Evoked potentials (VEPs and BAEPs) in a large cohort of short- and long-term haemodialysed patients

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of diets containing high or low amounts of n-3 fatty acids on lipid levels in men. DESIGN: A continuous 40-day feeding study was conducted using a 5-day cycle menu. The control diet, which was fed the first 21 days of the trial, contained 32% of energy as fat and 44.4 g total dietary fiber per day. Total serum cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and triglycerides (TGs) were evaluated 1 day before the trial began and on days 21 and 41. SUBJECTS: 17 men aged 21 to 42 years who were free-living individuals with no apparent illnesses or hyperlipidemia. INTERVENTION: The treatment diets, which were substituted daily for the regular entrees for the last 19 days of the trial, contained 180 g/day of either farm-raised catfish or wild Alaskan salmon. STATISTICAL ANALYSES PERFORMED: Serum data were analyzed using analysis of covariance with the initial values as the covariates. RESULTS: After 21 days on the control diet, TC and TGs decreased; however, there were no further decreases during the last 19 days when fish was consumed. LDL-C remained unchanged after the first 21 days but was lower than the initial value by day 41. HDL-C levels were similar over the 40 days. There were no significant differences in lipid levels of men who consumed catfish and those who consumed salmon. APPLICATIONS/CONCLUSIONS: Farm-raised catfish compared favorably to wild Alaskan salmon when incorporated into the total diet in regard to lipid levels in men.     

Effect of isoenergetic replacement of starch by olive oil and fish oil concentrations of lipids in plasma and lipoprotein fractions in swine

Two experiments with sows were performed to investigate the effect of isoenergetic replacement of starch by fish oil or olive oil on concentrations of lipids in plasma and lipoproteins. The first experiment was based on a cross-over design with three periods, each lasting 16 days. Each sow was fed during one of the periods a basal ration with isoenergetic addition of (1) starch (495 g/d), (2) olive oil (221 g/d), or (3) fish oil (223 g/d) based on energetic requirement for maintainance. The second experiment was based on a cross-over design with eight periods, each lasting 16 days. In the first and in the last periods, each sow was fed the basal ration. In the other six periods, each sow was fed the basal ration with addition of two different amounts of (1) starch (284/568 g/d), (2) olive oil (140/281 g/d), or (3) fish oil (141/282 g/d). The two different amounts of addition were selected to exceed the energetic requirement for maintainance by 25% or 50%. In both experiments blood samples were taken before each change of the ration. In both experiments olive oil elevated the concentration of cholesterol in plasma in comparison with starch. This elevation was due to a large elevation in high-density lipoproteins (HDL), and a slight elevation in low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and very-low density lipoproteins (VLDL). The ratio between HDL and LDL cholesterol was increased by feeding olive oil. The effect of olive oil on concentrations of cholesterol in plasma and lipoproteins was dose-dependent. In both experiments none of the two dietary oils significantly changed concentrations of triglycerides in plasma and lipoproteins. Concentrations of phospholipids in plasma, HDL, and LDL were elevated by olive oil. In both experiments addition of fish oil elevated concentration of cholesterol in plasma due to elevated cholesterol concentration in LDL. Concentration of HDL cholesterol was not changed by fish oil. Thus, the ratio between HDL cholesterol and LDL cholesterol was lowered by fish oil. The effect of fish oil on concentration of cholesterol in plasma and lipoproteins was also dose-dependent. Fish oil had no significant effect on phospholipid concentrations in plasma and lipoproteins. In conclusion, in the present experiment olive oil caused antiatherogenic changes of the lipoprotein profile, whereas fish oil caused proatherogenic changes of the lipoprotein profile.     

