Lipid Changes During Endocrine Therapy in Breast Cancer Patients: The Results of a 5-Year Real-World Retrospective Analysis

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to investigate the status of serum lipids during endocrine therapy.MethodsWe retrospectively analysed lipid profiles during the 5-year treatment of 1487 consecutive postoperative BC patients. Lipid parameters included triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C). Those biomarkers were measured at baseline and 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 years following the initiation of endocrine therapy.ResultsFor premenopausal BC patients, LDL levels rapidly decreased at 1 year in the tamoxifen (TAM) group compared with baseline levels (p<0.05), and this decline remained for the following 4 years. Additionally, LDL levels were significantly lower in the TAM group than in the nonendocrine group at all assessment time points (p<0.05). Similarly, TC levels also decreased in the TAM group compared with baseline levels at all assessment time points (p<0.05), and compared with the levels in the nonendocrine group, TC levels were also lower for the first 4 years. For postmenopausal BC patients, there was no significant difference in the lipid profiles (TG, TC, LDL and HDL) in the letrozole (LET), anastrozole (ANA) or exemestane (EXE) groups compared with the nonendocrine group. For patients who received TAM, compared with the nonendocrine group, TC levels decreased at 1 year, and LDL levels decreased at 1 and 2 years.ConclusionsTAM may improve LDL and TC levels in premenopausal BC patients. In postmenopausal BC patients, aromatase inhibitors (AIs) may have no adverse effects on lipid profiles, and TAM may have limited beneficial effects on serum lipids.

Lupins and Health Outcomes: A Systematic Literature Review

Lupins have a unique nutrient profile among legumes and may have beneficial health effects when included in the diet. The aim of this systematic review was to investigate the effects of lupin on a range of health outcome measures. Databases included MEDLINE, Embase and CINAHL, and focused on controlled intervention studies on healthy adults and those with chronic disease such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and overweight. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses protocol was followed. Investigated intervention diets utilised whole lupin, lupin protein or lupin fibre, and outcomes were measured by markers of chronic disease, body weight and satiety. Quality assessment of results was performed using the Cochrane revised risk of bias tool. Overall, 21 studies with 998 participants were included: 12 using whole lupin, four used lupin protein and five lupin fibre. Beneficial changes were observed in 71% of studies that measured blood pressure, 83% measuring satiety and 64% measuring serum lipids. Unintended weight loss occurred in 25% of studies. Whole lupin demonstrated more consistent beneficial effects for satiety, glycaemic control and blood pressure than lupin protein or lupin fibre. Heterogeneity, low study numbers and a small participant base indicated further studies are required to strengthen current evidence particularly regarding the protein and dietary fibre components of lupin.

Lipidomic profiling of human serum enables detection of pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer has the worst prognosis among all cancers. Cancer screening of body fluids may improve the survival time prognosis of patients, who are often diagnosed too late at an incurable stage. Several studies report the dysregulation of lipid metabolism in tumor cells, suggesting that changes in the blood lipidome may accompany tumor growth. Here we show that the comprehensive mass spectrometric determination of a wide range of serum lipids reveals statistically significant differences between pancreatic cancer patients and healthy controls, as visualized by multivariate data analysis. Three phases of biomarker discovery research (discovery, qualification, and verification) are applied for 830 samples in total, which shows the dysregulation of some very long chain sphingomyelins, ceramides, and (lyso)phosphatidylcholines. The sensitivity and specificity to diagnose pancreatic cancer are over 90%, which outperforms CA 19-9, especially at an early stage, and is comparable to established diagnostic imaging methods. Furthermore, selected lipid species indicate a potential as prognostic biomarkers.

