Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 12, 2025

LDL Cholesterol Uptake Assay Using Live Cell Imaging Analysis with Cell Health Monitoring
08:45

LDL Cholesterol Uptake Assay Using Live Cell Imaging Analysis with Cell Health Monitoring

Published on: November 17, 2018

13.5K

HDL cholesterol as a mediator of the relationship between breastfeeding and coronary atherosclerosis from a two-step

Baoquan Zhang1, Bin Yang2, Wenlong Xiu2

  • 1Department of Neonatology, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital College of Clinical Medicine for Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350000, China. zbq2701@fjmu.edu.cn.

Scientific Reports
|August 6, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Breastfeeding is linked to a lower risk of coronary atherosclerosis (CA). This protective effect may be partly mediated by increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Epidemiology
  • Genetics
  • Public Health

Background:

  • The relationship between breastfeeding and coronary atherosclerosis (CA) remains debated.
  • Investigating early-life factors like breastfeeding is crucial for understanding cardiovascular disease (CVD) etiology.
  • Mendelian randomization (MR) offers a robust method to explore causal links between exposures and outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the causal association between breastfeeding and coronary atherosclerosis (CA) using Mendelian randomization (MR).
  • To identify potential mediating factors, such as lipid profiles, that explain the link between breastfeeding and CA.
  • To evaluate the role of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) as a mediator in this association.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized two independent European adult cohorts for discovery and replication analyses.
  • Employed summary statistics from large genome-wide association studies (GWAS) for CA and breastfeeding phenotypes.
  • Conducted two-step MR analysis to assess the mediating effect of candidate variables, including HDL-C.

Main Results:

  • MR analysis revealed a significant protective association between breastfeeding and reduced risk of CA in both discovery (OR: 0.826) and replication (OR: 0.439) datasets.
  • High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) was identified as a significant mediator, explaining 10.26% of the total effect.
  • The findings suggest that breastfeeding confers a protective effect against CA, partly through elevated HDL-C levels.

Conclusions:

  • Breastfeeding demonstrates a causal protective effect against coronary atherosclerosis.
  • Increased HDL-C levels represent a key mediating pathway for the cardioprotective benefits of breastfeeding.
  • Promoting breastfeeding could be a valuable early-life intervention strategy for long-term cardiovascular health.

Keywords:
BreastfeedingCoronary atherosclerosisHigh-density lipoprotein cholesterolMendelian randomization

More Related Videos

High-throughput Nitrobenzoxadiazole-labeled Cholesterol Efflux Assay08:18

High-throughput Nitrobenzoxadiazole-labeled Cholesterol Efflux Assay

Published on: January 7, 2019

9.2K
Isolation and Analysis of Plasma Lipoproteins by Ultracentrifugation06:47

Isolation and Analysis of Plasma Lipoproteins by Ultracentrifugation

Published on: January 28, 2021

11.5K

Related Concept Videos

Cholesterol: Significance and Regulation01:29

Cholesterol: 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...
687
Atherosclerosis III: Management01:26

Atherosclerosis III: Management

Management of atherosclerosis involves an integrated strategy encompassing pharmacological treatment, surgical interventions, lifestyle changes, and nutrition therapy to address the multifactorial nature of the disease.Pharmacological TherapyA cornerstone of atherosclerosis management is the use of pharmacological agents. Statins, such as atorvastatin, are pivotal in inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase, an enzyme that catalyzes an initial step in cholesterol synthesis in the liver. This reduction in...
35
Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures01:26

Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures

Effective preventive measures for coronary artery disease (CAD) focus on controlling modifiable risk factors, including cholesterol abnormalities and lifestyle changes.Cholesterol ManagementFirst, the Mediterranean diet and the American Heart Association advocate for maintaining low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels below 100 mg/dL, with a more stringent recommendation of below 70 mg/dL for individuals at high risk. LDL cholesterol, often termed "bad cholesterol," can lead to the...
34
Lipids: Dietary Sources and Requirements01:18

Lipids: 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...
1.1K
Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction01:30

Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): An Overview with Scientific InsightsCoronary Artery Disease (CAD), often referred to as C-A-D, is a prevalent blood vessel disorder classified under the broader category of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a pathological process characterized by the hardening and narrowing of arteries due to the accumulation of atherosclerotic plaques. These plaques are composed of cholesterol, fatty substances, inflammatory cells, calcium, and fibrin, reducing blood flow to...
57
Atherosclerosis I: Introduction01:30

Atherosclerosis 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...
85