Research on cholesterol and heart health. Covers post-heart-attack LDL lowering, cardiovascular event reduction, gene-editing therapy, and cancer links.
Researchers discovered HDL acts upon inflammatory processes by activating ATF3, downregulating chronic inflammation in macrophages. This finding suggests a molecular approach for treating inflammation in diseases like diabetes.
A new study published by Dr. Kevin C Maki of Biofortis found that corn oil significantly reduces cholesterol levels with more favorable changes in total cholesterol and LDL-C than extra virgin olive oil. Corn oil lowered LDL cholesterol by 10.9% compared to extra virgin olive oil's 3.5% reduction.
Researchers found that high cholesterol's metabolite, 27HC, mimics estrogen to drive breast cancer growth. Statins appear to reduce this effect, suggesting a link between dietary changes and breast cancer prevention. Human breast tumors express the enzyme making 27HC, which can promote tumor growth.
A pooled analysis of 97 prospective studies found that controlling these factors can reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke in overweight and obese individuals. High blood pressure poses the biggest risk, accounting for most of the increased risk of heart disease and stroke.
Family members of patients with coronary heart disease improved cholesterol levels, physical activity, and dietary habits after participating in a year-long intervention program. The program included counselling sessions, goal setting, and feedback, resulting in reduced body mass index and waist circumference.
Researchers developed a new system using 180 factors to calculate LDL cholesterol, providing a more accurate assessment for high-risk patients. The Friedewald equation underestimates LDL levels in nearly one out of four samples, leading to potential false reassurance and inadequate treatment.
A novel method to estimate LDL-C levels has been developed, providing more accurate risk classification for heart disease. The new approach uses a larger database of lipid profiles and applies an adjustable factor for triglyceride levels, resulting in improved accuracy, especially for patients with elevated triglyceride concentrations.
Researchers at UCLA found that engineered tomatoes can reduce the negative effects of unsaturated lysophosphatidic acids (LPAs) in mice, which are linked to high cholesterol and inflammation. The tomatoes produce a peptide that mimics HDL ('good') cholesterol, stopping increases in 'bad' cholesterol and inflammation.
Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine found that only about half of patients with newly diagnosed high cholesterol were screened for thyroid dysfunction. Current guidelines recommend TSH blood tests to rule out hypothyroidism in these patients.
The new guideline identifies four major groups of patients who will benefit from statin therapy to prevent stroke and heart attacks. Adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle is also crucial in preventing high blood cholesterol.
Analysis suggests replacing saturated fats with polyunsaturated oils like corn and safflower oil may not reduce heart disease risk, but rather increase it. Health Canada should modify health claims to exclude these oils.
A study found that replacing saturated fats with polyunsaturated oils like corn and safflower oil may not reduce heart disease risk. In fact, rates of death from cardiovascular disease increased in the treatment group. Health Canada should modify its health claim for omega-6 oils.
Scientists have created a lab-made high-density lipoprotein (HDL) mimic that can be easily produced in large amounts, offering a potential new treatment for cardiovascular disease. The material is also being explored as a carrier for drug delivery and medical imaging applications.
An observational study found that testosterone treatment reduced total cholesterol, LDL, triglycerides, and increased HDL in hypogonadal men. Testosterone therapy also lowered systolic and diastolic blood pressure, suggesting a reduction in hypertension.
A new consensus report highlights massive underdiagnosis and undertreatment of hereditary high blood cholesterol in virtually all countries, with the exception of Netherlands and Norway. Easy to diagnose through a blood test and family history, the condition can be treated with statins and a low-cholesterol diet.
A study found that mothers with high LDL cholesterol before pregnancy have a 5-fold increase in their children's risk of developing high cholesterol as adults. This risk factor may be influenced by epigenetic changes, highlighting the importance of managing cholesterol levels throughout life.
Regular weight training may improve HDL function and protect against heart disease even in those who remain overweight. The study found that sedentary men had dysfunctional HDL compared to strength-trained men, regardless of body weight status. Fitness is a better measure of who has healthier functioning HDL cholesterol.
A new class of RNAi drugs has shown promising results in lowering cholesterol levels by up to 57% in healthy volunteers. The treatment, ALN-PCS, works by blocking the production of PCSK9, a protein that destroys low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptors.
Recent studies suggest that moderate habitual coffee consumption is unlikely to adversely affect cardiovascular health. Higher green tea and coffee consumption has been inversely associated with the risk of CVD and stroke in the general population. Moderate coffee consumption may also have a favorable effect on plasma cholesterol levels.
