Portulaca oleracea reduces triglyceridemia, cholesterolemia, and improves lecithin: cholesterol acyltransferase activity in rats fed enriched-cholesterol diet.

PURPOSE: The effects of Portulaca oleracea (Po) lyophilized aqueous extract were determined on the serum high-density lipoproteins (HDL2 and HDL3) amounts and composition, as well as on lecithin: cholesterol acyltansferase (LCAT) activity. METHODS: Male Wistar rats (n = 12) were fed on 1% cholesterol-enriched diet for 10 days. After this phase, hypercholesterolemic rats (HC) were divided into two groups fed the same diet supplemented or not with Portulaca oleracea (Po-HC) (0.5%) for four weeks. RESULTS: Serum total cholesterol (TC) and triacylglycerols (TG), and liver TG values were respectively 1.6-, 1.8-, and 1.6-fold lower in Po-HC than in HC group. Cholesterol concentrations in LDL-HDL1, HDL2, and HDL3 were respectively 1.8, 1.4-, and 2.4-fold decreased in Po-HC group. HDL2 and HDL3 amounts, which were the sum of apolipoproteins (apos), TG, cholesteryl esters (CE), unesterified cholesterol (UC), and phospholipids (PL) contents, were respectively 4.5-fold higher and 1.2-fold lower with Po treatment. Indeed, enhanced LCAT activity (1.2-fold), its cofactor-activator apo A-I (2-fold) and its reaction product HDL2-CE (2.1-fold) were observed, whereas HDL3-PL (enzyme substrate) and HDL3-UC (acyl group acceptor) were 1.2- and 2.4-fold lower. CONCLUSION: Portulaca oleracea reduces triglyceridemia, cholesterolemia, and improves reverse cholesterol transport in rat fed enriched-cholesterol diet, contributing to anti-atherogenic effects.

[The degree of chronic renal failure is associated with the rate of pro-inflammatory cytokines, hyperhomocysteinemia and with oxidative stress]. / Le degré de l'insuffisance rénale chronique est associé aux taux de cytokines pro-inflammatoires, à l'hyperhomocystéinémie et au stress oxydant.

AIM: To evaluate pro-inflammatory cytokines, homocysteinemia and markers of oxidative status in the course of chronic renal failure. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred and two patients (male/female: 38/64; age: 45±07 years) with chronic renal failure were divided into 4 groups according to the National Kidney Foundation classification. They included 28 primary stage renal failure patients, 28 moderate stage renal failure, 28 severe stage renal failure and 18 end stage renal failure. The inflammatory status was evaluated by the determination of pro-inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1ß, interleukin-6) and total homocysteine. Pro-oxidant status was assessed by assaying thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, hydroperoxides, and protein carbonyls. Antioxidant defence was performed by analysis of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase. RESULTS: Inflammatory markers were elevated in the end stage renal failure group compared to the other groups (P<0.001). Indeed, an increase in thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, hydroperoxides and protein carbonyls was noted in the end stage renal failure group in comparison with the other groups (P<0.001), while the levels of antioxidants enzymes activity were decreased in the study population (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Impaired renal function is closely associated with the elevation of inflammatory markers leading to both increased markers of oxidative stress and decreased antioxidant defense.

The Mediterranean diet adoption improves metabolic, oxidative, and inflammatory abnormalities in Algerian metabolic syndrome patients.

