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Perez de Isla L, Liberopoulos E, Dovizio M, Veronesi C, Degli Esposti L, Zambon A. Differential Adherence to Free and Single-Pill Combination of Rosuvastatin/Ezetimibe: Findings from a Real-World Analysis in Italy. Adv Ther 2024; 41:3407-3418. [PMID: 38963586 PMCID: PMC11263226 DOI: 10.1007/s12325-024-02916-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Adherence to cardiovascular drug treatment can significantly benefit from a reduced pill burden, but data on this matter derived from real-life settings are currently scanty. This analysis assessed the possible changes in adherence in patients treated with rosuvastatin and ezetimibe (ROS/EZE) as free multi-pill combination who switched to ROS/EZE as single-pill combination in the setting of real clinical practice in Italy. METHODS A retrospective analysis was conducted on the administrative databases for a catchment area of about seven million health-assisted residents. Adults receiving ROS/EZE as a single-pill combination from January 2010 to June 2020 (followed up to 2021) were identified. The date of the first prescription of single-pill combination of ROS/EZE was considered as the index date. The analysis included the users of ROS/EZE as a free combination during the year before the index date. Baseline demographic and clinical characteristics were collected during the period of data availability prior to the index date. Adherence to therapy was evaluated as proportion of days covered (PDC), namely the percentage of days during which a patient had access to medication, in the 12-month interval preceding or following the index date (PDC < 25% non-adherence; PDC = 25-75% partial adherence; PDC > 75% adherence). RESULTS A total of 1219 patients (61.1% male, aged 66.2 ± 10.4 years) were included. Cardiovascular comorbidities were found in 83.3% of them, diabetes in 26.4%, and a combination of both in 16.2%. Single-pill combination of ROS/EZE was associated with a higher proportion of adherent patients compared to free-pill combination (75.2% vs 51.8%, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS This real-world analysis suggested that switching from a regimen based on separate pills to one based on a single-pill combination resulted in improved adherence to ROS/EZE therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leopoldo Perez de Isla
- Cardiology Department, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Servicio de Cardiología, C/Profesor Martín Lagos s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Evangelos Liberopoulos
- 1st Department of Propedeutic Medicine, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Melania Dovizio
- CliCon S.r.l., Società Benefit-Health, Economics and Outcomes Research, Bologna, Italy
| | - Chiara Veronesi
- CliCon S.r.l., Società Benefit-Health, Economics and Outcomes Research, Bologna, Italy
| | - Luca Degli Esposti
- CliCon S.r.l., Società Benefit-Health, Economics and Outcomes Research, Bologna, Italy
| | - Alberto Zambon
- Department of Medicine, University of Padua Medical School, Padua, Italy
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Di Gioia G, Buzzelli L, Ferrera A, Squeo MR, Lemme E, Pelliccia A. Differences Between Afro-Caribbean and White Caucasian Olympic Athletes in Plasma Lipids Profile: A Cross-Sectional Single Center Study. High Blood Press Cardiovasc Prev 2024; 31:411-415. [PMID: 38814499 DOI: 10.1007/s40292-024-00654-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Ethnic and gender differences in plasma lipid composition have been widely reported among the general population, but there are scarce data on athletes. AIM To assess ethnic and gender differences in lipid profile across a large cohort of Olympic athletes practicing different sport disciplines METHODS: We enrolled 1165 Olympic athletes divided into power, endurance, and mixed disciplines according to European Society of Cardiology classification. Sixty-two (5.3%) were Afro-Caribbean. Body composition and fat mass percentage were measured. Blood samples were collected and lipid profile was investigated. RESULTS Compared to Caucasians, Afro-Caribbeans had better lipid profile characterized by lower LDL (90 ± 25 mg/dL vs. 97.1 ± 26.2 mg/dL, p = 0.032) lower LDL/HDL ratio (1.39 ± 0.5 vs. 1.58 ± 0.6, p = 0.012), lower non-HDL-cholesterol (102.5 ± 27.4 mg/dL vs. 111.5 ± 28.5 mg/dL, p = 0.015) and lower TC/HDL (2.59 ± 0.6 vs. 2.82 ± 0.7, p = 0.010). Female Afro-Caribbeans showed lower TG/HDL ratio (p = 0.045) and TC/HDL ratio (p = 0.028), due to higher HDL (p = 0.005) compared to male Afro-Caribbeans. In Caucasian athletes, females showed even more evident differences with lower TC, LDL, and higher HDL with subsequent lower ratios compared to men. Moreover, endurance Caucasian athletes had lower LDL (p = 0.003) and TG (p = 0.017) plasmatic levels and higher HDL levels compared to non-endurance Caucasian athletes (p< 0.0001) CONCLUSIONS: Ethnicity and gender have a significant influence on plasmatic lipid balance in elite athletes and Afro-Caribbeans have favorable lipid profiles compared to Caucasians. Moreover, endurance sports, particularly in Caucasian athletes, are associated with better lipid profile compared to other type of sports.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Di Gioia
- Institute of Sport Medicine and Science, National Italian Olympic Committee, Largo Piero Gabrielli, 1, 00197, Rome, Italy.
