BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Although preclinical studies suggest that garlic has potential preventive effects on cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors, clinical trials and reports from systematic reviews or meta-analyses present inconsistent results. The contradiction might be attributed to variations in the manufacturing process that can markedly influence the composition of garlic products. To investigate this issue further, we performed a meta-analysis of the effects of garlic powder on CVD risk factors. MATERIALS/METHODS: We searched PubMed, Cochrane, Science Direct and EMBASE through May 2014. A random-effects meta-analysis was performed on 22 trials reporting total cholesterol (TC), 17 trials reporting LDL cholesterol (LDL-C), 18 trials reporting HDL cholesterol (HDL-C), 4 trials reporting fasting blood glucose (FBG), 9 trials reporting systolic blood pressure (SBP) and 10 trials reporting diastolic blood pressure (DBP). RESULTS: The overall garlic powder intake significantly reduced blood TC and LDL-C by -0.41 mmol/L (95% confidence interval [CI], -0.69, -0.12) (-15.83 mg/dL [95% CI, -26.64, -4.63]) and -0.21 mmol/L (95% CI, -0.40, -0.03) (-8.11 mg/dL [95% CI, -15.44, -1.16]), respectively. The mean difference in the reduction of FBG levels was -0.96 mmol/L (95% CI, -1.91, -0.01) (-17.30 mg/dL [95% CI, -34.41, -0.18]). Evidence for SBP and DBP reduction in the garlic supplementation group was also demonstrated by decreases of -4.34 mmHg (95% CI, -8.38, -0.29) and -2.36 mmHg (95% CI, -4.56, -0.15), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis provides consistent evidence that garlic powder intake reduces the CVD risk factors of TC, LDL-C, FBG and BP.
Blood Glucose ; Blood Pressure ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Cholesterol ; Cholesterol, HDL ; Cholesterol, LDL ; Fasting ; Garlic* ; Risk Factors*

OBJECTIVETo find a potential link among ABO blood group, lipid profiles and coronary artery disease (CAD) and to estimate the effect size of connection using mediation analysis model.

METHODSA total of 898 consecutive patients undergoing coronary angiography were enrolled, and divided into CAD group and non-CAD group according to angiographic findings. According to ABO blood group, patients were divided into O blood group and non-O blood group, as well as A blood group and non-A blood group. Baseline characteristics among various groups were compared and the association of ABO blood group, CAD and lipid profile was explored.

RESULTSSubjects of blood type A had higher concentration of total cholesterol (TC) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) compared with that of non-A type (TC: (4.43 ± 1.12) mmol/L vs. (4.18 ± 1.09) mmol/L, LDL-C: (2.79 ± 0.99) mmo/L vs. (2.59 ± 1.01) mmol/L, all P < 0.01). TC and LDL-C were significantly higher while high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and ApoA I levels were significantly lower in CAD group than in non-CAD group (TC: (4.36 ± 1.05) mmol/L vs. (4.13 ± 1.16) mmol/L, LDL-C: (2.61 ± 0.87) mmol/L vs. (2.47 ± 0.94) mmol/L; ApoA I: (1.38 ± 0.29) mmol/L vs. (1.45 ± 0.33) mmol/L; all P < 0.01). After adjustment for traditional cardiovascular risk factors, blood group A and TC remained significantly associated with the risk of CAD (OR = 1.88, 95% CI 1.280-2.774, P < 0.01; OR = 1.03, 95% CI 1.018-1.033, P < 0.01, respectively). Specially, mediation analysis indicated that 10.5% of the effect of A blood group on CAD was mediated by TC levels (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONOur data indicate that there is an association between ABO blood group, TC levels and risk of CAD. Around 10.5% of the effect of A blood group on CAD is mediated by TC levels.