This study was aimed to explore the effects of Mediterranean diet (MD) adoption on insulin resistance, oxidative, and inflammatory status in metabolic syndrome (MS) patients. Eighty four patients with MS were randomly recruited in the medical centers of Oran, Algeria. Eighteen healthy participants were selected as a control group. Among these 84 patients, only 36 patients completed the nutritional advices for 3 months. Patients were instructed to follow a Mediterranean-style diet and received some other selected nutritional and physical activity instructions. Anthropometric measurements were performed and a questionnaire was used to assess dietary intake. Blood samples were drawn at baseline and after 3 months of nutritional intervention from all subjects. At baseline, the MS patients were obese and had altered anthropometric parameters, higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure, plasma lipids, glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, HbA1c, urea, creatinine, uric acid, and lower albumin compared to healthy subjects. A decrease in plasma, erythrocyte, and platelet antioxidant enzymes, and a rise in lipid and protein oxidation, plasma CRP, and fibrinogen were noted in the MS patients. Moreover, they had an unbalanced dietary pattern when compared to Mediterranean recommendations. Patients following the Mediterranean-style diet had significantly reduced weight, BMI, waist circumference, waist/hip circumference ratio, decreased systolic and diastolic blood pressure, plasma glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, HbA1c, cholesterol, triacylglycerols, CRP, urea, creatinine, creatinine clearance, lipid and protein oxidation, and higher plasma, erythrocyte, and platelet antioxidant enzymes. In conclusion, a lifestyle intervention based mainly on nutritional advices improves metabolic, oxidative, and inflammatory abnormalities of metabolic syndrome.

Assessment of dietary consumption and time-course of changes in serum lipids and lipoproteins before, during and after Ramadan in young Algerian adults.

INTRODUCTION: During the month of Ramadan, fasting is obligatory for all healthy adult Muslims, with the only exempted adults being those who have to travel or are sick. The aim of this study was to see whether changes in food intake and meal patterns during Ramadan fasting could modify serum lipid and lipoprotein parameters in healthy Algerian young men and women volunteers. The time-course prospective study was done in order to investigate at what time eventual changes to these parameters occur during Ramadan and their disappearance after Ramadan. METHODS: Subjects were interviewed by trained interviewers using the method of the "seven day recall and record", before, during and after Ramadan. The serum lipid and lipoprotein contents were analysed at different times. RESULTS: The total energy intake was higher during Ramadan (13 and 11 MJ/day) than before and after Ramadan (11 and 9 MJ/day) in men and women, respectively. In the second week of Ramadan, carbohydrate intake was elevated by 22 percent and 24 percent in men and women, respectively, compared to before and after Ramadan. At the end of Ramadan, the low density lipoproteins (LDL) percentages decreased by 20 percent in women and 55 percent in men compared to the values obtained before Ramadan. In both groups, the amount of serum high density lipoproteins (HDL) was 1.4-fold higher, in particular on day 28 of Ramadan, in comparison with the period before and after Ramadan. Indeed, a progressive decrease in LDL-C was noted in women and was particularly drastic in men. In contrast, HDL-C had increased by 30 percent on day 15 of Ramadan, compared to before Ramadan. CONCLUSION: This study shows that striking changes in nutritional habits during Ramadan may be useful in reducing LDL levels and in increasing HDL levels. The young Muslim's diet during Ramadan may contribute to favourable modifications of the serum lipoprotein profile related to cardiovascular protection.

Antioxidant effect of Ajuga iva aqueous extract in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the possible antioxidant effect of an aqueous extract of Ajuga iva (Ai) in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Twelve diabetic rats were divided into two groups fed a casein diet supplemented or not with Ai (0.5%), for 4 weeks. In vitro, the Ai extract possessed a very high antioxidant effect (1 mg/ml was similar to those of trolox 300 mmol/l). The results indicated that plasma thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) values were reduced by 41% in Ai-treated compared with untreated diabetic rats. TBARS concentrations were lower 1.5-fold in liver, 1.8-fold in heart, 1.9-fold in muscle and 2.1-fold in brain in Ai-treated than untreated group. In erythrocytes, Ai treatment increased significantly the activities of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) (+25%) and glutathione reductase (GSSH-Red) (+22%). Superoxide dismutase activity was increased in muscle (+22%), while GSH-Px activity was significantly higher in liver (+28%), heart (+40%) and kidney (+45%) in Ai-treated compared with untreated group. Liver and muscle GSSH-Red activity was, respectively, 1.6- and 1.5-fold higher in Ai-treated than untreated diabetic group. Catalase activity was significantly increased in heart (+36%) and brain (+32%) in Ai-treated than untreated group. Ai treatment decreased plasma nitric oxide (-33%), carbonyls (-44%) and carotenoids (-68%) concentrations. In conclusion, this study indicates that Ajuga iva aqueous extract improves the antioxidant status by reducing lipid peroxidation and enhancing the antioxidant enzymes activities in plasma, erythrocytes and tissues of diabetic rats.