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Campus Bio-Medico, Via Alvaro del Portillo, 200, 00128, Rome, Italy.
- Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome "Foro Italico", Piazza Lauro De Bosis, 15, 00135, Rome, Italy.
| | - Lorenzo Buzzelli
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Campus Bio-Medico, Via Alvaro del Portillo, 200, 00128, Rome, Italy
| | - Armando Ferrera
- Institute of Sport Medicine and Science, National Italian Olympic Committee, Largo Piero Gabrielli, 1, 00197, Rome, Italy
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00189, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Rosaria Squeo
- Institute of Sport Medicine and Science, National Italian Olympic Committee, Largo Piero Gabrielli, 1, 00197, Rome, Italy
| | - Erika Lemme
- Institute of Sport Medicine and Science, National Italian Olympic Committee, Largo Piero Gabrielli, 1, 00197, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Pelliccia
- Institute of Sport Medicine and Science, National Italian Olympic Committee, Largo Piero Gabrielli, 1, 00197, Rome, Italy
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Moisii P, Jari I, Ursu AM, Naum AG. The Relationship between Job Strain and Ischemic Heart Disease Mediated by Endothelial Dysfunction Markers and Imaging. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2024; 60:1048. [PMID: 39064476 PMCID: PMC11278637 DOI: 10.3390/medicina60071048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2024] [Revised: 06/18/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Job strain is a psychological, physical, and behavioral stress that occurs at the workplace. Job strain is associated with more than double the normal risk of coronary artery disease (CAD). The main aim of this study was to determine the association between job strain and the following parameters: high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), the albumin urine excretion rate (AUER), and secondary-level testing. Materials and Methods: This study was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted on patients who underwent cardiological assessment between October 2023 and February 2024 at the Promedicanon Cardiology Center. This study comprised 210 participants, with two groups: 105 chronic coronary syndromes (CCS) patients and 105 no-CCS patients. The baseline characteristics collected were age, gender, education, rural/urban environment, traditional CAD risk factors, hs-CRP, and AUER. The secondary-level testing included an electrocardiogram (ECG), echocardiography, and enhanced contrast computed tomography (ECCT). Psychological questionnaires comprised the tertiary-level testing, including the PHQ-9 depression questionnaire, and the satisfaction with work scale (SWWS) for job strain (Likert score). Results: The baseline characteristics were all significantly different between the groups (p < 0.05) except for total cholesterol. The hs-CRP level had a mean value of 0.4837 ± 0.19082 in the CCS group; for the no-CCS group, the hs-CRP mean value was 0.2289 ± 0.11009; p-value < 0.001. The AUER had a mean value of 42.770 ± 12.8658 for the CCS group and 26.432 ± 9.7338 for the no-CCS group; p-value < 0.001. For the associations between secondary-level testing and job strain: p < 0.001 for ST depression, negative T-waves, and q-waves; p = 0.415 for atrial fibrillation (AF); p = 0.018 for wall motion studies; p = 0.005 for ECCT. The association between job strain and AF had no statistical significance. The contractility of left ventricle walls and coronary calcification score were associated with job strain, with statistical significance. The p-value was 0.013 for the relationship between depression and the ECCT; for the association between depression and CCS status, the p-value was 0.021. Depression is usually diagnosed in job strain. The association between depression, and coronary calcification, as well as depression and CCS status had statistical significance. Conclusions: Job strain increased the hs-CRP level and AUER in both the CCS and no-CCS patients. The primary and secondary prevention of CHD could also include interventions to reduce job strain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paloma Moisii
- 1st Medical Department, “Gr.T.Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 16 Universitatii Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania
- “Promedicanon” Cardiology Office, 15 Valea Prisacii, Valea Lupului, 707410 Iasi, Romania
