Plasma lipid profile of experimentally induced hyperlipidemic New Zealand white rabbits is not affected by resveratrol

Hyperlipidemia is well recognized as an important risk factor in the development of atherosclerosis. Low-density lipoproteins (LDL) are components of cholesterol that are highly associated to an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. Hypercholesterolemia induces proteolytic and oxidative changes in vasculature, leading to a local inflammatory response. Since dietary antioxidants have attracted considerable attention as preventive and therapeutic agents, the polyphenolic compound resveratrol seems to play an important role in prevention of human atherosclerosis. Researches show that resveratrol inhibits LDL oxidation and platelet aggregation, as well as vascular prolifer ation of smooth muscle cells. However, recent findings in animal models reveal conflicting results regarding its effects on plasma lipid levels. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of resveratrol on plasma biochemistry profile in New Zealand white rabbits submitted to a hypercholesterolemic diet. Twenty healthy, male, adult New Zealand white rabbits were fed with ordinary diet for one week before being divided into four treatment groups, containing five animals each. Group CT received maintenance diet; group R received maintenance diet and resveratrol (3mg/kg/day) given orally; group CL received maintenance diet enriched with 1.5% cholesterol; and group CR received maintenance diet enriched with 1.5% cholesterol and resveratrol (3mg/kg/day) given orally. During the experiment, from each animal, samples of 3mL venous blood were collected in heparin twice monthly for measurements of total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low- and high-density lipoproteins. The data analysis revealed that resveratrol did not have a hypolipidemic effect in experimentally induced hypercholesterolemic New Zealand white rabbits.

Verruciform xanthoma located in anterior gingival

Verruciform xanthoma (VX) is a relatively rare benign lesion and oral predominantly, which occasionally affects skin and genital mucosa. It appears as a papule or single plaque showing a verrucous or papillomatous aspect, with variable color from reddish pink to gray. In majority of oral cases, it affects gingiva and alveolar mucosa such a solitary lesion. Histopathological findings are foamy histiocytes within elongated dermal papillae. Treatment consists of conservative excision surgery and recurrence is rare. A clinical case is reported, located in anterior gingiva, showing good prognosis, without recurrence. There was no concomitant oral lesion associated. Local trauma was the only possibility suggested to be related to etiology. No relevant alterations in laboratory exams (hemogram, total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, VLDL, glycose and glycolized hemoglobin) were found. The origin of the lesion remains unclear and investigation for possible associations with other lesions that could present greater risk of carcinogenesis is required. © Medicina Oral S.L.

Eimeria stiedai: Metabolism of lipids, proteins and glucose in experimentally infected rabbits, Oryctolagus cuniculus

Rabbits were experimentally infected with sporulated Eimeria stiedai oocysts. A total of 50 white adult rabbits, New Zealand race, were distributed into two groups: Group A was infected with 1x10 4 sporulated Eimeria stiedai oocysts, while group B was inoculated with distilled water as a control. The animals generally displayed increased levels of total protein, globulin, total cholesterol, LDL-c and triacylglycerols; however, total levels of liver lipids and HDL-c decreased, and plasma glucose levels varied during the experimental period. In sum, Eimeria stiedai infection of rabbits caused a considerable number of changes in the metabolism of lipids, proteins and glucose, which is likely due to direct effects of liver cirrhosis on normal body function.

Razão triglicérides/HDL-C e proteína C reativa de alta sensibilidade na avaliação do risco cardiovascular

Introduction: Calculated indexes from laboratory measurements and the determination of plasma markers are commonly used in cardiovascular risk assessment. Objective: To use triglycerides/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) ratio, estimate of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particle size and high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels to the clinical and laboratorial assessment of coronary risk among patients with coronary disease. Material and methods: Sixty patients were chosen accordingly, 36 female (F) (65 ± 9 years of age) and 24 male (M) (55 ± 10 years of age) diagnosed with stable ischemic cardiopathy at Ana Neri Hospital, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. The investigation was carried out at the Clinical Biochemistry Laboratory of the College of Pharmacy at Federal University of Bahia (UFBA). Blood samples were collected after a 12-hour fast to determine hs-CRP, lipid profile and risk indicators. All data were assessed through Syncron LX®20 Beckman Coulter. The inferential analysis results were considered significant when p ≤ 5%. Data analysis was carried out with GraphPad Prism® (4.03 version) software. Results: Data analysis showed a positive correlation between hs-CRP and triglycerides/HDL-C ratio only among women (r = 0.4; p = 0.0442), n = 36. The analysis of other parameters did not show any significance. Conclusion: The triglycerides/HDL-C ratio and hs-CRP may be used as indicators of increase in cardiovascular risk among women with coronary artery disease (CAD).

