Elevated serum levels of proinflammatory cytokines and biomarkers of matrix remodeling in never-treated patients with familial hypercholesterolemia.

BACKGROUND: Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a common inherited disorder of lipoprotein metabolism, whose origin involves mutations in the gene coding for the low-density lipoprotein receptor protein. Although FH is monogenic, wide variation occurs in the onset and severity of atherosclerosis in these patients. METHODS: Since data on levels of inflammatory proteins and/or active factors in FH patients who have never received lipid-lowering treatment are lacking, serum levels of MMP-3, active MMP-9 and TIMP-1 as well as pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-alpha, IL-18) were determined in never-treated homozygous FH Moroccan patients (n=4) and compared to those of heterozygous FH subjects (n=7) and of healthy control subjects (n=5). RESULTS: When compared to controls, homozygous FH patients exhibited levels of active MMP-9 and TIMP-1 (p<0.05), and of both high sensitive-CRP and IL-18 which were significantly elevated (p<0.05 and p<0.01, respectively). In heterozygous FH patients, intermediate values between FH homozygotes and healthy controls were observed for these markers, with the exception of MMP-9 activity whose levels were significantly elevated (p<0.05). Multivariate analysis revealed a positive correlation between apolipoprotein B, TIMP-1 and IL-18 levels, and between hs-CRP and IL-18 (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Although the sample size of this FH group was limited, our data suggest that nontreated homozygous FH patients, and to a lesser degree heterozygous FH patients, exhibit not only a markedly proinflammatory vascular state but also pronounced extracellular matrix remodeling, as reflected by elevated circulating levels of inflammatory cytokines and MMPs.

Evidence of hypolipemiant and antioxidant properties of argan oil derived from the argan tree (Argania spinosa).

BACKGROUND: Virgin argan oil is of interest in cardiovascular risk prevention due to its fat composition and antioxidant compounds. AIMS: We investigated with Moroccan subjects the effect of regular virgin argan oil consumption on lipid profile and antioxidant status and the in vitro effect of argan oil minor compounds (tocopherols, sterols and polyphenols) on LDL peroxidation. DESIGN: Healthy subjects (20 men, 76 women) were studied. Sixty-two were regular consumers of argan oil and 34 were non-consumers. METHODS: Fasting plasma lipids, antioxidant vitamins and LDL oxidation susceptibility were analyzed. In vitro LDL oxidation by phenolic and apolar compounds of virgin argan oil were performed. RESULTS: Diet composition of argan oil consumers has a higher significant content of polyunsaturated fatty acids than that of non-consumers (8.8 +/- 1.0 vs. 6.6 +/- 0.9 g, P < 0.05). Subjects consuming argan oil have lower levels of plasma LDL cholesterol (12.7%, P < 0.05) and Lp(a) (25.3%, P < 0.05) compared with the non-consumers. In argan oil consumers, plasma lipoperoxides were lower (58.3%, P < 0.01) and molar ratio alpha-tocopherol/total cholesterol (21.6%, P < 0.05) and alpha-tocopherol concentration (13.4%, P < 0.05) were higher compared with the non-consumers group. In spite of higher levels of plasma antioxidant and lower levels of lipoperoxides in argan oil consumers, LDL oxidation susceptibility remained fairly similar. A strong positive correlation was observed between increasing phenolic extract, sterol and tocopherol concentrations and the LDL-Lag phase (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest for the first time that regular consumption of virgin argan oil induces a lowering of LDL cholesterol and has antioxidant properties. This oil offers an additional natural food to reducing cardiovascular risk.

Argan oil: which benefits on cardiovascular diseases?

AIM: The argan oil, extracted from argan-tree fruits, has been known for its various pharmacological properties and used as a natural remedy since several centuries. In this review, we present a summary of the results obtained from a survey of the literature on argan oil. DATA SYNTHESIS: Various studies conducted in vitro or on human and animal models suggest that argan oil could play a beneficial role in cardiovascular diseases prevention and its consumption could protect against atherosclerosis and cancer via a variety of biological mechanisms. CONCLUSION: Argan oil reduces cardiovascular risk and may be used as anti-atherogenic oil.

Consumption of argan oil may have an antiatherogenic effect by improving paraoxonase activities and antioxidant status: Intervention study in healthy men.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Due to its high antioxidant and mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acid content virgin argan oil (VAO) could play a beneficial role in cardiovascular prevention. We were therefore interested in determining whether the consumption of VAO could improve plasma paraoxonase (PON1) activities and antioxidant status in healthy men. METHODS AND RESULTS: Sixty young men were included in this interventional study. They were given a controlled diet for 2 weeks as baseline and then received 25 g/day of butter. The group was randomised to two diet group periods of 3 weeks each. The VAO group received 25 ml/day of oil and the extra virgin olive oil (EVO) group received the same quantity of EVO as control group. Plasma PON1 activities, antioxidant vitamins and LDL susceptibility to oxidation were measured. The analysis of the results shows that PON1 activities increase significantly in both groups and that lipoperoxides and conjugated dienes formation decreases significantly in VAO and EVO groups compared to baseline values (P=0.001 and P=0.014, respectively). Vitamin E concentration increases significantly only in VAO group (P=0.007). Susceptibility of LDL to lipid peroxidation shows a significant increase in lag phase and a significant decrease in maximum diene production in VAO (P=0.005) and EVO groups (P=0.041 and P=0.005, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings confirm the beneficial effect of EVO on plasma antioxidant status and show for the first time the same effect for VAO supplementation in man. Thus, VAO offers an additional natural food supplement to reduce cardiovascular risk.