Lecithin: cholesterol acyltransferase expression has minimal effects on macrophage reverse cholesterol transport in vivo.

Background: Lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) catalyzes the formation of plasma cholesteryl ester, plays a key role in high-density lipoprotein metabolism, and has been believed to be critical in the process of reverse cholesterol transport (RCT).

Methods And Results: The role of LCAT in RCT from macrophages was quantified with a validated assay involving intraperitoneal injection in mice of (3)H-cholesterol-labeled J774 macrophages and monitoring the appearance of tracer in plasma, liver, bile, and feces. Human LCAT overexpression in human apolipoprotein A-I transgenic mice substantially increased plasma high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels but surprisingly did not increase macrophage RCT.

Effects of atorvastatin on nuclear magnetic resonance-defined lipoprotein subclasses and inflammatory markers in patients with hypercholesterolemia.

Aim: Information about the effects of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (statin) treatment on lipoprotein subclasses has been severely limited. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometry has emerged as a new methodology to quantify lipoprotein subclass concentrations. In the present study, we attempted to evaluate the hypolipidemic effects of atorvastatin utilizing this method.

Expression of cholesteryl ester transfer protein in mice promotes macrophage reverse cholesterol transport.

Background: Cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) transfers cholesteryl esters from high-density lipoproteins to apolipoprotein (apo) B-containing lipoproteins and in humans plays an important role in lipoprotein metabolism. However, the role that CETP plays in mediation of reverse cholesterol transport (RCT) remains unclear. We used a validated in vivo assay of macrophage RCT to test the effect of CETP expression in mice (which naturally lack CETP) on macrophage RCT, including in mice that lack the low-density lipoprotein receptor or the scavenger receptor class B, type I.

Increased remnant lipoprotein in patients with coronary artery disease--evaluation utilizing a newly developed remnant assay, remnant lipoproteins cholesterol homogenous assay (RemL-C).

Aim: Remnant lipoprotein is an emerging risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD); however, the development of a specific remnant lipoprotein assay has struggled due to its heterogeneous nature. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical importance of a newly developed assay for remnant lipoprotein, RemL-C, in patients with CAD.

Methods: This assay utilizes surfactant and phospholipase-D to selectively degrade and solubilize remnant lipoprotein.

Effects of bezafibrate on lipoprotein subclasses and inflammatory markers in patients with hypertriglyceridemia--a nuclear magnetic resonance study.

Background: Hypertriglyceridemia is often associated with elevated remnants, small dense LDL and decreased HDL-cholesterol (C). The objective of this study was to investigate the efficacy of bezafibrate on lipoprotein subfractions profile and inflammation markers in patients with hypertriglyceridemia.

Methods: Twenty-four hypertriglyceridemic subjects took bezafibrate, 400 mg daily, for 4 weeks.

Fenofibrate effectively reduces remnants, and small dense LDL, and increases HDL particle number in hypertriglyceridemic men - a nuclear magnetic resonance study.

Hypertriglyceridemia is often associated with small dense low density lipoprotein (LDL), elevated remnants, and decreased high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol (C), which comprise the dyslipidemic triad. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of fenofibrate on the lipoprotein subfraction profile and inflammation markers in hypertriglyceridemic men. Twenty hypertriglyceridemic men were administered fenofibrate, 200 mg daily, for 8 weeks.

[Dyslipidemia in metabolic syndrome].

The prevalence of obesity has become increasingly common worldwide, in particular western countries. Obesity, together with insulin resistance, leads to metabolic syndrome in which other coronary risk factors including hyperlipidemia and hypertension cluster in one individual. Hyperlipidemia in metabolic syndrome is characterized increased triglyceride(TG), decreased HDL-C, and small dense LDL, called dyslipidemic triad.

Coronary artery spasm discovered in thorough examination of perioperative VT in a 26-year-old Japanese male.

We thoroughly examined a 26-year-old Japanese male who experienced perioperative ventricular tachycardia. After inhaling sevoflurane, his nasal cavity was soaked with 1:100,000 epinephrine and he was intubated through the nose. Junctional tachycardia occurred five minutes after intubation, changing to ventricular tachycardia.

A novel two nucleotide deletion in the apolipoprotein A-I gene, apoA-I Shinbashi, associated with high density lipoprotein deficiency, corneal opacities, planar xanthomas, and premature coronary artery disease.

Familial HDL deficiency (FHD) is a rare autosomal dominant lipoprotein disorder. We describe a novel genetic variant of the apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) gene resulting in FHD. The proband is a 51-year-old woman who was hospitalized due to severe heart failure.