Serum lipids and lipoprotein concentrations in young quadriplegic patients.

Serum lipids and lipoproteins were investigated in 10 young quadriplegic patients. All received intermittently a liquid formula diet via a naso-gastric tube, consisting of 2900 calories/day. The polyunsaturated/saturated fatty acids ratio was 1.1 : 1. Their mean body weight was 70% of the ideal body weight. The results were compared to a control group receiving a diet containing 2600 calories per day, and the polyunsaturated/saturated fatty acids ratio was 0.9 : 1. Their mean body weight was 95% of the ideal body weight. In the quadriplegic group the serum HDL-cholesterol levels and linoleic acid content of cholesterol ester were reduced. Similar findings have been observed in patients with coronary disease.

Serum lipids and lipoprotein concentrations during the acute phase of myocardial infarction.

The concentrations of serum lipids and lipoprotein cholesterol were measured serially during the acute phase (14 days) following myocardial infarction (MI) in 13 male survivors. All patients were re-examined at least two months after discharge from hospital. A significant increase in serum triglyceride (TG) concentration occurred during the acute phase, with values returning to baseline two months after recovery. No changes in the concentrations of the other lipids or lipoprotein cholesterol were observed.

Breast milk and adipose tissue fatty acid composition in relation to maternal dietary intake.

The fatty acid (FA) relative concentration (g/100g) of human milk triglyceride (TG) was compared to that of adipose tissue (AT). A high concentration of linoleic acid (C-18:2) was present in AT, probably reflecting long term high linoleic acid dietary intake. Linoleic acid was slightly lower in colostrum and transitional milk. No difference in C-18:2 relative concentration was seen between AT and human milk obtained 6 weeks post-partum. Marked short-term dietary modification in linoleic acid intake of the mother, 6 weeks post-partum, did not result in changes in C-18:2 relative concentration of human milk. In spite of measured marked intradiurnal variability in C-18:2 intake, human milk TG FA relative concentration remained remarkably constant. It is suggested that human milk TG FA composition reflects, mainly, the composition of AT. With the increased dietary intake of polyunsaturated fat in many populations, high levels of linoleic acid in human milk are to be expected. The intake of this fatty acid may exceed the suggested daily allowance and thus cause harmful effects, particularly in preterm infants.

Lipoprotein profile changes during intense training of Israeli military recruits.

The effect of prolonged strenuous military training on serum lipoproteins was studied in 73 new recruits. Dietary intake, body weight, and average energy expenditure were recorded, and blood samples collected at three time periods before training began (time 0), and after 6 and 12 wk of intense physical activity (times I and II, respectively). There was a significant increase in high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and a decrease in low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol accompanying an increase of duration and intensity of exercise. HDL increased from 40.5 +/- 7.7 mg.dl-1 at time 0 to 44.5 +/- 9.4 mg.dl-1 at time I and to 52.8 +/- 8.7 mg.dl-1 at time II, and each mean P-value for increases in HDL from time 0-I, I-II, and 0-II were P < 0.0001). For LDL cholesterol, the mean decreases were -1.1, -6.1, and -7.3 mg.dl-1, respectively (P = 0.003 from I-II, and 0.01 from 0-II). These changes did not correlate with weight loss, reduced energy, or fat intake. We conclude that intense physical activity is associated with beneficial changes in the lipoprotein profile in new military recruits during a training period extending over 12 wk.

Serum lipids and lipoprotein concentrations in women with rheumatoid arthritis.

Serum lipid and lipoprotein concentrations were measured in 51 women with rheumatoid arthritis treated with both nonsteroidal and steroidal drugs and compared to a group of women with rheumatoid arthritis not receiving anti-inflammatory drugs and to a healthy control group. Significantly lower concentrations of total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol were found in the rheumatoid patients on nonsteroidal or steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, while no difference was found in high density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides. In the group of rheumatoid patients who received no nonsteroidal or steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, the triglyceride level was higher than in the control group, and that of HDL-C was lower. Total cholesterol and LDL-C levels were higher in the patients not on anti-inflammatory drugs than in patients receiving anti-inflammatory drugs. The results of this study suggest that hyperlipidemia is not one of the predisposing factors for coronary disease in patients with rheumatoid arthritis receiving anti-inflammatory therapy. Anti-inflammatory drugs may play a role in the regulation of serum lipids in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Plasma lipid profile in verapamil-treated hypertensive patients.

