Medizinische Universität Graz Austria/Österreich - Forschungsportal - Medical University of Graz
Gewählte Publikation:
Silbernagel, G.
The Relationships of Plasma Plant Sterols and Cholesterol Metabolism with Coronary Artery Disease
[ Dissertation ] Medical University of Graz; 2009. pp. 69
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- Autor*innen der Med Uni Graz:
- Silbernagel Günther
- Betreuer*innen:
- Kostner Gerhard
- März Winfried
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- Abstract:
- Background: There is a discussion if an unfavourable balance of intestinal cholesterol absorption and endogenous cholesterol synthesis or moderately elevated plasma plant sterol concentrations are atherogenic. Objective: Our aim was to elucidate the relationships of cholesterol metabolism and plasma plant sterols with the severity of coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods: We studied individuals of the LUdwigshafen RIsk and Cardiovascular health (LURIC) cohort. LURIC is a prospective, cross-sectional clinical trial involving 3316 subjects who were admitted to the Ludwigshafen General Hospital for coronary angiography. The severity of coronary atherosclerosis was determined by the Friesinger Score (FS). A gas chromatography and mass spectrometry based analytical method for measurement of non-cholesterol sterols was developed and validated. The plasma concentrations of campesterol and sitosterol (pant sterols, markers of cholesterol absorption), cholestanol (not a plant sterol, marker of cholesterol absorption), and lathosterol (cholesterol precursor, marker of cholesterol synthesis) were quantified in a subgroup of 2440 participants of the LURIC study. Results: Increased plasma cholestanol and campesterol to cholesterol ratios and decreased plasma lathosterol to cholesterol ratio went along with a more severe coronary atherosclerosis. The plasma sitosterol to cholesterol ratio was not significantly associated with the FS. All absorption sterol to lathosterol ratios were positively correlated with the FS. These results were confirmed by prospective data on all-cause- and cardiovascular mortality. Conclusion: High intestinal absorption and low endogenous synthesis of cholesterol are associated with a more severe coronary atherosclerosis in participants of the LURIC study. An atherogenic role of moderately elevated plasma plant sterols, however, seems unlikely.