Serum lecithin: cholesterol acyltransferase activity, HDL2 and HDL3 composition in hypertensive mothers and their small for gestational age newborns.

The aim of this study was to determine serum lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) activity in parallel with HDL2 and HDL3 amounts and composition in pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) and chronic hypertensive (CH) mothers and in their small for gestational age (SGA) newborns. LCAT activity was assayed by conversion of [3H] cholesterol to labelled cholesteryl ester. HDL2 and HDL3 were separated by ultracentrifugation. At term, cholesterol values were similar in PIH, CH and controls. However, higher levels of triglycerides were observed in PIH and CH (+20% and +21%, respectively) as compared with normotensive control mothers (NC). HDL2 and HDL3-phospholipids, HDL2-cholesterol concentrations and LCAT activity were lower in PIH and CH mothers than in NC mothers. Similar changes were also observed in SGA newborns of PHI mothers and in SGA newborns of CH mothers when compared to appropriate for gestational age newborns of control mothers (AGA-NC). In addition, SGA newborns showed low HDL2 and HDL3 apoA-I contents. Maternal hypertension and foetal intrauterine growth retardation are associated with profound abnormalities in HDL metabolism, consistent with an atherogenic risk. SGA lipoprotein profiles appear to implicate later metabolic diseases.

Changes in antioxidant defense status in hypercholesterolemic rats treated with Ajuga iva.

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of aqueous extract of Ajuga iva (Ai) on serum and tissues lipid peroxidation as well as antioxidant enzymes activities in red blood cells (RBC) and tissues, in high hypercholesterolemic rats (HC). Male Wistar rats (n=12) were fed on 1% cholesterol-enriched diet for 15d. After this adaptation phase, hypercholesterolemic rats (total cholesterol=6.5+/-0.6mol/l) were divided into two groups fed the same diet and treated or not with Ai for 15d. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) concentrations in serum, LDL-HDL(1), HDL(2) and HDL(3) were respectively, 5-, 7.8-, 2.3- and 5-fold lower in Ai treated than untreated hypercholesterolemic groups. TBARS concentrations were 1.4-fold lower in heart and 2.8-fold higher in kidney in Ai-HC treated than untreated HC group. Superoxide dismutase activity was respectively, 1.2- and 1.4-fold higher in RBC and muscle in Ai treated than untreated group. In RBC, Ajuga iva treatment enhanced glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) (+9%) and glutathione reductase (GSSH-Red) (+12%) in Ai-HC treated than untreated HC group. GSSH-Red activity was 1.4- and 1.5-fold higher in adipose tissue and heart, respectively and 3.7-fold lower in kidney in Ai treated than untreated group. Liver catalase activity was 1.6-fold higher in Ai treated than untreated group. Adipose tissue and muscle total glutathione content represented in Ai treated group 35% and 36% of the value noted in untreated group. Nitric oxide values of liver, adipose tissue and heart were 3.3-, 2.5- and 3.4-fold higher in Ai-HC than HC group. Ajuga iva treatment enhanced alpha-tocopherol contents (+25%) in Ai treated than untreated group. In conclusion, Ajuga iva treatment is more effective to improve the antioxidant capacity of RBC than that of tissues. Indeed, Ai is able to reduce the oxidative stress in hypercholesterolemic rats by increasing the antioxidant enzymes activity.

Effect of aqueous extract of Ajuga iva supplementation on plasma lipid profile and tissue antioxidant status in rats fed a high-cholesterol diet.

