Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids like alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) may be beneficial for cardiovascular health. A cholesterol supplemented diet will increase ALA bioavailability. Conversely, drugs which inhibit intestinal cholesterol metabolism may also inhibit fatty acid absorption. Our study will determine if a cholesterol absorption inhibitor, ezetimibe, decreases circulating levels of ALA in humans. Patients were randomly assigned to one of four groups for a 6 weeks: 1) placebo; 2) ezetimibe therapy (10mg); 3) flaxseed oil (containing 1.0g ALA); or 4) ezetimibe and flaxseed oil supplementation. Flaxseed oil supplementation resulted in a significant increase in circulating ALA levels in patients who were not given ezetimibe. Ezetimibe significantly inhibited the ALA raising effects of flax oil. No significant differences in circulating lipids or cytokines between the treatments were observed. Thus, ezetimibe therapy inhibits the absorption of omega-3 fatty acids. Patients receiving ezetimibe therapy will not receive cardiovascular benefits from omega-3 fatty acids.

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids like alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) may be beneficial for cardiovascular health. A cholesterol supplemented diet will increase ALA bioavailability. Conversely, drugs which inhibit intestinal cholesterol metabolism may also inhibit fatty acid absorption. Our study will determine if a cholesterol absorption inhibitor, ezetimibe, decreases circulating levels of ALA in humans. Patients were randomly assigned to one of four groups for a 6 weeks: 1) placebo; 2) ezetimibe therapy (10mg); 3) flaxseed oil (containing 1.0g ALA); or 4) ezetimibe and flaxseed oil supplementation. Flaxseed oil supplementation resulted in a significant increase in circulating ALA levels in patients who were not given ezetimibe. Ezetimibe significantly inhibited the ALA raising effects of flax oil. No significant differences in circulating lipids or cytokines between the treatments were observed. Thus, ezetimibe therapy inhibits the absorption of omega-3 fatty acids. Patients receiving ezetimibe therapy will not receive cardiovascular benefits from omega-3 fatty acids.

Submitted by Edileide Reis (leyde-landy@hotmail.com) on 2015-04-09T21:37:22Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Maristela Magnavita Olivieira Garcia.pdf: 3888282 bytes, checksum: c0948d82b9b919a68c2bf4bb00ee48eb (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-04-09T21:37:22Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Maristela Magnavita Olivieira Garcia.pdf: 3888282 bytes, checksum: c0948d82b9b919a68c2bf4bb00ee48eb (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-11-01 / As estatinas agem prioritariamente reduzindo o LDL-colesterol e o efeito na função endotelial necessita ainda de esclarecimento. Objetivos: (1) Testar a hipótese de que a modulação da função endotelial promovida por estatinas relaciona-se com a dose utilizada, em cenário de semelhante redução no LDLcolesterol (2) Definir o nível de evidência do valor prognóstico da vasodilatação mediada por fluxo (VMF), desfecho testado no objetivo principal e (3) Testar a acurácia e a reprodutibilidade do método manual de aferição da espessura médio-intimal carotídea (EMIC), tendo o semiautomático como referência. Métodos: (1) Ensaio clínico randomizado para dois grupos de tratamento (16 pacientes em cada) e um grupo placebo (14 pacientes), com mesmo grau de redução de colesterol nos grupos ativos (sinvastatina 80 mg e sinvastatina 10 mg associada a ezetimibe 10 mg) e mensurado a VMF, antes e após oito semanas. (2) Revisão sistemática nas principais bases de dados. (3) Análises de concordância e reprodutibilidade das medidas de EMIC pelos métodos de aferição manual e semiautomático. Resultados: (1) Houve semelhantes incrementos da VMF nos grupos sinvastatina alta dose e sinvastatina baixa dose/ezetimibe, de 8,4% ± 4,3% para 11% ± 4,2% (P = 0,02) e de 7,3% ± 3,9% para 12% ± 4,4% (P = 0,001), respectivamente, em cenário de idêntica redução do LDL-colesterol. (2) Ausência de análise de estatística-c para comprovação do valor preditor incremental da VMF a modelos clínicos estabelecidos. (3) Correlação, concordância e reprodutibilidade satisfatórias entre os métodos manual e semiautomático de EMIC. Conclusões: (1) O benefício endotelial semelhante entre as terapias de diferentes doses de estatinas, mas que promovem a mesma redução de LDL-colesterol, sugere que o mecanismo hipolipemiante prepondera sobre os efeitos pleiotrópicos; (2) VMF prediz risco cardiovascular, mas não se justifica seu uso na rotina clínica; (3) O método manual de aferição da EMIC pôde ter suas medidas validadas, com análise satisfatória de precisão, a partir do método semiautomático

No description available.

No description available.