Apolipoprotein A-I ; blood ; Blood Group Antigens ; blood ; Cholesterol ; blood ; Cholesterol, HDL ; blood ; Cholesterol, LDL ; blood ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Artery Disease ; blood ; Humans ; Risk Factors ; Triglycerides ; blood

Animals ; Arteriosclerosis ; blood ; Blood Glucose ; metabolism ; Cholesterol ; blood ; Cholesterol, HDL ; blood ; Cholesterol, LDL ; blood ; Coronary Artery Disease ; blood ; Fatty Liver ; blood ; Humans ; Triglycerides ; blood

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of dietary calcium on plasma lipoprotein profile in castrated and ovariectomized hamsters.

METHODSMale, castrated, female and ovariectomized hamsters (n=36 each group) were randomly divided into three sub-groups (n=12) and fed one of the three diets containing 0, 2, and 8 g calcium per kg diet for a period of six weeks. Changes in plasma lipoprotein profile were monitored at the end of week 0, 3 and 6.

RESULTSPlasma total cholesterol (TC), non-high density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C), triacylglycerols (TG) and TC/HDL-C were decreased only in intact female and ovariectomized hamsters. In contrast, three levels of dietary calcium had no effect on lipoprotein profiles in both intact male and castrated hamsters.

CONCLUSIONBeneficial modification of lipoprotein profile by dietary calcium was gender-dependent at least in hamsters.

Animals ; Calcium, Dietary ; therapeutic use ; Cholesterol ; blood ; Cholesterol, Dietary ; adverse effects ; Cholesterol, HDL ; blood ; Cricetinae ; Female ; Male ; Triglycerides ; blood

BACKGROUND: Endothelial dysfunction, the initial pathogenic factor in atherosclerosis, can be alleviated via transient limb ischemia. We observed the effects of regular transient limb ischemia (RTLI) on atherosclerosis in hypercholesterolemic rabbits. METHODS: Twenty-eight rabbits were randomized to control, cholesterol, sham, ischemia groups (n = 7 each) between October 2010 and March 2011. They were fed a normal diet in the control group and hypercholesterolemic diet in other groups for 12 weeks. Six cycles of RTLI were performed once per day on the ischemia group. Serum samples were prepared to measure the total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) before the experiment (W0), at the end of weeks 4, 8, 12 (W4, W8, W12). The whole aorta was harvested at W12 and stained using Sudan IV to identify the plaque. The plaque area was measured using Image J. Results were analyzed by analysis of variance or rank sum test. RESULTS: Concentrations of TC in the cholesterol group were higher than those in the control group at W4 (29.60 [23.75, 39.30] vs. 1.00 [0.80, 1.55], Z = -2.745, P = 0.006), W8 (41.78 [28.08, 47.37] vs. 0.35 [0.10, 0.68], Z = -2.739, P = 0.006), W12 (48.32 [40.04, 48.95] vs. 0.61 [0.50, 0.86], Z = -2.739, P = 0.006). Similar results were obtained for HDL-C and LDL-C. Serum concentrations of TC, HDL-C, and LDL-C in the hypercholesterolemic groups had no differences (all P > 0.05). The percentage of plaque area in the cholesterol group was higher than that in the control group (47.22 ± 23.89% vs. 0, Z = -2.986, P = 0.003). Square root of the percentage of plaque area was smaller in the ischemia group than that in the cholesterol (0.44 ± 0.13 vs. 0.67 ± 0.18, P = 0.014) or sham groups (0.44 ± 0.13 vs. 0.61 ± 0.12, P = 0.049). CONCLUSION In hypercholesterolemic rabbits, RTLI might prevent atherosclerosis progression by reducing the percentage of plaque area.
Animals ; Atherosclerosis ; blood ; prevention & control ; Cholesterol ; blood ; Cholesterol, HDL ; blood ; Cholesterol, LDL ; blood ; Extremities ; pathology ; Hypercholesterolemia ; blood ; Ischemic Attack, Transient ; blood ; Ischemic Postconditioning ; methods ; Male ; Rabbits ; Triglycerides ; blood

