Research on cholesterol and heart health. Covers post-heart-attack LDL lowering, cardiovascular event reduction, gene-editing therapy, and cancer links.
Researchers found that having elevated cholesterol during teens or early twenties increases risk of heart attack, stroke or cardiovascular event in middle age. Regular cholesterol screenings starting in early adulthood may help reduce this risk.
A study by UT Southwestern Medical Center found that switching from brand-name to generic cholesterol medications between 2014 and 2018 saved Medicare billions of dollars. The total costs on these drugs went down despite an increase in prescriptions for LDL-lowering drugs, with the number of generic prescriptions rising by 35%.
A new study led by Assistant Professor Rana Ashkar of Virginia Tech Department of Physics finds that cholesterol actually does adhere to biophysical principles and causes membrane stiffening.
A large European study shows that combining lipid-lowering therapies can further reduce cholesterol levels and improve health outcomes for high-risk patients. Current clinical guidelines are not always followed in practice, highlighting a need for better cholesterol management across Europe.
A new study published in Nutrition and Metabolism found that an eight-week very low-carbohydrate diet improved body composition, fat distribution, and metabolic health in older adults with obesity. The diet also preserved skeletal muscle mass without intentional caloric restriction.
A meta-analysis published in eLife reveals low HDL cholesterol is the most common lipid disorder in Latin America and the Caribbean. The study suggests that efforts to boost HDL cholesterol may provide the greatest heart health benefits to people living in these regions.
A new study published in Circulation: Cardiovascular Imaging found that coronary calcium scores are a better predictor of future heart attacks than strokes, with similar findings across sex and racial groups. The amount of calcified plaque in the heart's arteries was twice as risky for heart attacks as it was for strokes.
Researchers identify a subtype of autism associated with lipid metabolism and brain development, offering potential targets for precision-targeted therapies and earlier diagnosis. The study found notable alterations in cholesterol levels among children with autism and their parents.
A food-based approach using clinically-proven diet interventions can significantly lower cholesterol levels and reduce healthcare costs. The study found that successfully managing hyperlipidemia with Step One Foods could lead to billions of medical savings annually for the entire Medicare privately insured population.
A new study by researchers at Stanford Medicine found that plant-based meat alternatives can improve some cardiovascular risk factors compared to red meat. The study, which used products from Beyond Meat, found lower levels of TMAO in participants who ate plant-based diets.
Researchers at Korea Brain Research Institute used GANs to analyze bulk RNA-seq data, finding that increased Amyloid-beta in the brain alters cholesterol biosynthesis. This study provides a new approach for projecting biological changes and aiding healthcare industry.
Decades of research have failed to show consistent benefit for lowering LDL cholesterol levels in reducing heart disease and death. The approach has been shown to fail in identifying those at high risk while including those at low risk, who don't need treatment.
A six-week course of a PCSK9 inhibitor improved coronary artery function in people living with HIV or high cholesterol, increasing area and blood flow. The study suggests a potential way to limit cardiovascular disease risk in these populations by improving blood vessel function.
A new study analyzed data on over 15,000 people to better understand the association between HDL cholesterol, heart attacks, and strokes. The researchers found that the number of HDL particles is a more reliable predictor of heart attack and stroke risk than the standard HDL cholesterol metric.
A new study reveals that certain T lymphocytes can increase inflammation and worsen atherosclerosis cases, contrary to their usual role as immune system defenders. Researchers at La Jolla Institute for Immunology are working to design a safe anti-atherosclerosis vaccine by harnessing the power of T cells.
A team of researchers has developed a potential approach to overcome anti-VEGF resistance in patients with age-related macular degeneration. By combining apolipoprotein A-I binding protein (AIBP) with anti-VEGF, the strategy effectively suppresses choroidal neovascularization (CNV) and reduces drug resistance.
A new study published in Cell Metabolism found that two daily fasting diets, with eating windows of 4-6 hours, can lead to significant weight loss and improved cardiometabolic risk factors. Participants lost about 3% of their body weight by reducing calorie intake and showed reduced insulin resistance and oxidative stress levels.
Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory found that interfering with cholesterol storage can stop pancreatic cancer cell growth in mice and lab-grown pancreas models. The study suggests a new strategy for treating deadly disease by targeting an enzyme called SOAT1.
A new study published in BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine suggests that people with familial hypercholesterolemia should eliminate carbs and focus on a heart-healthy diet low in sugar. The research finds no evidence to support the long-held recommendation to minimize saturated fat intake.