Origins of neural crest cell diversity

The effect of diets containing 50% of fat calories from butter, butter enriched with mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids, and margarines with and without trans fatty acids on the serum lipids of 38 healthy men in a free-living condition have been determined. Serum lipid responses to the high level of individual dietary fats were unexpectedly small. The butter diet produced a small, but significant rise (5%) in the total serum cholesterol and low density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol, relative to all other diets. Enrichment of butter with either olive oil (50/50) or sunflower oil (50/50) failed to reduce serum lipid levels below habitual diet values. Hard margarine, containing 29% trans fatty acids, caused a decrease in apolipoprotein A-I and B levels, but did not change total serum cholesterol or LDL-cholesterol levels, relative to habitual diet values. A soft margarine, high in linoleate, with no trans fatty acids reduced total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and apolipoprotein B significantly, relative to all diets. Soft margarine high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol levels remained unchanged, but apolipoprotein A-I values were decreased relative to habitual and butter diets. The quantities of saturated fatty acids and the sum of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids consumed on the hard and soft margarines were equal; therefore, the different response of serum cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol between these two diets is attributable to the trans fatty acids in the hard margarine. The data indicate that trans fatty acids are not metabolically equivalent to the natural cis isomers and that they affect the serum lipid profile adversely.     

The effect of supplemental dietary fat on plasma cholesterol levels in lovastatin-treated hypercholesterolemic patients

STUDY OBJECTIVE: A validation study was conducted first to test assumptions about the effect of saturated and unsaturated dietary fat supplements. The second study was conducted to determine the effect on blood cholesterol levels of saturated and unsaturated fat supplements in patients who followed a low-fat diet and were administered lovastatin. DESIGN: Randomized, crossover design, with three periods in the first study and four in the second study, each lasting 6 weeks. SETTING: Cholesterol Research Center. PATIENTS: The first study evaluated adults with total cholesterol levels between 200 and 280 mg/dl (5.172 and 7.241 mmol/L). The second study included adults with low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels above 160 mg/dl (4.138 mmol/L). INTERVENTIONS: Fat supplements with either coconut or canola oil were delivered to patients in oatmeal-raisin cookies. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: In the validation study, patients' mean prerandomization total cholesterol level of 222 mg/dl was reduced to 213 mg/dl with canola oil and increased to 233 mg/dl with coconut oil cookies (p = 0.0038). In the second study the mean prerandomization total cholesterol level of 214 mg/dl was decreased to 199 mg/dl with canola oil and to 208 mg/dl with coconut oil cookies (p = 0.2342). The LDL cholesterol levels changed in a similar fashion in both studies. CONCLUSIONS: Changes in total and LDL cholesterol levels in the validation study were expected based on established effects of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, but changes in these levels in lovastatin-cookie study were not expected. They could have occurred because lovastatin reversed the effect of saturated fats and enhanced the effect of unsaturated fats. Alternatively, they may have been due to enhanced bioavailability of lovastatin when administered with a high-fat diet. These findings must be confirmed.     

Effect of fish oil on indometacin-induced gastric lesions in rats

The effect of fish oil in promoting the healing of indomethacin-induced gastric lesions was investigated in Wistar albino rats. After indomethacin treatment (30 mg/kg, s.c.), animals were given fish oil, olive oil, or normal diet for 48 h. The ulcer index was found to be decreased to 2.1 +/- 1.8 mm with fish oil, 13.7 +/1 5.4 mm with olive oil, and 14.6 +/- 2.4 mm with normal diet. Fish oil showed a potent healing-promoting effect on acute gastric erosions and ulcers induced by indomethacin and significantly enhanced the mucus content of the mucosa (p < 0.05).     

Cortical influences on cervical motoneurons in the rat: recordings of synaptic responses from motoneurons and compound action potential from corticospinal axons

Restenosis after successful coronary angioplasty (PTCA) occurs in 25-35% of all procedures. To date, most pharmacologic strategies have failed to reduce the restenosis rate significantly. However, recent studies have suggested a potential benefit of dietary supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) on restenosis following PTCA. The benefit of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on the incidence of coronary artery restenosis following elective PTCA was assessed in 212 consecutive patients (41 female, 171 male). Following a successful angioplasty, 204 patients received a dietary supplementation with either nine capsules containing fish oil (3.15 g omega-3 fatty acids) or nine placebo capsules containing olive oil. Treatment was started immediately after PTCA and maintained over 4 mon. Compliance was assessed by analysis of lipid fatty acids prior to angioplasty and at 4 mon follow-up. The angiographically determined incidence of restenosis (stenosis diameter > 50%) was 31.2% per lesion in patients receiving fish oil and 33.7% in patients receiving olive oil. Gross progression of coronary artery disease in vessels not subjected to angioplasty was 17% and 16%, respectively. In conclusion, low dose fish oil supplementation begun on the day of a successful coronary angioplasty failed to demonstrate any effect on coronary artery restenosis.     

