lower-cholesterol-18.matches:
lower cholesterol
Cost effectiveness of simvastatin treatment to lower cholesterol levels in patients with coronary heart disease. Scandinavian Simvastatin Survival Study Group.

Johannesson M, Jonsson B, Kjekshus J, Olsson AG, Pedersen TR, Wedel H.

Center for Health Economics, Stockholm School of Economics, Sweden.

BACKGROUND: The Scandinavian Simvastatin Survival Study (4S) showed that lowering cholesterol levels with simvastatin reduces mortality and morbidity in patients with angina pectoris or previous acute myocardial infarction. Before the widespread use of cholesterol-lowering drugs in such patients is recommended, its cost effectiveness should be demonstrated. We estimated the cost effectiveness of simvastatin treatment to lower cholesterol levels in relation to the age, sex, and cholesterol level before treatment of patients with coronary heart disease. METHODS: We estimated the cost per year of life gained with simvastatin therapy. To model the increased life expectancy, hazard functions from 4S were used. The costs studied included those of the intervention and the direct and indirect costs associated with morbidity from coronary causes. We prepared separate estimates for men and women at various ages (from 35 to 70 years) and total cholesterol levels before treatment (213 to 309 mg per deciliter). RESULTS: In the analysis limited to direct costs, the cost of each year of life gained ranged from $3,800 for 70-year-old men with 309 mg of cholesterol per deciliter to $27,400 for 35-year-old women with 213 mg of cholesterol per deciliter. When we included indirect costs, the results ranged from a savings in the youngest patients to a cost of $13,300 per year of life gained in 70-year-old women with 213 mg of cholesterol per deciliter. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with coronary heart disease, simvastatin therapy is cost effective among both men and women at the ages and cholesterol levels studied.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=9011785&dopt=Abstract lower cholesterol



lower-cholesterol-18.matches:
lower cholesterol
Lipid composition in epithelium and stroma of human benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Weisser H, Krieg M.

Institute of Clinical Chemistry, Transfusion and Laboratory Medicine, University Clinic Bergmannsheil, Bochum, Germany.

The lipid composition and concentration in human benign prostatic hyper-plasia (BPH) were investigated. The reason was to shed some light onto the lipid environment of cellular membranes, in which the epithelial and stromal 5 alpha-reductase of the human prostate have apparently to be embedded in order to gain an active state. The phospholipids were found to be the major portion (67% +/- 1.1) of total lipids in whole BPH homogenate, followed by cholesterol (29% +/- 1.1) and glyceride glycerols (4% +/- 0.9). In BPH epithelium, the lipid concentration related to wet weight and to protein was two to three-fold higher than in stroma. Assigning the lipid concentration on a per-cell basis (i.e., related to DNA), a significantly lower lipid concentration was found in the epithelium as compared to the stroma. In the stroma, a significantly higher phospholipid and lower cholesterol portion were found than in the epithelium. Moreover, sphingomyelin was found to comprise a higher portion in stromal than in epithelial phospholipids, whereas the percentage of phosphatidylserine was higher in the epithelial phospholipids. We discuss whether the significant differences in lipid concentration and composition between the epithelium and stroma of human BPH could have an impact on the activity of the membrane-bound 5 alpha-reductase, or whether such differences in the lipid environment are due to a different hormonal milieu in the epithelium and stroma of BPH.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=9018334&dopt=Abstract lower cholesterol



lower-cholesterol-18.matches:
lower cholesterol
Low serum cholesterol in suicide attempters.

Kunugi H, Takei N, Aoki H, Nanko S.

Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, London, United Kingdom.

Previous studies have shown an association between low serum cholesterol concentration and suicide; however, conflicting results have also been reported. To examine this potential association, cholesterol levels in 99 patients admitted to an emergency ward following an attempted suicide were compared with those in 74 nonsuicidal psychiatric inpatients, and those in 39 psychiatrically normal individuals with accidental injuries. Cholesterol concentrations in suicide attempters were found to be significantly lower compared with both psychiatric and normal controls, when sex, age, psychiatric diagnosis, and physical conditions (serum total protein and red blood cell count) were adjusted for. This significant relationship was observed in mood disorders and personality or neurotic disorders, but not in schizophrenia spectrum disorders. These results support the previous claim that lower cholesterol level is associated with an increased risk of suicidal behavior.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=9018390&dopt=Abstract lower cholesterol



lower-cholesterol-18.matches:
lower cholesterol
Physical activity in a multiethnic population of third graders in four states.

