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*

ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship of the levels of serum androgens with lipid metabolism in middle-aged and elderly men in Zunyi, Guizhou.

METHODSUsing the stratified cluster sampling method, we conducted a questionnaire investigation and physical examinations among 437 men in Zunyi City. We divided the subjects into a middle-aged (40－64 ［53.20 ± 7.41］ years, n = 269) and an elderly group (=≥65 ［70.63 ± 4.66］ years, n = 168) and collected fasting elbow venous blood samples from them for measuring the levels of total testosterone (TT), sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), luteinizing hormone (LH), total cholesterol (TCH), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), calculated free testosterone (cFT), free testosterone index (FTI), and testosterone secretion index (TSI).

RESULTSCompared with the elderly group, the middle-aged males showed significantly lower SHBG, LH, HDL and LDL, and higher cFT, FTI, TSI, TG and TCH (all P < 0.05). TT and SHBG were negatively correlated with TG, TCH, HDL and LDL, while cFT was positively correlated with TCH, and so was FTI with TG, TCH with LDL, and TSI with TCH, HDL and LDL (all P < 0.05), but LH was negatively correlated with TG, TCH and LDL (all P < 0.05). Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that TT and SHBG were negatively correlated with TG, TCH, HDL and LDL, and so was LH with TCH, HDL and LDL (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSIn the middle-aged and elderly men in Zunyi, low concentrations of TT, SHBG and LH were associated with the increased risk of high-TCH and -LDL dyslipidemia, low concentrations of TT and SHBG with that of high-TG dyslipidemia, while high concentrations of TT, SHBG and LH with that of low-HDL dyslipidemia.

Adult ; Aged ; Androgens ; blood ; China ; Cholesterol ; blood ; Dyslipidemias ; etiology ; Humans ; Lipid Metabolism ; Lipoproteins, HDL ; blood ; Lipoproteins, LDL ; blood ; Luteinizing Hormone ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin ; Testosterone ; blood ; Triglycerides ; blood

BACKGROUNDThe pathogenesis of some types of preeclampsia is related to fatty acid oxidation disorders. Rapamycin can regulate fatty acid metabolism. This study aimed to investigate the effects of rapamycin on the clinical manifestations and blood lipid parameters in different preeclampsia-like mouse models.

METHODSTwo preeclampsia-like mouse models and a control group were established: L-NA (injected with Nω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester), LPS (injected with lipopolysaccharide), and the control group with normal saline (NS). The mouse models were established at preimplantation (PI), early- and late-pregnancy (EP, LP) according to the time of pregnancy. The administration of rapamycin (RA; L-NA+RA, LPS+RA, and NS+RA) or vehicle as controls (C; L-NA+C, LPS+C, NS+C) were followed on the 2nd day after the mouse models' establishment. Each subgroup consisted of eight pregnant mice. The mean arterial pressure (MAP), 24-h urinary protein, blood lipid, fetus, and placental weight were measured. The histopathological changes and lipid deposition of the liver and placenta were observed. Student's t-test was used for comparing two groups. Repeated measures analysis of variance was used for blood pressure analysis. Qualitative data were compared by Chi-square test.

