scholarly journals Causal Associations Between Blood Lipids and COVID-19 Risk: A Two-Sample Mendelian Randomization Study

Author(s):  
Kun Zhang ◽  
Shan-Shan Dong ◽  
Yan Guo ◽  
Shi-Hao Tang ◽  
Hao Wu ◽  
...  

Objective: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a global pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. It has been reported that dyslipidemia is correlated with COVID-19, and blood lipids levels, including total cholesterol, HDL-C (high-density lipoprotein cholesterol), and LDL-C (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol) levels, were significantly associated with disease severity. However, the causalities of blood lipids on COVID-19 are not clear. Approach and Results: We performed 2-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses to explore the causal effects of blood lipids on COVID-19 susceptibility and severity. Using the outcome data from the UK Biobank (1221 cases and 4117 controls), we observed potential positive causal effects of dyslipidemia (odds ratio [OR], 1.27 [95% CI, 1.08–1.49], P =3.18×10 −3 ), total cholesterol (OR, 1.19 [95% CI, 1.07–1.32], P =8.54×10 −4 ), and ApoB (apolipoprotein B; OR, 1.18 [95% CI, 1.07–1.29], P =1.01×10 −3 ) on COVID-19 susceptibility after Bonferroni correction. In addition, the effects of total cholesterol (OR, 1.01 [95% CI, 1.00–1.02], P =2.29×10 −2 ) and ApoB (OR, 1.01 [95% CI, 1.00–1.02], P =2.22×10 −2 ) on COVID-19 susceptibility were also identified using outcome data from the host genetics initiative (14 134 cases and 1 284 876 controls). Conclusions: In conclusion, we found that higher total cholesterol and ApoB levels might increase the risk of COVID-19 infection.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kun Zhang ◽  
Yan Guo ◽  
Zhuoxin Wang ◽  
Jingmiao Ding ◽  
Shi Yao ◽  
...  

Abstract BackgroundCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a global pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-Cov-2). It has been found that coronary artery disease (CAD) is a comorbid condition for COVID-19. As the risk factors of CAD, whether blood lipids levels are causally related to increasing susceptibility and severity of COVID-19 is still unknown.ObjectiveWe aim to measure the causal effects between blood lipids and COVID-19 using two-sample Mendelian Randomization (MR) methods.MethodsWe performed two-sample MR analyses to explore whether dyslipidemia, low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) were causally related to COVID-19 risk and severity. The GWAS summary data of blood lipids involving in 312571 individuals and dyslipidemia in a total of 53991 individuals were used as exposures, respectively. Two COVID-19 GWASs including 1221 infected patients and 1610 severe patients defined as respiratory failure were employed as outcomes. ResultsThe MR results showed that dyslipidemia was casually associated with the susceptibility of COVID-19 and induced 27% higher odds for COVID-19 infection (MR-IVW OR = 1.27, 95% CI: 1.08 to 1.49, p-value = 3·18 × 10-3). For blood lipids, the increasing level of TC will raise 18 % higher odds for the susceptibility of COVID-19 (MR-IVW OR = 1.18, 95% CI: 1.06 to 1.31, p-value = 3.08 × 10-3). Based on MR estimates, we further carried out gene-based analysis and found that ABO gene was associated with TC.Conclusions Dyslipidemia is casually associated with the susceptibility of COVID-19 and the blood TC level is a risk factor for the susceptibility of COVID-19. In addition, the different susceptibility of COVID-19 in specific blood group may be partly explained by the TC concentration in diverse ABO blood groups.


Author(s):  
T P Whitehead ◽  
D Robinson ◽  
S L Allaway

The separate and joint effects of cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption on serum concentrations of total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and triglycerides were investigated in 46 750 men attending the BUPA Health Screening Centre in London during the period 1983–1987, after allowing for differences in age, body mass index and exercise level. Drinking alcohol was found to raise both total cholesterol and HDL-C concentrations, in such a way that HDL-C as a percentage of total cholesterol increased with increasing alcohol consumption. LDL-C concentrations increased with increasing alcohol consumption in non-smokers, but decreased in those smoking over 10 cigarettes per day. Drinking had no significant effect on triglycerides except at high levels of consumption. Smoking raised total cholesterol, LDL-C and triglycerides, but lowered HDL-C concentrations. In particular, smoking even small amounts could negate any protective benefit in HDL-C concentrations gained from moderate consumption of alcohol. Assuming a desirable lipid profile to consist of low total cholesterol, LDL-C and triglycerides and a high HDL-C value, this is best achieved for men by being a non-smoking moderate drinker.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kun Zhang ◽  
Yan Guo ◽  
Zhuo-Xin Wang ◽  
Jing-Miao Ding ◽  
Shi Yao ◽  
...  

AbstractBackgroundCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a global pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-Cov-2). It has been found that coronary artery disease (CAD) is a comorbid condition for COVID-19. As the risk factors of CAD, whether blood lipids levels are causally related to increasing susceptibility and severity of COVID-19 is still unknown.DesignWe performed two-sample Mendelian Randomization (MR) analyses to explore whether dyslipidemia, low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) were causally related to COVID-19 risk and severity. The GWAS summary data of blood lipids involving in 188,578 individuals and dyslipidemia in a total of 53,991 individuals were used as exposures, respectively. Two COVID-19 GWASs including 1,221 infected patients and 1,610 severe patients defined as respiratory failure were employed as outcomes. Based on the MR estimates, we further carried out gene-based and gene-set analysis to explain the potential mechanism for causal effect.ResultsThe MR results showed that dyslipidemia was casually associated with the susceptibility of COVID-19 and induced 27% higher odds for COVID-19 infection (MR-IVW OR = 1.27, 95% CI: 1.08 to 1.49, p-value = 3.18 × 10−3). Moreover, the increasing level of blood TC will raise 14 % higher odds for the susceptibility of COVID-19 (MR-IVW OR = 1.14, 95% CI: 1.04 to 1.25, p-value = 5.07 × 10−3). Gene-based analysis identified that ABO gene was associated with TC and the gene-set analysis found that immune processes were involved in the risk effect of TC.ConclusionsWe obtained three conclusions: 1) Dyslipidemia is casually associated with the susceptibility of COVID-19; 2) TC is a risk factor for the susceptibility of COVID-19; 3) The different susceptibility of COVID-19 in specific blood group may be partly explained by the TC concentration in diverse ABO blood groups.


2021 ◽  
pp. 33-40
Author(s):  
Anna Isayeva ◽  
Olena Buriakovska ◽  
Oleksander Martynenko ◽  
Sergiy Ostropolets

Insomnia is a risk factor for the development of arterial hypertension, obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, cardiac rhythm disorders, and myocardial infarction. At the same time, insomnia is one of the most frequent non-cardiac complaints in patients with cardiovascular diseases. The aim of the work was to study the presence of possible relationships between insomnia and the level of blood lipids. Materials and methods. A cross-sectional study involving 118 patients was conducted. Criteria for inclusion in the study were age over 45 years, the presence of essential hypertension. All patients included the study underwent sampling of 7 ml of venous blood in the morning under fasting conditions. The content of total cholesterol (TCS), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL CS) was determined by enzymatic method on a biochemical analyser Humalyzer 2000. The patient was interviewed by a pre-trained study doctor.  Results. In the article a relationship between total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and the presence of insomnia has been established and proved by statistical model. The overall statistical model accuracy is 89.6 % and statistical significance p < 0.005. Accuracy of insomnia prediction is 85.7 % by level of total cholesterol (TCS) and patient interview data. Only one model with best accuracy exists and it was estimated at the article. Conclusions. Relationship between total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and the presence of insomnia has been established and proved by statistical model. Accuracy of insomnia prediction is 85.7 % by level of total cholesterol (TCS) and patient interview data.


BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. e026860 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luqi Shen ◽  
José F Cordero ◽  
Jia-Sheng Wang ◽  
Ye Shen ◽  
Shengxu Li ◽  
...  

ObjectivesThe objective of this study was to evaluate the association of genetically determined leptin with lipids.DesignWe conducted a Mendelian randomisation study to assess a potential causal relationship between serum leptin and lipid levels. We also evaluated whether alcohol drinking modified the associations of genetically determined leptin with blood lipids.Setting and participants3860 participants of the Framingham Heart Study third generation cohort.ResultsBoth genetic risk scores (GRSs), the GRS generated using leptin loci independent of body mass index (BMI) and GRS generated using leptin loci dependent of BMI, were positively associated with log-transformed leptin (log-leptin). The BMI-independent leptin GRS was associated with log-transformed triglycerides (log-TG, β=−0.66, p=0.01), but not low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C, p=0.99), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C, p=0.44) or total cholesterol (TC, p=0.49). Instrumental variable estimation showed that per unit increase in genetically determined log-leptin was associated with 0.55 (95% CI: 0.05 to 1.00) units decrease in log-TG. Besides significant association with log-TG (β=−0.59, p=0.009), the BMI-dependent GRS was nominally associated with HDL-C (β=−10.67, p=0.09) and TC (β=−28.05, p=0.08). When stratified by drinking status, the BMI-dependent GRS was associated with reduced levels of LDL-C (p=0.03), log-TG (p=0.004) and TC (p=0.003) among non-current drinkers only. Significant interactions between the BMI-dependent GRS and alcohol drinking were identified for LDL-C (p=0.03), log-TG (p=0.03) and TC (p=0.02).ConclusionThese findings together indicated that genetically determined leptin was negatively associated with lipid levels and the association may be modified by alcohol consumption.


