Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0020473 (hyperlipidemia)
 15,891 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Ortho,para,dichlorodiphenyl dichloroethane (o,p'DDD, Mitotane (Roussell)) is used as an adrenolytic drug to reduce adrenocortical mass and circulating cortisol levels in Cushing's syndrome but has the unwanted side-effect of inducing hypercholesterolaemia. This paper examined the mechanism of that effect in 30 patients with Cushing's syndrome treated with o,p'DDD during the past 10 years. o,p'DDD increased serum cholesterol by 68 per cent, mainly by increasing LDL-cholesterol. The latter effect was not due to impaired binding of LDL to its receptor, as shown in vitro using cultured fibroblasts. Increases in plasma mevalonic acid during o,p'DDD administration were suggestive of increased cholesterol synthesis, this effect being reversed by simvastatin. These findings suggest that o,p'DDD causes hypercholesterolaemia by increasing cholesterol synthesis. It is proposed that this effect is due to the drug's known ability to block cytochrome P450-mediated reactions, thus impairing the formation of oxysterols responsible for down-regulating hepatic cholesterol synthesis. Treatment with simvastatin, an inhibitor of cholesterol synthesis, reverses the hyperlipidaemia and enables o,p'DDD therapy to be maintained without increasing cardiovascular risk.
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PMID:Possible mechanism and treatment of o,p'DDD-induced hypercholesterolaemia. 148 Jul 41

Cushing's syndrome has been recently compared to visceral-type obesity, since it is characterised by the accumulation of adipose tissue at a deep abdominal site, to the detriment of the subcutaneous adipose panniculus, and is associated with insulin-resistance and hyperlipemia. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of glucocorticoid hormones on lipolytic activity (index of FFA mobilisation) and on lipoproteinlipase (LPL) activity (an index of the accumulation of triglycerides) in subcutaneous and perirenal adipose tissue in order to clarify the mechanisms involved in this type of accumulation in Cushing's syndrome. Five patients (4 F and 1 M) were included in the study, mean age 27.8 +/- 3.7 years and BMI 21.3 +/- 1.2 kg/m2; patients were hospitalised in the 2nd Surgical Clinic at the University of Padua and underwent surgery for secondary corticosurrenal hyperplasia with ACTH secreting hypophysial adenoma. Lipolytic activity in subcutaneous adipose tissue in these patients was significantly lower (p less than 0.05) than in control subjects, in particular after noradrenalin stimulation (p less than 0.01). No significant difference was observed when lipolytic activity in subcutaneous adipose tissue was compared to that one in perirenal tissue. LPL activity in subcutaneous adipose tissue did not reveal statistically significant differences compared to control subjects, although values were lower. A further decrease in LPL activity, which was not however significant, was observed in perirenal tissue in comparison to subcutaneous tissues in the same patients. The mean weight of adipocytes (ug) was slightly lower in subcutaneous adipose tissue compared to control subjects and even lower in perineal tissue in comparison to the subcutis in the same patients.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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PMID:[Lipolytic and lipoprotein lipase activity of subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue in Cushing's syndrome]. 210 37

In recent years sterilization that can cause problems of the psyche and marital life has been recommended much less frequently with respect to chronic diseases. As regards heart and hypertensive diseases pregnancy is always contraindicated in case of 3rd and 4th disease categories and sterilization is recommended according to the New York Heart Association. As far as 1st and 2nd category patients are concerned if the load carrying capacity is normal pregnancy could be undertaken. Combination pills are not recommended for contraception because they can cause fluid retention or increase the risk of thrombosis. If the patient has a higher-than-normal risk of developing thrombosis or infection, for instance, those who wear pacemakers only tablets containing progesterone or subdermal capsule implants can be used. In those with blood pressure problems the additional use of the IUD is also advised. Among diseases of neurological and psychic origin the effect of hormonal contraceptives is weakened by antiepileptics, but even in such cases older combination pills of larger doses of active ingredients can be employed. Migraine is exacerbated in 1/3 of patients; here IUDs can be used. Even the contraceptive tablets themselves can induce depression. In psychosis methods requiring regular attention can be easily forgotten, therefore the IUD is the most suitable device. In diabetes progesterone and other progestogens reduce insulin response, harm carbohydrate metabolism; therefore in young people the IUD is preferred an in older women with children even sterilization can be employed. Hormonal tablets must not be used in hyperlipidemia and liver diseases. Caution must be exercised in hyperthyroidism and in endocrine disorders (e.g., Cushing's syndrome); if it is accompanied by blood pressure disorders appropriate treatment is required. In kidney diseases pregnancy is contraindicated if it is accompanied by blood pressure increase or a higher level of creatine. On the other hand, in mild diseases any methods can be used except for urinary tract infections that are adversely affected by the pills. Here again the IUD is the contraceptive of choice.
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PMID:[Chronic illness and contraception]. 333 Nov 51