La proprotéine convertase subtilisine/kexine-9 (PCSK9) a été identifiée comme le troisième locus impliqué dans l’hypercholestérolémie autosome dominante (ADH). Les deux autres gènes impliqués dans l’ADH encodent le récepteur des lipoprotéines de faible densité (LDLR) et l’apolipoprotéine B. La PCSK9 est une convertase qui favorise la dégradation du LDLR dans les hépatocytes et augmente le niveau plasmatique de cholestérol des LDL (LDL-C). Les mutations « gain de fonction » de la PCSK9 sont associées à un phénotype d’hypercholestérolémie familiale, tandis que les variantes « perte de fonction » sont associées à un LDL-C réduit et à un risque coronarien plus faible. Pour élucider le rôle physiologique de la PCSK9, nous avons étudié sa régulation génique. En utilisant le RT-PCR quantitatif dans des hépatocytes humains, nous avons analysé la régulation de PCSK9 sous différentes conditions modulant l’expression des gènes impliqués dans le métabolisme du cholestérol. Nous avons démontré que l’expression de la PCSK9 était induite par les statines de manière dose-dépendante et que cette induction était abolie par le mévalonate. De plus, le promoteur de PCSK9 contenait deux motifs conservés pour la régulation par le cholestérol : le sterol regulatory element (SRE) et un site Sp1. La PCSK9 circule dans le plasma sous des formes mature et clivée par la furine. Grâce à notre anticorps polyclonal, nous avons mis au point un test ELISA mesurant la PCSK9 plasmatique totale. Une étude transversale a évalué les concentrations plasmatiques de PCSK9 chez des sujets sains et hypercholestérolémiques, traités ou non par des statines ou une combinaison statine/ezetimibe. Chez 254 sujets sains, la valeur moyenne de PCSK9 (écart-type) était de 89,5 (31,9) µg/L. La concentration plasmatique de la PCSK9 corrélait avec celle de cholestérol total, du LDL-C, des triglycérides (TG), de la glycémie à jeun, l’âge et l’indice de masse corporelle. Le séquençage de PCSK9 chez des sujets aux extrêmes de la distribution des concentrations de PCSK9 de notre cohorte a révélé la présence d’une nouvelle variation « perte de fonction » : R434W. Chez 200 patients hypercholestérolémiques, la concentration de PCSK9 était plus élevée que chez les sujets sains (P<0,04). Elle a augmenté avec une dose croissante de statine (P<0,001), et a augmenté encore plus suite à l’ajout d’ezetimibe (P<0,001). Chez les patients traités, ceux présentant une hypercholestérolémie familiale (HF; due à une mutation du LDLR) avaient des concentrations plus élevées de PCSK9 que les non-HF (P<0,005), et la réduction de LDL-C corrélait positivement avec la concentration de PCSK9 atteinte de la même manière dans les deux sous-catégories (P<0,02 et P<0,005, respectivement). Par ailleurs, une incubation des cellules HepG2 (hépatocytes) et Caco-2 (entérocytes) avec de l’ezetimibe a provoqué une augmentation de l’ARNm de PCSK9 et de NPC1L1 de 1,5 à 2 fois (P<0,05), mais aucune variation significative de PCSK9 sécrétée n’a été observée, suggérant que ces lignées cellulaires ne sont pas un modèle idéal. Nous avons également mesuré le niveau de PCSK9 chez 1 739 Canadiens-français âgés de 9, 13 et 16 ans. La valeur moyenne (écart-type) de PCSK9 dans cette cohorte était de 84,7 (24,7) µg/L, légèrement plus basse que dans la cohorte d’adultes (89,5 (31,9) µg/L). Chez les garçons, la PCSK9 circulante diminuait avec l’âge, tandis que c’était l’inverse chez les filles. Il y avait des associations positives et significatives entre la PCSK9 et la glycémie à jeun, l’insulinémie, le HOMA-IR, et les paramètres lipidiques (TC, LDL-C, TG, HDL-C, apoAI et apoB). Dans l’analyse multivariée, une hausse de 10% de l’insulinémie à jeun était associée à une augmentation de 1 à 2% de PCSK9. La régulation de PCSK9 est typique de celle d’un gène impliqué dans le métabolisme des lipoprotéines et est probablement la cible du facteur de transcription «sterol regulatory element-binding protein » (SREBP-2). La concentration plasmatique de la PCSK9 est associée avec l’âge, le sexe, et de multiples marqueurs métaboliques chez les enfants et les adultes. La détection de la PCSK9 circulante chez les sujets HF et non-HF signifie que ce test ELISA spécifique à PCSK9 pourrait servir à suivre la réponse à la thérapie chez un