El ácido nicotínico aumenta el transporte celular de colesterol de las lipoproteínas de alta densidad en pacientes con hipoalfalipoproteinemia / Nicotinic acid increases cellular transport of high density lipoprotein cholesterol in patients with hypoalphalipoproteinemia

Background: Plasma high density lipoproteins (HDL) are involved in reverse cholesterol transport mediated by the scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-BI). Nicotinic acid increases HDL cholesterol levels, even though its specific impact on SR-BI dependent-cellular cholesterol transport remains unknown. Aim: To determine the effect of nicotinic acid on HDL particle functionality in cholesterol efflux and uptake mediated by SR-BI in cultured cells in hypoalphalipoproteinemic patients. Material and Methods: In a pilot study, eight patients with low HDL (≤ 40 mg/dL) were treated with extended release nicotinic acid. HDL cholesterol and phospholipid levels, HDL2 and HDL3 fractions and HDL particle sizes were measured at baseline and post-therapy. Before and after nicotinic acid treatment, HDL particles were used for cholesterol transport studies in cells transfected with SR-BI. Results: Nicotinic acid treatment raised total HDL cholesterol and phospholipids, HDL2 levels as well as HDL particle size. Nicotinic acid significantly increased HDL cholesterol efflux and uptake capacity mediated by SR-BI in cultured cells. Conclusions: Nicotinic acid therapy increases SR-BI-dependent HDL cholesterol transport in cultured cells, establishing a new cellular mechanism by which this lipid-lowering drug appears to modulate HDL metabolism in patients with hypoalphalipoproteinemia.

Simultaneous transfer of cholesterol, triglycerides, and phospholipids to high-density lipoprotein in aging subjects with or without coronary artery disease

OBJECTIVE: To verify whether the capacity of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) to simultaneously receive nonesterified cholesterol, triglycerides, cholesteryl esters, and phospholipids changes with aging and the presence of coronary artery disease. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study with biochemical analyses. SUBJECTS: Eleven elderly patients with coronary artery disease (74±5 years) were compared with the following groups of non-coronary artery disease subjects (referred to as "healthy"): 25 young (25±5 years), 25 middle-aged (42± years), and 25 elderly subjects (75±8 years). METHODS: Plasma samples were incubated with a nanoemulsion labeled with radioactive lipids; the transfer of the lipids from the nanoemulsion to the HDL was measured in chemically precipitated HDL. HDL size and paraoxonase-1 activity were also determined. RESULTS: The transfer of cholesteryl esters and phospholipids to high-density lipoprotein was significantly greater (p<0.001) in healthy elderly subjects than in the middle-aged and younger subjects. Non-esterified cholesterol and triglyceride transfer was not different among these three groups. The HDL size was significantly greater (p<0.001) in healthy elderly subjects than in the middle-aged and younger subjects. The paraoxonase-1 activity was similar among the groups. Compared with healthy elderly subjects, coronary artery disease elderly subjects had significantly less (p<0.05) transfer of non-esterified cholesterol, triglycerides, and cholesteryl esters to the HDL and a significantly smaller (p<0.05) HDL size. CONCLUSION: Because lipid transfer is enhanced in healthy elderly subjects but not in those with coronary artery disease, increasing lipid transfer to HDL may be a protective mechanism against the disease.

Biochemical, histological and histochemical studies of oat [Avena sativa] on hyperlipidemic rats

