Although recent studies have shown that brown adipose tissue (BAT) arises from progenitor cells that also give rise to skeletal muscle, the developmental signals that control the formation of BAT remain largely unknown. Here, we show that brown preadipocytes possess primary cilia and can respond to Hedgehog (Hh) signaling. Furthermore, cell-autonomous activation of Hh signaling blocks early bro...

The plasma cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) mediates the exchange of HDL cholesteryl esters with triglycerides of other lipoproteins. Subsequent lipolysis of the triglyceride-enriched HDL by hepatic lipase leads to reductions of HDL size and apoA-I content. To investigate a possible modulation of the effects of CETP by apoA-II, human CETP transgenic mice were cross-bred with transgenic...

BACKGROUND High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is the sole lipoprotein present in follicular fluid (FF). The objectives of this study were to examine HDL lipid composition and associated enzyme activities in FF and serum and to relate these levels to embryo morphology parameters in women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF). METHODS Serum and FF were prospectively obtained from 60 women undergo...

BACKGROUND New evidence shows that high density lipoproteins (HDL) have protective effects beyond their role in reverse cholesterol transport. Reconstituted HDL (rHDL) offer an attractive means of clinically exploiting these novel effects including cardioprotection against ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI). However, basic rHDL composition is limited to apolipoprotein AI (apoAI) and phospholipid...

We have examined the pattern of differentiation of the small intestinal epithelium in fetal rats during the 17th through 21st days of gestation. Five genes expressed in late fetal, neonatal, and adult enterocytes were used as markers of differentiation. They encode three homologous small cytoplasmic hydrophobic ligand binding proteins--liver fatty acid binding protein (L-FABP), intestinal fatty...

BACKGROUND The markers of inflammation and (apo)lipoproteins are associated with coronary artery disease (CAD). Simultaneous assessment of the risk factors has been proposed to improve the diagnosis of CAD. The aim of this study was to examine the potential interactions between leukocyte counts and other risk factors. METHODS The markers of inflammation, (apo)(lipo)proteins, (non)electrolytes...

A family history of coronary heart disease (CHD) is a known risk factor for CHD. To investigate the possible role of lipoprotein particles in the relationship between family history of CHD and risk of CHD, we performed a case-control study in a sample of adolescents. The case group consisted of 97 adolescents whose parents had suffered a verified myocardial infarction before the age of 55 years...

BACKGROUND Recent studies have determined that branched-chain (BCAAs) and aromatic (AAAs) amino acids are strongly correlated with obesity and atherogenic dyslipidemia and are strong predictors of diabetes. However, it is not clear if these amino acids are capable of identifying subjects with coronary artery disease (CAD), particularly with subclinical atherosclerosis who are at risk of develop...