Tissue-specific galactosyltransferase abnormalities in an experimental model of rheumatoid arthritis

The aim of our study was to determine whether the minor polar components of virgin olive oil could have favorable effects (1) on fasting and postprandial lipid profile and (2) on low-density lipoprotein (LDL) composition and susceptibility to oxidation in vitro. Ten normolipidic subjects were included in a crossover study (two diet periods of 3 weeks) and received either virgin olive oil (OO diet) or oleic acid rich sunflower oil. An oral fat load was performed at the end of each period. The plasma lipid levels were not significantly different after both diets in the fasting and postprandial states. A few minor variations of the LDL composition were observed only in the postprandial lipemia, and they were different after both diets. The LDL oxidation susceptibility was evaluated by the formation of conjugated dienes. With LDL isolated in the fasting state, the diene production decreased (p = 0.0573) only after the OO diet. The dienes determined at time 0 and the maximal dienes obtained during the oxidation reaction decreased (p = 0.0145 and p = 0.0184, respectively) only after the OO fat load. Nevertheless, the diene production decrease was not significant (p = 0.0848). Our results suggest a mild effect of minor components of virgin olive oil related to a decrease of LDL susceptibility to oxidation; further analyses are necessary to give clear conclusions about their role.     

Promoter trapping identifies real genes in C. elegans

Rats were fed on a low fat diet or on high fat diets which included coconut oil, olive oil, safflower oil, evening primrose oil or fish oil as the principal fat source. The level of phosphatidylinositol-4, 5-bisphosphate in spleen lymphocytes was unaffected by diet. However, the fish oil diet significantly decreased the concentration of inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate in stimulated lymphocytes; this concentration was also reduced following olive oil feeding. Diet did not significantly affect the level of phospholipase C-gamma1 in spleen lymphocytes but the tyrosine phosphorylation state of this enzyme in stimulated lymphocytes, as well as that of a range of other proteins, was decreased following feeding the fish oil and, to a lesser extent, the olive oil diets. It is concluded that fish oil feeding appears to result in inhibition of one or more tyrosine kinases.     

Low linolenate and commercial soybean oils diminish serum HDL cholesterol in young free-living adult females

OBJECTIVE: A mutant soybean line (A16) low in linolenic acid content (2% of oil by weight) was developed to increase oil oxidative stability. It was unknown whether serum lipid and lipoprotein concentrations in humans would be affected should A16 soybean oil (A16 oil) replace commercial soybean oil in diets. This study was conducted to examine the hypothesis that in free-living normolipidemic women, the consumption of A16 oil at approximately 10% of energy intake (en%) would not affect serum lipids and lipoproteins differently than would the consumption of the same amount of a commercial soybean oil with 7% of linolenic acid content. DESIGN: Fifteen free-living female college students consumed the soybean oil daily with regular meals for 9 weeks in different orders, with each test oil being eaten for 3 weeks. During the study, 13 en% was provided by each test oil and a total of 35 en% was from dietary fat. Serum concentrations of total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL cholesterol), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL cholesterol) and triacylglycerides (TAG) were measured. Serum total fatty acid patterns were analyzed as well. RESULTS: Each of the three test oils decreased serum total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and TAG concentrations from the baseline values. The feeding of A16 and commercial soybean oils decreased serum HDL cholesterol significantly compared with coconut oil (p < 0.05). Dietary inclusion of coconut oil increased serum myristic acid significantly more than did either soybean oil (p < 0.01). Serum arachidonic acid concentrations were significantly greater with A16 consumption than with commercial soybean oil consumption (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: A16 and commercial soybean oils both diminished serum HDL cholesterol. Although the fatty acid composition differed between the two soybean oils, A16 oil and commercial oil had similar effects on serum concentrations of lipoproteins and lipids. With increased oxidative stability, A16 oil is a good alternative to commercial soybean oil.     