In the criteria of alcohol-induced pseudo-Cushing's syndrome (APCS) hyperlipemia has not been included. We encountered the first case with hyperlipemia.
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PMID:Hyperlipemia in alcohol-induced pseudo-Cushing's syndrome. 374 62

Obesity is a multifactorial heterogenous condition. The location of excess fat on the body determines the risk of morbidity and mortality for significant disease. Visceral, or intraabdominal, fat is the fat depot most highly associated with illness and death from cardiocerebrovascular disease and diabetes. Visceral fat is also associated with a quartet of metabolic disturbances. Referred to as the metabolic syndrome, these abnormalities include hypertension, hyperlipidemia, hyperinsulinemia, and insulin resistance. The metabolic syndrome is also present in Cushing's syndrome, which is characterized by primary hypercortisolism as well as profound visceral adiposity and obesity. The interrelationship between hyperactivation or hypersensitivity of the stress axis and disease can be elucidated by an understanding of the effect of excess glucocorticoids upon energy storage and metabolism. The complex interactions of the stress axis upon the growth and reproductive axes, as well as upon the adipose tissue, suggest that chronic stress, whether psychological and/or physical, exerts an intense effect upon body composition, which, in turn, significantly affects the longevity and survival of the organism.
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PMID:Hypercortisolism and obesity. 859 40

The paper summarizes the studies documenting the outlasting of increased cardiovascular mortality in patients with Cushing's syndrome even after the hypercortisolism resolution. Despite the hypercortisolism resolution the mortality during the subsequent period of life is up to four-fold higher than in the comparable population as a whole. The pathogenesis of this cardiovascular risk is based on arterial hypertension, steroid cardiomyopathy and hyperlipidaemia with subsequent atherosclerosis. The post mortem material bears a parallel of the extent of atheromatous changes and duration of hypercorticolism. The prevention has to its disposition two mutually complementing means. The first is represented by clinical screening of hypercorticolism which enables an early recognition and therapy of the Cushing's syndrome. The successive measure resides in increased attention to the cardiovascular system even after hypercorticolism resolution. (Tab. 1, Fig. 1, Ref. 25.).
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PMID:[Cushing's syndrome is still a potentially fatal disease]. 862 39

There are striking similarities between Cushing's syndrome and the 'metabolic syndrome X' since both are characterised by hypertension, insulin resistance, glucose intolerance, hyperlipidaemia, and central obesity. The possibility that cortisol contributes to the associations between multiple risk factors for cardiovascular disease was rejected when it was demonstrated that there was no elevation in cortisol secretion or circulating concentration in patients with essential hypertension or type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, in recent years the enormous variability in tissue sensitivity to cortisol has become apparent. We have measured tissue sensitivity to glucocorticoids using an assay of skin vasoconstriction and have demonstrated its relationship with high blood pressure, insulin resistance, glucose intolerance, and hypertriglyceridaemia. Our data suggest that the increase in dermal glucocorticoid sensitivity is not a secondary phenomenon and may be explained by increased glucocorticoid receptor affinity together with impaired inactivation of cortisol by 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. Importantly, we have not found that enhanced peripheral glucocorticoid sensitivity is associated with compensatory suppression of cortisol secretion, so that the maintenance of normal circulating cortisol concentrations in patients with cardiovascular risk factors may be paradoxical and inappropriate.
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PMID:Abnormal glucocorticoid activity in subjects with risk factors for cardiovascular disease. 896 30

