Phytonutrients of Bitter Apricot Seeds Modulate Human Lipid Profile and LDL Subfractions in Adults with Elevated Cholesterol Levels

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of short-term consumption of bitter apricot seeds phytonutrients on cardiovascular risk factors with a special focus on LDL cholesterol subfractions using the Lipoprint system. A group of 34 adult volunteers (21 female/13 male) consumed 60 mg kg−1 of body weight of bitter apricot seeds daily for 42 days. Subjects were divided into two groups: one with normal cholesterol levels (NTC) and one with elevated total cholesterol levels (ETC). Blood serum levels of total cholesterol (T-C), low-density cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density cholesterol (HDL-C), and triglycerides (TG) did not change significantly (p > 0.05) in NTC group. However, there were significant decreasing of T-C (p ˂ 0.05) and LDL-C (p < 0.01) in ETC group. The LDL1, LDL2, and atherogenic LDL3−7 subfractions progressively decreased after 42 days of apricot seeds consumption in ETC group (p < 0.05). Apricot seeds consumption was associated with a significant increase in the mean LDL particle size especially in ETC group (p ˂ 0.01). The results of the present study support the hypothesis that daily consumption of bitter apricot seeds for 42 days positively modified the lipoprotein profile in the group with elevated total cholesterol.

Main differences between two highly effective lipid-lowering therapies in subclasses of lipoproteins in patients with acute myocardial infarction

Background Large observational studies have shown that small, dense LDL subfractions are related to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. This study assessed the effects of two highly effective lipid-lowering therapies in the atherogenic subclasses of lipoproteins in subjects with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Methods Patients of both sexes admitted with their first myocardial infarction and submitted to pharmacoinvasive strategy (N = 101) were included and randomized using a central computerized system to receive a daily dose of simvastatin 40 mg plus ezetimibe 10 mg or rosuvastatin 20 mg for 30 days. Intermediate-density lipoprotein (IDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) subfractions were analysed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (Lipoprint System) on the first (D1) and 30th days (D30) of lipid-lowering therapy. Changes in LDL and IDL subfractions between D1 and D30 were compared between the lipid-lowering therapies (Mann-Whitney U test). Results The classic lipid profile was similar in both therapy arms at D1 and D30. At D30, the achievement of lipid goals was comparable between lipid-lowering therapies. Cholesterol content in atherogenic subclasses of LDL (p = 0.043) and IDL (p = 0.047) decreased more efficiently with simvastatin plus ezetimibe than with rosuvastatin. Conclusions Lipid-lowering therapy with simvastatin plus ezetimibe was associated with a better pattern of lipoprotein subfractions than rosuvastatin monotherapy. This finding was noted despite similar effects in the classic lipid profile and may contribute to residual cardiovascular risk. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02428374, registered on 28/09/2014.

Estimation of the LDL Subclasses in Ischemic Stroke as a Risk Factor in a Chinese population

Background: Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is one of the leading causes of mortality and long-term disability worldwide. Our study aims to clarify the role of LDL subclasses in the occurrence of AIS and develop a risk prediction model based on these characteristics to identify high-risk people. Methods: Five hundred and sixty-six patients with AIS and 197 non-AIS controls were included in this study. Serum lipids and other baseline characteristics including fasting blood glucose (GLU), serum creatinine (Scr), and blood pressure were investigated in relation to occurrence of AIS. The LDL subfractions were classified and measured with the Lipoprint System by a polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis technique. Results: Levels of LDL-3, LDL-4 and LDL-5 subclasses were significantly higher in the AIS group compared to the non-AIS group and lower level of LDL-1 was prevalent in the AIS patients. Consistently, Spearman correlation coefficient demonstrated that sd‐demonevels, especially LDL-3 and LDL-4 levels, were significantly positively correlated with AIS. Furthermore, there is a significant positive correlation between small dense LDL (sd-LDL, that is LDL-3 to 7) levels and serum lipids including TC, LDL‐C, and TG. Increased LDL-3 and LDL-4 as well as decreased LDL-1 and LDL-2 were correlated to the occurrence of AIS, even in the people with normal LDL-C levels. A new prediction model including 12 variables can accurately predict the AIS risk in Chinese patients (AUC=0.82±0.04). Conclusions: Levels of LDL subclasses should be considered in addition to serum LDL-C in assessment and management of AIS. A new prediction model based on clinical variables including LDL subtractions can help clinicians identify high of AIS, even in the people with norm.