RESULTSThe MAP and 24-h urinary protein in the PI, EP, and LP subgroups of the L-NA+C and LPS+C groups were significantly higher compared with the respective variables in the NS+C group (P < 0.05). The preeclampsia-like mouse models were established successfully. There was no significant difference in the MAP between the PI, EP, and LP subgroups of the L-NA+RA and L-NA+C groups and the LPS+RA and LPS+C groups. The 24-h urine protein levels in the PI and EP subgroups of the L-NA+RA group were significantly lower compared with the respective levels in the L-NA+C groups (1037 ± 63 vs. 2127 ± 593 μg; 976 ± 42 vs. 1238 ± 72 μg; bothP < 0.05), also this effect appeared similar in the PI and EP subgroups of the LPS+RA and LPS+C groups (1022 ± 246 vs. 2141 ± 432 μg; 951 ± 41 vs. 1308 ± 30 μg; bothP < 0.05). The levels of serum-free fatty acid (FFA) in the PI and EP subgroups of the L-NA+RA groups were significantly lower compared with the respective levels in the L-NA+C group (2.49 ± 0.44 vs. 3.30 ± 0.18 mEq/L; 2.23 ± 0.29 vs. 2.84 ± 0.14 mEq/L; bothP < 0.05). The levels of triglycerides (TG) and total cholesterol in the PI subgroup of the L-NA+RA group were significantly lower compared with the respective levels in the L-NA+C (1.51 ± 0.16 vs. 2.41 ± 0.37 mmol/L; 2.11 ± 0.17 vs. 2.47 ± 0.26 mmol/L; bothP < 0.05), whereas high-density lipoprotein serum concentration was significantly higher (1.22 ± 0.19 vs. 0.87 ± 0.15 mmol/L;P < 0.05) and low-density lipoprotein serum concentration did not exhibit a significant difference. There were no significant differences in the FFA of the PI, EP, and LP subgroups between the LPS+RA and the LPS+C groups. The levels of TG in the PI subgroup of the LPS+RA group were significantly lower compared with the respective levels in the LPS+C group (0.97 ± 0.05 vs. 1.22 ± 0.08 mmol/L;P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONRapamycin can improve clinical manifestations and blood lipid profile in part of the preeclampsia-like mouse models.

Animals ; Blood Pressure ; drug effects ; Chi-Square Distribution ; Cholesterol ; blood ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Lipid Metabolism ; drug effects ; Lipids ; blood ; Lipoproteins, HDL ; blood ; Lipoproteins, LDL ; blood ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Placenta ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Pre-Eclampsia ; blood ; drug therapy ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Sirolimus ; therapeutic use ; Triglycerides ; administration & dosage ; blood

BACKGROUNDThe clinical significance of metabolic syndrome (MS) score, MS, and its individual components with respect to risk prediction of coronary artery disease (CAD) remains unclear. The objective of this study was to investigate whether and to what extent MS score, MS, and its individual components were related to the risk of CAD.

METHODSAmong 1191 participants who underwent coronary angiography for the confirmation of suspected myocardial ischemia, 858 were included in this study according to the inclusion criteria from September 2010 to June 2013. MS was diagnosed with the 2005 National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III criteria. The severity of coronary atherosclerosis was assessed by Gensini score.

RESULTSThe results showed that the age- and sex-adjusted odds ratios (OR s) for CAD were as follows: MS score, 1.327; MS, 2.013; elevated waist circumference, 1.447; reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, 1.654; and elevated fasting glucose, 1.782; all P < 0.05; whereas for elevated triglycerides, 1.324, and elevated blood pressure, 1.342, both P > 0.05. After multivariate adjustment, results showed that only MS and elevated fasting glucose were significantly associated with CAD (OR, 1.628, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.151-2.305, P = 0.006 for elevated fasting glucose, and OR, 1.631, 95% CI, 1.208-2.203, P = 0.001 for MS). The study showed that only MS score and elevated fasting glucose were significantly associated with Gensini score (standardized coefficient, 0.101, P = 0.031 for elevated fasting glucose and standardized coefficient, 0.103, P = 0.009 for MS score).

CONCLUSIONSThe present study demonstrated that MS score, MS, and its individual components might have different contributions to CAD prevalence and severity. MS and elevated fasting glucose were independent risk factors for the prevalence of angiographic CAD whereas MS score and elevated fasting glucose were significantly associated with the severity of CAD.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Blood Glucose ; metabolism ; Blood Pressure ; physiology ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Artery Disease ; epidemiology ; metabolism ; pathology ; Fasting ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Lipoproteins, HDL ; blood ; Male ; Metabolic Syndrome ; epidemiology ; metabolism ; pathology ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Triglycerides ; blood

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of Hedan Tablet () on serum lipid profile, proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PSCK9) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) subfractions in patients with hyperlipidemia.