Characteristics and clinical significance of lipid metabolism in patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumor

Background To investigate the characteristics and clinical significance of serum lipids in patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs). Methods The clinical and pathological data of 694 GIST patients in Liyuan hospital and Union hospital from 2012 to 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. Blood lipid levels in patients with varying degrees of risk were compared. Results The findings showed that LDL-C, HDL-C, and CHOL increased significantly in women, and CD34 positive. In patients with tumors size less than 5 cm in diameter, TG, HDL-C, and CHOL were significantly higher. TG levels were significantly higher in DOG-1 (a marker and has a high specificity and sensitivity in the diagnosis of GIST) positive patients than in DOG-1 negative patients (P < 0.05). S-100 positive patients had lower HDL-C levels than S-100 negative patients (P < 0.05). Lipids indexes were found to be correlated with GIST risk stratification and tumor site (P < 0.05). TG/HDL-C was were significantly different among patients with GIST in different locations (P < 0.05). Conclusion The clinical and pathological characteristics of the patients with GIST are closely related to the level of blood lipids. To a certain extent, information about level of blood lipids can be helpful for distinguishing benign and malignant GIST.

Significance of Levothyroxine Treatment on Serum Lipid in Pregnant Women With Subclinical Hypothyroidism

BackgroundThere is no consensus reference range for serum lipid levels during pregnancy. The benefit of levothyroxine (L-T4) on serum lipid levels are unclear among pregnant women with subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH).ObjectiveTo determine the recommended reference ranges for serum lipid concentrations during pregnancy and effects of L-T4 treatment on serum lipids in pregnant women with SCH. Designcohort study.MethodsA analysis of 20365 women in the first trimester was conducted at Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University during 2018–2020. After excluding women with adverse pregnancy outcomes, we determined the reference range of serum lipid in the first and third trimesters of pregnancy by using median and quartile to determine appropriate percentiles. Next, we divided into three groups as follows: SCH L-T4 treatment group (n=319), SCH non-intervention group (n=103) and the control group(n=9598).ResultsThe recommended reference range for serum lipids in the first trimester of pregnancy should be: TC < 5.33 mmol/L, TG < 1.73 mmol/L, LDL-C < 3.12 mmol/L and HDL-C> 1.1 mmol/L, and in third trimester of pregnancy should be: TC < 8.47 mmol/L, TG < 4.86 mmol/L, LDL-C < 5.3 mmol/L and HDL-C >1.34 mmol/L.There are significant differences in TC and LDL-C levels between SCH treatment group and SCH non-intervention Group (P=0.043, P=0.046; respectively).ConclusionsWe determine the recommended reference ranges for serum lipid concentrations during pregnancy. TC and LDL-C levels in pregnant women with SCH could improve after L-T4 treatment.

The Relationship of 25(OH)D3 with Diabetes Mellitus and the Mediation Effect of Lipid Profile in Chinese Rural Population of Henan Province

Background and Objectives: Studies suggest that vitamin D is involved in the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and influences serum lipids levels, while lipid disorders are also closely related to T2DM. This study attempts to explore the complex relationship of serum 25(OH)D3, serum lipids, and T2DM among Chinese population. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 2326 subjects. The chi-square (χ2) test was applied to compare the prevalence of T2DM or dyslipidemia between two serum 25(OH)D3 levels. Linear regression was applied to analyze the correlation between serum lipids and 25(OH)D3 contents. Univariate and logistic analysis were used to explore the relationship between two lipid levels and T2DM. Mediation analysis was used to explore whether serum lipids mediate the relationship between two serum 25(OH)D3 levels and T2DM. Results: Compared to subjects with 25(OH)D3 ≥ 30 ng/mL, subjects with 25(OH)D3 < 30 ng/mL were higher in the prevalence of T2DM. The occurrences of high TG and low HDL-C were significantly higher in vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency than those in vitamin D sufficiency. Serum 25(OH)D3 content showed a reverse correlation with TC, TG, and LDL-C, but positive correlation with HDL-C. The odds ratios (ORs) (95% confidence intervals, 95%CI) of T2DM by comparing TG ≥ 2.26 mmol/L vs. TG < 2.26 mmol/L and HDL-C < 1.04 mmol/L vs. HDL-C ≥ 1.04 mmol/L in all participants were 2.48 (1.94–3.18) and 1.37 (1.07–1.75), respectively. Serum TG or HDL-C level partially mediated the relationship between two 25(OH)D3 level and T2DM. Conclusions: Serum 25(OH)D3 < 30 ng/mL seems to be associated with T2DM or dyslipidemia (high TG and low HDL-C) in our study, but there is still no proof of a cause–effect relationship. Moreover, serum TG or HDL-C level partially mediated the relationship between 25(OH)D3 levels and T2DM.

