Orange juice decreases low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in hypercholesterolemic subjects and improves lipid transfer to high-density lipoprotein in normal and hypercholesterolemic subjects

Orange juice (OJ) is regularly consumed worldwide, but its effects on plasma lipids have rarely been explored. This study hypothesized that consumption of OJ concentrate would improve lipid levels and lipid metabolism, which are important in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) function in normolipidemic (NC) and hypercholesterolemic (HCH) subjects. Fourteen HCH and 31 NC adults consumed 750 mL/day OJ concentrate (1:6 OJ/water) for 60 days. Eight control subjects did not consume OJ for 60 days. Plasma was collected before and on the last clay for biochemical analysis and an in vitro as

Beneficial effects of diclofenac therapy on serum lipids, oxidized low-density lipoprotein and antioxidant defenses in rats

To study the effects of diclofenac, a nonselective nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), on lipid profile, oxidized low-density-lipoprotein (Ox-LDL), serum antioxidant defenses and markers of oxidative stress, male Wistar rats were divided into two groups (n = 10): (C) receiving intramuscularly a single daily dose of saline (NaCl 0.9%), and (AI) receiving intramuscularly a single daily dose of 10 mg/kg diclofenac sodium (C14H10C12NNaO2). After 28 days diclofenac-treated rats had lower Ox-LDL, apoprotein B (apo-B), apo-B/LDL-cholesterol and lipid hydroperoxide than C. Total antioxidant substances and superoxide dismutase were increased in diclofenac-treated rats, while no significant changes were observed in catalase, glutathione peroxidase and nitric oxide. A perincubation test done to examine the possibility of mechanism-based activation showed that diclofenac had no effect on maximal superoxide dismutase velocity, but significantly reduced the Michaelis-Menten (K-M) constant, indicating that diclofenac induced SOD activation increasing substrate linkage affinity to the enzyme-catalytic site. In conclusion, diclofenac had beneficial effects decreasing Ox-LDL and improving antioxidant defense. It appears that the application of this agent may be feasible and beneficial for serum antioxidant protection, which certainly would bring new insights on dyslipidemia control. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Measurement of the nonlinear optical response of low-density lipoprotein solutions from patients with periodontitis before and after periodontal treatment: evaluation of cardiovascular risk markers

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

Linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) from ethylene using Tp(Ms)NiCl (Tp(Ms) = hydridotris(3-mesitylpyrazol-1-yl)) and CP2ZrCl2 as a tandem catalyst system

Linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) with different branching contents were prepared from ethylene, without the addition of alpha-olefin comonomer, using a combination of catalyst precursors {Tp(Ms)}NiCl (1) (Tp(Ms) = hydridotris(3-mesitylpyrazol-1-yl)) and Cp2ZrCl2 (2) activated with MAO/TMA (1:1) in toluene at 0degreesC and by varying the nickel loading mole fraction (x(Ni)). The polymerization results showed that the turnover frequencies are strongly dependent on the x(Ni) varying from 6.6 x 10(3) to 32.1 x 10(3) mol[C2H4]/mol[Zr] h. The C-13 NMR spectra of the copolymers showed that the branch contents of the polymers increase as the x(Ni) increase in the medium promoting the production of polymers with a wide range of melting point (T-m) (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

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.

Lipoprotein Lipase and PPAR Alpha Gene Polymorphisms, Increased Very-Low-Density Lipoprotein Levels, and Decreased High-Density Lipoprotein Levels as Risk Markers for the Development of Visceral Leishmaniasis by Leishmania infantum

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Nicotine-enhanced oxidation of low-density lipoprotein and its components by myeloperoxidase/H2O2/Cl- system

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

Biodegradation of films of low density polyethylene (LDPE), poly(hydroxibutyrate-co-valerate) (PHBV), and LDPE/PHBV (70/30) blend with Paecilomyces variotii

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Recombinant hepatitis C virus-envelope protein 2 interactions with low-density lipoprotein/CD81 receptors

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) envelope protein 2 (E2) is involved in viral binding to host cells. The aim of this work was to produce recombinant E2B and E2Y HCV proteins in Escherichia coli and Pichia pastoris, respectively, and to study their interactions with low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLr) and CD81 in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and the ECV304 bladder carcinoma cell line. To investigate the effects of human LDL and differences in protein structure (glycosylated or not) on binding efficiency, the recombinant proteins were either associated or not associated with lipoproteins before being assayed. The immunoreactivity of the recombinant proteins was analysed using pooled serum samples that were either positive or negative for hepatitis C. The cells were immunophenotyped by LDLr and CD81 using flow cytometry. Binding and binding inhibition assays were performed in the presence of LDL, foetal bovine serum (FCS) and specific antibodies. The results revealed that binding was reduced in the absence of FCS, but that the addition of human LDL rescued and increased binding capacity. In HUVEC cells, the use of antibodies to block LDLr led to a significant reduction in the binding of E2B and E2Y. CD81 antibodies did not affect E2B and E2Y binding. In ECV304 cells, blocking LDLr and CD81 produced similar effects, but they were not as marked as those that were observed in HUVEC cells. In conclusion, recombinant HCV E2 is dependent on LDL for its ability to bind to LDLr in HUVEC and ECV304 cells. These findings are relevant because E2 acts to anchor HCV to host cells; therefore, high blood levels of LDL could enhance viral infectivity in chronic hepatitis C patients.

