SORBS2 as a molecular target for atherosclerosis in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia.

Background: Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a metabolic disease in which patients are prone to develop premature atherosclerosis (AS). Sorbin and SH3 Domain Containing 2 (SORBS2) is known to play a role in coronary heart disease (CHD). However, the mechanism underlying SORBS2 involvement in the development of hypercholesterolemia remains unknown.

Lipoprotein (a)-mediated vascular calcification: population-based and in vitro studies.

Background: Lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] is a causal risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, while its role in vascular calcification has not been well-established. Here, we investigated an association of Lp(a) with vascular calcification using population-based and in vitro study designs.

Methods: A total of 2806 patients who received coronary computed tomography were enrolled to assess the correlation of Lp(a) with the severity of coronary artery calcification (CAC).

Liver fibrosis scores and coronary atherosclerosis: novel findings in patients with stable coronary artery disease.

Background: Although non-invasive liver fibrosis scores (LFSs) have already been considered as effective tools for estimating cardiovascular risk, their roles in predicting disease severity and cardiovascular event (CVEs) in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) are not comprehensively evaluated. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether non-alcoholic fatty liver disease fibrosis score (NAFLD-FS) and fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) are associated with CVEs in a large cohort with long-term follow-up.

Methods: A cohort of 5143 patients with angiography-proven stable CAD were consecutively enrolled and followed up for CVEs.

Heart-type fatty acid binding protein predicts cardiovascular events in patients with stable coronary artery disease: a prospective cohort study.

Background: Heart-type fatty acid binding protein (H-FABP) has been reported to be a prognostic predictor for cardiovascular outcome in acute coronary syndrome (ACS). However, its prognostic utility in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) has not been well established. The aim of this study was to assess the association between H-FABP with the severity of coronary disease and cardiovascular events (CVEs) in patients with stable CAD.

Association of small dense LDL-cholesterol with disease severity, hypertension status and clinical outcome in patients with coronary artery disease.

Objective: Previous studies have demonstrated that small dense LDL-cholesterol (sdLDL-C) is related to the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease (CAD). However, its prognostic role in hypertensive patients with CAD has been undetermined. The aim of the study was to investigate the association between sdLDL-C with disease severity, hypertensive status and clinical outcome in patients with CAD.

Prognostic utility of lipoprotein(a) combined with fibrinogen in patients with stable coronary artery disease: a prospective, large cohort study.

Background: Elevated lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] and fibrinogen (Fib) are both associated with coronary artery disease (CAD). The atherogenicity of Lp(a) can be partly due to the potentially antifibrinolytic categories. We hypothesize that patients with higher Lp(a) and Fib may have worse outcomes.

Long-term prognostic utility of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) triglyceride in real-world patients with coronary artery disease and diabetes or prediabetes.

Background: Recent guidelines highlighted the association between atherosclerosis and triglyceride-enriched lipoproteins in patients with impaired glucose metabolism. However, evidence from prospective studies for long-term prognostic utility of low-density lipoprotein triglyceride (LDL-TG) in real-world patients with prediabetes (Pre-DM) or diabetes mellitus (DM) and coronary artery disease (CAD) is currently not available. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the impact of LDL-TG on major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) in patients with stable CAD under different glucose metabolism status.

The longitudinal association of remnant cholesterol with cardiovascular outcomes in patients with diabetes and pre-diabetes.

Background: The atherogenicity of remnant cholesterol (RC) has been underlined by recent guidelines, which was linked to coronary artery disease (CAD), especially for patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). This study aimed to examine the prognostic value of plasma RC in the patients with CAD under different glucose metabolism status.

Methods: Fasting plasma RC were directly calculated or measured in 4331 patients with CAD.

Beneficial impact of epigallocatechingallate on LDL-C through PCSK9/LDLR pathway by blocking HNF1α and activating FoxO3a.

Background: Green tea drinking has been proven to lower lipid and exert cardiovascular protection, while the potential mechanism has not been fully determined. This study was to investigate whether the beneficial impact of epigallocatechingallate (EGCG), a type of catechin in green tea on lipids is associated with proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) pathways.

Methods: We studied the effects and underlying molecular mechanism of EGCG or green tea on regulating cholesterol from human, animal and in vitro.

Association of small dense low-density lipoprotein with cardiovascular outcome in patients with coronary artery disease and diabetes: a prospective, observational cohort study.

Background: Elevation in small dense low-density lipoprotein (sdLDL) is common in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), which has already been reported to be associated with incidence of coronary artery disease (CAD). The aim of the present study was to investigate the prognostic value of plasma sdLDL level in patients with stable CAD and DM.

Methods: A total of 4148 consecutive patients with stable CAD were prospectively enrolled into the study and followed up for major cardiovascular events (MACEs) up to 8.

Prognostic utility of heart-type fatty acid-binding protein in patients with stable coronary artery disease and impaired glucose metabolism: a cohort study.

Background: Heart-type fatty acid-binding protein (H-FABP) is a novel marker of myocardial injury and has been reported to be associated with cardiovascular diseases (CVD) including patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). Unfortunately, its prognostic value in patients with CVD and impaired glucose metabolism (IGM) is unclear. The objective of this study was to investigate the prognostic value of H-FABP in CVD patients with IGM.

Genetic basis of index patients with familial hypercholesterolemia in Chinese population: mutation spectrum and genotype-phenotype correlation.

Background: Although there have been many reports in the genetics of familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) worldwide, studies in regard of Chinese population are lacking. In this multi-center study, we aim to characterize the genetic spectrum of FH in Chinese population, and examine the genotype-phenotype correlations in detail.

