Moderate statin treatment reduces prebeta-1 high-density lipoprotein levels in dyslipidemic patients.

Background: Elevated plasma levels of prebeta-1 high-density lipoprotein (HDL), the principal acceptor of cholesterol effluxed from macrophages, are associated with increased risk of atherosclerotic coronary heart disease and myocardial infarction.

Objective: The objective of the study was to assess the effects on prebeta-1 HDL levels of 6-week moderate-dose statin treatment.

Methods: We studied 101 patients (mean age 52.

Identification and metabolic profiling of patients with lysosomal acid lipase deficiency.

Background: Lysosomal acid lipase (LAL), encoded by the LIPA gene, catalyzes the intracellular hydrolysis of cholesteryl esters and triglycerides in hepatocytes and macrophages. LIPA defects cause accumulation of these lipids in lysosomes. LAL deficiency (LAL D) presents and progresses as a continuum with dyslipidemia, hepatomegaly, and liver fibrosis.

Effects of the absence of apolipoprotein e on lipoproteins, neurocognitive function, and retinal function.

Importance: The identification of a patient with a rare form of severe dysbetalipoproteinemia allowed the study of the consequences of total absence of apolipoprotein E (apoE).

Objectives: To discover the molecular basis of this rare disorder and to determine the effects of complete absence of apoE on neurocognitive and visual function and on lipoprotein metabolism.

Design, Setting, And Participants: Whole-exome sequencing was performed on the patient's DNA.

Effects of a hydrodynamic process on extraction of carotenoids from tomato.

We evaluated the results of using a proprietary hydrodynamic method, which was introduced with the hope of increasing accessibility of beneficial nutrition-enhancing fruit and vegetable products. Tomato, a major dietary source of carotenoids, notably lycopene, was tested because of its many health benefits to consumers. Samples before and after treatment were compared for lycopene, phytoene, and phytofluene contents.

Impact of mifepristone, a glucocorticoid/progesterone antagonist, on HDL cholesterol, HDL particle concentration, and HDL function.

Context: Mifepristone is a glucocorticoid and progestin antagonist under investigation for the treatment of Cushing's syndrome. Mifepristone decreases high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (HDL-C) levels in treated patients, but the clinical significance of this is unclear because recent studies suggest that functional properties of HDL predict cardiovascular disease status better than does HDL-C concentration.

Objective: The aim of the study was to characterize the impact of mifepristone administration on HDL particle concentration and function.