Lipids Commons^™

Effects Of Normothermic Hepatic Ischemia–Reperfusion Injury On The Hepatic Disposition Of Arachidonic Acid And Its Cytochrome P450-Generated Metabolites In Rats, Vindhya Edpuganti, Reza Mehvar

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Purpose

Cytochrome P450 (P450) metabolites of arachidonic acid (AA) are potential therapeutic targets in ischemia–reperfusion (IR) injury, yet their disposition and actions in hepatic IR are unknown. Cellular AA and its P450 metabolites are primarily bound to lipid membranes, resulting in negligible free concentrations. This study investigates how hepatic IR injury impacts the disposition of free AA and its major P450 metabolites in rats.

Methods

Rats underwent 60 min of partial (70%) ischemia or sham surgery, followed by 5 min, 3 h, or 24 h of reperfusion. The effects of IR injury on free concentrations of AA and its major …

Sex Differences In Insulin Resistance And Triglyceride/Hdl-Cholesterol Ratio In Human Subjects, Jiyoon Jung, Lakshman Segar, Christine Whitehair, James Bailey, Ashley Coleman, George Scott

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background: Insulin resistance (IR) plays a major role in dyslipidemia and the associated cardiovascular disease risk. To date, it remains unclear as to how IR alters plasma lipid profile in males versus females. The present study is an initial step to determine sex-specific differences in IR and plasma lipid profile using 40 μL of capillary blood. Methods: 19 adults aged 30-64 were recruited from Rowan Medicine-Sewell clinics, with 13 participants (9 males, 4 females) consenting to the study. After collecting 40 μL of capillary blood via finger prick, the samples were analyzed for glucose, triglyceride (TG), and HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) using …

Effects Of Dietary Perfluorobutane Sulfonate (Pfbs) On Adipose Tissue, Hannah Olofintuyi, Eric Gato

Honors College Theses

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are chemical substances used in a variety of industrial applications and consumer products. Perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS) is often used as a replacement for the more harmful (Perfluoroalkyl sulfonate) PFAS chemicals that have been around longer. It is believed that PFBS does not remain in the body as long as other PFAS compounds; however, there is a rising concern that it has the potential to cause damage to human health. This study focused on understanding how dietary PFBS exposure affects metabolism-related processes in adipose tissues in rats. To accomplish study objectives, Sprague Dawley rats were exposed …

Cocaine Upregulates Microglial Lipid Droplet Formation Through Increasing Lipid Synthesis Activity In Vitro And In Vivo, Yan Cheng, Brooke Russell, Liam Liyang Guo, Aryan Patel, Yan Y. Sanders, Ming-Lei Guo

Department of Biomedical and Translational Sciences Faculty Publications

A novel subtype of microglia, lipid droplet accumulation microglia (LDAMs), has been identified in the aged brain, which is characterized by sustained inflammation and senescent-like phenotypes. LDAMs are deeply involved in promoting brain aging as well as the pathogenesis of multiple neurodegenerative diseases. Cocaine can alter brain lipidomic profiles, induce microglial activation, and accelerate brain aging. This suggests that cocaine might affect microglial lipid metabolism, which ultimately aggravates aging-related neurological disorders in people with addictions. In this study, we explored the effects of cocaine on microglial lipid metabolism. Our results showed that chronic cocaine administration altered brain lipid profiles and …

Molecular Mechanisms And Metabolic Consequences Of Glucocorticoid Resistance, Genesee J. Martinez

Theses and Dissertations--Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences

Glucocorticoids are vital steroid hormones that govern metabolism, stress responses, and immune functions through intricate, tissue-specific mechanisms, both genomic and non-genomic. These hormones bind to the glucocorticoid receptor (GR), which then acts as a transcription factor to modulate gene expression. Chronic elevation of glucocorticoid levels may lead to glucocorticoid resistance, resulting in adiposity, inflammation, and insulin resistance, thereby adversely affecting multiple metabolic tissues. Whether produced endogenously or administered exogenously, excessive, chronic glucocorticoid concentrations impair glucocorticoid signaling. Although there are two primary isoforms of the receptor, GR⍺ and GRβ, only GR⍺ interacts with glucocorticoids.Through the research conducted in this dissertation, we …