| | - Irina Jari
- 2nd Surgical Department, “Gr.T.Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 16 Universitatii Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania
- Radiology and Medical Imaging Clinique, “Sf.Spiridon” Emergency Hospital, 1st Independentei Avenue, 700111 Iasi, Romania;
| | - Andra Mara Ursu
- Radiology and Medical Imaging Clinique, “Sf.Spiridon” Emergency Hospital, 1st Independentei Avenue, 700111 Iasi, Romania;
| | - Alexandru Gratian Naum
- 2nd Morpho-Functional Department, Biophysics and Medical Physics, “Gr.T.Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 16 Universitatii Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania;
- “Neolife” Medical Center, 52 Carol I Avenue, 700503 Iasi, Romania
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Natale F, Franzese R, Marotta L, Mollo N, Solimene A, Luisi E, Gentile C, Loffredo FS, Golino P, Cimmino G. Evolving Concepts of the SCORE System: Subtracting Cholesterol from Risk Estimation: A Way for a Healthy Longevity? Life (Basel) 2024; 14:679. [PMID: 38929662 PMCID: PMC11204887 DOI: 10.3390/life14060679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2024] [Revised: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The role of cholesterol, mainly low-density lipoproteins (LDL-C), as a causal risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is now established and accepted by the international scientific community. Based on this evidence, the European and American guidelines recommend early risk stratification and "rapid" achievement of the suggested target according to the risk estimation to reduce the number of major cardiovascular events. Prolonged exposure over the years to high levels of LDL-C is one of the determining factors in the development and progression of atherosclerotic plaque, on which the action of conventional risk factors (cigarette smoking, excess weight, sedentary lifestyle, arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus) as well as non-conventional risk factors (gut microbiota, hyperuricemia, inflammation), alone or in combination, favors the destabilization of the atherosclerotic lesion with rupture/fissuration/ulceration and consequent formation of intravascular thrombosis, which leads to the acute clinical manifestations of acute coronary syndromes. In the current clinical practice, there is a growing number of cases that, although extremely common, are emblematic of the concept of long-term exposure to the risk factor (LDL hypercholesterolemia), which, not adequately controlled and in combination with other risk factors, has favored the onset of major cardiovascular events. The triple concept of "go lower, start earlier and keep longer!" should be applied in current clinical practice at any level of prevention. In the present manuscript, we will review the current evidence and documents supporting the causal role of LDL-C in determining ASCVD and whether it is time to remove it from any score.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Natale
- Vanvitelli Cardiology Unit, Monaldi Hospital, 80131 Naples, Italy; (F.N.); (R.F.); (L.M.); (N.M.); (A.S.); (E.L.); (C.G.); (F.S.L.); (P.G.)
| | - Rosa Franzese
- Vanvitelli Cardiology Unit, Monaldi Hospital, 80131 Naples, Italy; (F.N.); (R.F.); (L.M.); (N.M.); (A.S.); (E.L.); (C.G.); (F.S.L.); (P.G.)
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Section of Cardiology, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Luigi Marotta
- Vanvitelli Cardiology Unit, Monaldi Hospital, 80131 Naples, Italy; (F.N.); (R.F.); (L.M.); (N.M.); (A.S.); (E.L.); (C.G.); (F.S.L.); (P.G.)
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Section of Cardiology, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Noemi Mollo
- Vanvitelli Cardiology Unit, Monaldi Hospital, 80131 Naples, Italy; (F.N.); (R.F.); (L.M.); (N.M.); (A.S.); (E.L.); (C.G.); (F.S.L.); (P.G.)
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Section of Cardiology, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Achille Solimene
- Vanvitelli Cardiology Unit, Monaldi Hospital, 80131 Naples, Italy; (F.N.); (R.F.); (L.M.); (N.M.); (A.S.); (E.L.); (C.G.); (F.S.L.); (P.G.)
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Section of Cardiology, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Ettore Luisi
- Vanvitelli Cardiology Unit, Monaldi Hospital, 80131 Naples, Italy; (F.N.); (R.F.); (L.M.); (N.M.); (A.S.); (E.L.); (C.G.); (F.S.L.); (P.G.)
