ALBERT

Description: Background HMGCR, SCAP, SREBF1, SREBF2 and TBL2 are well-known genes that are involved in the process of lipid metabolism. However, it is not known whether epigenetic changes of these genes are associated with lipid metabolism. In this study, the methylation levels of the HMGCR, SCAP, SREBF1, SREBF2 and TBL2 genes were analyzed between samples from a hyper-low-density lipoprotein cholesterolemia (hyper-LDL) group and a control group to examine the association between the methylation levels of these genes and the risk of hyper-LDL. Methods In this study, a case-control approach was used to explore the association between DNA methylation and hyper-LDL. The DNA methylation levels of HMGCR, SCAP, SREBF1, SREBF2 and TBL2 genes and 231 CpG sites in the promoter regions of these genes were measured in 98 hyper-LDL participants and 89 participants without hypo-LDL. Results Compared with participants without hyper-LDL, patients with hyper-LDL TBL2 gene had lower methylation levels (11.93 vs. 12.02, P = 0.004). The methylation haplotypes with significant abundance in the TBL2 gene are tcttttttttt (P = 0.034), ctttttttcct (P = 0.025), ctctttctttt (P = 0.040), ccttttttttt (P = 0.028), and tctttttttttttttt. Conclusion The study demonstrates that participants with hyper-LDL have lower methylation of TBL2. The results suggest that DNA methylation of TBL2 can decrease the risk for hyper-LDL in humans.

Description: Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the major cause of excess mortality in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The aim of this study was to investigate the individual contribution of NAFLD to CVD risk factors in the absence of pathogenic influences from other comorbidities often found in NAFLD patients, by using an established in-vitro model of hepatic steatosis. Methods: Histopathological events in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease were recapitulated by focused metabolic nutrient overload of hepatoblastoma C3A cells, using oleate-treated-cells and untreated controls for comparison. Microarray and proteomic data from cell culture experiments were integrated into a custom-built systems biology database and proteogenomics analysis performed. Candidate genes with significant dysregulation and concomitant changes in protein abundance were identified and STRING association and enrichment analysis performed to identify putative pathogenic pathways. Results: The search strategy yielded 3 candidate genes that were specifically and significantly up-regulated in nutrient-overloaded cells compared to untreated controls: fibrinogen alpha chain (2.2 fold), fibrinogen beta chain (2.3 fold) and fibrinogen gamma chain (2.1 fold) (all rank products pfp

Description: Background: The full-fat flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) meal has obtained relatively new flourished concept as food or feedstuff for the development of healthier products. It provides favorable balance of polyunsaturated, monounsaturated and saturated fatty acids. However, flaxseed meal may be susceptible to oxidation by exposure to various storage conditions which is extremely undesirable and produces toxic compounds to human health. Another consideration in the application of flaxseed meal relates to the presence of anti-nutritional compounds that need to be minimized using appropriate processing method. The present research work was conducted to evaluate the impact of extrusion processing conditions and storage of full-fat flaxseed meal on functional characteristics such as α-linolenic acid content, lipid peroxidation and sensory attributes. Methods: The raw flaxseed meal was analyzed for cyanogenic glycosides, tannin and mucilage anti-nutritional compounds. Fatty acids composition was quantified by gas chromatography. The meal was extruded at barrel exit temperature (100–140 °C), screw speed (50–150 rpm), feed rate (30–90 kg/h) and feed moisture (10–30 %) for reduction of anti-nutritional compounds. The raw and extruded meals were stored for a ninety-day period under room conditions (20–25 °C). Lipid peroxidation was analyzed by peroxide, free fatty acids, conjugated dienes, total volatiles and malondialdehyde assay. Color, aroma and overall acceptability attributes were evaluated by sensory multiple comparison tests. Results: The raw flaxseed meal possessed significant amount of anti-nutritional compounds, lipid and α-linolenic acid contents. The extrusion processing at high barrel exit temperature (140 °C) significantly reduced the cyanogenic compounds (84 %), tannin (73 %) and mucilage (27 %) in the flaxseed meal. The α-linolenic acid content and lipid peroxidation did not significantly change after extrusion processing or during storage at the end of 60 days. Fluctuations in sensory attributes occurred during storage, but at the end of 90 days, only the extruded samples presented negative effect and showed lowest consumer acceptability. Conclusions: The present study suggested that extrusion of flaxseed meal at optimum conditions and stored for 60 days did not change the stability of full-fat flaxseed meal and can be used as supplement or ingredient for the production of various healthier products.

Description: Background: The incidence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has been increasing worldwide in parallel with the obesity epidemic. This study aims to investigate the effects of the total flavonoids in Stellera chamaejasme L. (TFSC) on the experimental NAFLD in high fat diet fed (HFD) rats. Methods: NAFLD model was induced in male Wistar rats by high-fat diet, and the rats in NAFLD group were randomized into NAFLD group (n = 20) and TFSC-treated group (n = 60). Both groups were given high-fat diet, and the normal group (n = 20) was given normal diet. In addition, the TFSC treated group was administered TFSC orally once a day at a low dose of 100 mg/kg (n = 20), medium dose of 200 mg/kg (n = 20), and high dose of 400 mg/kg (n = 20) for 6 weeks. Subsequently, the rats were sacrificed and body weight changes, lipid profiles in plasma and liver pathology were examined. The relative levels of fatty acid synthesis and β-oxidation gene expression in hepatic tissues were measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results: After the HFD administration for 4 weeks, the body weight,serum TC and TG levels in the rat of model group were significantly higher than in normal group (P 

