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The relationship between serum total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) levels and mortality in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients remains inconsistent. We aimed to explore the individual and combined association of TC and TG levels with the risk of mortality in Chinese MHD patients. 1036 MHD patients were enrolled in this multicenter, prospective cohort study. The serum levels of total cholesterol and triglycerides were measured at baseline. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality and secondary outcome was cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality. During a median follow-up duration of 4.4 years (IQR= 2.0–7.9 years), 549 (53.0%) patients died, and 297 (28.7%) deaths were attributed to CVD. Compared with patients with TC levels in the first three quartiles (<182.5 mg/dL), a significantly higher risk of all-cause mortality was found in participants with TC in the fourth quartile (hazard ratio [HR], 1.43; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.17–1.76). However, a significantly lower risk of all-cause mortality was observed in participants with TG in the fourth quartile (≥193.9 mg/dL) (HR, 0.78; 95%CI: 0.63–0.98), compared with participants with TG in the first three quartiles. Similar trends were observed in CVD mortality. When analyzed jointly, patients with lower TC (<182.5 mg/dL) and higher TG (≥193.9 mg/dL) levels had the lowest risk of all-cause mortality and CVD mortality. Conclusions: In MHD patients in southern China, higher TC levels were associated with higher risk of mortality, while higher TG levels were related to lower risk of mortality. Patients with lower TC and higher TG levels had the best survival prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the effects of Bifidobacterium bifidum tetragonum tablets and Jin Gui Ren Qi Pill on intestinal flora and metabolism in patients with diabetic kidney disease. Methods: In the study conducted at Heping Hospital of Changzhi Medical College from March 2021 to December 2022, 30 cases of patients diagnosed with diabetic nephropathy were meticulously selected as study subjects. Employing a double-blind randomized table method, these patients were randomly allocated into three groups: the control group (n = 10), the Bifidobacterium bifidum tetragonum tablets group (n = 10), and the Jin Gui Ren Qi Pill group (n = 10). The control group received standard western medical treatments for diabetic nephropathy, including serum glucose, blood lipids, blood pressure management, and other conventional therapies. In addition to the standard treatments, the Bifidobacterium bifidum tetragonum tablets group received Bifidobacterium bifidum tetragonum tablets, while the Jin Gui Ren Qi Pill group received Jin Gui Ren Qi Pill. Before and after a 4-week treatment period, various baseline parameters were assessed, including fasting blood glucose, 2-h postprandial blood glucose, triglycerides, serum total cholesterol, serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, random urine microalbumin/creatinine ratio (ACR), blood creatinine (SCr), and traditional Chinese medicine evidence scores. Stool specimens were collected from all three groups before and after treatment for 16S rDNA high-throughput sequencing, followed by comprehensive analyses including OUT clustering, Alpha diversity, Beta diversity, species composition analysis, LEfSe analysis, and KEGG function prediction. Spearman correlation analysis was employed to explore the relationship between intestinal flora and clinical indicators. Furthermore, fasting peripheral venous blood was collected from patients in the Bifidobacterium tetrapunctate tablets group and the control group before and after intervention to measure the optical density values of tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a), interleukin-2 (IL-2), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) using the Beijing Biolite ELISA kit. This study was conducted with the approval of the Ethics Committee of Changzhi Medical College. Results: 1. The 2hPBG, total cholesterol and LDL levels were observed among patients with diabetic kidney disease (DKD) across all groups: the Jin Gui Ren Qi Pill group, the Bifidobacterium bifidum tetragonum tablets group, and the control group (p < 0.05). 2. The Jin Gui Ren Qi Pill demonstrated superior efficacy in alleviating TCM symptoms and reducing the ACR compared to both the Bifidobacterium bifidum tetragonum tablets group and the control group. Conversely, Bifidobacterium bifidum tetragonum tablets exhibited a more pronounced reduction in TC levels compared to both the Jin Gui Ren Qi Pill and control groups. Notably, Bifidobacterium bifidum tetragonum tablets effectively decreased (IL-2) levels in patients with DKD. 3. Bifidobacterium bifidum tetragonum tablets also demonstrated efficacy in reducing IL-2 levels in DKD patients. 4. Analysis of intestinal microorganism abundance and diversity before and after the intervention, as well as among the three groups, revealed no significant alterations. Similarly, comparisons of ACE, Chao, Simpson, and Shannon indices showed no statistically significant differences (p > 0.05). 5. Qualitative analysis of intestinal microorganisms before and after intervention, as well as among the three groups, indicated no significant differences. Anosim test results also did not reveal qualitative distinctions (Anosim test R = 0.021, p = 0.215). 6. LEfSe analysis unveiled a noteworthy increase in Prevotella_ 7 abundance within the Jin Gui Ren Qi Pill group post-intervention (p < 0.05). 