The present study was designed to explore the possible antioxidant and hypolipidemic effects of the aqueous extract of Ajuga iva (0.5% in the diet) in rats fed a high-cholesterol (1%) diet (HCD). The results indicated that the HCD-Ai versus HCD treatment led to many changes in biochemical parameters. They showed a decrease of plasma total cholesterol (TC) and VLDL-cholesterol but an increase of HDL(2)-cholesterol. The triacylglycerol contents were reduced in plasma and in VLDL. The lipid peroxidation determined by TBARS was decreased by 75% in plasma. TBARS in liver, heart and kidneys were highly reduced excepted in the adipose tissue. Ajuga iva treatment enhanced superoxide dismutase activity in liver and kidney. Glutathione reductase activity was lowered in adipose tissue but increased in liver and in kidney. A significant increase was noted in glutathione peroxidase activity in liver, heart and kidney but a low value in adipose tissue was observed. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates that in addition to its potent TG and TC-lowering effects, Ajuga iva is effective in improving the antioxidant status by reducing lipid peroxidation in plasma and tissues and enhancing the antioxidant enzymes in rats fed high-cholesterol diet. Furthermore, Ajuga iva may reduce intestinal cholesterol absorption.

[Gestational or essential hypertension in pregnant women limits the capacity to stock triglycerides by the placenta despite raised lipoprotein-lipase activity]. / L'hypertension gravidique ou essentielle chez la femme en gestation limite la capacité de stockage des triglycérides du placenta malgré une activité lipoprotéine lipase élevée.

Placenta lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity as well as serum VLDL and placenta lipids composition were determined in pregnant hypertensive women at term. 46 patients aged from 29 +/- 2 years with gravidic hypertension (HTA-G) and 38 patients with essential hypertension (HTA-E) aged 30 +/- 1 years were compared with 20 normotensive women aged 27 +/- 1 years. Serum triacylglycerols (TG) concentrations were 1.3-fold higher in the both hypertensive patients compared with controls. However, serum phospholipids (PL) and total cholesterol (TC) values were similar in the three groups. VLDL mass and their apolipoproteins, unesterified cholesterol (UC) and cholesteryl esters (CE) contents were significantly increased in hypertensive women compared with controls. In HTA-G and HTA-E patients, respectively. TG-VLDL concentrations were increased by +43% and +36% compared with those of controls (P < 0.01). In placenta, the values were lower 2.2- and 1.9-fold for TG, 2.8 and 2.5-fold for PL and two- and threefold for TC, in HTA-G and HTA-E patients than in controls. Placenta LPL activity was 2.7-fold higher in HTA-G and HTA-E patients compared with that of controls. In conclusion, although placenta LPL activity is higher it is not permit a decrease of serum TG-VLDL on the one hand, and an increase of placenta ability in TG storage on the other hand.

[Fish proteins moderate triacylglycerols, activities of hepatic triacylglycerol lipase and tissue lipoprotein lipases in hypertensive and diabetic rats]. / Les protéines de poisson modulent le métabolisme des triglycerides ainsi que les activités de la triglycéride lipase hépatique et des lipoprotéines lipases tissulaires chez le rat spontanément hypertendu (SHR) et le SHR diabétique.

Fish proteins effect compared with casein was determined on triacylglycerols (TG) metabolism and activities of hepatic triacylglycerol lipase (HTGL) and tissue lipoprotein lipases (LPL), in SHR and diabetic SHR. Two groups of rats (n=24) were fed, 2 months, diet containing 20% casein (CAS) or 20% fish proteins (FP). One month before sacrifice, diabetes was induced in one group of rats by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ) (60 mg/kg of body weight). FP vs. CAS showed a significant decrease of TG concentrations in plasma (-41%) and liver (-66%), in SHR-STZ. VLDL-LDL mass, which represented the amount of apolipoproteins, TG, phospholipids (PL), unesterified cholesterol (UC), and cholesteryl esters (CE), decreased by 21 and 16% with FP vs. CAS, in SHR and SHR-STZ, respectively, and was concomitant with its low TG. Indeed, TG values was 1.35- and 1.82-fold lower in SHR and SHR-STZ, respectively. In HDL2, a TG diminution of 13% was noted, in SHR with FP vs. CAS. In SHR-STZ with FP, TG and PL were enhanced by 11% and 27%, respectively compared to SHR. HTGL activity decreased by 22% in SHR fed FP compared to those fed CAS. In SHR-STZ with CAS vsSHR, this activity was decreased by 21%. LPL activity in heart was enhanced by 19% in SHR-STZ vs. SHR with FP, when that of muscle was diminished 1.5-fold in SHR with FP vs. CAS and 1.8-fold in SHR-STZ vs. SHR with CAS. Adipose LPL activity was 1.36-fold higher in SHR with FP than CAS. In conclusion, it appears that fish proteins have a hypotriglyceridemic effect, which the mechanism can differ in SHR or SHR-STZ. It may be of interest to propose these fish proteins as lipid metabolism regulator in diseases with hypertriglyceridemia.

