Experimental and clinical research findings on the cardiovascular benefits of consuming flaxseed

2009 ◽  
Vol 34 (5) ◽  
pp. 965-974 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chantal M.C. Bassett ◽  
Delfin Rodriguez-Leyva ◽  
Grant N. Pierce
Keyword(s):  
Dietary Fibre ◽  
Dietary Intervention ◽  
Ldl Cholesterol ◽  
Low Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Omega 3 ◽  
Hypocholesterolemic Action ◽  
Relaxation Responses ◽  
Intervention Trials

Functional foods and nutraceuticals are becoming popular alternatives to pharmacological treatments by providing health benefits and (or) reducing the risk of chronic diseases. Flaxseed is a rich source of 3 components with demonstrated cardioprotective effects: the omega-3 fatty acid α-linolenic acid (ALA), dietary fibre, and phytoestrogen lignans. Multiple clinical dietary intervention trials report that consuming flaxseed daily can modestly reduce circulating total cholesterol (TC) by 6%–11% and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol by 9%–18% in normolipemic humans and by 5%–17% for TC and 4%–10% for LDL cholesterol in hypercholesterolemic patients, as well as lower various markers associated with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in humans. Evidence to date suggests that the dietary fibre and (or) lignan content of flaxseed provides the hypocholesterolemic action. The omega-3 ALA found in the flaxseed oil fraction also contributes to the antiatherogenic effects of flaxseed via anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative mechanisms. Dietary flaxseed may also protect against ischemic heart disease by improving vascular relaxation responses and by inhibiting the incidence of ventricular fibrillation.

Dyslipidaemia

2019 ◽  
pp. 33-48
Author(s):  
Heinz Drexel
Keyword(s):  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Randomized Clinical Trials ◽  
Ldl Cholesterol ◽  
Low Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Hdl Cholesterol ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Residual Risk ◽  
Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Cholesterol Levels

Lipid metabolism has gained cardiological interest only after statins were demonstrated to reduce cardiovascular disease in secondary and primary prevention. Therefore, this chapter first introduces the physiological and atherogenic properties of lipoproteins, before focusing on interventions. Both the efficacy and safety of statins have been proven in numerous randomized clinical trials. Because there is a considerable residual risk in statin-treated patients, additional approaches have been investigated. The focus is now on further reductions in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels. First, high-intensity statin regimens were shown to reduce residual risk. Subsequently, ezetimibe was demonstrated, for the first time, to have a beneficial effect as a non-statin lipid intervention. More recently, inhibitors of the enzyme PCSK9 have demonstrated a very high efficacy in reducing LDL cholesterol levels. Although the causality of LDL for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease has been proven in epidemiological studies, including Mendelian randomization studies, as well as interventional trials, adherence to statins and other therapies is far from optimal. In contrast, interventions to increase high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels could not proven to have further benefits when combined with statins.

scholarly journals The Future of Lipid-lowering Therapy

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (7) ◽  
pp. 1085 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zwol ◽  
Rimbert ◽  
Kuivenhoven
Keyword(s):  
Low Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Lipid Lowering ◽  
Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Lipid Lowering Therapy ◽  
Omega 3 ◽  
Therapeutic Modalities ◽  
Experimental Drugs ◽  
Apolipoprotein C ◽  
New Findings

The recent introduction of inhibitors of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin 9 to lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol on top of statins or as monotherapy is rapidly changing the landscape of treatment of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). However, existing lipid-lowering drugs have little impact on lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) or plasma triglycerides, two other risk factors for ASCVD. This review summarizes the evidence and the rationale to target Lp(a) and triglycerides and provides an overview of currently tested strategies to lower Lp(a), apolipoprotein C-III and angiopoietin-like protein 3. In addition, it summarizes new findings on the use of omega-3 fatty acids (OM3FA) to fight ASCVD. With the exception of OM3FA supplementation, the promise of the experimental drugs discussed here depends on the long-term safety and efficacy of monoclonal antibodies and/or antisense oligonucleotides Clinical outcome trials will ultimately prove whether these new therapeutic modalities will reduce ASCVD risk.

scholarly journals Hokuriku-plus familial hypercholesterolaemia registry study: rationale and study design

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. e038623
Author(s):  
Hayato Tada ◽  
Hirofumi Okada ◽  
Shohei Yoshida ◽  
Masaya Shimojima ◽  
Akihiro Nomura ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cardiovascular Risk ◽  
Ldl Cholesterol ◽  
Familial Hypercholesterolaemia ◽  
Human Subjects ◽  
Low Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Ethical Guidelines ◽  
Clinical Criteria ◽  
Few Data