7. Furthermore, Chinesemedicine evidence scores, body mass index, TC, and LDL levels correlated positively with the relative abundance of Tyzzerella_3 bacterial flora. Conversely, age, disease duration, and 2hPBG correlated positively with the relative abundance of Christensenellaceae_R_7 flora, while TC and LDL levels displayed a negative correlation with the relative abundance of Christensenellaceae_R_7 flora. Conclusion: The combination of Jin Gui Ren Qi Pill with western medical treatment exhibited superior efficacy in ameliorating clinical symptoms and reducing the ACR in patients with DKD compared to western medical treatment alone. Furthermore, this combination therapy led to an increase in the abundance of Prevotella_7 within the intestinal flora of patients, suggesting a potential enhancement in carbohydrate metabolism by the intestinal microbiota. On the other hand, Bifidobacterium bifidum tetragonum tablets bacterial tablets combined with western medical treatment demonstrated enhanced efficacy in reducing TC levels in DKD patients compared to western medical treatment alone. Additionally, this combination therapy effectively reduced the levels of IL-2 in DKD patients, thus mitigating inflammation in these individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evaluation of the stability of serum and plasma analytes under different temperatures and time points is vital since it significantly affects the pre-analytical errors. The aim of the study was to determine the stability of serum total cholesterol and triglyceride and plasma glucose of healthy individuals under different storage conditions (25-30°C and 2-8°C) and at different time points (1-hour, 4-hour, 6-hour, and 24-hour). Venous blood samples were collected from healthy individuals aged between 20-50 years after a 12-hour fast. Plasma and serum were separated and stored at different temperatures (25-30°C and 2-8°C) and different time points (1-hour, 4-hour, 6-hour, and 24-hour). Results indicated a significant difference between the mean plasma glucose concentration at room temperature (25-30°C) and refrigerated temperature (2-8°C) at 1-hour (0.072%, p = 0.05). However, there were no significant differences in mean serum total cholesterol concentrations (p = 0.633) and mean serum triglyceride concentrations (p = 0.246) between these temperatures at 1-hour time point. Regarding time points (1-hour, 4-hour, 6-hour, and 24-hour), significant differences in plasma glucose concentrations occurred at 24-hour (10.03%, p = 0.001) at room temperature (25-30°C) and 6-hour (8.79%, p = 0.003) at refrigerated temperature (2-8°C) compared to the 1-hour reference values. Additionally, there were significant differences in serum total cholesterol concentration at 4-hour (12.55%, p = 0.000) and serum triglyceride at 24-hour (29.18%, p = 0.001) compared to the reference values obtained at 1-hour at room temperature (25-30°C). No significant differences were observed among the time points (1-hour, 4-hour, 6-hour, and 24-hour) for serum total cholesterol (p = 0.507) and serum triglyceride values (p = 0.761) at refrigerated temperature (2-8°C). Plasma glucose is unstable at both room temperature (25-30°C) and refrigeration (2-8°C), with recommended testing within 6 hours at room temperature (25-30°C) and stored in a refrigerator (2-8°C) if delayed. It is better to estimate serum total cholesterol within 1-hour of collection at room temperature (25-30°C) while serum triglyceride concentration within 6 hours at the same temperature to obtain accurate and reliable results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To determine the association between serum lipid levels and primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). Methods: In this case-control study, 50 patients with POAG documented by clinical tests using standard ophthalmologic equipment and 50 age-matched controls were investigated. Twelve-hour fasting serum lipid profiles, including total cholesterol, serum triglycerides, low-density lipoproteins (LDLs), and high-density lipoproteins (HDLs), were compared between the cases and controls. Results: The mean age of cases and controls was 62.84 ± 9.68 and 60.12 ± 8.65, respectively (P = 0.65). High total cholesterol levels (>200 mg/dl) were found in 23 cases (46%) and 8 controls (16%); high serum triglyceride levels (>150 mg/dl) were found in 24 cases (48%) and 7 controls (14%); high LDL levels (130 mg/dl) were found in 28 cases (56%) and 9 controls (18%); and low HDL levels (

Purpose: To determine the association between serum lipid levels and primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). Methods: In this case-control study, 50 patients with POAG documented by clinical tests using standard ophthalmologic equipment and 50 age-matched controls were investigated. Twelve-hour fasting serum lipid profiles, including total cholesterol, serum triglycerides, low-density lipoproteins (LDLs), and high-density lipoproteins (HDLs), were compared between the cases and controls. Results: The mean age of cases and controls was 62.84 ± 9.68 and 60.12 ± 8.65, respectively (P = 0.65). High total cholesterol levels (>200 mg/dl) were found in 23 cases (46%) and 8 controls (16%); high serum triglyceride levels (>150 mg/dl) were found in 24 cases (48%) and 7 controls (14%); high LDL levels (130 mg/dl) were found in 28 cases (56%) and 9 controls (18%); and low HDL levels (<40 mg/dl) were found in 38 cases (76%) and 30 controls (60%). The mean total cholesterol levels were 205.24 ± 36.90 mg/dl in cases and 177.68 ± 22.56 mg/dl in controls (P < 0.001); the mean serum triglyceride levels were 150.42 ± 49.55 mg/dl and 130.84 ± 23.16 mg/dl, respectively (P = 0.013); and the mean LDL levels were 139.50 ± 31.03 mg/dl and 114.96 ± 17.73 mg/dl, respectively (P < 0.001). The mean cholesterol, triglyceride, and LDL levels were significantly higher in cases than in controls (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The present study shows that higher