Thyroid hormone is required for dietary fish oil to induce hypersecretion of biliary cholesterol in the rat

In the rat, both fish oil diet and thyroid hormone replacement are reported to augment bile cholesterol secretion out of proportion to bile flow or secretion of other bile lipids. We sought common mechanisms for these effects and evaluated the role of phospholipid fatty acid composition in the process. Methimazole-treated hypothyroid rats were fed low-fat chow or chow supplemented with 10% corn oil or fish oil, and were studied before and after thyroid hormone treatment. Serum, hepatic, and bile lipids were measured, phospholipid fatty acid composition determined, and hepatic 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl CoA reductase activity assayed. Fish oil diet stimulated cholesterol secretion into bile only after thyroid hormone was given, and this action was synergistic with that of thyroid hormone. Reduced serum cholesterol in fish oil-treated rats was associated with increased biliary cholesterol secretion and diminished hepatic cholesterol content. This suggests that augmented biliary cholesterol secretion may contribute to the fish oil-induced reduction of serum cholesterol. No definite relationship between hepatic or biliary phospholipid fatty acid composition and biliary secretion was apparent, although high bile cholesterol secretion was associated with a low percentage of hepatic and bile phospholipid linoleic acid.     

A controlled trial of fish oil in IgA nephropathy. Mayo Nephrology Collaborative Group

BACKGROUND: The n-3 fatty acids in fish oil affect eicosanoid and cytokine production and therefore have the potential to alter renal hemodynamics and inflammation. The effects of fish oil could prevent immunologic renal injury in patients with IgA nephropathy. METHODS: In a multicenter, placebo-controlled, randomized trial we tested the efficacy of fish oil in patients with IgA nephropathy who had persistent proteinuria. The daily dose of fish oil was 12 g; the placebo was a similar dose of olive oil. Serum creatinine concentrations, elevated in 68 percent of the patients at base line, and creatinine clearance were measured for two years. The primary end point was an increase of 50 percent or more in the serum creatinine concentration at the end of the study. RESULTS: Fifty-five patients were assigned to receive fish oil, and 51 to receive placebo. According to Kaplan-Meier estimation, 3 patients (6 percent) in the fish-oil group and 14 (33 percent) in the placebo group had increases of 50 percent or more in their serum creatinine concentrations during treatment (P = 0.002). The annual median changes in the serum creatinine concentrations were 0.03 mg per deciliter (2.7 mumol per liter) in the fish-oil group and 0.14 mg per deciliter (12.4 mumol per liter) in the placebo group. Proteinuria was slightly reduced and hypertension was controlled to a comparable degree in both groups. The cumulative percentage of patients who died or had end-stage renal disease was 40 percent in the placebo group after four years and 10 percent in the fish-oil group (P = 0.006). No patient discontinued fish-oil treatment because of adverse effects. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with IgA nephropathy, treatment with fish oil for two years retards the rate at which renal function is lost.     

A comparison of fish oil or corn oil supplements in hyperlipidemic subjects with NIDDM

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects on blood lipids and glycemic control of fish oil and corn oil supplementation at two levels in subjects with hyperlipidemia and non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Forty subjects (18 men and 22 women; aged 53.9 +/- 7.0 years) with NIDDM and hyperlipidemia were randomly assigned to one of four treatment groups: 9 g of fish oil, 18 g of fish oil, 9 g of corn oil, or 18 g of corn oil daily supplementation for 12 weeks. RESULTS: The level of oil supplements (9 g compared with 18 g) did not have a significant effect within each oil group on glycemic control and lipids. Significant differences (P < 0.05) in lipids were found when the 9-g and 18-g groups were combined. In subjects consuming fish oil, plasma very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol (P = 0.0001), plasma triglyceride (TG) (P = 0.0001), and plasma VLDL TGs (P = 0.02 at 6 weeks and P = 0.0001 at 12 weeks) were significantly lowered compared with subjects consuming corn oil. Plasma VLDL cholesterol increased across time in the corn oil group (P = 0.04). Plasma low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol was temporarily increased (P = 0.008) in the fish oil group at 6 weeks, but the effect was no longer present at 12 weeks. No significant differences between fish oil- or corn oil-supplemented diets were found in total plasma cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, fasting plasma glucose, glycosylated HbA1c, weight, and blood pressure. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, fish oil supplementation improved plasma VLDL cholesterol, VLDL TGs, and total TGs while having a transient deterioration in LDL cholesterol in subjects with NIDDM. Furthermore, fish oil supplementation had no significant deleterious effect on glycemic control.     