IntroductionFamilial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) is an autosomal-dominant inherited genetic disease. It carries an extremely high cardiovascular risk associated with significantly elevated low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. The diagnostic rate of this disease in some European nations is quite high, due to the presence of multiple prospective registries. On the other hand, few data—and in particular multicentre data—exist regarding this issue among Japanese subjects. Therefore, this study intends to assemble a multicentre registry that aims to comprehensively assess cardiovascular risk among Japanese FH patients while taking into account their genetic backgrounds.Methods and analysisThe Hokuriku-plus FH registry is a prospective, observational, multicentre cohort study, enrolling consecutive FH patients who fulfil the clinical criteria of FH in Japan from 37 participating hospitals mostly in Hokuriku region of Japan from April 2020 to March 2024. A total of 1000 patients will be enrolled into the study, and we plan to follow-up participants over 5 years. We will collect clinical parameters, including lipids, physical findings, genetic backgrounds and clinical events covering atherosclerotic and other important events, such as malignancies. The primary endpoint of this study is new atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) events. The secondary endpoints are as follows: LDL cholesterol, secondary ASCVD events and the occurrence of other diseases including hypertension, diabetes and malignancies.Ethics and disseminationThis study is being conducted in compliance with the Declaration of Helsinki, the Ethical Guidelines for Medical and Health Research Involving Human Subjects, and all other applicable laws and guidelines in Japan. This study protocol has been approved by the Institutional Review Board at Kanazawa University. We will disseminate the final results at international conferences and in a peer-reviewed journal.Trial registration numberUMIN000038210.

Dyslipidaemia

2019 ◽  
pp. 33-48
Author(s):  
Heinz Drexel
Keyword(s):  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Randomized Clinical Trials ◽  
Ldl Cholesterol ◽  
Low Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Hdl Cholesterol ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Residual Risk ◽  
Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Cholesterol Levels

Lipid metabolism has gained cardiological interest only after statins were demonstrated to reduce cardiovascular disease in secondary and primary prevention. Therefore, this chapter first introduces the physiological and atherogenic properties of lipoproteins, before focusing on interventions. Both the efficacy and safety of statins have been proven in numerous randomized clinical trials. Because there is a considerable residual risk in statin-treated patients, additional approaches have been investigated. The focus is now on further reductions in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels. First, high-intensity statin regimens were shown to reduce residual risk. Subsequently, ezetimibe was demonstrated, for the first time, to have a beneficial effect as a non-statin lipid intervention. More recently, inhibitors of the enzyme PCSK9 have demonstrated a very high efficacy in reducing LDL cholesterol levels. Although the causality of LDL for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease has been proven in epidemiological studies, including Mendelian randomization studies, as well as interventional trials, adherence to statins and other therapies is far from optimal. In contrast, interventions to increase high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels could not proven to have further benefits when combined with statins.

scholarly journals Recent advances in synthetic pharmacotherapies for dyslipidaemias

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (15) ◽  
pp. 1576-1596 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cesare R Sirtori ◽  
Shizuya Yamashita ◽  
Maria Francesca Greco ◽  
Alberto Corsini ◽  
Gerald F Watts ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cholesteryl Ester ◽  
Cardiovascular Events ◽  
Recurrent Events ◽  
Low Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Lipoprotein Cholesterol ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Omega 3 ◽  
Oral Agents

Despite the demonstrated benefits of statins and injectable biologics, there is a need for new and safe oral agents for addressing classical lipid targets, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). LDL-C is unquestionably causal in the development of atherogenesis and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, but new options are required to address triglyceride-rich lipoproteins and lipoprotein(a). For hypercholesterolaemia, pitavastatin provides a very low dose and potent statin that does not adversely affect glucose metabolism; bempedoic acid acts at a biochemical step preceding hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase and is not associated with muscular side effects. For hypertriglyceridaemia, pemafibrate displays a unique and selective agonist activity on peroxisomal proliferator activated receptor-α that does not elevate homocysteine or creatinine. Although omega-3 fatty acids supplementation is not effective in secondary prevention, high dose eicosapentaenoic ethyl ester can lead to a remarkable fall in first and recurrent events in high risk patients with hypertriglyceridaemia/low HDL-C. Gemcabene, a dicarboxylic acid regulating apolipoprotein B-100, is effective in reducing both cholesterol and triglycerides. Among cholesteryl ester transfer protein antagonists that elevate HDL-C, only anacetrapib reduces cardiovascular events. Probucol stimulates reverse cholesteryl ester transport, lowers LDL-C stabilizing plaques and may lower incidence of cardiovascular events. These agents, which act through novel mechanisms, afford good and potentially safe treatment choices that may increase adherence and the attainment of therapeutic targets.

