Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

R Fellin

Publications and source records attributed to R Fellin.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

Lipoprotein(a) plasma levels and apo(a) isoforms are not associated with longevity or disability in a sample of Italian octo-nonagenarians. Associazione Medica Sabin.

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of disability and mortality in western countries. Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is now considered an independent risk factor for atherosclerosis, and might consequently be related to longevity and/or disability. In the context of a study on metabolic and anthropometric parameters in a sample of Italian octo-nonagenarians, Lp(a) and apo(a) isoforms were evaluated. One-hundred and fifty Italian octo-nonagenarians were classified as free-living or disabled, according to Katz's index, and compared to 91 healthy control adults. All the study subjects were recruited from a valley (Val Vibrata valley) near Teramo, in the central part of Italy. The median Lp(a) concentration of the whole group was 17 mg/dL (range 1-161 mg/dL), which is much higher than the values observed in Caucasian populations. No differences were detected between the octo-nonagenarian group (median 16 mg/dL, range 1-126 mg/dL) and the control group (median 19.5 mg/dL, range 1-161 mg/dL), nor between the free-living and the disabled groups. Apo(a) isoforms were similarly distributed among free-living, disabled and control subjects. While our findings suggest that Lp(a) plasma levels and apo(a) isoforms are not factors associated with longevity or disability, we cannot exclude that the low incidence of other major risk factors for atherosclerosis in our free-living octo-nonagenarians hampered the full expression of the lipoprotein(a) atherogenic potential, and thus allowed the achievement of a very old age in a good healthy status, even in carriers of high Lp(a) levels or small apo(a) isoforms.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Effect of age on the response of blood lipids, body composition, and aerobic power to physical conditioning and deconditioning.

The influence of age on the response of plasma lipids, body composition, and cardiovascular performance to physical training and detraining was studied in 12 older and 12 young adult male cyclists. The athletes were first examined at the peak of their seasonal preparation and then again 2 months after its suspension. Sedentary males matched for age, weight, and height comprised the respective control groups. During training, body fat mass (BFM) was significantly lower and maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max) higher in both groups of cyclists as compared with controls. No differences in serum total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), apolipoprotein (apo) B, apo A-II, and fibrinogen were found. During the same phase, triglycerides (TG) and the LDL-C to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) ratio were significantly lower and apo A-I, HDL-C, HDL3-C, and the apo A-I/apo B ratio were significantly higher in the athletes than in their corresponding sedentary controls. After physical deconditioning, BFM increased and VO2max decreased significantly in both groups of athletes. TG, very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C), and fibrinogen increased in young athletes while the LDL-C/HDL-C ratio increased, and apo A-I, HDL-C, HDL2-C, and HDL3-C decreased significantly in both young and older athletes. Thus, an aerobic training program induced an antiatherogenic lipoprotein profile and beneficial modifications in body composition and aerobic power in both older and younger subjects; a 2-month interruption in the program changed these parameters unfavorably in both groups. Age does not seem to influence significantly the plasma lipid response to physical deconditioning.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Severe hypercholesterolaemia: unusual inheritance in an Italian pedigree.

