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van Dijk SJ, Tellam RL, Morrison JL, Muhlhausler BS, Molloy PL. Recent developments on the role of epigenetics in obesity and metabolic disease. Clin Epigenetics 2015; 7:66. [PMID: 27408648 PMCID: PMC4940755 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-015-0101-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 121] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2015] [Accepted: 06/29/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The increased prevalence of obesity and related comorbidities is a major public health problem. While genetic factors undoubtedly play a role in determining individual susceptibility to weight gain and obesity, the identified genetic variants only explain part of the variation. This has led to growing interest in understanding the potential role of epigenetics as a mediator of gene-environment interactions underlying the development of obesity and its associated comorbidities. Initial evidence in support of a role of epigenetics in obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) was mainly provided by animal studies, which reported epigenetic changes in key metabolically important tissues following high-fat feeding and epigenetic differences between lean and obese animals and by human studies which showed epigenetic changes in obesity and T2DM candidate genes in obese/diabetic individuals. More recently, advances in epigenetic methodologies and the reduced cost of epigenome-wide association studies (EWAS) have led to a rapid expansion of studies in human populations. These studies have also reported epigenetic differences between obese/T2DM adults and healthy controls and epigenetic changes in association with nutritional, weight loss, and exercise interventions. There is also increasing evidence from both human and animal studies that the relationship between perinatal nutritional exposures and later risk of obesity and T2DM may be mediated by epigenetic changes in the offspring. The aim of this review is to summarize the most recent developments in this rapidly moving field, with a particular focus on human EWAS and studies investigating the impact of nutritional and lifestyle factors (both pre- and postnatal) on the epigenome and their relationship to metabolic health outcomes. The difficulties in distinguishing consequence from causality in these studies and the critical role of animal models for testing causal relationships and providing insight into underlying mechanisms are also addressed. In summary, the area of epigenetics and metabolic health has seen rapid developments in a short space of time. While the outcomes to date are promising, studies are ongoing, and the next decade promises to be a time of productive research into the complex interactions between the genome, epigenome, and environment as they relate to metabolic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan J van Dijk
- CSIRO Food and Nutrition Flagship, PO Box 52, North Ryde, NSW 1670 Australia
| | - Ross L Tellam
- CSIRO Agriculture Flagship, 306 Carmody Road, St Lucia, QLD 4067 Australia
| | - Janna L Morrison
- Early Origins of Adult Health Research Group, School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, Sansom Institute for Health Research, University of South Australia, GPO Box 2471, Adelaide, SA 5001 Australia
| | - Beverly S Muhlhausler
- FOODplus Research Centre, Waite Campus, The University of Adelaide, PMB 1, Glen Osmond, SA 5064 Australia.,Women's and Children's Health Research Institute, 72 King William Road, North Adelaide, SA 5006 Australia
| | - Peter L Molloy
- CSIRO Food and Nutrition Flagship, PO Box 52, North Ryde, NSW 1670 Australia
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Esser D, van Dijk SJ, Oosterink E, Lopez S, Müller M, Afman LA. High fat challenges with different fatty acids affect distinct atherogenic gene expression pathways in immune cells from lean and obese subjects. Mol Nutr Food Res 2015; 59:1563-72. [PMID: 25913848 DOI: 10.1002/mnfr.201400853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2014] [Revised: 02/16/2015] [Accepted: 03/20/2015] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
SCOPE Early perturbations in vascular health can be detected by imposing subjects to a high fat (HF) challenge and measure response capacity. Subtle responses can be determined by assessment of whole-genome transcriptional changes. We aimed to magnify differences in health by comparing gene-expression changes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells toward a high MUFA or saturated fatty acids (SFA) challenge between subjects with different cardiovascular disease risk profiles and to identify fatty acid specific gene-expression pathways. METHODS AND RESULTS In a cross-over study, 17 lean and 15 obese men (50-70 years) received two 95 g fat shakes, high in SFAs or MUFAs. Peripheral blood mononuclear cell gene-expression profiles were assessed fasted and 4-h postprandially. Comparisons were made between groups and shakes. During fasting, 294 genes were significantly differently expressed between lean and obese. The challenge increased differences to 607 genes after SFA and 2516 genes after MUFA. In both groups, SFA decreased expression of cholesterol biosynthesis and uptake genes and increased cholesterol efflux genes. MUFA increased inflammatory genes and PPAR-α targets involved in β-oxidation. CONCLUSION Based upon gene-expression changes, we conclude that an HF challenge magnifies differences in health, especially after MUFA. Our findings also demonstrate how SFAs and MUFAs exert distinct effects on lipid handling pathways in immune cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diederik Esser
- From the Top Institute Food and Nutrition, Wageningen, The Netherlands.,Division of Human Nutrition, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Susan J van Dijk
