Search Results (1,819)

Background/Objectives: The triglyceride-to-High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TG/HDL) ratio is an established marker of atherogenic dyslipidaemia and insulin resistance. Although its association with subclinical atherosclerosis has been reported, the relative contributions of long-term TG/HDL burden and visit-to-visit variability to carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) remain unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the differential associations of the longitudinal mean and temporal variability of the TG/HDL ratio with CIMT. Methods: This retrospective single-center observational cohort study included 260 adult patients with at least three years of longitudinal lipid measurements and a standardized carotid ultrasonography assessment. The longitudinal mean TG/HDL ratio and variability indices, including standard deviation, coefficient of variation, average real variability and variability independent of the mean, were calculated. CIMT was measured using B-mode ultrasonography. Associations were assessed using correlation analyses, multivariable linear regression, joint category analyses and stratified analyses according to statin therapy. Results: The longitudinal mean TG/HDL ratio was independently associated with increased CIMT after adjustment for traditional cardiovascular risk factors. In contrast, TG/HDL variability indices showed no independent association with CIMT and did not improve model performance beyond the mean TG/HDL ratio. Restricted cubic spline analysis demonstrated a significant non-linear association between TG/HDL mean and CIMT, suggesting a threshold-dependent relationship. Joint category analyses demonstrated higher CIMT values in groups with elevated TG/HDL mean regardless of variability status. A significant interaction was observed between TG/HDL variability and statin therapy (p for interaction = 0.011). Conclusions: These findings indicate that cumulative exposure to atherogenic dyslipidaemia, reflected by the long-term mean TG/HDL ratio, is more strongly associated with subclinical carotid atherosclerosis than short-term lipid fluctuations Full article

Due to improper nutrition, high-density lipoproteins (HDLs) can be subjected to structural changes, acquiring a dysfunctional phenotype. Therefore, research efforts are currently focused on improving HDL functionality despite its blood level. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of phycocyanin concentrate (as part of a food matrix) on the functional properties of HDL. Male Wistar rats were fed a high-fat diet containing 2% cholesterol for 113 days. Experimental animals were treated with 30 and 300 mg/kg b.w. of phycocyanin concentrate mixed with soy protein isolate. Serum and hepatic cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and the content of protein, triglycerides, choline-containing phospholipids, malondialdehyde, sphingosine-1-phosphate, and paraoxonase-1 in HDL fractions were assessed. The decrease in protein in HDL particles is characteristic for dysfunctional phenotype of these particles. Phycocyanin concentrate diet prevented the depletion of protein in HDL particles, regardless of the dosage. The functionality of HDL is associated with paraoxonase-1 activity, which inhibits lipid peroxidation in lipoproteins. Our results have shown a significant increase in the level of paraoxonase-1 in HDL particles in groups treated with phycocyanin. HDL particles become more enriched with triglycerides with the development of hyperlipidemia. Triglycerides in HDL particles and in serum decreased by two times in animals receiving 30 mg/kg b.w. of phycocyanin. The MDA content in HDL particles decreased in all animals receiving a high-fat diet with the addition of 2% cholesterol. The introduction of 300 mg/kg of phycocyanin returned this indicator to the values of the Control group. Thus, biomarkers of dysfunctional changes in HDL in rodent hyperlipidemia models may be a useful tool for assessing lipid metabolism disorders. Also, the results confirm the potential ability to use phycocyanin concentrate as part of lipid-lowering products. Full article

