Lipids最新文献

The lipid profiles of highlanders and lowlanders differ. However, studies of the lipid profiles of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) living at high altitudes are limited. This study aimed to compare lipid profiles and lipoprotein particles in individuals with T2DM permanently residing in the Tibetan Plateau and those residing in the lowlands. This cross-sectional study included 117 individuals with T2DM from the lowlands (n = 78) and highlands (n = 39). Demographic information, clinical features, blood biochemical indices, and standard lipid concentrations were recorded and evaluated. Low-density lipoprotein particles (LDL-Ps) and LDL subfractions were compared between the groups. Additionally, the risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) was assessed. The standard lipid profile and nuclear magnetic resonance-measured lipid panel showed no significant differences in terms of triglyceride, total cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. However, highlanders exhibited a higher mean level of LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) than lowlanders. The LDL-P mean level was significantly higher in highlanders than in lowlanders. Small-density LDL (sdLDL) showed no distinct difference between the two groups. Furthermore, the 10-year risks of ASCVD were slightly higher in highlanders than in lowlanders, although the difference was not statistically significant. Individuals with T2DM living at highland altitudes have higher LDL-C and LDL-P levels than those living in lowlands. No difference was observed in the sdLDL levels between the two populations. These discrepancies may carry profound implications for the clinical management of T2DM and the prevention of cardiovascular diseases in high-altitude areas.

In fishery industries, large amounts of byproducts are discarded during processing; therefore, their use as a source of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) is beneficial. In this study, we evaluated the potential anti-allergic effect of lysophosphatidylcholine (Lyso-PtdCho) derived from squid skin phosphatidylcholine (PtdCho) by measuring the production of leukotriene (LT) B₄ and C₄, which are chemical mediators produced by mast cells in immediate allergic reactions. Squid Lyso-PtdCho, with docosahexaenoic acid exclusively esterified at the sn-2 position, significantly inhibited LT production, whereas the original PtdCho obtained from squid skin showed no inhibitory activity. Lyso-PtdCho prepared from starfish viscera PtdCho, which exclusively binds eicosapentaenoic acid at the sn-2 position, also inhibited LT production, although the effect was moderate compared with that of the squid Lyso-PtdCho. It has been suggested that Lyso-PtdCho containing n-3 PUFA may alleviate allergic symptoms and contribute to the effective utilization of fishery wastes and processing byproducts.

Poor sleep is linked to an increased risk of metabolic, cardiovascular, psychiatric, and neurodegenerative diseases, highlighting its emergence as a public health concern. Previous studies demonstrated the harmful effects of trans fatty acids (TFAs) on human health. However, the association between TFAs and sleep outcomes is still not well-established. The current study aimed to investigate the relationship between plasma elaidic acid, a major TFA, and sleep complaints. The participants from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) (2009–2010) were included. The plasma concentration of elaidic acid (18:1n-9t) was determined using the gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) method. The sleep outcome was defined based on the following questionnaire: “Ever told the doctor had trouble sleeping?” and “Ever told by a doctor have a sleep disorder?”. Participants were classified as having sleep complaints if they ever told a doctor or been told by a doctor about trouble sleeping. The association between plasma elaidic acid and sleep complaints was investigated by multivariable logistic regressions, restricted cubic spline (RCS), and subgroup analysis. A total of 2068 participants were included, 561 of whom suffered from sleep complaints. The restricted cubic spline (RCS) regression analysis revealed a nonlinear (inverted L-shaped) relationship between plasma elaidic acid level and sleep complaints (p = 0.044), with an inflection point of 9.598 μmol/L. In the group with a low plasma elaidic acid level (≤9.598 μmol/L), there was a positive association between plasma elaidic acid level and the prevalence of sleep complaints (OR 1.28; 95% CI: 1.06–1.54, p = 0.01). When the plasma elaidic acid level was more than 9.598 μmol/L, the correlation was not statistically significant. Results were robust when analyses were stratified by sex, age, race, marital status, education level, family income, and BMI (all p for interaction >0.05). The results revealed a positive association between plasma elaidic acid and sleep complaints in US adults when plasma elaidic acid level ≤9.598 μmol. Given that the plasma TFA content has considerably declined in recent years, the detrimental impact of elaidic acid on sleep quality deserves more attention.