Simons-Morton BG, McKenzie TJ, Stone E, Mitchell P, Osganian V, Strikmiller PK, Ehlinger S, Cribb P, Nader PR.

National Institute of Child health and Human Development, Rockville, MD 20852, USA.

OBJECTIVES: This research assessed the amount of daily physical activity in a multiethnic sample of US third-grade students. METHODS: Physical activity interviews were conducted with 2410 third graders from 96 schools in four states. Blood pressure, cholesterol, body mass index, timed run for distance, physical-activity self-efficacy, and perceived support for physical activity were also assessed. RESULTS: Students reported a daily average of 89.9 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity, 34.7 minutes of vigorous activity, and 120.4 minutes of sedentary behavior; however, 36.6% obtained less than 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity daily, and 12.8% reported less than 30 minutes. Boys reported more physical and sedentary activity than girls; White children reported more activity than Black or Hispanic children; California children reported the most activity and Louisiana children the least. Geographic location, male gender, lower cholesterol, higher perceived efficacy in physical activity, and higher social support were associated with more physical activity. CONCLUSIONS: Average reported activity met the Year 2000 objectives; however, many students reported less than recommended amounts of activity. These findings support the need for health promotion programs that increase the number of physically active children.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=9065225&dopt=Abstract lower cholesterol



lower-cholesterol-19.matches:
lower cholesterol
Intestinal absorption of bile acids in the rabbit: different transport rates in jejunum and ileum.

Aldini R, Montagnani M, Roda A, Hrelia S, Biagi PL, Roda E.

Istituto di Scienze Chimiche, Universita di Bologna, Italy.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: A direct comparison of jejunal and ileal absorption rates of bile acids has not been reported. The aim of this study was to compare the relative transport rates of different bile acids in the jejunum and ileum. METHODS: Jejunal and ileal rabbit intestinal segments were separately perfused with bile acid solutions, and dose-response curves were obtained for taurocholate, ursodeoxycholate, chenodeoxycholate, deoxycholate, and their glycoconjugates. Membrane fluidity and bile acid transport were assessed in brush border membrane vesicles. RESULTS: Taurocholate showed active transport in the ileum and no transport in the jejunum. Unconjugated bile acids showed passive diffusion in the two tracts, whereas glycoconjugated bile acids showed both components of transport in the ileum and passive diffusion in the jejunum (lower in the latter). A higher membrane fluidity and lower cholesterol-to-phospholipid ratio were found in the jejunum. Ursodeoxycholate reduced bile acid uptake into membrane vesicles from both ileum and jejunum. CONCLUSIONS: Active transport is limited to the ileum. Passive diffusion is higher through a less fluid membrane with a higher cholesterol-to-phospholipid ratio in the ileum than in the jejunum. Ursodeoxycholate inhibition may be at the level of a facilitated, sodium-independent diffusion in the jejunum.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=8566593&dopt=Abstract lower cholesterol



lower-cholesterol-11.matches:
lower cholesterol
Lipids, apoprotein B, and associated coronary risk factors in urban and rural older Mexican populations.

Aguilar-Salinas CA, Lerman-Garber I, Perez J, Villa AR, Martinez CL, Turrubiatez LC, Wong B, Gomez Perez FJ, Gutierrez Robledo LM.

Departamento de Diabetes y Metabolismo de Lipidos, Instituto Nacional de la Nutricion Salvador Zubiran, Mexico City, Mexico.

The objective of this comparative cross-sectional study was to determine the prevalence of dyslipidemias and examine its association with food intake and metabolic variables in urban and rural elder Mexican populations. Three different communities (urban areas of medium and low income and a rural area) were studied. A total of 344 subjects aged 60 years and older and 273 aged 35 to 59 years were included. The evaluated parameters were personal medical data, 24-hour diet recall, and fasting plasma lipids, insulin, and glucose levels. Older subjects, especially men, living in the rural area had lower cholesterol levels (5.02 +/- 0.97 v 5.6 +/- 1.07 mmol/L; P <.05) and insulin levels (12 +/- 10 v 42 +/- 68 mU/mL) and higher high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations (1.31 +/- 0.36 v 1.07 +/-0.28 mmol/L) than the elders from the urban medium-income group. Possible explanations for these differences are found in the dietary habits of the groups. Rural elders had higher amounts of fiber (20 +/- 11 v 10 +/- 6 g/d) and carbohydrate (70% +/- 0.08% v 52% +/- 0.11% of calories) and lower fat (18% +/- 0.07% v 33% +/- 0.1% of calories) in their diets. In the urban groups, low-density lipoprotein hypercholesterolemia was present in 17.8% of adult and 39.1% of elderly women (P =.00001). In conclusion, environmental factors still play a prominent role in the pathophysiology of the dyslipidemias in the elderly. Copyright 2001 by W.B. Saunders Company