Hyperlipidemia is an elevation of lipids in the blood stream and these lipids include: fats, fatty acids, cholesterol, cholesterol esters, phospholipids, and triglycerides. Hyperlipidemia is associated with hepatic fat accumulation. Six groups [5rat/group] of female albino [Rattus albinus] were used. The 1[st] group used as control, in the 2[nd] group Hyperlipidemia [25% fat and 2% cholesterol] was induced for 3 weeks only then sacrified, the 3[rd] group was hyperlipidemic rats for 3 weeks then left other 3 weeks without any additional treatment as a recovery period, the 4[th] group served as hyperlipidemic group for 3 weeks then treated with Avena sativa for another 3 weeks [200 g/Kg diet], the 5[th] group was hyperlipidemic [25% fat and 2% cholesterol] for 6 weeks and the 6[th] group served as hyperlipidemic rats for 6 weeks, and at the same time given Avena sativa in diet [200 g/Kg diet]. The biochemical parameters showed highly significant increase in body weight, serum glucose, AST, ALT, GGT, LDH, urea, creatinine, total protein, albumin, total lipids, cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL-cholesterol, while there was highly significant decrease in HDL- cholesterol.Many histopathological and histochemical changes were detected in liver tissue of the hyperlipidemic rats. Meanwhile, the treatment with oat ameliorated the biochemical parameters, histological and histochemical results. It is recommend to use oat in diets for hyperlipidemic patients or those people who have hyperlipidemic family history

Transferência de lípides para a lipoproteína de alta densidade (HDl) em mulheres com diabetes melito tipo 1 / Lipid transfer to HDl in women with type 1 diabetes

INTRODUÇÃO: Os portadores de diabetes melito tipo 1 (DM1) possuem aumentado risco de doença cardiovascular e, ainda assim, podem apresentar perfil lipídico normal. Para esclarecer se os níveis normais de HDL podem ocultar defeitos na função, foram estudados a transferência de lípides para a HDL em DM1. MÉTODOS: Vinte e uma mulheres jovens portadoras de DM1 foram comparadas com 21 mulheres não-diabéticas. Nanoemulsões foram usadas como doadoras de lípides para HDL: uma marcada com ³H-triglicérides e 14C-colesterol livre e outra com ³H-éster de colesterol e 14C-fosfolípides. Após 1 hora de incubação com amostras de plasma, seguida por precipitação química, o sobrenadante, contendo HDL, teve a radioatividade contada. RESULTADOS: Nenhuma diferença foi encontrada nas transferências dos ésteres de colesterol, triglicérides, colesterol livre e fosfolípides para as HDL. CONCLUSÃO: A transferência de lípides para a HDL não está afetada em portadoras de DM1. Isso sugere que a doença não altera a composição de lipoproteínas e a ação de proteínas de transferência.

INTRODUCTION: People with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and may still have a normal lipid profile. In order to clarify whether normal HDL cholesterol levels may conceal defects in HDL function, we have studied the transfer of lipids to HDL in T1DM. METHODS: Twenty-one young women with T1DM were compared with 21 non-diabetic women. Nanoemulsion preparations were used as lipid donor to HDL: one labeled with ³H-triglycerides and 14C-free cholesterol and the other with ³H-cholesteryl esters and 14C-phospholipids. These preparations were incubated with plasma samples for 1h. After chemical precipitation, the supernatant containing HDL was counted for radioactivity. RESULTS: No difference in transfer was observed to nanoemulsion HDL from cholesteryl esters, triglycerides, free cholesterol and phospholipids. CONCLUSION: Simultaneous lipid transfer to HDL was not affected in T1DM patients. This suggests that the disease does not alter lipoprotein composition and transfer protein action in such way as to disturb HDL metabolism.

Erythrocyte membrane, plasma and atherosclerotic plaque lipid pattern in coronary heart disease / Perfil lipídico de membrana de eritrocito, plasma y placa ateromatosa en la enfermedad coronaria

