Serum Lp(a) Lipoprotein Levels in Patients with Atherosclerotic Occlusive Disease of the Lower Extremities

AbstractObjective to evaluate the association between Lp(a) lipoprotein levels, other serum lipids and the presence of lower limb atherosclerotic occlusive disease. Materials and methods angiographic findings in 36 patients were related to serum Lp(a). Total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and Lp(a) levels were compared with those of 73 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Results atheromatous lesions were localised in the femoropopliteal (≈60%) and aortoiliac (≈40%) segments. The number of stenosed arteries was ≥2 and the range of stenosis severity was between 40% and 100%. There was a significant increase in serum Lp(a) (p= 0.000001) and a decrease in serum HDL (p= 0.000009) levels in patients compared to controls. No difference was observed in total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol or triglyceride. However, the ratio of total cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol was significantly higher (p= 0.005) in patients. Conclusion a dyslipidaemic serum profile, characterised by increased Lp(a) levels and decreased HDL-cholesterol levels, is associated with atherosclerotic occlusive disease of the lower extremities

Changes of HDL-lipid composition as related to Δ9-THC action

An attempt was made to investigate the possible action of Δ9-THC on HDL-Lipid composition. Significant changes were observed in the serum total lipids, triglycerides and HDL subfractions after hashish smoking. The results are discussed in relation to the possible alterations of some enzymatic mechanisms regulating lipid metabolism in hashish users. © 1985

In-vitro inhibitory activity of gamma-linolenic acid on escherichia coli strains and its influence on their susceptibilities to various antimicrobial agents

Recent experimental evidence implies that polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) possess anti-infective activity which is unrelated to any alteration of eicosanoid biosynthesis or cytokine production provoked by PUFAs and it seems necessary to establish their possible influence on Gram-negative bacteria. Forty-two Escherichia colistrains were cultured in vitro in the presence of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) at concentrations of 50 mg/L and 300 mg/L and a total of 77 killing curves were performed with GLA concentrations of 100, 200 and 300 mg/L GLA. At 50 and 300 mg/L, GLA inhibited 9.5% and 33.3% of strains respectively; GLA killing curves demonstrated a ≥1 log GLA inhibitory effect in 0%, 18.2% and 72.7% of strains after the 5 h sequential exposures at 100, 200 and 300 mg/L/ GLA but this was not observed after the 24 h GLA exposure. Following removal of the E. coli strains from the culture medium with GLA,≥four-fold increases in MICs and/or MBCs of various antimicrobials, were observed in 42.9% and 60% of strains after exposure to 50 and 300 mg/L GLA respectively; most of these increases involved aminoglycosides. The reproducibility of GLA inhibitory effects and increase in MICs and/or MBCs for E. coli in the two different experimental procedures used, was 82% and 73% respectively. Further studies are necessary to clarify the mechanism of GLA action on E. coli and assess the clinical relevance of these findings. © 1995 The British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy

Serum Lp(a) lipoprotein levels in patients with atherosclerotic occlusive disease of the lower extremities

Objective: to evaluate the association between Lp(a) lipoprotein levels, other serum lipids and the presence of lower limb atherosclerotic occlusive disease. Materials and methods: angiographic findings in 36 patients were related to serum Lp(a). Total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and Lp(a) levels were compared with those of 73 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Results: atheromatous lesions were localised in the femoropopliteal (approximate to 60%) and aortoiliac (approximate to 40%) segments. The number of stenosed arteries was greater than or equal to 2 and the range of stenosis severity was between 40% and 100%. There was a significant increase in serum Lp(a) (p = 0.000001) and a decrease in serum HDL (p = 0.000009) levels in patients compared to controls. No difference was observed in total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol or triglyceride. However, the ratio of total cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol was significantly higher (p = 0.005) in patients. Conclusions: a dyslipidaemic serum profile, characterised by increased Lp(a) levels and decreased HDL-cholesterol levels, is associated with atherosclerotic occlusive disease of the lower extremities