Nieng Yan's research program aims to solve the structure of ion channels and membrane transporters using cryo-EM. Her lab has produced valuable rewards, including structures of proteins involved in diseases such as Niemann-Pick disease type C.
Researchers analyzed data from over 15,000 people to find that the number of HDL particles is a more reliable predictor of heart attack and stroke risk than standard HDL cholesterol metric. In black people, neither HDL measurement was significantly associated with heart attack risk.
A team of researchers has discovered a species of gut bacteria that can affect cholesterol levels in humans. The discovery could lead to new therapeutics, such as probiotics or enzyme delivery to the gut, to help people manage their blood cholesterol levels.
Researchers at KAIST designed nanoparticles that significantly reduce cholesterol and macrophage foam cells in arteries, two key triggers of atherosclerotic plaque. The combination drug delivery therapy showed great potential for treating and preventing atherosclerosis with reduced side effects.
Cholesterol levels have dropped sharply in high-income nations like those in North-western Europe, North America, and Australasia, but risen in low- and middle-income countries, particularly in East and Southeast Asia. High cholesterol is responsible for approximately 3.9 million worldwide deaths annually.
Researchers disagree on whether reducing saturated fat intake can lower rates of heart disease, with some arguing that the evidence is inconclusive and others citing a strong link between saturated fats and increased LDL cholesterol levels. Experts caution against replacing foods high in saturated fat with added sugars and refined carb...
A recent study found that Australian bad cholesterol levels have decreased significantly over the past few decades. In contrast, countries in Asia and the Pacific region have seen a sharp increase in non-HDL 'bad' cholesterol levels, which can lead to heart attacks and strokes.
The study found that total and non-HDL cholesterol levels are falling sharply in high-income countries, particularly those in North-western Europe, North America, and Australasia, while rising in low- and middle-income nations, especially in East and Southeast Asia. This shift has significant implications for global cardiovascular health.
Researchers developed a new technology to monitor cholesterol in brain tissue, revealing major locations of cholesterol and its metabolites. This breakthrough could lead to the discovery of new therapies for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's disease.
A 2-year lifestyle intervention reduced LDL cholesterol levels in Finnish children, with high-fat vegetable oil-based spreads and decreased butter consumption having the greatest impact. The study suggests a family-based approach to prevent atherosclerosis in adulthood.
A diet rich in fish omega-3 fatty acids modulates lipoprotein particles, reducing triglycerides transported by any type of lipoprotein. The study found that increased consumption of LDL cholesterol from fish is associated with larger, less atherogenic LDL particles.
Research shows low-income adults are less likely to receive preventive heart disease care, including cholesterol and blood pressure screenings. Socioeconomic disparities worsen during crises like COVID-19, highlighting the need for city-level interventions and public health policies to address these gaps.
Researchers developed open-source software PCAlipids to analyze individual lipid molecules, highlighting the effects of temperature and cholesterol on their behavior. The study aims to better understand the mechanisms behind these interactions.
Researchers have discovered a new gene, Sestrin1, that regulates cholesterol levels by shutting off cholesterol production in the liver when food provides enough essential nutrients. The study combines fine-grained detail from animal studies with statistical power of genetic studies involving hundreds of thousands of human genomes.
Regular dietary counselling from infancy leads to improved cardiovascular health and reduced risk factors, such as lower serum cholesterol levels and better insulin sensitivity. The intervention group continued to have a heart-healthy diet even after the counselling ended.
People with type 2 diabetes and heart disease may benefit from newer therapies that combine glucose control with cardiovascular benefits. These treatments, such as SGLT2 inhibitors and GLP-1 receptor agonists, have been shown to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events and improve outcomes for patients.
Cells in vulnerable entry routes to bacterial infection buffer themselves when immune system detects danger by reorganizing surface cholesterol. This defense mechanism, identified by UTSW researchers, could offer new strategies for fighting infections without antibiotics.
A U-shaped relationship was found between egg consumption and the risks of incident CVD and total death among general Chinese. Consumption of 3-6 eggs/week was associated with the lowest risk. Higher or lower egg intake was linked to increased cardiovascular disease and mortality risks, respectively.
A phase three clinical trial found alirocumab to substantially reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels in adult patients with HoFH, with an average relative reduction of 35.6%. The drug also reduced other harmful lipids typically elevated in people with FH.
Researchers found evinacumab, a monoclonal antibody, reduced LDL cholesterol to near-normal levels among patients with HoFH, meeting the primary endpoint. Patients achieved an average relative reduction of 49% and nearly half had LDL cholesterol below 100mg/dL.