The objective was to analyze the lipid composition of the atherosclerotic plaque (AP), plasma and erythrocyte membrane (EM) in patients with advanced coronary heart disease (CHD). AP were obtained through endarterectomy in 18 patients. Ten normolipemic healthy subjects were selected to obtain the normal lipid pattern profile. Total lipids of AP and EM were determined by HPTLC, and the fatty acid profile from AP, EM and plasma using TLC-FID. The relative amount of the lipid species analyzed in AP was in line with the data in the literature [phospholipids: 23.5 mol% more or less 3.5; total cholesterol 68.9 mol% more or less 7.9; triglyceride 7.6 mol% more or less 3.4]. Plasma and EM from CHD patients compared to controls, showed a decrease in polyunsaturated fatty acids and an increase in saturated fatty acids leading to a decrease in the unsaturation index (plasma: 1.67 more or less 0.06 vs. 1.28 more or less 0.03, P less than 0.05; EM: 2.28 more or less 0.04 vs. 1.25 more or less 0.010, P less than 0.05) and an enhancement in the saturated/unsaturated ratio (plasma: 0.35 more or less 0.02 vs. 0.52 more or less 0.02, P less than 0.05; EM: 0.45 more or less 0.01 vs. 0.83 more or less 0.04, P less than 0.05). These data are consistent with an essential fatty acid deficiency. Total cholesterol was increased in the CHD's EM (32.3 more or less 0.8 vs. 40.6 more or less 2.5, P less than 0.05) with a decrease in phospholipid percentage (67.7 more or less 0.7 vs. 59.4 more or less 2.6, P less than 0.05) indicating an alteration in membrane fluidity. These findings suggest changes in EM lipids in CHD patients in spite of different pathological conditions such as age, smoking status and diabetes. The analysis of the lipid composition of EM could provide a useful tool to monitor the evolution of the CHD.

El objetivo fue analizar la composición lipídica de las membranas de eritrocitos (ME), plasma y placas ateromatosas (PA) en pacientes con enfermedad coronaria avanzada (ECV). Las PA fueron obtenidas de endarterectomías coronarias de 18 pacientes. Fueron seleccionados 10 sujetos sanos, normolipémicos, como grupo control. Los lípidos totales de PA y ME se determinaron utilizando HPTLC, y el perfil de ácidos grasos de las PA, ME y plasma mediante TLC-FID. La cantidad relativa de las especies lipídicas obtenidas de las PA coinciden con la literatura [fosfolípidos 23.5 mol% más o menos 3.5; colesterol total 68.9 mol% más o menos 7.9; triglicéridos 7.6 mol% más o menos 3.4]. En el plasma y en las ME de los pacientes con ECV se observó, comparando con los pacientes controles, una disminución de los ácidos grasos poli-no saturados acompañado de un aumento de los ácidos grasos saturados que provocó el descenso del índice de instauración (plasma: 1.67 más o menos 0.06 vs. 1.28 más o menos 0.03, P menor que 0.05; ME: 2.28 más o menos 0.04 vs. 1.25 más o menos 0.010, P menor que 0.05) y el incremento del cociente AG saturados/insaturados (plasma: 0.35 más o menso 0.02 vs. 0.52 más o menos 0.02, P menor que 0.05; ME: 0.45 más o menos 0.01 vs. 0.83 más o menos 0.04, P menor que 0.05). Estos datos indicarían una deficiencia de ácidos grasos esenciales. Se observó una elevación en los valores de colesterol total (32.3 más o menos 0.8 vs. 40.6 más o menos 2.5, P menor que 0.05) y una disminución de los valores de fosfolípidos (67.7 más o menos 0.7 vs. 59.4 más o menos 2.6, P menor que 0.05) en las ME de los pacientes con ECV. Estos hallazgos sugieren cambios en los lípidos de las ME en los pacientes con ECV a pesar de presentar diferencias con respecto a edad, tabaquismo y diabetes. El conocimiento del perfil lipídico de las ME podría constituirse en una herramienta útil para monitorear la evolución de la enfermedad.

Endosulfan induced changes in phospholipids in the freshwater female catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch).

