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: 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

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have suggested that high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol is inversely associated with the development of hypertension. We aimed to determine the association between different HDL cholesterol subclasses and risk of future hypertension. METHODS: A total of 270 Japanese Americans (130 men, 140 women) without hypertension between the ages of 34 to 75 years were enrolled. Blood pressure was measured with a mercury sphygmomanometer, and average blood pressure was calculated. Incident hypertension was determined 5 to 6 and 10 to 11 years after enrollment. HDL2, HDL3, and total HDL cholesterol were measured at baseline. RESULTS: During 10 years of follow-up, the cumulative incidence of hypertension was 28.1% (76/270). In univariate analysis, age, diabetes, waist circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, fasting glucose, insulin resistance index, total and low density lipoprotein cholesterol, and visceral adipose tissue were significant predictors for incident hypertension. Among the HDL cholesterol subclass, HDL2 cholesterol was inversely associated with hypertension incidence, but both total and HDL3 cholesterol were not. In addition, HDL2/HDL cholesterol was inversely associated with future hypertension risk. In multivariate analysis, age (odds ratio [OR], 1.71; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.26 to 2.31; P=0.001), systolic blood pressure (OR, 1.83; 95% CI, 1.31 to 2.56; P < 0.001), and HDL2/HDL cholesterol (OR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.52 to 0.98; P=0.035), were associated with future development of hypertension. CONCLUSION: A higher proportion of HDL2 cholesterol among total HDL cholesterol predicted a lower risk for incident hypertension. However, concentrations of total HDL, HDL2, and HDL3 cholesterol were not independent predictors of incident hypertension.
Asian Americans ; Blood Pressure ; Cholesterol ; Cholesterol, HDL ; Cholesterol, LDL ; Fasting ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glucose ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Incidence ; Insulin Resistance ; Intra-Abdominal Fat ; Lipoproteins ; Lipoproteins, HDL2 ; Lipoproteins, HDL3 ; Male ; Multivariate Analysis ; Sphygmomanometers ; Waist Circumference

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

This study aimed to examine the relationship between nutrition intake and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) indicating kidney function in Korean individuals without diabetes or cardiovascular disease. Study participants from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2013–2014 (n = 4,378, 30–65 years) were classified by their eGFR levels (mL/min/1.732 m²): ≥ 120 (n = 299), 119–105 (n = 789), 104–90 (n = 1,578), 89–60 (n = 1,685), < 60 (n = 27). After adjusted for confounding factors (age, sex, cigarette smoking, alcohol drinking, total caloric intake [TCI], income status, education level, body mass index, and physical activity), blood pressure, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, fasting glucose, and glycated hemoglobin were higher, and high density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were lower in participants with lower eGFR levels than those with higher eGFR levels. n-3 fatty acid (FA) and n-6 FA (% of TCI/day) intake were also significantly higher in participants with higher eGFR levels than in those with lower eGFR levels. Based on the above results, participants were subdivided into 3 groups according to n-6 FA intake levels (Q1: ≥ 2.93%, n = 1,462; Q2: 2.92%–1.88%, n = 1,463; Q3: < 1.88%, n = 1,453). People consuming higher n-6 FAs, particularly the Q1 group showed higher eGFR levels and lower levels of LDL cholesterol and creatinine. In conclusion, higher intake of n-6 FAs within the range of dietary reference may be beneficial to maintain healthy kidney function.
Adult* ; Alanine Transaminase ; Alcohol Drinking ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; Blood Pressure ; Blood Urea Nitrogen ; Body Mass Index ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Cholesterol ; Cholesterol, HDL ; Cholesterol, LDL ; Creatinine ; Education ; Energy Intake ; Fasting ; Glomerular Filtration Rate* ; Glucose ; Hemoglobin A, Glycosylated ; Humans ; Kidney ; Korea* ; Lipoproteins ; Nutrition Surveys* ; Smoking