grand éventail de sujets. PCSK9 semble être une cible thérapeutique prometteuse dans le traitement de l’hypercholestérolémie et de la maladie cardiovasculaire. / Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) has been identified as the third locus implicated in autosomal dominant hypercholesterolemia (ADH). The two other known genes implicated in ADH encode the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) and apolipoprotein B. PCSK9 is a protein convertase that post-translationally promotes the degradation of the LDLR in hepatocytes and increases plasma LDL cholesterol concentration (LDL-C). Heterozygote “gain-of-function” mutations of PCSK9 are associated with the familial hypercholesterolemia phenotype, whereas “loss-of-function” variants are associated with reduced LDL-C concentrations and lower coronary risk. As an approach toward the elucidation of the physiological role(s) of PCSK9, we studied its transcriptional regulation. Using quantitative RT-PCR, we assessed PCSK9 regulation under conditions known to regulate genes involved in cholesterol metabolism in HepG2 cells and in human primary hepatocytes. We found that PCSK9 expression was strongly induced by statins in a dose-dependent manner and that this induction was efficiently reversed by mevalonate. The PCSK9 promoter contains two typical conserved motifs for cholesterol regulation: a sterol regulatory element (SRE) and an Sp1 site. PCSK9 circulates in plasma as mature and furin-cleaved forms. A polyclonal antibody against human PCSK9 was used to develop an ELISA that measures total plasma PCSK9 rather than only the mature form. A cross-sectional study evaluated plasma levels in normal and hypercholesterolemic subjects treated or untreated with statins or statin plus ezetimibe. In 254 healthy subjects, the mean plasma PCSK9 (SD) concentration was 89 (32) µg/L. PCSK9 levels correlated positively with plasma cholesterol, LDL-C, triglycerides, fasting glucose, age and body mass index. Sequencing PCSK9 from subjects at the extremes of PCSK9 plasma distribution revealed a new loss-of-function R434W variant. In 200 hypercholesterolemic patients, circulating PCSK9 was higher than in controls (P<0.04), increased with increasing statin dose (P<0.001), and further increased when ezetimibe was added (P<0.001). In treated patients (n = 139), those with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH; due to LDLR gene mutations) had higher PCSK9 values than non-FH (P<0,005), and LDL-C reduction correlated positively with achieved plasma PCSK9 levels to a similar extent in both subsets (P<0.02 and P<0.005, respectively). However, incubation with ezetimibe of HepG2 (hepatocytes) and Caco-2 (enterocytes) cells caused an increase in PCSK9 and NPC1L1 mRNA of 1.5 to 2-fold (P<0.05), but no significant rise in PCSK9 protein secretion, suggesting that these transformed cells are not an ideal model. We also studied PCSK9 levels in 1,739 French Canadian youth ages 9, 13, and 16 years old. The mean (SD) plasma PCSK9 concentration, measured by ELISA, was 84.7 (24.7) µg/L in the cohort, slightly lower than in the adult cohort (89.5 (31.9) µg/L. In boys, plasma PCSK9 decreased with age, whereas the inverse was true for girls. There were significant positive associations between PCSK9 and fasting glucose, insulin, and HOMA-IR (homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance). In multivariable analysis, a 10% higher fasting insulin was associated with a 1%-2% higher PCSK9 in both sexes. There were also positive associations between PCSK9 and total cholesterol, LDL-C, and triglycerides, as well as with HDL-C and apolipoproteins A1 and B. PCSK9 regulation is typical of that of the genes implicated in lipoprotein metabolism. In vivo, PCSK9 is probably a target of the transcription factor “sterol response element-binding protein” (SREBP)-2. The PCSK9 plasmatic concentration is associated with age, sex, and multiple metabolic markers in youth and adult samples. The detection of circulating PCSK9 in both FH and non-FH subjects means that this PCSK9 ELISA test could be used to monitor response to therapy in a wide range of patients. PCSK9 seems to be a promising drug target in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia and coronary heart disease.