Absolute Quantification And Identification Of Rna From Rna-Lipid Nanoparticles Using High Resolution Mass Spectrometry, Jason C. Funderburk, Yasir A. Alshehry, Matthew S. Halquist Phd, Sandro R.P. Da Rocha Phd

Graduate Research Posters

Background

RNA therapeutics are a rising drug category with potential use for a range of conditions encompassing infectious diseases to therapies for cancer, diseases, and genetic disorders. RNA-lipid nanoparticles (RNA-LNPs) are the prominent delivery method for these therapeutics approved products include mRNA vaccines and polyneuropathy treatments. The emergency use authorizations and orphan drug status of current RNA-LNP drugs has allowed approval without finalization of the regulatory analytical procedures for quality monitoring. The objective of the study was to develop an LC-MS assay to simultaneously measure identity and concentration of two therapeutically relevant intact RNA constructs extracted from RNA-LNPs to enhance …

Absolute Quantification And Identification Of Rna From Rna-Lipid Nanoparticles Using High Resolution Mass Spectrometry, Jason C. Funderburk

Theses and Dissertations

RNA therapeutics are a rising drug category with potential use for a range of conditions encompassing infectious diseases to therapies for cancer, diseases, and genetic disorders. RNA-lipid nanoparticles (RNA-LNPs) are the prominent delivery method for these therapeutics approved products include mRNA vaccines and polyneuropathy treatments. The emergency use authorizations and orphan drug status of current RNA-LNP drugs has allowed approval without finalization of the regulatory analytical procedures for quality monitoring. The objective of the study was to develop an LC-MS assay to simultaneously measure identity and concentration of two therapeutically relevant intact RNA constructs extracted from RNA-LNPs to enhance quality …

Investigation Of Genx Exposure To Pathways Associated With Colorectal Cancer Risk, Emily J. Ferguson

Theses and Dissertations--Toxicology and Cancer Biology

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent environmental contaminants widely detected in drinking water and food sources, resulting in chronic human exposure. Among these compounds, hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (HFPO-DA), commonly known as GenX, has been introduced as a short-chain replacement for legacy PFAS such as perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). Although GenX is believed to be a safer alternative, emerging research suggests it can still affect human health.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States, highlighting the need to better understand environmental …

The Differential Effects Of Camp Mobilizing Agents On Tgf-Β-Induced Extracellular Matrix In Human Lung-Derived Fibroblasts: Insights Into Therapeutic Targets For Lung Fibrosis, Sarah Orfanos, Brian T. Deeney, Gaoyuan Cao, Nikhil Karmacharya, Anjani Ravi, Cynthia J. Koziol-White, Qi Yang, Rennolds S. Ostrom, Reynold A. Panettieri Jr.

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Background

Injury-repair responses typically induce tissue or organ scarring. Generally, cAMP-mobilizing agents inhibit the activation of fibroblasts and deposition of extracellular matrix. Some but not all cAMP-mobilizing agents inhibit fibrosis. Evidence suggests that inhaled treprostinil, a prostacyclin (IP) analog, increases intracellular cAMP levels [cAMP]I, and slows the decline in pulmonary function in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). However, the molecular mechanisms by which cAMP-mobilizing agents, including treprostinil, alter the expression of matrix proteins in human lung fibroblasts (HLF) remain unclear. Unlike other Gαs -coupled receptors, we posit that the antifibrotic properties of treprostinil are driven by cAMP-mobilizing-dependent and -independent …

Guide For Selecting Experimental Models To Study Dietary Fat Absorption, Andromeda M. Nauli, Ann Phan, Karen Mai, Kathleen Tran, Surya M. Nauli

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Dietary fat absorption is a complex, multi-step process involving digestion, enterocyte uptake, intracellular trafficking, re-esterification, and transport via lipoproteins into circulation. Because dietary fat absorption plays a central role in lipid homeostasis, metabolic syndrome, and fat malabsorption disorders, its study has a broad biomedical significance. However, experimental investigation of this process is technically challenging due to the short lifespan of enterocytes, the dual lymphatic and portal transport routes, and the need to trace the metabolic fate of absorbed lipids. This review summarizes and critically evaluates the major experimental systems used to study dietary fat absorption, highlighting their respective strengths, limitations, …