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the goal attainment rates for hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), blood pressure (BP), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: The subjects were 762 over 65 years old patients with type 2 diabetes taking a hypoglycemic agent. Data were collected by reviewing medical records and included general characteristics, biochemical tests, prescribed pharmacologic agents, and complications. RESULTS: The goal attainment rates (mean value) for HbA1c, BP, and LDL-C were 50.4% (7.3% ± 1.2%), 78.9% (126.0 ± 15.1/72.1 ± 10.0 mm Hg), and 60.6% (88.6 ± 29.9 mg/dL). Diabetes-related complications for retinopathy, nephropathy, neuropathy, and cardio-cerebral vascular disease were 36.3%, 37.2%, 23.6%, and 31.9%, respectively. Life habit-related variables positively associated with goal attainment were not drinking alcohol and exercise for HbA1c, not smoking for BP and not drinking alcohol for LDL-C. Metabolic adjustment indicator-related significant variables for complications were HbA1c in retinopathy, BP in nephropathy, and LDL-C in cardio-cerebral disease. CONCLUSION: We found that goal attainment rates for parameters of metabolic adjustment were not high in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes. Thus, diabetes educators should be concerned about metabolic adjustment indicators. Also, case management guidelines according to elderly patient health and functional status should be developed to help manage metabolic adjustment.
Aged* ; Blood Pressure ; Case Management ; Cholesterol ; Cholesterol, LDL ; Diabetes Complications ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Drinking ; Hemoglobin A, Glycosylated ; Humans ; Lipoproteins ; Medical Records ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Vascular Diseases

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

To investigate the correlations between lipid ratio/oxidative stress status in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients and pulmonary hypertension as well as the prognosis.
 Methods: A total of 120 patients with COPD were randomly selected and served as the COPD group and 30 healthy persons were selected as the control group. The ratios of low density lipoprotein (LDL)/high-density lipoprotein (HDL), triglyceride (TG)/HDL and total cholesterol (TC)/HDL were measured. The superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, malondialdehyde (MDA) content and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) level in the control group and COPD patients were detected. Pulmonary hypertension incidence and 3-year survival rate for COPD patients were statistically analyzed. Spearman rank correlation method was used to analyze relationship between lipid ratio /oxidative stress status and pulmonary hypertension.
 Results: Compared with control group, the ratios of LDL/HDL, TG/HDL and TC/HDL, and the serum MDA level in the COPD group were increased, while the serum SOD and T-AOC level in the COPD group were decreased; compared with stable period, lipid ratios and MDA levels in the acute period were elevated, while serum SOD and T-AOC levels were reduced (P<0.05). Pulmonary hypertension incidence and 3-year survival rates in the COPD group were 56.67% and 81.67% respectively; the lipid ratios and serum MDA levels in COPD patients with pulmonary hypertension were elevated compared with that in COPD patients without pulmonary hypertension; the serum SOD and T-AOC levels in COPD patients with pulmonary hypertension were reduced compared with that in patients without pulmonary hypertension (P<0.05). Spearman rank correlation analysis showed that ratios of LDL/HDL, TG/HDL and TC/HDL, and the serum MDA levels in COPD patients were positively correlated with 3-years pulmonary hypertension incidence (r=0.752, 0.748, 0.752, 0.748; P<0.05), and negatively correlated with 3-years survival rate (r=-0.722, -0.751, -0.736, -0.748; P<0.05); serum SOD and T-AOC levels in COPD patients were negatively correlated with 3-years pulmonary hypertension (r=-0.711, -0.734; P<0.05), and positively correlated with 3-year survival rate (r=0.726, 0.733; P<0.05). 
 Conclusion: Blood lipid ratio and oxidative stress levels in COPD patients are elevated while antioxidant abilities were attenuated. The lipid ratio and oxidative stress status in COPD patients is closely related to the prognosis of pulmonary hypertension. Therefore, blood lipid ratio and oxidative stress status may be used in evaluation of pulmonary hypertension and prognosis for COPD patients.
Biomarkers ; blood ; Cholesterol ; blood ; physiology ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; physiopathology ; Lipids ; Lipoproteins, HDL ; blood ; physiology ; Lipoproteins, LDL ; physiology ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; Oxidative Stress ; physiology ; Prognosis ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; blood ; mortality ; physiopathology ; Superoxide Dismutase ; Triglycerides ; blood ; physiology