A family presenting several cases of severe primary hypercholesterolaemia and/or premature sudden death was studied. This family is characterized by consanguinity, absence of vertical transmission, bimodal distribution of plasma cholesterol values, and reduction of reproductive fitness in affected individuals. The probands have clinical traits of homozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia, including hypercholesterolaemia, xanthomas and early coronary atherosclerosis, while the parents and grandparents are clinically normal. Eight relatives on the mother's side experienced premature sudden death, and in four cases hypercholesterolaemia was diagnosed. Haplotype segregation analysis of the inheritance of the LDL receptor and apo B genes in the probands' family excluded the involvement of these two genes in the pathogenesis of the disease. LDL receptor activity, as well as the ability of LDL to bind to the LDL receptor, and plasma vegetal sterols were within normal limits both in probands and in their relatives. The study of this pedigree suggests that hypercholesterolaemia is not produced by defects in the LDL receptor or LDL particles, and disease inheritance is consistent with an autosomal recessive trait.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Lipids and other risk factors selected by discriminant analysis in symptomatic patients with supra-aortic and peripheral atherosclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Different patterns of risk factors might be related to the involvement of specific vascular districts by atherosclerosis. In this sense, many investigations have addressed coronary artery disease, whereas extracoronary atherosclerosis has received less extensive attention. METHODS AND RESULTS: Vascular risk factors, with particular attention to lipid parameters (total cholesterol [TC]; triglycerides; high density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C], HDL2 and HDL3 cholesterol [HDL2-C, HDL3-C]), were evaluated by means of univariate and multivariate (discriminant) analysis in a group of 169 patients (128 men and 41 women; mean ages, 58 +/- 7 and 62 +/- 7 years, respectively) with clinically and angiographically demonstrated atherosclerosis of the supra-aortic trunk and/or lower limbs. Patients with coronary artery disease were excluded from this study. The control group consisted of 140 age- and sex-matched individuals. By univariate analysis, smoking was more closely associated with peripheral atherosclerosis, whereas blood pressure was higher in patients with supra-aortic disease. Unrecognized diabetes mellitus was a frequent finding in patients with peripheral disease. The percentage of hyperlipidemias was fourfold higher in patients than in control subjects, with differences consisting of higher triglycerides and lower HDL-C, HDL2-C, and HDL3-C concentrations. By discriminant analysis, high correct classification (CC) rates were achieved in the various patient subgroups on the basis of variables selected from the statistical function. In male patients with peripheral disease, the variables HDL-C, smoking, diastolic blood pressure, uric acid, and glucose, in that order, yielded a CC in 90.4% of the cases; in female patients, smoking, TC/HDL-C, and body mass index gave a CC rate of 95.9%. In men with cerebral disease, the selected variables TC/HDL-C, diastolic blood pressure, and TC yielded a CC of 90.7%; in women, uric acid, TC/HDL-C, and fibrinogen levels produced a CC rate of 89.2%. CONCLUSIONS: Risk profiles in atherosclerosis of the supra-aortic trunks and lower limbs seem to differ in relation to gender and circulatory district involved. The importance of lipid parameters, in particular HDL-C, HDL2-C, and TC/HDL-C, as extracoronary risk factors is further confirmed.

Arteriosclerosis↗
PubMed1991

Specialized physical training programs: effects on serum lipoprotein cholesterol, apoproteins A-I and B and lipolytic enzyme activities.

To determine the effects of different types of physical training on lipid metabolism, serum lipids, lipoprotein cholesterol, apoproteins A-I and B, hepatic (HTGL), extrahepatic (LPL) and total (PHLA) post-heparin lipoprotein lipase activities were studied in elite athletes engaged in aerobic ("B", no. 13), anaerobic ("C", no. 17) and mixed ("D", no. 9) training programs and in a group of sedentary controls ("A", no. 15). In the aerobic and mixed groups serum triglycerides were significantly lower compared to sedentary controls while total serum cholesterol and LDL cholesterol, as well as serum apoprotein B levels were only slightly lower. HDL cholesterol and HDL2 cholesterol were slightly higher while serum cholesterol/HDL cholesterol (2.89 +/- 0.37 vs 3.6 +/- 0.47, p less than 0.01) and LDL cholesterol/HDL cholesterol (1.69 +/- 0.38 vs 2.23 +/- 0.43, p less than 0.05) ratios were significantly lower only in aerobic athletes compared to the control group. PHLA and LPL activities were slightly higher in the aerobic group than in controls, while PHLA and HTGL were significantly lower in aerobic and mixed athletes. No significant correlations were found between HDL cholesterol and energy expenditure during training, indexes of adipose mass or lipolytic enzyme activities. The results of this cross-sectional study seem to indicate that specialized training programs have a different effect on lipoprotein pattern and lipolytic enzyme activities, and only aerobic exercise has a potentially antiatherogenic effect.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Lipoprotein abnormalities in patients with extra-coronary arteriosclerosis.

