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[Esterifying activity of the plasma in patients with ischemic heart disease]
Insights
Lecithin-cholesterol-acyl transferase (LCAT) activity is reduced in men with ischemic heart disease (IHD), particularly those with low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and hyperlipidemia. This reduced LCAT activity may worsen arterial atherosclerosis.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Lipid Metabolism
Context:
- Ischemic heart disease (IHD) and coronary atherosclerosis are significant health concerns.
- High-density lipoproteins (HDL) play a crucial role in reverse cholesterol transport.
- Lecithin-cholesterol-acyl transferase (LCAT) is a key enzyme in HDL metabolism.
Purpose:
- To investigate the activity of LCAT in men with IHD.
- To explore the relationship between LCAT activity, HDL composition, and hyperlipidemia in IHD patients.
Summary:
- Men with IHD exhibited decreased plasma LCAT activity compared to controls.
- Reduced LCAT activity was most pronounced in IHD patients with low HDL cholesterol and hyperlipidemia.
- Alterations in HDL subfraction phospholipid composition, including decreased lecithin and increased sphingomyelin, were observed in IHD patients.
Impact:
- Decreased LCAT activity, reduced HDL cholesterol, altered HDL phospholipid composition, and decreased apo A-I concentration are implicated in IHD pathogenesis.
- These factors may contribute to the progression of arterial atherosclerotic impairment.
- Understanding these lipid alterations could inform therapeutic strategies for IHD.
Abstract:
An esterifying activity of blood plasma (lecithin-cholesterol-acyl transferase, LCAT) was decreased in men with ischemic heart disease (IHD) and coronary atherosclerosis as compared with patients without any symptoms of IHD; the decrease of the activity was most distinct in patients with low level of cholesterol in high density lipoproteins (HDL) and with hyperlipidemia. In these patients phospholipid composition of HDL subfractions was altered: a decrease in the lecithin ratio, increase in the content of sphingomyelin and corresponding decrease in the ratio lecithin/sphingomyelin. Decrease in content of HDL cholesterol and in concentration of apo A-I in blood, plasma, alterations in phospholipid composition of HDL subfractions and in the rate of fatty acids unsaturation of HDL phospholipids in the patients with IHD were considered as factors responsible for the decrease of LCAT activity, which may aggravate the atherosclerotic impairment of arteries.