La proprotéine convertase subtilisine/kexine-9 (PCSK9) a été identifiée comme le troisième locus impliqué dans l’hypercholestérolémie autosome dominante (ADH). Les deux autres gènes impliqués dans l’ADH encodent le récepteur des lipoprotéines de faible densité (LDLR) et l’apolipoprotéine B. La PCSK9 est une convertase qui favorise la dégradation du LDLR dans les hépatocytes et augmente le niveau plasmatique de cholestérol des LDL (LDL-C). Les mutations « gain de fonction » de la PCSK9 sont associées à un phénotype d’hypercholestérolémie familiale, tandis que les variantes « perte de fonction » sont associées à un LDL-C réduit et à un risque coronarien plus faible. Pour élucider le rôle physiologique de la PCSK9, nous avons étudié sa régulation génique. En utilisant le RT-PCR quantitatif dans des hépatocytes humains, nous avons analysé la régulation de PCSK9 sous différentes conditions modulant l’expression des gènes impliqués dans le métabolisme du cholestérol. Nous avons démontré que l’expression de la PCSK9 était induite par les statines de manière dose-dépendante et que cette induction était abolie par le mévalonate. De plus, le promoteur de PCSK9 contenait deux motifs conservés pour la régulation par le cholestérol : le sterol regulatory element (SRE) et un site Sp1. La PCSK9 circule dans le plasma sous des formes mature et clivée par la furine. Grâce à notre anticorps polyclonal, nous avons mis au point un test ELISA mesurant la PCSK9 plasmatique totale. Une étude transversale a évalué les concentrations plasmatiques de PCSK9 chez des sujets sains et hypercholestérolémiques, traités ou non par des statines ou une combinaison statine/ezetimibe. Chez 254 sujets sains, la valeur moyenne de PCSK9 (écart-type) était de 89,5 (31,9) µg/L. La concentration plasmatique de la PCSK9 corrélait avec celle de cholestérol total, du LDL-C, des triglycérides (TG), de la glycémie à jeun, l’âge et l’indice de masse corporelle. Le séquençage de PCSK9 chez des sujets aux extrêmes de la distribution des concentrations de PCSK9 de notre cohorte a révélé la présence d’une nouvelle variation « perte de fonction » : R434W. Chez 200 patients hypercholestérolémiques, la concentration de PCSK9 était plus élevée que chez les sujets sains (P<0,04). Elle a augmenté avec une dose croissante de statine (P<0,001), et a augmenté encore plus suite à l’ajout d’ezetimibe (P<0,001). Chez les patients traités, ceux présentant une hypercholestérolémie familiale (HF; due à une mutation du LDLR) avaient des concentrations plus élevées de PCSK9 que les non-HF (P<0,005), et la réduction de LDL-C corrélait positivement avec la concentration de PCSK9 atteinte de la même manière dans les deux sous-catégories (P<0,02 et P<0,005, respectivement). Par ailleurs, une incubation des cellules HepG2 (hépatocytes) et Caco-2 (entérocytes) avec de l’ezetimibe a provoqué une augmentation de l’ARNm de PCSK9 et de NPC1L1 de 1,5 à 2 fois (P<0,05), mais aucune variation significative de PCSK9 sécrétée n’a été observée, suggérant que ces lignées cellulaires ne sont pas un modèle idéal. Nous avons également mesuré le niveau de PCSK9 chez 1 739 Canadiens-français âgés de 9, 13 et 16 ans. La valeur moyenne (écart-type) de PCSK9 dans cette cohorte était de 84,7 (24,7) µg/L, légèrement plus basse que dans la cohorte d’adultes (89,5 (31,9) µg/L). Chez les garçons, la PCSK9 circulante diminuait avec l’âge, tandis que c’était l’inverse chez les filles. Il y avait des associations positives et significatives entre la PCSK9 et la glycémie à jeun, l’insulinémie, le HOMA-IR, et les paramètres lipidiques (TC, LDL-C, TG, HDL-C, apoAI et apoB). Dans l’analyse multivariée, une hausse de 10% de l’insulinémie à jeun était associée à une augmentation de 1 à 2% de PCSK9. La régulation de PCSK9 est typique de celle d’un gène impliqué dans le métabolisme des lipoprotéines et est probablement la cible du facteur de transcription «sterol regulatory element-binding protein » (SREBP-2). La concentration plasmatique de la PCSK9 est associée avec l’âge, le sexe, et de multiples marqueurs métaboliques chez les enfants et les adultes. La détection de la PCSK9 circulante chez les sujets HF et non-HF signifie que ce test ELISA spécifique à PCSK9 pourrait servir à suivre la réponse à la thérapie chez un grand éventail de sujets. PCSK9 semble être une cible thérapeutique prometteuse dans le traitement de l’hypercholestérolémie et de la maladie cardiovasculaire. / Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) has been identified as the third locus implicated in autosomal dominant hypercholesterolemia (ADH). The two other known genes implicated in ADH encode the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) and apolipoprotein B. PCSK9 is a protein convertase that post-translationally promotes the degradation of the LDLR in hepatocytes and increases plasma LDL cholesterol concentration (LDL-C). Heterozygote “gain-of-function” mutations of PCSK9 are associated with the familial hypercholesterolemia phenotype, whereas “loss-of-function” variants are associated with reduced LDL-C concentrations and lower coronary risk. As an approach toward the elucidation of the physiological role(s) of PCSK9, we studied its transcriptional regulation. Using quantitative RT-PCR, we assessed PCSK9 regulation under conditions known to regulate genes involved in cholesterol metabolism in HepG2 cells and in human primary hepatocytes. We found that PCSK9 expression was strongly induced by statins in a dose-dependent manner and that this induction was efficiently reversed by mevalonate. The PCSK9 promoter contains two typical conserved motifs for cholesterol regulation: a sterol regulatory element (SRE) and an Sp1 site. PCSK9 circulates in plasma as mature and furin-cleaved forms. A polyclonal antibody against human PCSK9 was used to develop an ELISA that measures total plasma PCSK9 rather than only the mature form. A cross-sectional study evaluated plasma levels in normal and hypercholesterolemic subjects treated or untreated with statins or statin plus ezetimibe. In 254 healthy subjects, the mean plasma PCSK9 (SD) concentration was 89 (32) µg/L. PCSK9 levels correlated positively with plasma cholesterol, LDL-C, triglycerides, fasting glucose, age and body mass index. Sequencing PCSK9 from subjects at the extremes of PCSK9 plasma distribution revealed a new loss-of-function R434W variant. In 200 hypercholesterolemic patients, circulating PCSK9 was higher than in controls (P<0.04), increased with increasing statin dose (P<0.001), and further increased when ezetimibe was added (P<0.001). In treated patients (n = 139), those with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH; due to LDLR gene mutations) had higher PCSK9 values than non-FH (P<0,005), and LDL-C reduction correlated positively with achieved plasma PCSK9 levels to a similar extent in both subsets (P<0.02 and P<0.005, respectively). However, incubation with ezetimibe of HepG2 (hepatocytes) and Caco-2 (enterocytes) cells caused an increase in PCSK9 and NPC1L1 mRNA of 1.5 to 2-fold (P<0.05), but no significant rise in PCSK9 protein secretion, suggesting that these transformed cells are not an ideal model. We also studied PCSK9 levels in 1,739 French Canadian youth ages 9, 13, and 16 years old. The mean (SD) plasma PCSK9 concentration, measured by ELISA, was 84.7 (24.7) µg/L in the cohort, slightly lower than in the adult cohort (89.5 (31.9) µg/L. In boys, plasma PCSK9 decreased with age, whereas the inverse was true for girls. There were significant positive associations between PCSK9 and fasting glucose, insulin, and HOMA-IR (homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance). In multivariable analysis, a 10% higher fasting insulin was associated with a 1%-2% higher PCSK9 in both sexes. There were also positive associations between PCSK9 and total cholesterol, LDL-C, and triglycerides, as well as with HDL-C and apolipoproteins A1 and B. PCSK9 regulation is typical of that of the genes implicated in lipoprotein metabolism. In vivo, PCSK9 is probably a target of the transcription factor “sterol response element-binding protein” (SREBP)-2. The PCSK9 plasmatic concentration is associated with age, sex, and multiple metabolic markers in youth and adult samples. The detection of circulating PCSK9 in both FH and non-FH subjects means that this PCSK9 ELISA test could be used to monitor response to therapy in a wide range of patients. PCSK9 seems to be a promising drug target in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia and coronary heart disease.

