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P Collins

Publications and source records attributed to P Collins.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

The relationship between cholesterol absorption and intestinal cholesterol synthesis in the diabetic rat model.

The chylomicron remnant particle is thought to be particularly atherogenic and we have previously shown alterations in post-prandial lipoproteins which could contribute to their atherogenicity. Cholesterol metabolism is disturbed in diabetes, yet the effect of diabetes on intestinal cholesterol synthesis and absorption has rarely been investigated. The aim of this study was to examine cholesterol absorption and intestinal synthesis of cholesterol in the streptozotocin diabetic rat. Twelve diabetic rats were paired with 12 control rats. [14C]-Cholesterol emulsion was administered and the lymph duct was canulated. Lymph was collected for 4h. At sacrifice blood was taken for plasma lipoprotein measurements. Chylomicrons were prepared from the lymph by ultracentrifugation and [14C]-cholesterol content was determined by liquid scintillation counting. Lymph apolipoprotein B48 was isolated by gradient gel electrophoresis, and quantified by densitometric scanning. Serum triglyceride and cholesterol were greatly elevated in diabetic compared to control animals (260+/-90 and 9.8+/-8.0 mg/ml vs. 1.0+/-0.4 and 0.6+/-0.3 mg/ml, p < 0.0001 respectively). Lymph chylomicron apo B48 was similar in the two groups. Cholesterol absorption was not significantly different in diabetic compared to control rats but cholesterol synthesis was significantly higher in the diabetic animals (550+/-352 vs. 322+/-113 microg/h p < 0.03). There was a positive correlation between apo B48 and cholesterol absorption (r = 0.70, p < 0.01) in the diabetic rats and control rats (r = 0.71, p < 0.01) but no correlation between apo B48 and cholesterol synthesis in either group. This study demonstrates that cholesterol synthesis was increased in diabetes whereas cholesterol absorption was unaffected suggesting that intestinal cholesterol synthesis made an important contribution to the hypercholesterolaemia seen in the diabetic animals.

Animals↗

Dietary unsaturated fatty acids in type 2 diabetes: higher levels of postprandial lipoprotein on a linoleic acid-rich sunflower oil diet compared with an oleic acid-rich olive oil diet.

OBJECTIVE: The present study was undertaken to examine the effect of a polyunsaturated fat diet compared with an isocaloric Mediterranean-style monounsaturated fat diet. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: This was a randomized 2-week crossover study on either a high-polyunsaturated or a high-monounsaturated fat diet in 11 well-controlled diabetic men. Blood was taken fasting and for up to 8 h after a high fat meal. Lipoproteins were isolated by sequential ultracentrifugation. Apolipoprotein (apo) B48 and apo B100 were separated by PAGE. Fatty acids were analyzed by gas-liquid chromatography RESULTS: Fasting blood glucose and insulin levels were significantly higher on the linoleic acid diet compared with the oleic acid diet (P < 0.01 and P < 0.002, respectively). Plasma cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels were also significantly higher on the linoleic acid diet (P < 0.001). Likewise, fasting chylomicron apo B48 and apo B100 (P < 0.05) and postprandial chylomicron and VLDL apo B48 and B100 (P < 0.05) were also higher on the linoleic acid diet. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that, in type 2 diabetes, an oleic acid-rich Mediterranean-type diet versus a linoleic acid-enriched diet may reduce the risk of atherosclerosis by decreasing the number of chylomicron remnant particles.

Apolipoprotein B-48↗

Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase expression in acute myelogenous leukemia and myelodysplasia as determined by flow cytometry.

The significance of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) expression in acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) remains controversial. Therefore, we studied TdT expression by flow cytometry in 120 previously untreated patients with AML or myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) to determine the distribution of TdT-positive blasts and the intensity of TdT expression and to seek clinically significant associations. TdT expression measured by flow cytometry (flow TdT%) was heterogeneous, ranging from 0.1% to 87% (median, 8.5%), and 74 patients (62%) had at least 5% TdT-positive blasts. TdT positivity was associated with the M0 or M1 subtype and with expression of CD34 and CD7. No significant correlation was found between TdT expression and type of cytogenetic abnormality or rearrangement of immunoglobulin or T-cell receptor genes. Remission lasted longer in patients with a flow TdT% < 5 than in patients with a flow TdT% > 5 (median, 95 weeks vs 55 weeks, p = 0.02); however, complete remission rates did not differ when patients were classified by initial flow TdT%. Survival was slightly better for patients with flow TdT% less than 5%. Among patients with a flow TdT% > 5%, those with a higher TdT intensity survived longer than those with a lower intensity. These data suggest that quantitative TdT measurement may contribute to prognostic estimate in AML patients.

