title: Serum lipids in primary sclerosing cholangitis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Limited data are available regarding the serum lipids in primary sclerosing cholangitis.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the lipid levels in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  We monitored the serum lipid levels annually for up to 6 years in 157 patients included in three previous trials of ursodeoxycholic acid.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The baseline lipid values were: total cholesterol=207 mg/dL (127-433); high-density lipoprotein=56 mg/dL (26-132); low-density lipoprotein=129 mg/dL (48-334); triglycerides=102 mg/dL (41-698). Cirrhotic stage was associated with lower levels of total cholesterol (186 mg/dL vs. 217 mg/dL, p=.02). A significant correlation between the liver biochemistries and total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels was observed. Ursodeoxycholic acid, as compared to placebo, significantly decreased total (-27 mg/dL vs. 22 mg/dL, p=.0004) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (-24 mg/dL vs. 17 mg/dL, p=.0001). After extended follow-up, small changes in the lipid levels were noticed. The incidence of coronary artery disease was 4%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings suggest that the lipid levels in primary sclerosing cholangitis are often above levels where treatment with lipid-lowering agents is recommended. However, primary sclerosing cholangitis patients seem to have no elevated risk for cardiovascular events. The correlation of total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol with liver biochemistries implies that mechanisms linked to cholestasis may regulate cholesterol metabolism.
authors: Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic Rochester, Rochester, MN, United States.
authors: Emmanouil
authors: E
authors: Sinakos
authors: Ghulam
authors: G
authors: Abbas
authors: Roberta A
authors: RA
authors: Jorgensen
authors: Keith D
authors: KD
authors: Lindor
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015209:Cholangitis, Sclerosing / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008074:Lipoproteins / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000209:etiology; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D014580:Ursodeoxycholic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D008055:Lipids; D008074:Lipoproteins; D014280:Triglycerides; D014580:Ursodeoxycholic Acid; D002784:Cholesterol