Atherosclerosis, lipid

Chen YC, Chen YD, Li X, Post W, Herrington D, Polak JF, Rotter JI, Taylor KD (2009) The HMG-CoA reductase gene and lipid and lipoprotein levels the multi-ethnic study of atherosclerosis. Lipids 44 733-743... 

Ichi, L, Nakahara, K., Miyashita, Y., Hidaka, A., Kutsukake, S., Inoue, K., Maruyama, T., Miwa, Y., Harada-Shiba, M., Tsushima, and M., Kojo, S., Kisei Cohort Study Group, Association of ceramides in human plasma with risk factors of atherosclerosis, Lipids, 41 (2006) 859-863. 

The lipids are among the most important components of human diet and occur widely in nature. However, it is the biochemical role of lipids as the basic components of various cellular membranes and the lipid-protein complexes (lipoproteins) that bring them into the focus of highly important scientific activities. Major clinical interest has concentrated on blood lipid chemistry as related to atherosclerosis, lipid storage diseases, diabetes, and other metabolic conditions. 

Morbus Monckeberg (medial arterial calcification) or medial calcinosis is the deposition of hydroxyapatite (Ca5(P04)30H) in the media. Most frequently affected are the small to medium sized arteries of the lower extremities, the pelvic arteries and the abdominal aorta. An occurrence in the coronary arteries is rare. As a rule, Morbus Monckeberg frequently coincides with atherosclerosis. At an advanced stage, the media is almost entirely replaced by a homogeneous calciferous layer, which displays itself in the computer tomogram almost like a second skeleton (Rg. 5.143). In contrast to atherosclerosis, lipids do not contribute to the deposition. [355]... 

GinterE. Marginal vitamin C deficiency, lipid metabolism, and atherosclerosis. Lipid Research 1973 16 162-220. 

Aneurysms Abnormal bulging or dilatation of a segment of a blood vessel or myocardium. Artery Blood vessel transporting blood in a direction away from the heart. Atherosclerosis Lipid deposits in the intima of arteries. 

Cholesterol is biosynthesized in the liver trans ported throughout the body to be used in a va riety of ways and returned to the liver where it serves as the biosynthetic precursor to other steroids But cholesterol is a lipid and isn t soluble in water How can it move through the blood if it doesn t dis solve in if The answer is that it doesn t dissolve but IS instead carried through the blood and tissues as part of a lipoprotein (lipid + protein = lipoprotein) The proteins that carry cholesterol from the liver are called low density lipoproteins or LDLs those that return it to the liver are the high-density lipoproteins or HDLs If too much cholesterol is being transported by LDL or too little by HDL the extra cholesterol builds up on the walls of the arteries caus mg atherosclerosis A thorough physical examination nowadays measures not only total cholesterol con centration but also the distribution between LDL and HDL cholesterol An elevated level of LDL cholesterol IS a risk factor for heart disease LDL cholesterol is bad cholesterol HDLs on the other hand remove excess cholesterol and are protective HDL cholesterol IS good cholesterol... 

Thus, it is apparent that soya, some soya products and linseed oil influence blood lipid levels, particularly cholesterol and LDL cholesterol. While the extent of the reduction appears to largely depend on an individual s initial serum cholesterol level, the maximum reductions observed are of the order of 10-15%. For hyperlipidemic individuals this may not be a marked reduction, but such an effect on the general population may well have a beneficial effect on the overall incidence of cardiovascular disease and atherosclerosis. The possibility that non-phytoestrogenic dietary components may contribute to the hypocholes-terolemic properties cannot, however, be discounted. Indeed, certain types of dietary fibre have been shown to have a hypolipidemic effect via their ability to increase faecal excretion rates. 

An increase in serum lipids is believed to contribute to or cause atherosclerosis, a disease characterized by deposits of fatty plaques on the inner walls of arteries. These deposits result in a narrowing of the lumen (inside diameter) of the artery and a decrease in blood supply to the area served by the artery. When these fatty deposits occur in the coronary arteries, the patient experiences coronary artery disease. Lowering blood cholesterol levels can arrest or reverse atherosclerosis in the vessels and can significantly decrease the incidence of heart disease. 

Ghazalpour A, Doss S, Yang X, Aten J, Toomey EM, Van Nas A, et al. Thematic review series The pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Toward a biological network for atherosclerosis. J Lipid Res 2004 45 1793-805. 

While cholesterol is believed to be chiefly concerned in the relationship, other serum lipids such as triacylglycerols may also play a role. Atherosclerosis is character-... 

In addition to the effects on blood lipids, it has been suggested that soy consumption has a beneficial action on arterial function and improves antioxidant status (Lichtenstein, 1998 and refs therein). Genistein and daidzein were shown to have antioxidant properties in vitro (Kerry and Abbey, 1998), to enhance endothelium-dependent vasodilation and to reduce the development of atherosclerosis in monkeys (Honore et al, 1997 Wagner et al, 1997). 

MARCKMANN p, sandstrOm b, jespersen J (1990) Effect of total fat content and fatty acid composition in diet on factor Vll coagulant activity and blood lipids, Atherosclerosis, 80, 227-33. 

---