Copyright 2009 Medical News Today Latest Cholesterol News From Medical News Today. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/sections/cholesterol/ admin@medicalnewstoday.com (MNT Admin) editors@medicalnewstoday.com (MNT Editors) en-us Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169854.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169854.php Researchers from the UCLA Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science have for the first time successfully reconstituted in the laboratory the enzyme responsible for producing the blockbuster cholesterol-lowering drug lovastatin. The research, published Oct. 23 in the journal Science, could potentially lead to the development of other compounds with similarly beneficial effects. Statins Wed, 04 Nov 2009 05:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169780.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169780.php Men with lower cholesterol are less likely than those with higher levels to develop high-grade prostate cancer - an aggressive form of the disease with a poorer prognosis, according to results of a Johns Hopkins collaborative study. In a prospective study of more than 5,000 U.S. men, epidemiologists say they now have evidence that having lower levels of heart-clogging fat may cut a man's risk of this form of cancer by nearly 60 percent. Prostate / Prostate Cancer Wed, 04 Nov 2009 04:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169774.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169774.php A pair of studies in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, lay to rest the decades-long concern that lower total cholesterol may lead to cancer, and in fact lower cholesterol may reduce the risk of high-grade prostate cancer. Demetrius Albanes, M.D., a senior investigator at the National Cancer Institute, said early studies suggested that low cholesterol could increase the risk of certain types of cancer. Cholesterol Wed, 04 Nov 2009 03:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169822.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169822.php Two new studies from the US published this week negate concerns that have been around since early studies done decades ago suggested that low cholesterol leads to some types of cancer: one in fact affirms that undiagnosed cancer is the likely cause of lower total cholesterol while the other found evidence linking low cholesterol and decreased risk of high-grade prostate cancer among older men. Cholesterol Thu, 29 Oct 2009 05:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169174.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169174.php Besides their tremendous value in treating high cholesterol and lowering the risk of heart disease, statins have also been reported to potentially lower the risks of other diseases, such as dementia. However, a study in the October Journal of Lipid Research finds that similar statin drugs can have profoundly different effects on brain cells - both beneficial and detrimental. Statins Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169038.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169038.php Adding ezetimibe to atorvastatin significantly boosted the attainment of lipid targets as specified by both Canadian and European guidelines in elderly patients aged 65 and older and the combination produced superior results than simply increasing the dose of atorvastatin alone, Dr. Christian Constance told the Canadian Cardiovascular Congress 2009, co-hosted by the Heart and Stroke Foundation and the Canadian Cardiovascular Society. Heart Disease Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169043.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169043.php Several new guidelines and position papers offering the most up to date information to ensure that clinicians practice evidence-based medicine were released at the Canadian Cardiovascular Congress 2009 this week. Heart Disease Fri, 23 Oct 2009 02:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/168423.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/168423.php New Phase III data published in "Current Medical Research and Opinion" highlight that the recommended starting dose of 2 mg of LIVALO (pitavastatin), a novel synthetic statin, was statistically superior to simvastatin at a dose of 20 mg over 12 weeks in reducing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) and total cholesterol (TC) in patients with primary hypercholesterolemia and combined dyslipidemia. Statins Wed, 21 Oct 2009 06:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/168157.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/168157.php A new study shows uninsured American adults with chronic illnesses like diabetes or high cholesterol often go undiagnosed and undertreated, leading to an increased risk of costly, disabling and even lethal complications of their disease. The study, published online in Health Affairs, analyzed data from a recent national survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Diabetes Thu, 08 Oct 2009 02:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/166602.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/166602.php In a new international partnership, Dr. Randy Nelson, a researcher at Arizona State University's Biodesign Institute, and Dr. Tai E-Shyong, associate professor at Singapore's National University Hospital, National University Health System (NUHS), have teamed up to assess the risk of heart disease in diabetics with greater accuracy. Heart Disease Mon, 05 Oct 2009 02:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/166194.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/166194.php A new study by an international team of researchers found that cholesterol is important for the formation of brain cells, and they hope the findings will help scientists cultivate dopamine-producing cells outside the body. Stem Cell Research Sat, 03 Oct 2009 02:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/166119.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/166119.php A derivative of cholesterol is necessary for the formation of brain cells, according to a study from the Swedish medical university Karolinska Institutet. The results, which are published in the journal Cell Stem Cell, can help scientists to cultivate dopamine-producing cells outside the body. Neurology / Neuroscience Wed, 30 Sep 2009 02:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/165630.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/165630.php Resverlogix Corp. ("Resverlogix" or the "Company") (TSX:RVX) announced that results from the Company's Phase 1b/2a clinical trial have met and exceeded expectations by successfully concluding the drug, RVX-208, is safe and tolerable. Most importantly RVX-208 has met its primary endpoint to increase the production of plasma ApoA-I, the key cardioprotective protein in high-density lipoprotein (HDL), often referred to as "good" cholesterol. Cholesterol Mon, 28 Sep 2009 00:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/165303.