Plasma folate, but not homocysteine, is associated with Apolipoprotein A1 levels in a non-fortified population.

Background: Elevated total plasma homocysteine (tHcy) in humans is associated with cardiovascular disease but prevention trials have failed to confirm causality. Reported reasons for this association have been that homocysteine and its major genetic determinant methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) may have an effect on HDL and Apolipoprotein (Apo) A1 levels. We wanted to study if tHcy and its major determinants were correlated with Apo A1 levels in a large population without folate fortification.

A reversal of decreasing trends in population cholesterol levels in Västerbotten County, Sweden.

Background: High cholesterol is identified as a major risk factor for chronic non-communicable diseases, especially cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Monitoring trends of cholesterol levels and comparing trends across population groups are important to assess population distribution and risks related to cholesterol change over time. Cholesterol surveillance data are lacking, even in high-income countries.

A randomized lifestyle intervention with 5-year follow-up in subjects with impaired glucose tolerance: pronounced short-term impact but long-term adherence problems.

Aims: To compare data on cardiovascular risk factor changes in lipids, insulin, proinsulin, fibrinolysis, leptin and C-reactive protein, and on diabetes incidence, in relation to changes in lifestyle.

Methods: The study was a randomized lifestyle intervention trial conducted in northern Sweden between 1995 and 2000, in 168 individuals with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and body mass index above 27 at start. The intensive intervention group (n = 83) was subjected to a 1-month residential lifestyle programme.

Sex-related differences in the associations between hyperleptinemia, insulin resistance and dysfibrinolysis.

The adipocyte-derived hormone leptin is associated with insulin resistance and reduced fibrinolytic status--or dysfibrinolysis--in humans. As leptin associates differentially to the development of cardiovascular disease and diabetes in men and women, we hypothesized that leptin and insulin sensitivity are related to dysfibrinolysis in a sex-dependent manner. Thirty-two men and 40 women were recruited from the Monitoring of trends and determinants in Cardiovascular disease (MONICA) population sample, representing the highest and lowest quartiles of fasting insulin levels.

Improved fibrinolytic activity during exercise may be an effect of the adipocyte-derived hormones leptin and adiponectin.

Introduction: Physical activity is associated with improved fibrinolytic activity and reduced risk for cardiovascular disease. High levels of leptin and low levels of adiponectin, both adipocyte-derived hormones, or adipokines, are related to dysfibrinolysis and risk for cardiovascular disease. In this study, we explored if improved fibrinolytic activity during exercise could be linked to changes in leptin and adiponectin levels.

Effect of sibutramine on weight reduction in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Objective: To examine the efficacy of sibutramine together with brief lifestyle modification for weight reduction in obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Design: Investigator-initiated, multicenter, double-blind, randomized, parallel-group clinical trial.

Setting: Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology in primary care, referral centers, and private practice.

In face of the increasing efficacy of lipid-lowering therapy, is there still a place for LDL-apheresis?

Based on a large body of evidence, high LDL-cholesterol concentrations in blood is a key factor of coronary heart disease (CHD). Overall, the observational studies show a curvilinear relationship between blood cholesterol level and coronary heart disease risk. Even more relevant are the randomised trials, firmly establishing that within just a few years a cholesterol-lowering therapy confers a dramatic effect on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.

Interactions between fibrinolysis, lipoproteins and leptin related to a first myocardial infarction.

Background: The summarized importance of haemostatic and metabolic variables (insulin, lipids including lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] and leptin) in predicting first myocardial infarction, as well as possible interactions among these variables, have not been reported.

Design: A prospective case-control study nested within the Northern Sweden Health and Disease Cohort.

Methods: Sixty-two men diagnosed with a first myocardial infarction were sex- and age-matched with 124 controls.

A 52-week, multicenter, randomized, parallel-group, double-blind, double-dummy study to assess the efficacy of atorvastatin and simvastatin in reaching low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride targets: the treat-to-target (3T) study.

Background: Guidelines for the prevention of coronary heart disease call for low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) reduction as the primary target of treatment and reduction of triglycerides (TG) as an additional target.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the ability of atorvastatin and simvastatin to reduce LDL-C and TG concentrations and to meet 3 target lipid levels: LDL-C View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Tissue-specific changes in peripheral cortisol metabolism in obese women: increased adipose 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 activity.

Cushing's syndrome and the metabolic syndrome share clinical similarities. Reports of alterations in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis are inconsistent, however, in the metabolic syndrome. Recent data highlight the importance of adipose 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11beta-HSD1), which regenerates cortisol from cortisone and, when overexpressed in fat, produces central obesity and glucose intolerance.