Researchers found that pravastatin impaired learning and recognition memory in rats, while atorvostatin showed no adverse effects. The study suggests chronic treatment with pravastatin may cause cognitive impairment, but further studies are needed to confirm this.
Research reveals that high 'bad' cholesterol levels stimulate production of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells, which promote inflammation and atherosclerosis. The study opens up a potential new approach to preventing heart attack and stroke by focusing on interactions between cholesterol and these cells.
A large DNA-sequencing study of anorexia nervosa has linked the eating disorder to variants in a gene coding for an enzyme regulating cholesterol metabolism. This finding suggests that anorexia could be caused by disruption in normal cholesterol processing, affecting mood and eating behavior.
Researchers found platelet Golgi apparatus undergoes changes after acute cerebral infarction, influencing CD40L expression and platelet function. This discovery may lead to new therapeutic targets for treating cerebral infarctions.
A randomized trial found that a fixed-dose combination medication for blood pressure, cholesterol, and platelet control resulted in significantly improved medication adherence after 15 months. The study also showed modest but significant improvements in systolic blood pressure and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels.
A variant of FGF21, LY2405319, has been shown to improve metabolism in obese humans with type 2 diabetes by reducing LDL cholesterol and triglycerides while increasing HDL cholesterol levels. The hormone also reduced body weight and fasting insulin, and increased adiponectin.
A study of 2,238 CAD patients found that statin treatment reduced the risk of major cardiovascular events across all three groups: very low, low, and high LDL-C levels. Statins also showed significant benefits regardless of LDL-C level, suggesting their potential to reduce cardiovascular risk for all CAD patients.
A study found significant differences in LDL-cholesterol target achievement between Germany and the UK, with UK patients receiving more potent statins and higher doses. The UK system's incentive-based reimbursement may drive aggressive treatment, while Germany's restrictive system leads to conservative treatment.
A recent study found that intensive lifestyle changes and metformin treatment reduced cholesterol levels and improved triglyceride profiles, lowering the risk of heart disease. The Diabetes Prevention Program analyzed over 1,600 participants, showing positive changes in blood particle distribution.
Researchers discovered a new genome-wide significant locus associated with infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis, a serious gastrointestinal condition. The study also found an inverse relationship between low cholesterol levels at birth and increased risk of IHPS in infants.
A new study found that middle-aged men are at a greater risk for having a first heart attack due to high cholesterol levels, unlike women who are also at risk but to a lesser extent. The study suggests that men with high cholesterol should be treated more aggressively to prevent infarctions and save lives.
Researchers at Boston University's National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories have generated a map of the cellular circuitry of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, shedding light on its ability to survive inactive in the human body for decades and resist treatment. The study provides new insight into the bacterium's survival mechanisms...
Researchers found that simultaneously controlling high blood pressure and cholesterol can significantly reduce the risk of heart disease. The study suggests that prescribing medications and regular doctor visits can greatly benefit certain populations, including older adults and Hispanic-Americans.
A Loyola University Medical Center study found that statin-intolerant patients who received specialized lipid clinic care had significantly reduced total and LDL cholesterol levels. In contrast, those not referred to a lipid clinic showed minimal improvement in their cholesterol levels.
A study of 1076 preschool children aged 3-5 years found associations between unhealthy eating behaviors and serum non-HDL cholesterol levels, indicating a potential early link to cardiovascular disease. The research suggests that promoting responsive feeding and healthy eating habits may help reduce the risk.
A randomized clinical trial of flaxseed supplementation in children with hypercholesterolemia found no significant effects on total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. The study concluded that flaxseed remains an unverified strategy for managing cardiovascular risk factors in youth.
Researchers at UC San Diego identified apoA-I binding protein as a key player in regulating blood vessel growth by removing excess cholesterol from endothelial cells. This process inhibits angiogenesis and can help prevent tumor growth.
A healthy Nordic diet is shown to lower cholesterol levels and reduce inflammation associated with pre-diabetes. The diet's emphasis on local produce, whole grains, and lean protein sources contributes to its benefits.
Researchers found that job stress is associated with an altered lipid profile, leading to higher rates of 'bad' cholesterol and lower levels of 'good' cholesterol. This can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. The study analyzed data from over 90,000 workers and found a significant link between job stress and dyslipidemia.
Researchers found that breathing motor vehicle emissions alters high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, making it contribute to clogged arteries. The inhalation of emissions activates components of oxidation, leading to inflammation and hardening of the arteries.
A new study found that consumers are more likely to endorse certain responses on agreement scales when labels are familiar to them. This can lead to biased survey results if the labels are not equivalent across languages. Researchers recommend paying closer attention to response category labels to avoid such biases.
