Changes in plasma LDL and HDL composition in patients undergoing cardiac surgery

Low HDL-Cholesterol Concentrations in Lung Transplant Candidates are Strongly Associated With One-Year Mortality After Lung Transplantation

High-density lipoproteins (HDLs), whose main role is the reverse transport of cholesterol, also have pleiotropic anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-apoptotic and anti-infectious properties. During sepsis, HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) concentration is low, HDL particle functionality is altered, and these modifications are correlated with poor outcomes. Based on the protective effects of HDL, we hypothesized that HDL-C levels could be associated with lung transplantation (LT) outcome. We thus looked for an association between basal HDL-C concentration and one-year mortality after LT. In this single-center prospective study including consecutive LTs from 2015 to 2020, 215 patients were included, essentially pulmonary fibrosis (47%) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (38%) patients. Mortality rate at one-year was 23%. Basal HDL-C concentration stratified nonsurvivors to survivors at one-year (HDL-C = 1.26 [1.12-1.62] mmol/L vs. HDL-C = 1.55 [1.22-1.97] mmol/L, p = 0.006). Multivariate analysis confirmed that HDL-C concentration during the pretransplant assessment period was the only variable inversely associated with mortality. Moreover, mortality at one-year in patients with HDL-C concentrations ≤1.45 mmol/L was significantly higher (log-rank test, p = 0.00085). In conclusion, low basal HDL-C concentrations in candidates for LT are strongly associated with mortality after LT. To better understand this association, further studies in this field are essential and, in particular, a better characterization of HDL particles seems necessary.

Relationship between liver dysfunction, lipoprotein concentration and mortality during sepsis

Background

High-density lipoproteins (HDLs) are synthesized by the liver and display endothelioprotective properties, including anti-inflammatory, antiapoptotic, antithrombotic and antioxidant effects. In both septic and chronic liver failure patients, a low HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) concentration is associated with overmortality. Whereas sepsis-associated liver dysfunction is poorly defined, the aim of this study was to characterize the relationship between liver dysfunction, lipoprotein concentrations and mortality in septic patients in the intensive care unit (ICU).

Methods

A prospective observational study was conducted in a university hospital ICU. All consecutive patients admitted for septic shock or sepsis were included. Total cholesterol, HDL-C, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), and triglyceride levels were assessed at admission. Sepsis-associated liver dysfunction was defined as a serum bilirubin≥ 2N or aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase concentrations ≥ 2N. Short-term and one-year prognostic outcomes were prospectively assessed.

Results

A total of 219 septic patients were included, and 15% of them presented with sepsis-associated liver dysfunction at admission. Low concentrations of lipoproteins were associated with mortality at Day 28 in the overall population. Sepsis-associated liver dysfunction at admission was associated with overmortality. In this subgroup, patients had a lower HDL-C concentration than patients without hepatic dysfunction (HDL-C = 0.31 [0.25, 0.55] mmol/L vs. 0.48 [0.29, 0.73] mmol/L, p = 0.0079) but there was no relationship with the outcome. Interestingly, no correlation was observed between lipoprotein concentrations and liver dysfunction markers.

Conclusion

Sepsis-associated liver dysfunction at ICU admission is strongly associated with overmortality and is associated with a lower HDL-C concentration. However, in this subgroup of patients, HDL-C concentration had no relationship with mortality. Further exploratory studies are needed to better understand the interaction between lipoproteins and liver dysfunction during sepsis.

Lipoprotein concentration in patients requiring extracorporeal membrane oxygenation

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), a relevant technology for patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) or acute cardiac failure (ACF), is a frequent cause of systemic inflammatory response syndrome. During sepsis, HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) and LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) concentrations decrease, and an association between low lipoprotein levels and poor outcomes was reported. There are no data from patients undergoing ECMO. The goal of this study was to characterize the lipoprotein profiles of ICU patients requiring ECMO. All consecutive patients admitted for ARDS or ACF requiring ECMO were prospectively included. Daily lipoprotein levels and short-term prognosis outcome were assessed. 25 patients were included. On admission, lipoprotein concentrations were low, under the reference values ([HDL-C] = 0.6[0.4–0.8]mmol/L;[LDL-C] = 1.3[1.0–1.7]mmol/L). A statistically significant rise in lipoproteins overtime was observed during the ICU stay. We found no relationship between lipoproteins concentrations and mortality on Day-28 (p = 0.689 and p = 0.979, respectively). Comparison of surviving patients with non-surviving patients did not reveal any differences in lipoproteins concentrations. Stratification between septic and non-septic patients demonstrated that septic patients had lower lipoproteins concentrations on admission (HDL-C: 0.5[0.3–0.6]mmol/l vs 0.8[0.6–0.9]mmol/l, p = 0.003; LDL-C: 1.1[0.9–1.5]mmol/l vs 1.5[1.3–2.6]mmol/l; p = 0.012), whereas these two groups were comparable in terms of severity and outcomes. HDL-C concentrations during ICU hospitalization were also significantly lower in the septic group than in the non-septic group (p = 0.035). In conclusion, Lipoprotein concentrations are low in patients requiring ECMO but are not associated with poor outcomes. The subpopulation of septic patients had lower lipoprotein levels overtime, which reinforces the potential key-role of these particles during sepsis.

