Fractional efflux and net change in cellular cholesterol content mediated by sera from mice expressing both human apolipoprotein AI and human lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase genes

Coriander (Coriandrum sativum): A promising functional food toward the well-being

Coriandrum sativum (C. sativum) or coriander is one of the most popularly used spices in culinary worldwide, and its medicinal values has been recognized since ancient time. C. sativum contains bioactive phytochemicals that are accounted for a wide range of biological activities including antioxidant, anticancer, neuroprotective, anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, analgesic, migraine-relieving, hypolipidemic, hypoglycemic, hypotensive, antimicrobial, and antiinflammatory activities. The major compound, linalool, abundantly found in seeds is remarked for its abilities to modulate many key pathogenesis pathways of diseases. Apart from the modulating effects, the potent antioxidant property of the C. sativum provides a key mechanism behind its protective effects against neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, and metabolic syndrome. This review shed light on comprehensive aspects regarding the therapeutic values of the C. sativum, which indicate its significance of being a promising functional food for promoting the well-being in the era of aging and lifestyle-related diseases.

Serum albumin acts as a shuttle to enhance cholesterol efflux from cells

An important mechanism contributing to cell cholesterol efflux is aqueous transfer in which cholesterol diffuses from cells into the aqueous phase and becomes incorporated into an acceptor particle. Some compounds can enhance diffusion by acting as shuttles transferring cholesterol to cholesterol acceptors, which act as cholesterol sinks. We have examined whether particles in serum can enhance cholesterol efflux by acting as shuttles. This task was accomplished by incubating radiolabeled J774 cells with increasing concentrations of lipoprotein-depleted sera (LPDS) or components present in serum as shuttles and a constant amount of LDL, small unilamellar vesicles, or red blood cells (RBC) as sinks. Synergistic efflux was measured as the difference in fractional efflux in excess of that predicted by the addition of the individual efflux values of sink and shuttle alone. Synergistic efflux was obtained when LPDS was incubated with cells and LDL. When different components of LPDS were used as shuttles, albumin produced synergistic efflux, while apoA-I did not. A synergistic effect was also obtained when RBC was used as the sink and albumin as shuttle. The previously observed negative association of albumin with coronary artery disease might be linked to reduced cholesterol shuttling that would occur when serum albumin levels are low.

Lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase: old friend or foe in atherosclerosis?

Lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) is a key enzyme that catalyzes the esterification of free cholesterol in plasma lipoproteins and plays a critical role in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) metabolism. Deficiency leads to accumulation of nascent preβ-HDL due to impaired maturation of HDL particles, whereas enhanced expression is associated with the formation of large, apoE-rich HDL(1) particles. In addition to its function in HDL metabolism, LCAT was believed to be an important driving force behind macrophage reverse cholesterol transport (RCT) and, therefore, has been a subject of great interest in cardiovascular research since its discovery in 1962. Although half a century has passed, the importance of LCAT for atheroprotection is still under intense debate. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the insights that have been gained in the past 50 years on the biochemistry of LCAT, the role of LCAT in lipoprotein metabolism and the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis in animal models, and its impact on cardiovascular disease in humans.

Action of ciprofibrate in type IIb hyperlipoproteinemia: modulation of the atherogenic lipoprotein phenotype and stimulation of high-density lipoprotein-mediated cellular cholesterol efflux

The effects of ciprofibrate (100 mg/d) on apolipoprotein (apo)B- and apoAI-containing lipoprotein subclasses, cholesteryl ester (CE) transfer protein activity, and plasma high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-mediated cellular cholesterol efflux were evaluated in 10 patients displaying type IIB hyperlipidemia. Plasma concentrations of large very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL)-1 (Sf 60-400) and of small VLDL-2 (Sf 20-60) were markedly diminished after fibrate treatment (-40%, P = 0.001; and -25%, P = 0.003, respectively). We observed a reduction (-17%; P = 0.005) in plasma low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels resulting from significant reductions in concentrations of dense LDL particles (-46%; P < 0.0001). Ciprofibrate induced elevation in plasma total HDL (+13%; P = 0.005) levels; such elevation occurred preferentially in HDL-3 (+22%; P = 0.009). Marked reduction in numbers of atherogenic apoB100-containing particle acceptors was associated with a 25% decrease (P < 0.02) in CE transfer protein-mediated CE transfer from HDL. Finally, a significant fibrate-mediated elevation (+13%; P = 0.01 compared with baseline) in the capacity of plasma from type IIB subjects to mediate free cholesterol efflux from scavenger receptor class B, type I-expressing Fu5AH hepatoma cells was observed. In conclusion, the action of ciprofibrate in type IIB dyslipidemia leads to preferential reduction in particle numbers of atherogenic VLDL-1, VLDL-2, and dense LDL and, concomitantly, to elevation in HDL-3 levels that are associated with stimulation of HDL-mediated cellular free cholesterol efflux through the scavenger receptor class B, type I receptor pathway.

Lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase: role in lipoprotein metabolism, reverse cholesterol transport and atherosclerosis

In the past several years significant advances have been made in our understanding of lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) function. LCAT beneficially alters the plasma concentrations of apolipoprotein B-containing lipoproteins, as well as HDL. In addition, its proposed role in facilitating reverse cholesterol transport and modulating atherosclerosis has been demonstrated in vivo. Analysis of LCAT transgenic animals has established the importance of evaluating HDL function, as well as HDL plasma levels, to predict atherogenic risk.