A team of researchers led by Professor Jean Gruenberg has identified an exit in the cellular garbage truck, a structure responsible for sorting molecules and ensuring inter-cell digestion and regulation. The study reveals how Alix protein uses this route to avoid cellular digestion and how vesicular stomatitis uses it to infect cells.
Researchers found that whole walnuts and their extracted oil improve cardiovascular disease risk by favorably affecting vascular health and enhancing the functionality of good cholesterol, HDL. The study suggests that simple dietary changes incorporating walnuts or their oil in a heart-healthy diet may reduce the risk of heart disease.
A heart-healthy Mediterranean diet helped men at high risk for heart disease reduce their bad cholesterol levels by 9%, regardless of whether they lost weight. This finding suggests that the Mediterranean-style diet may be recommended for effective management of metabolic syndrome and related cardiovascular risks.
Exposure to secondhand smoke at home has been linked to lower levels of 'good' cholesterol in teenage girls, increasing their risk of heart disease. The study found that 17-year-old girls exposed to passive smoking had declined HDL cholesterol levels, making them more vulnerable to cardiovascular disease.
Researchers discovered a naturally occurring protein that disrupts cholesterol levels in cell membranes, blocking virus entry. The findings have potential for developing anti-viral therapies targeting the endosome compartment.
Researchers discovered that high cholesterol levels can cause defective cell division, leading to Alzheimer's disease and atherosclerosis. Cholesterol disrupts the process of cell division, resulting in cells with incorrect numbers of chromosomes and genes.
Researchers at the University of Michigan identified a new potential therapeutic target for lowering cholesterol, inhibiting a gene responsible for transporting a protein that interferes with liver cell function. This approach preserved the liver's capacity to clear plasma cholesterol from the blood without affecting overall health.
African-Americans with a variant of the ABCA7 gene have nearly double the risk of developing late-onset Alzheimer's disease compared to those without the variant. The study, led by Columbia University Medical Center, suggests that lipid metabolism may play a more important role in Alzheimer's disease among African-Americans.
A new study finds that walking briskly can lower the risk of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes as much as running can. Researchers analyzed data from over 33,000 runners and 15,000 walkers to find similar reductions in risk for these conditions.
A study published in Cell Metabolism suggests that macrophage cholesterol accumulation contributes to macular degeneration. Researchers found that eye drops could reduce blood vessel growth and prevent blindness by targeting cholesterol regulators.
Researchers found that age-related macular degeneration shares a common link with atherosclerosis due to impaired cholesterol efflux in macrophages. The study suggests that cholesterol-lowering eye drops or other medications could prevent vision loss caused by macular degeneration.
A study published in Cell Metabolism suggests that targeting cholesterol metabolism in the eye may prevent severe age-related macular degeneration. Researchers found that macrophages play a key role in clearing cholesterol from the eye, and that with aging, these cells become less efficient at this task.
Researchers at the University of Colorado Cancer Center have developed a new technology that uses cholesterol rafts to deliver genetic payloads into cancer cells. This innovative approach overcomes the long-standing challenge of delivering nucleic acids across cell membranes.
A new study found that the standard formula used to calculate LDL cholesterol levels often underestimates accuracy, especially in desirable ranges. Researchers suggest using non-HDL cholesterol as an alternative to assess risk and determine treatment.
Researchers characterized SUDEP in a mouse model of DS, finding that treatment with drugs reducing parasympathetic activity reduced incidence. Lymphatic vasculature also plays crucial role in cholesterol removal from arteries, with impaired lymphatic growth leading to increased cholesterol retention. A new therapeutic target is identif...
Researchers have found that the lymphatic system is crucial for removing cholesterol from peripheral tissues, including artery walls. The study suggests that therapies supporting lymphatic transport could enhance cholesterol clearance and potentially treat atherosclerotic vascular disease.
Researchers genetically engineered tomatoes to produce a peptide that mimics the action of good cholesterol, reducing inflammation and plaque build-up in mice. The study suggests that targeting the small intestine may be a new strategy to prevent diet-induced atherosclerosis.
Researchers have identified a new alternative to statins for patients who can't tolerate the side effects of cholesterol-lowering drugs. Pitavastatin was shown to lower bad cholesterol by an average of 34% and reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, and death in up to 68% of patients with high cholesterol.
The HPS2-THRIVE study found that niacin therapy provides no benefit and may even be harmful for patients with vascular disease. The study showed a higher incidence of bleeding, infections, new onset diabetes, and gastrointestinal problems among those receiving the drug.
Exposure to statin TV ads was linked to higher rates of high cholesterol diagnosis and statin use, especially among those at low risk for heart disease