Research on cholesterol and heart health. Covers post-heart-attack LDL lowering, cardiovascular event reduction, gene-editing therapy, and cancer links.
A study led by Richard Isaacson found that individualized, multi-domain interventions improved cognition and reduced Alzheimer's risk in both men and women. Women demonstrated greater improvements in certain risk scores and biomarkers compared to men.
A recent study analyzed data from 421 adults with type 2 diabetes and found that achieving optimal blood pressure, glucose, cholesterol, and body weight levels can significantly improve life expectancy. By targeting these key health metrics, individuals with type 2 diabetes may be able to extend their lifespan.
A new study published in PLOS ONE finds that high and very high cardiovascular risk are associated with depressive symptoms, especially in women. The researchers used data from a Mediterranean Diet trial and found that participants with higher cardiovascular risk had lower depressive status scores after following the diet.
Researchers found a higher number of small HDL particles in cerebrospinal fluid is associated with better cognitive performance and lower risk for Alzheimer's disease. These particles may play a key role in clearing amyloid beta peptides, which contribute to the disease.
Researchers have identified a key protein molecule that plays a major role in the accumulation of brain cholesterol, triggering Alzheimer's disease. The peptide inhibitor ATAD3A oligomerization promotes neuropathology and cognitive deficits in Alzheimer's disease models.
A study tracking children for up to half a century found five childhood risk factors predict fatal and non-fatal cardiovascular events in adulthood. The findings emphasize the importance of preventive strategies starting in childhood.
A Cleveland Clinic-led trial found that an experimental 'gene silencing' therapy significantly reduced blood levels of lipoprotein(a), a key driver of heart disease risk, by up to 96%-98%. The therapy targets the gene responsible for Lp(a) production and has shown strong efficacy with no major safety concerns reported.
The study found a twofold regression of coronary atherosclerosis and stabilization of high-risk plaques in patients who received alirocumab, compared to those who received a placebo. Patients treated with alirocumab also needed significantly fewer repeat stenting procedures.
Vupanorsen, an experimental drug targeting non-HDL cholesterol, showed modest reductions in Non-HDL cholesterol by up to 28%, triglycerides by up to 57%, and angiopoietin-like 3 (ANGPTL3) levels by up to 95% in patients with high cholesterol.
Researchers from NTU Singapore and Waseda University found that fermented soybean waste improves fat metabolism and mitigates the effects of diet-induced obesity. The study, published in Metabolites, showed that mice fed fermented okara gained less body mass and had lower levels of fat and cholesterol.
A comprehensive literature review found that consuming plant-based alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) rich in walnuts and flaxseeds can lower cardiovascular disease risk by 10% and fatal coronary heart disease risk by 20%. ALA may also benefit heart health when combined with other omega-3s.
Scientists at NTU Singapore have developed a method to produce and extract oils from a type of common microalgae, which are edible and have superior properties as those found in palm oil. The newly discovered method would serve as a healthier and greener alternative to palm oil.
A new University of Kentucky study published in Science Signaling suggests that replenishing high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol could be an effective treatment for sepsis. The research found that a synthetic form of HDL provided protection against sepsis in mice, increasing survival rates and improving kidney function.
A new 3D matrix ultrasound method has been developed to assess cardiovascular risk in healthy individuals, offering a reliable and accurate alternative to traditional methods. The technique shows promise for personalized prevention and treatment strategies by detecting and quantifying an individual's accumulated cardiovascular damage.
A new study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that the link between high cholesterol and heart disease may not be as strong as previously thought. The research suggests that statins may have a modest benefit for some individuals, but this benefit varies depending on personal risk factors.
The International Lipid Expert Panel recommends a step-by-step approach to diagnosing and managing muscle symptoms caused by statins. The 'nocebo/drucebo' effect, where patients experience side effects due to expectation, affects up to 70% of diagnosed statin intolerance cases.
A new analysis by University of Copenhagen researchers found that a Nordic diet has positive health benefits regardless of weight loss. The diet's unique fat composition, high in omega-3 and omega-6 unsaturated fats, plays a significant role in lowering blood sugar and cholesterol levels.
A team of UTSA researchers has developed an innovative inhibitor that blocks the effects of cytochrome P450 8B1, a key enzyme linked to cholesterol absorption and obesity. The treatment shows promise in reducing glucose levels without affecting body weight, offering potential relief from obesity-associated metabolic disorders.
A new study reveals that simultaneous measurement of dozens of types of fats in the blood can predict the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease years in advance. The researchers found that individuals with a certain lipid profile are at increased risk, while those with a different profile have lower risk. This d...
