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New approach to the design of therapies that enhance the effect of cholesterol-lowering drugs

Researchers discovered that reducing cholesterol levels in mice with advanced atherosclerosis leads to a decrease in the number of smooth muscle-derived cells causing plaque growth, while preserving stabilizing cell types. This finding opens up new opportunities for targeted therapies.

SourceCentro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III (F.S.P.)·JournalNature Cardiovascular Research·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 1, 2024

Childhood sedentariness causes elevated cholesterol but light physical activity may neutralize it

A new study found that increased childhood sedentary time significantly increases cholesterol levels in young adulthood. However, light physical activity (LPA) has been shown to completely reverse this effect, while moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) may also reduce cholesterol levels but with diminished impact due to body f...

SourceUniversity of Eastern Finland·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·TypeObservational study·DateDec 15, 2023

High cholesterol caused by childhood sedentariness could be reversed with light physical activity

A new study found that increased sedentary time in childhood can raise cholesterol levels by two thirds as an adult, leading to heart problems. However, light physical activity was shown to be up to five times more effective than moderate-to-vigorous physical activity at promoting healthy hearts and lowering inflammation.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 14, 2023

Both virtual and in-person nutrition visits help to lower cholesterol, study finds

Researchers at Michigan Medicine found that telemedicine patients with hyperlipidemia experienced significant decreases in LDL and non-HDL cholesterol levels. Virtual appointments were shown to be as effective as in-person visits in improving cholesterol levels, overcoming barriers to access for patients.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJournal of Clinical Lipidology·TypeObservational study·DateDec 5, 2023

UTHealth Houston opens enrollment for lifestyle cooking program aimed at people with metabolic disease risk

The UTHealth Houston School of Public Health offers a 12-month lifestyle program combining evidence-based nutrition education with culinary learning to support behavior change. Participants will attend in-person and virtual classes, including hands-on cooking lessons, physical activity guidance, and mindfulness education.

Younger people are more vulnerable to the effects of cardiovascular risk associated with high blood cholesterol and hypertension

A new study reveals that younger people are more vulnerable to the effects of high blood cholesterol and hypertension, atherosclerosis can be reversed if risk factors are controlled early enough. The study suggests aggressive control of cardiovascular risk factors at younger ages.

SourceCentro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III (F.S.P.)·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateNov 20, 2023

Ground-breaking discovery could pave the way for new therapies to prevent cardiovascular disease and stroke

Scientists at the University of Leicester have made a groundbreaking discovery about how cholesterol in our diet is absorbed into our cells. The research, published in Science, highlights the role of two proteins called Aster B and Aster C in transporting cholesterol from the intestine to the bloodstream.

SourceUniversity of Leicester·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 13, 2023

A participant from Queen Mary University of London Genes & Health study is the 10th person enrolled in a gene-editing clinical trial for heart disease

The Genes & Health study has enrolled its 10th participant in a gene-editing clinical trial for heart disease, specifically familial hypercholesterolemia. This milestone marks an important step towards improving health outcomes for people of Pakistani and Bangladeshi descent.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateNov 12, 2023

New study finds genetic testing can effectively identify patients with family history of high cholesterol to prevent heart attack, stroke, and death

A new study from Intermountain Health reveals that genetic screening can effectively identify individuals with familial hypercholesteremia (FH), a condition affecting about 1 in 250 people. By targeting these patients with treatment, researchers aim to prevent heart attacks, strokes, and death.

SourceIntermountain Healthcare·TypeObservational study·DateNov 12, 2023

Researchers identify previously unknown step in cholesterol absorption in the gut

Scientists have identified a previously unknown pathway for dietary cholesterol absorption in the gut, which could lead to new treatments for managing cholesterol levels. An experimental drug has been found to specifically target this pathway, offering a potential new approach to controlling cholesterol levels.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 9, 2023

Risk for dementia varies by ethnicity, study finds

A new study analyzing English primary care records found that hypertension, obesity, diabetes, and low HDL cholesterol confer a higher risk of dementia in South Asian and Black people compared to White individuals. The results suggest tailored dementia prevention efforts should be targeted towards minority ethnic groups.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateOct 11, 2023

New study at the Alzheimer’s Center at Temple casts light on protein that could help defeat Alzheimer’s disease and increase productive lifespan

Scientists at Temple University's Alzheimer's Center have identified a promising new therapeutic target for Alzheimer's disease: the protein ABCA7. The study found that cholesterol depletion and inflammation suppress ABCA7 levels in human brain cells, potentially contributing to disease onset.

Obesity, high blood pressure, and lipid imbalance trigger a progressive loss of energy generation capacity in the heart

A study published in Diabetes Care found that obesity, hypertension, and dyslipidemia alter cardiac energy production by interfering with metabolic substrate uptake. The research reveals early changes in apparently healthy middle-aged individuals, highlighting the importance of identifying mechanisms involved in heart disease onset.