Selective Depletion Of Gut Gram-Negative Bacteria Attenuates Alcohol Binge-Induced Cardiovascular Dysfunction By Lowering Cardiac Anandamide Levels, Sarah E. Cohen, Meagan E. Donovan, Davin J. Gardner, Danielle Sambo, Seray B. Karagoz, Resat Cinar, David Goldman, Jason D. Gardner, Pal Pacher, Janos Paloczi

School of Graduate Studies Faculty Publications

Binge drinking contributes to an increasing number of emergency department visits in the United States. Previous work demonstrated that an alcohol binge impairs cardiac performance and exerts complex hemodynamic effects through the activation of the endocannabinoid-mediated cannabinoid type 1 receptor (CB1R) signaling pathway. Anandamide (AEA), an endogenous CB1R agonist, is synthesized in response to various stressors and tissue injury. However, the role of binge drinking in increasing myocardial AEA levels, which leads to CB1R-dependent cardiodepression, remains unclear. This work studied how endotoxins from intestinal Gram-negative bacteria affect myocardial AEA levels, which further induce CB1R-dependent cardiac dysfunction following acute alcohol intoxication. …

Ybx1-Mediated Activation Of Srebp2 Drives Sorafenib Resistance Via Cholesterol Biosynthesis In Hepatocellular Carcinoma, Veerababu Nagati, Dennis Kwabiah, Yamile Abuchard, Ana Ayala Pazzi, Shaibir Hussain, Salique H. Shaham, Manish Tripathi

Research Colloquium

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an aggressive, largely chemo-resistant cancer with a poor prognosis and is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Currently, there is no effective systemic chemotherapy for HCC. Sorafenib is a multikinase inhibitor commonly used as the first-line treatment for advanced HCC. However, acquired drug resistance significantly limits its clinical effectiveness. The Y-box binding protein (YBX1) is an oncogenic RNA-binding protein found to be upregulated in sorafenib-resistant HCC cells and tissues.

Methods: HCC model SK Hep1, YBX1 overexpression, and knockdown cells were prepared by transient transfection with puromycin selection, and stable cell lines were established through …

Investigating Extracellualr Vesicles Role In The Pathogenesis Of Acute Lung Injury, Ruben Manuel Luciano Colunga Biancatelli, Pavel Solopov, Tierney Day, Anca Dobrian, John D. Catravas

Cardiovascular Research Symposium

Background: Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are small lipid-bound particles containing proteins and RNAs, whose role in intercellular communication and signaling is critical for homeostasis or inflammatory responses. Patients with acute lung injury display changes in EVs number, cargo content and signature compared to healthy individuals.

Hypothesis: We have hypothesized that EVs may play a role in the pathogenesis of acute lung, by transferring harmful mediators of inflammation and disrupting recipient cells homeostasis.

Methods: C57BL/6j mice (8-10 weeks old, 25g BW) were intratracheally instilled with 50µL of 5*1010- 11 EVs isolated from Human Lung Microvascular Endothelial cells (HLMVEC) exposed to 1 µg …

Prognostic Value Of Lipoprotein(A) For Cardiovascular Events After Lower Limb Revascularization In Diabetic Patients With Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischemia, Federico Biscetti, Maria Margherita Rando, Maria Anna Nicolazzi, Flavia Angelini, Roberto Iezzi, Luis H. Eraso, Paul J. Dimuzio, Dario Pitocco, Massimo Massetti, Antonio Gasbarrini, Andrea Flex

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) presents a major clinical challenge in patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM), requiring lower extremity revascularization (LER) to mitigate adverse cardiovascular and limb outcomes. Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) has been implicated in cardiovascular risk, but its role in patients with T2DM and CLTI undergoing revascularization remains unclear. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the prognostic value of Lp(a) levels in diabetic CLTI patients for major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), major adverse limb events (MALE), or both after LER.

