To observe the effect of serious illness, surgical trauma, body weight, and clofibrate on serum lipids, the serum levels of cholesterol and triglyceride with lipoprotein patterns by electrophoresis on cellulose acetate membrane were studied in 30 normal persons, 18 patients with coronary heart disease, 26 patients with cerebral thrombosis, and 7 surgical patients. The results obtained were as follows; 1. The values of serum cholesterol and triglyceride in cerebral thrombosis and coronary heart disease were markedly higher than those of control, and the optic dinsities of each serum lipoprotein fractions were also increased significantly. 2. Serum lipoprotein type IIa and IIb were more frequently observed than type IV in cerebral thrombosis and coronary heart disease. 3. The change of serum cholesterol and triglyceride related moderately to relative body weight in normal persons. 4. The decrease in serum cholesterol occured on the 1st day following surgery, and recovered to 97.8% of the preoperation level on the 7th day. The serum triglyceride started to increase on the 3rd day following surgery, and reached to 115.1% of the preoperation level on the 7th day. 5. After attack of cerebrovascular accident the serum cholesterol and triglyceride level increased slowly to the 122.1% and 133.1% of the each lst day level on the 7th day. 6. The serum lipid lowering effect of clofibrate was most conspicuous in the hypertriglyceridemic patients, especially during lst and 2nd week after medication, and mixed hyperlipidemic patients responded moderately. But pure hypercholesterolemic patients resisted completely. The optic densities of each serum lipoprotein fraction were also decreased in drug responded groups.
Body Weight ; Cellulose ; Cholesterol ; Clofibrate ; Coronary Disease ; Electrophoresis ; Humans ; Intracranial Thrombosis ; Lipoproteins ; Membranes ; Stroke ; Triglycerides

The serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels were measured and the lipoprotein patterns by electrophoresis on cellulose acetate membrane were observed in 30 normal Koreans, 26 patients with cerebrovascular accident, and 18 patients with coronary heart disease. Similar measurements and observations were made in normal Koreas, surgical patients, the patients with cerebrovascular accident and hyperlipidemia in an attempt to examine the effects of body weight, surgical operations, cerebrovascular accident and the administration of clofibrate on serum lipids. The results obtained were as follows. 1. The mean values of serum cholesterol and triglyceride, which shows moderately significant correlation to the body weight in normal Koreans, were markedly higher in the patients with cerebrovascular accident and coronary heart disease than those of control. 2. Serum pre-beta- and beta-lipoprotein patterns in the densitometry of the serum lipoprotein electropherogram of the patients with coronary heart disease were larger than those of control, but the densitometric patterns of the patients with cerebrovascular accident were similar to those of control. Serum pre-beta- and beta-lipoprotein-cholesterol levels of the patients with cerebrovascular accident and coronary heart disease were higher than those of control. 3. Serum hyperlipoproteinemic type IIa and IIb were more frequently observed than type IV in the patients with cerebrovascular accident and coronary heart disease. 4. Serum cholesterol levels decreased to 74.9% of preoperation levels on the 1st postoperative day and recovered to 97.8% of preoperation levels on the 7th day. Serum triglyceride levels started to increase on the 3rd postoperative day, and reached to 115.3% of preoperation levels on the 7th day. After attack of cerebrovascular accident, serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels increased slowly to 121.7% and 133.7% of the each 1st day levels on the 7th day. 5. Serum lipid lowering effect of clofibrate was most conspicuous in the hypertriglyceridemic patients, especially during the 1st and 2nd weeks after initiation of medication, and moderately in the mixed hyperlipidemic patients. Serum pre-beta- and beta-lipoprotein-cholesterol levels were decreased after 8 weeks of clofibrate therapy, but alpha-lipoprotein-cholesterol levels did not change significantly.
Body Weight ; Cellulose ; Cholesterol* ; Clofibrate ; Coronary Disease ; Densitometry ; Electrophoresis ; Humans ; Hyperlipidemias ; Korea ; Lipoproteins* ; Membranes ; Stroke ; Triglycerides*

