Sex-Related Differences in the Associations between Adiponectin and Serum Lipoproteins in Healthy Subjects and Patients with Metabolic Syndrome.

The strong associations between the serum levels of adiponectin and the lipoprotein subclasses observed in healthy subjects are much weaker in patients with metabolic syndrome (MS). However, the impact of sex on these associations remained unexplored. Therefore, in the present study, we examined associations between adiponectin and the lipoprotein subclasses, analyzed by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, separately in healthy females and males, as well as in females and males with MS.

IL-6 and hsCRP predict cardiovascular mortality in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

Aims: Inflammation accompanies heart failure (HF) and elevated levels of inflammatory biomarkers are linked to new onset of HF. However, whether the prognostic relevance of inflammatory biomarkers is different in HF with reduced (HFrEF) and preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is unclear. The aim of the current study is to explore the role of inflammation on the mortality risk in patients with HF.

The role of functional vitamin D deficiency and low vitamin D reservoirs in relation to cardiovascular health and mortality.

Objectives: The role of vitamin D deficiency in cardiovascular disease (CVD) is controversial. Inherent biological and analytical limitations compromise the specificity of widely used 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] cut-offs. Simultaneous determination of 25(OH)D and 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [24,25(OH)D] permits a functional assessment of vitamin D metabolism.

Serum Levels of Adiponectin Are Strongly Associated with Lipoprotein Subclasses in Healthy Volunteers but Not in Patients with Metabolic Syndrome.

Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a widespread disease in developed countries, accompanied, among others, by decreased adiponectin serum levels and perturbed lipoprotein metabolism. The associations between the serum levels of adiponectin and lipoproteins have been extensively studied in the past under healthy conditions, yet it remains unexplored whether the observed associations also exist in patients with MS. Therefore, in the present study, we analyzed the serum levels of lipoprotein subclasses using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and examined their associations with the serum levels of adiponectin in patients with MS in comparison with healthy volunteers (HVs).

Ketone body levels and its associations with cardiac markers following an acute myocardial infarction: a post hoc analysis of the EMMY trial.

Background: Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) have been suggested to exert cardioprotective effects in patients with heart failure, possibly by improving the metabolism of ketone bodies in the myocardium.

Methods: This post hoc analysis of the EMMY trial investigated the changes in serum β-hydroxybutyrate (3-βOHB) levels after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in response to 26-week of Empagliflozin therapy compared to the usual post-MI treatment. In addition, the association of baseline and repeated measurements of 3-βOHB with cardiac parameters and the interaction effects of Empagliflozin were investigated.

Clinical and genetic diagnosis of familial hypercholesterolaemia in patients undergoing coronary angiography: the Ludwigshafen Risk and Cardiovascular Health Study.

Aims: To investigate the prevalence of familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) and compare the performance of clinical criteria and genetic testing in patients undergoing coronary angiography.

Methods And Results: The prevalence of FH was determined with the Dutch Lipid Clinical Network (DLCN), US 'Make Early Diagnosis to Prevent Early Death' (US-MEDPED), Simon Broome (SB) criteria, the 'familial hypercholesterolaemia case ascertainment tool' (FAMCAT), and a clinical algorithm. Genetic screening was conducted with a custom array from Affymetrix (CARRENAL array) harbouring 944 FH mutations.

[Laboratory diagnostics of lipid metabolism disorders].

Clinically, disorders of lipid metabolism often remain without symptoms. Typical skin lesions, however, can be indicative. Secondary hyperlipoproteinemias (HLP) are more common than primary hyperlipoproteinemias; they can (partially) be improved by treating the underlying disease.

Non-steroidal FXR agonist cilofexor improves cholestatic liver injury in the mouse model of sclerosing cholangitis.

Background & Aims: The nuclear receptor farnesoid X receptor (FXR) is a key regulator of hepatic bile acid (BA) and lipid metabolism, inflammation and fibrosis. Here, we aimed to explore the potential of cilofexor (GS-9674), a non-steroidal FXR agonist, as a therapeutic approach for counteracting features of cholestatic liver injury by evaluating its efficacy and mechanisms in the knockout () mouse model of sclerosing cholangitis.

Methods: FVB/N wild-type and or BALB/c wild-type and mice were treated with 0, 10, 30 or 90 mg/kg cilofexor by gavage every 24 h for 10 weeks.

Functional Assessment of Vitamin D Status by a Novel Metabolic Approach: The Low Vitamin D Profile Concept.

Background: Determining serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [24,25(OH)2D] and the vitamin D metabolite ratio (VMR) allows the identification of individuals with a low vitamin D metabolite profile. Here, we evaluated if such a functional approach provides superior diagnostic information to serum 25(OH)D alone.