Carbohydrate and lipid metabolism was cross-sectionally assessed in 16 patients with endogenous hypercortisolism (endogenous Cushing syndrome). Five patients (31%) had fasting glucose levels over 6.6 mmol/l and a HbA1C over 7.5%. Six patients (38%) had diabetes mellitus based on an abnormal 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and two additional patients (13%) had impaired glucose tolerance based on an OGTT. Compared to obese individuals, patients with Cushing syndrome had an elevated glucose but no elevated insulin response to the OGTT. Regression analysis showed positive correlations between 24-h urinary free cortisol (UFC) and fasting blood glucose (P < 0.0005), UFC and OGTT glucose area under the curve (AUC) (P < 0.01), and UFC and HbA1C (P < 0.005). UFC levels were negatively correlated (P < 0.05) with OGTT insulin AUC and insulin/glucose ratios. Eleven (69%) patients required anti-hypertensive therapy for blood pressure control. Total cholesterol and triglycerides were elevated in patients with Cushing syndrome compared to obese controls, while LDL and HDL cholesterol, and Lp(a) were similar in the two groups. We conclude that impaired glucose tolerance and/or diabetes in patients with endogenous Cushing syndrome is due to the hyperglycemic effects of cortisol with relative insulinopenia. Thus, Cushing syndrome shares features with both the Metabolic Syndrome X and NIDDM, including impaired glucose uptake, hyperlipidemia and hypertension. However, in Cushing syndrome, a relative insulinopenia occurs, while in Metabolic Syndrome X and NIDDM, insulin excess is observed. In Cushing syndrome, as the hypercortisolemia exacerbates, insulinopenia becomes more paramount, suggesting that cortisol exerts a direct or indirect "toxic" effect on the beta-cell.
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PMID:Carbohydrate and lipid metabolism in endogenous hypercortisolism: shared features with metabolic syndrome X and NIDDM. 907 4

ACTH-independent macronodular adrenal hyperplasia (AIMAH) is a rare cause of Cushing's syndrome. Bilateral adrenalectomy is considered to be a standard therapy for AIMAH, although lifetime replacement of glucocorticoids is necessary after the procedure. This paper describes a subject with AIMAH who underwent unilateral adrenalectomy of the predominantly enlarged gland and subsequently displayed an improvement in insulin resistance and diabetes mellitus, the cardinal symptoms before the operation, concomitant with alleviation of abnormal cortisol secretion. The patient was a 61-year-old man with a body mass index of 25.6 kg/m2. He was diagnosed as having diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia at 50 years of age. Eight years after diagnosis, bilateral enlargement of the adrenal glands was revealed by chance upon computed tomography of the abdomen. Typical manifestations of Cushing's syndrome were not demonstrated. Basal levels of serum and urinary cortisol had not increased, although the serum cortisol level displayed no circadian rhythm and no response to the administration of dexamethasone. Despite sulfonylurea treatment, the patient's HbA1C level was as high as 7.6% (normal range 4.3-5.8%). Fasting insulin concentration was increased to 42.6 microU/ml, and the homeostasis model insulin resistance index (HOMA-R) was calculated to be 15.5 (with a normal range of less than 2.5), indicating severe insulin resistance. Unilateral adrenalectomy of the predominantly enlarged gland revealed that the resected gland consisted of multiple nodules of various sizes. Based on endocrinological, radiological, and pathological findings, a diagnosis of AIMAH was made. Ten months after the unilateral adrenalectomy, cortisol circadian rhythms were restored, and serum cortisol concentration was suppressed in response to the administration of low doses of dexamethasone, suggesting an improvement in the cortisol secretory pattern. Levels of HbA1C, fasting insulin, and HOMA-R decreased to 5.7%, 12.7 microU/ml, and 2.2, respectively. An improvement in hyperlipidemia was also observed. Insulin resistance and glucose intolerance are recognized as features of mild hypercortisolism. In the present case, unilateral adrenalectomy was effective in ameliorating insulin resistance and improving glycemic control. Unilateral adrenalectomy might be an alternative therapy for improvement of glucose and lipid metabolism in subjects with AIMAH.
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PMID:Unilateral adrenalectomy improves insulin resistance and diabetes mellitus in a patient with ACTH-independent macronodular adrenal hyperplasia. 1470 42

The metabolic syndrome has several similarities with Cushing's syndrome (impaired glucose tolerance, hypertension, dyslipidemia, central obesity) suggesting that abnormalities in the regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis may have a link with the metabolic syndrome. Several studies suggested an association between the clinical signs of the metabolic syndrome and the increased hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity based on increased cortisol concentration at 09.00 a.m. and increased cortisol response to corticotropin. According to the Barker hypothesis the fetal malnutrition could determine adult cardiovascular diseases (coronary heart disease, hypertension), some endocrine and metabolic disorders (obesity, type 2 diabetes and hyperlipidemia). The suggested mechanism of the phenomenon is that the suboptimal fetal nutrition results in glucocorticoid overproduction. The 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (converts biological inactive cortisone to cortisol and vice versa) is an important enzyme in cortisol metabolism. The increased expression of 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 in fat tissue could lead to central obesity and impaired glucose tolerance. The hypothesis that increased corticotropin-releasing hormone production drives the overactive hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis was not proven. Further investigations are needed to identify additional pathogenetic factors and to find new therapeutic possibilities.
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PMID:[Correlations between the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis and the metabolic syndrome]. 1572 52


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