Fish oil supplementation prevents diabetes-induced nerve conduction velocity and neuroanatomical changes in rats

Diabetic neuropathy has been associated with a decrease in nerve conduction velocity, Na,K-ATPase activity and characteristic histological damage of the sciatic nerve. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential effect of a dietary supplementation with fish oil [(n-3) fatty acids] on the sciatic nerve of diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced by intravenous streptozotocin injection. Diabetic animals (n = 20) were fed a nonpurified diet supplemented with either olive oil (DO) or fish oil (DM), and control animals (n = 10) were fed a nonpurified diet supplemented with olive oil at a daily dose of 0.5 g/kg by gavage for 8 wk. Nerves were characterized by their conduction velocity, morphometric analysis and membrane Na, K-ATPase activity. Nerve conduction velocity, as well as Na,K-ATPase activity, was improved by fish oil treatment. A correlation was found between these two variables (R = 0.999, P < 0.05). Moreover, a preventive effect of fish oil was observed on nerve histological damage [endoneurial edema, axonal degeneration (by 10-15%) with demyelination]. Moreover, the normal bimodal distribution of the internal diameter of myelinated fibers was absent in the DO group and was restored in the DM group. These data suggest that fish oil therapy may be effective in the prevention of diabetic neuropathy.     

Dietary fat saturation and chain length modulate guinea pig hepatic cholesterol metabolism

The effects of dietary fat saturation and saturated fatty acid composition on plasma lipoprotein concentrations and hepatic cholesterol metabolism were investigated in guinea pigs. Animals were fed semipurified diets containing 15 g fat/100 g diet, as palm kernel, palm oil, beef tallow, lard, olive oil or corn oil. Plasma lipoprotein concentrations were significantly altered by the type of dietary fat. The LDL cholesterol concentration was highest in animals fed the diet with palm kernel and lowest in animals fed the diet with corn oil, whereas HDL cholesterol was lowest in beef tallow-fed guinea pigs (P < 0.01). Hepatic cholesteryl ester concentrations were 100% higher in animals fed diets containing polyunsaturated corn oil and monounsaturated olive oil compared with animals fed any of the saturated fat diets (P < 0.01). Hepatic 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase activity varied in the different dietary fat groups independent of hepatic cholesterol pools or plasma LDL concentrations. In contrast, hepatic acyl-CoA: cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) activity was significantly correlated with plasma LDL cholesterol across all dietary groups (r = 0.63, P < 0.001). These data demonstrate that regulation of hepatic HMG-CoA reductase activity is relatively independent of changes in plasma lipoprotein levels, whereas hepatic ACAT activity exhibits a positive correlation with plasma LDL cholesterol concentrations.     

Lipoprotein responses to fish, coconut and soybean oil diets with and without cholesterol in the Syrian hamster

