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Query: UMLS:C0004153 (atherosclerosis)
 77,401 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

The specific lipid alterations in plasma and four different tissues, as well as the activities of plasma lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) and tissue lipolytic enzymes were determined in experimental nephrotic and control rats. In nephrotic rats, the cholesterol level in the heart was significantly increased, while the kidney level was decreased. When expressed per unit protein, the cholesterol level in the adrenal was also increased. The respective triglyceride and phospholipid levels were similar in both groups, except for the significant increase in the adrenal triglyceride of nephrotic rats when expressed per unit protein. The tissue lipolytic activities were significantly reduced in the heart and adrenals of the nephrotic rats. The plasma LCAT was increased, and electron-microscopically heterogenous lipoproteins (very-low density and high-density lipoproteins) were demonstrated in the nephrotic rats. These results suggest that an excess of abnormal lipoproteins in the circulation may contribute to an increased uptake of cholesterol by circulatory organs like the heart and that an accumulation of cholesterol in the circulatory organs may accelerate atherosclerosis in nephrotic syndrome.
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PMID:Studies on abnormal lipid metabolism in experimental nephrotic syndrome. 832 60

Lipoprotein(a) has been strongly suggested to be a risk factor for atherosclerosis. However, its metabolism and/or regulation by drug treatment still remain unknown. We therefore studied the effects of glucocorticoid therapy on serum lipoprotein(a) in rheumatic diseases. Although the glucocorticoid treatment increased the total serum cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and apolipoprotein B concentrations, it reduced the serum lipoprotein(a) concentration (mean, 40%) in a dose-dependent manner in 9 patients with rheumatic diseases without nephrotic syndrome. Similar results were observed in 2 patients who did have nephrotic syndrome. It is assumed that the increase of total cholesterol and apolipoprotein B in serum levels are atherogenic, whereas the increase of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and the decrease of lipoprotein(a) are protective for atherosclerosis. The clinical outcome of the concomitant results in lipid metabolism in the development of atherosclerosis remains to be studied.
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PMID:Glucocorticoid therapy decreases serum lipoprotein(a) concentration in rheumatic diseases. 840 Apr 98

Hyperlipidemia is first detected by an increase in the plasma concentrations of cholesterol and/or triglycerides, and implies an abnormality of plasma lipoprotein metabolism. Disorders of lipoprotein metabolism are often classified specifically according to the lipoprotein affected. The WHO classification of lipoprotein phenotypes is a useful means of showing which lipoproteins are present in excess in individual hyperlipidemic patients. Hyperlipoproteinemia can be secondary to other well-known diseases that affect plasma lipoprotein metabolism, for example, diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism or nephrotic syndrome. When such diseases are excluded, the hyperlipoproteinemia is defined as primary hyperlipoproteinemia. Many primary hyperlipoproteinemias have a genetic basis and the underlying molecular defect has been clarified in some genetic disorders. Hyperlipoproteinemia is considered to be one of the major risk factors for atherosclerosis and the development of atherosclerosis depends on the type of hyperlipoproteinemia. In this sense, familial hypercholesterolemia is a clinically important primary hyperlipoproteinemia because of its high risk of ischemic heart disease and its high prevalence in a normal population (1/500). It is necessary to make an exact diagnosis of specific genetic disorder, if possible, to provide prognostic and therapeutic information.
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PMID:[Primary hyperlipoproteinemia]. 841 90

Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is a genetically determined risk factor for atherosclerotic vascular disease. Several studies have described a correlation between high Lp(a) plasma levels and coronary heart disease, stroke, and peripheral atherosclerosis. In healthy individuals Lp(a) plasma concentrations are almost exclusively controlled by the apolipoprotein(a) [apo(a)] gene locus on chromosome 6q2.6-q2.7. More than 30 alleles at this highly polymorphic gene locus determine a size polymorphism of apo(a). There exists an inverse correlation between the size (molecular weight) of apo(a) isoforms and Lp(a) plasma concentrations. Average Lp(a) levels are high in individuals with low molecular weight isoforms and low in those with high molecular weight isoforms. Mean Lp(a) plasma levels are elevated over controls in patients with renal disease. Patients with nephrotic syndrome exhibit excessively high Lp(a) plasma concentrations, which can be reduced with antiproteinuric treatment. The mechanism underlying this elevation is unclear, but the general increase in protein synthesis caused by the liver due to high urinary protein loss is a likely explanation. Patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) also have elevated Lp(a) levels. These are even higher in patients treated by continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis than in those receiving hemodialysis. Lipoprotein(a) concentrations decrease to values observed in controls matched for apo(a) type following renal transplantation. This clearly demonstrates the nongenetic origin of Lp(a) elevation in ESRD. Both the increase in ESRD and the decrease following renal transplantation are apo(a) phenotype dependent. Only patients with high molecular weight phenotypes show the described changes in Lp(a) levels. In patients with low molecular weight types the Lp(a) concentrations remain unchanged during both phases of renal disease. As in the general population, Lp(a) is a risk factor for cardiovascular events in ESRD patients. In this patient group the apo(a) phenotype seems to be equally or better predictive of the degree of atherosclerosis than is Lp(a) concentration. Further prospective studies will be necessary to confirm these observations. Whether Lp(a) also plays a key role in the pathogenesis and progression of renal diseases needs further study. Controversial data on the role of the kidney in Lp(a) metabolism result from insufficient sample sizes of several studies. Due to the broad range and skewed distribution of Lp(a) plasma concentrations, large study groups must be investigated to obtain reliable results.
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PMID:Lipoprotein(a) in renal disease. 876 31

Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is a plasma lipoprotein whose structure and composition closely resemble that of low-density lipoproteins, but contains an additional protein called apolipoprotein(a) [apo(a)]. Factors which modulate plasma Lp(a) concentrations are poorly understood. The influence of nephrotic syndrome on Lp(a) levels was investigated in 103 patients with nephrotic syndrome: 72 with primary kidney disease and 31 with diabetic nephropathy. Nephrotic patients had significantly higher Lp(a) levels (mean 63 +/- 7 mg/dl; median 42 mg/dl) compared with controls (mean 22 +/- 2 mg/dl; median 8 mg/dl). Fifty-seven percent of the patients and 22% of the controls had values greater than 30 mg/dl. Within all apo(a) isoform classes, higher concentrations of Lp(a) were seen in the nephrotic patients compared with controls. In 17 patients with primary kidney disease remission of the nephrotic syndrome was induced by immunosuppressive treatment and Lp(a) concentration dropped in parallel with the reduction of proteinuria (pretreatment mean, 98 +/- 9 mg/dl vs. remission mean, 25 +/- 5 mg/dl). In 9 patients where multiple measurements were done, multiple regression analysis showed a strong relation of Lp(a) with the amount of proteinuria (p < 0.01). We conclude that most patients with the nephrotic syndrome have Lp(a) concentrations which are substantially elevated compared with control subjects of the same apo(a) isoform. Because Lp(a) concentrations are substantially reduced when remission of the nephrotic syndrome is induced by immunosuppressive drugs, it is likely that nephrotic syndrome directly results in elevation of Lp(a). The high levels of Lp(a) in nephrotic syndrome could potentially cause glomerular injury as well as increase the risk of atherosclerosis and thrombotic events associated with this disorder.
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PMID:Lipoprotein(a) in patients with the nephrotic syndrome: influence of immunosuppression and proteinuria. 867 20

The nephrotic syndrome presents the kidney with a new environment in which blood vessels, glomerular structures and tubules are exposed over substantial periods of time to lipoproteins. LDL has charge affinity with glomerular basement membrane glycosaminoglycans, so potentially increases or maintains albumin loss. This in turn stimulates LDL synthesis. HDL is small enough to be passed by the glomerular filter in substantial amounts and has been found to stimulate endothelin-1 production by human proximal tubular cells in culture. LDL also inhibits nitric oxide vasodilatory responses, an action which when added to that of endothelin-1 may result in decreased renal tissue oxygenation. Taken together, these aspects of the nephrotic syndrome broaden conventional definitions of atherosclerosis and offer a number of targets for therapy in progressive renal disease.
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PMID:Do glomerular atherosclerosis and lipid-mediated tubulo-interstitial disease cause progressive renal failure in man? 871 67

The nephrotic syndrome is frequently associated with hyperlipidaemia and hyperfibrinogenaemia, leading to an increased coronary and thrombotic risk, which may be enhanced by high lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] concentrations. We followed the quantitative and qualitative pattern of plasma lipoproteins over 18 months in a patient with nephrotic syndrome suffering from premature coronary artery disease and with elevated level of Lp(a) (470 mg dL-1). Analysis of kinetic parameters after heparin-induced extracorporeal plasma apheresis revealed a reduced fractional catabolic rate for both low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and Lp(a). After improvement of the nephrotic syndrome, Lp(a) decreased to 169 mg dL-1 and LDL concentrations were normalized. The decrease of Lp(a) was associated with an increase in plasma albumin concentrations. Analysis of apo(a) isoforms in the patient showed the presence of isoform S2 (alleles 10 and 19). Consequently, the authors' present strategy is to normalize the elevated Lp(a) and fibrinogen levels. For this purpose heparin-mediated extracorporeal LDL precipitation (HELP) apheresis is a promising regimen, helping to reduce the thrombotic risk and prevent coronary and graft atherosclerosis as well as the progression of glomerulosclerosis in our patient.
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PMID:Hyperlipoprotein(a)aemia in nephrotic syndrome. 873 90