Fish protein improves blood pressure but alters HDL2 and HDL3 composition and tissue lipoprotein lipase activities in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

The two-month effects of dietary fish protein and casein on VLDL, HDL(2) and HDL(3) compositions and hepatic lipase (HTGL) and tissue lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activities were examined in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) at 4 wk of age. After 2 mo of experiment, the fish protein diet induced lower blood pressure (-14 %) as compared to casein. Liver triacylglycerol and total cholesterol concentrations were 1.37- and 1.71-fold lower in the fish protein group than in the casein group, respectively. Total cholesterol concentration in plasma was also diminished by fish protein (-21 %) and was reflected in HDL(2) fraction (-44 %). SHR fed the fish protein diet as compared with those fed casein, showed a significantly low HDL(3) particle number, as measured by diminished HDL(3) mass and apo A-I. The consumption of fish protein did not affect VLDL particle number, but significantly decreased VLDL-triacylglycerol (-32 %) and adipose tissue total lipid concentrations as compared to casein. This was accompanied by diminished HTGL and adipose tissue LPL activities (-10%, -91%, respectively). These data demonstrate that fish protein plays an antihypertensive role and reduces plasma and tissue lipid concentrations. Thus, a fish protein intake might be beneficial for patients with hypertension.

[Effect of fish protein on blood pressure, glycemia and plasma and urinary parameters in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and diabetic SHR]. / Effet de la protéine de poisson sur la pression artérielle, la glycémie et les paramètres plasmatiques et urinaires chez des rats spontanément hypertendus (SHR) et des SHR diabétiques.

Fish protein (FP) effect compared to casein (CAS) was studied on blood pressure (BP) evolution and glycemia in part, and on plasma lipid, angiotensine II and aldosterone concentrations and urinary aldosterone on the other hand, in SHR and in SHR with streptozotocin-induced diabetes (SHR-STZ). Two groups of rats (6 SHR and 6 SHR-STZ) were fed for 2 months diet containing 20% CAS or 20% FP. One month before sacrifice, diabetes was induced into one group of rats by a single intraperitonealy injection of streptozotocin (STZ). The results showed that FP diminished blood pressure (-9%) in SHR, compared with CAS. In contrast, FP enhanced significantly blood pressure in SHR-STZ vs SHR (p<0.01). There was no effect on glycemia with fish protein. FP compared to CAS involved a diminution (-41%) and (-17%) of total cholesterol and (-26%) and (-9%) of phospholipids in SHR and SHR-STZ, respectively. Moreover, a decrease of triacylglycerols (-21%) was noted in SHR-STZ with FP vs CAS. In SHR, plasma aldosterone and angiotensine II concentrations were reduced (-62%) and (-64%) and urinary aldosterone amounts were enhanced with FP compared to CAS (p<0.05). In SHR-STZ group, aldosterone value was fivefold lower in plasma and twofold higher in urine with FP compared to CAS. A significant enhancement of urinary aldosterone was noted in SHR-STZ vs SHR whatever diet-consumed. In conclusion, FP has a beneficial effect on blood pressure by modulating the hypertension markers i.e. plasma total cholesterol, angiotensine II and aldosterone, in SHR group, and on total cholesterol and triglycerids in SHR-STZ. FP reduces plasma aldosterone by its enhanced urinary excretion. It is necessary to specify the action mode of FP in order to propose it as nutritional complement in the degenerative diseases such as hypertension and diabetes.

