Reduced fecal sterol excretion in subjects with familial hypoalphalipoproteinemia.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Fecal bile acid and neutral sterol excretion are the obligate endpoints of the reverse cholesterol transport pathway (RCT). In studies in mice, no evidence was found for a relation between HDL-cholesterol (HDL-c) levels and fecal sterol excretion. In this study, we have evaluated this relationship in patients with isolated low HDL-c versus controls.

RESULTS:

Fecal sterol excretion was studied in 12 subjects with familial hypoalphalipoproteinemia (FHA) and 11 healthy controls. Compared to the controls (8.9+/-6.3mg/kg/day), neutral sterol excretion was significantly lower in the FHA group (4.0+/-2.4mg/kg/day). Fecal bile acid excretion showed a similar pattern. Across the groups, a strong positive correlation between HDL-c and fecal neutral sterol excretion was found (r=0.53; p=0.01).

CONCLUSIONS:

Isolated low HDL-c levels in humans are associated with reduced fecal sterol excretion suggesting that in humans HDL regulates the final step in the RCT pathway at low HDL-c levels.

• Authors: Karim El Harchaoui, Remco Franssen, G Kees Hovingh, Radjesh J Bisoendial, Frans Stellaard, Folkert Kuipers, John J P Kastelein, Jan Albert Kuivenhoven, Erik S G Stroes, Albert K Groen
• Journal: Atherosclerosis (Atherosclerosis) Vol. 207 Issue 2 Pg. 614-6 (Dec 2009) ISSN: 1879-1484 [Electronic] Ireland
• PMID: 19616211 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Bile Acids and Salts
• Cholesterol, HDL
• Sterols

Topics

• Adult
• Bile Acids and Salts (metabolism)
• Case-Control Studies
• Cholesterol, HDL (blood)
• Down-Regulation
• Feces (chemistry)
• Female
• Humans
• Hypoalphalipoproteinemias (blood, metabolism)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Sterols (metabolism)
• Time Factors