The study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of major blood components on the CT number. The CT numbers according to the various levels of hematocrit, total protein and cholesterol were checked and analysed by the dilution of pack cell, plasma and 184 complete blood cell count samples under same scanning conditions. In case of normal protein and cholesterol level(33 samples), the CT number was increased about 5.5 hounsfield unit according to 10% increase of hematocrit level: and In case of normal hematocrit and cholesterol level(39 samles), the CT number was increased about 3.5 hounsfield unit according to 1gm% increase of protein level. CT number changes were not predictable according to the changes of cholesterol level(34 samples). From these results, we concluded that major blood components should be considered in the CT number analysis of tissue.
Blood Cell Count ; Cholesterol ; Hematocrit ; Plasma Cells

The hypotensive effect of tripamide(Normonal(R)) were evaluated in 31 cases of essential hypertension. Fifteen to thirty mg of tripamide per day were administered continuously for 8 weeks. The results were as follows; 1) The systolic blood pressure was significantly lowered from 175+/-15 mmHg(Mean+/-SD) before treatment to 144+/-17 mmHg after treatment(p<0.01), and the diastolic blood pressure was significantly lowered from 106+/-11 mmHg before treatment to 90+/-12 mmHg after treatment(p<0.01). 2) The systolic blood pressure was lowered 20 mmHg or more in 25 out of 31 cases(80.7%), and the diastolic blood pressure was decreased 10 mmHg or more in 25 out of 31 cases(80.7%) at the end of 8 weeks treatement. 3) There was no significantl differences in the level of SGOT, serum cholesterol, serum electrolytes(Na+, K+, Cl-), BUN, creatinine and urinc acid before and after treatment with tripamide. 4) In most cases the subjective symptoms disappeared or became easier after tripamide treatment. 5) Profound weakness was developed in 2 cases during tripamide administration.
Aspartate Aminotransferases ; Blood Pressure ; Cholesterol ; Creatinine ; Hypertension*

Serum lipoperoxide level was measured in 103 normal Koreas by TBA method. Concomitantly serum cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL-cholesterol and fasting blood sugar were measured for determinining correlationship to serum lipoperoxide. The mean value of serum lipoperoxide level in normal Koreans was 2.41+/-0.45 nmoles MDA/ml. Age and serum triglyceride level were significantly correlated with serum lipoperoxide level (r=0.51, 0.25, p<0.001, p<0.02), whereas serum cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and fasting blood sugar were not.
Blood Glucose ; Cholesterol ; Fasting ; Korea ; Triglycerides

37 diabetes patients (21 male and 16 female) tested peripheral blood to investigate on quantity of cholesterol, glucose and triglyceride. The results showed that the number of diabetic peoples are ranged from 40 to 70 years old. In which, highest diabetic people ratio are ranged from 40 to 50 years old and male patient ratio are higher than female. Quantity of serum glucose, cholesterol and triglyceride all increased
Diabetes Mellitus ; aged ; Cholesterol ; glucose ; Triglycerides ; Blood

OBJECTIVEFamilial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is an autosomal dominant disease with an estimated worldwide prevalence of 0.2%. It is caused by a multitude of low density lipoprotein receptor gene mutations. It is characterized with high levels of total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and a high incidence of coronary artery disease in young adults. Cord blood cholesterol concentration is used for mass screening of FH. The purpose of this study was to detect the lipid levels of cord blood in newborn infants from China and to determine the cut-off point after 1 to 2 years follow-up.

METHODSTC, triglycerides (TG), LDL-C and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were determined in 242 healthy full-term newborn infants.

RESULTSThe mean values of TC, TG, LDL-C and HDL-C in cord blood were (1.69 +/- 0.40) mmol/L, (0.23 +/- 0.12) mmol/L, (0.81 +/- 0.21) mmol/L and (0.58 +/- 0.16) mmol/L (mean +/- standard deviation), respectively. The HDL-C concentration in male neonates was lower than that in female neonates (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAfter the follow-up of 1 to 2 years for FH, the recommended screening cut-off points were TC > or = 2.47 mmol/L and LDL-C > or = 0.89 mmol/L.

China ; Cholesterol ; blood ; Cholesterol, HDL ; blood ; Cholesterol, LDL ; blood ; Female ; Fetal Blood ; chemistry ; Humans ; Hyperlipoproteinemia Type II ; blood ; diagnosis ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Triglycerides ; blood