Serum levels of lipids, lipoproteins and apolipoproteins A-I and B were evaluated in 102 patients (75 males and 27 females; ages 58 +/- 8 and 61 +/- 7 years (mean +/- SD), respectively) with arteriosclerosis of the lower limbs of supra-aortic trunks. Compared to findings in 64 healthy, age-matched control subjects, male patients in both groups had significantly higher serum triglyceride levels (+42%, P less than 0.05), while female patients with lower limb arteriosclerosis showed significantly increased cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations (+19%, P less than 0.01 and +82%, P less than 0.05, respectively). LDL-triglycerides were also increased in all patients. HDL-cholesterol was significantly decreased in male patients with arteriosclerosis of the lower limbs (-27%, P less than 0.01) and the supra-aortic trunks (-28%, P less than 0.01), and in females of both groups (-26%, P less than 0.01 and -20%, P less than 0.01, respectively); in terms of percent, HDL2-cholesterol was reduced 2-fold compared to HDL3-cholesterol. Patient apolipoprotein A-I and B levels were unchanged. In male and female patients, correlations between triglycerides and HDL-cholesterol as well as HDL2-cholesterol were negative, but not significant; on the other hand, both correlations were negative and significant in male controls, while only the correlation between triglycerides and HDL2-cholesterol was negative and significant in the female controls. Since HDL-cholesterol, and in particular HDL2-cholesterol, concentrations seem closely related to the intravascular catabolism of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins, the absence of a significant correlation between these parameters in the patients suggests a possible alteration in this metabolic process.

Apolipoproteins↗
PubMed1990

Double-blind multicenter trial on a new medium molecular weight glycosaminoglycan. Current therapeutic effects and perspectives for clinical use.

The ability of glycosaminoglycans to bind to a wide number of biologically active macromolecules has already been investigated. Recent clinical trials on the possible therapeutic benefits of glycosaminoglycans must be placed in perspective, even if they appear to be particularly encouraging, especially as regards the glycosaminoglycan effects on certain coagulation factors. A multicenter, medium-term, double-blind, crossover trial was performed by several Italian Lipid Clinics to determine whether administration of a medium molecular weight glycosaminoglycan (Sulodexide) has a significant clinical effect. Patients affected by peripheral vascular disease and/or hyperlipidemia (type IIa, IIb and IV) were submitted to a 4-week wash-out period, followed by parenteral Sulodexide (S) or placebo (P) administration for 2 weeks, another 2 week wash-out period, parenteral crossover drug or P administration for 2 weeks and, finally, oral S administration for 6 months. Sulodexide lowered plasma viscosity and plasma fibrinogen in all patients. There was also a drop in triglycerides together with a rise in apo A-I and HDL-C in type IV hyperlipoproteinemics, whereas there was no significant effect on total or LDL-plasma cholesterol in type IIa and IIb patients. Moreover, there was a percent increase in peak flow and rest flow in the lower limbs of peripheral vascular disease patients. No side effects or intolerance phenomena were detected. The results indicate that Sulodexide administration may be useful in long-term treatment of patients with peripheral vascular disease and a concomitant increase in plasma triglycerides and/or fibrinogen and/or viscosity.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Lipid and apoprotein modifications in body builders during and after self-administration of anabolic steroids.