The catfish, H. fossilis were exposed to endosulfan for 30 days at sub-lethal concentration (0.002 ppm) during different phases of its annual reproductive cycle. Its impact on total (TP) and different phospholipids- phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylserine (PS), phosphatdylinositol (Pl) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) were measured in liver plasma and ovary. On pesticide exposure, during preparatory phase, the hepatic TP PC and PE were declined. The plasma levels of TP, PC and PS were declined with the elevation of PE whereas in ovary only PC was lowered after endosulfan exposure. During pre-spawning phase, the hepatic TP, PC and PE declined in liver plasma and ovary after endosulfan exposure. During spawning phase, only plasma and ovarian phospholipids showed decrease in their levels following endosulfan exposure. In the post-spawning phase, endosulfan elevated the levels of TP, PC and PS in ovary but had no effect on their levels in liver and plasma. During resting phase, the TP, PC and Pl were found to be decreasing its levels. Thus it appears that this pesticide interfere with phospholipids metabolism during annual reproductive cycle of this species.

Probing the anti-hyperlipidemic efficacy of the allspice (Pimenta officinalis Lindl.) in rats fed with high fat diet.

In this study, the anti-hyperlipidemic effect of aqueous extract of Pimenta officinalis (APO) was investigated in experimental rats fed with high fat diet (HFD). Hyperlipidemia in experimental rats was evidenced by a significant enhancement in the level of glycerol, triglycerides and phopholipids in serum, and also in liver and kidney tissues. HFD caused oxidative stress in these animals as shown by marked increment in the levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and diene conjugates (CD), and a distinct diminution in reduced glutathione (GSH) content in liver and kidneys. Antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) showed reduced activity in hyperlipidemic rats. All these biochemical parameters showed reliable signs of retrieving towards near-normalcy in APO-administered HFD fed rats. This study unveiled the anti-hyperlipidemic as well as antioxidant activity of APO.

Hypolipidemic activity of silver preparations in chicks, Gallus serregineus.

Three silver preparations (Varak or foil, ash or Raupya bhasma and sol or colloidal solution) were fed to three groups of young, male chicks for 10 days. There was significant fall in all the plasma lipid fractions--total lipids, phospholipids, triglycerides and total cholesterol. There was a marked rise in silver content of plasma and whole blood, ranging from 4 to 13 times, suggesting that the observed hypolipidemic action may be due to silver. The administration of the three silver preparations did not cause any retardation in growth, toxic manifestation, side effect or untoward reaction.

Phospholipid transfer protein activity in two cholestatic patients

CONTEXTO: A proteína de transferência de fosfolípides é responsável pela transferência de fosfolípides de lipoproteínas ricas em triglicérides, as lipoproteínas de muito baixa densidade e também para lipoproteínas de baixa densidade para as lipoproteínas de alta densidade, processo este também bastante eficiente entre partículas de lipoproteínas de alta densidade. Esta proteína promove a transferência líquida de fosfolípides gerando partículas pequenas, pobres em apolipoproteínas AI, subfrações estas que são excelentes aceptoras de efluxo celular de colesterol. CASE REPORT: A atividade da proteína de transferência de fosfolípides foi avaliada em dois pacientes com colestase hepática assumindo-se que alterações na sua atividade possam ocorrer em plasma de pacientes que apresentam lipoproteína X. Ambos pacientes apresentavam grave hipercolesterolemia, altos níveis de colesterol nas lipoproteínas de baixa densidade e fosfolípides e, em um deles, baixos níveis de colesterol em lipoproteínas de alta densidade. A atividade da proteína de transferência de fosfolípides detectada em ambos encontrava-se no limite inferior. Não são de nosso conhecimento resultados semelhantes na literatura. Nossa hipótese seria a de que a atividade da proteína de transferência de fosfolípides estaria reduzida na colestase hepática devido a alterações na composição química das lipoproteínas de alta densidade, como por exemplo, aumento de fosfolípides da partícula. A lipoproteína X, rica em fosfolípides, também poderia competir com a lipoproteína de alta densidade como substrato para a ação da proteína de transferência de fosfolípides.

