Objective: We evaluated the safety and efficacy of lipoprotein apheresis (LA) in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) who can't reach low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C) target goals with the maximal tolerated dose of lipid-lowering agents. Methods: This was a retrospective cross-sectional study. Between February 2015 and November 2019, patients with FH who were admitted in Fuwai hospital and treated with LA were consecutively enrolled. Based on intensive lipid-lowering agents, these patients received LA by double filtration plasma pheresis (DFPP) method. The changes of lipid levels such as LDL-C and lipoprotein(a)[Lp(a)] were compared before and after LA treatment, and the changes of immunoglobulin (Ig) concentration and LA-related adverse effects were also discussed. Results: A total of 115 patients with FH were enrolled in this study, of which 8 cases were homozygous FH and 107 cases were heterozygous FH. The age was (43.9±12.2) years and there were 75 (65.2%) males, and 108 (93.8%) with coronary artery disease. For pre-and immediately after LA treatment, the LDL-C was (5.20±2.94) mmol/L vs. (1.83±1.08) mmol/L, Lp(a) concentration was 428.70(177.00, 829.50)mg/L vs. 148.90(75.90, 317.00) mg/L (P<0.001), with a decrease of 64.2% and 59.8% respectively. The levels of IgG and IgA measured 1 day after LA treatment were both in the normal range and IgM concentration was below the reference value, the reductions of which were 15.1%, 25.0% and 58.7% respectively (P<0.001). Six patients had mild symptoms of nausea, hypotension dyspnea and palpitation, the symptoms were relieved by symptomatic treatment. Conclusion: For patients with FH who do not achieve LDL-C target goal with the maximal tolerated lipid-lowering agents, especially those with elevated Lp(a) levels, LA, which can significantly further reduce LDL-C and Lp(a) levels, is an effective and safe option.
Adult ; Blood Component Removal/methods* ; Cholesterol, LDL ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperlipoproteinemia Type II/therapy* ; Lipoprotein(a)/chemistry* ; Lipoproteins/chemistry* ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies

The saponins in different parts of Gynostemma pentaphyllum were analyzed via UPLC-Q-TOF-MS~E. A total of 46 saponins were identified, and the underground part had 26 saponins more than the aboveground part, most of which were trisaccharide saponins. The rat model of hyperlipidemia was established with high-fat diet. This study explored the lipid-lowering activity of total saponins in the underground part of G. pentaphyllum, so as to provide a theoretical basis for the comprehensive utilization of the underground part of G. pentaphyllum. A total of 99 healthy SD rats were randomly assigned into a blank group, a model group, a positive drug group, an aboveground total saponins group, and low-, medium-, and high-dose underground total saponins groups. Except the blank group, the other groups were fed with high-fat diet for 6 weeks. Then, the blood was collected from the orbital cavity to determine whether the modeling was successful according to the serum levels of total cholesterol(TC) and triglyceride(TG). After intragastric administration of the corresponding agents for 30 continuous days, the physical state of the rats were observed, and the body weight and liver specific gravity were measured. Furthermore, the levels of TC, TG, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C), alanine transaminase(ALT), aspartate transaminase(AST), bilirubin, and total bile acids in serum, as well as the levels of superoxide dismutase(SOD), malondialdehyde(MDA), peroxidase proliferator-activated receptor(PPAR-γ) in the liver tissue, were determined. The pathological changes of liver was observed via HE staining. The results showed that the aboveground total saponins and medium-and high-dose underground total saponins can treat hepatocyte steatosis, lower TC, TG, LDL-C, ALT, AST, total bilirubin, MDA, and PPAR-γ levels, and increase HDL-C and SOD levels in the model rats. The effect tended to be more obvious with the increase in dosage. Therefore, the total saponins in the underground part of G. pentaphyllum have good pharmacological effect of reducing blood lipid, which provides a theoretical basis for the comprehensive utilization of the underground part of G. pentaphyllum.
Alanine Transaminase/analysis* ; Animals ; Aspartate Aminotransferases/analysis* ; Bile Acids and Salts/blood* ; Bilirubin/blood* ; Cholesterol, LDL/blood* ; Diet, High-Fat/adverse effects* ; Gynostemma/chemistry* ; Hypolipidemic Agents/therapeutic use* ; Lipoproteins, HDL/blood* ; Liver/metabolism* ; Malondialdehyde/analysis* ; Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors/analysis* ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Saponins/therapeutic use* ; Superoxide Dismutase ; Triglycerides/blood* ; Trisaccharides/therapeutic use*