Ectonucleotide Pyrophosphatase Phosphodiesterase 1 Is Correlated With Insulin Resistance and Lipid Metabolism Disorders in the Rat Model of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Previous studies have shown that ectonucleotide pyrophosphatase phosphodiesterase 1 (ENPP1) may be an inhibitor of the insulin signalling pathway, and insulin resistance (IR) is believed to be the core mechanism in the pathophysiology of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). This study was aimed to investigate the expression of ENPP1 in different tissues of PCOS rats and to analyse its potential role in the pathophysiology of PCOS. Eighteen 23-day-old Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into PCOS and control groups (n= 9/group). Samples were collected after 20 days. Pathological examination and immunofluorescence were performed. Western blotting results of ENPP1 in the ovaries were analysed. Serum levels of ENPP1, hormones, fasting blood glucose (FBG), serum lipids were measured. Levels of ENPP1, testosterone (T), FBG, fasting insulin (FINS), homeostasis model assessment of IR (HOMA-IR), free fatty acids (FFAs), leptin, cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were significantly higher in PCOS group, while adiponectin (ADP) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were significantly lower. Spearman’s rank correlation analysis showed that ENPP1 was correlated with T, HOMA-IR, FFAs, leptin, serum lipids and ADP. MRNA levels of ENPP1, BAX, and IRS1 were higher in the ovaries, skeletal muscle, subcutaneous fat, and visceral fat of PCOS rats, and the protein expression of ENPP1 was significantly higher in the ovaries. Our results revealed that ENPP1 is highly associated with IR and lipid metabolism-related molecules, which may have play important roles in PCOS pathophysiological changes.

ENPP1 is correlated with insulin resistance and lipid metabolism disorders in the rat model of polycystic ovary syndrome

Purpose Previous studies have shown that ectonucleotide pyrophosphatase phosphodiesterase 1 (ENPP1) may be an inhibitor of the insulin signalling pathway, and insulin resistance (IR) is believed to be the core mechanism in the pathophysiology of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). This study was aimed to investigate the expression of ENPP1 in different tissues of PCOS rats and to analyse its potential role in the pathophysiology of PCOS. Methods Eighteen 23-day-old Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into PCOS and control groups (n= 9/group). Samples were collected after 20 days. Pathological examination and immunofluorescence were performed. Western blotting results of ENPP1 in the ovaries were analysed. Serum levels of ENPP1, hormones, fasting blood glucose (FBG), serum lipids were measured. Results Levels of ENPP1, testosterone (T), FBG, fasting insulin (FINS), homeostasis model assessment of IR (HOMA-IR), free fatty acids (FFAs), leptin, cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were significantly higher in PCOS group, while adiponectin (ADP) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were significantly lower. Spearman’s rank correlation analysis showed that ENPP1 was correlated with T, HOMA-IR, FFAs, leptin, serum lipids and ADP. MRNA levels of ENPP1, BAX, and IRS1 were higher in the ovaries, skeletal muscle, subcutaneous fat, and visceral fat of PCOS rats, and the protein expression of ENPP1 was significantly higher in the ovaries. Conclusions Our results revealed that ENPP1 is highly associated with IR and lipid metabolism-related molecules, which may have play important roles in PCOS pathophysiological changes.