proportion of POAG patients have dyslipidemia compared to age-matched controls. Though these findings need to be replicated by others. This study opens new vistas for further studies, such as lowering dyslipidemia, lowering the intra-ocular pressure and incidence of POAG, and whether the use of statins to reduce dyslipidemia affects the progression of POAG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sensorineural hearing loss is the most frequent problem worldwide and is the most neglected condition. Thus, it is essential to understand the etiology and pathophysiology of SNHL. The main objective of the study is to find whether serum lipid parameters have any correlation with SNHL. 68 patients within the age group of 20–60 years with clinically diagnosed sensorineural hearing loss were included in this study. Informed written consent, otoscopy, pure tone audiometry were done on all patients. The subjects were subjected to Serum lipid profile. The mean age of subjects in this study was 53.25 ± 13.78 years and male to female ratio was found to be 1.125:1. The serum total cholesterol and serum triglyceride also showed significant relationship with the degree of hearing loss (p value < 0.001). With an increase in the serum LDL there was increase in the severity of hearing loss which was statistically significant (p value < 0.001) where as serum HDL level showed statistically insignificant and negative correlation with severity of hearing loss. Serum lipid profile can be used as important biomarker for assessing the severity of hearing loss. Subjects with deranged lipid parameters had higher degress of hearing impairement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Esophageal squamous cell cancer (ESCC) is a disease with a male predominance. Accordingly, the applicability of prognostic indicators values previously set for the general population with ESCC has not been reported for determining the physical state in females. Methods: Patients with ESCC were pooled from 2009 to 2017 at Sichuan Cancer Hospital. We determined the differences in the nutritional and inflammatory indicators between gender by sex-stratified survival analysis in all cohorts (n = 2,660) and matching cohorts (n = 483 pairs) separately. Propensity score matching (PSM) was employed to eliminate selection bias between genders. We further performed the prognostic value of total cholesterol (TC) by subgroup analysis in the female cohort. The area ROC curve was used to assess the predictive performance of TC in females. Results: There were a total of 2,660 patients with ESCC, of whom 2,173 (81.7%) were male and 487 (18.3%) were female. Before PSM, the prognostic nutritional index was an independent factor for OS in males but not in females. For cohort with or without matching, TC was an independent prognostic factor in females not for males. Furthermore, female patients with high TC level had significant poor OS in stages III and IV. The AUCs of TC were 0.63 and 0.70 for predicting 3- and 5-year OS, respectively. Conclusion: Based on a much larger cohort, we confirmed that gender was a significant prognostic factor for ESCC patients. Interestingly, we found a significant difference in TC related to ESCC prognosis between genders. Collectively, TC might be an independent prognostic factor in females with ESCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is a corrigendum for an article titled "Effects of Bifidobacterium bifidum tetragonum tablets and Jin Gui Ren Qi Pill on intestinal flora and metabolism in patients with diabetic kidney disease." The corrigendum addresses errors in the affiliations of the authors. The authors apologize for the errors and state that they do not affect the scientific conclusions of the article. The original article has been updated. The document also includes a note from the publisher stating that the claims expressed in the article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of their affiliated organizations or the publisher. The article is open access and was published in Frontiers in Pharmacology. [Extracted from the article]

Copyright of Journal of Modern Laboratory Medicine is the property of Journal of Modern Laboratory Medicine Editorial Department and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Introduction: Lipid profile changes are a major risk factor for the cardiovascular diseases with the increase in sedentary life style and smoking. Smoking may lead to alter the normal plasma lipoprotein pattern. Aim: To evaluate the lipid profile and atherogenic lipid ratios in the cigarette smokers. Materials and Methods: The present study was conducted on 480 healthy male individuals of which (n=340) were cigarette smokers and compared with the healthy age matched non-obese nonsmokers as controls (n=140). The lipid profile test was performed using the automated analyser and the atherogenic lipid ratios were calculated on excel. Statistical analysis was done using t-test on sophisticated tool. Results: Study shows that there was significantly increased levels of total cholesterol, Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (LDL-C), Triglyceride (TG), Very Low Density Lipoprotein (VLDL) in smokers and significantly lower levels of High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (HDL-C). The atherogenic ratios were statistically highly significant among the cigarette smokers compared to the non-smokers, showing the risk of the cardiac events higher among the smokers. Conclusion: Smokers had impaired lipid profile and higher atherogenic lipid ratios. This knowledge can be used to identify the increased risk of cardiovascular disease in clinical practice in patients with history of smoking. These finding add another health enhancing benefits for the smokers by cessation and educating them about ill events.