To determine the effects of anabolic steroids on serum lipid and apoprotein levels, 14 white male body builders who self-administered steroids for 2 to 3 months (steroid users) were studied; 10 agreed to screening while they were taking the drugs (ON treatment) and also at about 3 months following their suspension (OFF treatment). Controls consisted of 17 body builders who had never taken steroids (nonusers), and a group of 18 healthy sedentary subjects (controls). During the period of steroid administration, there was a slight reduction in total serum cholesterol, with a marked cholesterol decrease in the high-density lipoprotein (HDL) subfractions HDL2 and HDL3, and a significant reduction in the HDL2 cholesterol/HDL3 cholesterol ratio; the percentage of serum cholesterol transported by low-density lipoproteins (LDL) increased significantly. In addition, a marked apoprotein (apo) A-I reduction in the HDL2 and HDL3 subfractions was observed, as well as an apo A-II decrease that was significant only in the HDL3 subfraction, with an A-I/A-II ratio significantly reduced in both subfractions. Serum apo B was only slightly increased, with a very high B/A-I ratio. Apolipoprotein C-II and E levels showed no modifications, while apo C-III reduced significantly. Lipid and apoprotein values returned to almost normal levels in the OFF treatment period. Findings in the group of nonusers were similar to those in sedentary subjects. These results indicate that anabolic steroids profoundly alter the serum lipid-protein profile, and the changes may be caused in part by the significant differences observed in apoprotein levels.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Serum lipids, lipoprotein analysis and apoprotein A-I, A-II and B levels in Friedreich's ataxia.

Serum lipid, lipoprotein and apoprotein parameters were evaluated in 15 patients (7 males and 8 females) with Friedreich's ataxia. Serum lipid levels in patients showed no significant differences compared to controls. Small reduction in serum phospholipid and in total HDL and HDL3 cholesterol levels were observed, and the female patients presented a slight reduced total cholesterol level; among the serum apoproteins, apo B was reduced only in the males. The most interesting findings concerned the lipoproteins, since both lipid and protein masses of the VLDL, LDL and HDL2 fractions were reduced. In reference to lipoprotein composition, however, HDL2 was the most modified fraction, showing an important protein reduction. From this point of view, this lipoprotein seems the most responsible for the changes observed in our patients. The meaning of this modified lipoprotein pattern in the pathophysiology of Friedreich's ataxia is not clear.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Lipoprotein pattern and plasma lipoprotein lipase activities in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis. Relationship with increase of HDL2 fraction in Lp-X-positive and Lp-X-negative subjects.

Plasma lipids, apoprotein A-I and B in serum and in lipoprotein fractions (VLDL + LDL, HDL2, and HDL3) obtained by preparative ultracentrifugation, as well as postheparin lipoprotein lipase activity (H-TGL and LPL) were evaluated in 17 subjects with primary biliary cirrhosis (stage II and III) subdivided into two groups according to the presence or absence of lipoprotein X (Lp-X). A reduction in total lipoprotein lipase activity was observed in both patient groups, compared to controls (P less than 0.01); the hepatic lipoprotein lipase was significantly reduced (P less than 0.01) only in the Lp-X-positive group. The lipid (477.8 +/- 154.3 vs 239.6 +/- 51.1; P less than 0.01) and protein (147.4 +/- 37.1 vs 83.3 +/- 19.7; P less than 0.01) masses in the VLDL + LDL fraction of the Lp-X-positive group were increased compared to controls. In the same group, the HDL2 fraction also showed an increase in lipid (186.6 +/- 80.0 vs 77.9 +/- 21.6; P less than 0.01) and protein (133.9 +/- 60.0 vs 67.9 +/- 16.5; P less than 0.01) masses; in addition, the HDL2 percent lipid composition was different in the two patient groups, showing a decrease in esterified cholesterol (20.4 +/- 3.6 vs 25.7 +/- 2.2; P less than 0.01) and an increase in phospholipids (59.2 +/- 2.9 vs 54.8 +/- 2.6; p less than 0.01) in the Lp-X-positive group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Apolipoproteins B↗
PubMed1988

Heparin-released plasma lipase activities, lipoprotein and apoprotein levels in young adult cyclists and sedentary men.