Objective: To compare the clinical features and the outcome of in-hospital mortality between patients with myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries(MINOCA)and myocardial infarction with obstructive coronary artery disease (MI-CAD). Methods: This is a retrospective study. The clinical data of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients admitted to Qilu Hospital of Shandong University from January 2017 to May 2021, who underwent coronary angiography, were collected. Patients were divided into MINOCA group and MI-CAD group according to the degree of coronary stenosis (<50% or ≥50%). Baseline clinical characteristics, electrocardiograph during hospitalization, myocardial bridge, length of stay in hospital, discharge medication and the outcome of in-hospital mortality were collected and compared between the two groups. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to screen the related factors of MINOCA and the factors predicting the nosocomial death outcome of patients with AMI. Results: A total of 3 048 AMI patients were enrolled, age was 62 (54, 69) years, 741 (24.3%) patients were women including 165 patients (5.4%) in the MINOCA group and 2 883 patients (94.6%) in the MI-CAD group. Compared with MI-CAD patients, MINOCA patients were younger, had a higher proportion of females and a higher incidence of NSTEMI, and had a lower history of smoking, diabetes, coronary heart disease and myocardial infarction. Baseline inflammatory markers such as neutrophil count, monocyte count, neutrophil count/lymphocyte count (NLR), and monocyte count/high-density lipoprotein count (MHR) were lower, creatinine, N-terminal pro-brain B-type Natriuretic peptides (NT-proBNP), creatine kinase-MB, hypersensitive troponin I, fibrinogen, baseline blood glucose levels were lower, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was higher, and the incidence of myocardial bridge, arrhythmia, tachycardia and atrial fibrillation was higher (P<0.05). The application rates of calcium antagonists and non-vitamin K antagonists oral anticoagulants were higher in MINOCA group (P<0.05), and there was no statistical difference in hospitalization days and in-hospital death between the two groups (P>0.05). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that young age, female, non-smoker, no history of coronary heart disease and low MHR were risk factors of MINOCA (P<0.05). MINCOA was not associated with higher in-hospital death (P>0.05). Patients with AMI and a history of coronary heart disease, chronic renal failure, higher baseline blood glucose, higher NLR, and higher D-dimer were risk factors of in-hospital death (P<0.05). Conclusions: Compared with MI-CAD patients, MINOCA patients are younger, more likely to be female and non-smokers and on history of coronary heart disease, and have lower baseline MHR. MINOCA is often associated with myocardial bridge and atrial fibrillation. The incidence of in-hospital death in MINCOA patients is similar as in MI-CAD patients.
Atrial Fibrillation/complications* ; Blood Glucose ; Coronary Artery Disease/complications* ; Female ; Hospital Mortality ; Humans ; Lipoproteins, HDL ; MINOCA ; Male ; Myocardial Infarction/complications* ; Retrospective Studies

BACKGROUND: Remnant-like particle cholesterol (RLP-C) is highly atherogenic, which is associated with atherosclerosis. However, RLP-C has not been routinely measured in the clinical practice. We estimated RLP-C levels using conventional lipid profiles and examined the association between estimated RLP-C and related factors including nutrient intake. METHODS: This study was performed in Uku town, Nagasaki prefecture, Japan in 2019. A total of 225 subjects were enrolled and directly measured RLP-C levels. Estimated RLP-C levels were defined as the following formula [total cholesterol - (LDL-cholesterol) - (HDL-cholesterol)]. Multivariate analyses were used to assess the relationship between estimated RLP-C and atherogenic factors. We calculated cut-off values on dichotomized RLP-C (< 7.5 mg/dL vs. ≥ 7.5 mg/dL) by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. RESULTS: The mean values of directly measured RLP-C levels and estimated RLP-C were 4.0 mg/dL and 16.4 mg/dL, respectively. In the multiple stepwise linear regression analysis, directly measured and estimated RLP-C levels were independently and commonly associated with apolipoprotein E, triglycerides, and vegetable fat intake (inversely). Using ROC curves, we found the cut-off value of estimated RLP-C was 22.0 mg/dL. CONCLUSION We demonstrated that the estimated RLP-C levels using conventional lipid profiles may substitute for directly measured RLP-C and these levels were independently and inversely associated with vegetable fat intake in the community-dwelling Japanese population.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Cholesterol/blood* ; Dietary Fats/blood* ; Female ; Humans ; Japan ; Lipids/blood* ; Lipoproteins/blood* ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Triglycerides/blood* ; Vegetables

blood pressure (r=−0.071, all p<0.05). Among them, elevated triglyceride levels and blood pressure were independently associated with low serum testosterone levels, even after adjustment for age and BMI.CONCLUSIONS: Serum testosterone levels were inversely associated with MetS in Korean men. This association was attenuated after adjustment for age and BMI but remained significant. Among MetS components, increased triglyceride levels and elevated blood pressure were independently associated with testosterone levels, regardless of obesity.]]>
Adult ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Blood Pressure ; Body Mass Index ; Body Size ; Cholesterol ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Education ; Humans ; Hyperglycemia ; Hypogonadism ; Lipoproteins ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Mass Screening ; Obesity ; Prevalence ; Testosterone ; Triglycerides

