Subjects with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) values of less than 47 mg/dL (mean 35.6 +/- 5.5 mg/dL) were selected for this study to examine relationships between plasma lipids, lipoprotein components, and the outcome of gemfibrozil therapy. Changes in plasma lipoprotein subfractions were determined to better understand the previously observed variability of the responses in both HDL-C and triglycerides to gemfibrozil. Based on the data collected, an attempt was made to identify pretreatment lipid parameters that may be predictive regarding the efficacy of gemfibrozil therapy. Serum samples were analyzed at the outset and after the conclusion of 12 weeks of gemfibrozil therapy. Because the HDL-C response to therapy was highly variable, the data from patients were separated into two groups, responders (>20% increase in HDL-C) and nonresponders (<20% increase in HDL-C). The lipid components of lipoprotein subfractions were evaluated using multiple regression analysis yielding predictive models that show the relationship between specific lipoprotein subfractions and the percentage change in HDL-C and posttreatment triglyceride levels. Group classification was then predicted with 78% accuracy using specific lipoprotein subfractions to estimate an individual's percentage change in HDL-C. The major difference between the responder and nonresponder groups was their respective correlations between triglyceride-lowering and changes in HDL-C. In the responder group, there was a significant correlation between the changes in HDL-C and the lowering of triglycerides (r = 0.61, p = 0.03), whereas the nonresponder group showed no such correlation (r = 0.17, p = 0.52). The predictive model also proved to be highly accurate in forecasting the effectiveness of the triglyceride-lowering action of gemfibrozil in this group of patients.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The effect of captopril on the oxidation of plasma lipoproteins.

The antihypertensive drug captopril was found to inhibit the oxidation of low density lipoproteins by copper in a dose dependent manner in vitro. Up to 65% inhibition of oxidation was observed at the concentration of 100 micrograms/ml of captopril. During subsequent studies with patients, captopril protected low density lipoproteins against oxidation slightly better than enalapril, although this difference was not statistically significant. Captopril had no effect on the levels of Lp(a) as compared to the levels established during enalapril treatment.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Evaluation of serum-lipid-related cardiovascular risk factors in Alzheimer's disease.

There is now sufficient evidence to suggest that cardiovascular pathology and altered lipid metabolism contribute to the development of late-onset Alzheimer's disease (AD). In the present study, 24 AD patients and 15 controls were assessed for cardiovascular risk based on serum lipid and lipid oxidation parameters. The AD patients appeared to have a more favorable cardiovascular risk profile than the controls based on high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) values. The levels of thiobarbituric-acid-reactive substances and the activity of the enzyme paraoxonase (PON) following copper oxidation indicate that female patients may have better protection against serum and perhaps tissue oxidants than males with AD. While the higher HDL-C values indicate lower cardiovascular risk, additional data on oxidized lipid parameters suggest a lower level of protection against serum oxidants in male AD probands. CopyrightCopyright 1999S.KargerAG,Basel

Aged↗