- Division of Human Nutrition, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Els Oosterink
- From the Top Institute Food and Nutrition, Wageningen, The Netherlands.,Division of Human Nutrition, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Sergio Lopez
- Division of Human Nutrition, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Michael Müller
- From the Top Institute Food and Nutrition, Wageningen, The Netherlands.,Division of Human Nutrition, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Lydia A Afman
- From the Top Institute Food and Nutrition, Wageningen, The Netherlands.,Division of Human Nutrition, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
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Strassburg K, Esser D, Vreeken RJ, Hankemeier T, Müller M, van Duynhoven J, van Golde J, van Dijk SJ, Afman LA, Jacobs DM. Postprandial fatty acid specific changes in circulating oxylipins in lean and obese men after high-fat challenge tests. Mol Nutr Food Res 2013; 58:591-600. [PMID: 24127338 DOI: 10.1002/mnfr.201300321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2013] [Revised: 07/08/2013] [Accepted: 08/11/2013] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
SCOPE Circulating oxylipins may affect peripheral tissues and are assumed to play an important role in endothelial function. They are esterified in triglyceride-rich lipoproteins that are increased after a high-fat (HF) meal, depending on BMI and fatty acid (FA) type. Yet, it is unclear which oxylipins appear in circulation after HF meals differing in FA composition. METHODS AND RESULTS In a double-blind randomized crossover challenge study, we characterized the postprandial oxylipin response after different HF challenges in lean and obese men receiving HF milkshakes, either high in saturated FAs (SFA), monounsaturated FAs (MUFA), or omega 3 (n-3) polyunsaturated FAs (PUFA). Plasma oxylipin profiles were significantly altered at 2 and 4 h after shake consumption when compared to baseline. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) derived oxylipins increased after n-3 PUFA shake consumption. MUFA shake consumption increased levels of cytochrome P450 mediated oxylipins. SFA shake consumption led to strong increases in linoleic acid (LA) derived HODEs. No differences were observed between lean and obese individuals at baseline and after any shake consumption. CONCLUSION We are the first demonstrating acute effects on circulating oxylipins after HF meal challenges. These changes were strongly influenced by different dietary FAs and may affect endothelial function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrin Strassburg
- Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands; Netherlands Metabolomics Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
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Esser D, van Dijk SJ, Oosterink E, Müller M, Afman LA. A high-fat SFA, MUFA, or n3 PUFA challenge affects the vascular response and initiates an activated state of cellular adherence in lean and obese middle-aged men. J Nutr 2013; 143:843-51. [PMID: 23616512 DOI: 10.3945/jn.113.174540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BMI and fatty acid type affect postprandial metabolic TG responses, but whether these factors also affect vascular, inflammatory, and leukocyte adherence responses remains unclear. We therefore compared those postprandial responses between lean and obese men after 3 high-fat challenges differing in fatty acid composition. In a crossover double-blind study, 18 lean (BMI: 18-25 kg/m(2)) and 18 obese (BMI >29 kg/m(2)) middle-aged men received 3 isocaloric high-fat milkshakes containing 95 g fat (88% of energy), either high in SFAs (54% of energy/total fat), MUFAs (83% of energy/total fat), or n3 (omega-3) PUFAs (40% of energy/total fat). Hemodynamics, augmentation index (AIX), leukocyte cell surface adhesion markers, and plasma cytokines involved in vascular adherence, coagulation, and inflammation were measured before and after consumption of the milkshakes. In both groups and after all shakes were consumed, AIX decreased; plasma soluble intercellular adhesion molecule (sICAM) 1, sICAM3, soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule (sVCAM) 1, and interleukin-8 increased; monocyte CD11a, CD11b, and CD621 expression increased; neutrophil CD11a, CD11b, and CD621 expression increased; and lymphocyte CD62l expression increased (P < 0.05). Lymphocyte CD11a and CD11b expression decreased in lean participants after consumption of all shakes but did not change in obese participants (P < 0.05). Obese participants had a less pronounced decrease in heart rate after the consumption of all shakes (P < 0.05). MUFA consumption induced a more pronounced decrease in blood pressure and AIX compared with the other milkshakes in both lean and obese participants (P < 0.05). High-fat consumption initiates an activated state of cellular adherence and an atherogenic milieu. This response was independent of fatty acid type consumed or of being lean or obese, despite the clear differences in postprandial TG responses between the groups and different milkshakes. These findings suggest that in addition to increased TGs, other mechanisms are involved in the high-fat consumption-induced activated state of cellular adherence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diederik Esser
- Top Institute Food and Nutrition, Wageningen, The Netherlands