Background and Objectives: The effect of growth hormone (GH) on body composition is well recognized, and recombinant human GH (rGH) therapy may improve lean mass and related parameters. The aim of this study was to analyze changes in body composition parameters and lipid profile under rGH treatment in children diagnosed with short stature and to explore potential influencing factors. Materials and Methods: A secondary data analysis was conducted in the Endocrinology Department of the Mures County Hospital, Romania, approved by the local Ethics Committee. All children diagnosed with short stature and receiving rGH treatment were eligible for inclusion if they had four body composition analyses at least 6 months apart. Analyzed variables included age, gender, environment, mean rGH dose, height and body mass index (BMI) SDS, body composition parameters assessed by bioimpedance, and family-related variables. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS v.25 with a level of significance α = 0.05. Results: There was no statistically significant trend in body composition parameters taken during serial measurements, except for the sarcopenic index and height (p < 0.001). Environment, pubertal development, and family-related variables other than maternal BMI had no significant influence on body composition or lipid profile. Gender differences in body composition revealed that the change in muscle mass (p = 0.009) and skeletal muscle mass (p = 0.013) was statistically significantly higher for boys, and body fat (p = 0.013) for girls. In linear regression analysis, mother’s BMI emerged as a significant predictor for changes in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels (p = 0.032, β = −0.691) during rGH therapy. Body composition changes did not differ by treatment indication. Conclusions: Gender may be associated with treatment-related changes in body composition during pediatric rGH therapy, while maternal BMI may predict HDL-C variation. rGH treatment appears to improve the sarcopenic index and has minimal and variable effects on the lipid profile. Full article

Objectives: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a heterogeneous disorder with diverse pathogenetic mechanisms and clinical manifestations. Phenotype D PCOS is characterized by oligomenorrhoea and polycystic ovaries without hyperandrogenism. Altered adipokine profiles may contribute to reproductive and metabolic disturbances. Chemerin is an adipokine involved in inflammatory and metabolic processes. It remains unclear whether altered chemerin levels in PCOS reflect metabolic dysfunction alone or are directly associated with hyperandrogenism. The aim of this study was to compare serum chemerin levels in women with normoandrogenic PCOS and a control group. Methods: This cross-sectional preliminary study included 49 women with phenotype D PCOS and 40 healthy, age- and body mass index (BMI)-matched controls. Anthropometric, biochemical, hormonal parameters, and serum chemerin concentrations were assessed. Results: Serum chemerin concentrations did not differ significantly between the groups. In the PCOS group, the 95% confidence interval ranged from 198.61 to 234.37, while in the controls, it ranged from 187.13 to 216.21. In women with PCOS, chemerin showed significant positive correlations with weight, BMI, waist and hip circumference, total adipose tissue, and both gynoid and android fat content. Positive correlations were also observed with highly sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), insulin, glucose, triglycerides, and Homeostasis Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR), and a negative correlation was found with high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. Chemerin was weakly negatively correlated with sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) and positively correlated with the free androgen index (FAI). In the control group, chemerin correlated positively with CRP, insulin, triglycerides, total and gynoid adipose tissue, and negatively correlated with HDL cholesterol and SHBG. Conclusions Although chemerin levels did not differ from controls, chemerin was associated with metabolic and inflammatory markers in both groups. These findings should be considered preliminary due to the limited sample size. Chemerin may reflect metabolic and inflammatory status rather than hyperandrogenism in normoandrogenic PCOS. Full article

Background/Objectives: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a chronic metabolic disorder closely linked to cardiovascular disease and obesity and notably influenced by lifestyle and dietary patterns. The Mediterranean diet has well-established benefits across multiple cardiometabolic risk factors, including those relevant to diabetes. This study aimed to investigate the degree to which adults with T2D adhere to a Mediterranean dietary pattern and to examine how such adherence relates to glycemic and lipidemic regulation. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 100 adults with T2D (54 men and 46 women). Adherence to the Mediterranean diet was assessed using the Mediterranean Diet Score (MDS). Demographic, anthropometric, lifestyle, and clinical data were collected, and glycemic and lipid parameters were analyzed. Associations between Mediterranean diet adherence and metabolic outcomes were examined using correlation analyses and multivariable regression models adjusted for relevant confounders. Results: Most participants showed low adherence to the Mediterranean diet. A significant inverse association was observed between Mediterranean diet adherence and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels, with individuals scoring ≤35 on the MDS demonstrating higher HbA1c levels. Similar trends were observed in the lowest tertile of adherence. Notably, each one-point increase in MDS predicted a 0.13% reduction in HbA1c. In multivariable regression analyses, Mediterranean diet adherence remained the strongest predictor of glycemic control, independent of age, body mass index (BMI), sex, smoking status, physical activity and the number of antidiabetic treatments. Higher adherence was also significantly associated with lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and triglyceride (TG) levels, as well as higher high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) concentrations. Conclusions: Greater adherence to the Mediterranean diet is independently associated with improved glycemic regulation and a more favorable lipid profile in adults with T2D. These findings support the Mediterranean diet as a valuable non-pharmacologic strategy for optimizing metabolic outcomes in people with T2D. Full article