Serum lipid and lipoprotein levels, apolipoproteins A-I and B, and lipolytic enzyme activities were studied in 14 young male cyclists and in 21 age-matched sedentary controls. While there were no significant differences in serum cholesterol between the two groups, the cyclists showed a significant decrease in serum triglycerides (P less than 0.05) and LDL cholesterol (P less than 0.05) and had significantly higher levels of HDL cholesterol (P less than 0.01) and HDL2 cholesterol (P less than 0.001). Significantly lower serum cholesterol/HDL cholesterol (P less than 0.001) and LDL cholesterol/HDL cholesterol (P less than 0.001) ratios and a significantly higher HDL2 cholesterol/HDL3 cholesterol ratio (P less than 0.001) were observed in the athletes. Serum apolipoprotein B was lower and the Apo B/Apo A-I ratio significantly reduced in the athletes. No significant differences emerged between the two groups in plasma post-heparin lipoprotein lipase activity (LPL) and in hepatic triglyceride lipase activity (HTGL), and there were no correlations between HDL cholesterol and lipolytic enzyme activities. In conclusion, this cross-sectional study may indicate that an aerobic training program such as cycling is associated with an advantageous lipoprotein pattern; some factors other than lipolytic activity may contribute to increase the HDL cholesterol levels in physical training.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Analbuminaemia: a natural model of metabolic compensatory systems.

Important clinical signs are usually not present in analbuminaemia, a congenital condition inherited as an autosomal recessive trait, but several biochemical alterations in proteins, cholesterol, phospholipids and plasma beta lipoproteins have been observed. We studied two sibs, R.U. and R.R., with this disease and observed a striking increase in the variables mentioned above as well as a high LDL fraction with concomitant increase in apo B; increases in HDL3 and apo A-I and A-II levels were also observed. The lipoproteins, however, were not altered in morphology but showed a slight increase in lipid/protein ratio. Post-heparin lipolytic activity was normal in the male patient and reduced in the female while LCAT enzyme activity instead was increased in both. Fatty acids bound to phospholipids and serum cholesterol were mostly monounsaturated. Free fatty acid concentration was normal and they appeared mostly bound to the LDL and HDL3 fractions, which are increased in this disease and appear to replace albumin in one of its main carrier functions.

Apoproteins↗
PubMed1986

Effect of probucol treatment on lipoprotein cholesterol and drug levels in blood and lipoproteins in familial hypercholesterolemia.

Twelve patients with mild and 3 with severe hypercholesterolemia were stabilized with an isocaloric diet containing less than 300 mg cholesterol daily with a P/S ratio of 1.8, and placebo period of 4 weeks. They were administered 1000 mg probucol daily for 12 weeks, followed by placebo for 6 weeks. In patients with mild disease, a significant cholesterol reduction was achieved in serum, LDL, and HDL (maximum decrease, 17%, 13%, and 31%, respectively). While HDL3 cholesterol was reduced significantly throughout the period (P less than 0.001), HDL2 cholesterol showed a significant decrease only at the 4th week of treatment (P less than 0.001), and returned to basal levels at the 8th and 12th treatment weeks. Serum apo B levels decreased only slightly, but the HDL-apo A-I fall was significant with a reduction in the HDL-CH/HDL-apo A-I ratio throughout the treatment period. In 3 patients with severe disease, cholesterol decrease in serum and in VLDL, LDL and HDL fractions varied, but on the whole was lower than in patients with mild disease. A decrease in VLDL-CH and HDL-CH was present in all 3, but LDL-CH levels were only slightly lowered in 2 patients, and unchanged in the third. Serum probucol levels fell 66% from the 4th to the 12th treatment week, and in parallel, the percentage of lipoprotein-bound drug increased about 2-fold. It is suggested that these changes in pharmacokinetics as well as the cholesterol-lowering effect of the drug may be due to a change in lipoprotein composition or structure.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Long term-effect of fenofibrate on lipoprotein level and composition in different types of genetic hyperlipidemias.

