Heterogenous forms of dyslipidemiain women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Forms of dyslipidemia are very common in individuals affected by polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), but in addition to plasmatic lipids, it is necessary to evaluate the alterations in the atherogenic lipoproteins (Lp) and apolipoproteins (apo). In our study we measured the concentrations of apoB, Lp(a) and low density lipoproteins (LDL) in 42 patients with PCOS (age: 28 +/- 7 years, body mass index: 27 +/- 5 kg/m-) and 37 healthy women (of the same age and body mass index). Methods: values of Lp(a) >30 mg/dl were considered high, whereas for apoB, values >100 g/l were considered high. Results: the patients with PCOS showed an increase in triglycerides (p=0.0011) and low levels of high density lipoproteins (HDL) (p=0.0131), but the total cholesterol and the LDLs were not significantly different to those of the control group. High levels of Lp(a) were found in 24% of the individuals with PCOS, and a smaller number showed high levels of apoB (14%). This analysis shows that the concentrations of Lp(a) are only correlated to the HDL levels (r =0.378, p= 0.0431). 36% of the patients with PCOS with normal levels of plasmatic lipids show high levels of Lp(a) and apoB, and small and dense LDLs. Conclusions: alterations in the plasmatic lipids are present in 1/3 of the women affected by PCOS. More research is necessary to better understand the mechanisms responsible to reduce the risk of cardiovascular problems in young women with polycystic ovary syndrome

TERAPIA CON STATINE IN PAZIENTI SICILIANI AFFETTI DA IPERLIPIDEMIA FAMILIARE COMBINATA

Familial combined hyperlipidemia (FCHL) is the most frequent genetic hyperlipidemia. FHCL is associated with high prevalence of cardiovascular disease. In this study we selected 208 patients affected by FHCL and evaluated the efficacy of the lipid-lowering statin therapy using different statins available in the market. The results show that the percent of patients reaching the therapeutic goal ranges from 19.7 % (LDL-C <100 mg/dL) to 50.9% (LDL-C <130 mg/dL) and from 16.9 % (non HDL-C <130 mg/dL) to 46.6 % (non HDL-C <160 mg/dL) according to the different ATPIII-NCEP-guidelines cut offs. In conclusion the statin monotherapy is only partly effective in the management of FCHL therap

IL GENE PCSK9: UN NUOVO GENE IMPLICATO NEL CONTROLLO DELLA COLESTEROLEMIA

The distribution of cholesterol plasma is regulated by complex interactions between genes and environmental factors. Mutations of PCSK9 gene seem to modulate the levels of LDL-C. Mutations of PCSK9 gene with gain of function are associated to hypercholesterolemia and mutations with loss of function determine hypocholesterolemia