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Related Concept Videos

Lipid-Lowering Drugs: Statins and Miscellaneous Agents01:20

Lipid-Lowering Drugs: Statins and Miscellaneous Agents

Hyperlipidemia, a medical condition often referred to as high cholesterol, is characterized by abnormally elevated levels of lipids in the bloodstream. When present in excess, these lipids, specifically cholesterol and triglycerides, can lead to serious health complications, often involving cardiovascular diseases. Illnesses like atherosclerosis, heart attacks, and pancreatitis have all been linked to untreated hyperlipidemia. This means controlling and regulating cholesterol and triglyceride...
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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...
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A Rapid and Specific Microplate Assay for the Determination of Intra- and Extracellular Ascorbate in Cultured Cells
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Published on: April 12, 2014

Ascorbic acid and cholesterol gallstones

J A Simon1

  • 1General Internal Medicine Section (111A1), San Francisco VA Medical Center, CA 94121.

Medical Hypotheses
|February 1, 1993
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Reduced activity of cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase, key in bile acid production, leads to cholesterol gallstones. Ascorbic acid deficiency impacts this enzyme, suggesting a role in human gallbladder disease.

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Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Gastroenterology
  • Nutritional Science

Background:

  • Decreased cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase activity increases biliary cholesterol, leading to bile supersaturation and gallstone formation.
  • Ascorbic acid deficiency in guinea pigs reduces cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase activity, correlating with cholesterol gallstone prevalence.
  • Human risk factors for gallstones, such as obesity and diabetes, are linked to lower plasma ascorbic acid levels.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of ascorbic acid in cholesterol metabolism and gallstone formation.
  • To explore the connection between ascorbic acid levels and cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase activity.
  • To assess the potential contribution of ascorbic acid to human gallbladder disease.

Main Methods:

  • Studied the effect of hepatic ascorbic acid concentration on cholesterol catabolism in guinea pigs.
  • Observed the incidence of cholesterol gallstones in ascorbic acid-deficient guinea pigs.
  • Reviewed human risk factors for gallstones and their association with plasma ascorbic acid levels.

Main Results:

  • Hypovitaminosis C in guinea pigs was found to reduce cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase activity.
  • Cholesterol gallstones were frequently observed in ascorbic acid-deficient guinea pigs.
  • Reduced plasma ascorbic acid levels were noted in human populations at high risk for cholesterol gallstones.

Conclusions:

  • Ascorbic acid influences the rate-limiting enzyme in cholesterol catabolism.
  • Reduced ascorbic acid levels may be a contributing factor in human cholesterol gallstone disease.
  • Further research is warranted to elucidate the precise role of ascorbic acid in gallbladder health.