Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 8, 2026
09:15
Differential Effects of Lipid-lowering Drugs in Modulating Morphology of Cholesterol Particles
Published on: November 10, 2017
Plasma lipid composition and risk of developing cardiovascular disease
Celine Fernandez1, Marianne Sandin, Julio L Sampaio
1Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden. Celine.Fernandez@med.lu.se
Plos One
|August 23, 2013
Summary
Specific changes in plasma lipidome, including reduced lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) and certain triglyceride (TAG) species, are linked to lower cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Increased sphingomyelin (SM) levels may indicate higher CVD risk.
Area of Science:
- Lipidomics
- Cardiovascular Disease Research
- Genetics
Background:
- Plasma lipidome alterations may precede cardiovascular disease (CVD) development.
- Genetic factors associated with coronary artery disease (CAD) might influence lipid species levels.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if specific plasma lipidome changes, at similar total lipid levels, predict future CVD events.
- To determine if validated CAD-associated gene variants impact CVD-related lipid species.
Main Methods:
- Top-down shotgun analysis of fasted plasma lipidome.
- Logistic regression comparing incident CVD cases (n=211) and controls (n=216) from the MDC study, adjusting for Framingham risk factors.
- Association analysis between CAD-associated gene variants and plasma lipid species.
Main Results:
- Eight lipid species showed associations with incident CVD (q≤0.23).
- Reduced levels of lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) species (LPC16:0, LPC20:4) correlated with decreased CVD risk (P=0.024-0.028).
- Increased sphingomyelin (SM) 38:2 was linked to higher CVD odds (P=0.057), while five triglyceride (TAG) species showed protective associations (P=0.031-0.049).
- LPC16:0 levels correlated negatively with carotid intima-media thickness and HbA1c.
- SM38:2 levels correlated positively with LDL-cholesterol.
- Risk alleles of 3 CAD loci were associated with reduced LPC16:0 and/or LPC20:4 levels.
Conclusions:
- CVD development may be preceded by decreased levels of specific lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) and triglyceride (TAG) species, and increased sphingomyelin (SM) levels.
- Certain lipid species may act as intermediate phenotypes linking genetic susceptibility to overt CVD.
- Findings require replication in larger populations due to loss of statistical significance after multiple testing correction.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System III: Serum Lipid Profile
Understanding serum lipids is crucial for maintaining cardiovascular health and preventing heart disease and stroke.
Serum lipids are fats and fatty substances in the blood and are crucial for various bodily functions, including energy storage, cellular structure, and hormone production. Serum lipids consist of cholesterol, triglycerides, and phospholipids.
Cholesterol is a soft, fat-like substance found in all body cells. It is crucial for producing hormones, vitamin D, and substances that aid...
Serum lipids are fats and fatty substances in the blood and are crucial for various bodily functions, including energy storage, cellular structure, and hormone production. Serum lipids consist of cholesterol, triglycerides, and phospholipids.
Cholesterol is a soft, fat-like substance found in all body cells. It is crucial for producing hormones, vitamin D, and substances that aid...
01:31Lipid-derived Compounds in the Human Body
Fats and lipids are crucial components in the human body. Some lipid-derived compounds, such as fat-soluble vitamins, eicosanoids, lipoproteins, and glycolipids, also play unique roles to support various biological processes .
Fat-soluble Vitamins
Fat-soluble vitamins, including vitamins A, D, E, and K, are required in minimal quantities, but their deficiencies can lead to severely abnormal physiological conditions. For example, vitamin A deficiency can cause night blindness, dry skin, delayed...
Fat-soluble Vitamins
Fat-soluble vitamins, including vitamins A, D, E, and K, are required in minimal quantities, but their deficiencies can lead to severely abnormal physiological conditions. For example, vitamin A deficiency can cause night blindness, dry skin, delayed...
01:29Cholesterol: Significance and Regulation
Although not a source of energy, cholesterol plays a significant role as a foundational structure for bile salts, steroid hormones, and vitamin D, as well as being a crucial component of plasma membranes. Approximately 15% of blood cholesterol is derived from our diet, with the remainder synthesized from acetyl CoA by the liver and intestines. Cholesterol is eliminated from the body through its conversion into bile salts, which are eventually discarded in the feces.
Considering cholesterol and...
Considering cholesterol and...
01:30Atherosclerosis I: Introduction
Atherosclerosis is a progressive disorder characterized by the buildup of plaques on the arterial inner wall, causing them to narrow and harden over time. These plaques comprise lipids, calcium, blood components, carbohydrates, and fibrous tissue. The process primarily affects the intima of large and medium-sized arteries, reducing blood flow in any artery.Etiology and risk factorsThe cause of atherosclerosis is multifactorial, involving a complex interplay among endothelial injury, lipid...
01:18Lipids: Dietary Sources and Requirements
Lipids are an essential component of a balanced human diet. Triglycerides, which make up the majority of dietary lipids, are found in both saturated fats—commonly present in meat, dairy products, and certain tropical plants like coconut, and hydrogenated oils such as margarine and baking shortenings (trans fats)—and unsaturated fats, which are abundant in seeds, nuts, olive oil, and most vegetable oils. The main sources of cholesterol include egg yolks, various meats and organ meats, shellfish,...
01:24Overview of Lipid Metabolism
Lipid metabolism is a crucial process in the human body that involves the synthesis and degradation of lipids. This process is essential for energy production, cell membrane formation, and hormone production, among other functions.
Lipolysis: The Breakdown of Lipids:
Lipolysis is the process of breaking down lipids, particularly triglycerides, into glycerol and fatty acids. This process typically occurs in the adipose tissue and is triggered by various hormones, including glucagon and...
Lipolysis: The Breakdown of Lipids:
Lipolysis is the process of breaking down lipids, particularly triglycerides, into glycerol and fatty acids. This process typically occurs in the adipose tissue and is triggered by various hormones, including glucagon and...