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated physical activity (PA) participation based on demographic, physical, and psychological variables in Korean adults.METHODS: Participants were divided into four groups (combined, aerobic only, resistance only, and neither) based on meeting the PA guidelines using moderate and vigorous PA time and resistance exercise frequency from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2017. The association between meeting the PA guidelines and demographic, medical, fitness, lifestyle, and psychological variables were analyzed using complex samples crosstabs and a general linear model.RESULTS: Of the 5,820 Korean adults, 66.0% did not meet any of the guidelines. Among demographic factors, sex, age, marital status, income, education level, occupation, and employment status were associated with meeting the PA guidelines. Chronic disease prevalence, weight, waist circumference, body mass index, diastolic blood pressure, glucose, high-density lipoprotein and triglyceride levels, hand-grip strength, resting heart rate, and family history of chronic disease in the medical and fitness variables; frequency of drinking and eating breakfast, total calorie, water, protein, and fat intake in the lifestyle variables; and perceived stress, depression, suicidal thoughts, and quality of life in the psychological variables were associated with meeting PA guidelines.CONCLUSIONS: Most Korean adults participate in insufficient PA. Moreover, individuals who are socially underprivileged, have low-income or poor physical and mental health conditions participated in relatively less PA. Our findings suggest that government and individual efforts are required to increase PA and resolve health inequality in Korean adults.
Adult ; Blood Pressure ; Body Mass Index ; Breakfast ; Chronic Disease ; Demography ; Depression ; Drinking ; Eating ; Education ; Employment ; Glucose ; Health Equity ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Korea ; Life Style ; Linear Models ; Lipoproteins ; Marital Status ; Mental Health ; Motor Activity ; Nutrition Surveys ; Occupations ; Prevalence ; Quality of Life ; Socioeconomic Factors ; Triglycerides ; Waist Circumference ; Water

PURPOSE: This study aimed to examine the effect of spouses participating in health coaching on stage of the change, health behaviors, and physiological indicators among male office workers with cardiocerebrovascular disease (CVD) risk factors and compare the findings with trainers who provided health coaching only to workers.METHODS: A quasi-experimental pretest-posttest design was used. Convenience sampling was used to recruit participants from a manufacturing research and development company in the city of Gyeonggi province. The health coaching program for the experimental group (n=26) included individual counseling sessions according to workers' stage of change, and provision of customized health information materials on CVD prevention to workers and their spouses for 12 weeks through mobile phone and email.RESULTS: After 12 weeks of intervention, the total score for health behavior, and scores on the sub-areas of exercise and health checkups significantly improved in the experimental group, but there were no significant differences in the scores of stage of the change and physical indicators. The results of a paired t-test showed a significant decrease in the body mass index, abdominal circumference, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol and triglyceride values, and a significant increase in the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol value in the experimental group after the intervention.CONCLUSION: To improve the health of male workers with CVD risk factors in the workplace, sharing health information with their spouses has proven to be more effective than health coaching for only workers. Therefore, it is important to develop strategies to encourage spousal participation when planning workplace health education for changing health-related behaviors.
Blood Pressure ; Body Mass Index ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Cell Phones ; Cholesterol ; Counseling ; Electronic Mail ; Gyeonggi-do ; Health Behavior ; Health Education ; Humans ; Lipoproteins ; Male ; Risk Factors ; Spouses ; Triglycerides