METHODS: In this prospective cohort study of 158 individuals with T2DM and CLTI undergoing LER, baseline clinical data …

Engineering Lipid–Polymer Nanoparticles For Sirna Delivery To Cancer Cells, Arthur Manda, Abdulelah Alhazza, Hasan Uludağ, Hamidreza Montazeri Aliabadi

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Background: RNA interference (RNAi) is a powerful tool that can target many proteins without the expensive and time-consuming drug development studies. However, due to the challenges in delivering RNA molecules, the potential impact of RNAi approaches is yet to be fully realized in clinical settings. Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) have been the most successful delivery system for nucleic acids, but targeted delivery to a solid tumor still eludes the developed LNPs. We hypothesized that specially designed low-molecular-weight PEIs can partially or completely replace the ionizable lipids for more accommodating vehicles due to the structural flexibility offered by polymers, which could …

Elv-N34, Rvd6-Isomer, Or Npd1 Halt Replication Of Sars-Cov-2 Omicron Ba.5 Virus In Human Lung And Nasal Cells, Jorgelina M. Calandria, Haydee E. Bazan, Surjyadipta Bhattacharjee, Marie-Audrey I. Kautzmann, Nicholas J. Maness, Nicolas G. Bazan

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Current vaccines rely on the sequence of Spike (S) protein to induce immunity against the severe acute respiratory coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus. Because of the high mutation rate of the viral S protein, new mutant strains are developed to generate new infectivity profiles. Bioactive lipid mediators (LMs) derived from docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are synthesized on demand to sustain homeostasis. The purpose of this study was to determine the action of selected LMs in the viral replication of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.5 variant in human lung and nasal epithelial cells. Cells from healthy donors were infected with Omicron BA.5 for one hour and …

Investigating Fatty Acid Influence On West Nile Virus In Mosquitoes And Birds, Hayley Moree

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

Vector-borne diseases, including Zika virus (ZIKV), Dengue virus (DENV), and West Nile virus (WNV), pose considerable global health threats, accounting for over 400 million infections and more than 700,000 deaths annually. Many vector-borne diseases are within the Flaviviridae family. Despite this, effective treatments have not been found for some flaviviruses. Flaviviruses exploit host cellular machinery to facilitate their replication and survival, reprogramming metabolic pathways, including lipid metabolism. Lipids play essential roles in the viral life cycle, providing structural components for the viral envelope, enabling membrane rearrangements for replication complexes, and supplying energy resources necessary for particle assembly.

Targeting lipid metabolism …

Statin Effects On The Lipidome: Predicting Statin Usage And Implications For Cardiovascular Risk Prediction, Changyu Yi, Kevin Huynh, Yvette Schooneveldt, Gavriel Olshansky, Amy Liang, Tingting Wang, Habtamu B. Beyene, Aleksandar Dakic, Joanne E. Curran, John Blangero

School of Medicine Publications

Statin therapy is a highly successful and cost-effective strategy for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Adjusting for statin usage is crucial when exploring the association of the lipidome with CVD to avoid erroneous conclusions. However, practical challenges arise in real-world scenarios due to the frequent absence of statin usage information. To address this limitation, we demonstrate that statin usage can be accurately predicted using lipidomic data. Using three large population datasets and a longitudinal clinical study, we show that lipidomic-based statin prediction models exhibit high prediction accuracy in external validation. Furthermore, we introduce a re-weighted model, designed …

Metabolic Effects Of R-1,3-Butanediol (Ketone-Iq) During Aerobic And Anaerobic Exercise Bouts, Mathew C. Soto, Andrew J. Jakiel, Latt Mansor, Jenica D. Alvarez, Ashley M. Bruce, Blake Podsen, Sabrina R. Fordham, Parker N. Hyde

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology Volume 6: Issue 1, Article 1, 2025. BACKGROUND: Current evidence demonstrates the efficacy of low carbohydrate/high fat ketogenic diets as it related to exercise. Exogenous ketone supplements have made it possible to ingest ketone molecules, elevating blood b-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) despite consuming carbohydrates (CHO). The purpose of this investigation was to determine both metabolic and performance effects of R-1,3-butanediol (BDO). METHODS: A randomized repeated measures placebo-controlled design was used to compare BDO and placebo (PLA). Each phase of testing utilized two primary testing days: 1) a dose exposure day designed to determine blood metabolite changes …

