Η πρόσφατη άποψη, ότι η ποιότητα της HDL αποτελεί μια σημαντική παράμετρο στην αθηροπροστασία, κερδίζει όλο και περισσότερο έδαφος με ελάχιστα όμως δεδομένα να την υποστηρίζουν. Στην προσπάθεια μας να προσδιορίσουμε τις ποιοτικές παραμέτρους της HDL που σχετίζονται με αυξημένο κίνδυνο πρώιμης εμφάνισης εμφράγματος του μυοκαρδίου (ΜΙ), μελετήσαμε τα δομικά χαρακτηριστικά της HDL νεαρών ασθενών (≤35 ετών) με οξύ έμφραγμα του μυοκαρδίου. Μελετήσαμε 20 ΜΙ ασθενείς και 20 υγιείς εθελοντές ως ομάδα αναφοράς. Η HDL των ασθενών παρουσίαζε μειωμένα επίπεδα απολιποπρωτεΐνης Α-Ι(apoA-I), απολιποπρωτεΐνης Μ, και παραοξονάσης 1 και σημαντικά αθξημένα επίπεδα της απολιποπρωτεΐνης C-III(apo-CIII)(όλα p<0.005). Συγκεκριμένα ο HDL apoA-I/apoC-III λόγος ήταν 0.24±0.01 στους ασθενείς έναντι 4.88±0.90 της ομάδας αναφοράς (p<0.001). Οι δομικές αυτές αλλαγές σχετίζοντια με αυξημένη οξειδωτική ισχύ της HDL των νεαρών εμφραγματιών, συγκριτικά με την ομάδα αναφοράς (2.5 φορές, p=0.026). Η ηλεκτρονική μικροσκοπία δεν έδειξε σημαντική διαφορά στην μέση διάμετρο της HDL μεταξύ των δύο ομάδων, ωστόσο παρατηρήθηκε σημαντική διαφορά στην κατανομή των HDL διαμέτρων, υποδηλώνοντας την παρουσία διαφορετικών HDL υποπληθυσμών μεταξύ ΜΙ και της ομάδας αναφοράς. Η υπόθεση μας αυτή επιβεβαιώθηκε μετά από ανάλυση της HDL με μη αποδιατακτική δισδιάστατη ηλεκτροφόρηση, καθώς οι ΜΙ ασθενείς εμφάνιζαν μειωμένα επίπεδα pre-β1α, pre-pre-β1b και α2, και αυξημένα επίπεδα α1, α3, και pre-α4 HDL. Μείωση στον λόγο apoA-I/apoC-III HDL, έδειξε αλλαγές στην κατανομή των HDL υποπληθυσμών και αύξηση στην οξειδωτική ισχύ της HDL, παράγοντες που σχετίζονται με την ανάπτυξη εμφράγματος του μυοκαρδίου στους νεαρούς εμφραγματίες. Η πιθανότητα οι αλλαγές αυτές να δρουν ως βιοδείκτες για την πρώιμη πρόγνωση της νόσου, πρέπει να διερευνηθεί περεταίρω. / Recently, the concept that HDL quality is an important parameter for atheroprotection is gaining ground, though little data exists so far to support it. In an attempt to identify measurable qualitative parameters of HDL associated with increased risk for premature myocardial infraction (MI), we studied the structural characteristics of HDL from patients who survived an MI at a young age (≤35 years). We studied 20 MI patients and 20 healthy control subjects. HDL of patients had reduced apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I), apolipoprotein M, and paraoxonase 1 levels and significantly elevated Apolipoprotein C-III (apoCIII) levels (all p<0.05). Specifically, the HDL apoA-I/apoC-III ratio was 0.240.01 in patients versus 4.880.90 in controls (p<0.001). These structural alterations correlated with increased oxidation potential of HDL of the MI group compared to controls (2.5 fold, p=0.026). Electron microscopy showed no significant difference in average HDL particle diameter between the two groups though a significant difference existed in HDL diameter distribution, suggesting the presence of different HDL subpopulations in MI and control subjects. Indeed, non-denaturing two-dimensional electrophoresis revealed that MI patients had reduced pre-β1α, pre-β1b and α2, and elevated α1, α3, and pre-α4 HDL. Reduction in the HDL apoA-I/apoC-III, changes in the HDL subpopulation distribution and an increase in HDL oxidation potential correlated with the development of MI in young patients. The possibility that such changes may serve as markers for the early identification of young individuals at high risk for an acute coronary event should be further explored.