Effect of dietary consumption, advanced age and overweight on the physical characteristics of cholesterol gallstones and biliary lipid composition in west Algerian women.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of age, overweight and food consumption on the number and size of cholesterol stones and bile composition in west Algerian women undergoing surgery for cholelithiasis. Patients were divided into four groups according to body mass index (BMI, weight/height(2), kg/m(2)) and age. The highest number of patients with cholesterol gallstones was observed in the older women, in particular in those being overweight. In all patients, the stone number and size was approximately similar. The same dietary consumption was observed in older and young patients. Overweight patients were characterized by higher energy consumption (14.5 +/- 2.0 MJ x day(-1)) versus normal-weight patients (10.6 +/- 1.3 MJ x day(-1); p < 0.01) and versus Mediterranean diet (8 MJ x day(-1)). In normal-weight patients, the cholesterol saturation index (CSI) was higher in older patients (+56%) versus young patients while it diminished (-53%) in older overweight versus young patients. In older patients, the CSI was fourfold higher in normal-weight compared to overweight patients (p < 0.001). In conclusion, differences in food consumption were noted in overweight patients compared to normal-weight patients. Advanced age and overweight impaired biliary lipid composition, increased the number of patients with cholesterol gallstones but did not significantly affect the physical characteristics of west Algerian women.

Age-related changes in cholesterol metabolism in macrosomic offspring of rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes.

The aim of this study was to determine the impact of diabetic macrosomia on cholesterol and lipoprotein metabolism. Age-related changes in the activities of serum LCAT, hepatic HMG-CoA reductase, cholesterol 7alpha-hydroxylase, and ACAT, the major enzymes involved in cholesterol metabolism, were determined in macrosomic offspring of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Hepatic, serum, and lipoprotein cholesterol contents were also examined. Mild hyperglycemia in pregnant rats was induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (40 mg/kg body weight) on day 5 of gestation. Control pregnant rats were injected with citrate buffer. At birth, macrosomic pups had higher serum, LDL-HDL(1), and HDL(2-3) cholesterol levels (P < 0.05) associated with increased LCAT activity (+57%) compared with control values. At 1 and 2 months of life, serum and lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations in macrosomic rats were similar to those of controls, whereas LCAT activity remained elevated about 1.5-fold. In addition, there was no change in hepatic cholesterol contents but hepatic HMG-CoA reductase, cholesterol 7alpha-hydroxylase, and ACAT activities were higher in both macrosomic males and females than in their respective controls (P < 0.01). By 3 months, macrosomic rats had developed hypercholesterolemia with a rise in all lipoproteins. Enzyme activities were still increased in these mature macrosomic rats, and hepatic cholesteryl esters were higher only in macrosomic females. These data demonstrate an overproduction, combined with overutilization, of cholesterol during the phase of rapid growth in macrosomic rats. However, cholesterol oversynthesis exceeded its removal and was a major contributor to hypercholesterolemia in adult macrosomic rats. In conclusion, macrosomia was associated with alterations in cholesterol metabolism through adulthood.

Maternal and fetal serum lipid and lipoprotein concentrations and compositions in type 1 diabetic pregnancy: relationship with maternal glycemic control.

The aim of this study was to determine maternal and fetal lipoprotein profiles in type 1 diabetic pregnancies differing in glycemic control. Serum lipid, apolipoprotein, and lipoprotein lipid concentrations were investigated in mothers with poorly controlled or well-controlled type 1 diabetes as reflected by hemoglobin A1c(HbA1c) concentrations performed by isolab column chromatography and in their macrosomic (body wt = 4650 +/- 90 g) or appropriate-for-gestational-age newborns (body wt = 3616 +/- 68 g), and these levels were compared with those in healthy mothers and in their control newborns (body wt = 3290 +/- 45 g). In mothers with well-controlled diabetes and in their infants, serum lipid, apolipoprotein, and lipoprotein lipid concentrations were comparable to those in control mothers and in their control newborns. Mothers with poorly controlled diabetes presented higher serum triglyceride and apoprotein B-100 (apo B-100) levels but lower apo A-I and HDL3 cholesterol and phospholipid levels as compared with control values. In their macrosomic newborns, all serum lipid, apolipoprotein, and lipoprotein lipid levels were higher than those in control newborns. Maternal HbA1c and triglyceride levels in late gestation were significant predictors of fetal lipids and lipoproteins in the poorly controlled diabetes group. In conclusion, when under good metabolic control, type 1 diabetes did not affect maternal and fetal lipid levels. However, when under poor metabolic control, type 1 diabetes is associated with maternal and fetal lipoprotein abnormalities.