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11230784&dopt=Abstract lower cholesterol



lower-cholesterol-19.matches:
lower cholesterol
Increased intestinal contents viscosity reduces cholesterol absorption efficiency in hamsters fed hydroxypropyl methylcellulose.

Carr TP, Gallaher DD, Yang CH, Hassel CA.

Department of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, 55108, USA.

This study was conducted to test the hypothesis that increased intestinal contents viscosity lowers plasma cholesterol concentrations by decreasing cholesterol absorption. Male Golden Syrian hamsters were fed for 4 wk diets containing 0.12% cholesterol, and either 4% cellulose or four different viscosity grades of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC). Dietary HPMC confers viscosity in the small intestine but is resistant to fermentation. Cholesterol absorption efficiency was measured using the dual isotope ratio method, and plasma and liver cholesterol concentrations were determined enzymatically. Ex vivo viscosity of intestinal contents supernatants was measured using a Wells-Brookfield cone/plate viscometer, and the means of treatment groups ranged from 6 to 6532 mPa.s. Relative to dietary cellulose, all viscosity grades of HPMC resulted in significantly lower cholesterol absorption efficiency, lower plasma cholesterol concentration, and lower liver cholesteryl ester content. The logarithm of intestinal contents ex vivo viscosity was inversely correlated with dietary cholesterol absorption (r2 = 0.84, P = 0.028). Furthermore, dietary cholesterol absorption was positively correlated with plasma cholesterol concentration (r2 = 0.89, P = 0.017) and liver cholesteryl ester content (r2 = 0.96, P = 0.0031). Thus, the data suggest an independent role of intestinal contents viscosity in lowering plasma cholesterol concentration and liver cholesteryl ester content by reducing cholesterol absorption efficiency.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=8618144&dopt=Abstract lower cholesterol



lower-cholesterol-19.matches:
lower cholesterol
Role of membrane fluidity in Epstein Barr virus (EBV) infectivity on Akata cell line.

Pozzi D, Lisi A, Lanzilli G, Grimaldi S.

Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale e Patologia, Universita 'La Sapienza' Roma, Italy.

Infection of Epstein Barr virus (EBV) to its host cells is initiated by the attachment of the glycoprotein gp 350/220 to the CR2 molecule. We used the sensitivity at the polar environment of the fluorescent probe Laurdan to study the membrane viscosity distribution from single leaving cells on two lymphoid cell lines Raji and Akata. Lipid analysis on both cells line demonstrated a lower cholesterol to phospholipid molar ratio on Akata than Raji cells. Cell fluidity analysis by Laurdan generalized emission polarization (GP) or by DPH polarization, indicated that membrane viscosity of Akata was lower than Raji cells. This difference was correlated to the increased susceptibility of Akata cells in expressing EBV early antigens (EA) after EBV superinfection.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=8634311&dopt=Abstract lower cholesterol



lower-cholesterol-19.matches:
lower cholesterol
Endocytic mechanisms for uptake and metabolism of chylomicron remnants in the liver.

Windler E, Greeve J, Jackle S, Rinninger F, Pox C, Puchta D, Petkova D, Robenek H, Daerr W, Greten H.

Medizinische Kernklinik und Poliklinik, Universitats-Krankenhaus Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.

Removal of small chylomicron remnants by perfused rat livers closely correlates with the LDL-receptor mRNA modulated by various interventions. In contrast, removal of remnants of large chylomicrons is not appreciably influenced by the activity of the hepatic LDL-receptor. Their primary removal depends on a heparinase-sensitive binding site. Transient and stable transfection of the cDNAs of the two subunits of the human asialoglycoprotein receptor markedly increased the binding capacity for chylomicron remnants suggesting the asialoglycoprotein receptor to be an alternative mechanism for remnant removal. Some species can edit apolipoprotein B-100 mRNA and thus secret apolipoprotein B-48 containing lipoproteins of hepatic origin. Generally these animals have lower cholesterol levels and a more favorable lipoprotein profile.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=8767479&dopt=Abstract lower cholesterol