Corporate ‘Capture Strategies’ Impacting Human And Ecosystem Health, Alex T. Ford, Marlene Ågerstrand, Michael G. Bertram, Miriam L. Diamond, Rainer Lohmann, Andreas Schäffer, Martin Scheringer, Gabriel Sigmund, Anna Soehl, Maria Clara V.M. Starling, Noriyuki Suzuki, Marta Venier, Penny Vlahos

Graduate School of Oceanography Faculty Publications

The concept of regulatory capture has been extensively studied in academic literature, primarily within the social sciences. This phenomenon has been increasingly discussed in the environmental sciences as the impacts of regulatory capture on human and ecosystem health have become increasingly apparent. Regulatory capture is just one tactic employed by vested interests in the strategy of delaying, weakening, or abolishing policies designed to protect the public interest. Here, we define capture strategies as ‘the act of influencing individuals, organizations, or governments to prioritize corporate interests over those of human and ecosystem health’. Similar to the evolution of terms like whitewashing …

Ccr5-Ligand Decorated Rilpivirine Lipid-Based Nanoparticles For Sustained Antiretroviral Responses, Milankumar Patel

Theses & Dissertations

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is the standard remedy to improve the health-related quality of life of people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). However, limited access to the viral reservoir has significantly hindered its effectiveness in fully eradicating HIV. Therefore, to improve HIV therapy, here we propose a C-C chemokine receptor type 5 (CCR5)-targeted theranostic lipid Based Nanoparticles (LBNPs) to noninvasively track and specifically deliver the antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) to the viral reservoir. A multi-modular radioactive nanoprobe was synthesized and co-encapsulated with rilpivirine (RPV, an ARV) into the LBNP to achieve a theranostic LBNP that can be tracked by positron emission …

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Cannabis Use, And The Endocannabinoid System: A Scoping Review, Jennie Ryan, Mitchell Fruchtman, Andrea Sparr-Jaswa, Amy Knehans, Brooke Worster

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

There is emerging evidence that the endocannabinoid system (ECS) plays a significant role in the pathophysiology of many psychiatric disorders, including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Increasing evidence suggests that a number of neurobiological correlates between endogenous cannabinoid function and cognitive dysfunction are seen in ADHD, making the ECS a possible target for therapeutic interventions. Cannabis use and cannabis use disorder are more prevalent in individuals with ADHD, compared to the general population, and there is growing popular perception that cannabis is therapeutic for ADHD. However, the relationship between cannabis use and ADHD symptomology is poorly understood. Further understanding of …

Molecular Mechanisms Of Exercise-Stimulated Resolution Of Inflammation And Its Dietary Dependence., Ernesto H. Pena Calderin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Diet-induced obesity and adipose tissue (AT) inflammation that ensues sets the stage for systemic metabolic inflammation, disrupted insulin signaling, and eventual type 2 diabetes (T2D) development. At the center of this pathology lies a disruption in endogenous inflammation resolution pathways characterized by an imbalance in lipid mediator production (greater abundance of pro-inflammatory to pro-resolving lipids). Additionally, obese states are characterized by adrenergic deficiency, especially in response to physical activity. Inflammatory processes have been experimentally mitigated by either the pharmacological inhibition of pro-inflammatory signals (i.e., Leukotriene B₄ (LTB₄) and its receptor BLT1, which establishes a potent chemotactic stimulus …

Cholesterol Drugs May Improve Periodontal Disease

New Orleans Dental Association News

Recently, statin treatment applied locally into tissues during both surgical and nonsurgical procedures exhibiting a positive effect on various parameters of periodontal tissue health. When looking at this novel, not yet commonly utilized approach to the local application of statins as an adjunct to periodontal treatment, early studies have shown significant improvement in clinical parameters, such as probing depth and clinical attachment levels. This method of local statin delivery into the tissue shows promise, and should be explored by further research.