Gemfibrozil improves lipid and apolipoprotein profiles, particularly very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) triglyceride and high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels, in patients with dyslipidaemia when administered at a total daily dose of 900 or 1200 mg. As demonstrated by the Helsinki Heart Study, these effects result in a reduction in some risk factors for coronary heart disease (CHD) and also a 34% reduction in the incidence of this disease after 5 years compared with placebo. Limited data suggest that gemfibrozil has beneficial effects on the fibrinolytic system and may slow the progression of atherosclerosis. Gemfibrozil has shown efficacy in the treatment of patients with type IIa, IIb, III, IV or V dyslipidaemia or hypoalphalipoproteinaemia, especially in patients with elevated triglyceride and low HDL cholesterol levels. It is also effective in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) and dyslipidaemia and has no detrimental effects on glycaemic control. A small number of studies also showed gemfibrozil to be effective for the control of dyslipidaemia associated with renal failure, transplantation, nephrotic syndrome, arterial occlusive disease or systemic lupus erythematosus. However, patients with pre-existing CHD do not appear to derive the same benefits (reduced CHD mortality) from gemfibrozil therapy as these other patients, although results are based on studies of limited size and number. In general, gemfibrozil has at least similar efficacy to bile acid sequestrants and other fibric acid derivatives. Comparisons with HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors show these agents to produce different effects on lipid profiles from gemfibrozil. Thus, gemfibrozil would be expected to be superior in some patients (those with elevated triglyceride or VLDL cholesterol levels), but HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors should have greater benefits in those with elevated low density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. Thus, in patients with elevated triglyceride levels and low HDL cholesterol levels, and, particularly in patients with NIDDM, gemfibrozil is a useful treatment option, which has been shown to reduce the risk of CHD in middle aged men. However, limited available data prevents the accurate comparison of this agent with HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors in patients with this lipid profile.
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PMID:Gemfibrozil. A reappraisal of its pharmacological properties and place in the management of dyslipidaemia. 873 20

Platelets (PLT) play an important role in hemostasis, modulation of immunological and inflammatory processes. There is also evidence that PLT takes part in the development of atherosclerosis and glomerulosclerosis. The aim of presented study was to determine morphological and functional changes of platelets and their relation to the lipid, protein and coagulation factors disturbances in patients with chronic glomerulonephritis (CGN). The studies were carried out in 60 patients with CGN diagnosed by renal biopsy: 30 patients without nephrotic syndrome (NS)-CGN and 30 patients with NS-CGN+NS. Protein and lipid disturbances, coagulation factors were estimated using routine laboratory methods. Platelet count (PLT), mean platelet volume (MPV) and modal platelet volume (PLT-Mode) were measured using Technicon H1 hematological autoanalyser. Platelet function was assessed by aggregometry using turbidimetric method (inductors: ADP 1-3 microM, collagen 50g/ml, epinephrine 0.25-5 microM). Spontaneous platelet aggregation (SPA) was measured in platelet rich plasma (PRP) without inductors for 15 min, in 1-2 hours after venesection. SPA was observed in 9 of 30 patients with CGN and in 19 of 30 patients with CGN+NS. MPV and PLT Mode were significantly higher in patient showing SPA compared with those without. Significant correlations between SPA and the concentration of plasma albumin (r = -0,70; p < 0.02) TG and CH-LDL (r = 0,61; p < 0.05) were found in CGN+NS patients. APTT was significantly shorter in patients showing SPA compared with those without and negative significant correlation between SPA and APTT was found. Platelet aggregation to inductors in CGN and CGN+NS patients was diminished compared with control group. Lack of second phase aggregation in response to aggregation inducers was observed in patients with SPA. Conclusions. 1. Platelet hyperaggregation play an important role in hypercoagulation state in CGN patients. 2. SPA in vitro was observed in majority of CGN+NS patients and in some without NS. 3. Pathomechanism of SPA is probably multifactorial (hypoalbuminemia, dyslipidemia, changes in concentration of coagulation parameters).
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PMID:[Evaluation of factors influencing platelet aggregation in patients with chronic glomerulonephritis (CGN)]. 875 9

Lipoprotein measurements in a group of 29 patients with massive proteinuria and without hypoalbuminemia, were compared with those observed in matched controls and patients with overt nephrotic syndrome to assess the influence of plasma albumin concentration and proteinuria in modulating blood lipid levels. Plasma apoprotein B and apo B containing lipoproteins were not increased in proteinuric normoalbuminemic patients. There was a good correlation between plasma albumin and oncotic pressure (r = 0.937; P < 0.001). Plasma oncotic pressure was inversely correlated with plasma apoprotein B in nephrotic patients (r = -0.44, P = 0.017) but not in normoalbuminemics (r = 0.17, P = 0.369), suggesting that plasma albumin affects apoprotein B secretion. Other findings, however, indicate that multiple processes are ocurring simultaneously in these patients. There was an accumulation of very low- and intermediate density lipoproteins in normoalbuminemics, suggesting a residual defect in the lipoprotein removal. Also, raised (P < 0.05) lipoprotein(a) levels respect to controls (median, 0.15 g/l) were noted in both, normoalbuminemics (median, 0.72 g/l) and hypoalbuminemics (median, 0.84 g/l) with similar degree of proteinuria (6.4 vs. 6.6 g/24 h), suggesting that other mechanisms may be operative in lipoprotein(a) derangements. Our findings suggest that there is no unique mechanism in the pathogenesis of nephrotic hyperlipidemia but that both hypoalbuminemia and proteinuria can have a distinct contribution, individually or in combination.
Atherosclerosis 1996 Oct 25
PMID:The influence of hypoalbuminemia in the generation of nephrotic hyperlipidemia. 890 50


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