O processo inflamatório tem um papel fundamental na gênese e desenvolvimento da aterosclerose, sendo que a disfunção endotelial é considerada um dos estágios iniciais da aterogênese. Por meio da inibição da enzima hidroxi-metil-glutaril coA redutase (HMGCR), as estatinas reduzem a biossíntese do colesterol e a formação de isoprenóides, produtos intermediários da síntese do colesterol que são importantes na modificação pós-transcricional de GTPases pequenas que estão envolvidas na disfunção endotelial e inflamação vascular. A ezetimiba é um inibidor da absorção do colesterol através da inibição da proteína NPC1L1. Com a finalidade de esclarecer os mecanismos moleculares da inibição da síntese e da absorção do colesterol sobre a modulação de biomarcadores inflamatórios e de adesão celular foram utilizados modelos in vitro com células endoteliais (HUVEC) e monócitos (células THP-1), e in vivo com células mononucleares do sangue periférico (CMSP) de indivíduos hipercolesterolêmicos (HC). O efeito das estatinas, atorvastatina e sinvastatina, e da ezetimiba na expressão de RNAm e proteínas de moléculas de adesão endoteliais e moduladores do processo inflamatório, como citocinas e óxido nítrico (NO), foi estudado em células HUVEC. O efeito desses fármacos sobre a expressão de moléculas de adesão monocitárias foi estudado em células THP-1. O efeito da terapia hipolipemiante sobre essas moléculas foi também estudada em CMSP de HC tratados com ezetimiba (10 mg/dia/4 semanas), sinvastatina (10 mg/dia/8 semanas) e sinvastatina combinada com ezetimiba (10 mg de cada/dia/4 semanas). A expressão de RNAm foi avaliada por RT-qPCR. A expressão de moléculas de adesão na superfície de células THP-1 e HUVEC foi estudada por citometria de fluxo. A quantificação de citocinas secretadas no sobrenadante de células HUVEC e no plasma dos HC foi analisada pela tecnologia Milliplex. A quantificação do perfil lipífico, Proteína C reativa ultra-sensível (PCRus) e NO foi realizada por métodos laboratoriais convencionais. O papel do NO na modulação dos marcadores inflamatórios pelas estatinas foi também estudada, usando modelo de células HUVEC com NOS3 silenciado por interferência de RNAm e também por meio do uso do inibidor da síntese do óxido nítrico, L-NAME. Também foi avaliado o efeito de hipolipemiantes na expressão dos microRNAs (miRs) 221, miR-222 e miR-1303 em células HUVEC por meio do stem-loop RT-qPCR. O tratamento com atorvastatina e sinvastatina reduziu a expressão de RNAm e proteínas das moléculas de adesão LSelectina, PSGL-1 e VLA-4, em células THP-1 pré-tratadas com TNF&#945; por 12 h. A ezetimiba reduziu a expressão de L-Selectina apenas no nível transcricional. Em células HUVEC, as estatinas diminuíram a expressão de RNAm de IL1B e SELP, entretanto aumentaram a de VCAM1. A ezetimiba reduziu a expressão de RNAm do IL1B. Entretanto as expressões de SELE, MMP9, IL6 e MMP9 não foram afetadas pelos tratamentos. A expressão das proteínas ICAM-1 e P-Selectina, na superfície de células HUVEC, foi diminuída pelo tratamento com as estatinas, mas não pela ezetimiba. Da mesma forma, a secreção das citocinas IL-6 e MCP-1 foram reduzidas pelas estatinas, entretanto a secreção de IL-8 não foi modificada por nenhum dos tratamentos. A expressão de NOS3 e a liberação de NO em células HUVEC foi aumentada pelas estatinas, porém não foi estimulada pela ezetimiba. Entretanto, os efeitos antiinflamatórios exercidos pelas estatinas foram independentes dessa via devido a que estes efeitos foram mantidos em células HUVEC com NOS3 silenciado por interferência de RNAm. Apesar de que o efeito sobre ICAM-1 e MCP-1 foi atenuado quando as células foram simultaneamente tratadas com L-NAME, os efeitos das estatinas parecem ser independentes da liberação de NO. As estatinas e a ezetimiba reduziram a expressão do miR-221, em células HUVEC. A expressão do miR-222 foi reduzida só pelo tratamento com atorvastatina. A expressão do miR-1303 não foi modulada pelos tratamentos hipolipemiantes. Em pacientes HC, a terapia de associação da sinvastatina e ezetimiba demonstrou melhorar o perfil lipídico de forma mais efetiva que ambas monoterapias. Da mesma forma, o tratamento combinado resultou em maior beneficio pela redução da expressão de RNAm em CMSP e da concentração plasmática das proteínas IL-1 &#946;, MCP-1, IL-8 e TNF&#945;. A expressão de ICAM1 foi diminuída apenas no nível transcricional, entretanto a expressão de RNAm mas não da proteína do TNF&#945; foi também reduzida pela sinvastatina em monoterapia. Não houve modulação de RNAm ou proteínas de outros marcadores estudados no modelo in vivo. Por outro lado, os efeitos anti-inflamatórios observados nos indivíduos HC foram independentes da modulação de PCRus e NO que não foram modificados pelos tratamentos hipolipemiantes. Neste estudo, foram confirmados os propostos efeitos pleiotrópicos das estatinas em modelos células de monócito e endotélio vascular in vitro e em pacientes HC. Por outro lado, apesar de ser menos potente que as estatinas foi mostrado que a inibição da absorção do colesterol tem também um efeito anti-inflamatório. A redução adicional do colesterol causado pela combinação das terapias hipolipemiantes outorga um maior beneficio cardiovascular em pacientes hipercolesterolêmicos. / The inflammatory process has a key role in the genesis and development of atherosclerosis and the endothelial disfunction is considered as a first step in atherogenesis. By inhibiting the hydroxyl-methyl-glutaryl coA reductase (HMGCR)m statins reduce the cholesterol synthesis and isoprenoid generation, which are intermediary products of cholesterol synthesis with important role in posttranscriptional modifications of small GTPases that are involved in endothelial disfunction and vascular inflammation. The ezetimibe is an inhibitor of cholesterol