Diet plays an important role in the composition of gut microbiota. Emerging research suggests that bone homeostasis can also be influenced by the gut microbiota. The aim of this study was to assess possible alterations in gut microbiota in an experimental obesity model induced by a high-fat diet (HFD) and the possible effects on parameters of bone metabolism and remodeling. Male Wistar rats were fed a HFD (60% lipids) or standard (control) diet for 14 weeks. Biochemical and hormonal parameters, bone histomorphometry, bone protein levels, and gut microbiota composition were analyzed. HFD animals exhibited a greater gut microbiota α-diversity represented by the Shannon Index and an increased relative abundance of the Proteobacteria phylum. Histomorphometry detected lower bone formation in the HFD group, accompanied by increased levels of serum and bone leptin and FGF-23 (fibroblast growth factor-23). The Shannon Index was correlated directly with bone FGF-23 (R 0.96, p = 0.04) and inversely with the osteoblastic surface (R −0.95, p = 0.04). The present study disclosed a significant increase in gut microbiota α-diversity and relative abundance of Proteobacteria phylum in obese animals fed a high-fat diet in parallel with increased levels of bone and serum leptin and FGF-23 and lower bone formation. The associations of Shannon Index with bone levels of FGF-23 and reduced osteoblastic surface suggest a link between HFD-induced higher gut microbiota diversity and low bone formation.

The long-chain n-3 fatty acids (FA) eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) have human health benefits, and many experiments have investigated the ability of plant n-3 sources to enrich n-3 FA in broiler meat. A meta-regression was conducted to evaluate the relationship between dietary 18-carbon n-3 FA content and the deposition of EPA, docosapentaenoic acid (DPA), and DHA in broiler breast and liver tissue. Bivariate regression of total diet 18-carbon n-3 and tissue FA profile was modeled with the random effect of experiment and the partial R² was calculated. Increasing 18C n-3 FA in the diet quadratically increased the log₁₀ concentration of all n-3 FA in breast tissue. The strongest relationship was found for breast alpha-linolenic (partial R² = 0.55), followed by EPA, DPA, and DHA (partial R² = 0.20, 0.14, and 0.05). Liver enrichment of EPA, DPA, and DHA (all partial R² > 0.43) and EPA + DHA (partial R² = 0.55) was quadratically related to dietary 18C n-3 FA, while liver EPA + DPA + DHA (partial R² = 0.43) was linearly related to dietary 18C n-3 FA. In both breast and liver, the plateau in tissue enrichment was more apparent for DHA than EPA, with DPA being intermediate. A linear plateau model fit the data with a break point for enriching EPA and DHA in breast muscle at 22.4 and 17.9 g/kg of 18C n-3 FA in the diet, respectively. Enrichment of long-chain n-3 FA in broiler chickens was saturable, with little justification for feeding beyond approximately 20 g/kg 18C n-3 FA.

Lactobacillus plantarum fermented barley extract (LFBE) has a potent anti-obesity effect on high-fat-diet fed (HFD) obese rats. However, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Herein, we investigated the anti-obesity effect and mechanism of LFBE in 3 T3-L1 preadipocytes and HFD-induced obese rats. LFBE significantly inhibited lipid accumulation by decreasing the expression of adipogenesis-related transcription factors, including peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR-γ) and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBP-α) in differentiated 3 T3-L1 cells. The expression levels of adiponectin, acetyl CoA carboxylase (ACC), and fatty acid synthase (FAS) were also suppressed in differentiated three T3-L1 cells. Administration of LFBE significantly reduced insulin resistance, blood lipid profiles, and improved metabolic hormones in HFD-induced obese rats. Furthermore, the serum pro-inflammatory cytokines including CRP, IL-6, TNFα, and INFγ in HFD-induced obese rats were significantly decreased after LFBE administration. LFBE treatment also attenuated oxidative stress in HFD-induced obese rats by decreasing MDA production and restoring SOD and catalase enzymatic activity. Administration of LFBE could modulate gut microbiota imbalance by increasing the abundance of Lactobacillus and Ruminococcaceae UCG-014 and decreasing Prevotella-9 at the genus level and restoring intestinal barrier dysfunction in HFD-induced obesity rats. Taken together, our study indicated that LFBE is a promising candidate for treating obesity through multiple mechanisms.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common chronic liver diseases and is associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Both docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and medium chain triglycerides (MCTs) play essential roles in lipid metabolism and the inhibition of amyloid-β (Aβ) accumulation. We aimed to explore the possible association between cerebral Aβ deposition and the development of NAFLD and to investigate the effect of DHA combined with MCTs on delaying NAFLD progression and Aβ accumulation. To this end, 40 three-month-old APP/PS1 male mice were randomly assigned to 4 groups. The mice were fed a control diet, a DHA (2.91 g/kg) diet, an MCTs (100 g/kg) diet, or a DHA + MCTs diet for 8 months. Ten C57BL/6J mice were fed a control diet and used as the wild-type (WT) group. The results indicated that APP/PS1 mice exhibited NAFLD and cerebral Aβ accumulation. DHA combined with MCTs decreased blood and liver lipids, relieved hepatic steatosis and fat accumulation, and decreased the level of Aβ in the brain and serum. Moreover, DHA combined with MCTs significantly upregulated the levels of Aβ clearance-related proteins in the liver, modulated the expression of key hepatic lipid metabolism enzymes and upstream hepatic lipid metabolism factors. In conclusion, compared with wild-type mice, APP/PS1 mice may be more sensitive to changes in lipid metabolism due to the accumulation of Aβ. DHA combined with MCTs alleviated NAFLD and decreased brain and serum Aβ levels in APP/PS1 mice compared with the control group. The possible mechanism may involve affecting hepatic fat and cholesterol metabolism and increasing hepatic Aβ clearance by modulating liver lipid metabolism enzymes.

