Research on cholesterol and heart health. Covers post-heart-attack LDL lowering, cardiovascular event reduction, gene-editing therapy, and cancer links.
Researchers have found that HDL cholesterol from patients with coronary artery disease has impaired anti-inflammatory effects on blood vessel-lining cells and fails to stimulate repair of the blood vessel lining. This study highlights the importance of considering not just abundance but also biological functions of HDL in preventing CAD.
Researchers found that smoking during pregnancy is associated with lower levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol in children. The study suggests that this could predispose them to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease later in life. Children born to mothers who smoked during pregnancy had lower HDL cholesterol levels, wh...
A lab animal study found that hamsters fed blueberry-enhanced rations had improved cholesterol health, with lower total plasma and VLDL cholesterol levels. The study suggests that liver genes involved in cholesterol production may be responsible for the effects.
Scientists have found that 'ultrabad' LDL, a form of cholesterol found in people with type 2 diabetes and the elderly, is stickier than normal LDL, making it more likely to attach to artery walls and form dangerous fatty plaques. This discovery could lead to new treatments to prevent heart disease.
The National Institutes of Health stopped a clinical trial studying the combination of high-dose niacin and statin treatment after 18 months, finding it did not reduce the risk of cardiovascular events. The trial involved 3,414 participants with heart disease and low HDL cholesterol, who were assigned to receive either high-dose niacin...
A study from Johns Hopkins researchers found a link between a gene variation and infertility in women, with the altered gene affecting cholesterol regulation and pregnancy hormone production. The discovery may lead to a treatment for this condition, as a cholesterol medication shown to work in mice could potentially restore fertility.
Researchers found that add-on diabetes drugs for patients with uncontrolled diabetes on metformin and sulfonylurea have no clear between-drug differences. High-seelenium yeast supplements slightly reduced cholesterol levels but increased the risk of harm, particularly in countries with adequate selenium intake. Obesity is linked to fun...
A four-year school intervention in Michigan improved middle school students' cholesterol levels and resting heart rates, reducing obesity-related health risks. The program goals included eating more fruits and vegetables, getting at least 150 minutes of physical activity, and spending less time in front of screens.
A Texas A&M University study challenges the common perception of LDL cholesterol as 'bad' cholesterol. Research suggests that a certain amount of LDL is necessary for muscle growth and serves as a warning sign for potential health problems. The study's findings may have implications for conditions like sarcopenia, which affects million...
Researchers identify small molecule blocking key protein involved in cholesterol production, successfully lowering cholesterol levels in isolated nerve cells and brain slices from mice. The discovery could lead to broader applications in other neurological conditions like Alzheimer's disease.
A recent study examining dietary cholesterol, egg intake, and heart disease risk found that saturated fat may be a greater contributor to increased blood cholesterol than previously thought. The study also suggests that egg consumption does not significantly increase blood cholesterol levels, contrary to long-held assumptions.
A new study finds that consuming an apple a day can significantly decrease LDL cholesterol levels by 23% and increase HDL cholesterol by 4%. Additionally, daily apple consumption was found to aid in weight loss of approximately 3.3 lbs over the course of one year.
Brown and Goldstein will present their award lecture on the SREBP pathway and its application to cholesterol regulation at Experimental Biology 2011. The pair's joint discoveries have placed them at the forefront of regulatory biochemistry, a field pioneered by Earl Stadtman.
The VA has seen significant improvements in healthcare quality over the last decade, with better care for seniors and patients with diabetes. However, racial disparities persist, with black veterans experiencing lower quality of care and fewer favorable outcomes compared to white veterans.
A study published in Cell Metabolism identifies a previously underappreciated cellular fat storage depot controlled by sterol regulatory element-binding protein 2 (SREBP-2), which plays a crucial role in balancing cellular cholesterol levels and regulating autophagy.
A recent study published in the American College of Cardiology's annual scientific sessions reveals that routine periodic fasting can lower one's risk of coronary artery disease and diabetes. Fasting was also found to reduce other cardiac risk factors, such as triglycerides, weight, and blood sugar levels.
Researchers at NIST and University of California, Irvine, developed a way to magnify cell membranes up to 1,000 times resolution, revealing the importance of cholesterol in maintaining membrane order. The findings suggest that cholesterol may have profound consequences for gatekeeper proteins, which interact constantly with the membrane.
UC researchers determined the structure of human HDL cholesterol, revealing a cage-like protein structure that encapsulates its fatty cargo. The study suggests that proteins like apolipoprotein A-I play a dominant role in HDL's protective effects against cardiovascular disease.
Researchers found that Americans experience higher rates of chronic disease and markers of disease than their English counterparts at all ages, despite the US having a higher healthcare spending. The study suggests that allocation of health care resources, lifestyle, and social conditions may play a role in the observed differences.