Adult↗

Tamoxifen acutely relaxes coronary arteries by an endothelium-, nitric oxide-, and estrogen receptor-dependent mechanism.

In epidemiological studies tamoxifen has been associated with a reduction in the incidence of fatal myocardial infarction in women. However, the effects of tamoxifen on coronary artery reactivity are unknown. We hypothesized that tamoxifen would relax precontracted isolated rabbit coronary arteries. Rings of coronary artery from adult male and nonpregnant female New Zealand White rabbits were suspended in organ baths containing Krebs' solution; isometric tension was measured. Tamoxifen (0.1-100 microM) induced significant endothelium-dependent relaxation in precontracted rabbit coronary arteries. This relaxation was inhibited by N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester and the estrogen receptor antagonist ICI 182,780. There was no significant effect on calcium concentration-dependent contraction curves. These data suggest that tamoxifen has beneficial effects on coronary reactivity that could, at least in part, account for the reduction in risk of fatal myocardial infarction in women taking tamoxifen.

Animals↗

Effects of testosterone on coronary vasomotor regulation in men with coronary heart disease.

BACKGROUND: The increased incidence of coronary artery disease in men compared with premenopausal women suggests a detrimental role of male hormones on the cardiovascular system. However, testosterone has direct relaxing effects on coronary arteries in animals, as shown both in vitro and in vivo. The effect of testosterone on the human coronary circulation remains unknown. METHODS AND RESULTS: We studied 13 men (aged 61+/-11 years) with coronary artery disease. They underwent measurement of coronary artery diameter and blood flow after a 3-minute intracoronary infusion of vehicle control (ethanol) followed by 2-minute intracoronary infusions of acetylcholine (10(-7) to 10(-5) mol/L) until peak velocity response. A dose-response curve to 3-minute infusions of testosterone (10(-10) to 10(-7) mol/L) was then determined, and the acetylcholine infusions were repeated. Finally, an intracoronary bolus of isosorbide dinitrate (1000 microgram) was given. Coronary blood flow was calculated from measurements of blood flow velocity using intracoronary Doppler and coronary artery diameter using quantitative coronary angiography. Testosterone significantly increased coronary artery diameter compared with baseline (2.78+/-0. 74 mm versus 2.86+/-0.72 mm [P=0.05], 2.87+/-0.71 mm [P=0.038], and 2.90+/-0.75 mm [P=0.005] for baseline versus testosterone 10(-9) to 10(-7) mol/L, respectively). A significant increase in coronary blood flow occurred at all concentrations of testosterone compared with baseline (geometric mean [95% CI]: 32 [25, 42] versus 36.3 [27, 48] (P=0.006), 35.3 [26, 47] (P=0.029), 36.8 [28, 49] (P=0.002), and 37 [28, 48] (P=0.002), mL/min for baseline versus testosterone 10(-10) to 10(-7) mol/L, respectively). No differences existed in coronary diameter or blood flow responses to acetylcholine before versus after testosterone. CONCLUSIONS: Short-term intracoronary administration of testosterone, at physiological concentrations, induces coronary artery dilatation and increases coronary blood flow in men with established coronary artery disease.

Acetylcholine↗

Raloxifene acutely relaxes rabbit coronary arteries in vitro by an estrogen receptor-dependent and nitric oxide-dependent mechanism.

BACKGROUND: Selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) have been defined as compounds that display tissue specificity with regard to estrogenic effects. They appear to share the beneficial effects of estrogen on bone and lipids but are not associated with an increased risk of breast or uterine carcinoma. Estrogen relaxes coronary arteries and has long-term protective effects on the vascular system. The effect of SERMs on the coronary vasculature is unknown. We therefore investigated the effects of the SERM raloxifene on isolated rabbit coronary arteries. METHODS AND RESULTS: Rings of coronary artery from adult male and nonpregnant female New Zealand White rabbits were suspended in organ baths containing Krebs solution; isometric tension was then measured. Raloxifene induced coronary arterial relaxation in male and female coronary arteries by an endothelium-dependent and estrogen receptor-dependent mechanism involving nitric oxide. Raloxifene also had a direct calcium antagonistic effect on the coronary myocyte. Estrogen, however, induced only endothelium-independent coronary arterial relaxation. The endothelium-dependent component of relaxation induced by raloxifene 10(-6) mol/L resulted in almost 100% (79+/-7% versus 43+/-3%, P<0.001) more relaxation than that induced by estrogen 10(-6) mol/L. CONCLUSIONS: These data demonstrate that raloxifene has vascular relaxing properties. The surprising finding is that the receptor-dependent effects via the endothelium are observed in coronary arteries from both male and female animals.

