HDL cholesterol efflux capacity and cholesterol loading capacity in long-term fasting: Evidence from a prospective, single-arm interventional study in healthy individuals.

Background And Aims: Long-term fasting (LF) is increasingly emerging as a non-pharmacological approach to modulate risk factors associated with the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (ASCVD). However, protection from ASCVD is more tied to the functionality of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) than its plasma levels. Our prospective interventional study focuses on the functional properties of lipoproteins in modulating cholesterol homeostasis on peripheral cells and examines how LF may influence this and lipoprotein subclass composition.

Long-term fasting improves lipoprotein-associated atherogenic risk in humans.

Purpose: Dyslipidemia is a major health concern associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular mortality. Long-term fasting (LF) has been shown to improve plasma lipid profile. We performed an in-depth investigation of lipoprotein composition.

SARS-CoV-2-IgG response is different in COVID-19 outpatients and asymptomatic contact persons.

Commercially available immunoassays have been developed for sensitive and specific detection of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. While a fast and reliable IgG response has been reported for samples from hospitalized COVID-19 patients, less is known about ambulatory patients. We evaluated the SARS-CoV-2-IgG response by the Anti-SARS-CoV-2-ELISA IgG (Euroimmun) in a defined cohort of SARS-CoV-2-PCR-confirmed outpatients and asymptomatic contact persons including 137 serum samples from PCR-confirmed outpatients (n = 111) and asymptomatic but PCR-positive contact persons (n = 26) sent to our laboratory as part of routine diagnostics for determination of SARS-CoV-2-IgG.

Hepcidin/Ferritin Quotient Helps to Predict Spontaneous Recovery from Iron Loss following Blood Donation.

Background: Iron supplementation is generally recommended for blood donors even though there are inter-individual differences in iron homeostasis.

Methods: Ferritin levels of repeat donors were compared with first-time donors, retrospectively. Prospectively, we tested 27 male repeat donors for the following parameters at the day of blood donation as well as 1, 3, 7, 10, and 56 days thereafter: ferritin, hepcidin, transferrin, transferrin receptor, hemoglobin, erythropoietin, reticulocytes, hemoglobin in reticulocyte, twisted gastrulation protein homolog 1, and growth differentiation factor-15.

Association of mitotane with chylomicrons and serum lipoproteins: practical implications for treatment of adrenocortical carcinoma.

Objective: Oral mitotane (o,p'-DDD) is a cornerstone of medical treatment for adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC).

Aim: Serum mitotane concentrations >14  mg/l are targeted for improved efficacy but not achieved in about half of patients. Here we aimed at a better understanding of intestinal absorption and lipoprotein association of mitotane and metabolites o,p'-dichlorodiphenylacetic acid (o,p'-DDA) and o,p'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane (o,p'-DDE).

Decrease of carotid intima-media thickness in patients at risk to cerebral ischemia after supplementation with folic acid, Vitamins B6 and B12.

Objective: Hyperhomocysteinemia is associated with atherosclerotic risk. Although vitamins can lower homocysteine (Hcy), information about effects on atherosclerosis is scarce.

Methods: We used carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) as an accepted marker of atherosclerotic changes.