Researchers at the University of Edinburgh have discovered a direct link between cholesterol levels and the immune system's response to viral infections. By lowering cholesterol, the body can starve viruses of the nutrients they need to grow, potentially enhancing the immune system's ability to fight off infections.
Research suggests that high levels of 'good' cholesterol (HDL) are associated with a reduced risk of bowel cancer. The association remains intact even after accounting for other factors such as inflammation, insulin resistance, and oxygen free radicals. HDL may alter the inflammatory process in some way, according to the study's authors.
A team of researchers has discovered a new enzyme, squalene mono-oxygenase (SM), that plays a key role in cholesterol production. Inhibiting SM may lead to more effective treatments with fewer side effects than current medications.
A 33-year study by Danish researchers found that higher non-fasting triglycerides are associated with greater stroke risk in both men and women. The study suggests that levels of non-fasting triglycerides should be included in stroke prevention guidelines, currently focused on total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels.
A recent study found that individuals with high cholesterol and blood pressure in middle age are more likely to experience early cognitive decline and memory problems. The research, which tracked over 4,800 participants for 10 years, showed a significant association between cardiovascular risk factors and poorer cognitive test scores.
Recent studies on PCSK enzymes have shed light on novel functions in diseases such as cardiovascular disorders, osteoporosis, and cancer. The research has revealed that these enzymes may play a crucial role in regulating cholesterol levels and bone formation, offering potential new treatments for dyslipidemia and osteoporosis.
A new perspective paper challenges long-held beliefs about saturated fatty acids and cardiovascular disease, highlighting the complexity of diet's effects on CVD risk. Experts conclude that blood lipid ratios and food matrices, including nutrients like protein and calcium, play a more significant role than just fatty acid content.
A recent study published in the Journal of Internal Medicine found that lifestyle factors such as not smoking, moderate coffee consumption, and good socio-economic status have a significant impact on life expectancy. The study, which followed men born in 1913, showed that these factors can increase the chances of reaching age 90 by up ...
Scientists have discovered how chocolate boosts the body's production of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), also known as 'good' cholesterol. By enhancing the activity of proteins that attach to genetic material, polyphenols in cocoa increase ApoA1 levels and decrease ApoB levels, leading to improved heart health.
The study reveals that global obesity rates have nearly doubled since 1980, with women more likely to be obese than men. Average levels of total blood cholesterol fell in Western countries, but increased in East and Southeast Asia and the Pacific region. High-income countries achieved large reductions in uncontrolled hypertension.
The prevalence of obesity has nearly doubled globally, with women more likely to be obese than men. Meanwhile, high-income countries have shown impressive reductions in mean blood pressure and cholesterol levels, with some countries performing better than others.
Scientists have determined the structure and mechanism of a key enzyme in Staphylococcus aureus that produces cholesterol and a virulence factor. This breakthrough could lead to new cholesterol-lowering drugs and antibiotics against staph infections, as well as treatments for parasitic diseases.
A new study published in Journal of Clinical Lipidology shows that soy protein significantly lowers total and non-HDL cholesterol levels compared to milk protein. The results suggest a novel mechanism for soy protein's cholesterol-lowering effects, which do not involve increased bile acid excretion.
A new study finds that a measure of HDL function, called cholesterol efflux capacity, is more closely associated with protection against heart disease than HDL cholesterol levels. Increasing efflux capacity was linked to decreased likelihood of coronary artery disease and improved cardiovascular health.
Researchers at UCLA found that the Nrf2 protein, thought to protect against oxidative stress, actually promotes atherosclerosis by raising plasma cholesterol levels and increasing plaque formation in arteries. The study suggests that antioxidant therapies targeting this protein may not be as effective due to these additional mechanisms.
A study published in The American Journal of Pathology found that mice fed a Western-style diet with high fat and cholesterol developed larger, faster-growing tumors and metastasized more easily. The researchers suggest that measuring blood cholesterol levels may be an effective method of screening cancer development.
A compound found in birch bark, betulin, has been shown to lower cholesterol and prevent diet-induced obesity in mice. It works by targeting SREBPs, transcription factors involved in lipid synthesis, and also improves insulin sensitivity.
A recent study tracked almost 1,900 people over 29 years to uncover the link between larger high-density lipoprotein particles and reduced risk of heart disease. The research found that an increase in HDL2 particles significantly lowered heart disease risk.
A study found that adopting healthy habits in youth is associated with more favorable cholesterol levels in adulthood. Participants who did not improve their lifestyle factors between youth and adulthood had a higher risk of developing high-risk cholesterol levels.
A study of 1,130 older adults found that high levels of 'good' cholesterol (HDL) were associated with a decreased risk of both probable and possible Alzheimer's disease. Higher plasma HDL cholesterol was also linked to lower risks despite other factors.