Increasing evidence suggests that serum lipids are associated with depressive symptoms. However, previous studies have mostly employed a cross-sectional design and assessed middle-aged or older adult populations, making it difficult to discern the impact of lipid changes early in life on the development of depression. Accordingly, we sought to investigate changes in blood cholesterol levels during adolescence and the development of depressive symptoms in early adulthood. This prospective cohort study included participants aged 15–16 years from the JS High School Study (JSHS), with an average follow-up of 6 years. Participants had no diagnosed depression at baseline. Multivariable linear regression models were used to estimate associations between changes in total cholesterol during adolescence and depressive symptoms in adulthood. Changes in total cholesterol during adolescence were classified as "consistently low," "decreased," "moderate," "increased," or "consistently high". In men, depressive symptoms were higher in the consistently low (β = 3.20, p = 0.036) and increased total cholesterol groups (β = 3.48, p = 0.017), compared with the moderate group. In the consistently high group, although a positive linear association was observed, it lacked statistical significance (β = 2.71, p = 0.067). While similar tendencies were noted in women, the associations were not statistically significant. Consistently low or increased total cholesterol levels during adolescence may pose an increased risk of depressive symptoms in early adulthood. These findings suggest that different strategies should be adopted to manage the lipid risk factors with consideration of age and sex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oxidative DNA damage pathogenically links to some major diseases. This study aimed to comprehensively assess the association between serum total cholesterol (TC) and oxidative DNA damage based on propensity score matching (PSM) method. A total of 407 participants chronically exposed to arsenic via drinking water from China were enrolled. Oxidative DNA damage was determined with urinary 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG). Serum TC was classified into favourable TC (FTC, TC <5.18 mmol/L) and unfavourable TC (NFTC, TC ≥5.18 mmol/L) categories. Multivariable generalised linear regression model was applied to examine the association. Of 407 participants, 125 pairs with FTC and NFTC subjects were matched using PSM. Urinary 8-OHdG/creatinine levels in NFTC were significantly higher than those in FTC category (p =.002). As compared to the counterparts, additional adjusted log-transformed 8-OHdG/creatinine increase was observed in NFTC for unmatched (β = 0.12, p =.052) and matched (β = 0.17, p <.001) participants, respectively. We also detected obviously increased log-transformed urinary 8-OHdG/creatinine with per interquartile range raise of serum TC either in unmatched (β = 0.10, p =.007) or matched (β = 0.16, p =.003) subjects. In conclusion, serum TC was independently associated with oxidative DNA damage. Our findings provided new insights on the health promotion of lipids relevant to the early warning of diseases due to oxidative DNA damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Donors who eat a fatty meal before donating blood are known to have an increased level of plasma triglyceride concentrations for several hours. This may contribute to "milky-white" appearance of their plasma samples. We herein report the case of a blood donor who gave a history of the intake of a fatty meal, on the night prior to donation. This was affirmed by his serum lipid concentration done on the following day and on repeating the same subsequently after two weeks of donation respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The coconut kernel residues are underutilized by products in coconut milk and coconut oil industries. The residue from coconut milk (MR) and virgin coconut milk (VOR) can be used effectively for human consumption. Therefore, studying its nutritional effects on serum lipid profile is very important to promote for human consumption. The objective of this study was to determine the nutritional effect of VOR and MR incorporated diets on serum lipid profile of rats. The experimental diet was prepared by incorporating 10% or 20% VOR or 10% or 20% MR. The control diet did not include VOR or MR. The blood samples were drawn at base level and thereafter at 30 days intervals. The initial concentrations were compared with the concentrations at each days using unpaired t test for testing significant differences (p=0.05). The increase of serum TC concentration of rats fed with 10 and 20% MR and 20% VOR was19%, 17% and 16% respectively while the increase shown by control group and 10% VOR group was 20% and 22% respectively at 120 days although there is no significant change. Significant increase in serum HDL-C was shown by rats fed with 20% VOR in 30 days. Triacylglyceride, TAG, concentrations of rats fed with 20% VOR significantly decreased significantly by 22% in 120 days while the control group increased significantly by 31%. However, 10% VOR and 20% MR fed group showed insignificant decrease in serum TAG. This study reveals that VOR and MR can potentially decrease the serum level of TC and TAGs in human. