradiol sequentially combined with norethisterone acetate in non-smoking, hypercholesterolaemic, postmenopausal women has no protective effect on the susceptibility of low-density lipoprotein to copper-catalysed modification in vitro.

Adult↗

Two novel missense mutations in the LDL receptor gene causing familial hypercholesterolemia.

We have employed analysis of single-strand conformation polymorphisms to identify mutations in the low density lipoprotein receptor gene causing familial hypercholesterolemia. Two familial hypercholesterolemia heterozygotes had abnormal single-strand conformation polymorphism patterns of exons 4 and 8. DNA sequencing revealed that the abnormal pattern of exon 4 was due to heterozygosity (G/T) at nucleotide 502. Nucleotide 502 is the first base of codon 147, and the G->T mutation (D147Y) changes this codon from AspGAC to TyrUAC. The abnormal pattern of exon 8 was due to heterozygosity (A/G) at nucleotide 1097. Nucleotide 1097 is the second base of codon 345, and the A->G mutation (Q345R) changes this codon from GlnCAG to ArgCGG. Based upon screening of 437 unrelated familial hypercholesterolemia heterozygotes, both D147Y and Q345R account for about 0.5% of the mutations causing familial hypercholesterolemia in Norway.

Base Sequence↗

Colestipol tablets in adolescents with familial hypercholesterolaemia.

The objective of this study was to examine palatability and side effects of the new tablet formulation of colestipol. A clinical series of 23 boys and 4 girls aged 10-16 years with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia were given 2-12 g colestipol daily for 6 months in an open study. There were no serious side effects. The median reduction in low density lipoprotein cholesterol level was 20%. All preferred the tablets to resin granules they had tried previously. We conclude that low-dose colestipol tablets appear to be safe and effective, and are preferred by adolescents.

Adolescent↗

Low dose colestipol in adolescents with familial hypercholesterolaemia.

The effects of orange flavoured colestipol granules, 10 g/day, in 37 boys and 29 girls aged 10-16 years with familial hypercholesterolaemia were examined first in an eight week double blind, placebo controlled protocol, then in open treatment for 44-52 weeks. All patients were on a low fat diet. Low density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were reduced by 19.5% by colestipol v 1.0% by placebo. Levels of serum folate, vitamin E, and carotenoids were reduced in the colestipol group, but not the vitamin E/cholesterol and carotenoid/cholesterol ratios or serum concentrations of vitamins A and D. After one year of colestipol, two thirds of the participants remained in the study, of whom half took > or = 80% of the prescribed dose. Those who took > or = 80% of the dose had a greater decrease in serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels than those who took < 80%. No adverse effects on weight gain or linear growth velocity were observed. Although low dose colestipol effectively reduces low density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, only a minority of adolescents adhered to the new formulation for one year. Folate and possibly vitamin D supplementation is recommended.

Adolescent↗