Dietary, anthropometric, and biochemical determinants of plasma high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol in free-living adults

The level of high-density lipoprotein is thought to be critical in inhibiting lesion formation as well as reducing the lipid load of preexisting atherosclerotic lesions. With the aim of determining the main determinants of plasma HDL-cholesterol (HDL-c) in free-living adults, 997 individuals (52.3 10 years, 67 females) were selected for a descriptive cross-sectional study. The used data corresponded to the baseline obtained from participants clinically selected for a lifestyle modification program. Covariables of clinical, anthropometry, food intake, aerobic fitness, and plasma biochemistry were analyzed against plasma HDL-c either as continuous or categorized variables. After adjustments for age, gender, and BMI the excess of abdominal fat along with high carbohydrate-energy intake and altered plasma triglycerides were the stronger predictors of reduced plasma HDL-c. In conclusion lifestyle interventions aiming to normalize abdominal fatness and plasma triglycerides are recommended to restore normal levels of HDL-c in these free-living adults. Copyright © 2011 Erick Prado de Oliveira et al.

Soybean glycinin (11S) increases HDL-cholesterol in hypercholesterolemic rats

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to determine the effects of isolated soy glycinin (11S) on lipid metabolism in animals subjected to a hypercholesterolemic diet. Design/methodology/approach: Male Wistar rats were kept in individual cages under appropriate conditions. The animals were divided into three groups (n=9): normal diet (STD) given a diet containing casein as protein source, recommended in AIN-93M; hypercholesterolemic (HC) fed a normal diet with 1 per cent cholesterol and 0.5 per cent cholic acid; and hypercholesterolemic+glycinin (HC+11S), fed a hypercholesterolemic diet, plus 11S soy protein (300 mg/kg/day), dissolved in saline and administered by gavage. After 28 days, the animals were sacrificed and blood and liver removed for biochemical analysis of total cholesterol (TC), HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) and triglycerides (TG) in the plasma, hepatic TC and TG. Findings: A single daily dose of glycinin given to the hypercholesterolemic group demonstrated its functional role, particularly in raising HDL-C and reducing triglycerides in the liver. Originality/value: This study demonstrates the action of the 11S globulin in soybean as a serum lipid lowering agent, in addition to its nutritional properties, especially in raising the HDL-C. © Emerald Group Publishing Limited.

Avaliação do perfil lipídico entre indivíduos com hepatite C

Metabolic profiles correlate with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and are prognostic for the viral response. However, little is known about the association between lipid profiles and viral load in chronic patients carrying HCV genotypes 1, 2 and 3. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of the viremia and viral genotype on lipid metabolism by observing the variations in serum lipoprotein and apolipoprotein B, to assess whether HCV predisposes individuals to lipid imbalance and favors the appearance of vascular complications. A sample group of 150 chronic HCV patients with viral genotypes 1, 2 or 3 and a control group of 20 healthy adults (10 men and 10 women), all aged from 20 to 50 years were studied. The serum lipid profile of the chronic patients was analyzed and compared to that of the control group. The high-density lipoprotein (HDL), very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) and triglyceride levels of the sample group were lower than those of the control group, while the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and apolipoprotein B levels of the patients were higher. These differences were more significant in patients carrying genotype 3a. There was a positive correlation between the viremia and the changes in apolipoprotein B levels in patients carrying genotype 1b. It was inferred that the risk of developing vascular complications raised in HCV patients. As 90% of LDL protein is composed of apolipoprotein B, the plasmatic concentration of the latter indicates the number of potentially atherogenic particles. Therefore, the lipid profile monitoring may aid in the diagnosis of hepatic infection severity and equally act as a good prognostic marker.