absorption by inhibiting the NPC1L1 protein. To clarify the molecular mechanisms of the inhibition of cholesterol synthesis and absorption modulating inflammatory and cell adhesion biomarkers we used in vitro models of endothelial cells (HUVEC) and monocytes (THP-1), and an in vivo model of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from hypercholesterolemic (HC) patients. The effect of the statins, atorvastatin and simvastatin, and the ezetimibe on mRNA and protein expression of endothelial adhesion molecules and modulators of the inflammatory process, as citokynes and nitric oxide (NO), was analyzed in HUVEC. The effect of these drugs on the expression of monocyte adhesion molecules was also studied in THP-1. The influence of hypolipemiant therapy on the adhesion molecules was also analyzed in PBMC from HC treated with ezetimibe (10 mg/day/4-weeks), simvastatin (10 mg/day/8-weeks) and simvastatin combined with ezetimibe (10 mg each/day/4-weeks). The mRNA expression was evaluated by RT-qPCR. The expression of adhesion molecules on the surface of THP-1 and HUVEC cells was analyzed flow cytometry. The citokynes in the supernatants of HUVEC were quantified using the milliplex technology. The Lipid profile, high-sensivity PCR (hsPCR) and NO were determined by conventional laboratory methods. The role of the NO on the statin-modulation of inflammatory markers was also studied using a model with silenced NOS3 by interference of mRNA and by the use of the inhibitor of NO synthesis, L-NAME. The effect of hypolipemiants on the expression of microRNAs (miRs) 221, miR-222 and miR-1303 was also evaluated in HUVEC using the stem-loom RT-qPCR. Atorvastatin and simvastatin reduced the mRNA and protein expression of the adhesion molecules L-Selectin, PSGL-1 and VLA-4 in THP-1 cells pre-treated with TNF&#945; for 12 h. The ezetimibe reduced the L-Selectin expression only at transcriptional level. In HUVEC, statins diminished IL1B and SELP mRNA expression, whereas VCAM1 was increased. The ezetimibe reduced the IL1B mRNA expression. However, SELE, MMP9, IL6 and MMP9 mRNA expressions were not affected by the treatments. The protein expression of ICAM-1 and P-Selectin on the surface of HUVEC was reduced by statins, but not by the ezetimibe. Similarly, IL-6 and MCP-1 secretion were reduced by statins, whereas IL-8 secretion was not modified by the treatments. The NO release and NOS3 expression in HUVEC was increased by the statins, however it was not stimulated by ezetimibe. Moreover, the anti-inflammatory statin effects were independent of this pathway due to statin effects were maintained in HUVEC with silenced NOS3. Although the statin effect on ICAM-1 and MCP-1 were attenuated by L-NAME co treatment, the statin effects seem to be independent of NO release. Statins and ezetimibe reduced miR221 in HUVEC. miR-222 expression was reduced only by atorvastatin. miR-1303 was not affected by the treatments. In HC patients, the improvement of the lipid profile simvastatin combined with ezetimibe was more efficient than both monotherapies. Similarly, the association therapy was better in reducing the mRNA expression in PBMC and plasma concentration of IL-1&#946;, MCP-1, IL-8 and TNF&#945;. ICAM1 expression was reduced only at transcriptional level, whereas mRNA but not protein expression of TNF&#945; was also reduced by the simvastatin monotherapy. There was no modulation mRNA or protein expression of other studied markers in the in vivo model. Additionally, the anti-inflammatory effects observed in the HC were independent of PCRus or NO modulation, which were not altered by the hypolipemiant treatments. In this study, the proposed plitropic effects of statins were confirmed in monocytes and endothelial cells in vitro and in HC patients. Moreover, although it was less potent than statins, an anti-inflammatory effect was also observed for the inhibition of cholesterol absorption. An additional reduction of the cholesterol caused by combined hypolipemiant therapies gives a greater cardiovascular beneffict in hypercholesterolemic patients.

Introdução: As CYP3A4 e CYP3A5 são enzimas do citocromo P450 responsáveis pela biotransformação de esteróides endógenos e vários fármacos, entre eles as estatinas. Polimorfismos nos genes CYP3A4 e CYP3A5 (CYP3A4*1B, CYP3A5*3C e CYP3A5*1D) foram associados com diferenças na resposta hipolipemiante de indivíduos tratados com atorvastatina e sinvastatina. Neste estudo foram avaliados os efeitos de hipolipemiantes sobre a expressão e a atividade de CYP3A4 e CYP3A5, em linhagens celulares HepG2 e Caco-2 e em CMSP de indivíduos hipercolesterolêmicos, e sua relação com variantes de CYP3A4 e CYP3A5. Métodos: Foram analisados 99 indivíduos normolipidêmicos (NL) e 139 hipercolesterolêmicos (HC). Os HC foram tratados com atorvastatina (10 mg/dia/4 semanas). A genotipagem das variantes CYP3A4*1B, CYP3A5*3C e CYP3A5*1D foi feita por PCR-RFLP ou sequenciamento. A análise da expressão de RNAm de CYP3A4 e CYP3A5 foi avaliada por PCR em tempo real quantitativo (PCRq). As proteínas totais de HepG2 foram avaliadas por Western Blotting. A atividade de CYP3A4 e CYP3A5 in vivo foi avaliada pela relação entre cortisol e seu metabólito, 6&#946;-hidróxicortisol, na urina (razão 6&#946;OH-cortisol/cortisol), por CLAE. Resultados: O perfil de expressão basal de RNAm de CYP3A4 e CYP3A5 é diferente entre HepG2 e Caco-2. Caco-2 expressa 31 vezes mais CYP3A4 e 122 vezes mais CYP3A5 que HepG2. Em células HepG2 tratadas por 12 h, a atorvastatina 20 &#181;M aumentou a expressão de CYP3A4 em 10 vezes, em relação ao controle (p=0,006). Após 24 h de tratamento, atorvastatina (1-20 &#181;M) aumentou a expressão de CYP3A4 em 5 a 8 vezes, nas HepG2 (p< 0,001). Para CYP3A5, a exposição por 12 h à atorvastatina 20 &#181;M aumentou a expressão em 4 vezes em relação ao controle ( p<0,001). A exposição à sinvastatina 1,0 &#181;M por 24 h aumentou a expressão de CYP3A4, em 2 vezes (p<0,01), em HepG2. Também se observou que, nesse tempo de tratamento, a sinvastatina (0,1 &#181;M a 10 &#181;M) aumentou a expressão de CYP3A5 em 2 a 4 vezes (p<0,05). A linhagem HepG2 apresenta alelos funcionais (CYP3A4*1A e CYP3A5*1A) em homozigose. A linhagem Caco-2 apresenta os alelos não funcionais CYP3A5*3C e CYP3A5*1D, em heterozigose. Também foi avaliada a expressão das proteínas CYP3A4 e CYP3A5 por Western Blotting, em células HepG2, após atorvastatina (0,1 a 20 &#181;M) e sinvastatina (0,01 a 10 &#181;M) por 12 e 24 h. O perfil de expressão das proteínas não diferiu com os tratamentos. Nas células mononucleares do sangue periférico (CMSP), a expressão de RNAm basal de CYP3A4 é cerca de 2,5 a 9,6 vezes maior que a expressão de CYP3A5 (p< 0,05). Observou-se correlação da expressão de CYP3A4 e CYP3A5 nessas células, antes (r2 = 0,22; p< 0,0001) e após o tratamento (r2 = 0,58; p<0,0001) com atorvastatina. A expressão basal de RNAm de CYP3A4 e CYP3A5 é maior nos indivíduos (NL) que nos indivíduos (HC) (p<0,05). A atorvastatina não influenciou a expressão de CYP3A4 e CYP3A5 em CMSP (p> 0,05). Os indivíduos NL apresentam atividade de CYP3A4 e CYP3A5 basal maior que os indivíduos HC- (p<0,0001). O tratamento com atorvastatina não alterou a atividade de CYP3A4 e CYP3A5 nos HC (p>0,05). As variantes gênicas estudadas (CYP3A4*1B, CYP3A5*3C e CYP3A5*1D) como grupos haplotípicos não afetaram a resposta ao tratamento, a expressão de RNAm ou a atividade de CYP3A4 e CYP3A5, embora o haplótipo AGT tenha expressão basal de RNAm de CYP3A5 menor que os portadores de haplótipos GAT e GAC (p<0,005). Conclusão: Os resultados deste trabalho nos permitem concluir que a atorvastatina e a sinvastatina, mas não a ezetimiba, influenciam a expressão de CYP3A4 e CYP3A5 in vitro, em linhagem derivada de hepatócitos (HepG2), e que este efeito não foi reproduzido em linhagem derivada de enterócitos (Caco-2). A expressão de CYP3A4 e CYP3A5 tem grande variabilidade interindividual, independente do grupo haplotípico de cada indivíduo, e que não é influenciada pela atorvastatina. / Background: CYP3A4 and CYP3A5 are enzymes from the cytochrome P450 resposible for the biotransformation of endogenous steroids and several drugs, e.g. statins. Polymorphisms in CYP3A4 and CYP3A5 (CYP3A4*1B, CYP3A5*3C and CYP3A5*1D) have been associated with variation of lipid-lowering response in individuals treated with atorvastatin and simvastatin. In this study we evaluated the effect of hypolipemiants on expression and activity of CYP3A4 and CYP3A5, in HepG2 and Caco-2 cell lines as well as peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in hypercholesterolemic individuals, and their relationship with CYP3A4 and CYP3A5 variants. Methods: We analyzed 99 normolipidemic individuals (NL) and 139 hypercholesterolemic (HC). HC subjects were treated with atorvastatin (HC, 10 mg/day/4 weeks). Analysis of CYP3A4*1B, CYP3A5*3C e CYP3A5*1D variants was performed with PCR-RFLP or sequencing assays and mRNA expression of CYP3A4 and CYP3A5 with Quantitative Real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was performed . Total protein content was extracted from HepG2 for Western Blotting experiments. Activity of CYP3A4 and CYP3A5 in vivo was evaluated by 6&#946;OH-cortisol and cortisol ratio in urine samples, by HPLC-UV method. Results: Baseline mRNA expression is different for HepG2 and Caco-2. Caco-2 expresses 31 times more CYP3A4 and 122 times more CYP3A5 than HepG2. In HepG2 cells treated for 12h, atorvastatin 20 &#181;M increased CYP3A4 expression in 10 times, when compared to the control (p=0.006). After 24h treatment, atorvastatin (1-20 &#181;M) increased CYP3A4 mRNA expression in 5 to 8 times, in HepG2 (p< 0.001). To CYP3A5, exposure for 12h to atorvastatin 20 &#181;M increased expression in 4 times when compared to the control (p<0.001). Exposure to simvastatin 1.0 &#181;M for 24 h increased CYP3A4 expression in 2 times, (p<0.01), in HepG2. With the 24h treatment,simvastatin (0.1 &#181;M - 10 &#181;M) CYP3A5 showed increased mRNA expression in 2 to 4 times (p<0.05). HepG2 cell line carries homozygous functional alleles (CYP3A4*1A e CYP3A5*1A). Caco-2 carries heterozygous CYP3A5*3C and CYP3A5*1D. We evaluated the protein expression of CYP3A4 and CYP3A5 with Western Blotting in HepG2 cells, after atorvastatin (0.1 - 20 &#181;M) and simvastatin (0.01 - 10 &#181;M) for 12 and 24 h. The proteins profile did not change with statins treatment. In PBMC, baseline mRNA expression of CYP3A4 is approximately 2.6 to 9.5 times higher than CYP3A5 (p< 0.05). There was a correlation in expression between CYP3A4 and CYP3A5, before (r2 = 0.22; p< 0.0001) and after treatment (r2 = 0.58; p<0.0001) with atorvastatin. Baseline mRNA expression of CYP3A4 and CYP3A5 is higher in (NL) than in (HC) (p<0.05). Atorvastatin treatment did not increase CYP3A4 and CYP3A5 mRNA in PBMC (p>0.05). CYP3A4/5 activity was higher in NL subjects than in HC (p<0.0001). Atorvastatin treatment did not affect CYP3A4/5 activity in HC (p>0.05). The studied variants CYP3A4*1B, CYP3A5*3C e CYP3A5*1D analyzed as a haplotype block did not affect response to treatment, mRNA expression or activity of CYP3A4 and CYP3A5. However, AGT haplotype showed lower CYP3A5 mRNA expression levels when compared to GAC and GAT haplotypes at baseline (p<0.05). Conclusion: The results of this study allow us to conclude that atorvastatin and simvastatin, but not ezetimibe, influence the expression of CYP3A4 and CYP3A5 mRNA in vitro in HepG2 cell line, but this effect was not reproduced in Caco-2 cell line or PBMC. CYP3A4 and CYP3A5 present great interindividual variability, despite the individual´s haplotype and is not influenced by atorvastatin.