scholarly journals Profound reductions in first and total cardiovascular events with icosapent ethyl in the REDUCE-IT trial: why these results usher in a new era in dyslipidaemia therapeutics

2019 ◽  
Vol 41 (24) ◽  
pp. 2304-2312 ◽  
Author(s):  
William E Boden ◽  
Deepak L Bhatt ◽  
Peter P Toth ◽  
Kausik K Ray ◽  
M John Chapman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Eicosapentaenoic Acid ◽  
Statin Therapy ◽  
Primary Endpoint ◽  
Low Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Cardiovascular Death ◽  
Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Omega 3 ◽  
Icosapent Ethyl ◽  
Lipid Phenotype

Abstract The aims of this clinical review are to: (i) highlight the importance of elevated baseline triglycerides (TG) in the setting of well-controlled low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) on statins as a major contributor to residual atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk, particularly among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, and obesity whose distinctive lipid phenotype cannot be optimally treated with LDL-C reduction therapy alone; (ii) describe the findings and clinical implications of the landmark REDUCE-IT trial in which ethyl eicosapentaenoic acid significantly improved ASCVD outcomes. While many genetic studies have shown that elevated TG are an independent causal factor for ASCVD, prior placebo-controlled trials using niacin, fibrates, omega-3 fatty acids, and dietary supplement fish oil preparations have failed to demonstrate significant CV event reduction when added to statin therapy. In contrast, the REDUCE-IT trial in 8179 participants showed convincingly that the administration of 4 g daily of icosapent ethyl (an ethyl ester of eicosapentaenoic acid) in patients at high risk for ASCVD with increased levels of baseline TG [median value, 2.44 mmol/L (216.0 mg/dL)] but well-controlled LDL-C [median value, 1.94 mmol/L (75.0 mg/dL)] reduced significantly incident events across both the trial primary endpoint and multiple prespecified secondary endpoints, including cardiovascular death, as well as both subsequent and total primary endpoint and key secondary endpoint events. Icosapent ethyl unequivocally contributed to ASCVD event reduction over and above statin therapy. The REDUCE-IT trial results should alter our approach to managing a growing population of hypertriglyceridaemic patients whose lipid phenotype requires more intensive treatment beyond LDL-C lowering alone.

Long-term Treatment of Severe Familial Hypercholesterolemia in Children: Effect of Sitosterol and Bezafibrate

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1992 ◽  
Vol 89 (1) ◽  
pp. 138-142
Author(s):  
M. Becker ◽  
D. Staab ◽  
K. Von Bergmann
Keyword(s):  
Familial Hypercholesterolemia ◽  
Dietary Intervention ◽  
Ldl Cholesterol ◽  
Low Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Combined Treatment ◽  
Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Term Treatment ◽  
Cholesterol Concentration ◽  
Lipid Lowering ◽  
Long Term Treatment

Seven prepubertal children (age range 5.3 to 10.8 years) with severe heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (serum cholesterol concentration 416 ± 85 mg/dL and low-density lipoprotein [LDL] cholesterol concentration 360 ± 90 mg/dL) were first treated by dietary Intervention, second by sitosterol (3 x 2 g/d), and third by bezafibrate (2 x 200 mg/d). Each treatment period lasted 3 months. Subsequently, a treatment combining half the dose of sitosterol and bezafibrate was administered for the following 24 months. Diet alone reduced total and LDL cholesterol values by 4.5% (not significant) and 6.6% (P < .05), respectively. Sitosterol lowered total and LDL cholesterol values by 17% (P < .05) when compared with diet alone. Compared with sitosterol, bezafibrate produced a more pronounced effect on total and LDL cholesterol values (-18% and -28%, P < .05), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration increased significantly from 48 mg/dL to 55 mg/dL Combined treatment with half the dose each of sitosterol and bezafibrate was as effective as the higher dose of bezafibrate, and reduction averaged almost 40% and 50% for total and LDL cholesterol values; this lipid-lowering effect persisted for the next 24 months. Laboratory safety parameters and physical examination revealed no obvious side effects. This study indicates that the combination of sitosterol (3 x 1 g/d) plus bezafibrate (1 χ 200 mg/d) is an alternate, acceptable, safe, and effective therapeutic approach for treatment of severe hypercholesterolemia in children with high-risk familial hypercholesterolemia.