Predictors for one-year outcomes of cardiorespiratory fitness and cardiovascular risk factor control after cardiac rehabilitation in elderly patients: The EU-CaRE study

Introduction

Studies on effectiveness of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) in elderly cardiovascular disease patients are rare, and it is unknown, which patients benefit most. We aimed to identify predictors for 1-year outcomes of cardiorespiratory fitness and CV risk factor (CVRF) control in patients after completing CR programs offered across seven European countries.

Methods

Cardiovascular disease patients with minimal age 65 years who participated in comprehensive CR were included in this observational study. Peak oxygen uptake (VO₂), body mass index (BMI), resting systolic blood pressure (BPsys), and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) were assessed before CR (T0), at termination of CR (T1), and 12 months after start of CR (T2). Predictors for changes were identified by multivariate regression models.

Results

Data was available from 1241 out of 1633 EU-CaRE patients. The strongest predictor for improvement in peak VO₂ was open chest surgery, with a nearly four-fold increase in surgery compared to non-surgery patients. In patients after surgery, age, female sex, physical inactivity and time from index event to T0 were negative predictors for improvement in peak VO₂. In patients without surgery, previous acute coronary syndrome and higher exercise capacity at T0 were the only negative predictors. Neither number of attended training sessions nor duration of CR were significantly associated with change in peak VO₂. Non-surgery patients were more likely to achieve risk factor targets (BPsys, LDL-C, BMI) than surgery patients.

Conclusions

In a previously understudied population of elderly CR patients, time between index event and start of CR in surgery and disease severity in non-surgery patients were the most important predictors for long-term improvement of peak VO₂. Non-surgery patients had better CVRF control.

High-density lipoproteins during sepsis: from bench to bedside

High-density lipoproteins (HDLs) represent a family of particle characterized by the presence of apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) and by their ability to transport cholesterol from peripheral tissues back to the liver conferring them a cardioprotective function. HDLs also display pleiotropic properties including antioxidant, anti-apoptotic, anti-thrombotic, anti-inflammatory, or anti-infectious functions. Clinical data demonstrate that HDL cholesterol levels decrease rapidly during sepsis and that these low levels are correlated with morbi-mortality. Experimental studies emphasized notable structural and functional modifications of HDL particles in inflammatory states, including sepsis. Finally, HDL infusion in animal models of sepsis improved survival and provided a global endothelial protective effect. These clinical and experimental studies reinforce the potential of HDL therapy in human sepsis. In this review, we will detail the different effects of HDLs that may be relevant under inflammatory conditions and the lipoprotein changes during sepsis and we will discuss the potentiality of HDL therapy in sepsis.

Analysis of Serum Cholesterol Efflux Capacity in a Minipig Model of Nonischemic Heart Failure

Aim: Circulating levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) are decreased in patients with heart failure (HF). We tested whether HDL-C serum levels are associated with cardiac contractile dysfunction in a minipig HF model.

Methods: Blood samples were collected from 13 adult male minipigs: 1) before pacemaker implantation, 2) 10 days after surgery, and 3) 3 weeks after high-rate LV pacing. Serum cholesterol efflux capacity (CEC), an index of HDL functionality, was assessed through four mechanisms: ATP Binding Cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1), ATP Binding Cassette transporter G1 (ABCG1), Scavenger Receptor-Class B Type I (SR-BI) and Passive Diffusion (PD).

Results: HDL-C serum levels significantly decrease in minipigs with HF compared with baseline (p < 0.0001). Serum CEC mediated by PD and SR-BI, but not ABCA1 or ABCG1, significantly decrease in animals with HF (p < 0.05 and p < 0.005, respectively).

Discussion: HDL-C serum levels and partial serum CEC reduction may play a pathophysiological role in the cardiac function decay sustained by high-rate LV pacing, opening new avenues to understand of the pathogenesis of nonischemic myocardial remodeling.