FINALIDADE: Defeitos na depuração plasmática de quilomícrons e seus remanescentes (QM) predispõem à doença arterial coronária (DAC). QM ligam-se a seus receptores hepáticos específicos (RLP) e aos receptores de LDL (LDL-r). As estatinas reduzem o LDL-colesterol (LDL-C) e melhoram a depuração plasmática de QM, aumentando a expressão hepática do LDL-r. A ezetimiba (EZE), um bloqueador da absorção do colesterol, também aumenta a expressão de LDL-r nos seres humanos. Este estudo avaliou os efeitos isolados da EZE na depuração plasmatica de QM artificial em pacientes DAC. Também foram testados os efeitos da associação da sinvastatina em dose baixa com EZE em comparação com a máxima dose de sinvastatina sobre depuração plasmática de QM. MÉTODOS: 25 pacientes com DAC estável (idade 61 ± 5 anos), após um período de seis semanas de washout de estatinas, foram randomizados para um ou outro tratamento com 10 mg EZE (grupo 1, n = 13) ou sinvastatina 20 mg (grupo 2, n = 12). Os pacientes evoluíram para 10mg + 20mg de sinvastatina com EZE ou sinvastatina 80 mg, respectivamente. Os estudos cinéticos foram realizados no início e após 6 e 12 semanas de cada braço do tratamento. A emulsão lipídica de QM marcada com 14C-CE (que mede a remoção QM e remanescente) e 3H-TG (que mede a lipólise de QM) foi injetada e amostras de sangue foram coletadas durante 60 minutos para determinar taxas de remoção fracionária de radioisótopos (TFR) por análise compartimental. As comparações foram feitas por analise de medidas repetidas (ANOVA). RESULTADOS: Não houve diferenças nas características clínicas e laboratoriais entre os grupos. As TFR de 14C-CE (1/min) no grupo 1 foram 0,005 ± 0,004, 0,011 ± 0,007 e 0,018 ± 0,004 e no grupo 2 foram 0,004 ± 0,002, 0,011 ± 0,008 e 0,019 ± 0,007, respectivamente, à admissão, 6 e 12 semanas ( p <0,05 e ns, respectivamente, para comparações de tempo e grupo). As TFR de 3H-TG (1/min) no grupo 1 foram de 0,017 ± 0,01, 0,024 ± 0,011 e 0,042 ± 0,013 e no grupo 2 foi de 0,01 ± 0,016, 0,022 ± 0,009 e 0,037 ± 0,011, respectivamente, no início do estudo, 6 e 12 semanas ( p <0,05 e ns, respectivamente, para comparações de tempo e grupo). Mudanças semelhantes também foram encontradas para o LDL-C (mg/dL): 142 ± 22,113 ± 19, 74 ± 17 para grupo1 e 119 ± 22, 92 ± 15 e 72 ± 15 para o grupo 2, respectivamente, na admissão, 6 e 12 semanas (p <0,05 para o tempo e ns para o grupo). CONCLUSÃO: EZE isolada aumentou a remoção do plasma de QM e remanescentes e a associação com a sinvastatina aumentou os seus efeitos. A sinvastatina em dose baixa associada à EZE apresentou efeitos favoráveis semelhantes tanto na depuração plasmática de QM quanto na redução de LDL-C em comparação com 80mg de sinvastatina / PURPOSE: Defects on plasma clearance of chylomicrons and their remnants (CM) predispose to coronary heart disease (CHD). CM bind both to their specific liver receptors (LRP) and to the LDL receptors (LDL-r). Statins reduce LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) and improve the plasma clearance of CM by increasing the expression of hepatic LDL-r. Ezetimibe (EZE), a cholesterol absorption blocker, also increases LDL-r expression in humans. This study evaluated the isolated effects of EZE on the plasma clearance of artificial CM in CHD subjects. We also tested the effects of the association of low dose simvastatin with EZE in comparison with maximal simvastatin dose upon CM plasma clearance. METHODS: 25 stable CHD patients (age 61 ± 5 years, 98%men) after a 6 week statin washout period were randomized for either treatment with EZE 10 mg (group 1, n= 13) or simvastatin 20 mg (group 2 n=12). Patients were progressed to 10mg EZE+ simvastatin 20mg or simvastatin 80 mg, respectively. Kinetic studies were done at baseline and after 6 and 12 weeks of each treatment arm. The CM emulsion labelled with 14C-CE (that measures CM and remnant removal) and 3H-TG (that measures CM lipolysis) was injected and blood samples were collected during 60 minutes to determine radioisotopes fractional catabolic rates (FCR) by compartmental analysis. Comparisons were made repeated measurements ANOVA. RESULTS: There were no differences in clinical and laboratory characteristics between the groups. The 14C-CE FCR (1/min) in group 1 were 0.005±0.004, 0.011±0.007 and 0.018±0.004 and in group 2 were 0.004±0.002, 0.011±0.008 and 0.019±0.007 respectively at baseline, 6 and 12 weeks (p<0.05 and n.s respectively for time and group comparisons). The 3H-TG FCR (1/min) in group 1 were 0.017±0.01, 0.024±0.011 and 0.042±0.013 and in group 2 were 0.01± 0.016, 0.022±0.009 and 0.037±0.011 respectively at baseline, 6 and 12 weeks (p <0.05 and n.s respectively for time and group comparisons). Similar changes were also found for LDL-C (mg/dL):142 ± 22,113 ± 19, 74 ± 17 for group1 and 119 ± 22, 92 ± 15, and 72 ± 15 for group 2 respectively at baseline, 6 and 12 weeks (p<0.05 for time and n.s. for group). CONCLUSION: EZE alone increased the removal from plasma of CM and remnants, the association with simvastatin increased its effects. The low dose simvastatin associated with EZE showed similar favourable effects in both CM plasma clearance and LDL-C in comparison with 80 mg simvastatin