Background & Aims: The 'high-density lipoprotein (HDL) hypothesis', that therapeutic interventions directed at raising HDL cholesterol might translate into improved cardiovascular outcomes, has been confounded by recent reports from genetic and pharmacological studies. HDL functionality may be more important than cholesterol cargo. HDL cholesterol levels are normal or even high in Type 1 Diabetes (T1DM) but do not seem to protect against atherosclerosis as might be expected; this thesis aims to offer new insight into HDL functionality through examination of these patients. This thesis also aims to improve understanding of the qualitative changes in lipoproteins associated with diabetes and increased cardiovascular morbidity, with emphasis on atherogenic modifications of apolipoprotein B and sphingolipids, and consideration of the relationship between these changes, novel and established biomarkers, and macrovascular and microvascular diabetic complications. Materials & Methods: Patients with Type 1 (n = 91) and Type 2 (n = 40) Diabetes Mellitus and healthy volunteers (n = 104) attended for fasting blood tests, urinalysis, and examination including cardiac computed tomography, carotid doppler studies and assessments of nerve function. In vitro studies of lipoprotein modification used pooled human plasma. Results: Lipoprotein glycation represents an atherogenic modification. In vitro glycation occurs more readily in the presence of physiological concentrations of copper. HDL and copper-selective chelation with triethylenetetramine prevents glycation. Glycated apolipoprotein B, oxidized LDL and small-dense LDL levels were significantly higher in T1DM; HDL cholesterol levels were also significantly higher, but with altered apolipoprotein distribution, and significantly lower cholesterol efflux capacity and PON1 activity than in healthy controls. Significant changes were also observed in cystatin C, advanced glycation end-products, leucine-rich alpha-2-glycoprotein, lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2, a variety of inflammatory markers, and sphingolipid and ceramide profiles. Discussion: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death and disability in diabetes. Patients with diabetes show qualitative and kinetic lipoprotein abnormalities, and any cardiovascular benefit associated with intensive glucose lowering may be related to effects on lipoprotein metabolism rather than directly through altered glycaemia. The apparently relatively undisturbed lipid profile observed in many patients with diabetes hides major atherogenic changes and altered HDL functionality, which may be at least partially responsible for the persistent increased risk of cardiovascular disease in patients with diabetes. HDL-based therapy remains a largely unfulfilled promise, but there may be a role for copper-selective chelation and more aggressive low-density lipoprotein lowering in the reduction of diabetic complications.

Submitted by Rodrigo Martins Cruz (rodrigo.cruz@ufvjm.edu.br) on 2015-12-19T12:25:07Z No. of bitstreams: 2 sandro_braga_soares.PDF: 1522684 bytes, checksum: e4b75192ce73d2d347e5f0dc806fc8e3 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Rodrigo Martins Cruz (rodrigo.cruz@ufvjm.edu.br) on 2015-12-19T12:58:53Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 sandro_braga_soares.PDF: 1522684 bytes, checksum: e4b75192ce73d2d347e5f0dc806fc8e3 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-12-19T12:58:53Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 sandro_braga_soares.PDF: 1522684 bytes, checksum: e4b75192ce73d2d347e5f0dc806fc8e3 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010 / Coordena??o de Aperfei?oamento de Pessoal de N?vel Superior (CAPES) / Foi realizado um estudo avaliando a utiliza??o de duas fontes de lip?dio e uma ra??o controle, associadas a dois n?veis de monensina na alimenta??o de cordeiros. O ensaio de desempenho foi realizado no Setor de ovinocultura da Fazenda Experimental do Moura, Curvelo-MG, da Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri. Foram utilizados 36 cordeiros, 18 machos inteiros e 18 F?meas, Santa In?s x Texel, terminados