Impaired serum lipids and lipoproteins in fetal macrosomia related to maternal obesity.

The aim of this work was to determine lipoprotein metabolism alterations in macrosomic newborns and to see whether these lipoprotein abnormalities are parallel or not to those found in their obese or nonobese mothers. Serum lipids, apo A-I, apo B100, lipoproteins (VLDL, LDL, HDL2, and HDL3), and LCAT activity were investigated in obese and nonobese mothers and cord blood of their macrosomic or appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA) newborns. Serum and VLDL triglyceride concentrations were higher in obese mothers of AGA newborns than in nonobese mothers. Serum triglyceride, VLDL, and apo B100 levels were higher, while serum apo A-I and HDL2 cholesterol concentrations were lower in obese mothers of macrosomic newborns than in the other groups. In their macrosomic newborns, serum lipid, lipoprotein, apo B100, and apo A-I levels were higher as compared with those of other newborns. Macrosomic newborns of nonobese mothers had lipoprotein profiles similar to those in AGA newborns. LCAT activity was similar in both mother groups and in both newborn groups. In conclusion, maternal obesity and fetal macrosomia were associated with lipoprotein abnormalities consistent with high atherogenic risk.

Fetal macrosomia related to maternal poorly controlled type 1 diabetes strongly impairs serum lipoprotein concentrations and composition.

AIMS: To determine the effects of fetal macrosomia related to maternal type 1 diabetes on the lipid transport system. METHODS: Serum lipoprotein concentrations and composition and lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) activity were investigated in macrosomic newborns (mean birth weight, 4650 g; SEM, 90) and their mothers with poorly controlled type 1 diabetes, in appropriate for gestational age newborns (mean birth weight, 3616 g; SEM, 68) and their mothers with well controlled type 1 diabetes, and macrosomic (mean birth weight, 4555 g; SEM, 86) or appropriate for gestational age (mean birth weight, 3290 g; SEM, 45) newborns and their healthy mothers. RESULTS: In mothers with well controlled type 1 diabetes, serum lipids, apolipoproteins, and lipoproteins were comparable with those of healthy mothers. Similarly, in their infants, these parameters did not differ from those of appropriate for gestational age newborns. Serum triglyceride, very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), apolipoprotein B100 (apo B100), and high density lipoprotein (HDL) triglyceride concentrations were higher, whereas serum apo A-I and HDL3 concentrations were lower in mothers with diabetes and poor glycaemic control than in healthy mothers. Their macrosomic newborns had higher concentrations in all serum lipids and lipoproteins, with high apo A-I and apo B100 values compared with appropriate for gestational age newborns. In macrosomic infants of healthy mothers, there were no significant differences in lipoprotein profiles compared with those of appropriate for gestational age infants. LCAT activity was similar in both groups of mothers and newborns. CONCLUSION: Poorly controlled maternal type 1 diabetes and fetal macrosomia were associated with lipoprotein abnormalities. Macrosomic lipoprotein profiles related to poor metabolic control of type 1 diabetes appear to have implications for later metabolic diseases.

Low-protein diet prevents tissue lipoprotein lipase activity increase in growing rats.