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Section of Cardiology, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Carmine Gentile
- Vanvitelli Cardiology Unit, Monaldi Hospital, 80131 Naples, Italy; (F.N.); (R.F.); (L.M.); (N.M.); (A.S.); (E.L.); (C.G.); (F.S.L.); (P.G.)
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Section of Cardiology, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Francesco S. Loffredo
- Vanvitelli Cardiology Unit, Monaldi Hospital, 80131 Naples, Italy; (F.N.); (R.F.); (L.M.); (N.M.); (A.S.); (E.L.); (C.G.); (F.S.L.); (P.G.)
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Section of Cardiology, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Paolo Golino
- Vanvitelli Cardiology Unit, Monaldi Hospital, 80131 Naples, Italy; (F.N.); (R.F.); (L.M.); (N.M.); (A.S.); (E.L.); (C.G.); (F.S.L.); (P.G.)
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Section of Cardiology, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Giovanni Cimmino
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Section of Cardiology, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 80131 Naples, Italy
- Cardiology Unit, AOU Luigi Vanvitelli, 80138 Naples, Italy
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Fogacci F, Giovannini M, Di Micoli A, Fiorini G, Grandi E, Borghi C, Cicero AFG. A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial on the Effect of a Dietary Supplement Containing Dry Artichoke and Bergamot Extracts on Metabolic and Vascular Risk Factors in Individuals with Suboptimal Cholesterol Levels. Nutrients 2024; 16:1587. [PMID: 38892519 PMCID: PMC11174436 DOI: 10.3390/nu16111587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2024] [Revised: 05/18/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to assess whether dietary supplementation with a nutraceutical blend comprising extracts of bergamot and artichoke-both standardized in their characteristic polyphenolic fractions-could positively affect serum lipid concentration and insulin sensitivity, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and indexes of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in 90 healthy individuals with suboptimal cholesterol levels. Participants were randomly allocated to treatment with a pill of either active treatment or placebo. After 6 weeks, the active-treated group experienced significant improvements in levels of triglycerides (TG), apolipoprotein B-100 (Apo B-100), and apolipoprotein AI (Apo AI) versus baseline. Total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), non-high density lipoprotein cholesterol (Non-HDL-C), and hs-CRP also significantly decreased in the active-treated group compared to both baseline and placebo. At the 12-week follow-up, individuals allocated to the combined nutraceutical experienced a significant improvement in TC, LDL-C, Non-HDL-C, TG, Apo B-100, Apo AI, glucose, alanine transaminase (ALT), gamma-glutamyl transferase (gGT), hs-CRP, several indexes of NAFLD, and brachial pulse volume (PV) in comparison with baseline. Improvements in TC, LDL-C, Non-HDL-C, TG, fatty liver index (FLI), hs-CRP, and endothelial reactivity were also detected compared to placebo (p < 0.05 for all). Overall, these findings support the use of the tested dietary supplement containing dry extracts of bergamot and artichoke as a safe and effective approach for the prevention and management of a broad spectrum of cardiometabolic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Fogacci
- Hypertension and Cardiovascular Risk Research Group, Medical and Surgical Sciences Department, Sant’Orsola-Malpighi University Hospital, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (M.G.); (E.G.); (C.B.)
- Italian Nutraceutical Society (SINut), 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Marina Giovannini
- Hypertension and Cardiovascular Risk Research Group, Medical and Surgical Sciences Department, Sant’Orsola-Malpighi University Hospital, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (M.G.); (E.G.); (C.B.)
| | - Antonio Di Micoli
- Cardiovascular Medicine Uniti, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (A.D.M.); (G.F.)
| | - Giulia Fiorini
- Cardiovascular Medicine Uniti, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (A.D.M.); (G.F.)
| | - Elisa Grandi
- Hypertension and Cardiovascular Risk Research Group, Medical and Surgical Sciences Department, Sant’Orsola-Malpighi University Hospital, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (M.G.); (E.G.); (C.B.)
- Cardiovascular Medicine Uniti, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (A.D.M.); (G.F.)
| | - Claudio Borghi
- Hypertension and Cardiovascular Risk Research Group, Medical and Surgical Sciences Department, Sant’Orsola-Malpighi University Hospital, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (M.G.); (E.G.); (C.B.)
- Cardiovascular Medicine Uniti, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (A.D.M.); (G.F.)
| | - Arrigo F. G. Cicero
- Hypertension and Cardiovascular Risk Research Group, Medical and Surgical Sciences Department, Sant’Orsola-Malpighi University Hospital, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (M.G.); (E.G.); (C.B.)