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an n-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LCPUFA), is acquired by dietary intake or the in vivo conversion of α-linolenic acid. Many enzymes participating in LCPUFA synthesis are regulated by peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα). Therefore, it was hypothesized that the tissue accretion of endogenously synthesized DHA could be modified by PPARα. MATERIALS/METHODS: The tissue DHA concentrations and mRNA levels of genes participating in DHA biosynthesis were compared among PPARα homozygous (KO), heterozygous (HZ), and wild type (WT) mice (Exp I), and between WT mice treated with clofibrate (PPARα agonist) or those not treated (Exp II). In ExpII, the expression levels of the proteins associated with DHA function in the brain cortex and retina were also measured. An n3-PUFA depleted/replenished regimen was applied to mitigate the confounding effects of maternal DHA. RESULTS: PPARα ablation reduced the hepatic Acox, Fads1, and Fads2 mRNA levels, as well as the DHA concentration in the liver, but not in the brain cortex. In contrast, PPARα activation increased hepatic Acox, Fads1, Fads2 and Elovl5 mRNA levels, but reduced the DHA concentrations in the liver, retina, and phospholipid of brain cortex, and decreased mRNA and protein levels of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor in brain cortex. CONCLUSIONS: LCPUFA enzyme expression was altered by PPARα. Either PPARα deficiency or activation-decreased tissue DHA concentration is a stimulus for further studies to determine the functional significance.
Animals ; Brain ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; Clofibrate ; Docosahexaenoic Acids ; Fatty Acid Desaturases ; Liver ; Mice ; Peroxisomes ; PPAR alpha ; Retina ; RNA, Messenger

Bezafibrate, a fibric acid derivative related to clofibrate, is being used increasingly in the treatment of hypertriglycemia. It is relatively well tolerated at usual dosage, and has a low incidence of adverse reactions. But we had recently observed a reversible deterioration of renal function requiring hemodialysis, presumed to be caused by bezafibrate treatment in a patient with diabetic nephropathy. A 55 year old man was admitted with complaints of general weakness and painful lower extremities. He had taken bezafibrate (200 mg every 12 hours) for the previous 4 months because of hypertriglycemia. After admission, the drug was withdrawn, and he was treated conservatively management with hydration and diuretics for bezafibrate induced rhabdomyolysis. Nevertheless, his symptom was not improved, so he was taken even hemodialysis. These findings suggested that bezafibrate should be admistered with great caution to patient with renal insufficiency. When it is admistered, CK, LDH, aldolase, and sGOT levels have to be checked for early detection of potential side effect.
Aspartate Aminotransferases ; Bezafibrate* ; Clofibrate ; Diabetic Nephropathies ; Diuretics ; Fructose-Bisphosphate Aldolase ; Humans ; Incidence ; Lower Extremity ; Middle Aged ; Renal Dialysis ; Renal Insufficiency ; Rhabdomyolysis*

Two cases of hyperlipoproteinemia is reported, Hyperlipoproteinemia is characterized by various kinds of cutaneous xanthomatosis associated with or without arteriosclerotic changes due to increasing lipoprotein fraction of the serum. Case I . 37-year old housewife had multiple, pea to nut sized, various shaped, cutaneous and subcutaneous nodular masses has been developed last 3 years. Some of her family member have similar symptoms. Serum cholesterol level was 790 mg% and serum triglyceride level was 270 mg% after 14 hour fasting. Case II. 52-year old housewife was suffered from pea sized, multiple, subcutaneous nodular and cutaneous eruptions last 2 years. There was no family histories. Serum cholesterol level was 895 mg% and serum triglyceride level was 350 mg% after 14 hour fasting. Typical Touton giant cells were found in biopsy specimens taken from cutaneous lesons. ECG, X-ray, glucose toleranc test and other laboratory examinations showed within normal limits. Tne agarose electrophoresis pattern of serum lipoprotein fractions are very similiar with that of hyperlipoproteinemia type II. These two patients were treated with nicotinic and 1. 0 gm and clofibrate 2.0 gm daily by mouth and restricted animal fatty foods. Total serum cholesterol level was markedly decreasea 2 months after treatment in case I.
Adult ; Animals ; Biopsy ; Cholesterol ; Clofibrate ; Electrocardiography ; Electrophoresis ; Fasting ; Giant Cells ; Glucose ; Humans ; Hyperlipoproteinemia Type II ; Hyperlipoproteinemias ; Lipoproteins ; Middle Aged ; Mouth ; Nuts ; Peas ; Sepharose ; Triglycerides ; Xanthomatosis

Novel organic cation transporter-2 (OCTN2), a member of the organic cation transporter family, may transport carnitine and multiple organic cationic drugs. Thus OCTN2 possesses substantial roles in physiology and pharmacology. A number of researches have proven that many factors can regulate the expression and/or function of OCTN2 via different pathways, and then may affect the homeostasis and disposition of drugs. This paper reviews recent progresses in this field.
Animals ; Biological Transport ; Carnitine ; metabolism ; Carrier Proteins ; physiology ; Clofibrate ; pharmacology ; Colitis ; metabolism ; Homeostasis ; drug effects ; Humans ; Mutation ; Organic Cation Transport Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; physiology ; PPAR alpha ; agonists ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Solute Carrier Family 22 Member 5