Repurposing Clinically Relevant Metabolic Inhibitor Drugs, Difluoromethylornithine (Dfmo) And Orlistat, For Gammaherpesvirus Replication, Lay Paw

Honors Projects

Viruses, including herpesviruses, contribute up to 15% of all human cancers. Murine gammaherpesvirus-68 (MHV-68), a pathogen commonly found in mice, is studied due to its shared homology with several human herpesviruses. Studies done in the Delgado lab via metabolomics analysis show MHV-68 infected cells increase host cell metabolism. Clinically relevant metabolic inhibitor drugs, ɑ-Difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) and Orlistat, respectively block polyamine and lipid production demonstrated a reduction in MHV-68 viral production. Repurposing clinically relevant drugs through the exploration of a different target shows great promise in reducing oncogenic viral titer.

A Revised Synthesis Of The Cationic Lipids Dmri And Mlri, Benjamin A. Kostic

College of Arts & Sciences Senior Theses

Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) are an increasingly utilized method of intracellular delivery for nucleic acids. The COVID-19 vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech have used LNP technology to combat the recent global SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, saving millions of lives.^1,2 These vaccines consist of a lipid formulation that binds to the anionic phosphate groups of mRNAs and serves as an effective way to transport the nucleic acid across membranes into cells.⁹The mRNA encodes a viral protein. When introduced to cells, the viral protein is produced so that the immune system then can generate an appropriate antibody response.³ However, this approach …

Toxicological Effects And Treatment Of Accidental Ingestion Of Simparica Trio® In Felis Catus: An Investigative Review, Aussia M. Stander

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

Simparica TRIO^®, a canine endectocide manufactured by Zoetis, contains sarolaner, moxidectin, and pyrantel pamoate salt in an orally administered chewable tablet. These compounds are all toxic to both cats and dogs in sufficient amounts. As Simparica TRIO^® rises in popularity among pet owners, Felis catus (felines, cats) in multi-pet households (households with both cats and dogs) are at increased risk of overdosage and toxicosis from accidental ingestion of Simparica TRIO^® due to their smaller weight.

Simparica TRIO^® is not for feline use and little literature exists on the symptoms of and treatment for accidental ingestion …

Impact Of Fads Genotype On Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Content In Human Milk Extracellular Vesicles: A Genetic Association Study, John J. Miklavcic, Natalie Paterson, Jennifer Hahn-Holbrook, Laura M. Glynn

Food Science Faculty Articles and Research

Background

Extracellular vesicles in human milk are critical in supporting newborn growth and development. Bioavailability of dietary extracellular vesicles may depend on the composition of membrane lipids. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the fatty acid desaturase gene cluster impact the content of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in human milk phospholipids. This study investigated the relation between variation in FADS1 and FADS2 with the content of polyunsaturated fatty acids in extracellular vesicles from human milk.

Methods

Milk was obtained from a cohort of mothers (N = 70) at 2–4 weeks of lactation. SNPs in the FADS gene locus were determined using …

Efficacy And Safety Of Bempedoic Acid In Patients With Hyperlipidemia And Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, Sibtain Nisar, Sidra Sohail, Saman Fatima, Muhammad Talha Akhtar, Muhammad Ahmad, Muhammad Waqar Hanif, Masood Khan, Amin Mehmoodi, Jahanzeb Malik

Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives

Hyperlipidemia and its association with cardiovascular diseases have been significant public health concerns for many decades. Statins have long been the primary therapeutic option for lowering cholesterol levels and reducing cardiovascular mortality. However, a substantial number of patients either do not achieve optimal lipid goals with maximally tolerated statin doses or experience statin intolerance. In recent years, there have been remarkable developments in the field of hyperlipidemia management, leading to the approval of novel hypolipidemic drugs in North America and Europe. This article reviews the clinical development of bempedoic acid, a promising new drug, alone and in combination with ezetimibe, …

Lipid Genetics In Pregnant Women: Maneuvering The Challenges Of Using Degraded Samples, Kylee Meece

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

The results of this project will explore a novel approach to lipid metabolism in pregnant women by exploring the relationship between maternal gene expression of genes critical for fat metabolism, protein expression, and maternal and neonatal outcomes. The study will also examine gene expression in lean pregnant women compared to obese pregnant women, shedding light into the adverse pathology of obesity during pregnancy. These findings may uncover a mechanism related to gene-expression that connects unfavorable maternal fat metabolism to inflammation and/or insulin resistance, which may help to uncover future targets for interventions.

The analysis of lipid gene expression requires the …