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is traditionally recognized as a chronic immune-mediated disorder of the central nervous system (CNS), but increasing evidence suggests that systemic metabolic alterations may also contribute to its pathophysiology. Lipid abnormalities in MS have recently attracted renewed research interest, with studies focusing both on dysregulation of lipid signaling pathways and on alterations in standard lipid profile components, including total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), triglycerides (TG), and non-HDL cholesterol. Although disturbances in serum lipid profiles are consistently reported in patients with MS, their origin remains unresolved. Emerging data indicate that dyslipidemia may stem from aberrant cholesterol metabolism within the CNS, secondary to demyelination and myelin sheath destruction, leading to the release of lipid-rich debris and subsequent systemic metabolic imbalance. These lipid changes appear to correlate with blood–brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction, suggesting a link between peripheral lipid metabolism and CNS inflammation. This review summarizes current knowledge on the mechanisms underlying dyslipidemia in MS, its potential impact on disease progression, and its relevance as a possible therapeutic or biomarker target in future translational studies. Full article

Circulating irisin, a myokine implicated in energy expenditure and adipose tissue regulation, has been increasingly studied as a potential biomarker of metabolic dysfunction. This study evaluated the relationship between serum irisin and metabolic indices, including the atherogenic index of plasma (AIP), the lipid accumulation product (LAP), and hypertriglyceridemic-waist (HTGW) phenotype in individuals with prediabetes (PreDM) and newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). A total of 138 participants (48 PreDM, 90 T2DM) were assessed for anthropometric, glycemic, and lipid parameters. Serum irisin levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and correlated with insulin resistance indices (Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR), Quantitative Insulin Sensitivity Check Index (QUICKI)), glycemic control (glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c)), and composite lipid markers (total triglycerides-to-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TG/HDL-C)). Group differences were evaluated using non-parametric tests; two-way ANOVA assessed interactions between phenotypes and markers; multiple linear regression (MLR) and logistic regression models explored independent associations with metabolic indices and HTGW; receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses compared global and stratified model performance. Serum irisin was significantly lower in T2DM than in PreDM (median 140.4 vs. 230.7 ng/mL, p < 0.0001). Irisin levels remained comparable between males and females in both groups. Post hoc analysis shows that lipid indices and irisin primarily distinguish HTGW phenotypes, especially in T2DM. In both groups, irisin correlated inversely with HOMA-IR, AIP, and TG/HDL-C, and positively with QUICKI, indicating a possible compensatory role in early insulin resistance. MLR analyses revealed no independent relationship between irisin and either AIP or LAP in PreDM, while in T2DM, waist circumference remained the strongest negative predictor of irisin. Logistic regression identified age, male sex, and HbA1c as independent predictors of the HTGW phenotype, while irisin contributed modestly to overall model discrimination. ROC curves demonstrated good discriminative performance (AUC = 0.806 for global; 0.794 for PreDM; 0.813 for T2DM), suggesting comparable predictive accuracy across glycemic stages. In conclusion, irisin levels decline from prediabetes to overt diabetes and are inversely linked to lipid accumulation and insulin resistance but do not independently predict the HTGW phenotype. These findings support irisin’s role as an integrative indicator of metabolic stress rather than a stand-alone biomarker. Incorporating irisin into multi-parameter metabolic panels may enhance early detection of cardiometabolic risk in dysglycemic populations. Full article