SourceCentro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III (F.S.P.)·JournalDiabetes Care·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 3, 2023

Swap red meat for Quorn protein to improve heart health and reduce waist circumference, study finds

A new study by Northumbria University found that consuming Quorn protein for two weeks reduced 'bad' LDL cholesterol levels by 12% and waist circumference by almost 1cm. This could lead to a 9% lower risk of dying from a stroke or coronary heart disease, according to the research.

SourceNorthumbria University·JournalEuropean Journal of Nutrition·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 2, 2023

NTU Singapore scientists discover how human cells distribute and maintain their cholesterol levels, aiding in the understanding of cardiovascular and Alzheimer's diseases

Researchers identified key proteins regulating cholesterol distribution within cells, including OSBP1, ORP92, and GRAMD1s. This discovery sheds light on the critical mechanisms underlying cellular cholesterol distribution, offering insights into various health conditions.

SourceNanyang Technological University·JournalNature Communications·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateSep 28, 2023

Weight loss? ‘Nuting’ to worry about with almonds

Researchers found that almond-supplemented diets resulted in significant weight loss and improved cardiometabolic outcomes. The study demonstrated the benefits of nuts as part of a balanced weight loss diet, with almonds providing unsaturated fats that can improve blood cholesterol levels and contribute to a healthy heart.

SourceUniversity of South Australia·JournalObesity·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateSep 18, 2023

Knowing the genetic cause of high cholesterol predicts disease risk better than cholesterol levels alone, study finds

A Geisinger-led study found that knowing the genetic cause of high cholesterol increases heart disease risk more than having high cholesterol levels alone. The study used UK Biobank data and observed distinct differences in heart disease rates among participants with different genetic causes.

SourceGeisinger Health System·JournalArteriosclerosis Thrombosis and Vascular Biology·DateSep 18, 2023

A study illuminates synergistic effects of dietary cholesterol and fruit tannins in kidney stone formation

This study investigates the effects of dietary cholesterol and fruit tannins on kidney stone formation in male mice. The results show that combinations of these substances lead to increased urinary sediment particles and crystal formation, particularly in the renal papilla. Microscopic analysis reveals inflammatory responses and vascul...

SourceMaximum Academic Press·JournalFood Innovation and Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 10, 2023

Treating high risk heart patients with immediate double cholesterol-lowering therapy could save thousands of lives each year

Research published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that patients who start taking a combination of statins and ezetimibe after a heart attack are 47% less likely to die within three years. The study suggests that changing treatment guidelines could prevent many thousands of deaths each year.

SourcePolskie Towarzystwo Lipidologiczne (Polish Lipid Association)·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·TypeObservational study·DateSep 6, 2023

Common supplements might reduce natural hearing loss

Researchers found that phytosterols can reverse age-related hearing loss in mice by replenishing cholesterol in sensory cells. The study suggests that these plant-based compounds could be a convenient way to combat age-related hearing loss.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 24, 2023

A novel drug screen identifies potential new therapy to lower bad cholesterol levels

Researchers at the Medical University of South Carolina have identified a novel class of compounds that effectively lower cholesterol, triglycerides and apoB in human liver-like cells. These molecules work independently of the LDLR pathway and offer a new treatment regimen for patients with familial hypercholesterolemia.

SourceMedical University of South Carolina·JournalCommunications Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 20, 2023

Researchers uncover how a genetic mutation can cause individuals with normal cholesterol levels to develop coronary artery disease at a young age

A novel molecular pathway has been identified, explaining how a mutation in the ACTA2 gene can cause individuals in their 30s with normal cholesterol levels to develop coronary artery disease. The mutation leads to stress in smooth muscle cells, triggering the production of excess cholesterol and driving atherosclerotic plaque formation.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at Houston·JournalEuropean Heart Journal·DateJul 7, 2023

Elevated Lipoprotein(a) is the latest variant of ‘bad cholesterol’ found to increase the risk of recurrent coronary heart disease

A new study found that elevated Lipoprotein(a) levels are a significant predictor of recurrent coronary heart disease (CHD) in people over 60. The study suggests current cholesterol-lowering medications may not be effective in reducing the risk of recurrent CHD, highlighting the need for novel therapeutics to target elevated Lp(a).

SourceTaylor & Francis Group·JournalCurrent Medical Research and Opinion·TypeObservational study·DateJun 13, 2023

Scientists discover ‘lost world’ of our early ancestors in billion-year-old rocks

Researchers have discovered a new record of protosteroids in Earth's Middle Ages, extending the current molecular record of eukaryotes to 1600 million years ago. This finding provides a rare glimpse into the conditions surrounding the evolution of complex life and may shed light on the competitive demise of ancient eukaryote groups.