The time course of changes in tissue lipolytic activities was studied in young rats during the consumption of a low-protein diet containing 50 g protein/kg (40 g wheat gluten +10 g casein/kg) for 28 d followed by balanced refeeding with 200 g protein/kg (160 g wheat gluten +40 g casein/kg) for 28 d. Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activities were compared with the values of a control group fed a balanced diet containing 200 g protein/kg for 56 d. At the end of protein malnutrition period, the epididymal fat tissue LPL activity represented 36 %, and that of heart and gastrocnemius was 44 %, of those of the control group. These differences were accompanied by lower serum- and VLDL-triacylglycerols (TAG), respectively 47.6 % and 31 % of the control group values, probably resulting from reduced synthesis of VLDL-apolipoproteins (29 % of control group values), concomitant with liver lipid accumulation (4.8-fold) and little lipid storage in epididymal fat tissue. At day 2 of refeeding, there was no significant difference in liver and epididymal fat tissue LPL activities between experimental and control rats. At the end of the refeeding period, LPL activity of epididymal fat and liver lipolytic activity had increased and became similar to control group values. The consumption of a low-protein diet prevented the increase in extrahepatic LPL activities as observed in the control group. The alterations in LPL activity suggest that a low-protein diet limits lipid storage in adipose tissue due to reduced serum VLDL-TAG availability.

Time course of changes in serum glucose, insulin, lipids and tissue lipase activities in macrosomic offspring of rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes.

The aim of this investigation was to determine the time course of changes in serum glucose, insulin and lipid levels, as well as lipid and protein content and lipolytic activities in insulin target organs (liver, adipose tissue and muscle), in macrosomic offspring of streptozotocin-induced mildly hyperglycaemic rats. Food intake and nutritional efficiency were also evaluated. Mild hyperglycaemia in pregnant rats was induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (40 mg/kg body weight) on day 5 of gestation. Control pregnant rats were injected with citrate buffer. At birth, macrosomic pups (birth weight >1.7 S.D. greater than the mean value for the control pups) had higher serum insulin, glucose and lipid levels than control pups. These macrosomic rats maintained accelerated postnatal growth combined with high adipose tissue weight up to 12 weeks of age. These rats were not hyperphagic; however, they had higher food efficiency and fat storage capacity with higher adipocyte lipoprotein lipase activity, which contributed to persisting obesity. Hepatic lipase activity was increased in macrosomic rats at all ages. Moreover, macrosomia was associated with metabolic disturbances that varied according to age and sex. After 1 month, several alterations observed at birth had disappeared. Serum glucose, insulin and lipid levels in male and female macrosomic rats became similar to those of their respective controls. At 2 months of age, hepatic and serum triacylglycerol levels were higher in macrosomic females than in controls. By 3 months, macrosomic rats (both males and females) had developed insulin resistance with hyperinsulinaemia, hyperglycaemia, and higher serum and hepatic lipids. In conclusion, macrosomia was associated with alterations in glucose and lipid metabolism through to adulthood. It should be considered as an important potential risk factor for obesity and its metabolic complications.

Changes in serum lipid and lipoprotein concentrations and compositions at birth and after 1 month of life in macrosomic infants of insulin-dependent diabetic mothers.

The aim of this study was to determine whether macrosomia related to maternal diabetes alters lipoprotein metabolism and whether these abnormalities still persist or regress after 1 month of life. Serum lipoprotein compositions and concentrations as well as serum lipid fatty acid compositions were investigated in macrosomic infants (birth weight = 4840 +/- 105 g at term) of insulin-dependent diabetic mothers at birth and after 1 month of life, and were compared to those of control infants (birth weight = 3400 +/- 198 g at term) of healthy mothers. Compared to controls, at birth, macrosomic newborns had higher serum lipids, apolipoprotein A-I and B-100, and lipoprotein (very low density lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein, high density lipoprotein-2 and high density lipoprotein-3) levels. Higher percentages of C18:2n-6 in serum triacylglycerols, phospholipids and cholesteryl esters were also observed. At day 30, in macrosomics, serum triacylglycerol, apo B-100, very low density lipoprotein and low density lipoprotein levels were still significantly higher. C18:2n-6 and C18:3n-3 contents in serum phospholipids, triacylglycerols and cholesteryl esters were reduced while C20:4n-6 and C22:6n-3 contents in serum phospholipids and cholesteryl esters were enhanced, compared to control values. Macrosomia was associated with alterations in lipoprotein compositions and concentrations at birth, some of which persisted after 1 month of life, and might play a role in the pathogenesis of diabetes and atherosclerosis in adult life.