Background/Objectives: This study aimed to examine the effects of changes over time during multicomponent training (MCT) combined with multiprofessional interventions at different time points [baseline (T0), 12 weeks (T1), 24 weeks (T2) and 36 weeks (T3)] on body composition; blood pressure (SBP and DBP); biomarkers [fasting glucose, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL-c), low-density lipoprotein (LDL-c), and triglycerides]; and physical improvement [maximal isometric handgrip strength (MIHS), arm curl, 30 s chair stand, six-minute walk test (6MWT), and timed up-and-go (TUG)] in hypertensive and normotensive older women. Methods: This longitudinal and experimental study was conducted in hypertensive (n = 23, mean age 69.7 ± 7.21 years) and normotensive (n = 17, mean age 71.3 ± 5.92 years) older women, with three 90 min sessions per week for 36 weeks, including 60 min of MCT, 30 min of nutritional education (twice a week) and 30 min of psychoeducation (once a week). Results: Significant decreases in SBP at T1 and T3 and DBP at T3 were detected in both groups, and only SBP at T2 was detected in normotensive women (p < 0.05). Significant reductions in fasting glucose at T1-T2-T3 and LDL-c and total cholesterol at T3 and triglycerides at T2 were detected in hypertensive patients (p < 0.05). Significant improvements in arm curl at T1 and the 30 s chair stand at T1–T3 were observed for both groups, and improvements at T2–T3 were detected only in hypertensive patients (p < 0.05). Conclusions: MCT and multiprofessional interventions improve blood pressure, biomarkers and physical improvement in hypertensive and normotensive older women. Full article

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a widespread hepatic condition characterised by hepatic lipid accumulation and inflammation. Emerging research highlights the contribution of the intestinal microbiota and its metabolic byproducts to the pathogenesis of MASLD through the gut–liver axis. Apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I), the principal structural component of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), is linked to various metabolic disorders; however, its function in MASLD has not yet been clearly elucidated. This study sought to examine whether apoA-I protects against MASLD, with a focus on the possible role of the gut microbiota and propionic acid (PPA). The contribution of the gut microbiota was evaluated using faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) and antibiotic cocktail (ABX)-mediated depletion. Microbial composition was assessed via 16S rRNA sequencing, and concentrations of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) were quantified. The effects of PPA on MASLD were examined using in vivo and in vitro models. The results showed that apoA-I overexpression alleviated MASLD in a gut microbiota-dependent manner, restored microbial homeostasis, and elevated PPA levels. PPA supplementation improved MASLD phenotypes. Mechanistically, PPA treatment was associated with the activation of the GPR43–Ca²⁺–CAMKII–ATGL pathway, suggesting that PPA plays a role in stimulating hepatic lipolysis and enhancing mitochondrial β-oxidation. These findings reveal a novel pathway through which apoA-I ameliorates MASLD by modulating the gut microbiota and increasing PPA levels, which activate a hepatic lipolysis cascade. The apoA-I–microbiota–PPA axis represents a promising therapeutic target for MASLD intervention. Full article

Objectives: The aim of this study was to stratify cardiovascular risk based on the mean and variability of non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) in patients undergoing hemodialysis. Methods: Data were analyzed for 453 hemodialysis patients without a history of myocardial infarction (MI) or stroke, who underwent at least five lipid profile measurements at any one of seven university hospitals in the Republic of Korea between March 2009 and December 2020. Visit-to-visit non-HDL-C variability was calculated using the coefficient of variation. The endpoints of the study were newly diagnosed MI, stroke, or all-cause death. Patients were divided into four groups according to quartiles of the mean and variability of non-HDL-C. Results: During a median follow-up of 97.0 months, there were 39 cases of MI, 99 cases of stroke, and 96 deaths. The cumulative incidence rate of MI was significantly highest in the low mean/high variability group (log-rank p = 0.0296). However, there were no significant differences between groups in the incidence rates of stroke (log-rank p = 0.9939) or all-cause mortality (log-rank p = 0.9373). In the multivariable Cox regression analysis, age and low mean/high variability (HR: 3.311, 95% CI: 1.380–7.944) were identified as independent risk factors for MI. However, for stroke and all-cause mortality, age was the only independent risk factor. Moreover, neither the mean nor the variability of non-HDL-C alone was associated with MI, stroke, or all-cause mortality. Conclusions: Our results suggest that the coexistence of low mean non-HDL-C and high variability is associated with an elevated risk of MI in hemodialysis patients. Full article

