Effect of Synthetic Truncated Apolipoprotein C-I Peptide on Plasma Lipoprotein Cholesterol in Nonhuman Primates

The present studies were conducted to determine whether a synthetic truncated apoC-I peptide that inhibits CETP activity in baboons would raise plasma HDL cholesterol levels in nonhuman primates with low HDL levels. We used 2 cynomolgus monkeys and 3 baboons fed a cholesterol- and fat-enriched diet. In cynomolgus monkeys, we injected synthetic truncated apoC-I inhibitor peptide at a dose of 20 mg/kg and, in baboons, at doses of 10, 15, and 20 mg/kg at weekly intervals. Blood samples were collected 3 times a week and VLDL + LDL and HDL cholesterol concentrations were measured. In cynomolgus monkeys, administration of the inhibitor peptide caused a rapid decrease in VLDL + LDL cholesterol concentrations (30%–60%) and an increase in HDL cholesterol concentrations (10%–20%). VLDL + LDL cholesterol concentrations returned to baseline levels in approximately 15 days. In baboons, administration of the synthetic inhibitor peptide caused a decrease in VLDL + LDL cholesterol (20%–60%) and an increase in HDL cholesterol (10%–20%). VLDL + LDL cholesterol returned to baseline levels by day 21, whereas HDL cholesterol concentrations remained elevated for up to 26 days. ApoA-I concentrations increased, whereas apoE and triglyceride concentrations decreased. Subcutaneous and intravenous administrations of the inhibitor peptide had similar effects on LDL and HDL cholesterol concentrations. There was no change in body weight, food consumption, or plasma IgG levels of any baboon during the study. These studies suggest that the truncated apoC-I peptide can be used to raise HDL in humans

Itch: a HECT-type E3 ligase regulating immunity, skin and cancer

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Emerging lipoprotein-related therapeutics for patients with diabetes

Dyslipidemia is a major risk factor for atherosclerosis in both diabetic and nondiabetic subjects, which is a common cause of morbidity and premature mortality. Based on and supported by favorable outcomes of clinical trials, drugs targeting lipoprotein metabolism are widely used, particularly in developed countries. Drugs to improve lipid levels, in particular to lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (LDL-C), are commonly used for the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease. Of the LDL-C-lowering drugs, HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (“statins”) are particularly effective at reducing cardiovascular disease, both in people with and without diabetes mellitus [1, 2], with more intensive LDL-C lowering being more effective than less intensive LDL-C lowering [3–12]. Statins are effective cardioprotective agents in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes patients [2]

Radiologists staunchly support patient safety and autonomy, in opposition to the SCOTUS decision to overturn Roe v Wade

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