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Backgrounds and aims To analyze whether serum cholesterol and albumin may be factors associated with early and late mortality, independent from other variables such as comorbidity, functional and mental status, in very old patients admitted with acute illness. Methods Prospective study of all patients admitted for medical causes in the year 2009. The primary outcome was the mortality at 6 and 36 months in relation to serum levels of albumin (categorized as > 3.5 g/dL; 3–3.5 and < 3 g/dL) and total cholesterol (grouped as quartiles). Multivariate Cox regression analysis adjusted for age, sex, diagnosis at admission, premorbid functional and mental status, functional decline at admission and comorbidity was performed to determine whether these serum parameters were associated with mortality at 6 and 36 months. Results One thousand two hundred and eighty-eight patients were studied, mean age 86.7 years (SD 6.69), 66.1% female. During follow-up, 848 patients died. In Cox regression multivariate analysis, decreased albumin was significantly associated with increased mortality at 6 months [HR: 1.55 (CI95% = 1.03–2.34) for 3–3.5 g/dL albumin, and HR: 1.82 (CI95% = 1.15–2.86) for albumin < 3 g/dL] and after 3 years [HR 1.39 (CI95% = 1.07–1.80) for 3–3.5 albumin; and HR 1.66 (CI95% = 1.22–2.66) for albumin < 3 g/dL]. Decreased cholesterol was associated with increased mortality, losing significance when this was adjusted for variables that influence prognosis in the elderly. Conclusions In very old patients admitted for acute medical conditions decreased levels of albumin may be associated with increased mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & aims: Elevated serum total cholesterol levels are associated with increased risk of cardiovascular mortality among middle aged adults, but not the elderly. We therefore examined whether increased serum total cholesterol reduces mortality risk in the hospitalized elderly. Methods: Of 1852 patients consecutively admitted to an acute geriatric department from 1/1/99-12/31/ 00, only 298 (49.6% males, mean age 81.36 ± 6.3 years) who had measured serum total cholesterol and albumin levels were included in the study and followed until August 31, 2004. Mortality data were extracted from their death certificates. Results: During follow-up of 3.47 ± 1.87 years, 248 patients died. These patients had significantly lower levels of baseline serum total cholesterol (183.3 i 45.4 vs. 200.2 ± 37.9, p = 0.01 ) and albumin (3.6 + 0.5 vs. 3.8 + 0.3 g/l, p = 0.002) than the survivors. In the Cox regression analysis, serum total cholesterol emerged as a significant, independent predictor of mortality in this cohort. Specifically, each 1 mg/dl increase in serum total cholesterol reduced risk of death by 0.4%. This association persisted even after controlling for serum creatinine, age, body mass index, dementia and congestive heart failure. These factors were also significantly, independently associated with mortality. Conclusion: In very elderly hospitalized subjects, increased levels of serum total cholesterol and albumin may he associated with reduced mortality risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Archives of Cardiovascular Diseases is the property of Elsevier B.V. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

An experiment was conducted to investigate the possible use of anise (Pimpinella anisum) and/or α-tocopheryl acetate as dietary supplements on the performance and some egg quality characteristics of laying Japanese quail. One hundred and eight Coturnix japonica quail (72 females and 36 males), 149 days old, were randomly allocated to four equal groups with three subgroups of nine birds each (six females and three males). A commercial laying diet was fed to the control group (Group A). The remaining three groups received the same diet supplemented with anise seed at 10 g/kg (Group B) or 20 g/kg (Group C), or additional 600 mg α-tocopheryl acetate/kg (Group D). The birds were given feed and water ad libitum for a period of 29 days, while being kept under commercial conditions. During the experiment, egg production, feed consumption and mortality were recorded daily. Also, at the end of experiment, egg weight, egg yolk, albumen and shell weight percentages, egg yolk colour (using the L*a*b* colour space), blood serum total cholesterol and triglycerides concentrations were determined. Neither the supplementation of anise nor that of α-tocopheryl had any effect on the performance of the birds or the quality of their eggs, except for a significant change of the colour of the egg yolk. Cholesterol concentration in the serum tended to decrease with the addition of anise to the diet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study was performed to clarify variations in breath isoprene concentrations with age, gender, body mass index (BMI) and total serum cholesterol. Our cohort consisted of 205 adult volunteers of different smoking background without health complaints. Total cholesterol in blood serum was measured in 79 of these volunteers. Methods: Mixed expiratory exhaled breath was sampled using Tedlar bags. Concentrations of isoprene were then determined using proton transfer reaction-mass spectrometry. Results: Isoprene concentrations ranged from 5.8 to 274.9 ppb, with an overall geometric mean (GM) of 99.3 ppb. There was no statistically significant difference in mean isoprene in breath between males and females (GM 105.4 and 95.5 ppb, respectively). Ageing led to a decrease in concentration in men, with an estimated slope of the regression line for log-transformed isoprene concentrations of –0.0049, but did not influence isoprene levels in women. We did not observe any significant correlation between isoprene breath content and cholesterol level in blood, even after adjusting for the possible influence of age. Similarly, no correlation was found between isoprene levels and BMI. Conclusions: Isoprene concentrations in exhaled breath showed gender-specific correlations with respect to age. Further investigations are necessary to clarify the relation between isoprene concentrations in exhaled breath and cholesterol levels and synthesis rates in blood. Clin Chem Lab Med 2008;46:1011–8. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An experiment was conducted to determine the responses of broiler chickens to organic copper (Cu), fed in the form of copper–methionine (Cu–Met) chelate. Two hundred day-old Ross 208 broiler chicks were purchased from a commercial supplier and randomly placed into 20 cages of 10 birds each (five males and five females). Maize/soyabean-based basal diets (broiler starter and broiler finisher) were formulated and supplemented with 0 (control), 50, 100, 150 or 200 mg Cu/kg from Cu–Met chelate, an organic source of Cu. Each dietary treatment was randomly allocated to four replicate cages. Broiler starter diet was fed to chicks from week 1 through week 3 followed by feeding a finisher diet for an additional 2 weeks. Weight gain was improved by 2–4% due to supplementation of Cu–Met chelate but none of the diets showed any significant difference from the control. The birds that received Cu–Met chelate consumed more feed during weeks 1–5 in a negative quadratic fashion (P < 0.05). Feed conversion ratios (FCR) showed negative quadratic responses during weeks 1–5 (P < 0.05) but appeared to be improved at the highest level (200 mg/kg) although there was no statistical difference from the control. There was no effect of Cu–Met chelate on gizzard erosion. Dietary treatments showed linear increase in serum total cholesterol (P < 0.01). There was a significant increase (40%) in serum total cholesterol at 150 mg/kg (P < 0.05). Serum TG showed significant reductions (P < 0.01) at both 100 and 150 mg/kg (35% and 34% reduction, respectively). The serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL) remained unaffected. There was a linear increase in the accumulation of Cu in the liver (P < 0.01) with significant difference from the control at 200 mg/kg supplemental level (P < 0.01). Excretion of Cu in excreta increased significantly (P < 0.01) from the control at all dietary levels of supplementation with a peak concentration at 150 mg/kg level. Accumulation of fat in the liver increased linearly (P < 0.05) with increasing level of Cu–Met chelate in the diet although this increase was not statistically detectable from the control at any dietary levels. However, dietary supplementation of Cu–Met chelate did not alter fat digestibility and concentration of fat in excreta.In conclusion, dietary supplementation of organic Cu in the form of Cu–Met had no significant effect on growth performance apart from linear and quadratic responses in FCR. It may alter lipid metabolism in broilers. It has a linear effect on the accumulation of Cu and fat in liver. It also increases excretion of Cu in the excreta. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

OBJECTIVES: To explore the effect of inflammation and undernutrition on the association between hypocholesterolemia and higher overall mortality in high-functioning older persons. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Three U.S. communities. PARTICIPANTS: A cohort of 870 participants from the MacArthur Studies of Successful Aging. MEASUREMENTS: Baseline information was obtained for serum levels of cholesterol, C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, and albumin; body mass index; prevalent medical conditions; health behaviors; and medications. Crude and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to examine the association between serum total cholesterol levels and 7-year all-cause mortality, while adjusting for potential confounders. RESULTS: In univariate analysis, the risk ratio of low serum total cholesterol level (<169 mg/dL) for 7-year total mortality was 1.90 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.18–3.07). The multiple adjusted risk ratios were 1.82 (95% CI = 1.10–3.00) after controlling for markers of inflammation and nutrition and 1.39 (95% CI = 0.80–2.40) after adjustment for additional cardiovascular risk factors. Sex was an important confounding variable that contributed to the observed inverse association between low serum cholesterol and overall mortality in univariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Hypocholesterolemia is not an independent risk factor for increased overall mortality in high-functioning community-dwelling older men and women. The association between low total cholesterol and high mortality observed in crude analysis is mainly confounded by common cardiovascular risk factors, rather than underlying inflammation or undernutrition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To examine a long-term effect of community-based education program for hypercholesterolemia and an effect modification by apolipoprotein E polymorphism, we conducted a 1-year randomized clinical trial with 8 year-follow-up. One hundred four persons aged 40–64 years who had serum total cholesterol levels between 6.21 and 7.73 mmol/l (240 and 299 mg/dl) in 1988–89 cardiovascular risk surveys were enrolled in the trial. The intervention group (n=51, 82% for women) attended eight education classes in 1 year, while the control group (n=53, 85% for women) attended only two classes. Both groups were invited to the subsequent annual surveys. The mean serum cholesterol was 0.24–0.26 mmol/l less in the intervention than in the control group at both 6 month and 1 year (P=0.03, each) while the proportion of subjects using hypolipidemic agents was 0 and 6% in both groups, respectively. During 8-year follow-up, the probability of using hypolipidemic agents and/or total cholesterol &ges;7.76 mmol/l was 51% in the education group and 69% in the control group; the risk ratio in the intervention vs control groups was 0.62 (95% CI: 0.36–1.06). When stratified by the apolipoprotein E polymorphism examined for 78% of the subjects, the risk ratio was 0.61 (0.31–1.18) among subjects without e4 allele (n=59) and 0.55 (0.14–2.14) among those with e4 allele (n=22). The intervention group had reduced intake of egg, fish egg, butter, mayonnaise and fatty meat compared to the control group at 6-month, 1- and 8-year follow-up. In conclusion, our community-based program was effective in reducing serum total cholesterol levels non-pharmacologically during the first year, and also reduced the likelihood of progressive worsening of hypercholesterolemia during the subsequent 8 years, regardless of the apolipoprotein E polymorphism. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Lipid profile of 50 offsprings of parents with ischemic heart disease and 15 control children aged 5-16 years was studied. The children in both the groups were categorized into 3 sub groups, 5-10, 11-15 & > 15 years. The Serum total cholesterol levels (mean +/- S.D) (in mg/dl) in the test group were 169.8 +/- 15.13, 173.34 +/- 33.56, 177.4 +/- 27.89 respectively for the 3 age subgroups. The Serum LDL cholesterol levels (mean +/- S.D) (in mg/dl) in the test group were 102.2 +/- 15.25, 95.13 +/- 30.38, 101.09 +/- 26.96 respectively. The serum total cholesterol levels (mean +/- S.D) (in mg/dl) in the control group were 123 +/- 1.33, 118 +/- 7.51 and 127.4 +/- 5.77 respectively for the 3 age subgroups. The serum LDL cholesterol levels (mean + S.D) (in mg/dl) in the control group were 56.64 +/- 8.75, 43.36 +/- 6.10 and 45.16 +/- 6.78 respectively. The serum total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels in the test group were significantly higher as compared to controls (p > 0.05). Among test subjects, 54% had elevated total cholesterol (> 170 mg/dl) and 38% had elevated LDL cholesterol (> 110 mg/dl). These cases had a significant correlation with elevated parental total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels (p > 0.05). Thus, a selective screening of the offsprings of parents with premature ischemic heart disease and hypercholesterolemia is advocated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A cross-sectional study on 222 elderly subjects was carried out at Health Centers in 10 subdistricts in south Jakarta, Indonesia. The anthropometric data (body mass index (BMI), body fat distribution), fasting blood glucose, serum total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and triglycerides were assessed. There was a positive correlation between body fat distribution and serum lipid concentration (total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides). Body fat distribution appears to be a stronger determinant of serum lipids than BMI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risks in chronic hemodialysis patients. Background. Cardiovascular diseases are the most common causes of death among chronic hemodialysis patients, yet the risk factors for these events have not been well established. Methods. In this cross-sectional study, we examined the relationship between several traditional cardiovascular disease risk factors and the presence or history of cardiovascular events in 936 hemodialysis patients enrolled in the baseline phase of the Hemodialysis Study sponsored by the U.S. National Institutes of Health. The adjusted odds ratios for each of the selected risk factors were estimated using a multivariable logistic regression model, controlling for the remaining risk factors, clinical center, and years on dialysis. Results. Forty percent of the patients had coronary heart disease. Nineteen percent had cerebrovascular disease, and 23% had peripheral vascular disease. As expected, diabetes and smoking were strongly associated with cardiovascular diseases. Increasing age was also an important contributor, especially in the group less than 55 years and in nondiabetic patients. Black race was associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular diseases than non-blacks. Interestingly, neither serum total cholesterol nor predialysis systolic blood pressure was associated with coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, or peripheral vascular disease. Further estimation of the coronary risks in our cohort using the Framingham coronary point score suggests that traditional risk factors are inadequate predictors of coronary heart disease in hemodialysis patients. Conclusions. Some of the traditional coronary risk factors in the general population appear to be also applicable to the hemodialysis population, while other factors did not correlate with atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases in this cross-sectional study. Nontraditional risk factors, including the uremic milieu and perhaps the hemodialysis... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mean serum total cholesterol levels appear to be higher in the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) than in the United States (US) while coronary heart disease death rates are lower. The study examined possible factors for the difference including possible differences in laboratory methodology. Cross-sectional data from the first two waves of the German National Health Surveys (1984–1986 and 1987–1989; n = 9709) and from the Second National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1976–1980; n = 7832) were compared for men and women 25–69 years of age. The influence of age, body mass index, diet, cigarette smoking, education, income, use of oral contraceptives or antihypertensive agents, alcohol consumption and potential differences in laboratory measurement were explored using multiple regression techniques separately for men and women for ages 25–39, 40–59 and 60–69 years of age. Overall ages, unadjusted