Thirty-six young male Syrian hamsters were fed with test diets containing coconut oil, soybean oil or fish oil with and without 0.5% cholesterol for 6 weeks. Without dietary cholesterol supplementation, animals on the fish oil diet had significantly lower plasma total triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol than those on the coconut oil or soybean oil diet. The decrease of TG was seen mainly in the very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) fraction. The degree of decrease in cholesterol was similar in all of the lipoprotein fractions. With 0.5% dietary cholesterol supplementation, there was no significant difference in plasma TG level among the three dietary groups. However, the fish oil group had significantly higher plasma cholesterol than the coconut oil and soybean oil groups. The increase of cholesterol was mainly in the VLDL and low density lipoprotein (LDL) fractions. In contrast to the plasma cholesterol level, the hepatic cholesteryl ester content was significantly lower in the cholesterol-supplemented fish oil group than in the coconut oil and soybean oil counterparts. The cholesterol-supplemented fish oil group showed higher liver microsomal acyl-coenzyme A:cholesterol acyltransferase activity than the other two groups, while there was no significant difference in the excretion of fecal neutral and acidic sterols among the three dietary groups.     

Rice bran oil consumption and plasma lipid levels in moderately hypercholesterolemic humans

The effect of rice bran oil, and oil not commonly consumed in the United States, on plasma lipid and apolipoprotein concentrations was studied within the context of a National Cholesterol Education Panel (NCEP) Step 2 diet and compared with the effects of canola, corn, and olive oils. The study subjects were 15 middle-aged and elderly subjects (8 postmenopausal women and 7 men; age range, 44 to 78 years) with elevated low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (C) concentrations (range, 133 to 219 mg/dL). Diets enriched in each of the test oils were consumed by each subject for 32-day periods in a double-blind fashion and were ordered in a Latin square design. All food and drink were provided by the metabolic research unit. Diet components were identical (17% of calories as protein, 53% as carbohydrate, 30% as fat [< 7% as saturated fat], and 80 mg cholesterol/1000 kcal) except that two thirds of the fat in each diet was contributed by rice bran, canola, corn, or olive oil. Mean +/- SD plasma total cholesterol concentrations were 192 +/- 19, 194 +/- 20, 194 +/- 19, and 205 +/- 19 mg/dL, and LDL-C concentrations were 109 +/- 30, 109 +/- 26, 108 +/- 31, and 112 +/- 29 mg/dL after consumption of the rice bran, canola, corn, and olive oil-enriched diets, respectively. Plasma cholesterol and LDL-C concentrations were similar and statistically indistinguishable when the subjects consumed the rice bran, canola, and corn oil-enriched diets and lower than when they consumed the olive oil-enriched diet.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Effects of high-dose fish oil on rheumatoid arthritis after stopping nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs. Clinical and immune correlates

OBJECTIVE: To determine the following: 1) whether dietary supplementation with fish oil will allow the discontinuation of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA); 2) the clinical efficacy of high-dose dietary omega 3 fatty acid fish oil supplementation in RA patients; and 3) the effect of fish oil supplements on the production of multiple cytokines in this population. METHODS: Sixty-six RA patients entered a double-blind, placebo-controlled, prospective study of fish oil supplementation while taking diclofenac (75 mg twice a day). Patients took either 130 mg/kg/day of omega 3 fatty acids or 9 capsules/day of corn oil. Placebo diclofenac was substituted at week 18 or 22, and fish oil supplements were continued for 8 weeks (to week 26 or 30). Serum levels of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), IL-2, IL-6, and IL-8 and tumor necrosis factor alpha were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay at baseline and during the study. RESULTS: In the group taking fish oil, there were significant decreases from baseline in the mean (+/- SEM) number of tender joints (5.3 +/- 0.835; P < 0.0001), duration of morning stiffness (-67.7 +/- 23.3 minutes; P = 0.008), physician's and patient's evaluation of global arthritis activity (-0.33 +/- 0.13; P = 0.017 and -0.38 +/- 0.17; P = 0.036, respectively), and physician's evaluation of pain (-0.38 +/- 0.12; P = 0.004). In patients taking corn oil, no clinical parameters improved from baseline. The decrease in the number of tender joints remained significant 8 weeks after discontinuing diclofenac in patients taking fish oil (-7.8 +/- 2.6; P = 0.011) and the decrease in the number of tender joints at this time was significant compared with that in patients receiving corn oil (P = 0.043). IL-1 beta decreased significantly from baseline through weeks 18 and 22 in patients consuming fish oil (-7.7 +/- 3.1; P = 0.026). CONCLUSION: Patients taking dietary supplements of fish oil exhibit improvements in clinical parameters of disease activity from baseline, including the number of tender joints, and these improvements are associated with significant decreases in levels of IL-1 beta from baseline. Some patients who take fish oil are able to discontinue NSAIDs without experiencing a disease flare.     