em sistema intensivo, alimentados com seis dietas: dieta controle (RC), ?leo de soja (OS), gr?o de soja (GS), controle com adi??o de monensina (RC+M), ?leo de soja com adi??o de monensina (OS+M) e gr?o de soja com adi??o de monensina (GS+M). Os animais foram abatidos ap?s 87 dias de confinamento, sendo avaliados o desempenho, as caracter?sticas de carca?a, os pesos e percentagens dos componentes da carca?a e n?o carca?a. O ensaio de digestibilidade foi realizado nas depend?ncias do Laborat?rio de Pesquisa Animal da Universidade Federal de Lavras, sendo utilizadas18 borregas Santa In?s com 6 meses de idade e 29kg, confinadas em gaiolas de metabolismo por 21 dias, sendo 14 dias de adapta??o de 7 dias de coleta de fezes, urina, sobras e amostras de ra??o. Os tratamentos foram constitu?dos das ra??es citadas acima, e no pen?ltimo dia do per?odo experimental realizou-se a coleta de sangue dos animais para avalia??o de constituintes sangu?neos indicadores do metabolismo energ?tico, prot?ico e fun??o hep?tica. Os dados foram avaliados pelo procedimento GLM do SAS, e as m?dias comparadas e analisadas pelo teste de t a 5% de probabilidade. Houve superioridade no desempenho, consumo e digestibilidade dos animais que receberam dieta controle em rela??o aos animais que receberam gr?o de soja, sendo que a dieta com ?leo n?o diferiu da controle na maioria dos par?metros analisados. Os animais que receberam monensina apresentaram menores coeficientes de digestibilidade, menor consumo de todos os nutrientes analisados, menor desempenho e apresentaram ind?cios de problemas hep?ticos. Os machos tiveram desempenho e cortes mais pesados que as f?meas. N?o se recomenda o uso de monensina a 78 ppm em base da mat?ria seca para cordeiros em confinamento. O ?leo de soja n?o melhorou o desempenho, consumo e digestibilidade das dietas e o gr?o de soja, adicionado em 15% na mat?ria seca da ra??o, piorou esse par?metros. / Disserta??o (Mestrado) ? Programa de P?s-Gradua??o em Zootecnia, Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri, 2010. / ABSTRACT There was conducted a study to evaluate the use of two fat sources and a control diet, combined with two monensin levels on lambs feed. The performance test was accomplished at a sheep industry sector of the Federal University of the Jequitinhonha and Mucuri Valleys in the Moura Experimental Farm, Curvelo-MG. The work evaluated 36 lambs, 18 males and 18 females, Santa In?s x Texel finished in feedlot and fed with six diets: control diet (RC), soybean oil (SO), soybean (GS), control with monensin addition (CR + M), soybean oil with monensin addition (OS + M) and soybean with monensin addition (GS + M). The animals were slaughtered after 87 days of confinement, being evaluated for performance, carcass characteristics, weights and percentages of carcass and not carcass components. The digestibility trial was conducted on the premises of the Animal Research Laboratory of the Lavras Federal University evaluating 18 Santa Ines lambs with 6 months of age and 29kg, confined in metabolism cages for 21 days, being 14 days for adaptation counting 7 days of collection of feces, urine, and samples of feed. The treatments consisted of the diets mentioned above, and one day before the end of the experiment there was collected animals blood sampling for blood constituents evaluation, which are indicators of energy metabolism, protein and liver function. The data were analyzed by GLM procedure of SAS and the average were compared and analyzed by t test for 5% of probability. There were higher in performance, intake and digestibility of pigs fed with the control diet compared to animals fed with soybean, and oil diet did not differ from controls in most parameters. The animals fed with monensin had lower digestibility, lower consumption of all nutrients, lower performance and showed signs of liver problems. Males had cuts and performance heavier than females. There are not recommended the monensin use at 78 ppm in dry matter basis for confined lambs. Soybean oil has not improved performance, intake or digestibility of diets and the soybean, added 15% in the dry matter, worsened this parameters.