- Cardiovascular Medicine Uniti, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (A.D.M.); (G.F.)
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Boretti A. Curcumin-Based Fixed Dose Combination Products for Cholesterol Management: A Narrative Review. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2024; 7:300-308. [PMID: 38357288 PMCID: PMC10863436 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.3c00234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
Curcumin, a polyphenol compound that belongs to a class of molecules known as curcuminoids, may interact with various biological macromolecules in the body, including proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids. Curcumin-based fixed-dose combination (FDC) products enhance curcumin stability and bioavailability for better clinical use in cholesterol management. Preclinical studies on curcumin and cholesterol are mostly positive. Obstacles are the variable composition of the many different curcumin-based FDC products, the lack of standards, and the limitation of the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) conducted for specific products. Once these downfalls have been addressed, curcumin-based FDC products have great potential for cholesterol management. They can supplement the uptake of statins, reducing their dosage for the same controlling effects or even replacing them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Boretti
- Melbourne Institute of Technology, The Argus, 288 La Trobe St, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
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A Review of Low-Density Lipoprotein-Lowering Diets in the Age of Anti-Sense Technology. Nutrients 2023; 15:nu15051249. [PMID: 36904248 PMCID: PMC10005665 DOI: 10.3390/nu15051249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
This narrative review discusses an important issue, the primary role of diet in reducing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLc) concentrations in polygenic hypercholesterolemia. Two effective drugs, statins, and ezetimibe, that lower LDLc > 20% are relatively inexpensive and potential competitors to strict dieting. Biochemical and genomic studies have shown that proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin type 9 (PCSK9) plays an important role in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and lipid metabolism. Clinical trials have demonstrated that inhibitory monoclonal antibodies of PCSK9 dose-dependently lower LDLc up to 60%, with evidence of both regression and stabilization of coronary atherosclerosis and a reduction in cardiovascular risk. Recent approaches using RNA interference to achieve PCSK9 inhibition are currently undergoing clinical evaluation. The latter presents an attractive option of twice-yearly injections. They are, however, currently expensive and unsuitable for moderate hypercholesterolemia, which is largely due to inappropriate patterns of eating. The best dietary approach, the substitution of saturated fatty acids by polyunsaturated fatty acids at 5% energy, yields > 10% lowering of LDLc. Foods such as nuts and brans, especially within a prudent, plant-based diet low in saturates complemented by supplements such as phytosterols, have the potential to reduce LDLc further. A combination of such foods has been shown to lower LDLc by 20%. A nutritional approach requires backing from industry to develop and market LDLc-lowering products before pharmacology replaces the diet option. Energetic support from health professionals is vital.
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Poli A, Agostoni C, Visioli F. Dietary Fatty Acids and Inflammation: Focus on the n-6 Series. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24054567. [PMID: 36901998 PMCID: PMC10003459 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Among the polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), those belonging to the n-3 (or ω3) series, i.e., alpha-linolenic (ALA), eicosapentaenoic (EPA), and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acids have been studied for decades from a pharma-nutritional viewpoint, namely in relation to cardiovascular health. More recent research is focusing on n-6 PUFAs, e.g., linoleic acid (LA), whose levels of consumption are much higher than those of n-3 and that cannot be used "pharmacologically". Perhaps because of this, the biological actions of n-6 PUFAs have not been investigated in details as those of their n-3 counterparts. However, an increasing body of evidence underscores their healthful actions on the cardiovascular system. Among the critiques to n-6 PUFAs and, particularly, LA there is the fact that they are precursors of pro-inflammatory eicosanoids. Hence, the hypothesis posits that we should reduce their intakes precisely to avoid increasing systemic, low-grade inflammation, i.e., one of the major etiological agents in degenerative diseases. In this narrative review, we address the issue of whether n-6 PUFAs are indeed pro-inflammatory, we discuss the most recent evidence of their role(s) in human health and prognosis, and we conclude that adequate intakes of n-6 fatty acids are associated with better cardiovascular health and child development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Poli
- Nutrition Foundation of Italy, 20124 Milano, Italy
| | - Carlo Agostoni
- Pediatric Area, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda—Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Francesco Visioli
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padova, 35121 Padova, Italy
- IMDEA-Food, CEI UAM + CSIC, 28049 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0498276107
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