Metabolic profiling of plasma from cardiac surgical patients concurrently administered with tranexamic acid: DI-SPME-LC-MS analysis

A metabolic profile of plasma samples from patients undergoing heart surgery with the use of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and concurrent administration of tranexamic acid was determined. Direct immersion solid phase microextraction (DI-SPME), a new sampling and sample preparation tool for metabolomics, was used in this study for the first time to investigate clinical samples. The results showed alteration of diverse compounds involved in different biochemical pathways. The most significant contribution in changes induced by surgery and applied pharmacotherapy was noticed in metabolic profile of lysophospholipids, triacylglycerols, mediators of platelet aggregation, and linoleic acid metabolites. Two cases of individual response to treatment were also reported.

Reduction in postoperative high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in children undergoing the Fontan operation

Despite the emerging relevance of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) in the inflammatory cascade and vascular barrier integrity, HDL levels in children undergoing cardiac surgery are unexplored. As a measure of HDL levels, the HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) in single-ventricle patients was quantified before and after the Fontan operation, and it was determined whether relationships existed between the duration and the type of postoperative pleural effusions. The study prospectively enrolled 12 children undergoing the Fontan operation. Plasma HDL-C levels were measured before and after cardiopulmonary bypass. The outcome variables of interest were the duration and type of chest tube drainage (chylous vs. nonchylous). The Kendall rank correlation coefficient and the Wilcoxon rank sum test were used. There were 11 complete observations. The median preoperative HDL-C level for all the subjects was 30 mg/dl (range, 24-53 mg/dl), and the median postcardiopulmonary bypass level was 21 mg/dl (range, 14-46 mg/dl) (p = 0.004). There was a tendency toward a moderate inverse correlation (-0.42) between the postcardiopulmonary bypass HDL-C level and the duration of chest tube drainage, but the result was not statistically significant (p = 0.07). In the chylous effusion group, the median postcardiopulmonary bypass HDL-C tended to be lower (16 vs. 23 mg/dl; p = 0.09). After the Fontan operation, the plasma HDL-C levels in children are significantly reduced. It is reasonable to conclude that the reduction in HDL-C reflects reduced plasma levels of HDL particles, which may have pertinent implications in postoperative pleural effusions given the antiinflammatory and endothelial barrier functions of HDL.

HDL remodeling during the acute phase response

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to examine the interactive action of serum amyloid A (SAA), group IIA secretory phospholipase A(2) (sPLA(2)-IIA), and cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) on HDL remodeling and cholesterol efflux during the acute phase (AP) response elicited in humans after cardiac surgery.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Plasma was collected from patients before (pre-AP), 24 hours after (AP-1 d), and 5 days after cardiac surgery (AP-5 d). SAA levels were increased 16-fold in AP-1 d samples. The activity of sPLA(2)-IIA was increased from 77.7+/-38.3 U/mL (pre-AP) to 281.4+/-57.1 U/mL (AP-1 d; P<0.001). CETP mass and activity reduction was commensurate to the reduction of HDL cholesterol levels. The combined action of SAA, sPLA(2)-IIA, and CETP in vitro markedly remodeled HDL with the generation of lipid-poor apoA-I from both pre-AP and AP-1 d HDL. The net result of this remodeling was a relative preservation of ABCA1- and ABCG1-dependent cholesterol efflux during the acute phase response.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results show that the many and complex changes in plasma proteins during the acute phase response markedly remodel HDL with functional implications, particularly the relative retention of cholesterol efflux capacity.

Banana prevents plasma oxidative stress in healthy individuals

There is increasing evidence that lipid peroxidation and oxidative modification of low density lipoprotein (LDL) is important in atherogenesis. The present study was designed to study the effects of a single banana meal on plasma lipids and lipoprotein profile, plasma oxidative stress and susceptibility of LDL to oxidation in 20 healthy volunteers. Lipid and lipid peroxide (LPO) levels were measured before the meal (baseline, fasting) and 2 h after it (post-dose). The susceptibility to copper-induced oxidation of baseline and post-dose LDL was measured as conjugated diene (CD) formation. Results showed that the LPO contents in plasma, very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), LDL and high density lipoprotein (HDL) decreased significantly in the 2 h post-dose phase. Prolongation of lag phase and decrease of CD formation during LDL oxidation indicated that post-dose LDL was less susceptible to oxidative modification than the homologous fasting LDL. In conclusion, the consumption of banana reduces the plasma oxidative stress and enhances the resistance to oxidative modification of LDL.