Fenofibrate effect on plasma lipids and lipoproteins was studied in 23 patients with primary hyperlipoproteinemias (HLP): 12 with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), 5 with combined HLP and 6 with Type III HLP. Trial lasted from 8 to 10 months. Cholesterol and triglycerides were significantly reduced in all patients as follows: cholesterol dropped 26% in FH (p less than 0.001), 32% in combined HLP and 48% in type III HLP; triglycerides dropped 29%, 64% and 72% respectively. This drop involved LDL in FH, VLDL and LDL in combined HLP and beta-VLDL in type III HLP patients. In FH and combined HLP patients we observed a +10% (p less than 0.01) and a +9% (n.s.) increase of HDL, respectively. Two patients had a mild SGOT and SGPT increase and three had a vescicular cutaneous erythema.

Cholesterol↗
PubMed1986

Apolipoprotein C-II deficiency syndrome. Clinical features, lipoprotein characterization, lipase activity, and correction of hypertriglyceridemia after apolipoprotein C-II administration in two affected patients.

Two patients (brother and sister, 41 and 39 yr of age, respectively) have been shown to have marked elevation of plasma triglycerides and chylomicrons, decreased low density lipoproteins (LDL) and high density lipoproteins (HDL), a type I lipoprotein phenotype, and a deficiency of plasma apolipoprotein C-II (apo C-II). The male patient had a history of recurrent bouts of abdominal pain often accompanied by eruptive xanthomas. The female subject, identified by family screening, was asymptomatic. Hepatosplenomegaly was present in both subjects. Analytical and zonal ultracentrifugation revealed a marked increase in triglyceride-rich lipoproteins including chylomicrons and very low density lipoproteins, a reduction in LDL, and the presence of virtually only the HDL3 subfraction. LDL were heterogeneous with the major subfraction of a higher hydrated density than that observed in plasma lipoproteins of normal subjects. Apo C-II levels, quantitated by radioimmunoassay, were 0.13 mg/dl and 0.12 mg/dl, in the male and female proband, respectively. A variant of apo C-II (apo C-IIPadova) with lower apparent molecular weight and more acidic isoelectric point was identified in both probands by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. The marked hypertriglyceridemia and elevation of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins were corrected by the infusion of normal plasma or the injection of a biologically active synthesized 44-79 amino acid residue peptide fragment of apo C-II. The reduction in plasma triglycerides after the injection of the synthetic apo C-II peptide persisted for 13-20 d. These results definitively established that the dyslipoproteinemia in this syndrome is due to a deficiency of normal apo C-II. A possible therapeutic role for replacement therapy of apo C-II by synthetic or recombinant apo C-II in those patients with severe hypertriglyceridemia and recurrent pancreatitis may be possible in the future.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Selective determination of cholesterol in high density lipoprotein subfractions (HDL2 and HDL3) in patients with cerebral and peripheral arteriosclerosis.

Cholesterol levels in high density lipoprotein subfractions (HDL2 and HDL3) were evaluated in 69 patients (55 males, average age +/- SD 58.3 +/- 8.8, and 14 females, average age +/- SD 63.1 +/- 10.3) with extra-coronary arteriosclerosis (lower limbs, supraaortic trunks and both sites), and in 79 healthy age-matched control subjects. HDL cholesterol was significantly reduced in male and female patients. The HDL cholesterol decrease was due to a fall in both HDL2 and HDL3 cholesterols; nonetheless, an analysis of the HDL2-cholesterol/HDL3-cholesterol ratio disclosed that HDL2 cholesterol was the most reduced. Slightly higher plasma cholesterol and triglyceride levels were found in the patients as well as a higher plasma cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol ratio. On the contrary, the HDL2-cholesterol/HDL3-cholesterol ratio was significantly reduced in the patients. These preliminary findings suggest that, as in ischemic heart disease, the HDL cholesterol reduction in cerebral and peripheral arteriosclerosis is also mainly due to a reduction in the HDL2 subfraction. These results also lend further support to the proposal that determination of the HDL subfractions is useful for a better assessment of the risk profile for arteriosclerosis.

Aged↗