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/165303.php Since the introduction of statins to treat high cholesterol, the decline in lipid levels experienced by the wealthy has been double that experienced by the poor. While statins are highly effective in reducing cholesterol and improving heart health, their use may have contributed to expanding social disparities in the treatment of cardiovascular disease, according to research by Virginia W. Statins Sat, 19 Sep 2009 00:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/164459.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/164459.php Risk factors for metabolic syndrome, such as obesity, high blood pressure, and elevated blood lipid levels, can increase a person's healthcare costs nearly 1.6-fold, or about $2,000 per year. For each additional risk factor those costs rise an average of 24%, according to an illuminating article in a recent issue of Metabolic Syndrome and Related Disorders, a peer-reviewed journal published by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. The article is available free online at Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness Fri, 18 Sep 2009 01:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/164385.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/164385.php Middle aged men who smoke, have high blood pressure and high cholesterol can expect to live 10 to 15 years less than their healthy counterparts, according to a large UK study that followed nearly 19,000 men for 38 years. These are the conclusions of a study published 17 September in the British Medical Journal, BMJ. The British Heart Foundation (BHF) sponsored the study, which was led by the University of Oxford. Cardiovascular / Cardiology Fri, 04 Sep 2009 01:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/162919.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/162919.php Kudzu, the fast-growing vine that has gobbled up some 10 million acres in the Southeast, may prove to be a valuable dietary supplement for metabolic syndrome, a condition that affects 50 million Americans, say researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). Hypertension Wed, 02 Sep 2009 03:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/162616.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/162616.php New data presented showed that in patients treated with LIVALO (pitavastatin), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) concentrations increased, and nearly three-fourths of patients attained low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) targets, with results sustained over 52 weeks. Additionally, LIVALO was found to have comparable efficacy to atorvastatin and simvastatin, as measured by reduction in LDL-C from baseline. Cholesterol Wed, 02 Sep 2009 02:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/162606.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/162606.php Almost half (48%) of statin-treated patients are not meeting target levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), according to the results of a new international study, conducted by Merck Sharp & Dohme Limited and presented today at the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) congress in Barcelona, Spain.1 Additionally, nearly three-quarters (73%) of the same patients had at least one lipid abnormality across LDL-C, HDL-C and triglyceride levels. Statins Wed, 02 Sep 2009 01:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/162577.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/162577.php According to a new analysis of 22,000 patients, nearly three-quarters of patients taking statins still had at least one lipid abnormality. These results, from a study conducted by Merck & Co., Inc., Whitehouse Station, N.J., U.S.A., which operates in many countries as Merck Sharp & Dohme Limited, were presented at the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) congress in Barcelona, Spain. Cholesterol Fri, 28 Aug 2009 04:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/162236.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/162236.php A small molecule earlier found to have both anti-fat and anti-cancer abilities works as a literal turnoff for fat-making genes, according to a new report in the August 28th issue of the journal Chemistry and Biology, a Cell Press journal. The chemical blocks a well known master controller of fat synthesis, a transcription factor known as SREBP. That action in mice that are genetically prone to obesity causes the animals to become leaner. Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness Fri, 28 Aug 2009 03:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/162162.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/162162.php A study released today by CVS Caremark (NYSE: CVS) found that more than 50 percent of patients under the age of 45 who are prescribed a medication to treat high cholesterol are not optimally adherent to their therapy. In fact, the data showed that 58 percent of adults between the ages of 18-34 are not taking their cholesterol lowering medications as prescribed. Cholesterol Wed, 26 Aug 2009 00:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/161802.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/161802.php Got high cholesterol? You might want to consider a bone density test. A new UCLA study sheds light on the link between high cholesterol and osteoporosis and identifies a new way that the body's immune cells play a role in bone loss. Published Aug. 20 in the journal Clinical Immunology, the research could lead to new immune-based approaches for treating osteoporosis. Bones / Orthopaedics Mon, 24 Aug 2009 01:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/161602.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/161602.php Cholesterol can affect the flow of the electrical currents that generate the heart beat, according to a study from two UBC cardiovascular researchers funded by the Heart and Stroke Foundation of BC & Yukon. The research team has just published the important discovery about the causes of cardiac arrhythmias (abnormal heartbeats) in one of the world's leading scientific journals. Cardiovascular / Cardiology Thu, 20 Aug 2009 06:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/161329.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/161329.php Health-conscious people know that high levels of total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol (the so-called "bad" cholesterol) can increase the risk of heart attacks. Now scientists are reporting that another form of cholesterol called oxycholesterol - virtually unknown to the public - may be the most serious cardiovascular health threat of all. Heart Disease