Serum lipid profile in patients of acute and transient psychotic disorders

Forty subjects, aged 15-45 years were randomly selected. Subjects were separated age wise into 1st group [15-30 years] and 2nd group [31-45 years]. They were divided into groups A and C. Group A included twenty patients of acute and transient psychiatric disorder while group C includes 20 age and sex matched normal controls. Serum total cholesterol [TC], Serum triglyceride [TG], Serum HDL-c and Serum phospholipid were done by using colorimetric methods. Serum LDL-c was calculated by Friedwald equation. Results obtained were analyzed by using students 't' test and level of significance was done. Altered lipid metabolism was found in patients of acute and transient psychotic disorders with decreased Serum TC, LDL-c and phospholipids

Effect of Garcinia cambogia extract on lipids and lipoprotein composition in dexamethasone administered rats.

Dexamethasone (10 mg/kg body weight/day, s.c.) administered rats were treated with or without Garcinia cambogia fruit extract (1 g/kg body weight/day, orally) for 8 days. The administration of dexamethasone resulted in marked increase in the levels of triglycerides and cholesterol and free acids in both plasma and liver. The level of phospholipids increased in the plasma but decreased significantly in liver tissue after dexamethasone administration as compared to those in normal rats. The activities of lecithin cholesterol acyl transferase and hepatic lipoprotein lipase were lowered significantly after dexamethasone per se administration. The levels of HDL-triglycerides and HDL-cholesterol remained unchanged, while the LDL and VLDL increased significantly in dexamethasone administered rats. The lipid levels were maintained at near normalcy when co-treated with Garcinia cambogia extract in dexamethasone administered rats. This study reveals the undesirable changes in lipid profile on dexamethasone administration and the hypolipidemic property of Garcinia cambogia extract.

Acidos grasos de fosfolipidos en plasma y eritrocitos de lactantes desnutridos alimentados con leche materna o fórmulas / Fatty acids of plasma and erythrocyte phospholipids in malnourished infants well-fed by breast feeding or formula

Los ácidos grasos polinsaturados (AGP) derivados de los ácidos grasos esenciales (AGE) tienen importantes roles en la formación y mantenimiento de estructuras de membrana, jugando un papel trascendente en la síntesis de lípidos estructurales y en el desarrollo neural. Se han señalado anormalidades en las funciones neurológicas de lactantes alimentados con fórmulas con respecto a lactantes alimentados con leche materna y se conoce el efecto de la desnutrición calórico-proteica sobre la composición en AGP de algunos tejidos. En este trabajo se estudió el efecto de diferentes fórmulas comerciales sobre la composición en ácidos grasos de los fosfolípidos de plasma y eritrocitos. Se seleccionaron tres grupos de lactantes desnutridos por causa socioeconómicoculturales nacidos a término: dos recibieron fórmulas (una de ellas sólo aportó ácidos linoleicos y alfa- linolénicos y la otra contenía además agragados ácidos grasos polinsaturados de mayor longitud de cadenas derivados de ambas series: n-3 y n-6 y el tercer grupo, alimentado con leche materna, se consideró como control. Se determinó la composición de ácidos grasos de los fosfolipídos de plasma y eritrocitos por cromatografía gas-líquido. Los resultados mostraron, en lactantes alimentados con fórmulas, mayor proporción de ácidos saturados y monoetilénicos, y menor porcentaje en el total de ácidos polinsaturados con respecto a los alimentados con leche materna. Estas diferecias son más marcadas en los que recibieron fórmulas sin suplemento AGP. Seconcluye que en lactante desnutridos el uso de fórmulas enriquecidasen ácidos grasos polinsaturados logra restaurar en parte, el perfil de ácidos grasos en fosfolipídos de plasma y eritrocitos, que se asemeja al de los que reciben leche materna, y es diferente a los alimentados con fórmulas comunes.

Effects of exogenous vitamin C on ethanol toxicity in rats.