PURPOSE: We reviewed the effects of resistance training on obesity index, lipid index, blood pressure, pulse rate, and bone mineral densitometer in middle-aged women. METHODS: Randomized, controlled trials lasting 12 weeks investigating the effects of resistance training obesity index, lipid index, blood pressure, and bone densitometer in middle-aged women and published in a peer-reviewed journal up to March 2018 were included. Random- and fixed-effects models were used for analyses, with data reported as weighted means and 95% confidence limits. RESULTS: We included 8 randomized, controlled trials, involving 18 study groups and 335 participants. Overall, resistance training induced a significant low-density lipoprotein reduction [−13.44 (95% CI=−26.71~−0.18)]. No significant effect was observed on other blood lipids, obesity index, blood pressure, pulse rate, and bone mineral density. When study groups were divided according to the period of training, resistance training groups for 24 weeks resulted in a significant decrease in systolic blood pressure [−6.19 (95% CI=−10.95~−1.43 mm Hg)]. CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis supports the potential of resistance training to reduce the level of low-density lipoprotein in middle-aged women. Based on these results, we suggest the application of comprehensive management strategies such as aerobic exercise, resistance exercise, behavior control, and dietary management to prevent obesity in middle-aged women.
Behavior Control ; Blood Pressure ; Bone Density ; Exercise ; Female ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Lipoproteins ; Miners ; Obesity ; Resistance Training

Coffee is one of the most commonly consumed beverages in the worldwide and is assumed to have protective effects against metabolic syndrome. The present study was aimed at investigating the effect of coffee on body weight, serum glucose, uric acid and lipid profile levels in male albino Wistar rats feeding on high fructose diet. A post-test experimental study was conducted on a total of 30 (9–10 weeks old) male albino Wistar rats. The rats were divided into 6 groups: group I (normal control)-fed on standard chow and plain tap water only; group II (fructose control)-fed on standard chow and 20% of fructose solution; group III–VI (treatment groups)-fed on standard chow, 20% of fructose solution and treated with 71, 142, 213 and 284 mg/kg body weight/day of coffee respectively for six weeks. At the end, body weight, serum glucose, uric acid and lipid profile levels were investigated. Data was entered and cleared by epi-data software version 3.1 and analyzed by one way ANOVA followed by Tukey post hoc multiple comparison tests using SPSS V. 23.00. Statistical significance was considered at p < 0.05. The results showed that body weight, fasting serum glucose and uric acid levels significantly lowered in rats treated with 213 (p = 0.047; 0.049; 0.026) and 284 (p = 0.035; 0.029; 0.010) mg/kg body weight/day of coffee compared to fructose control group. Fasting serum triglycide (TG) and low density lipoprotein (LDL-C) levels showed significant reduction in rats treated with 284 mg/kg body weight/day of coffee as compared to fructose control group (p = 0.031; 0.046) respectively. In conclusion, treating rats with coffee decreased body weight, fasting serum glucose, uric acid, TC, TG and LDL-C, and increased HDL-C in a dose dependent manner in rats feeding on high fructose diet, suggesting that coffee consumption may be helpful in ameliorating metabolic syndrome.
Animals ; Beverages ; Blood Glucose ; Body Weight ; Coffee ; Diet ; Fasting ; Fructose ; Glucose ; Humans ; Lipoproteins ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Uric Acid ; Water

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the association between metabolic syndrome and depression severity based on the Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9) score in men aged >50 years.METHODS: In this study, we used data of 1,230 individuals from the Sixth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES VII-1) 2016 conducted by the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We diagnosed metabolic syndrome in accordance with National Cholesterol Education Program-Adult Treatment Panel III guidelines using waist circumference, blood pressure, fasting serum triglyceride level, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level, and fasting glucose level in men aged >50 years (mean±standard deviation: 64.6±8.8 years), and their PHQ-9 scores were classified as mild and severe (cutoff, 10).RESULTS: The mean waist circumference, fasting glucose level, triglyceride level, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level were 87.1±8.2 cm, 109.8±28.3 mg/dL, 155.9±123.9 mg/dL, and 46.5±12.2 mg/dL, respectively. The mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures were 124.7±15.9 mmHg and 76.2±10.7 mmHg, respectively. The mean body mass index, was 24.2±2.9 kg/m². The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 43.7%. The mean PHQ-9 score was 2.0±3.3. The prevalence of severe depression with a score of >10 was 4.2%. Metabolic syndrome and depression were related (P<0.05). The adjusted odds ratio for metabolic syndrome was 0.5 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.3–0.9). However, age (95% CI, 0.9–1.0), sleep duration during weekdays (95% CI, 0.9–1.0), and sleep duration during weekends (95% CI, 0.9–1.0) were not related.CONCLUSION: Metabolic syndrome was associated with depression in men aged >50 years in this study.
Blood Pressure ; Body Mass Index ; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.) ; Cholesterol ; Depression ; Education ; Fasting ; Glucose ; Humans ; Korea ; Lipoproteins ; Male ; National Institutes of Health (U.S.) ; Nutrition Surveys ; Odds Ratio ; Prevalence ; Triglycerides ; Waist Circumference