Weaning is one of the most stressful stages in pig production, especially for Iberian piglets, which grow more slowly than other cosmopolitan breeds and therefore, have a lower weaning weight when raised in intensive systems. Stress at weaning, caused by separation from the sow, dietary change, and regrouping with unfamiliar piglets, can negatively impact welfare, immune function, and performance. Pre-weaning socialization, which allows piglets from different litters to interact before weaning, has been proposed as a strategy to reduce aggression and facilitate the adaptation to the post-weaning period. However, its physiological effects in Iberian pigs remain largely unknown. In this study, 8 Iberian sows and their litters were assigned to either a control group (CTRL) or a socialization group (SOC) where litters were mingled (socialized) two weeks before weaning. Salivary and serum biomarkers of stress, inflammation, immunity and metabolism were measured at weaning (pwD0) and 7 days post-weaning (pwD7), and growth performance was recorded until 60 days of age. Socialized piglets showed reduced salivary Adenosine Deaminase (ADA) activity at pwD0 and pwD7 and lower salivary chromogranin A (CgA) and serum Haptoglobin (Hp) levels at pwD7. In contrast, they presented higher concentrations in serum of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), total cholesterol, glucose, and urea at pwD7 compared to controls. Attending to the sex effect, Butyryl-cholinesterase (BChE) serum concentration was higher in males and urea, and creatinine were higher in females. Growth rates were higher in socialized piglets in the first two weeks post-weaning but lower thereafter. These findings may suggest that pre-weaning socialization could reduce the stress associated with early post-weaning in Iberian piglets, thus potentially improving welfare and adaptation during this period. Full article

Background/Objectives: Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is an autosomal dominant inherited disease characterised by lifelong LDL cholesterol levels and premature presentation of cardiovascular disease if left untreated. Whether fatty acid (FA) composition in lipoproteins is modified in FH patients is not known. This study aimed to identify FA differences in low- and high-density lipoprotein (LDL and HDL, respectively) among young Spanish individuals with FH, treated as per guidelines recommendations, compared to their unaffected relatives with similar LDL concentrations in plasma. We also evaluated associations between the occurrence of cardiovascular event (CVE), dietary patterns, and the lipoprotein FA profile in FH. Methods: Lipoprotein FA profiles were determined by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS). Results: In comparison to their non-FH relatives, FH patients showed changes in the FA profile, predominantly in LDL particles while HDL particles were only modestly changed. FH individuals exhibited higher concentrations of poly- and monounsaturated FAs, oleic, γ-linoleic, α-linoleic, arachidonic, and eicosapentaenoic acids (p < 0.05). Interestingly, FH individuals showed greater adherence to the Mediterranean diet than their non-FH relatives, with no significant differences between those with and without previous CVE. The most pronounced changes in FA profile were observed in FH patients with a history of CVE, although the event itself did not significantly modify lipoprotein FA profiles. Conclusions: Well treated FH patients showed a FA profile that responded to a healthier diet than their relatives with similar plasma LDL levels. The strict lifestyle and pharmacological treatment affected positively the lipoproteins of FH patients and needs to be recommended. Full article