A new observational study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that drinking 12 ounces of sugary drinks more than once per day is linked to lower levels of HDL-C and higher levels of triglycerides. The study also found that regularly consuming sugar-sweetened beverages increases the risk of cardiovascular di...
A new study found that middle-aged and older adults who consumed sugary beverages daily had a higher risk of developing abnormal cholesterol and triglyceride levels compared to those who rarely drank them. The study suggests that limiting sugary drink intake may help maintain healthier blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
Researchers found that using plant-based analogs of cholesterol improves the shape and structure of nanoparticles, allowing them to deliver genes more effectively. This boosts delivery by up to 10-fold and enables patients to be treated with higher efficacy.
Researchers found that high cholesterol levels increase the risk of developing aortic stenosis, a major heart valve disease. The study used Mendelian randomization to determine the causal effect of cholesterol levels on aortic stenosis.
A Finnish study found that patients taking cholesterol or blood pressure-lowering medications were more likely to become obese and reduce their physical activity levels. The research highlights the importance of maintaining healthy habits even when starting prescription medications.
Researchers create new model to study lipid rafts in living cells, revealing the role of cholesterol in their formation and behavior. This breakthrough sheds light on diseases like Parkinson and Alzheimer, where lipid rafts are thought to play a key role.
Researchers develop new model to simulate lipid raft formation on a nanometric scale, confirming high dynamicity and existence of 10 nanoseconds. Cholesterol discovered to destabilize membranes and enable nanotubes to leave cells in milliseconds.
A new study found that quercetin can greatly reduce systolic blood pressure and improve HDL cholesterol levels. Quercetin administration is associated with a 10-20% reduction in cardiovascular risk for heart failure, stroke, and myocardial infarction.
Researchers discovered that DHCR7 inhibitors and intermediate cholesterol metabolite 7-DHC promote IFN-I production and an antiviral response by activating AKT3 and IRF3. This may aid in the development of new drugs to treat viral infections.
A new review study published in the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine finds that egg-industry funded research tends to skew findings, leading to a neutralized image of eggs as a cholesterol-raising product. Over 85% of studies showed unfavorable effects on blood cholesterol levels.
The American Heart Association suggests focusing on an overall heart-healthy dietary pattern that replaces saturated fats with polyunsaturated fats to maintain healthy LDL cholesterol levels. A nutrient-rich diet emphasizing fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein sources can help reduce the risk of heart disease.
Aging adults are more likely to develop and die from cardiovascular disease due to narrowed, hardened arteries. The study reveals a novel pathway where mitochondrial dysfunction and pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6 co-exist with aging to promote atherosclerosis.
The study, published in The Lancet, analyzed data from almost 400,000 people and found a strong link between non-HDL cholesterol levels and long-term cardiovascular disease risk in those under 45. Reducing cholesterol levels by half may lower the risk of heart disease or stroke by up to 60% for some individuals.
Researchers identified Annexin A6 as a key factor in cholesterol regulation and potential therapeutic target for diseases caused by lipid accumulation. The study shows that silencing AnxA6 can redirect cholesterol to other cell compartments, potentially treating conditions like Niemann-Pick type C1 and various cancers.
The ORION-10 trial shows inclisiran significantly lowers LDL cholesterol in patients taking statin drugs, reducing heart attack and stroke risk. The medication's excellent safety profile and convenient dosing schedule make it a promising treatment option.
Research reveals that only one LDL subclass causes significant damage, while others are harmless. Accurate diagnosis using LDL subclass composition could improve cardiovascular disease rates.
A study of 1,369 children found that high levels of good cholesterol and bad fats at birth can predict social and emotional development issues at age 5. Children with high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low triglycerides showed improved psychological ratings from teachers.
Researchers at American Heart Association Scientific Sessions reveal that e-cigarettes pose significant cardiovascular threats. Contrary to popular belief, e-cigarettes do not appear to be a healthier alternative to traditional cigarettes regarding heart health.
American adults on cholesterol-lowering medications have seen improved overall cholesterol levels since the 2013 ACC/AHA Cholesterol Guideline was implemented. This is largely attributed to a shift towards a risk-based approach over target LDL-based management.
A new study by Lund University researchers has identified a key mechanism in insulin release by a cholesterol metabolite. The receptor GPR183 plays a major role in stimulating insulin secretion in human cells and rats.
A randomized, controlled feeding study found that eating one avocado a day was associated with lower levels of LDL (specifically small, dense LDL particles) and oxidized LDL in adults with overweight or obesity. Avocados also helped reduce oxidized LDL particles and increased antioxidant lutein levels.