Substituting Lean Beef for Carbohydrate in a Healthy Dietary Pattern Does Not Adversely Affect the Cardiometabolic Risk Factor Profile in Men and Women at Risk for Type 2 Diabetes

ABSTRACT Background Observational evidence suggests that red meat intake is associated with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and cardiovascular disease incidence, but few randomized controlled trials have assessed effects of lean, unprocessed red meat intake on insulin sensitivity and other cardiometabolic risk factors. Objective This study compared the USDA Healthy US-Style Eating Pattern, low in saturated fat and red meat (&lt;40 g/d red meat; USDA-CON), with a modified version with an additional 150 g/d lean beef as an isocaloric replacement for carbohydrate (USDA-LB) on insulin sensitivity and cardiometabolic risk markers. Methods Participants (7 men, 26 women; 44.4 y old) with overweight/obesity [BMI (kg/m2) = 31.3] and prediabetes and/or metabolic syndrome completed this randomized, crossover, controlled-feeding trial consisting of two 28-d treatments (USDA-CON and USDA-LB) separated by a ≥14-day washout. Insulin sensitivity (primary outcome variable), lipoprotein lipids, apolipoproteins (apoA-I and apoB), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) (secondary outcome variables), in plasma or serum, and blood pressures were assessed at baseline and the end of each diet period. Results USDA-LB and USDA-CON did not differ significantly in effects on whole-body insulin sensitivity and other indicators of carbohydrate metabolism, lipoprotein lipids, apoA-I and apoB, hs-CRP, and blood pressures. USDA-LB produced a shift toward less cholesterol carried by smaller LDL subfractions compared with USDA-CON [least-squares geometric mean ratios for LDL1+2 cholesterol of 1.20 (P = 0.016) and LDL3+4 cholesterol of 0.89 (P = 0.044)] and increased peak LDL time versus USDA-CON (1.01; P = 0.008). Conclusions Substituting lean, unprocessed beef for carbohydrate in a Healthy US-Style Eating Pattern resulted in a shift toward larger, more buoyant LDL subfractions, but otherwise had no significant effects on the cardiometabolic risk factor profile in men and women with prediabetes and/or metabolic syndrome. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03202680.

Effects of Lean Beef Intake, as Part of a Healthful Dietary Pattern, on Cardiometabolic Risk Markers in Subjects at Risk for Diabetes Mellitus: a Controlled Feeding Trial (FS18-02-19)

Objectives To assess and compare the effects of two diets low in saturated fatty acids (SFA): a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) healthy US-style eating pattern (USDA diet) and a similar diet containing 150 g/d of lean beef in place of refined starches and added sugars (USDA-LB), on insulin sensitivity and other cardiometabolic markers in adults at-risk for type 2 diabetes (T2D). Methods This randomized, controlled crossover trial included two screening visits, a baseline visit, and two 28-d diet periods, separated by a 2-week washout. Thirty-three subjects (7 men, 26 women) provided evaluable data for this analysis. All foods were provided for each 28-d period. At baseline and at the end of each diet condition, insulin sensitivity and pancreatic beta-cell function were assessed with a 50-min intravenous glucose tolerance test. Other risk markers evaluated included fasting lipoprotein lipids, particles and subfractions, apolipoproteins A1 and B, homeostasis model assessment of fasting insulin sensitivity and beta-cell function, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein. Results Baseline values and responses for selected variables are shown in the Table. Neither the USDA nor the USDA-LB diets had significant effects on insulin sensitivity or pancreatic beta-cell function; however, both produced a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in mean high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) versus baseline. The USDA diet also significantly (P < 0.05) reduced median non-HDL-C and mean total cholesterol (total-C) compared to baseline, but the response did not differ significantly from that of the USDA-LB diet. A shift toward larger and more buoyant LDL subfractions compared to the USDA diet (P = 0.007) and baseline (P < 0.05) occurred with the USDA-LB diet. No other significant differences were observed in carbohydrate or lipid metabolism and assessed parameters. Conclusions Intake of a low-SFA, USDA healthy US-style diet lowered total-C, non-HDL-C, and HDL-C compared with baseline. Inclusion of 150 g/d of lean beef did not adversely affect insulin sensitivity and related cardiometabolic markers compared with the USDA healthy diet and produced a shift toward larger, more buoyant LDL subfractions. Funding Sources Funded by The Beef Checkoff. Supporting Tables, Images and/or Graphs