Aspirin use in patients with elevated lipoprotein(a): Impact on cardiovascular events and bleeding.

The role of aspirin in cardiovascular primary prevention remains controversial. There are physiological reasons to explore its potential benefits in patients with high levels of lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)], mainly due to its antifibrinolytic properties and interactions with platelets. The primary objective of this systematic review was to evaluate the cardiovascular benefits and bleeding risks associated with aspirin use in patients who have elevated Lp(a) levels but no history of cardiovascular disease.

Anti-inflammatory effect of semaglutide: updated systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The anti-inflammatory effect could be one of the mechanisms by which semaglutide reduces cardiovascular risk in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and/or obesity. Determining the anti-inflammatory effect of semaglutide was the objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis.

Methods: This meta-analysis was performed according to the PRISMA guidelines.

Family sitosterolemia: report of two cases in Colombia.

Sitosterolemia is an autosomal recessive and very rare disease. Its main characteristic is that there is a greater absorption and a decrease in the excretion of sterols, which leads to them being deposited in tissues. It is given by mutations in the ABCG5 or ABCG8 genes found on chromosome 2p21.

Role of Insulin Resistance in the Development of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in People With Type 2 Diabetes: From Bench to Patient Care.

Insulin resistance is implicated in both the pathogenesis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and its progression from steatosis to steatohepatitis, cirrhosis, and even hepatocellular carcinoma, which is known to be more common in people with type 2 diabetes. This article reviews the role of insulin resistance in the metabolic dysfunction observed in obesity, type 2 diabetes, atherogenic dyslipidemia, and hypertension and how it is a driver of the natural history of NAFLD by promoting glucotoxicity and lipotoxicity. The authors also review the genetic and environmental factors that stimulate steatohepatitis and fibrosis progression and their relationship with cardiovascular disease and summarize guidelines supporting the treatment of NAFLD with diabetes medications that reduce insulin resistance, such as pioglitazone or glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists.

Association between hepatic steatosis and lipoprotein(a) levels in non-alcoholic patients: A systematic review.

Background And Objectives: It is well known that lipid abnormalities exist in the context of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The association between lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] levels and NAFLD is poorly understood. The main objective of the present study was to assess the association between Lp(a) levels and NAFLD.

Relationship between epicardial adipose tissue, systemic inflammatory diseases, and subclinical atheromatosis: A systematic review.

Background And Aims: Systemic inflammatory diseases could act as an unfavorable condition in which epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) becomes harmful to cardiovascular health. The objectives were: (a) to quantitatively compare the presence of EAT between patients with systemic inflammatory diseases and controls; (b) to analyze the association between EAT and subclinical atheromatosis in individuals with systemic inflammatory diseases.

Methods: Studies that have quantified EAT in a population with systemic inflammatory diseases compared to a control group, or that describe the association between EAT and the presence of subclinical atheromatosis in patients with systemic inflammatory diseases were included.

The Usefulness of Thyroid Antibodies in the Diagnostic Approach to Autoimmune Thyroid Disease.

Autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) refers to a spectrum of various diseases, with two extremes of clinical presentation, hypothyroidism (Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) and hyperthyroidism (Graves-Basedow disease (GBD)). Both conditions are characterized by presenting a cellular and humoral autoimmune reaction, with an increase in the synthesis and secretion of antibodies directed toward various thyroid antigens, together with a phenomenon of thyrocyte necrosis and apoptosis (in HT) and a persistent thyrotropin-receptor stimulation (in GBD). The diagnosis of both entities is based on clinical, laboratory, and imaging findings.

Plasma Lipoprotein(a) Levels in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Introduction: The polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) may represent an important model of lipid alterations. Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] has emerged as a new marker of cardiovascular risk.

Aim: The main objective of this meta-analysis was to analyze the available evidence on Lp(a) levels in patients with PCOS compared to a control group.

Population Status of Vitamin B12 Values in the General Population and in Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes, in Southwestern Colombia.