Role for cell surface oligosaccharide in cell-cell recognition during implantation

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of three different dosages of transdermally administered 17beta-estradiol on serum lipoproteins in women who had recently experienced surgical menopause. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We undertook a 2-year, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in which 126 subjects were recruited and stratified by age, and 93 patients completed the protocol. Serum lipoproteins were assessed before initiation of treatment and after 12 and 24 months of therapy with 0.025, 0.05, or 0.1 mg of estradiol daily. RESULTS: Total serum cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol showed dose-dependent decreases that reached statistical significance after 2 years of treatment with transdermally administered estradiol. CONCLUSION: This study confirms that transdermally administered 17beta-estradiol has a modest beneficial effect on serum lipoproteins, with decreased levels of total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol.     

19-Allylaminoherbimycin A, an analog of herbimycin A that is stable against treatment with thiol compounds or granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor in human leukemia cells

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects on lipid and lipoprotein metabolism of two doses (5- or 10 micrograms/24 h) of levonorgestrel released from an intrauterine device (IUD) in combination with orally administered estradiol (2 mg estradiol valerate) in perimenopausal women. DESIGN: A 1-year prospective randomized single blind clinical trial. SETTING: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Ostra Hospital, G?teborg, Sweden. SUBJECTS: Fifty-one perimenopausal women with climacteric symptoms. OUTCOME MEASURES: Cholesterol in serum and in lipoprotein fractions; high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL). Triglycerides in serum and in very low-density lipoprotein. RESULTS: In both treatment groups significant elevations in HDL-cholesterol of similar magnitude were observed after 1 month and these changes were maintained during the 12 month observation period. In both treatment groups an initial significant decrease of LDL-cholesterol was observed and the decrement was maintained after 12 months. Serum levels of cholesterol decreased significantly in both groups after 1 month and were maintained after 12 months in the levonorgestrel-IUD (LNG-IUD) 5 micrograms group. However, the initial reduction of serum cholesterol in the LNG-IUD 10 micrograms group did not differ from baseline after 12 months. Serum triglyceride levels fluctuated during the observation period. No significant changes occurred. CONCLUSION: Continuous combined HRT with intrauterine administration of levonorgestrel, 5- or 10 micrograms/24 h, in perimenopausal women was observed to increase HDL-cholesterol and to decrease LDL-cholesterol compared with pretreatment values. The low doses of levonorgestrel did not reverse the beneficial effects on lipid metabolism usually seen after estradiol administration.     

A randomized pilot trial of low-dose combination lipid-lowering therapy following coronary artery bypass grafting

Vein graft atherosclerosis is a common and serious complication of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). There is mounting evidence that lipoprotein abnormalities play an equally important role in the development of lesions in saphenous vein grafts after CABG as in native coronary vessel disease. The potential benefit of low-dose lipid lowering combination therapy in these patients has not been investigated. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, we compared the efficacy and safety of a low-dose combination of colestipol 10 g and simvastatin 10 mg/day (CS) to colestipol 10 mg and bezafibrate 400 mg/day (CB) for 2 months in 33 patients with serum total cholesterol > 6.5 mmol/l and triglyceride < 4.5 mmol/l who had undergone CABG for severe coronary artery disease. In the CS group, total cholesterol decreased by 29% and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol by 42%; similarly, CB reduced total cholesterol by 17%, LDL cholesterol by 23%, triglyceride by 19%, and increased high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol by 14%. Lipoprotein (a) and hemostatic factors were unaffected by either therapy in this study. Both combination therapies were well tolerated with no significant clinical or biochemical side effects. We conclude that low-dose combinations of colestipol and simvastatin or colestipol and bezafibrate are effective and well tolerated in the management of moderate hyperlipidemia in patients who had undergone CABG.