Influence of aging and menopause on lipids and lipoproteins in women.

The actions of endogenous estrogens on the cardiovascular system can be mediated directly on the vessels or indirectly through the modulation of cardiovascular risk factors. Aging and menopause are the main causes that lead to an adverse lipid profile in women. The influence of age on prevalence of increased plasma triglyceride levels and on larger variation in fasting triglyceride levels has been reported in both genders. However, the increased prevalence of increased cholesterol with age was only found in women. The high-density lipid cholesterol level is higher in women than in men throughout all ages. Obesity may also exaggerate the unfavorable lipid profile in aging and/or menopausal women. In the last decades the management of the menopausal women has been a subject of concern for medical scientific groups. In this review, the current understanding of an influence of age and menopause on lipids and lipoproteins concentration in women will be analyzed.

Comparison of simvastatin and nicotinic acid administration in alcohol-treated Wistar rats.

INTRODUCTION: Previous studies of ours have shown that simvastatin (S) and nicotinic acid (NA) lower the alcohol (Alc)-induced increase of triglycerides. The aim of this study was to evaluate which drug is more effective and safe in decreasing Alc-induced hypertriglyceridaemia in Wistar rats. METHODS: Male Wistar rats were randomised into 6 groups, which were fed with: (1) olive oil (Oil group, n=10); (2) Oil + Alc, (Alc group, n=10); (3) S solution in Oil (65 microg/100g body weight), (S group, n=10); (4) NA solution in Oil (8.5 mg/100g body weight), (NA group, n=8); (5) S solution in Oil + AIc (S+Alc group, n=10); and (6) NA solution in Oil + Alc (NA+Alc group, n=9). Another 13 male Wistar rats were fed only a standard laboratory diet (control group). After 8 weeks, blood samples were drawn and the livers were removed. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (AP), total cholesterol (TC) and triglycerides (TG) were measured. Liver histopathology was also assessed. RESULTS: Liver histopathology was similar in all groups and within the normal range. The TG plasma concentration in the Alc group was higher than in the control rats (p < 0.001) or any other groups (Oil, p < 0.001, or S, p < 0.001, or NA, p = 0.003). The Oil, S+Alc, NA+Alc and control groups had similar TG levels, but these were significantly lower compared to the Alc group (p < 0.001). AST plasma concentration was higher in the Alc group compared to controls (p < 0.001), Oil (p < 0.001), S (p < 0.001) and NA (p < 0.001) groups, while the AST concentration in the S+Alc and Na+Alc groups was lower than in the Alc group (p = 0.042, p < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: NA and S, two drugs of different classes, seem to decrease Alc-induced secondary hypertriglyceridaemia to the same extent. Moreover, NA displays a better alleviation of Alc-induced AST raises compared to S, although it enhances small increases in AP and ALT levels.

The effect of co-administration of simvastatin and alcohol in rats.

INTRODUCTION: The effect of chronic co-administration of alcohol (Alc) and lipid-lowering drugs on hepatic function has not been extensively evaluated. We studied the effects of administering Alc together with a 3-hydroxy-3 methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitor [simvastatin (S)]. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male Wistar rats (8 weeks old) were randomized and divided into 4 groups of 10 each. They were fed (once a day) via a stomach tube with: 1) 2 ml of olive oil; group Oil, 2) with Oil + 2 ml of 25% v/v pure Alc in water; group Alc + Oil, 3) with Oil + S (65 micrograms/100 g body weight); group S + Oil, 4) with Oil + Alc + S; group S + Alc + Oil. Another 13 male Wistar rats were only fed a standard laboratory diet (control group). After 8 weeks blood samples were drawn and the livers were removed. Blood glucose, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (AP), total protein, albumin, total cholesterol (TC) and triglycerides (TG) were measured. Liver histopathology was also assessed. RESULTS: Differences were found between the control group and tube-fed groups in glucose (p < 0.001). No differences were found among tube-fed groups in blood glucose, ALT, total protein, albumin, AP and TC. AST activity was significantly higher in the Alc + Oil than in the Oil or S + Oil groups (p < 0.001 for both comparisons) demonstrating the effect of Alc on AST. The AST did not differ significantly in the Oil or S + Oil groups indicating a lack of effect of S. Furthermore, S significantly reduced the Alc-induced increase in AST (Alc + Oil vs S + Alc + Oil; p = 0.042). The TG concentration was significantly higher in the Alc + Oil group compared to the Oil, S + Oil and S + Alc + Oil groups (p = 0.02). Therefore, S significantly decreased the alcoholinduced increase in TG. Liver histopathology was similar in all groups and within the normal range. CONCLUSION: A moderate amount of Alc daily together with S is safe in rats. Additionally, S administration in Wistar rats diminishes the Alc-induced TG and AST rises.