A study published in Science Immunology reveals that a specific neurotransmitter in immune cells plays a crucial role in cholesterol accumulation and sterile inflammation in atherosclerosis. The researchers found that blocking this neurotransmitter may help reduce inflammation and develop effective treatments for the disease.
A study of 31 patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) reveals a high correlation between ulcerated plaque in the femoropopliteal artery and poor angiographic runoff scores, suggesting a possible origin for arterial embolism. This discovery could lead to improved treatment methods for PAD.
A new study found that statin intolerance is over-estimated, affecting only 6-10% of patients worldwide. Researchers identified risk factors for statin intolerance, including age, sex, ethnicity, and medical conditions.
A UC Davis Health study found that taking bile acids or treatments regulating their production levels can help control psoriasis inflammation. Bile acids inhibited skin inflammation by stopping immune T cells from producing proinflammatory protein IL-17A and blocking immune cell movement to the site.
Researchers have discovered a new method to predict heart attacks by analyzing the gene expression of foamy macrophages, revealing a person's cardiovascular health. The study found that foamy cells can be both beneficial and detrimental depending on their behavior in individuals with certain conditions.
A new analysis links genetic variants associated with high blood levels of lipoprotein A to a higher risk of prostate cancer, including advanced or early-age-onset cases. The study found no significant associations for other blood lipids.
A groundbreaking study published in the Journal of Nutrition found that a 'food-as-medicine' approach can significantly lower LDL cholesterol levels, with participants experiencing an average 9% decrease within 30 days. This innovative intervention expands treatment options for high-risk patients unable or unwilling to take statin drugs.
A team of researchers from the University of Barcelona and Stanford University identified a molecular mechanism involved in the movement of cholesterol inside cells. The study reveals that the SNX13 protein plays a key role in transporting cholesterol outside the liposomes, organelles that conduct cellular digestion.
Researchers at La Jolla Institute for Immunology found that macrophages in artery walls can sense octanal, leading to inflammation and atherosclerosis. By blocking this detection, they reversed disease progression. Further research is needed to explore the role of olfactory receptors in cardiovascular diseases.
Researchers developed a computer model of lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2, shedding light on its mechanism and substrate specificity. This knowledge creates opportunities for therapeutic interventions against cardiovascular disease.
A genetic variation among some Greenlanders makes sugar healthy by converting it into a short-chain fatty acid called acetate, which boosts the immune system. Adult carriers have lower BMI, weight, and fat percentage, while children may experience negative consequences from consuming sugar.
A recent study published by Queen Mary University of London has found that certain risk factors for heart disease are linked to changes in the structure and appearance of the heart. The research analyzed images from over 30,000 people's heart MRI scans using a new imaging toolkit called radiomics.
Researchers developed an AI-powered system to model disease progression in patients as they age. The model assesses metabolic and cardiovascular biomarkers to calculate health status and disease risks across a patient's lifespan.
Children with autism spectrum disorder should be screened for abnormally high or low cholesterol levels, according to physicians. Research found reduced HDL-C levels in individuals with ASD, indicating a risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet found a strong link between the apoB/apoA-1 ratio and cardiovascular disease. Individuals with higher ratios had a greater risk of severe cardiovascular disease, including myocardial infarction and stroke.
A UC Riverside-led study found that dicyclohexyl phthalate, a common plasticizer, increases plasma cholesterol levels by binding to the pregnane X receptor, or PXR. The study suggests that PXR activation contributes to the harmful effects of plastic-associated chemicals on cardiovascular health.
A study conducted at the University of Jyväskylä found that physically active lifestyle mitigates unfavourable changes in metabolic health during menopause. Menopausal transition is associated with increased abdominal fat mass, blood pressure, and blood glucose levels.
A new study from the University of Eastern Finland found that patients with type 2 diabetes often do not receive adequate cholesterol-lowering treatment, despite guidelines recommending statin prescriptions for elevated LDL-C levels. Women tend to have higher average LDL-C levels and receive less statin treatment than men.
The oral PCSK9 inhibitor MK-0616 has been shown to reduce LDL cholesterol levels by up to 65% in patients with high cholesterol, without causing serious side effects. The study's findings suggest that MK-0616 could be a promising new treatment option for lowering bad cholesterol.
A recent study of 17,000 young adults aged 20-39 found that fewer than half were prescribed lipid-lowering therapy despite having persistently high LDL-C levels, highlighting the need for improved management strategies.