Síndrome metabólica em mulheres na pós-menopausa tratadas de câncer de mama

PURPOSE: To assess the occurrence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in postmenopausal breast cancer survivors. METHODS: A total of 158 breast cancer survivors were included in this cross-sectional study. Eligibility criteria were: women with amenorrhea >12 months and age ≥45 years, treated for breast cancer and no metastasis for at least five years. Clinical history and anthropometric indicator data (body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference, (WC) were collected. Biochemical parameters, including total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides (TG), glucose and C-reactive protein (CRP), were measured. MetS was diagnosed as the presence of at least three of the following diagnostic criteria: WC>88 cm, blood pressure≥130/85 mmHg, triglycerides≥150 mg/dl, HDL <50 mg/dL,and glucose≥100 mg/dL. The Student's t-test and χ 2 test were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The mean age of breast cancer survivors was 63.1±8.6 years, with a mean follow-up of 9.1±4.0 years. MetS was diagnosed in 48.1% (76/158) and the most prevalent diagnostic criterion was abdominal obesity (WC>88 cm), affecting 54.4% (86/158) of the women. The patients without MetS had a longer follow-up compared those with MetS (p<0.05). Regarding the current BMI, PN average, those without MetS were overweight, and those with MetS were obese (p<0.05). Among the latter, comparison of BMI at the time of cancer diagnosis and current BMI (27.8±5.4 versus 33.4±5.4 kg/m2) showed a significant weight gain (p<0.05). Mean CRP values were higher in women with MetS (p<0.05). In the comparison of tumor characteristics and cancer treatments there was no difference between groups (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Postmenopausal breast cancer survivors had a higher risk of developing metabolic syndrome and central obesity.

Perfil lipídico sérico de ratos tratados com surfactante

Atherosclerosis is a multifactorial, progressive and slow disease, and hyperlipidaemia is one of the potential factors in the development of atherosclerotic cardiac diseases. The experimental dyslipidaemia carrying out advantages are the production of atheromatous lesions in a short period of time, an adequate dietetic control and environmental factors, the possibility of studies concerning reversibility of atherosclerotic lesions, and pre-clinic experiments with hypolipidaemic substances. This study aims at evaluating tyloxapol analyzing serum lipid levels. Twenty-eight healthy Wistar adults' albino male rats, weighing an average of 200 g were utilized. They were distributed into four experimental groups with seven animals each, as follows: Group I - (control); Group II - treated with tyloxapol at a dose of 500mg/kg of body weight, through intraperitoneal via each 48 hours, for two weeks; Group III - treated with tyloxapol at a dose of 500mg/ kg of body weight, through intraperitoneal via each 48 hours, for three weeks; Group IV - treated with tyloxapol at a dose of 500mg/kg of body weight, through intraperitoneal via each 48 hours, for four weeks. As lipid profile evaluation is concerned, the values of triacylglycerols and HDL have indicated that group III has significantly differed from group I and the values of total cholesterol and LDL have indicated that group I has significantly differed from group II, III and IV. It was concluded that for the studied period the surfactant tyloxapol was effective to inducing hyperlipidaemia.

Dietary, anthropometric, and biochemical determinants of uric acid in free-living adults

Background: High plasma uric acid (UA) is a prerequisite for gout and is also associated with the metabolic syndrome and its components and consequently risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. Hence, the management of UA serum concentrations would be essential for the treatment and/or prevention of human diseases and, to that end, it is necessary to know what the main factors that control the uricemia increase. The aim of this study was to evaluate the main factors associated with higher uricemia values analyzing diet, body composition and biochemical markers. Methods. 415 both gender individuals aged 21 to 82 years who participated in a lifestyle modification project were studied. Anthropometric evaluation consisted of weight and height measurements with later BMI estimation. Waist circumference was also measured. The muscle mass (Muscle Mass Index - MMI) and fat percentage were measured by bioimpedance. Dietary intake was estimated by 24-hour recalls with later quantification of the servings on the Brazilian food pyramid and the Healthy Eating Index. Uric acid, glucose, triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol, urea, creatinine, gamma-GT, albumin and calcium and HDL-c were quantified in serum by the dry-chemistry method. LDL-c was estimated by the Friedewald equation and ultrasensitive C-reactive protein (CRP) by the immunochemiluminiscence method. Statistical analysis was performed by the SAS software package, version 9.1. Linear regression (odds ratio) was performed with a 95% confidence interval (CI) in order to observe the odds ratio for presenting UA above the last quartile (♂UA > 6.5 mg/dL and ♀ UA > 5 mg/dL). The level of significance adopted was lower than 5%. Results: Individuals with BMI ≥ 25 kg/m§ssup§2§esup§ OR = 2.28(1.13-4.6) and lower MMI OR = 13.4 (5.21-34.56) showed greater chances of high UA levels even after all adjustments (gender, age, CRP, gamma-gt, LDL, creatinine, urea, albumin, HDL-c, TG, arterial hypertension and glucose). As regards biochemical markers, higher triglycerides OR = 2.76 (1.55-4.90), US-CRP OR = 2.77 (1.07-7.21) and urea OR = 2.53 (1.19-5.41) were associated with greater chances of high UA (adjusted for gender, age, BMI, waist circumference, MMI, glomerular filtration rate, and MS). No association was found between diet and UA. Conclusions: The main factors associated with UA increase were altered BMI (overweight and obesity), muscle hypotrophy (MMI), higher levels of urea, triglycerides, and CRP. No dietary components were found among uricemia predictors. © 2013 de Oliveira et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