Animals↗

L-arginine and substance P reverse the pulmonary endothelial dysfunction caused by congenital heart surgery.

BACKGROUND: The increase in pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) seen in children after cardiopulmonary bypass has been attributed to transient pulmonary endothelial dysfunction (PED). We therefore examined PED in children with congenital heart disease by assessing the L-arginine-nitric oxide (NO) pathway in terms of substrate supplementation (L-arginine [L-Arg]), stimulation of endogenous NO release (substance P [Sub-P]), and end-product provision (inhaled NO) before and after open heart surgery. METHODS AND RESULTS: Ten patients (aged 0.62+/-0.27 years) with pulmonary hypertension undergoing cardiac catheterization who had not had surgery and 10 patients (aged 0.65+/-0.73 years) who had recently undergone cardiopulmonary bypass were examined. All were sedated and paralyzed and received positive-pressure ventilation. Blood samples and pressure measurements were taken from catheters in the pulmonary artery and the pulmonary vein or left atrium. Respiratory mass spectrometry was used to measure oxygen uptake, and cardiac output was determined by the direct Fick method. PVR was calculated during steady state at ventilation with room air, during FIO(2) of 0.65, then during additional intravenous infusion of L-Arg (15 mg. kg(-1). min(-1)) and Sub-P (1 pmol. kg(-1). min(-1)), and finally during inhalation of NO (20 ppm). In preoperative patients, the lack of an additional significant change of PVR with L-Arg, Sub-P, and inhaled NO suggests little preexisting PED. Postoperative PVR was higher, with an additional pulmonary endothelial contribution that was restorable with L-Arg and Sub-P. CONCLUSIONS: Postoperatively, the rise in PVR suggested PED, which was restorable by L-Arg and Sub-P, with no additional effect of inhaled NO. These results may indicate important new treatment strategies for these patients.

Administration, Inhalation↗

The fatty acid distribution in low density lipoprotein in diabetes.

Atherosclerosis is commonly found in diabetes. There is an association between small dense low density lipoprotein (LDL) phenotype, which is more prevalent in the diabetic state, and atherosclerosis. Small dense LDL is more easily oxidised and it is possible that fatty acid compositional changes, particularly an increase in polyunsaturated fatty acids, could underlie this association. However, there is little information about fatty acids in the different LDL phenotypes in the literature. This study examined LDL subfraction composition in 18 non-insulin-dependent diabetic (NIDDM) patients and 11 control subjects. LDL was isolated and fractionated into LDL 1, 2 and 3 by density gradient ultracentrifugation. NIDDM patients had significantly more fatty acids in all LDL subfractions than control subjects (P<0.01). Palmitic and linoleic acid were significantly greater in all subfractions in the diabetic patients compared to control subjects (P<0.01) and palmitoleic and oleic acids were also greater in LDL1 and LDL2 in diabetic patients (P<0.01). We conclude that in NIDDM fatty acids are increased in all LDL subfractions and this may be the reason for the increased atherosclerosis in diabetes irrespective of phenotype.

Aged↗

Effect of acute testosterone on myocardial ischemia in men with coronary artery disease.

The effect of acute testosterone administration on exercise-induced myocardial ischemia was assessed in 14 men with coronary artery disease and low plasma testosterone concentrations in a study of randomized, double-blind, crossover design. Testosterone increased time to 1-mm ST-segment depression compared with placebo by 66 (15 to 117) seconds (p = 0.016), suggesting a beneficial effect of testosterone on myocardial ischemia in these patients.

