Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide, with atherosclerosis as most common underlying pathology. Atherosclerosis is characterized by arterial narrowing due to cholesterol... Show moreCardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide, with atherosclerosis as most common underlying pathology. Atherosclerosis is characterized by arterial narrowing due to cholesterol and lipid accumulation. Despite available effective cholesterol lowering medication, considerable risk for recurrent vascular events remains. This residual risk is at least in part explained by high blood lipid levels. The research described in this thesis revealed novel therapeutic strategies that improve lipid metabolism and reduce atherosclerosis development in mice. Inhibition of the endocannabinoid system was found to be an effective strategy, as well as concomitant activation of two incretin hormone receptors, namely those for GIP and GLP1. For combined GIP/GLP1 receptor agonism we additionally showed strongly attenuated hepatic steatosis. We were also able to identify additional targets to attenuate hyperlipidemia by studying the mechanisms underlying the strong day-night rhythm of brown adipose tissue, which is a lipid combusting tissue. In this thesis, I also stress the importance of the choice in animal model when studying lipid-modifying interventions, and describe the development of the software tool RandoMice which can be used to improve the quality of preclinical studies by creating well-balanced experimental groups. Show less
Nordestgaard, B.G.; Langsted, A.; Mora, S.; Kolovou, G.; Baum, H.; Bruckert, E.; ... ; European Federation Clinical Chem 2016
Conclusion We recommend that non-fasting blood samples be routinely used for the assessment of plasma lipid profiles. Laboratory reports should flag abnormal values on the basis of desirable... Show moreConclusion We recommend that non-fasting blood samples be routinely used for the assessment of plasma lipid profiles. Laboratory reports should flag abnormal values on the basis of desirable concentration cut-points. Non-fasting and fasting measurements should be complementary but not mutually exclusive. Show less
The research described in this thesis focussed on the role of apolipoproteins in lipid metabolism, inflammation and bacterial sepsis, with specific emphasis on apoCI. From studies in human APOC1_... Show moreThe research described in this thesis focussed on the role of apolipoproteins in lipid metabolism, inflammation and bacterial sepsis, with specific emphasis on apoCI. From studies in human APOC1_-transgenic and apoc1-/- mice, we were able to identify apoCI as a potent inhibitor of triglyceride hydrolysis by inhibiting lipoprotein lipase. Since APOC1 mice have thus increased VLDL levels, and VLDL protects against bacterial infection, we studied whether apoCI could play a role in inflammation and infection. We found that apoCI was able to bind lipopolysaccharide (LPS), the main toxic component of Gram-negative bacteria. Interestingly, although other apolipoproteins which have been studied have anti-inflammatory properties, we found that apoCI is a pro-inflammatory protein. By enhancing the biological response towards LPS and Gram-negative bacteria, apoCI dose-dependently improved the anti-bacterial attack, and protected against intrapulmonal Klebsiella pneumoniae-induced sepsis. Consistent with these experimental findings we also found that subjects with high plasma apoCI levels were less prone to infection-related mortality during follow-up, independent of plasma lipid levels. Likewise, survivors of severe sepsis showed higher plasma apoCI levels as compared to non-survivors, again independent of lipid levels. Taken together, our findings indicate that apoCI is an important determinant of the inflammatory response in mice and humans. Show less