Use of hemoglobin as alternative to peroxidases in cholesterol amperometric biosensors

Sophisticated molecular architectures can be produced with the layer-by-layer (LbL) method, which may combine distinct materials on the same film. In this study, we take advantage of this capability to produce cholesterol amperometric biosensors from LbL films containing hemoglobin (Hb) and cholesterol oxidase in addition to the polyelectrolytes poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) and poly(ethylene imine) (PEI). Following an optimization procedure, we found that an LbL film deposited onto ITO substrates, with the architecture ITO(PEI/Hb)5(PEI/COx)10, yielded a sensitivity of 93.4 μA μmol L-1 cm-2 for cholesterol incorporated into phospholipid liposomes, comparable to state-of-the-art biosensors. Hb acted as efficient electron mediator and did not suffer interference from phospholipids. Significantly, cholesterol could also be detected in real samples from chicken egg yolk, with no effects from potential interferents, including phospholipids. Taken together these results demonstrate the possible fabrication of low cost, easy-to-use cholesterol amperometric biosensors, whose sensitivity can be enhanced by further optimizing the molecular architectures of the LbL films. © 2012 Elsevier B.V.

Combined effects of age and diet-induced obesity on biochemical parameters and cardiac energy metabolism in rats

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Citrus aurantium L. essential oil exhibits anxiolytic-like activity mediated by 5-HT1A-receptors and reduces cholesterol after repeated oral treatment

Background: The current treatments for anxiety disorders and depression have multiple adverse effects in addition to a delayed onset of action, which has prompted efforts to find new substances with potential activity in these disorders. Citrus aurantium was chosen based on ethnopharmacological data because traditional medicine refers to the Citrus genus as useful in diminishing the symptoms of anxiety or insomnia, and C. aurantium has more recently been proposed as an adjuvant for antidepressants. In the present work, we investigated the biological activity underlying the anxiolytic and antidepressant effects of C. aurantium essential oil (EO), the putative mechanism of the anxiolytic-like effect, and the neurochemical changes in specific brain structures of mice after acute treatment. We also monitored the mice for possible signs of toxicity after a 14-day treatment.Methods: The anxiolytic-like activity of the EO was investigated in a light/dark box, and the antidepressant activity was investigated in a forced swim test. Flumazenil, a competitive antagonist of benzodiazepine binding, and the selective 5-HT1A receptor antagonist WAY100635 were used in the experimental procedures to determine the mechanism of action of the EO. To exclude false positive results due to motor impairment, the mice were submitted to the rotarod test.Results: The data suggest that the anxiolytic-like activity observed in the light/dark box procedure after acute (5 mg/kg) or 14-day repeated (1 mg/kg/day) dosing was mediated by the serotonergic system (5-HT1A receptors). Acute treatment with the EO showed no activity in the forced swim test, which is sensitive to antidepressants. A neurochemical evaluation showed no alterations in neurotransmitter levels in the cortex, the striatum, the pons, and the hypothalamus. Furthermore, no locomotor impairment or signs of toxicity or biochemical changes, except a reduction in cholesterol levels, were observed after treatment with the EO.Conclusion: This work contributes to a better understanding of the biological activity of C. aurantium EO by characterizing the mechanism of action underlying its anxiolytic-like activity. © 2013 Costa et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