Adult↗

The role of microsomal triglyceride transfer protein and dietary cholesterol in chylomicron production in diabetes.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: The aim of this study was to examine factors involved in chylomicron production in the streptozotocin diabetic rat, our hypothesis being that the synthesis of the chylomicron is abnormal in diabetes. METHODS: Diabetic rats (n = 20) were paired with control rats (n = 20). Cholesterol emulsion was given by gavage and the lymph duct was cannulated. Lymph was collected for 4 h. Chylomicrons were prepared from the lymph by ultracentrifugation. Lymph apolipoprotein B48 was isolated by gradient gel electrophoresis and quantified by densitometric scanning. Intestinal microsomal triglycerol transfer protein mRNA was measured by solution hybridisation nuclease protection, using a rat specific [32P]-labelled cRNA probe. RESULTS: Serum triglyceride and cholesterol were greatly increased in diabetic compared with control animals (258 +/- 77 and 8.9 +/- 6.4 mg/ml vs 1.04 +/- 0.37 and 0.54 +/- 0.03 mg/ml, p < 0.0001). Lymph chylomicron triglyceride and cholesterol were also higher in diabetic rats (29.4 +/- 27.3 and 0.28 +/- 0.3 mg/h vs 16.8 +/- 10.6 and 0.18 +/- 0.09 mg/h, p < 0.05). Lymph chylomicron apo B48 was similar in the two groups. Intestinal microsomal triglycerol transfer protein mRNA was higher in the diabetic rats (12.6 +/- 3.2 vs 3.8 +/- 3.0 amol/microgram RNA, p < 0.0001) and there was a positive correlation between lymph triglyceride and microsomal triglycerol transfer protein mRNA in the whole group (r = 0.65, p < 0.01). CONCLUSION/INTERPRETATION: The study shows that microsomal triglycerol transfer protein mRNA is raised in diabetes without an increase in apolipoprotein B48 in the lymph suggesting that microsomal triglycerol transfer protein regulates chylomicron triglyceride content but not particle number.

Animals↗

Association between low-density lipoprotein composition and its metabolism in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

Atheroma is related to low-density lipoprotein (LDL) composition. LDL in diabetic patients-a group with increased risk of severe atheroma-has been shown by our group and others to have various compositional alterations that are potentially atherogenic. Little is known about the relationship between LDL turnover and composition. This study examined the relationship between LDL composition and turnover in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) patients. Twenty-two NIDDM patients with a mean plasma cholesterol of 6.6+/-1.5 mmol/L were studied. Twelve subjects were hypercholesterolemic (mean cholesterol, 7.7+/-0.8 mmol/L), and eight of these agreed to be studied a second time after 4 weeks of treatment with simvastatin. LDL was isolated by density gradient ultracentrifugation, iodinated, and reinjected into the patient. LDL turnover was determined by measuring the clearance of [125I]-LDL from plasma over a 10-day period. The LDL residence time, determined using a biexponential model, correlated negatively with the body mass index (BMI) (r = -.73, P<.001) and serum triglycerides (r = - .57, P<.01). There was a significant inverse correlation between LDL residence time and the LDL esterified to free cholesterol ratio in hypercholesterolemic subjects (r = -.94, P<.001). There was a significant inverse relationship between LDL residence time and both hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and fasting blood glucose in these subjects before treatment (P<.005). After simvastatin therapy, the relationships were no longer significant. Simvastatin treatment was associated with a shorter LDL residence time (P<.01) and a decrease in LDL glycation (P<.001) with virtually no change in diabetic control (HbA1c, 6.0%+/-3.1% v. 6.3%+/-3.3%, NS). This study suggests that a decrease in residence time by upregulation of the LDL receptor with simvastatin alters LDL composition in a way that is likely to render the particle less atherogenic.

Aged↗

Oxygen isotope ratios of juice water in Australian oranges and concentrates.

Australian orange juices from major growing regions have been surveyed over a 5 year period with a view to establishing a database of (18)O/(16)O isotope ratios against which retail samples can be tested for authenticity. The (18)O/(16)O ratios were found to follow a consistent pattern that had both a cyclic seasonal and a regional influence. Oxygen delta values ranged from a summer maximum of >+15 per thousand for oranges from inland regions to a winter minimum of approximately +1 per thousand for oranges grown in coastal areas. However, over a shorter time period, the range of values was markedly less than this. Concentrated orange juices, pulpwashes, and peel extracts, as well as other citrus types, were also tested. The effect of some industry practices that have an effect on (18)O/(16)O ratios was also investigated.

Beverages↗

Estrogen hits the surface.

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Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases↗