Layered Double Hydroxide (LDH) belongs to a class of ceramic materials that present structure formed by stacked layers of double metals hydroxides and an anion into the lamellar space. They present a large variety of applications possibilities, as industrial, environment, medicine, among others. Non-calcined Mg-Al layered double hydroxide (LDH) with molar ratio, x = Al / (Mg + Al), 0.20, 0.25 and 0.30 were synthesized using co-precipitation method, followed by hydrothermal treatment at a fixed temperature 80ÂC and different aging from 2 to 35 days. The material obtained was characterized by XRD, IR, TG, SEM and EDS. The samples crystallinity was evaluated and particle size was calculated using Scherrer equation. Sorption of anionic acid blue 25 and reactive blue 4 dyes from aqueous solution was investigated for some of the 0.25 molar ratio samples. The purpose of this research was to study the effect of hydrothermal treatment aging conditions on textural properties of synthetic hydrotalcite with different molar ratios and propose a mathematical function to predict crystallite size and crystallinity. This function takes just two of many parameters in consideration: hydrothermal treatment aging time and molar ratio. The obtained as-synthesized samples with a molar ratio 0.20 and 0.25 showed good crystallinity for all the samples. On the other hand the third samples with molar ratio 0.30 showed poor crystallinity, a pronounced shift in the correspondent basal planes peaks 003 and 006, and a broadening in all peaks. The shift in the basal planes was shown to be statistically significant to the others. A non-expected result was found in disagreement with literature: a new crystalline phase was observed in two 0.20 molar ratio samples. MEV and EDS results indicate the existence of a probable amorphous phase in the 0.30 molar ratio samples. The amorphous phase would explain the reduction in crystallinity of this series samples. Just the function to predict the crystallinity was obtained and showed in a 3D and hypsometric graphics. This function may be used to predict a characteristic of a synthesized LDH for an industrial application, like adsorption. / HidrÃxidos Duplos Lamelares (HDL) pertencem a uma classe de materiais cerÃmicos formados por camadas empilhadas de hidrÃxidos metÃlicos com um Ãnion entre os espaÃos lamelares. Apresentam uma grande variedade de possÃveis aplicaÃÃes, na Ãrea industrial, ambiental, medicinal, entre outras. HidrÃxidos Duplos Lamelares (HDL) nÃo calcinados de MagnÃsio e AlumÃnio com razÃo molar x = Al / (Mg + Al), 0,20, 0,25 e 0,30 foram sintetizados utilizando o mÃtodo de co-precipitaÃÃo, seguido por tratamento hidrotÃrmico em temperatura fixa de 80  C e diferente tempos de maturaÃÃo de 2 a 35 dias. O material obtido foi caracterizado por DRX, IV, TG, MEV e EDS. A cristalinidade das amostras foi avaliada e tamanho de partÃcula foi calculado usando a equaÃÃo Scherrer. Foram investigadas adsorÃÃo de corantes Ãcido azul 25 e azul reativo 4 para algumas amostras de razÃo molar 0,25. O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar o efeito do tratamento hidrotÃrmico e condiÃÃes de tempo de maturaÃÃo nas propriedades texturais de hidrotalcita sintetizada com diferentes razÃes molares e propor uma funÃÃo matemÃtica para prever o tamanho de cristalito e cristalinidade. Esta funÃÃo leva apenas dois de muitos parÃmetros em consideraÃÃo: tempo de tratamento hidrotÃrmico e razÃo molar. As amostras obtidas com uma razÃo molar 0,20 e 0,25 apresentaram boa cristalinidade para todas as amostras. Por outro lado, as amostras com razÃo molar 0,30 apresentaram baixa cristalinidade, um pronunciado deslocamento nos picos basais 003 e 006, e um alargamento em todos os picos. O deslocamento desses picos para essa Ãltima amostra foi mostrado ser estatisticamente significativo em relaÃÃo Ãs outras duas. Um resultado nÃo esperado foi encontrado em desacordo com a literatura: uma nova fase cristalina foi observada em duas amostras de razÃo molar 0,20. Os resultados do MEV e EDS indicam que hà uma provÃvel fase amorfa nas amostras de razÃo molar 0,30. A fase amorfa explicaria a reduÃÃo da cristalinidade das amostras dessa sÃrie. Apenas a funÃÃo para prever a cristalinidade foi obtida e mostrada em grÃficos 3D e hipsomÃtricos. Esta funÃÃo pode ser usada para prever caracterÃsticas de um HDL sintetizado para uma aplicaÃÃo industrial, tal como a adsorÃÃo.