The aim of this study was to investigate the association between lipid levels and mortality in individuals hospitalized (ward/intensive care unit) for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This retrospective cohort study was conducted with COVID-19 patients admitted to a public hospital between April 2020 and 2021. Age, sex, and chronic disease status of the participants were analyzed as general information. Information on biochemical tests (high-density lipoprotein [HDL], low-density lipoprotein [LDL], triglycerides, total cholesterol, c-reactive protein [CRP]) and haemogram parameters were obtained from the hospital's automated system. The study sample consisted of 501 COVID-19 patients aged 24–94 years. According to mortality status, total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, and lymphocyte levels were higher, while CRP, neutrophil, and white blood cell levels were lower in survivors (p < 0.05). The risk of mortality was found to be higher with lower LDL and HDL cholesterol levels in COVID-19 patients (p < 0.05). The results of this study showed that alterations in lipoprotein metabolism are associated with mortality in COVID-19 patients. Therefore, it is important to evaluate and monitor the blood lipid profile in COVID-19 patients.

Various methods exist for identifying and quantifying lipid unsaturation, including mass spectrometry and Raman spectroscopy. A disadvantage of these existing approaches is the need for sophisticated equipment and software, placing them beyond the means of many laboratories. The iodine value (IV) is a colorimetric unsaturation index; however, it uses iodine monochloride, a hazardous chemical, and considerable amounts of sample. Here, we demonstrate the first use of a miniaturized IV method that requires only milliliter quantities of hazardous chemicals and sample sizes such that it is feasible to assay biological membranes. Briefly, lipids are exposed to iodine monochloride, resulting in the replacement of unsaturated bonds with di-halogenated single bonds. Potassium iodide then reacts with unreacted iodine monochloride forming I₂, which is quantified through titration with sodium thiosulfate. To demonstrate the biological relevance of our assay, membrane lipids of Escherichia coli grown at 30, 37, and 42°C were analyzed, with IV increasing as temperature decreased, as would be expected. Importantly, multiple samples could be rapidly and simultaneously analyzed in a reproducible assay that did not require sophisticated equipment or data analysis methods. Our miniaturized IV assay will benefit laboratories with limited access to sophisticated equipment and enable the rapid determination of lipid unsaturation in milligram-scale samples.

Rheumatic heart valvular disease (RHVD) is primarily characterized by immune-mediated damage following infection with Streptococcus pyogenes, leading to inflammation and subsequent valvular dysfunction. Traditionally, the focus has been on the immunological aspects of this disease; however, emerging evidence suggests that lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] may play a crucial role not only in atherosclerosis but also in the pathophysiology of calcific aortic valve disease. Given the inflammatory nature of RHVD and the pro-inflammatory and pro-calcific properties of Lp(a), this study aimed to investigate the relationship between serum Lp(a) levels and the severity of RHVD. In this cross-sectional study, we included 40 RHVD patients and 40 age- and sex-matched controls. Serum Lp(a) analysis was performed in all patients. We analyzed demographic and echocardiographic parameters and the relationship between serum Lp(a) concentrations and echocardiographic parameters. The mean age of the patient population was 50 ± 11 years and 47 (72%) were female. Lp(a) was higher in the RHVD group than in the control group (21 [19–49] vs. 17 [12–19] mg/dL; p < 0.001). Serum Lp(a) correlated positively with left atrial diameter (rho = 0.438; p = 0.005), estimated pulmonary artery systolic pressure (rho = 0.390; p = 0.019), Wilkins score (rho = 0.482; p = 0.002), number of valves involved (rho = 0.397; p = 0.011), aortic regurgitation grade (rho = 0.373; p = 0.018) and negatively correlated with mitral valve area (rho = −0.413; p = 0.008). In conclusion, serum Lp(a) concentrations were higher in patients with RHVD than in the control group and were positively correlated with disease severity indicators, including mitral stenosis grade, Wilkins score, aortic regurgitation grade, left atrial diameter, and estimated pulmonary artery systolic pressure.