title: Cholesterol absorption and synthesis markers in Portuguese hypercholesterolemic adults: A cross-sectional study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The dynamics of cholesterol homeostasis and the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD) are complex and multifactorial, to which adds individual variability in the proportion of cholesterol from exogenous versus endogenous sources. The aim of this study was to undertake the first characterization of cholesterol absorption and synthesis profiles in Portuguese hypercholesterolemic adults through the quantification of surrogate markers, and the analysis of the predictive value of age and sex on the cholesterol homeostasis biomarkers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Serum samples for the measurement of lipid profiles and cholesterol homeostasis markers were obtained for 100 men and 112 women, aged 30-65, with TC ≥ 5.2 mmol/L (~200mg/dL) and/or LDL-C ≥ 2.6 mmol/L (~100mg/dL), none of whom were on any lipid-lowering therapy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, sex-specific significant differences were observed in the cholesterol homeostasis markers and lipid profiles; women had lower cholesterol synthesis marker concentrations (P<0.01 for lathosterol) and lipid parameters (except for HDL-C concentrations). Age-related significant differences were also found, including higher concentrations of cholesterol absorption markers in association with increasing age.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In our study, the predictors of higher levels of cholesterol absorption markers were higher age and female gender.
authors.affiliation: Instituto Politécnico de Coimbra, ESTESC-Coimbra Health School, Ciências Complementares, Rua 5 Outubro, S. Martinho do Bispo, Apartado 7006, 3046-854 Coimbra, Portugal; CEF-Center for Pharmaceutical Studies, Health Sciences Campus, Pharmacy Faculty, University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal.
authors.forename: Isabel
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Andrade
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Coimbra University Hospitals, Medicine Faculty, University of Coimbra, 3000-075 Coimbra, Portugal.
authors.forename: Lèlita
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.affiliation: CEF-Center for Pharmaceutical Studies, Health Sciences Campus, Pharmacy Faculty, University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal; CNC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Pharmacy Faculty, University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal. Electronic address: framos@ff.uc.pt.
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ramos
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D004083:Cholestanol / Q000097:blood; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood*; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003897:Desmosterol / Q000097:blood; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010840:Phytosterols / Q000097:blood; D011174:Portugal; D012737:Sex Factors; D012855:Sitosterols / Q000097:blood; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D010840:Phytosterols; D012855:Sitosterols; D014280:Triglycerides; D003897:Desmosterol; C021273:campesterol; C025473:gamma-sitosterol; C001521:lathosterol; D004083:Cholestanol; D002784:Cholesterol
keywords: Cholesterol absorption markers; Cholesterol metabolism profile; Cholesterol synthesis markers