Submitted by MARCOS LEANDRO TEIXEIRA DE OLIVEIRA (marcosteixeira@ufv.br) on 2018-09-03T13:58:03Z No. of bitstreams: 1 texto completo.pdf: 4839007 bytes, checksum: d4fe73489c65b5c615289cedfd86632b (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-09-03T13:58:03Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 texto completo.pdf: 4839007 bytes, checksum: d4fe73489c65b5c615289cedfd86632b (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-07-16 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Neste trabalho foram desenvolvidos métodos para a determinação de cromo hexavalente, Cr (VI), em água utilizando espectrometria de absorção atômica por chama (FAAS). As metodologias consistem na extração seletiva e pré-concentração de Cr (VI) via extração em fase solida dispersiva (DSPE), utilizando como adsorventes hidróxidos duplos lamelares (HDLs) de Zn e Al intercalados com aminoácidos, L-alanina (ZnAl-ALA-HDL) e L- aspártico (ZnAl-ASP-HDL). Parâmetros que influenciam na extração de Cr (VI) foram otimizados, como pH inicial, tempo de contato e íons interferentes. A especiação ocorreu em pH 5,2 para ZnAl-ALA-HDL e pH 5,5 para ZnAl-ASP-HDL. Os HDLs utilizados como adsorventes foram dissolvidos em H 2 SO 4 5,0 mol . L -1 e o Cr (VI) determinado por FAAS, dispensando o uso da etapa de eluição. Os métodos apresentaram intervalo de resposta entre 20 e 700 μg·L -1 e limite de detecção (LOD) de 7,1 μg·L -1 , (r 2  0,99) quando utilizado o ZnAl- ALA-HDL como adsorvente, e intervalo de resposta entre 10 e 700 μgL -1 (r 2  0,999) com LOD de 3,13 μgL -1 para o ZnAl-ASP-HDL. A confiabilidade dos métodos foram verificadas pela análise de uma amostra de água certificada contendo Cr (VI) (Cr (VI)-QC1453) por estudos de adição e recuperação do analito em água de beber. / In this work, methods for the determination of hexavalent chromium, Cr (VI), in water by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) were developed. The methodologies are sequential extraction and preconcentration of Cr (VI) via solid phase dispersive extraction (DSPE), using Zn and Al layered double hydroxides (LDH) intercalated with amino acids, L- alanine (ZnAl-ALA- LDH) and L-aspartic acid (ZnAl-ASP-LDH). Parameters that influence Cr (VI) extraction were optimized, such as initial pH, contact time and interfering ions. Speciation occurred at pH 5.2 for ZnAl-ALA-LDH and pH 5.5 for ZnAl-ASP-LDH. LDH used as adsorbents were dissolved in 5.0 mol.L -1 H 2 SO 4 and Cr (VI) determined by FAAS, dispensing the use of the elution step. The methods presented a linear range of 20 to 700 μg·L -1 and a detection limit (LOD) of 7.1 μg·L -1 , (r 2 > 0.99) when using ZnAl-ALA- LDH as an adsorbent and a linear range of 10 to 700 μgL -1 (r 2 =0.999) with LOD of 3.13 μg . L -1 for ZnAl-ASP-LDH. The reliability of the method was verified by the analysis of a sample of certified water containing Cr (VI) (Cr (VI) -QC1453) by studies of the recovery of analyte in drinking water.

Niacin som upptäcktes för 70 år sedan är en substans som än i dag studeras mycket kring. Men fortfarande är man inte överens om niacin verkligen har en signifikant effekt på kardiovaskulära sjukdomar. Verkningsmekanismen för niacin är ännu oklar, men forskning pekar på att hämmad syntes av triglycerider resulterar i en minskad LDL-koncentration. HDL-ökningen tros bero på en hämmad nedbrytning av HDL-partiklar, och därmed blir en större mängd HDL kvar i blodet. Nuvarande lipidbehandling består först och främst av en balanserad kost och ökad fysisk aktivitet. Vid otillräcklig effekt sätts läkemedelsbehandling in, som består av statiner, resiner, fibrater och hämmare av kolesterolupptag i tarmen. Syftet med detta arbete är att studera om niacin, både som monoterapi och i kombination med andra lipidsänkande preparat, har en påverkan på blodlipidvärdena HDL, LDL och triglycerider, hos människor. Genom systematisk litteratursökning har artiklar samlats in för att kunna sammanställa resultaten. Alla tio studierna som inkluderades kom fram till att niacin, antingen i kombination med andra lipidsänkande preparat eller som monoterapi, har en signifikant effekt på lipoproteinerna. Resultaten visade en LDL-sänkning upp till 58,5% (i kombination), den högsta HDL-ökning var 50% (monoterapi) och högsta triglycerid-sänkningen var 51,7% (i kombination). Dock är niacins effekt på LDL och triglycerider likartad eller sämre än dagens lipidsänkande preparat. Niacin har däremot en större effekt när det kommer till HDL-ökningen. Därför bör det göras flera och större studier gällande niacins effekt på HDL. Om studierna visar positiva resultat bör det övervägas för användning hos patienter med låg HDL. Dock orsakar biverkningarna en sämre följsamhet, och eventuella analoger till niacin bör utvecklas, detta för att inte gå miste om en eventuellt potent HDL-ökande behandling. Slutsatsen för detta arbete är att i människa har niacin en signifikant effekt på lipoproteinerna LDL och HDL samt lipiden triglycerider. Behandling med niacin leder till en sänkning av LDL och triglycerider samt en markant ökning av HDL.