METHODSThirty-seven patients with hyperlipidemia were randomized to treatment with Hedan Tablet 4.38 g/day as Hedan group (18 cases) or placebo (19 cases) as control group for 8 weeks. The lipid profile, PCSK9 and HDL subfractions were determined at day 0 and week 8 in both groups respectively.

RESULTSHedan treatment for 8 weeks mildly decreased serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels, while no changes were found in total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG) and PCSK9 concentrations. Furthermore, Hedan treatment increased the concentration of large high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and the percentage of large HDL subfraction, while decreased the concentration of small HDL-C and the percentage of small HDL subfraction without changing serum HDL-C levels in patients with hyperlipidemia.

CONCLUSIONHedan treatment of 4.38 g per day for 8 weeks could confer a favorable effects on serum LDL-C concentration as well as HDL subfractions.

Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperlipidemias ; blood ; drug therapy ; enzymology ; Lipoproteins, HDL ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Proprotein Convertase 9 ; metabolism ; Subcellular Fractions ; metabolism

OBJECTIVE: To explore the change of plasma level of chemerin in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients and its relationship with lipid metabolism. 
 METHODS: A total of 150 COPD patients were randomly selected and set as the COPD group and 30 healthy persons were set as the control group. The COPD group was further divided into a thin group (BMI<18.5 kg/m2, n=116) and a normal weight group (BMI≥18.5 kg/m2, n=34) according to their body mass index (BMI). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent (ELISA) was used in detection of plasma chemerin, total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein (LDL), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL). The hospitalization rate in a half year and the mortality was statistically analyzed. Pearson correlation analysis was applied to analyze the relationship between plasma level of chemerin and levels of blood lipids, and Spearman rank correlation method was used to analyze the relationship between the plasma levels of chemerin or lipids and the prognosis. 
 RESULTS: Compared with the control group, plasma levels of TC, TG and HDL in the COPD group in acute exacerbation and remission stage were reduced, while plasma levels of chemerin and LDL was elevated; compared with the thin group, plasma levels of TC, TG and HDL in the normal weight group were elevated, while plasma levels of chemerin and LDL were decreased. The hospitalization rate in half year and the mortality in the thin group were higher than that in the normal weight group, and the plasma levels of TC, TG and HDL in the COPD patients with hospitalization in half year or death were lower than that in COPD patients without hospitalization, while the plasma levels of chemerin and LDL was increased (P<0.05). Pearson correlation analysis showed that plasma level of chemerin in COPD patients was negatively correlated with plasma levels of TC, TG and HDL (r=-0.695, -0.748, -0.695, P<0.05), while positively correlated with plasma levels of LDL (r=0.668, P<0.05). Spearman rank correlation analysis showed that plasma levels of TC, TG and HDL in COPD patients and hospitalization rate in half year as well as the mortality were negatively correlated (TC: r=-0.716, -0.737; TG: r=-0.748, -0.753; HDL: r=
-0.736, -0.728, P<0.05), while the plasma level of chemerin or LDL and hospitalization rate in half year and the mortality were positively correlated (chemerin: r=0.753, 0.766; LDL: r=0.742, 0.755, P<0.05).
 CONCLUSION Plasma levels of chemerin in the COPD patients are correlated with lipid metabolism. Plasma levels of chemerin and lipid are related to prognosis of COPD. The plasma levels of chemerin in patients with COPD may reflect the lipid metabolism and could be served as the index for prognostic evaluation.
Body Mass Index ; Chemokines ; Cholesterol ; Humans ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; Lipid Metabolism ; Lipoproteins, HDL ; Lipoproteins, LDL ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; Triglycerides

