Simultaneous transfer of cholesterol, triglycerides, and phospholipids to high-density lipoprotein in aging subjects with or without coronary artery disease.

Objective: To verify whether the capacity of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) to simultaneously receive nonesterified cholesterol, triglycerides, cholesteryl esters, and phospholipids changes with aging and the presence of coronary artery disease.

Design: Cross-sectional study with biochemical analyses.

Subjects: Eleven elderly patients with coronary artery disease (74 ± 5 years) were compared with the following groups of non-coronary artery disease subjects (referred to as "healthy"): 25 young (25 ± 5 years), 25 middle-aged (42 ± 6 years), and 25 elderly subjects (75 ± 8 years).

In vitro simultaneous transfer of lipids to HDL in coronary artery disease and in statin treatment.

The exchange of lipids with cells and other lipoproteins is a crucial process in HDL metabolism and for HDL antiatherogenic function. Here, we tested a practical method to quantify the simultaneous transfer to HDL of phospholipids, free-cholesterol, esterified cholesterol and triacylglycerols and to verify the lipid transfer in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) or undergoing statin treatment. Twenty-eight control subjects without CAD, 27 with CAD and 25 CAD patients under simvastatin treatment were studied.

Plasma kinetics and uptake by the tumor of a cholesterol-rich microemulsion (LDE) associated to etoposide oleate in patients with ovarian carcinoma.

Objectives: Previously, we reported that etoposide oleate associated to a cholesterol-rich microemulsion (LDE) is taken up by malignant cells overexpressing low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptors. The association is stable, preserves antiproliferative activity of the drug, and reduces toxicity to animals. Here, we determined in patients the plasma kinetics of LDE-etoposide oleate and verified whether the complex concentrates in ovarian carcinomas.

Assessment of chloroquine single dose treatment of malaria due to Plasmodium vivax in Brazilian Amazon.

Malaria regions of the Amazon basin have been characterized by difficult access and non-compliance of the patients to treatment. In an attempt to assess the schizonticide efficacy of chloroquine in a single dose of 600 mg, the authors realized a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in 132 outpatients with vivax malaria. Patients were distributed into two groups: group CPLA, given chloroquine 600 mg (single dose) on the first day of treatment, and two doses of placebo on second and third days.

Use of a cholesterol-rich microemulsion that binds to low-density lipoprotein receptors as vehicle for etoposide.

A cholesterol-rich microemulsion (LDE) that binds to low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptors is selectively taken up by malignant cells that overexpress those receptors and may be used as vehicle for antineoplastic agents. This study aimed to develop the association of etoposide with LDE. It was firstly observed that etoposide poorly associates with the microemulsion, therefore the experiments were performed with a lipophilic fatty acid derivative of the drug.