京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(農学) / 甲第22506号 / 農博第2410号 / 新制||農||1078(附属図書館) / 学位論文||R2||N5286(農学部図書室) / 京都大学大学院農学研究科応用生命科学専攻 / (主査)教授 木岡 紀幸, 教授 小川 順, 教授 矢﨑 一史 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Agricultural Science / Kyoto University / DFAM

Traditional FPGA-based digital design is based on writing hardware definition language (HDL) code from scratch. Time to market, cost of development, and the level of training required for designers all can be reduced with a simplified and abstracted design strategy. This project intends to demonstrate a graphical user interface (GUI) layer of abstraction on top of existing commercially produced design aids including MATLAB, Simulink, and Xilinx System Generator. This project performs and demonstrates a specific implementation example of a Secondary Surveillance Radar (SSR) message decoder as proof-of-concept for the abstracted design method. The abstracted digital design methods shown in this project can be adapted for use in other areas of development and research including digital signal processing and communications.

Purpose: To assess whether the participation in food assistance programs (Community Kitchens and Glass of Milk) was associated with lipid profile patterns in the Peruvian population. We conducted a secondary data analysis using data from the National Survey of Nutritional, Biochemical, Socioeconomic, and Cultural Indicators related to Chronic Degenerative Diseases. The sample included individuals aged ≥20 years, selected from five geographic strata in Peru. From each stratum a random sample of clusters was chosen. Different Poisson regression models with robust variance were built to determine the association between food assistance programs and participant lipid profile (total cholesterol (TC), HDL-cholesterol (HDL-c), LDL-cholesterol and triglycerides (TG)). Data from 4028 participants was analyzed, 123 (3.1%) reported being beneficiaries of the Community Kitchens program and 827 (20.5%) were beneficiaries of the Glass of Milk program. An association between being a beneficiary of Community Kitchens and increased LDL-c (Prevalence ratio (PR)= 2.33; 95% CI: 1.18–4.59) was found. Being a beneficiary of the Glass of Milk program increased the probability of having low HDL-c levels (PR= 1.08; 95% CI: 1.02–1.14), but reduced the probability of hypertriglyceridemia (PR= 0.70; 95% CI: 0.56–0.88). Being a beneficiary of the Community Kitchen program was associated with increased LDL-c levels; while, being a beneficiary of the Glass of Milk increased the probability of low HDL-c, but reduced the probability of developing hypertriglyceridemia. / Revisión por pares

Magister Pharmaceuticae - MPharm / Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) such as ischaemic heart diseases, heart failure and stroke remain a major cause of death globally. Various deep-rooted factors influence CVD development; these include but are not limited to elevated blood lipids, high blood pressure, obesity and diabetes. A considerable number of proteins are involved directly and indirectly in the transport, maintenance and elimination of plasma lipids, including high and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C and LDL-C). There are several mechanisms involved in the removal of LDL particles from systemic circulation. One such mechanism is associated with the gene that encodes proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9), which has become an exciting therapeutic target for the reduction of residual risk of CVDs. Currently, statins are the mainstay treatment to reduce LDL-C, and a need exists to further develop more effective LDL-C-lowering drugs that might supplement statins. This study was aimed at contributing to the generation of knowledge regarding the effect of niacin in reducing LDL levels through PCSK9 interaction.