Vitamin B12 (B12) is necessary for the proper functioning of the central and peripheral nervous systems. Although there is no exact definition for B12 levels, a value of 200 pg/mL is compatible with deficiency, 200-299 pg/mL is considered borderline, and 300 pg/mL is considered normal. In population studies, the prevalence of B12 deficiency ranges between 2.

Relationship between lipoprotein(a) levels, cardiovascular outcomes and death in patients with chronic kidney disease: a systematic review of prospective studies.

Introduction And Aim: In the general population, high levels of lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) are an independent risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases. However, the information available in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is less robust. The main objective of this updated systematic review of prospective studies was to analyze the association between elevated Lp(a) levels and cardiovascular outcomes or death in patients with CKD.

Analyses of familial chylomicronemia syndrome in Pereira, Colombia 2010-2020: a cross-sectional study.

Background And Aim: Familial chylomicronemia syndrome (FCS) is a rare autosomal recessive metabolic disorder caused by mutations in genes involved in chylomicron metabolism. On the other hand, multifactorial chylomicronemia syndrome (MCS) is a polygenic disorder and the most frequent cause of chylomicronemia, which results from the presence of multiple genetic variants related to chylomicron metabolism, in addition to secondary factors. Indeed, the genetic determinants that predispose to MCS are the presence of a heterozygous rare variant or an accumulation of several SNPs (oligo/polygenic).

Relationship of Subclinical Hypothyroidism on Epicardial Adipose Tissue: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Accumulation of epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) and Subclinical hypothyroidism (SH) are associated with increased cardio-metabolic risk. The objective of this study was to quantitatively compare EAT thickening between patients with SH and healthy controls. Therefore, after searching the PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Science Direct, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Cochrane databases; we analyzed a group of observational studies who compare the EAT changes between SH vs control groups.

Familial chylomicronemia syndrome: The first case reported in Ecuador.

Familial chylomicronemia syndrome (FCS) is a genetic entity with autosomal recessive inheritance. Mutations in genes (such as APOC2, APOAV, LMF-1, GPIHBP-1) that code for proteins that regulate the maturation, transport, or polymerization of lipoprotein lipase-1 are the most common causes, but not the only ones. The objective of this study was to report the first documented case in Ecuador.

Effect of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogues on epicardial adipose tissue: A meta-analysis.

Background And Aims: Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogues reduce body fat and cardiovascular events in patients with type 2 diabetes. Accumulation of epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is associated with increased cardio-metabolic risks and coronary events in type 2 diabetes.

Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed from Glucagon-like peptide-1 analogues therapy on type 2 diabetes patients, reporting data from changes in EAT, after searching the PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Science Direct, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Cochrane databases.

Epicardial Adipose Tissue Ceramides Are Related to Lipoprotein Lipase Activity in Coronary Artery Disease: Unfolding a Missing Link.

Background: Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) contributes to coronary artery disease (CAD). EAT presents a specific lipidomic signature, showing increased ceramides and other proinflammatory lipids content. Besides, LPL (lipoprotein lipase) activity in EAT would contribute to its expansion, supplying fatty acids to the tissue.

Effectiveness of Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass vs Sleeve Gastrectomy on Lipid Levels in Type 2 Diabetes: a Meta-analysis.

Introduction: Obesity and its co-morbidities, including type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and dyslipidemia, are accompanied by excess cardiovascular morbi-mortality. Aside from excess low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), atherogenic dyslipidemia (AD), mainly characterized by elevated triglycerides and decreased high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) levels, is often present in T2DM obese patients. Bariatric surgery, such as Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and sleeve gastrectomy (SG), has become a reference treatment in that population.

Challenges in familial chylomicronemia syndrome diagnosis and management across Latin American countries: An expert panel discussion.

Familial chylomicronemia syndrome (FCS) is a rare genetic disorder characterized by extremely high triglyceride levels due to impaired clearance of chylomicrons from plasma. This paper is the result of a panel discussion with Latin American specialists who raised the main issues on diagnosis and management of FCS in their countries. Overall FCS is diagnosed late on the course of the disease, is characterized by heterogeneity on the occurrence of pancreatitis, and remains a long time in care of different specialists until reaching a lipidologist.

Selective effect of laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass on lipid metabolism.