Methods: A total of 285 unrelated index cases from China with clinical FH were consecutively recruited.

Relationship between Plasma Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin Type 9 and Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate in the General Chinese Population.

Background: Elevated levels of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) have been reported to be related to dyslipidemia, including patients with kidney dysfunction. However, its association with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in individuals with normal serum creatinine (SCr) has not been determined.

Methods: A total of 2,089 subjects with normal SCr and without lipid-lowering treatment were consecutively enrolled in this study.

Familial hypercholesterolemia in very young myocardial infarction.

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is one of the most common causes of premature myocardial infarction (MI). However, The patterns of FH remained unrecognized in clinical care, especially in very young patients (VYPs, ≤35 years) with MI. The present study enrolled a total of 1,093 VYPs (≤35 years) presenting a first MI.

Liraglutide downregulates hepatic LDL receptor and PCSK9 expression in HepG2 cells and db/db mice through a HNF-1a dependent mechanism.

Background: Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9), a major regulator of cholesterol homeostasis, is associated with glucose metabolism. Liraglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist, can increase insulin secretion in a glucose-dependent manner and lower blood glucose. We aimed to investigate the relationship between liraglutide and PCSK9.

Association between lipoprotein (a) and proprotein convertase substilisin/kexin type 9 in patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia: A case-control study.

Background: Recent data have suggested an important role of lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] and proprotein convertase substilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) in the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) in both general population and family hypercholesterolemia (FH), while the relation of Lp(a) to PCSK9 has not been examined.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between plasma PCSK9 and Lp(a)in patients with heterozygous FH (HeFH).

Methods: Two hundred and fifty-five molecularly confirmed patients with HeFH were compared to 255 age- and gender-matched non-FH controls.

Triglyceride to High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Ratio and Cardiovascular Events in Diabetics With Coronary Artery Disease.

Background: It has been demonstrated that an elevated ratio of triglycerides (TG) to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) is a risk factor of coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and is also found to be associated with cardiovascular events (CVEs) in the general population. However, its prognostic value in patients with T2DM along with CAD remains to be determined.

Materials And Methods: A total of 1,447 consecutive patients with T2DM with angiographic-proven stable CAD were enrolled in the present study and followed-up for an average of 20.

Elevated resting heart rate is associated with the severity of coronary artery disease in non-treated patients who underwent coronary angiography: potential role of lipoprotein subfractions.

Objective: To assess the association between resting heart rate (RHR) and lipoprotein subfractions to provide potential evidence for the relationship between RHR and severity of CAD.

Methods: A total of 1119 consecutive non-treated subjects scheduled for coronary angiography were enrolled. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) separation were performed by Lipoprint System.

Serum fibrinogen and cardiovascular events in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes and stable coronary artery disease: a prospective observational study.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the association of serum fibrinogen with cardiovascular events (CVE) in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and stable coronary artery disease (CAD).

Design: An observational study.

Setting: FuWai Hospital in Beijing, China.

Significance of lipoprotein(a) levels in familial hypercholesterolemia and coronary artery disease.

Background And Aims: Patients with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) are often characterized by premature coronary artery disease (CAD) with heterogeneity at onset. The aim of the present study was to investigate the associations of lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] with the FH phenotype, genotype and roles of Lp(a) in determining CAD risk among patients with and without FH.

Methods: We enrolled 8050 patients undergoing coronary angiography, from our Lipid clinic.

Plasma big endothelin-1 levels at admission and future cardiovascular outcomes: A cohort study in patients with stable coronary artery disease.

Background: Big endothelin-1 (ET-1) has been proposed as a novel prognostic indicator of acute coronary syndrome, while its predicting role of cardiovascular outcomes in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) is unclear.

Methods And Results: A total of 3154 consecutive patients with stable CAD were enrolled and followed up for 24months. The outcomes included all-cause death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, stroke and unplanned revascularization (percutaneous coronary intervention and coronary artery bypass grafting).

Familial Hypercholesterolemia Phenotype in Chinese Patients Undergoing Coronary Angiography.

Objective: Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is characterized by an elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and increased risk of premature coronary artery disease. However, the general picture and mutational spectrum of FH in China are far from recognized, representing a missed opportunity for the investigation.

Approach And Results: A total of 8050 patients undergoing coronary angiography were enrolled.

Identification of familial hypercholesterolemia in patients with myocardial infarction: A Chinese cohort study.

Background: Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is marked by an elevated plasma cholesterol and risk of premature cardiovascular disease. An increased burden of FH is being realized.

Objective: To provide data on FH in Chinese patients with myocardial infarction (MI) and its potential contribution to early MI.

Leptin decreases the expression of low-density lipoprotein receptor via PCSK9 pathway: linking dyslipidemia with obesity.

Background: Previous studies have suggested that people with obesity showed elevated serum levels of leptin as well as lipid dysfunction and proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) played an important role in the regulation of lipid metabolism recently. The aim of this study was to determine if leptin participated in regulating the uptake of low-density lipoproteins (LDL) in hepatocytes via PCSK9.

Methods: HepG2 cells were treated with human recombinant leptin.

Circulating MicroRNAs as Novel Diagnostic Biomarkers for Very Early-onset (≤40 years) Coronary Artery Disease.

Objective: Very early-onset coronary artery disease (CAD) is a great challenge in cardiovascular medicine throughout the world, especially regarding its early diagnosis. This study explored whether circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) could be used as potential biomarkers for patients with very early-onset CAD.

Methods: We performed an initial screening of miRNA expression using RNA isolated from 20 patients with angiographically documented very early-onset CAD and 20 age- and sex-matched normal controls.