Age-dependence of lipid parameters in the general population and vegetarians.

Age-dependent changes of lipid metabolism may arise both as a result of mechanisms of biological ageing and factors influencing age-dependent changes. To study possible influences of nutrition and life-style of vegetarians on age-dependence of lipid parameters, subjects of general population were compared with vegetarians. In the frame of population-based lipid screening projects in the city of Leipzig/Germany (Lipid Study Leipzig, LSL) 10 550 subjects (3,816 men and 6,734 women, age 18-99 years) of general population were compared with 417 vegetarians (vegans, lacto-vegetarians, lacto-ovo-vegetarians, 148 men and 269 women, age 18-93 years).

Circulating vascular cell adhesion molecules VCAM-1, ICAM-1, and E-selectin in dependence on aging.

Background: Elevated levels of circulating cell adhesion molecules (cCAMs) such as vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), and endothelial leukocyte adhesion molecule-1 (E-selectin) are found in subjects with vascular diseases and in subjects with several risk factors for atherosclerosis. However, data evaluating cCAMs and biological age are limited.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess in subjects with different cardiovascular risk profiles the levels of cVCAM-1, cICAM-1, and cE-selectin in dependence on age.

[Soluble leukocyte adhesion molecules in vegetarians of various ages].

Objectives: Upregulation of leukocyte adhesion molecules under atherogenic conditions is accompanied by the release of soluble forms of adhesion molecules into the bloodstream. Vegetarians have a favorable cardiovascular risk profile. The aim of the present study was to assess the levels of circulating E-selectin (cE-selectin), circulating intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (cICAM-1), and circulating vascular adhesion molecule-1 (cVCAM-1) in both vegetarians and subjects of the average population and furthermore to evaluate the age dependence of cell adhesion molecules.

Long-term administration of the HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor lovastatin in two patients with cholesteryl ester storage disease.

Objective: In order to suppress de novo cholesterol and VLDL biosynthesis, a long-term therapy trial with lovastatin, a competitive inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase, was initiated in two patients with cholesteryl ester storage disease (CESD), and concentrations of plasma lipids were monitored over a period of 9 years.

Methods: We studied two male patients with enzymatically confirmed CESD in whom long-term lovastatin therapy (8 and 9 years) was begun at the age of 7 and 19 years. The diagnosis of CESD was confirmed by the measurement of human lysosomal acid lipase (hLAL) activity in cultured skin fibroblasts and leukocytes.

Total homocysteine, vitamin B(12), and total antioxidant status in vegetarians.

Background: Decreasing or eliminating animal products from the diet decreases the intake of some essential nutrients, such as vitamin B(12), which may lead to hyperhomocysteinemia. We investigated vitamin B(12)-dependent metabolism and oxidative stress in groups with various or no intake of meat or animal products.

Methods: We investigated 44 high meat eaters, 19 low meat eaters, 34 lacto-ovo/lacto vegetarians, and 7 vegan vegetarians.