Plasma lipid profiles were monitored for one year in hypertensive patients treated with verapamil. Elevations of triglyceride and very low density lipoprotein fractions were demonstrated in those patients already hyperlipidemic before commencement of verapamil. Caution may be necessary when giving verapamil to these hyperlipidemic patients. Further larger studies seem warranted.

Lipids and lipoproteins among Ethiopian immigrants: comparison of operations Solomon and Moses.

Lipid and lipoprotein levels and body mass index were compared between two immigrations of Ethiopian Jews to Israel. Those who came in Operation Moses in 1984-85 were survivors of a long trek across hundreds of kilometers and severe food deprivation. Those who immigrated in Operation Solomon in 1991 were bussed from their villages to Addis Ababa where public health care and food were provided and a few months later they were airlifted to Israel. Total cholesterol among the Operation Solomon immigrants was higher than those obtained in Operation Moses in the different age-groups studied, in both sexes. High density lipoprotein-cholesterol was significantly higher and triglycerides lower in Operation Solomon compared with those of Operation Moses. Body mass indices of the Ethiopians in both immigrations were significantly lower than in the Israeli-born population but those who arrived in 1991 were heavier than those in the 1984-85 Operation Moses. The data on the Ethiopian Jews who arrived in Operation Solomon were not affected by the environmental hardships experienced by those who arrived in the 1984-85 Operation Moses. Therefore their exposure to a Western life-style, such as smoking, contraceptive use, change in diet and its effect on arteriosclerosis, diabetes mellitus and coronary heart disease will be of great interest.

Blood pressure and body mass index in Ethiopian immigrants: comparison of operations Solomon and Moses.

Blood pressure, height and weight of 122 male and 143 female Ethiopian Jews who immigrated to Israel in Operation Solomon (1991) were measured and compared with those of Ethiopian immigrants who arrived in Israel in 1984-85 (Operation Moses). Although the body mass indices of the Operation Solomon immigrants were much higher than those of Operation Moses, no significant differences were found in blood pressure measurements in any age-group or in either sex. Blood pressure in Operation Solomon immigrants increased with age and correlated with body mass index and triglyceride serum levels among males, but not females. No correlation was found between cholesterol levels and blood pressure measurements.

Serum lipids in patients with psoriasis.

In 13 patients with psoriasis a lower total cholesterol (TC) concentration was found compared to healthy controls of the same population. No differences in the concentration of serum triglyceride (TG) or phospholipids (PL) were detected between these two groups. In the same patients, serum triglyceride fatty acid analyses showed a reduced concentration of linoleic acid and a raised level of palmitoleic and myristic acids. No differences were detected in the major phospholipid fractions. The increase in plasma free fatty acids (FFA) following intravenous heparin was comparable in the psoriatic patient and in the controls. It is concluded that no basic abnormality of serum lipids exists and that the changes described were due to a selective loss via the scales or due to malabsorption.

Effect of chronic cholesterol loading in the development of acute ischemic renal failure in rats.

The effect of chronic cholesterol loading and lovastatin administration in renal artery clamping acute renal failure in rats is not known. Acute renal failure was induced by 60-min left renal artery clamping immediately after right nephrectomy. The changes in renal function after renal artery clamping in the hyperlipidemic rats were unexpected. The acute renal failure in the cholesterol-loaded groups was less severe than in the nonhyperlipidemic rats. The lovastatin administration had some favorable effect on renal function after ischemia; however, this effect was not additive to the high dietary cholesterol administration. Our results seems to favor the concept that in this special form of experimental renal ischemic acute renal failure, serum cholesterol levels, elevated through diet, may have protective effects with respect to renal tubular lesions during or following the acute ischemic insult.