Hyperlipidemia is a major factor causing coronary heart disease and atherosclerosis. The high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) is a major indicator for measuring lipid levels. However, there is no an effective medicine that can obviously increase HDL-C at present. According to previous laboratory studies, atractylodes macrocephalae extracts could significantly increase HDL-C level. In this study, the metabolic hyperlipidemia rat model was established by feeding high-sugar and fat diets and alcohol-drinking to explore the effect and mechanism of atractylodes macrocephalae extracts on hyperlipidemia rats. According to the findingins, different doses of atractylodes macrocephalae extracts could reduce the levels of TC, TG, LDL-C, ACAT and increase the contents of LCAT, HDL-C. Particularly, the atractylodes macrocephalae extracts (100 mg · kg(-1) group showed increase in HDL-C by about 50% and significant declines in HMG-CoA reductase, TC, TG. In conclusion, Atractylodes Macrocephelae Rhizoma extracts could effectively regulate the dyslipidemia of hyperlipidemia rats, especially on HDL-C. Its mechanism may be related to reduction in cholesterol synthesis by inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase in livers and increase in lipid metabolism and transport by regulating LCAT and ACAT levels.
Acyl Coenzyme A ; antagonists & inhibitors ; genetics ; metabolism ; Animals ; Atractylodes ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Humans ; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors ; administration & dosage ; Hyperlipidemias ; drug therapy ; enzymology ; metabolism ; Lipoproteins, HDL ; metabolism ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rhizome ; chemistry ; Triglycerides ; metabolism

The therapeutic effects and side effects of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), which is a main treatment method for metastatic prostate cancer, are well known, but the metabolic effects have only recently been studied. This review describes the effects of ADT on body habitus, insulin resistance, lipid profiles, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The review was done by using KoreaMed and PubMed to search the medical literature related to prostate cancer, ADT, body habitus, lipid profile, diabetes, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular disease. ADT increases fat mass and decreases lean body mass. Fat mostly accumulates in the subcutaneous area. ADT increases total cholesterol, triglycerides, and high-density lipoprotein, as well as the risk for insulin resistance and diabetes. ADT also increases the risk for cardiovascular events, but insufficient evidence is available for a correlation with mortality. ADT changes body habitus and lipid profiles and has different characteristics than those of classic metabolic syndrome, but it is related to insulin resistance and diabetes. ADT increases the risk for cardiovascular events. No consistent guidelines have been proposed for treating the metabolic effects of ADT, but the generally recommended treatment methods for lowering the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease should be fully understood. Additional studies are necessary.
Androgen Antagonists/*adverse effects/therapeutic use ; Body Composition/drug effects ; Cardiovascular Diseases/metabolism/mortality ; Cholesterol/chemistry ; Diabetes Mellitus/epidemiology/metabolism ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone/*agonists ; Humans ; Insulin Resistance ; Lipids/blood ; Lipoproteins, HDL/blood ; Male ; Metabolic Syndrome X/epidemiology/metabolism ; Prostatic Neoplasms/*drug therapy ; Risk Factors ; Triglycerides/chemistry

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect and mechanism of hirudin on atherosclerotic plaques in apolipoprotein E knockout (ApoE(-/-)) mice.

