Two new sucrose derivatives, namely, belamcanosides A (1) and B (2), together with five other known compounds (3-7), were isolated from the seeds of Belamcanda chinensis (L.) DC. Their structures were identified based on spectroscopic data. Especially, the absolute configurations of fructose and glucose residues in 1 and 2 were assigned by acid hydrolysis, followed by derivatization and gas chr...

We evaluated the effects of different doses of lovastatin, a competitive inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMG CoA reductase) and the rate-limiting enzyme in cholesterol biosynthesis, on parameters of cholesterol homeostasis in freshly isolated mononuclear leukocytes from 19 patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia. Patients were treated with sequenti...

We investigated the lobular localization and molecular level of expression of cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase and sterol 27-hydroxylase, two key enzymes in bile acid synthesis, in isolated periportal and pericentral hepatocytes and by in situ hybridization of rat liver. Enzyme activity, mRNA, and gene transcription of cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase were predominant in pericentral hepatocytes o...

The specific activity of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase increases when homogenates of developing rat brain are incubated at 37 degrees C or kept on ice. This increase is completely blocked by the addition of F- to the homogenization medium and the assay mixture. The capacity for activation of the reductase is greatest during the early postnatal period and declines as brain maturation ...

Very low density lipoproteins (VLDL), Sf60 to 400, from normolipemic individuals do not suppress 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase activity in cultured normal human fibroblasts at concentrations 20fold higher than those of low density lipoproteins (LDL) that give total suppression. To determine if these VLDL contain all of the structural elements necessary for receptor-mediated suppressi...

The Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome is a recessive inherited disorder characterized by neurologic developmental defects and dysmorphic features in many organs. Recently, abnormal cholesterol biosynthesis with impaired conversion of 7-dehydrocholesterol to cholesterol has been discovered in homozygotes. To reproduce the biochemical abnormality, BM 15.766, a competitive inhibitor of 7-dehydrocholester...

The regulation of intestinal cholesterol synthesis was studied utilizing canine ileal mucosa maintained in organ culture for 6 h. Viability was monitored by light and electron microscopy, measurement of cellular enzymes, and the ability to actively transport a glucose analogue. The activity of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase (EC 1.1.4.3.4), the rate-limiting enzyme of ...

Origins of hyperlipidemia and cholestasis that occur during pregnancy were investigated by examining expression of key elements related to plasma and hepatic cholesterol metabolism during pregnancy, lactation, and post-lactation in the rat model. Among major findings were: during pregnancy, the activities of hepatic 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase, acyl coenzyme A:cholesterol ac...

Sterol regulatory element-binding protein-2 (SREBP-2) is a pivotal transcriptional factor in cholesterol metabolism. Factors interfering with the proper functioning of SREBP-2 potentially alter plasma lipid concentrations. Consuming fruits and vegetables is associated with beneficial plasma lipid profile. The mechanism by which plant foods induce desirable lipid changes remains unclear. Apigeni...

Atorvastatin Atorvastatin belongs to the category of statins, which inhibits 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutarylcoenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase. Synthesis of mevalonic acid is impeded, which is a ratelimiting step in cholesterol biosynthesis. This results in a decrease in intracellular cholesterol leading to an increase in the number of synthesis of LDL receptors and increased clearance of LDL cholestero...