Introduction: Bariatric surgery (BS) has shown to reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in obesity. The BS has improved the dyslipidemia of the insulin resistant patient, our objective was to evaluate if there was a difference in the lipid profile between the laparoscopic roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) technique vs. the sleeve gastrectomy (SG) technique at 18 months of follow-up.

Role of growth hormone in hepatic and intestinal triglyceride-rich lipoprotein metabolism.

Background: Elevated plasma concentrations of hepatic- and intestinally-derived triglyceride-rich lipoproteins (TRL) are implicated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality. Excess of TRL is the driving cause of atherogenic dyslipidemia commonly occurring in insulin-resistant individuals such as patients with obesity, type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Interestingly, growth hormone (GH)-deficient individuals display similar atherogenic dyslipidemia, suggesting an important role of GH and GH deficiency in the regulation of TRL metabolism.

Effect of SGLT2-Inhibitors on Epicardial Adipose Tissue: A Meta-Analysis.

(1) Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2-i) reduce adipose tissue and cardiovascular events in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Accumulation of epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is associated with increased cardio-metabolic risks and obstructive coronary disease events in patients with T2D. (2) We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of SGLT2-i therapy on T2D patients, reporting data on changes in EAT after searching the PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Science Direct, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Cochrane databases.

Role of non-statin lipid-lowering therapy in coronary atherosclerosis regression: a meta-analysis and meta-regression.

Background: Several studies have investigated the association between non-statin lipid-lowering therapy and regression of atherosclerosis. However, these studies were mostly small and their results were not always robust. The objectives were: (1) to define if a dual lipid-lowering therapy (statin + non-statin drugs) is associated with coronary atherosclerosis regression, estimated by intravascular ultrasound (IVUS); (2) to assess the association between dual lipid-lowering-induced changes in low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and non-high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) levels and atherosclerosis regression.

Untargeted Lipidomics Reveals a Specific Enrichment in Plasmalogens in Epicardial Adipose Tissue and a Specific Signature in Coronary Artery Disease.

Objective: Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is an active endocrine organ that could contribute to the pathophysiology of coronary artery disease (CAD) through the paracrine release of proatherogenic mediators. Numerous works have analyzed the inflammatory signature of EAT, but scarce informations on its lipidome are available. Our objective was first to study the differences between EAT and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) lipidomes and second to identify the specific untargeted lipidomic signatures of EAT and SAT in CAD.

Impact of Lipid-Lowering Therapy on Mortality According to the Baseline Non-HDL Cholesterol Level: A Meta-Analysis.

Introduction: Previous report showed that more intensive lipid-lowering therapy was associated with less mortality when baseline LDL-C levels were > 100 mg/dL. Non-HDL-C is a better predictor of cardiovascular risk than simpler LDL-C.

Aim: The objective of this meta-analysis was to define the impact of lipid-lowering therapy on the reduction of total and cardiovascular mortality by different baseline levels of non-HDL-C.

Impact of bariatric surgery on apolipoprotein C-III levels and lipoprotein distribution in obese human subjects.

Background: Elevated apolipoprotein C-III (apoC-III) has been postulated to contribute to the atherogenic dyslipidemia seen in obesity and insulin-resistant states, mainly by impairing plasma triglyceride-rich lipoprotein (TRL) metabolism. Bariatric surgery is associated with improvements of several obesity-associated metabolic abnormalities, including a reduction in plasma triglycerides (TGs) and an increase in plasma high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C).

Objectives: We investigated the specific effect of bariatric surgery on apoC-III concentrations in plasma, non-HDL, and HDL fractions in relation to lipid profile parameters evolution.

Dopaminergic drugs in type 2 diabetes and glucose homeostasis.

The importance of dopamine in central nervous system function is well known, but its effects on glucose homeostasis and pancreatic β cell function are beginning to be unraveled. Mutant mice lacking dopamine type 2 receptors (D2R) are glucose intolerant and have abnormal insulin secretion. In humans, administration of neuroleptic drugs, which block dopamine receptors, may cause hyperinsulinemia, increased weight gain and glucose intolerance.