Background/Objectives: High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) regulates muscle energy metabolism and function, enhancing glucose uptake and promoting glycogen synthesis. However, studies on the association between HDL-C levels and sarcopenia remain controversial. We therefore investigated the association between HDL-C levels and sarcopenia in elderly Koreans. Methods: This cross-sectional study was based on previously collected, anonymous health checkup data. Participants included 3776 individuals aged 65 years and older who underwent body composition analysis using a bioelectrical impedance meter during a health checkup in 2024. Sarcopenia was defined as an appendicular skeletal muscle index of <7.0 kg/m² for males and <5.7 kg/m² for females. Logistic regression analyses were performed for each variable, including HDL-C levels, to identify sarcopenia association expressed as odds ratios (ORs). Participants were further divided into four quartiles according to HDL-C levels, and comparative multivariable analyses were performed, with the quartile with the lowest HDL-C level serving as the reference. Results: Of the 3776 Koreans with a mean age of 70.5 years, sarcopenia was diagnosed in 23.1% (n = 872) of participants. Sarcopenia prevalence showed a steadily increasing trend from the lowest quartile group (Q1, n = 977) with HDL-C levels ≤48 mg/dL to the highest quartile group (Q4, n = 974) at ≥67 mg/dL (p < 0.001). After adjusting for sarcopenia-associated risk factors, a significant association was found between the condition and HDL-C levels (OR 1.01, 95% CI 1.00–1.02; p = 0.008). Q4 showed a consistent sarcopenia association compared with Q1, even after adjusting for all variables (OR 1.36, 95% CI 1.05–1.75; p = 0.018). Conclusions: In Koreans aged 65 years and older, we found an association between high HDL-C levels and sarcopenia. Full article

Serum Amyloid A (SAA) is an acute-phase apolipoprotein that acts as both a sensitive biomarker of systemic inflammation and an active modulator of lipid metabolism and vascular homeostasis. This review summarises current insights into the interaction between SAA and high-density lipoproteins (HDL), with particular emphasis on its role in inflammation-driven cardiovascular disease (CVD). The incorporation of SAA into HDL markedly alters its composition and function. The displacement of apolipoprotein A-I impairs cholesterol efflux capacity, reduces antioxidative activity, and promotes a pro-inflammatory phenotype, transforming protective HDL into a dysfunctional particle. These changes contribute to endothelial dysfunction, foam cell formation, and atherogenesis. Elevated SAA levels are also associated with adverse cardiovascular and metabolic outcomes, including coronary artery disease, type 2 diabetes, and chronic kidney disease. Isoform-specific variations in SAA–HDL interactions are emerging as key modulators of these effects. This review also discusses emerging therapeutic and nutritional strategies to modulate the SAA–HDL axis, including anti-inflammatory therapies, HDL mimetics, and diet-based interventions. Future research should prioritise the standardisation of SAA measurement, characterisation of isoform-specific functions, and translational studies integrating SAA into cardiovascular risk stratification and therapy. Full article

Carotenoid supplementation may reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). These retinal nutrients are hydrophobic molecules obtained from the diet that are transported to the retina through high-density lipoprotein (HDL) complexes. HDL cholesterol is a recognized biomarker for AMD risk. This study examined the effect of carotenoid supplementation on circulating HDL cholesterol levels. Serum lipid profiles were measured in 20 participants from the Lutein and Zeaxanthin in Pregnancy (L-ZIP) trial, which enrolled 40 pregnant women. In addition to standard prenatal supplements, half received 10 mg of lutein and 2 mg of zeaxanthin daily from the first trimester, and half received a placebo. Carotenoid supplementation significantly increased HDL cholesterol in the third trimester, with no changes in total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, or triglycerides (TG) across trimesters. To further evaluate individual carotenoids, serum lipids were analyzed in macular pigment transgenic mice fed lutein, zeaxanthin, or β-carotene for one month. All three carotenoids significantly increased HDL cholesterol and reduced TG levels, with the effect ranking as zeaxanthin > lutein > β-carotene. These findings suggest that carotenoid supplementation modulates the serum lipid profile—elevating HDL cholesterol and lowering TG—which may contribute to protection against AMD and other lipid-associated diseases. Full article