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van Dijk SJ, Mensink M, Esser D, Feskens EJM, Müller M, Afman LA. Responses to high-fat challenges varying in fat type in subjects with different metabolic risk phenotypes: a randomized trial. PLoS One 2012; 7:e41388. [PMID: 22844471 PMCID: PMC3402390 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0041388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2012] [Accepted: 06/20/2012] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The ability of subjects to respond to nutritional challenges can reflect the flexibility of their biological system. Nutritional challenge tests could be used as an indicator of health status but more knowledge on metabolic and immune responses of different subjects to nutritional challenges is needed. The aim of this study was to compare the responses to high-fat challenges varying in fat type in subjects with different metabolic risk phenotypes. Methodology/Principal Findings In a cross-over design 42 men (age 50–70 y) consumed three high-fat shakes containing saturated fat (SFA), monounsaturated fat (MUFA) or n-3 polyunsaturated (PUFA). Men were selected on BMI and health status (lean, obese or obese diabetic) and phenotyped with MRI for adipose tissue distribution. Before and 2 and 4 h after shake consumption blood was drawn for measurement of expression of metabolic and inflammation-related genes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), plasma triglycerides (TAG), glucose, insulin, cytokines and ex vivo PBMC immune response capacity. The MUFA and n-3 PUFA challenge, compared to the SFA challenge, induced higher changes in expression of inflammation genes MCP1 and IL1β in PBMCs. Obese and obese diabetic subjects had different PBMC gene expression and metabolic responses to high-fat challenges compared to lean subjects. The MUFA challenge induced the most pronounced TAG response, mainly in obese and obese diabetic subjects. Conclusion/Significance The PBMC gene expression response and metabolic response to high-fat challenges were affected by fat type and metabolic risk phenotype. Based on our results we suggest using a MUFA challenge to reveal differences in response capacity of subjects. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00977262
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan J. van Dijk
- Division of Human Nutrition, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Marco Mensink
- Division of Human Nutrition, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Diederik Esser
- Division of Human Nutrition, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Edith J. M. Feskens
- Division of Human Nutrition, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Michael Müller
- Division of Human Nutrition, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
- Netherlands Nutrigenomics Centre, TI Food and Nutrition, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Lydia A. Afman
- Division of Human Nutrition, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
- * E-mail:
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van Dijk SJ, Feskens EJM, Bos MB, de Groot LCPGM, de Vries JHM, Müller M, Afman LA. Consumption of a High Monounsaturated Fat Diet Reduces Oxidative Phosphorylation Gene Expression in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells of Abdominally Overweight Men and Women. J Nutr 2012; 142:1219-25. [DOI: 10.3945/jn.111.155283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Susan J. van Dijk
- Division of Human Nutrition, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Edith J. M. Feskens
- Division of Human Nutrition, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Marieke B. Bos
- Division of Human Nutrition, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Michael Müller
- Division of Human Nutrition, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
- Netherlands Nutrigenomics Centre, TI Food and Nutrition, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Lydia A. Afman
- Division of Human Nutrition, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
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van Dijk SJ, Feskens EJM, Heidema AG, Bos MB, van de Rest O, Geleijnse JM, de Groot LCPGM, Müller M, Afman LA. Plasma protein profiling reveals protein clusters related to BMI and insulin levels in middle-aged overweight subjects. PLoS One 2010; 5:e14422. [PMID: 21203453 PMCID: PMC3009718 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0014422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2010] [Accepted: 12/01/2010] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Biomarkers that allow detection of the onset of disease are of high interest since early detection would allow intervening with lifestyle and nutritional changes before the disease is manifested and pharmacological therapy is required. Our study aimed to improve the phenotypic characterization of overweight but apparently healthy subjects and to identify new candidate profiles for early biomarkers of obesity-related diseases such as cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Methodology/Principal Findings In a population of 56 healthy, middle-aged overweight subjects Body Mass Index (BMI), fasting concentration of 124 plasma proteins and insulin were determined. The plasma proteins are implicated in chronic diseases, inflammation, endothelial function and metabolic signaling. Random Forest was applied to select proteins associated with BMI and plasma insulin. Subsequently, the selected proteins were analyzed by clustering methods to identify protein clusters associated with BMI and plasma insulin. Similar analyses were performed for a second population of 20 healthy, overweight older subjects to verify associations found in population I. In both populations similar clusters of proteins associated with BMI or insulin were identified. Leptin and a number of pro-inflammatory proteins, previously identified as possible biomarkers for obesity-related disease, e.g. Complement 3, C Reactive Protein, Serum Amyloid P, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor clustered together and were positively associated with BMI and insulin. IL-3 and IL-13 clustered together with Apolipoprotein A1 and were inversely associated with BMI and might be potential new biomarkers. Conclusion/ Significance We identified clusters of plasma proteins associated with BMI and insulin in healthy populations. These clusters included previously reported biomarkers for obesity-related disease and potential new biomarkers such as IL-3 and IL-13. These plasma protein clusters could have potential applications for improved phenotypic characterization of volunteers in nutritional intervention studies or as biomarkers in the early detection of obesity-linked disease development and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan J. van Dijk