The effect of a mega dose of ascorbic acid (200 mg/100 g body wt.) on alcohol-induced toxicity in rats was evaluated. In rats administered alcohol and ascorbic acid, malondialdehyde (MDA), hydroperoxide and conjugated dienes decreased in comparison with that given alcohol alone. The reduced activities of scavenging enzymes, e.g. superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase, in ethanol-administered rats were also enhanced by the co-administration of ascorbic acid and ethanol. Co-administration of ethanol and ascorbic acid reduced phospholipids and MDA levels of the erythrocyte membrane in comparison with that of the ethanol fed rats. The reduction in the activities of glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (GPT), gamaglutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) and the decrease in triglycerides levels also clearly showed the protective action of ascorbic acid in reducing ethanol induced toxicity.

Biochemical profile of erythrocyte membrane of jaundiced neonates.

Studies in newborn humans have demonstrated alteration in the lipid, phospholipid and cholesterol content when compared with age-matched control. Membrane bound (Na+ + K+)ATPase activity is found to be significantly increased in jaundiced neonates. Alteration in membrane permeability characteristics in jaundiced neonates causes severe microenvironmental changes in red blood cell profile.

Reacción acrosómica e hipercolesterolemia: análisis de un modelo experimental / Acrosome reaction and hipercholesterolaemia: analysis of an experimental model

Se estudiaron los niveles lipídicos y proteícos del fluido uterino y oviductal de conejas blancas de Nueva Zelandia NZW hipercolesterolémicas y su relación con la capacidad fecundante de espermatozoides homólogos. Hembras hipercolesterolémicas en estro presentaron nivele aumentados de colesterol tanto en fluido uterino como oviductal, mientras los niveles de fosfolípidos aumentaron solo en fluido uterino, en fluido oviductal hubo aumento en la relación colesterol: fosfolípidos. Las proteínas totales no mostraron variación a lo largo del ciclo y del tratamiento. La cinética de la reacción acrosómica de espermatozoides controles, en medio capacitante para conejos fue la misma que cuando se utilizó fluido uterino u oviductal de hembras controles o hipercolesterolémicas como medio capacitante in vitro. El aumento de colesterol observado en fluido uterino y oviductal de las hembras tratadas, aunque fue estadísticamente significativo, respecto a los controles, probablemente no es suficiente para modificar el flujo de colesterol desde los gametos al medio y modificar así la cinética de la reacción acrosómica

Anticoncepción en la premenopausia con el inyectable mensual Mesigyna, con especial énfasis en el comportamiento de lípidos séricos y densidad ósea / Contraception in the premenopause with once-a-month injectable mesigyna

Mesigyna administrada a 49 mujeres de entre 38 años de edad y la menopausia, fue comparada durante 2 años con 99 mujeres portadoras de DIU (Nova-T). Se realizó un dosaje completo de lipoproteínas antes del tratamiento y a los 6, 12 y 24 meses de tratamiento. A la mitad de las mujeres se les realizó una densitometría ósea, y una biopsia de endometrio a la mitad del grupo con Mesigyna, antes y al final del primero y segundo año. No se produjo ningún embarazo con Mesigyna mientras que se presentaron 3 embarazos en el grupo con DIU. Hubo una incidencia mayor de anomalías de sangrado en el grupo con Mesigyna, con una tasa de abandono por estas razones del 20 por ciento, contra 4 por ciento para el DIU (p<0,05). La duración de la menstruación, como así también la dismenorrea, fue menor con Mesigyna. No se observaron diferencias en el sangrado intermenstrual ni en la densidad ósea lumbar entre ambos grupos. Ninguna paciente desarrolló hiperplasia endometrial luego del tratamiento, por lo que el riesgo endometrial no se mostró aumentado. Se observó un descenso de colesterol y triglicéridos totales, colesterol HDL, HDL2 e IDL con Mesigyna. Los demás parámetros lipídicos estudiados no mostraron una tendencia definida de variación. El presente trabajo sería el primero utilizando anticoncepción inyectable mensual y su influencia en el comportamiento de los lípidos séricos en mujeres premenopáusicas. Mesigyna fue un agente altamente efectivo y de bajo riesgo para este tipo de usuarias