PURPOSE: Adiponectin is expressed in adipose tissue, and is affected by smoking, obesity, and genetic factors, such as CDH13 polymorphism, contributing to the development of coronary vascular diseases (CVDs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We investigated the effect of genetic variations of CDH13 (rs3865188) on blood chemistry and adiponectin levels in 345 CVD patients undergoing statin-free or statin treatment. RESULTS: Genetic variation in CDH13 was significantly correlated with several clinical factors, including adiponectin, diastolic blood pressure, triglyceride (TG), and insulin levels. Subjects with the T allele (mutant form) had significantly lower adiponectin levels than those with the A allele. Total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLc), TG/high-density lipoprotein cho-lesterol (HDLc) ratio, and HDL3b subtype were markedly decreased in statin treated subjects regardless of having the A or T allele. TG and TG/HDL in the statin-free group with TT genotype of the rs3865188 was higher than in the others but they were not different in the statin-treated subjects. We observed a significant difference in adiponectin levels between patients with the A and T alleles in the statin-free group; meanwhile, no difference in adiponectin levels was noted in the statin group. Plasma levels of other cytokines, leptin, visfatin, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), were not different among the CDH13 genotypes according to statin administration. Body mass index (BMI), TG, insulin, HDL3b, and TG/HDL ratio showed negative correlations with adiponectin levels. CONCLUSION: Plasma adiponectin levels and TG/HDL ratio were significantly different according to variants of CDH13 and statin administration in Korean patients with CVD.
Adiponectin/blood/*genetics ; Adult ; Aged ; Alleles ; Blood Pressure/genetics ; Body Mass Index ; Cadherins/blood/*genetics ; Cholesterol ; Cholesterol, LDL ; Female ; Genotype ; Humans ; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors/*therapeutic use ; Insulin ; Interleukin-6 ; Leptin/genetics ; Lipoproteins, HDL/genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Obesity/blood ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Triglycerides/genetics ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/genetics ; Vascular Diseases/*drug therapy

The research aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of Opuntia dillenii Haw polysaccharide (OPS) on atherosclerosis of rats. First atherosclerotic rat models were established by high-fat and high-calcium diet. Thirty days later, the rats were treated with low dosage of OPS (0.2 g x kg(-1) x d(-1)) or high dosage of OPS (0.4 g x kg(-1) x d(-1)) by intraperitoneal injection for 60 days continuously. At the end of treatment, thoracic aorta rings were prepared and vasorelaxation of rat thoracic aorta in different experiment groups were determined by using 620M multi wire myograph system in vitro. Blood and livers of rats were collected. Then plasma levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) of rats were separately determined using whole automatic biochemical analyzer; protein level of hepatic apolipoprotein B (ApoB) and that of hepatic diglyceride acyltransferase (Dgat1) were measured by Western Blot technique. Results showed that the ability of rat thoracic aorta to relax decreased markedly in the model group compared with that in the normal group, and significant differences existed in vasorelaxation ratios induced by different concentrations of carbamylcholine chloride (Carb) between these two groups (P < 0.01). After OPS treatment, the ability of rat thoracic aorta to relax improved markedly, the vasorelaxation ratios induced by Carb at 5 and 10 μmol x L(-1) were respectively 0.34 ± 0.08 and 0.62 ± 0.15 in the group treated with low dosage of OPS, while the ratios induced by Carb at 1 and 5 μmol x L(-1) were respectively 0.54 ± 0.08 and 0.98 ± 0.02 in the group treated with high dosage of OPS, which were all significantly different with those in the model group (P < 0.01). Plasma contents of TC, TG and LDL reduced significantly by the treatments both with low and high dosages of OPS compared with those in the model group (P < 0.01). Protein level of hepatic ApoB and that of hepatic Dgat1 decreased significantly after the treatment with high dosage of OPS compared with those in the model group (P < 0.01). These results indicate that OPS can markedly improve the vasorelaxation of thoracic aorta of atherosclerotic rats and has significant anti-atherosclerotic effect; inhibiting the expression of ApoB and Dgat1 and thus decreasing the amounts of TC, LDL and TG serving as one of the molecular mechanisms of its antiatherosclerosis effect.
Animals ; Aorta, Thoracic ; drug effects ; Atherosclerosis ; drug therapy ; Cholesterol ; blood ; Lipoproteins, LDL ; blood ; Opuntia ; chemistry ; Phytotherapy ; Rats ; Triglycerides ; blood