- Division of Human Nutrition, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Edith J. M. Feskens
- Division of Human Nutrition, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - A. Geert Heidema
- Division of Human Nutrition, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Marieke B. Bos
- Division of Human Nutrition, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Ondine van de Rest
- Division of Human Nutrition, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Michael Müller
- Division of Human Nutrition, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
- The Netherlands Nutrigenomics Centre, TI Food and Nutrition, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Lydia A. Afman
- Division of Human Nutrition, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
- * E-mail:
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van Dijk SJ, Feskens EJM, Bos MB, Hoelen DWM, Heijligenberg R, Bromhaar MG, de Groot LCPGM, de Vries JHM, Müller M, Afman LA. A saturated fatty acid-rich diet induces an obesity-linked proinflammatory gene expression profile in adipose tissue of subjects at risk of metabolic syndrome. Am J Clin Nutr 2009; 90:1656-64. [PMID: 19828712 DOI: 10.3945/ajcn.2009.27792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 211] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Changes in dietary fat composition could lower the risk of developing metabolic syndrome. Adipose tissue is an interesting tissue in this respect because of its role in lipid metabolism and inflammation. OBJECTIVE Our objective was to investigate the effect of a saturated fatty acid (SFA)- and a monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA)-rich diet on insulin sensitivity, serum lipids, and gene expression profiles of adipose tissue in subjects at risk of metabolic syndrome. DESIGN A parallel controlled-feeding trial was conducted in 20 abdominally overweight subjects. Subjects received an SFA diet or a MUFA diet for 8 wk. Plasma and subcutaneous adipose tissue samples were obtained, and insulin sensitivity was measured by using a hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp. Adipose tissue samples underwent whole-genome microarray and histologic analysis. Plasma and adipose tissue fatty acid composition and concentrations of serum cholesterol and plasma cytokine were determined. RESULTS Consumption of the SFA diet resulted in increased expression of genes involved in inflammation processes in adipose tissue, without changes in morphology or insulin sensitivity. The MUFA diet led to a more antiinflammatory gene expression profile, which was accompanied by a decrease in serum LDL-cholesterol concentrations and an increase in plasma and adipose tissue oleic acid content. CONCLUSIONS Consumption of an SFA diet resulted in a proinflammatory "obesity-linked" gene expression profile, whereas consumption of a MUFA diet caused a more antiinflammatory profile. This suggests that replacement of dietary SFA with MUFA could prevent adipose tissue inflammation and may reduce the risk of inflammation-related diseases such as metabolic syndrome. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00405197.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan J van Dijk
- The Division of Human Nutrition, Wageningen University, Wageningen, Netherlands
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Lichtenstein L, Berbée JFP, van Dijk SJ, van Dijk KW, Bensadoun A, Kema IP, Voshol PJ, Müller M, Rensen PCN, Kersten S. Angptl4 upregulates cholesterol synthesis in liver via inhibition of LPL- and HL-dependent hepatic cholesterol uptake. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2007; 27:2420-7. [PMID: 17761937 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.107.151894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 134] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dysregulation of plasma lipoprotein levels may increase the risk for atherosclerosis. Recently, angiopoietin-like protein 4, also known as fasting-induced adipose factor Fiaf, was uncovered as a novel modulator of plasma lipoprotein metabolism. Here we take advantage of the fasting-dependent phenotype of Angptl4-transgenic (Angptl4-Tg) mice to better characterize the metabolic function of Angptl4. METHODS AND RESULTS In 24-hour fasted mice, Angptl4 overexpression increased plasma triglycerides (TG) by 24-fold, which was attributable to elevated VLDL-, IDL/LDL- and HDL-TG content. Angptl4 overexpression decreased post-heparin LPL activity by stimulating conversion of endothelial-bound LPL dimers to circulating LPL monomers. In fasted but not fed state, Angptl4 overexpression severely impaired LPL-dependent plasma TG and cholesteryl ester clearance and subsequent uptake of fatty acids and cholesterol into tissues. Consequently, hepatic cholesterol content was significantly decreased, leading to universal upregulation of cholesterol and fatty acid synthesis pathways and increased rate of cholesterol synthesis. CONCLUSIONS The hypertriglyceridemic effect of Angptl4 is attributable to inhibition of LPL-dependent VLDL lipolysis by converting LPL dimers to monomers, and Angptl4 upregulates cholesterol synthesis in liver secondary to inhibition of LPL- and HL-dependent hepatic cholesterol uptake.
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