Biomarkers and Gene Polymorphisms in Members of Long- and Short-lived Families: A Longevity Study

Hyperalphalipoproteinemia and Beyond: The Role of HDL in Cardiovascular Diseases

Hyperalphalipoproteinemia (HALP) is a lipid disorder characterized by elevated plasma high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels above the 90th percentile of the distribution of HDL-C values in the general population. Secondary non-genetic factors such as drugs, pregnancy, alcohol intake, and liver diseases might induce HDL increases. Primary forms of HALP are caused by mutations in the genes coding for cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP), hepatic lipase (HL), apolipoprotein C-III (apo C-III), scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-BI) and endothelial lipase (EL). However, in the last decades, genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have also suggested a polygenic inheritance of hyperalphalipoproteinemia. Epidemiological studies have suggested that HDL-C is inversely correlated with cardiovascular (CV) risk, but recent Mendelian randomization data have shown a lack of atheroprotective causal effects of HDL-C. This review will focus on primary forms of HALP, the role of polygenic inheritance on HDL-C, associated risk for cardiovascular diseases and possible treatment options.

New Therapeutic Approaches and Biomarkers for Increased Healthspan

Healthcare costs have increased in developing countries over the last few decades, mostly due to the escalation in average life expectancy and the concomitant increase in age-related disorders. To address this issue, widespread research is now being undertaken across the globe with the aim of finding a way of increasing healthy aging. A number of potential interventions have already shown promise, including lifestyle changes and the use of natural products or pharmaceuticals that may delay the onset of diseases associated with the aging process. In parallel, a number of potential biomarkers have already been identified that can be used for assessing risk of developing age-associated disorders and for monitoring response to therapeutic interventions. This review describes the most recent advances towards the goal of achieving healthier aging with fewer disabilities that may lead to enhanced quality of life and reduced healthcare costs around the world.

The influence of gene polymorphisms on postprandial triglyceride response after oral fat tolerance test meal in patients with diabetes mellitus

AIMS

We evaluated the influence of CETP (rs5882 and rs708272), APOE (rs7412, rs429358) and LPL (rs328) gene polymorphisms on triglyceride (TG) response to oral fat tolerance test (OFTT) meal in patients with well-controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

METHODS

Fifty-one men underwent OFTT and according to postprandial TG response patients were divided into two subgroups (positive [TG ≥ 220 mg/dL, 31 patients] and negative [TG < 220 mg/dL, 20 patients]). All patients were genotyped, and study variants were detected using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restricted fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis.

RESULTS

Patients with genotype SS of LPL gene compared with genotype SX had more frequently positive response to OFTT (P = .04) and lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) concentration (P = .03). Patients with positive response to OFTT and genotype SS of LPL gene compared with genotype SX had lower AUC (area under the curve)-TG, 1744 (368) vs 1887 (807) mg/dL/h, respectively, P = .04. CETP and APOE gene polymorphisms had no influence on postprandial TG response to OFTT.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with well-controlled T2DM, LPL but not CETP and APOE gene polymorphisms influenced TG postprandial response. Particularly, S447 allele carriers of LPL gene presented more frequently positive postprandial TG response to OFTT compared with 447X allele carriers. No differences were found between allele carriers of patients with negative response to OFTT in any other studied gene polymorphism.

Of Mice, Whales, Jellyfish and Men: In Pursuit of Increased Longevity

The quest for increased human longevity has been a goal of mankind throughout recorded history. Recent molecular studies are now providing potentially useful insights into the aging process which may help to achieve at least some aspects of this quest. This chapter will summarize the main findings of these studies with a focus on long-lived mutant mice and worms, and the longest living natural species including Galapagos giant tortoises, bowhead whales, Greenland sharks, quahog clams and the immortal jellyfish.