mean total cholesterol levels were higher in German than US men (6.02 vs. 5.64 mmol/l) and in German than US women (6.04 vs. 5.80 mmol/l) as were HDL cholesterol levels (men: 1.30 vs 1.14 mmol/l; women: 1.65 vs. 1.38 mmol/l). Adjusting for lifestyle factors explained, on the average, 40% of the differences in mean total cholesterol of which half or 20% was accounted for by adjusting for alcohol intake. Adjusting for possible laboratory differences explained, on the average, an additional 30% of the differences. Frequency of alcohol intake was the most important factor in explaining differences in mean HDL cholesterol levels. Adjustment for differences in alcohol intake had negligible effects on reducing the differences in mean non-HDL cholesterol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the effects of the job demands-control model on arterial blood pressure, serum total cholesterol, and smoking in male daytime and rotating-shift workers in Japan. Methods: The survey was conducted for all employees of an electrical factory in Japan using a mailed questionnaire concerning three job stressors, i.e., job overload, work-pace control, and work-site social support. A blood sample was taken at the same time. Data on 1 703 male daytime workers and 1 173 male rotating-shift workers were analyzed. Multiple logistic regression or analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) were employed to determine the effects of the job stressors on systolic and diastolic blood pressure, serum total cholesterol, and smoking with control for other covariates. Results: Among daytime workers, systolic and diastolic blood pressures were highest in the “high-strain” (i.e., higher job overload + lower work-pace control) group; ANCOVA indicated that a two-way interaction between job overload and work-pace control was significant ( P < 0.01). This tendency was not observed among rotating-shift workers. The number of cigarettes smoked per day was greater in groups with lower work-pace control and lower work-site social support among daytime workers (two-way interaction between these two job stressors, P < 0.05); it was greater in groups with lower work-site social support among rotating-shift workers (main effect of work-site social support, P < 0.05). Conclusions: Our study suggest that job strain as defined in the job demands-control model is associated with increased systolic and diastolic blood pressures in male daytime workers in Japan. Smoking might be affected by lower work-site social support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: No one has previously examined the relation of serum total cholesterol, serum triglycerides and fasting plasma glucose to colorectal carcinoma in situ.Methods: A case-control study was performed with 129 cases of colorectal carcinoma in situ and 258 matched controls among examinees undergoing a health check-up in Tokyo from January 1991 to March 1993.Results: There was a significant, positive association between serum total cholesterol levels and the risk of colorectal carcinoma in situ after adjustment for age, sex, body mass index, smoking status and alcohol consumption. Serum triglyceride levels were significantly and positively associated with colorectal carcinoma in situ risk regardless of adjustment for the above covariates. Although there was no clear relation between colorectal carcinoma in situ and fasting plasma glucose levels, a modest increase of colorectal carcinoma in situ risk was observed in the highest category (> or =116 mg/dl) of fasting plasma glucose levels.Conclusions: The findings suggest a positive association between serum total cholesterol levels and the risk of colorectal cancer, rather than an inverse relation. The strong association with serum triglyceride levels and the weak association with fasting plasma glucose levels support the hypothesis that hyperinsulinaemia may play an important role in colorectal carcinogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forty-seven noninstitutionalized, postmenopausal women received 200 μg of Cr (III), in the form of CrCl in water, daily, for 10 wk and 39 received placebo (distilled water), in a double-blind experimental design. Serum total cholesterol (total C), HDL cholesterol (HDLC), and triglyceride levels were measured before and after the supplementation period, using enzymatic colorimetric methods. Sixty-three percent of the subjects reported taking medications at the time of the study. Consequently, medicated subjects were classfied into three groups; group 1, those receiving drugs with neutral or unknown effect on serum lipid levels; group 2, those receiving drugs with the potential to decrease serum lipid levels; and group 3, those receiving drugs with the potential to increase serum lipid levels. There were no significant differences in the mean serum total C or triglyceride levels in the nonmedicated or medicated groups, following supplementation with Cr or placebo. In contrast, increases in mean serum HDLC levels were observed in both the Cr-supplemented nonmedicated and medicated groups and the placebo nonmedicated and medicated groups, at the end of the study period. Small decreases in the mean serum total C:HDL ratio also occurred in the nonmedicated Cr-supplemented ( p<0.01) and nonmedicated placebo groups. Although our results fail to demonstrate effects of inorganic Cr supplementation on either serum total C, serum HDLC, or serum triglycerides, it is important to point out that this may be a result of, in part, the chosen form and mode of administration of Cr. Additional studies, preferably with food-form sources of Cr, are necessary to establish the role, if any, of Cr on these physiological parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]