Intensified peginterferon α-2a dosing increases sustained virologic response rates in heavy, high viral load hepatitis c genotype 1 patients with high low-density lipoprotein

BACKGROUND AND GOAL: Patients infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) with elevated low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels achieve higher sustained virologic response (SVR) rates after peginterferon (PegIFN)/ribavirin treatment versus patients with lower LDL. Our aim was to determine whether SVR rates in patients with low/elevated LDL can be improved by dose intensification. STUDY: In PROGRESS, genotype 1 patients with baseline HCV RNA≥400,000 IU/mL and body weight ≥85 kg were randomized to 48 weeks of 180 μg/wk PegIFN α-2a (40 kDa) plus ribavirin (A: 1200 mg/d; B: 1400/1600 mg/d) or 12 weeks of 360 μg/wk PegIFN α-2a followed by 36 weeks of 180 μg/wk, plus ribavirin (C: 1200 mg/d; D: 1400/1600 mg/d). This retrospective analysis assessed SVR rates among patients with low (<100 mg/dL) or elevated (≥100 mg/dL) LDL. Patients with high LDL (n=256) had higher baseline HCV RNA (5.86×10 IU/mL) versus patients with low LDL (n=262; 4.02×10 IU/mL; P=0.0003). RESULTS: Multiple logistic regression analysis identified a significant interaction between PegIFN α-2a dose and LDL levels on SVR (P=0.0193). The only treatment-related SVR predictor in the nested multiple logistic regression was PegIFN α-2a dose among patients with elevated LDL (P=0.0074); therefore, data from the standard (A+B) and induction (C+D) dose arms were pooled. Among patients with low LDL, SVR rates were 40% and 35% in the standard and induction-dose groups, respectively; SVR rates in patients with high LDL were 44% and 60% (P=0.014), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Intensified dosing of PegIFN α-2a increases SVR rates in patients with elevated LDL even with the difficult-to-cure characteristics of genotype 1, high baseline viral load, and high body weight. Copyright © 2013 by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Hesperidin associated with continuous and interval swimming improved biochemical and oxidative biomarkers in rats

Background: Citrus flavonoids, such as hesperidin, have shown therapeutic properties that improve hyperglycemia and insulin resistance, and decrease blood serum lipids and inflammation. The current investigation studied the effects of hesperidin supplementation associated with continuous and interval swimming on the biochemical parameters (glucose, cholesterol and triglycerides), and oxidative stress markers (TBARS and DPPH) in rats.Methods: The animals (n = 60) were randomly divided in six groups: negative (C) and positive control (CH) for hesperidin supplementation, and continuous or interval swimming without (CS and IS) or with hesperidin supplementation (CSH and ISH). Hesperidin was given by gavage for four weeks (100 mg/kg body mass) before the exercise. Continuous swimming was performed for 50 min with loads from 5% to 8 % of body weight from the first to fourth week, while interval swimming training was performed for 50 min in sessions of 1 min of swimming followed by 2 min of resting, carrying loads from 10% to 15, 20 and 25% from the first to fourth week. At the end of the experiment, blood serum samples were draw to perform analysis of glucose, total cholesterol, HDL-C and triglycerides. Oxidative biomarkers were evaluated by lipid peroxidation (TBARS) and antioxidant capacity assay (DPPH) of the blood serum.Results: There was a continuous decline of serum glucose from C (100%) > CH (97%) > CS (94%) > CSH (91%, p < .05), IS (87%, p < .05) > ISH (80%, p < .05), showing a combined beneficial effect of hesperidin and swimming. Also, continuous or intermittent swimming with hesperidin supplementation lowered total cholesterol (-16%, p < .05), LDL-C (-50%, p < 0.05) and triglycerides (-19%, p < 0.05), and increased HDL-C (48%, p < .05). Furthermore, hesperidin enhanced the antioxidant capacity on the continuous swimming group (183%, p < .05) and lowered the lipid peroxidation on the interval swimming group (-45%, p < .05).Conclusions: Hesperidin supplementation per se, or in combination with swimming exercise protocols, improved the biochemical profile and antioxidant biomarkers evidencing that the use of flavanones may enhance the health benefits promoted by exercise. © 2013 de Oliveira et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.