Anti-Atherogenic Effects of a Phenol-Rich Fraction from Brazilian Red Wine (Vitis labrusca L.) in Hypercholesterolemic Low-Density Lipoprotein Receptor Knockout Mice

Moderate wine intake (i.e., 1-2 glasses of wine a day) is associated with a reduced risk of morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-atherosclerotic effects of a nonalcoholic ethyl acetate fraction (EAF) from a South Brazilian red wine obtained from Vitis labrusca grapes. Experiments were carried out on low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor knockout (LDLr-/-) mice, which were subjected to a hypercholesterolemic diet and treated with doses of EAF (3, 10, and 30 mg/kg) for 12 weeks. At the end of the treatment, the level of plasma lipids, the vascular reactivity, and the atherosclerotic lesions were evaluated. Our results demonstrated that the treatment with EAF at 3 mg/kg significantly decreased total cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL plus very low-density lipoprotein levels compared with control hypercholesterolemic mice. The treatment of mice with EAF at 3 mg/kg also preserved the vasodilatation induced by acetylcholine on isolated thoracic aorta from hypercholesterolemic LDLr-/- mice. This result is in agreement with the degree of lipid deposit on arteries. Taken together, the results show for the first time that the lowest concentration of an EAF obtained from a red wine produced in southern Brazil significantly reduced the progression of atherosclerosis in mice.

Phenol degradation in an anaerobic fluidized bed reactor packed with low density support materials

The objective of this research was to study phenol degradation in anaerobic fluidized bed reactors (AFBR) packed with polymeric particulate supports (polystyrene - PS, polyethylene terephthalate - PET, and polyvinyl chloride - PVC). The reactors were operated with a hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 24 h. The influent phenol concentration in the AFBR varied from 100 to 400 mg L-1, resulting in phenol removal efficiencies of similar to 100%. The formation of extracellular polymeric substances yielded better results with the PVC particles; however, deformations in these particles proved detrimental to reactor operation. PS was found to be the best support for biomass attachment in an AFBR for phenol removal. The AFBR loaded with PS was operated to analyze the performance and stability for phenol removal at feed concentrations ranging from 50 to 500 mg L-1. The phenol removal efficiency ranged from 90-100%.

Hydroxychloroquine reduces low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in systemic lupus erythematosus: a longitudinal evaluation of the lipid-lowering effect

The influence of antimalarials on lipids in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has been identified in several studies but not in many prospective cohorts. The aim of this study was to longitudinally determine the effect of antimalarials on the lipoprotein profile in SLE. Patients and methods: Fasting total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) plasma levels were determined at entry and after 3 months of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) treatment in a longitudinal evaluation of 24 patients with SLE. Results: a significant decrease in TC (198 +/- 33.7 vs. 183 +/- 30.3 mg/dl, p = 0.023) and LDL levels (117 +/- 31.3 vs. 101 +/- 26.2 mg/dl, p = 0.023) were detected after the 3 months of HCQ therapy. The reduction of 7.6% in TC (p = 0.055) and 13.7% in LDL levels (p = 0.036) determined a significant decrease in the frequency of dyslipidemia (26% vs. 12.5%, p = 0.013) after HCQ therapy. Conclusion: This longitudinal study demonstrated the beneficial effect of antimalarials on lipids in SLE since this therapy induced a reduction of atherogenic lipoproteins. Lupus (2012) 21, 1178-1182.

Association Between Circulating Electronegative Low-Density Lipoproteins and Serum Ferritin in Hemodialysis Patients: A Pilot Study

Background: Iron supplementation is a common recommendation to chronic kidney disease patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD). However, iron excess is closely associated with lipid peroxidation and, it is well known that electronegative low-density lipoproteins (LDL[-]) are present at higher plasma concentrations in diseases with high cardiovascular risk such as chronic kidney disease. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate whether ferritin levels are associated with LDL(-) levels in HD patients. Design: This was a cross-sectional study. Setting: This study was conducted from a private clinic in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Patients: The study included 27 HD patients and 15 healthy subjects. Methods and Procedures: Twenty-seven HD patients (14 men, 58.6 +/- 10 years, 62.2 +/- 51.4 months on dialysis, and body mass index: 24.4 +/- 4.2 kg/m(2)) were studied and compared with 15 healthy individuals (6 men, 53.8 +/- 15.4 years, body mass index: 24.5 +/- 4.3 kg/m(2)). Serum LDL(-) levels were measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method; ferritin levels by commercially available kits, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 were determined with a multiplex assay kit manufactured by R&D Systems. Results: The HD patients presented higher LDL(-) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels (0.15 +/- 0.13 U/L and 5.9 +/- 2.3 pg/mL, respectively) than healthy subjects (0.07 +/- 0.05 U/L and 2.3 +/- 1.3 pg/mL, respectively) (P = .0001). The mean ferritin level in HD patients was 1,117.5 +/- 610.4 ng/mL, and 90% of patients showed ferritin levels exceeding 500 ng/mL. We found a positive correlation between LDL(-) and ferritin in the patients (r = 0.48; P = .01), and ferritin was a significant contributor to LDL(-) concentrations independent of inflammation. Conclusions: Excess body iron stores for HD patients was associated with signs of increased oxidative stress, as reflected by increased LDL(-) levels in HD patients. (C) 2012 by the National Kidney Foundation, Inc. All rights reserved.

Th2NiC2: a low density of states superconductor

The metallic carbides exhibit many novel prototypes of crystalline structure. Among these compounds Th2NiC2 was reported in 1991 as a new carbide which crystallizes in the U2IrC2 prototype structure. In this work we report a reinvestigation of the synthesis of this compound. We find that Th2NiC2 is a new superconductor. Our results suggest that this phase is stable only at high temperatures in the system Th-Ni-C. The substitution of Th by Sc stabilizes the phase and improves the superconducting properties. The highest superconducting critical temperature occurs at 11.2 K with nominal composition Th1.8Sc0.2NiC2. The electronic coefficient determined by specific heat measurements is close to zero. This unusual result can be explained by covalent bonding in the compound.