Opportunistic screening for familial hypercholesterolaemia via a community laboratory

2012 ◽  
Vol 49 (6) ◽  
pp. 534-537 ◽  
Author(s):  
Damon A Bell ◽  
Amanda J Hooper ◽  
Robert Bender ◽  
Jenny McMahon ◽  
Glenn Edwards ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ldl Cholesterol ◽  
Familial Hypercholesterolaemia ◽  
Low Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Early Death ◽  
Sample Population ◽  
Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Opportunistic Screening ◽  
Lipid Clinic ◽  
One Year

Background Familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) is an inherited disorder characterized by increased serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol concentrations and premature atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The majority of people with FH are currently undiagnosed. We sought to determine the ability of a community laboratory to screen for individuals with potential FH. Methods Serum LDL-cholesterol concentrations issued by a private community laboratory in Western Australia were reviewed over a one-year period (1 May 2010 to 31 April 2011). We assessed the prevalence of possible FH based on LDL-cholesterol thresholds employed by the Make Early Diagnosis-Prevent Early Death (MED-PED), the Simon Broome Registry and the Dutch Lipid Clinic Network criteria. Results During this period, 84,823 people had 99,467 serum LDL-cholesterol measurements, with 91.8% requested by general practitioners. A secondary cause of hypercholesterolaemia was identified in 8.3% of subjects with an LDL-cholesterol ≥5.0 mmol/L. The prevalence of FH based on an LDL-cholesterol ≥6.5 mmol/L, the 99.75th percentile, was 1:398 in this sample population; similarly, the MED-PED LDL-cholesterol criteria gave a prevalence of 1:482. Conclusions The community laboratory is well placed to screen opportunistically for subjects with potential FH. This may be achieved using either the MED-PED criteria or a serum LDL-cholesterol cut-off point of ≥6.5 mmol/L, irrespective of age. Further investigation is required to determine the most effective method of identifying these individuals and, thereby, ensuring referral to a specialist lipid clinic.

Moving beyond the “LDL hypothesis”

VASA ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 44 (5) ◽  
pp. 333-340 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Werner ◽  
Ulrich Laufs
Keyword(s):  
Ldl Cholesterol ◽  
Causal Relation ◽  
Low Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Clinical Trial Data ◽  
Randomised Clinical Trial ◽  
Trial Data ◽  
Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol ◽  
Genetic Studies ◽  
Statin Drug

Abstract. Summary: The term “LDL hypothesis” is frequently used to describe the association of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-cholesterol, LDL-C) and cardiovascular (CV) events. Recent data from genetic studies prove a causal relation between serum LDL-C and CV events. These data are in agreement with mechanistic molecular studies and epidemiology. New randomised clinical trial data show that LDL-C lowering with statins and a non-statin drug, ezetimibe, reduces CV events. We therefore believe that the “LDL-hypothesis” has been proven; the term appears to be outdated and should be replaced by “LDL causality”.

Platelet Aggregation and Plasma Lipoproteins in Alcoholics During Alcohol Withdrawal

1986 ◽  
Vol 55 (02) ◽  
pp. 173-177 ◽  
Author(s):  
K Desai ◽  
J S Owen ◽  
D T Wilson ◽  
R A Hutton
Keyword(s):  
Platelet Aggregation ◽  
Alcohol Withdrawal ◽  
Ldl Cholesterol ◽  
Low Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Hdl Cholesterol ◽  
Plasma Lipoprotein ◽  
Cholesterol Concentration ◽  
Arachidonic Acid Content ◽  
Low Density

SummaryPlatelet aggregation, platelet lipid composition and plasma lipoprotein concentrations were measured each week in a group of seventeen alcoholics, without overt liver disease, for one month, following acute, total alcohol withdrawal. The platelets were initially hypoaggregable but, within 1-2 weeks of cessation of drinking, they became hyperaggregable and then gradually returned towards normal values. Hyperaggregability could not be explained by increases in either the cholesterol or the arachidonic acid content of the platelets. Plasma very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels remained high throughout the study, but the initially raised levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol fell by 26%. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol concentration rose by 10% after two weeks of withdrawal but then returned to about the starting level. The resulting changes in the plasma LDL-cholesterol: HDL-cholesterol ratio, which had increased by more than 50% after two weeks of abstinence, essentially paralleled the time course of enhanced platelet reactivity in all but four of the alcoholics. These findings suggest that alterations in plasma lipoprotein concentrations during acute alcohol withdrawal may be a contributory factor to the haemostatic disorders present in such patients.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document