1.
Excessively low cholesterol and triglyceride levels in an apparently healthy patient.
Pandya, V, Hunsaker, JJH, La'ulu, SL, Genzen, JR, Frank, EL, Johnson, LM, Rudolf, JW
Clinical biochemistry. 2021;:78-81
Abstract
Lipid panels are a commonly performed test in clinical laboratories. Due to the high prevalence of cardiovascular diseases around the world, it is common to see serum or plasma specimens with high results for one or more components of the lipid panel. Exceedingly low results, however, are rare and may be attributed to certain genetic, infectious, or autoimmune conditions in addition to analytical interference. Here we report a serum specimen from a 58-year-old female with cholesterol and triglyceride values below the detection limit of the assay, which was investigated to identify the cause of the anomaly. Using vitamin C test strips and high-performance liquid chromatography, the presence of high levels of antioxidant vitamin C in the patient specimen was confirmed. Subsequent treatment of the sample with the enzyme ascorbate oxidase inactivated vitamin C, leading to lipid analyte values falling within the expected range upon repeat analysis. Thus, analytical interference by vitamin C should be considered when suspiciously low lipid panel results are encountered.
2.
[Low HDL-cholesterol, high triglycerides--well known but often ignored].
Benz, R, Suter, PM
Praxis. 2004;(46):1911-6
Abstract
A reduced HDL-Cholersterol and increased triglyzerides are an often seen laboratory abnormality. They are known risk factors for arteriosclerosis. However the small influence of a pharamcologic treatment on the two reduced the interest in them. We therefore want to show the relation of the triglyzerides with the HDL-Cholesterol and the nonpharmacologic treatment of these two factors. Some clinical examples are illustrating the topic.
3.
Intervention in shift scheduling and changes in biomarkers of heart disease in hospital wards.
Bøggild, H, Jeppesen, HJ
Scandinavian journal of work, environment & health. 2001;(2):87-96
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The effect of introducing regularity, few consecutive night shifts, more weekends off, and only 2 different types of shifts (day-evening or day-night) into shift scheduling on biomarkers of heart disease was studied. METHODS Ergonomic shift criteria were introduced in a quasi-experimental controlled intervention in 4 hospital wards. Six wards participated as controls. Altogether 101 nurses and nurses' aides were followed for 6 months with measurements of cholesterol and triglycerides. The intervention led to more regular schedules and more staff having 2 shifts in 2 of the intervention wards 1 year after the intervention. The schedules among the controls became less regular and less predictable. The number of consecutive night shifts remained unchanged. RESULTS After 6 months the high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol level had increased in the intervention group, and the total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels and the total:HDL cholesterol ratio had decreased. Regardless of the intervention, changes in regularity were associated with the triglyceride and HDL cholesterol levels and also with the total:HDL cholesterol ratio. More ergonomic changes were associated with lower LDL cholesterol levels, a lower total:HDL cholesterol ratio, and higher HDL cholesterol levels. CONCLUSIONS Increased ergonomic scheduling was possible. Lipids and lipoproteins changed as predicted, both when the changes were assessed in respect to the changes in schedules that resulted from the intervention and the changes that occurred regardless of the intervention. The study suggests that scheduling based on ergonomic criteria is a possible means for reducing the risk of heart disease among shift workers.
4.
Stable reversal of pathologic signs of primitive intestinal lymphangiectasia with a hypolipidic, MCT-enriched diet.
Alfano, V, Tritto, G, Alfonsi, L, Cella, A, Pasanisi, F, Contaldo, F
Nutrition (Burbank, Los Angeles County, Calif.). 2000;(4):303-4
Abstract
We report on a patient with protein-losing enteropathy due to primitive intestinal lymphangiectasia with an early reversal of clinical and biochemical signs and a stable late reversal of pathologic signs after treatment with a hypolipidic diet enriched with medium-chain triacylglycerols.