Description: Background: Recently attention has been drawn to the health impacts of time spent engaging in sedentary behaviors. While many studies have investigated general physical activity (PA) in relation to blood lipid levels, the current study aimed to examine the intensity of activity, including sedentary behavior time, and time spent engaging in moderate and intense PA, with concentrations of HDL and LDL-cholesterol, total cholesterol, and triglycerides. Methods: Participants comprised 1331 individuals, aged 18 to 70 years, from the Observation of Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Luxembourg (ORISCAV-LUX) study, who underwent objective cardiovascular health assessments and completed the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Time spent engaging in sedentary behaviors (screen time on a workday and a day off, and total sitting time on a work day), and moderate and intense PA, were related to levels of HDL and LDL-cholesterol, total cholesterol, and triglycerides. Analyses were conducted in the whole sample, and then with stratification according to BMI (normal weight versus overweight/obese). Results: Both lower screen time during days off and higher intense PA time were significantly associated with higher HDL-cholesterol after full adjustment for socio-demographic factors, dietary factors and smoking (both p 

Description: Background: Marine food is an important source of omega-3 fatty acids with beneficial health effects. Oils from marine organisms have different fatty acid composition and differ in their molecular composition. Fish oil (FO) has a high content of eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids mainly esterified to triacylglycerols, while in krill oil (KO) these fatty acids are mainly esterified to phospholipids. The aim was to study the effects of these oils on the lipid content and fatty acid distribution in the various lipid classes in liver and brain of mice. Methods: Mice were fed either a high-fat diet (HF), a HF diet supplemented with FO or with KO (n = 6). After six weeks of feeding, liver and brain lipid extracts were analysed using a shotgun and TAG lipidomics approach. Student t-test was performed after log-transformation to compare differences between study groups. Results: Six weeks of feeding resulted in significant changes in the relative abundance of many lipid classes compared to control mice. In both FO and KO fed mice, the triacylglycerol content in the liver was more than doubled. The fatty acid distribution was affected by the oils in both liver and brain with a decrease in the abundance of 18:2 and 20:4, and an increase in 20:5 and 22:6 in both study groups. 18:2 decreased in all lipid classes in the FO group but with only minor changes in the KO group. Differences between the feeding groups were particularly evident in some of the minor lipid classes that are associated with inflammation and insulin resistance. Ceramides and diacylglycerols were decreased and cholesteryl esters increased in the liver of the KO group, while plasmalogens were decreased in the FO group. In the brain, diacylglycerols were decreased, more by KO than FO, while ceramides and lactosylceramides were increased, more by FO than KO. Conclusion: The changes in the hepatic sphingolipids and 20:4 fatty acid levels were greater in the KO compared to the FO fed mice, and are consistent with a hypothesis that krill oil will have a stronger anti-inflammatory action and enhances insulin sensitivity more potently than fish oil.

Description: Background: Cholesterol is an important biological compound; however, its oxidation products have been proven to be harmful to human health. Cooking, storage, and reheating methods significantly affect the safety of meat products, as they contribute to the production of cholesterol oxidation products (COPs). Methods: Three cooking methods were used to cook sausages, loin ham, bacon, luncheon meat, and pressed ham, in order to investigate the effect of cooking, storage, and reheating on total cholesterol and on the formation of COPs. Cooked samples were stored at 4 °C and reheated after 3 and 6 storage days by the same cooking method or by microwaving. The samples were assessed for total lipids, cholesterol, and cholesterol oxides. Results: The average cholesterol content in the processed meat varied from 76.0 mg/100 g to 201.70 mg/100 g. Microwaved ham showed the lowest cholesterol content compared to that of other processed meat products. Significant differences were found in cholesterol content and cholesterol oxidation products depending on cooking, storage, and reheating methods. Six cholesterol oxides were found in processed meat, of which 7β-hydroxycholesterol and α-epoxides were detected as the major oxidation products. Conclusions: Microwaving and oven grilling resulted in higher production of COPs in processed meat as compared with other cooking methods. Refrigerated storage tended to significantly increase the COPs content.

Description: Background: Circulating lipid metabolites are associated with many physiological and biological processes in the body, and therefore could be used as biomarkers for evaluating drug efficacy and safety in preclinical studies. However, differences in circulating lipid profiles among humans and animals often used in preclinical studies have not been fully investigated. Methods: We performed lipidomic analysis to obtain circulating lipid profiles of fasted humans (Caucasian, n = 15) and three animal species used in preclinical studies (mice [BALB/c, n = 5], rats [Sprague–Dawley, n = 5], and rabbits [New Zealand White, n = 5]) by using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Results: Our data showed marked differences in lipid profiles among humans and these animal species. Furthermore, we observed that the levels of many lipid metabolites, such as poly-unsaturated fatty acid-containing cholesteryl esters, ether-type phosphoglycerolipids, and sulfatides, were significantly different (p 

Description: Background: The traditional view on the relationship between lipid biomarkers and CVD risk has changed during the last decade. However, it is not clear whether novel lipid biomarkers are able to confer a better predictability of CVD risk, compared to traditional ones.Under this perspective, the aim of the present work was to evaluate the predictive ability of blood lipids’ profile on all cause mortality as well as 10-year incidence of CVD, in a sample of apparently healthy adults of the ATTICA epidemiological study.  Methods: From May 2001 to December 2002, 1514 men and 1528 women (〉18 y) without any clinical evidence of any other chronic disease, at baseline, were enrolled. In 2011–12, the 10-year follow-up was performed in 2583 participants (85 % follow-up participation rate). Incidence of fatal or non-fatal CVD was defined according to WHO-ICD-10 criteria. Baseline serum blood lipids’ profile (Total-C, HDL-, non HDL-, LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides (TG), apolipoprotein (Apo)A1 and B, and lipoprotein–(a) levels were also measured. Results: The 10-year all-cause mortality rate was 5.7 % for men and 2.0 % for women (p = 0.55). The, 10-year CVD incidence was 19.7 % in men and 11.7 % in women (p