Highlights
- •Average cholesterol absorption markers levels were higher than the synthesis markers.
- •The predictors of higher levels of cholesterol absorption markers were higher age and female sex.
- •Cholesterol absorption and synthesis markers can complement traditional lipid profile.
Abstract
Objective
The dynamics of cholesterol homeostasis and the development of cardiovascular disease
(CVD) are complex and multifactorial, to which adds individual variability in the
proportion of cholesterol from exogenous versus endogenous sources. The aim of this
study was to undertake the first characterization of cholesterol absorption and synthesis
profiles in Portuguese hypercholesterolemic adults through the quantification of surrogate
markers, and the analysis of the predictive value of age and sex on the cholesterol
homeostasis biomarkers.
Methods
Serum samples for the measurement of lipid profiles and cholesterol homeostasis markers
were obtained for 100 men and 112 women, aged 30–65, with TC ≥5.2 mmol/L (~200 mg/dL) and/or LDL-C ≥2.6 mmol/L (~100 mg/dL), none of whom were on any lipid-lowering therapy.
Results
Overall, sex-specific significant differences were observed in the cholesterol homeostasis
markers and lipid profiles; women had lower cholesterol synthesis marker concentrations
(P < 0.01 for lathosterol) and lipid parameters (except for HDL-C concentrations). Age-related
significant differences were also found, including higher concentrations of cholesterol
absorption markers in association with increasing age.
Conclusion
In our study, the predictors of higher levels of cholesterol absorption markers were
higher age and female gender.
Abbreviations:
ACEI (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor), ARB (angiotensin II receptor blocker), BMI (body mass index), CAD (coronary artery disease), CVD (cardiovascular disease), GC/MS-SIM (gas-chromatography/mass spectrometry-selective ion monitoring), HDL-C (high-density lipoprotein cholesterol), HMGR (3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase), LDL-C (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol), NCS (noncholesterol sterols), PS (plant sterols), TC (total cholesterol), TG (triglycerides)Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: November 11, 2015
Accepted:
October 27,
2015
Received in revised form:
October 22,
2015
Received:
January 12,
2015
Identification
Copyright
© 2015 European Federation of Internal Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