2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 411-416
Author(s):  
I. M. Bilai ◽  
M. I. Romanenko ◽  
D. H. Ivanchenko

Statin side effects are not a rare occurrence, in particular dyspeptic disorders, insomnia, headache, skin erythema, rash are often noted. All of this determines scientists to find new effective and low-toxic hypolipidemic agents. Various natural and synthetic xanthine derivatives have been recognized as therapeutically potential compounds and reported to control various diseases. Therefore, the study of new xanthine derivatives and their hypolipidemic effects, which would have a significant therapeutic effect with minimal side effects, is relevant. The aim of the study was to examine the effect of 7-β-hydroxy-γ-aryloxypropylxanthinyl-8-thioalkanic acid derivatives on lipidogram parameters in experimental laboratory rats. Materials and methods. The objects of the study were 7-β-hydroxy-γ-aryloxypropylxanthinyl-8-thioalkanic acid derivatives. The experiments were performed in white laboratory Wistar rats weighing 180–220 g. Experimental modeling of hyperlipidemia – tween model: intraperitoneal administration of tween-80 at a dose of 200 mg/100 g body weight. The test compounds were administered orally, simultaneously with tween, at a dose of 1/10 of LD50 (previously calculated by Prozorovsky express method) for 6 days. The following indicators of lipidogram were determined: total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL cholesterol), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL cholesterol), triglycerides (TG) and atherogenic index of plasma: TC – HDL cholesterol / HDL cholesterol. The experiments were carried out with respect to Bioethical rules and norms. Results. The studies have shown data on the hypolipidemic activity of 7-β-hydroxy-γ-aryloxypropylxanthinyl-8-thioalkane acid derivatives. According to the conditional efficiency index Ʃ, which included the overall percentage of the following indicators – total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides, the leading compounds were 2439 (87.47 %), 6047 (82.30 %). The reference drug atorvastatin had a value of 82.98 %. Conclusions. The major compound was 2439 identified among all compared to the control group. The prospect of further research is a more detailed study on the ability of xanthine derivatives to exhibit hypolipidemic effects and to influence oxidative stress in various hyperlipidemic models.


1997 ◽  
Vol 92 (5) ◽  
pp. 473-479 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory D. Sloop ◽  
David W. Garber

1. Increased blood or plasma viscosity has been observed in almost all conditions associated with accelerated atherosclerosis. Cognizant of the enlarging body of evidence implicating increased viscosity in atherogenesis, we hypothesize that the effects of low-density lipoprotein and high-density lipoprotein on blood viscosity correlate with their association with risk of atherosclerosis. 2. Blood viscometry was performed on samples from 28 healthy, non-fasting adult volunteers using a capillary viscometer. Data were correlated with haematocrit, fibrinogen, serum viscosity, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, triglycerides and calculated low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol. 3. Low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol was more strongly correlated with blood viscosity than was total cholesterol (r = 0.4149, P = 0.0281, compared with r = 0.2790, P = 0.1505). High-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels were inversely associated with blood viscosity (r = −0.4018, P = 0.0341). 4. To confirm these effects, viscometry was performed on erythrocytes, suspended in saline, which had been incubated in plasma of various low-density lipoprotein/high-density lipoprotein ratios. Viscosity correlated directly with low-density lipoprotein/high-density lipoprotein ratio (n = 23, r = 0.8561, P < 0.01). 5. Low-density lipoprotein receptor occupancy data suggests that these effects on viscosity are mediated by erythrocyte aggregation. 6. These results demonstrate that the effects of low-density lipoprotein and high-density lipoprotein on blood viscosity in healthy subjects correlate with their association with risk of atherosclerosis. These effects on viscosity may play a role in atherogenesis by modulating the dwell or residence time of atherogenic particles in the vicinity of the endothelium.


Circulation ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 118 (suppl_18) ◽  
Author(s):  
Seth S Martin ◽  
Atif N Qasim ◽  
Daniel J Rader ◽  
Muredach P Reilly

Introduction: Accumulating evidence suggests that apolipoprotein B (apoB) is superior to low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in prediction of cardiovascular events. Yet, an important outstanding question is whether apoB, relative to LDL, is an enhanced marker for subclinical atherosclerosis, particularly in diabetics where LDL levels may underestimate atherogenic lipid burden due to increased proportion of small, dense LDL. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that plasma apoB would be a better predictor than LDL-C of coronary artery calcification (CAC) scores in type 2 diabetics and non-type 2 diabetics. Methods: We performed cross-sectional analyses of asymptomatic Caucasians in (1) The Study of Inherited Risk of Coronary Atherosclerosis (434 men and 383 women; median age 48, non-diabetics) and (2) The Penn Diabetes Heart Study (580 men and 261 women; median age 60, type 2 diabetics). Results: Levels of apoB and LDL-C were correlated in diabetics (r=0.78, p<0.001) and non-diabetics (r=0.77, p<0.001). There was no association between LDL-C and CAC in diabetics. In non-diabetics, an association of LDL-C was lost after adjustment for total cholesterol. In contrast, after controlling for age, gender, statin therapy, and total cholesterol, levels of apoB were positively associated with CAC in diabetics [tobit regression ratio for 30 mg/dl increase in apoB 2.94 (95% CI 1.62 – 5.53), p=0.001) and had a more modest association with CAC in non-diabetics [1.67 (95% CI 1.16 – 2.32), p=0.005]. Conclusions: ApoB, but not LDL-C, predicted CAC scores, a measure of coronary atherosclerotic burden. The strength of this association was greater in diabetics than non-diabetics. Relative to LDL-C, plasma apoB levels may be particularly useful in assessing CVD risk in type 2 diabetes.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document