Low-density lipoprotein LDL cholesterol

A variety of clinical studies have demonstrated that elevated levels of total cholesterol (total-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and apolipoprotein B (apo B) are associated with... 

As discussed above, obesity is associated with dyslipidemia, a condition where high levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is common. Elevated LDL-C is strongly associated with an elevated risk of coronary artery disease and for this reason a number of lipid-lowering therapies that target LDL-C have been developed. These include bile-acid sequestrants (BAS), statins (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors), cholesterol absorption inhibitors, and fibrates. ... 

Antihypercholesterolemic effect. Polico-sanol, administered orally to normocholes-terolemic New Zealand rabbits at doses of 5-200 mg/kg for 4 weeks, significantly reduced total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) serum levels in a dose-dependent manner. Serum triglyceride (TC) levels of the treated and control animals were significantly different, but the reduction observed was not dose-dependent. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels remained unchanged. The results indicated that the reduction in total cholesterol values induced by policosanol was mainly mediated through a decrease in LDL-C levels . Policosanol was administered to patients who were obese (body mass... 

The effects of palm oil on serum lipids and lipoproteins recorded in animal studies have similarly been observed in several human studies. In some early human studies (152, 153), it was reported that subjects on a palm oil diet had elevated plasma and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol LDL-C levels compared to a diet containing a polyusaturated fat. However, on a critical reassessment of these and other relevant studies (154), it was found that plasma cholesterol levels after the palm oil period were actually lower than at the point of entry of the experiments when the subjects were on their habitual diets. 

The typical sunflower oil composition is 66-72% linoleic acid, 12% saturated acids (palmitic and stearic), 16-20% oleic acid, and less than 1% a-linolenic acid. An increase in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and a decrease of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) are believed risk factors of coronary heart disease (CHD). Diets rich in saturated fat increase plasma total and LDL-C. Traditional high-linoleic sunflower oil has always been regarded as healthy because of its high content of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and relatively low content in saturated fatty acids. 

The consumption of foods high in TFA has been shown to raise low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL or bad cholesterol), which increases the risk of developing coronary heart disease (CHD). This prompted the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to require mandatory labeling of the fran -fat content in foods. Food manufacturers have to comply by January 1, 2006. The FDA s chemical definition of TFA or trans-fats (TF) is unsaturated fatty acids that contain one or more isolated (i.e., nonconjugated) double bonds in the frani-configuration. ... 

Baycol was indicated as an adjunct to diet to reduce elevated total-cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), apo B, and triglycerides (TG) and to increase high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels in patients with primary hypercholesterolemia and mixed dyslipidemia (Fredrickson types Ila and Ilb) when the response to dietary restriction of saturated fat and cholesterol and other nonpharmacological measures alone had been inadequate. Therapy with lipid altering drugs should bea component of multiple risk factor intervention in those patients at significantly high risk for atherosclerotic vascular disease due to hypercholesterolemia. 

Human steroid hormones are synthesized primarily from cholesterol in the adrenal glands and gonads. In most cases, cholesterol is made available from the circulation in the form of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL). The uptake of... 

Adverse effects CV depression, fatigue, sexual dysfunction, and with chronic use — T low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and TGs (not ISA drugs). Nonselective drugs may cause problems in asthmatics and diabetics and in PVD. Watch for rebound HTN on abrupt withdrawal (less with ISAs). 

Fatty acids affect CHD risk, in part, via effects on plasma lipids and lipoproteins. A meta-analysis of 60 controlled trials (Mensink et al., 2003) reported that saturated and trans fatty acids increase low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), whereas unsaturated fatty acids decrease LDL-C. Saturated fatty acids, MUFA, and PUFA all increase high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), whereas trans fatty acids do not. Both MUFA and PUFA decrease the TC to HDL-C ratio, whereas trans fatty acids increase it, and SFA have little effect (Fig. 20.4). 

Enhanced production of vasoconstrictor factors via eicosanoid and/or free radical-related mechanisms has been observed in several cardiovascular disease states. In addition to the well-established role of free radicals in promoting the oxidation of low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), changes in free radical status may modify endogenous eicosanoid profiles and/or produce nonenzymatic lipid peroxidation products of the arachidonic acid (AA) cascade such as lipid hydroperoxides and isoprostanes, which have been shown to possess potent vasoactive properties (3). Furthermore, an excess of free radicals may interact with the vascular endothelial cell nitric oxide (NO) to produce highly reactive peroxynitrite radicals, resulting in tissue damage and vasoconstriction (4—6) (Fig. 2). 

Serum Lipid Analysis. Blood samples were withdrawn from the marginal ear-vein after overnight food deprivation every 2 wk until the termination of the experimental periods. Total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and tri-acylglycerol (TG) concentrations were determined using enzymatic methods. Low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) was calculated according to Friedewald et al. (14). 

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