Diferencia en la composición porcentual de los poliinsaturados de cadena larga en eritrocitos materno-fetales en nacimientos de término o pretérmino en humanos / Differences in the percentual composition of the long chain polyunsatureted in maternal and fetal erythrocytes in term and preterm birth in human

Se investiga el contenido y la distribución de los ácidos grasos altamente poliinsaturados de cadena larga (APCL) en los fosfolípidos de eritrocitos materno-fetales en sagre materna venosa y de cordón umbilical obtenida al momento de partos de término o pretérmino en humanos. Se selecionaron madres del mismo nivel socioeconómico, sanas. Once madres dieron a luz niños sanos de término (40 semanas), y veintidós niños sanos de pretérmino (32-34 semanas). Se obtuvo sangre venosa materna y sangre umbilical al momento del parto. Se aislaron los fosfolípidos de los eritrocitos, los ácidos grasos de los fosfolípidos se analizaron por cromatografía gas-líquida. Los resultados informan que en los fetos de término el contenido de todos los APCL omega 6 y omega 3 particularmente 20:4w6 (ARA), y 22:6w3 (DHA), se encontraron signigicativamente más altos que en su madre, a la inversa todos los APCL fueron significativamente menores en el feto pretérmino en relación a su madre. Al comparar contenidos de ARA y DHA entre los fetos se observó que sólo el DHA se encontró significativamente disminuido en fetos pretérmino. Las mujeres que dieron a luz niños de pretérmino demostraron una alta relación ARA/DHA en su sangre en relación a las mujeres con parto de término. De este estudio y tomando en cuenta la literatura preexistente se puede sugerir que un alto contenido de ARA en eritrocitos materno y fetales podría ser una señal de riesgo de prematuridad.

experimental study of the interaction between opioid and adrenergic receptors in suprarenal function and lipid metabolism

The effect of chronic administration of butorphanol. a totally synthetic opioid with agonistic-antagonistic activity, on lipid metabolism and suprarenal function and its interaction with adrenergic receptors was investigated 40 mice were divided into four groups; the first group served as a control group, the second group received daily butorphanol injections for six weeks with gradual increase in dose every week. The third group received butorphanol and Co-dergocrine Mesylate [hydergine], an alphaadrenergic blocker, and the forth group received butorphanol and propranolol [Inderal], a beta adrenergic-blocker, for the same period. Animals were weighed at the beginning and at the end of the experiment and the following parameters were estimated at the end of the experiment: serum cholesterol, phospholipid-s triglycerides, liver triglycerides, serum Na+, K+ and cortisol. We found that butorphanol tartarate caused a significant decrease in body weight gain% and a significant increase in serum lipids [cholesterol, triqlycerides and phospholipids] with a significant decrease in liver triglycerides indicating an apparent inhibitory effect on lipid metabolism. Also, serum K+ increased with a significant decrease in serum sodium and serum cortisol indicating a possible suppressive effect of butorphanol on suprarenal function. We found also that the use of alpha or beta adrenergic receptor blockers could improve the body weight gain and ameliorate the effects of butorphanol on serum cholesterol, serum triglyceides, serum phospholipids. liver triglycerides, serum Na+. K+ and cortisol. We conclude that repeated administration of increasing doses of the synthetic opioid butorphanol could affect the lipid metabolism and the suprarenal function and that blocking of adrenergic activity by alpha or beta-adrenergic blockers may have a role in ameliorating these effects

Role of life-style on plasma and erythrocyte membrane lipid profile in gastric cancer patients.

The present study has examined the role of life-style on plasma and erythrocyte membrane lipid profile in 25 adult male gastric cancer patients as well as age and sex-matched controls. Total, free and LDH cholesterol were markedly elevated in plasma and erythrocyte membrane whereas HDL cholesterol and triglycerides were significantly reduced in gastric cancer patients. These changes can be attributed to alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking-risk factors in gastric carcinogenesis, associated with low levels of ascorbic acid and vitamin E.