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Isolation of High-density Lipoproteins for Non-coding Small RNA Quantification
Published on: November 28, 2016
[Low density lipoprotein apheresis]
Remigijus Zaliūnas1, Rimvydas Slapikas, Olivija Gustiene
1Clinic of Cardiology, Kaunas University of Medicine, Eiveniu 2, 3007 Kaunas, Lithuania.
Insights
High cholesterol is a risk factor for heart disease. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) apheresis effectively removes cholesterol from the blood, reducing cardiovascular disease risk.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Metabolic Disorders
Background:
- Elevated blood cholesterol, particularly low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-Ch), is a primary driver of ischemic heart disease due to atherosclerotic changes in coronary arteries.
- While statins (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors) and lifestyle changes are standard treatments, some patients, especially those with familial dyslipidemias, experience persistent hypercholesterolemia even at maximal therapeutic doses.
Observation:
- Extracorporeal apheresis, specifically low-density lipoprotein (LDL) apheresis, is a key mechanical method for cholesterol removal from the bloodstream.
- This procedure demonstrably lowers blood concentrations of total cholesterol (TCh), LDL-Ch, lipoprotein (a) (Lp(a)), and fibrinogen.
Findings:
- LDL apheresis significantly reduces multiple atherogenic lipoprotein fractions.
- The reduction in these markers is substantial and clinically relevant for managing hypercholesterolemia.
Implications:
- LDL apheresis offers a critical therapeutic option for patients with refractory hypercholesterolemia and familial dyslipidemias.
- By reducing atherogenic lipoproteins, LDL apheresis can halt or slow the progression of coronary atherosclerosis, thereby mitigating ischemic heart disease risk.
Abstract:
Increased blood cholesterol concentration is one of the main factors in ischemic heart disease, development of which is determined by atherosclerotic changes in coronary vessels. Diet and treatment with 3-hydroxi-3-metilglutaril coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors helps to reduce low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-Ch) blood concentration up to recommended level of 3.0 mmol/l in most patients but in some patients particularly with familial dyslipidemias cholesterol concentration remains increased even after treatment with maximal doses of lipid-regulating agents or their combinations. The most frequently used mechanical methods of cholesterol removal from blood include the procedures of extracorporeal apheresis. Low density lipoprotein (LDL) apheresis not only significantly reduces the blood concentrations of total cholesterol (TCh), and LDL-Ch, lipoprotein (a) (Lp(a) and fibrinogen but also stops the progression of atherosclerosis in coronary vessels.