A new study reveals how diabetes disrupts brain cholesterol synthesis, leading to neurologic complications such as depression and increased Alzheimer's disease risk. Insulin therapy restores normal cholesterol production in the brain.
Researchers at Joslin Diabetes Center discovered that diabetes can reduce brain cholesterol synthesis, which could impact brain function and increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease. This finding has broad implications for people with diabetes and may also play a role in diabetic neuropathy.
Joslin researchers found that brain cholesterol synthesis decreases in mouse models of diabetes, affecting nerve function and potentially leading to increased appetite and weight gain. The study suggests a link between diabetes and altered brain function, including changes in Alzheimer's disease risk and diabetic neuropathy.
Research found that a high-fat cholesterol diet in rats caused memory impairment, inflammation, and brain damage similar to Alzheimer's disease. The study suggests a possible link between chronic high cholesterol levels and the pathology of this disease.
The proportion of adult smokers dropped dramatically from 32.8% to 12.2% over the past three decades, with greater decreases among adults with higher income and education levels. Current smokers were smoking less, with a decrease in average daily cigarette consumption.
A new study published in Neurology found that middle age women whose cholesterol levels decline are at a 2.5 times greater risk of developing Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia than those whose cholesterol stayed the same or increased over time.
A new study suggests that mid-life cholesterol levels may not be linked to the development of Alzheimer's disease, but large decreases in cholesterol in old age could be a better predictor. After 32 years, women with the greatest decline in cholesterol were more than twice as likely to develop dementia.
Researchers have developed a simple blood test to diagnose Niemann-Pick type C disease, which can help patients begin treatment earlier. The test targets oxidized forms of cholesterol that are present in higher levels in NPC patients, distinguishing them from other conditions.
A review published in the Canadian Journal of Cardiology finds that consuming egg yolks can significantly increase cardiovascular risk for patients at risk of vascular disease. The researchers advise limiting dietary cholesterol to less than 200mg per day and recommend alternative protein sources like egg whites.
A study found that adding monounsaturated fats to a low-cholesterol diet increased HDL by 12.5% and lowered LDL levels by 35%. The Mediterranean diet is an effective approach to cholesterol control. Increasing dietary monounsaturated fat may enhance the cardioprotective effect of cholesterol-lowering diets.
A study found significant variability in monacolin levels among commercial red yeast rice supplements, ranging from 0.31 to 11.15 milligrams per capsule. The presence of citrinin, a potentially toxic compound, was detected in one-third of the products.
Scientists have identified microRNA miR-33 as a key to controlling HDL, or "good" cholesterol levels. Increasing miR-33 levels resulted in lower HDL cholesterol levels, while turning it off raised HDL levels.
A study found that malnutrition and inflammation status are key to understanding the effects of high cholesterol on kidney disease patients. Patients with malnutrition and/or inflammation had an inverse relationship between cholesterol levels and cardiovascular events, unlike those without these conditions.
Researchers identified a defective ABCB4 gene that impairs cholesterol excretion, leading to high levels of bad cholesterol. The study used laboratory opossums and found that the gene plays a role in controlling blood cholesterol levels in response to dietary cholesterol.
Researchers identified a gene network tied to high-density lipoprotein, triglycerides, and apolipoprotein B levels, which predict downstream cardiovascular disease. The study exposes potential targets for the treatment of heart disease and highlights the importance of understanding biological networks in disease prevention.
A study found that a widely used simplified heart-risk guideline may over- or underestimate risk for millions of Americans, with 5.7 million people misclassified into different risk groups using the point-based model versus the original Framingham model.
A study found that children and teens exposed to nonstick cookware compounds PFOA and PFOS have higher total and LDL cholesterol levels. The compounds were associated with increased total, LDL, and HDL cholesterol, but not triglycerides.
A genome scan has identified a gene, Sort1, that regulates LDL-C levels and is associated with heart disease. The study found that increasing liver sortilin protein reduced plasma cholesterol and may provide a new target for treating cardiovascular disease.
A global team of researchers has identified 95 regions of the human genome where genetic variants are associated with blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels, a major indicator of heart disease risk. The study found that many common variants discovered by the team also influence lipid traits across different racial and ethnic groups.
A global team of researchers identified 95 genetic loci associated with blood lipid levels, including a non-coding gene variant that contributes to lower 'bad' cholesterol and reduced risk of heart attack. The study provides insights into the biological connections between lipid metabolism and coronary heart disease.
A 20-year study found that young adults with even modestly elevated cholesterol levels are more likely to develop coronary artery calcium and atherosclerosis. Cholesterol levels found in the majority of young adults in their 20s and 30s are associated with damage to coronary arteries, which can accumulate over time.