Methods: 25(OH)D, 24,25(OH)2D, and the VMR were determined in participants of the DESIRE (Desirable Vitamin D Concentrations, n = 2010) and the LURIC (Ludwigshafen Risk and Cardiovascular Health, n = 2456) studies.

Bsep/Abcb11 knockout ameliorates Schistosoma mansoni liver pathology by reducing parasite fecundity.

Background And Aims: Schistosoma mansoni infection is one of the worldwide leading causes of liver fibrosis and portal hypertension. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether polyhydroxylated bile acids (BAs), known to protect mice from the development of acquired cholestatic liver injury, counteract S. mansoni-induced inflammation and fibrosis.

GLP-2 Improves Hepatic Inflammation and Fibrosis in Mdr2 Mice Via Activation of NR4a1/Nur77 in Hepatic Stellate Cells and Intestinal FXR Signaling.

Background & Aims: Glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-2 may exert antifibrotic effects on hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Thus, we aimed to test whether application of the GLP-2 analogue teduglutide has hepatoprotective and antifibrotic effects in the Mdr2/Abcb4 mouse model of sclerosing cholangitis displaying hepatic inflammation and fibrosis.

Methods: Mdr2 mice were injected daily for 4 weeks with teduglutide followed by gene expression profiling (bulk liver; isolated HSCs) and immunohistochemistry.

Inverse association between apolipoprotein C-II and cardiovascular mortality: role of lipoprotein lipase activity modulation.

Aims: Apolipoprotein C-II (ApoC-II) is thought to activate lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and is therefore a possible target for treating hypertriglyceridemia. Its relationship with cardiovascular risk has not been investigated in large-scale epidemiologic studies, particularly allowing for apolipoprotein C-III (ApoC-III), an LPL antagonist. Furthermore, the exact mechanism of ApoC-II-mediated LPL activation is unclear.

Preeclampsia Affects Lipid Metabolism and HDL Function in Mothers and Their Offspring.

Preeclampsia (PE) is linked to an overall increased cardiovascular risk for both the mother and child. Functional impairment of high-density lipoproteins (HDL) may contribute to the excess cardiovascular risk associated with PE. In this study, we investigated the effects of PE on maternal and neonatal lipid metabolism, and the parameters of HDL composition and function.

Lowering of Circulating Sclerostin May Increase Risk of Atherosclerosis and Its Risk Factors: Evidence From a Genome-Wide Association Meta-Analysis Followed by Mendelian Randomization.

Objective: In this study, we aimed to establish the causal effects of lowering sclerostin, target of the antiosteoporosis drug romosozumab, on atherosclerosis and its risk factors.

Methods: A genome-wide association study meta-analysis was performed of circulating sclerostin levels in 33,961 European individuals. Mendelian randomization (MR) was used to predict the causal effects of sclerostin lowering on 15 atherosclerosis-related diseases and risk factors.

Association of branched-chain amino acids with mortality-the Ludwigshafen Risk and Cardiovascular Health (LURIC) study.

Branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) are effectors of metabolic diseases, but their impact on mortality is largely unknown. We investigated the association of BCAA with risk factors and mortality in 2,236 participants of the Ludwigshafen Risk and Cardiovascular Health (LURIC) study using linear and Cox regression. Adiponectin, hemoglobin, C-peptide, hemoglobin A, and homoarginine showed the strongest association with BCAA concentration (all p < 0.

HDL Isolated by Immunoaffinity, Ultracentrifugation, or Precipitation is Compositionally and Functionally Distinct.

The HDL proteome has been widely recognized as an important mediator of HDL function. While a variety of HDL isolation methods exist, their impact on the HDL proteome and its associated function remain largely unknown. Here, we compared three of the most common methods for HDL isolation, namely immunoaffinity (IA), density gradient ultracentrifugation (UC), and dextran-sulfate precipitation (DS), in terms of their effects on the HDL proteome and associated functionalities.

Independent Effects of Kidney Function and Cholesterol Efflux on Cardiovascular Mortality.

Background: Impaired renal function is associated with cardiovascular and all-cause mortality. In the general population, HDL-cholesterol is associated with cardiovascular events, which is not true in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). This has been attributed to abnormal HDL function in CKD.

The LDL Apolipoprotein B-to-LDL Cholesterol Ratio: Association with Cardiovascular Mortality and a Biomarker of Small, Dense LDLs.

Background and Objective: Small, dense low-density lipoproteins (LDLs) are considered more atherogenic than normal size LDLs. However, the measurement of small, dense LDLs requires sophisticated laboratory methods, such as ultracentrifugation, gradient gel electrophoresis, or nuclear magnetic resonance. We aimed to analyze whether the LDL apolipoprotein B (LDLapoB)-to-LDL cholesterol (LDLC) ratio is associated with cardiovascular mortality and whether this ratio represents a biomarker for small, dense LDLs.