A study of 35 low- and middle-income countries found that less than one-third of individuals with high cholesterol received treatment. This highlights the inadequate care for hypercholesterolemia in these regions, a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
A new clinical study found that grape consumption increased gut bacterial diversity and reduced cholesterol levels, including total cholesterol by 6.1% and LDL cholesterol by 5.9%. This suggests a potential role for grapes in promoting good gut health and supporting heart health.
Research supports strong relationship between ceramides and diseases in animals and humans. Ceramides are standalone biomarkers of cardiovascular disease, independent of cholesterol.
In chronic damage, new cholesterol production determines the efficiency of repair, with nerve cells contributing to replenishing myelin-forming cells. Treatment with a cholesterol-enriched diet enhances oligodendrocyte progenitor cell proliferation.
A new canine mutant model mimics human cerebrovascular disease by exhibiting severe arteriosclerosis, thrombosis, and stroke. The ApoE knockout dogs show extensive and severe arteriosclerosis plaques and arterial stenosis, consistent with human cerebral arteries and coronary arteries.
A recent Johns Hopkins Medicine-led study suggests that statin use is not beneficial for reducing COVID-19 mortality or severity. Instead, patients taking statins had an increased risk of developing a more severe form of the disease. The researchers found no significant impact on mortality rates.
A small study found that high maternal cholesterol levels during pregnancy are associated with a higher risk of severe heart attacks in young adults. Maternal cholesterol also predicts the development of atherosclerosis in adult offspring.
Researchers at UNSW and University of Sydney develop DNA 'nanostructures' to effectively manipulate synthetic liposomes, leading to potential applications in biosensing and mRNA vaccines. The study also explores the creation of 'mini biological computers' that can sense their environment and respond to signals.
A review of 25 studies on intermittent fasting found that all forms produced mild to moderate weight loss, similar to traditional calorie-restrictive diets. Intermittent fasting regimens also showed benefits in decreasing blood pressure and insulin resistance, and improving appetite regulation.
A new global study found that setting targets for treating diabetes patients with cholesterol or blood pressure medication can significantly improve cardiovascular outcomes. Achieving these targets could save up to 6% of healthy lifetime lost to diabetes over 10 years, mainly due to reduced cardiovascular conditions.
A Cleveland Clinic-led research team found that statistically overweight children who followed a healthy eating pattern significantly improved weight and reduced various cardiovascular disease risks. The study also showed improvements in blood pressure, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein levels.
A new study found that cholesterol produced by astrocytes is required for controlling amyloid beta production, leading to the accumulation of insoluble plaques. Blocking this cholesterol manufacturing reduced amyloid beta production in lab mice, offering a potential strategy against Alzheimer's disease.
A new antioxidant drug, cysteamine, has been found to reverse atherosclerosis by reducing the oxidation of LDL cholesterol. This process reduces inflammation, damage, and clot formation, ultimately lowering the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Cysteamine was shown to decrease plaque size by up to 56% in mice with atherosclerosis.
Researchers found that remnant cholesterol levels above 24 micrograms per deciliter were associated with a 40-50% higher risk of major heart disease or stroke. The study suggests using remnant cholesterol as an additional metric for predicting cardiovascular disease and stroke risk, in addition to LDL cholesterol levels.
A two-year randomized controlled trial found that eating about ½ cup of walnuts daily modestly lowered LDL-cholesterol levels and reduced small LDL particles in healthy, older adults. The study suggests that walnuts can improve cardiovascular health by improving the quality of LDL particles.
Researchers found that astrocytes carrying the AD-associated APOE4 gene released more cholesterol, leading to increased beta-amyloid production in neurons. This study suggests modulating brain cholesterol could be a potential treatment option for Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center identified a mechanism where breast cancer cells use cholesterol to develop tolerance to stress, allowing them to resist ferroptosis and proliferate. This finding highlights the importance of lowering cholesterol in preventing cancer progression and offers new approaches for treatment.
Researchers identified physical binding sites for cholesterol in GIRK channels, which play a role in neurodegenerative diseases. The study provides structural insights into how cholesterol alters channel function, paving the way for drug development.
A new study found that consuming millets can significantly lower total cholesterol, triglycerides, and BMI, as well as decrease blood pressure in people who were overweight or obese. The study used meta-analysis to analyze data from 19 studies with nearly 900 participants.
Researchers at MUSC identify a type of fat called sphingolipid that could predict the severity of heart disease in African American patients with lupus. Higher levels of Lac-Cer are associated with increased disease activity and may have predictive value for patient progression.
A new study by Staffordshire University found that users of the Heart Age Test (HAT) were more likely to make healthy lifestyle changes. The test aims to provide early warning signs of cardiovascular disease, encouraging users to reduce their heart age through diet and exercise.