METHODSTotally 24 ApoE(-/-) mice, 7-8 weeks old were fed with high fat diets. They were randomly divided into the recombinant hirudin treatment group (drug group) and the model group according to body weight and different dens, 12 in each group. Twelve C57BL/6J mice, 7-8 weeks old fed with high fat diet were recruited as the normal control group. Recombinant hirudin (0.25 mg/kg) was intraperitoneally injected to mice in the drug group from the 10th week old once every other day for five successive weeks. Equal volume of normal saline was injected to mice in the model group. Mice in the normal control group received no treatment. All mice were sacrificed after fed with high fat diet until they were 20 weeks old. Serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), E-selectin, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and stromal metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) were detected. The plaque/lumen area and extracellular lipid composition/ plaque area were analyzed by HE staining and morphometry. Changes of signaling molecules in store-operated calcium channels, including stromal interacting molecule 1 (STIM1), Orail protein, and transient receptor potential channel 1 (TRPC1) were determined by Western blot. Results Lipid plaque formed in the aorta vessel wall of 20-week old mice in the model group. Compared with the normal control group, serum levels of TC, TG and LDL increased (P<0.01), hs-CRP, E-selction, IL-6, and MMP-2 obviously increased (P<0.01, P<0.05) in the model group; expression levels of STIM1, TRPC1, and Orail significantly increased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the plaque/lumen area and the extracellular lipid composition/plaque area significantly decreased in the drug group (P<0.05, P<0.01); serum levels of TC and LDL, hs-CRP, E-selction, IL-6, and MMP-2 obviously decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01); expression levels of STIM1, TRPC1, and Orail were significantly down-regulated (P<0.05, P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONHirudin could significantly improve lipids and endothelial functions of ApoE(-/-) mice, down-regulate expression levels of STIM1, Orai1, and TRPC1, and thus delaying the occurrence and development of atherosclerosis.

Animals ; Aorta ; Apolipoproteins E ; metabolism ; Atherosclerosis ; C-Reactive Protein ; Cholesterol ; Diet, High-Fat ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; E-Selectin ; Hirudins ; metabolism ; Interleukin-6 ; Lipids ; Lipoproteins, HDL ; Lipoproteins, LDL ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice, Knockout ; Plaque, Atherosclerotic ; metabolism ; Recombinant Proteins ; metabolism ; Triglycerides

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of Xinfeng Capsule (XC) on lipoprotein metabolism of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients.

METHODSTotally 180 RA patients were assigned to the experimental group and the control group by random digit table, 90 in each group. Patients in the experimental group took XC (three pills each time, three times daily), while those in the control group took Methotrexate Tablet (four tablets each time, once per week). One month consisted of one therapeutic course and all patients were treated for two therapeutic courses. A healthy control group consisting of 60 patients was also set up. Changes of lipoprotein indices, clinical efficacy, lipid metabolism, joint symptoms and signs, activity indicators were observed, and correlation analyses were performed.

RESULTSCompared with the healthy control group, expression levels of prealbumin (PA), globulin (GLO), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), apolipoprotein Al (Apo-A1) were lowered in RA patients (P <0. 05, P <0. 01). Correlation analyses showed that PA was negatively correlated with joint tenderness, morning stiffness time, disease activity score (DAS-28), C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin (IL)-6, respectively. Total protein (TP) was negatively correlated with joint tenderness. GLO was negatively correlated with joint tenderness and DAS-28. HDL was negatively correlated with erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and endothelin (ET)-1. Apo-Al was negatively correlated with joint pain; Apo-B was negatively correlated with CRP; LDL was negatively correlated with morning stiffness time (P <0. 05, P <0. 01). Compared with before treatment, expression levels of PA, HDL, Apo-A1 , Apo-B, and serum IL-10 contents increased, and expression levels of ESR, CRP, IL-6, ET-1 , joint pain, joint swelling, morning stiffness time, and DAS-28 decreased in the experimental group (P <0. 05, P <0. 01). PA increased more after treatment than before treatment in the control group (P <0. 01). There was statistical difference in joint symptoms (except joint tenderness) and activity indices (except ET-1) in the control group (P <0. 05, P <0. 01). Compared with the control group after treatment, PA and HDL increased, ET-1 and duration of morning stiffness decreased in the experimental group (all P <0. 05).

CONCLUSIONSLipoprotein metabolic disorder exists in RA patients, and it is associated with disease activity. XC could obviously improve lipoprotein metabolism and joint symptoms.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Blood Sedimentation ; C-Reactive Protein ; Capsules ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Interleukin-10 ; Interleukin-6 ; Lipoproteins ; Lipoproteins, HDL ; metabolism ; Methotrexate