Gazette July 2005
Population studies suggest that those who take statins are at lower risk of colon, prostate, and breast cancer. What is intriguing is that the statins appear to lower the risk of advanced prostate cancer by 54%, metastatic stage by 34% but not at all for cancer still localised in the prostate. Read more here.
Spread the news that early stage HER2-positive breast cancer, a particularly aggressive form with a poor prognosis afflicting about 20-30% of women, have a new weapon with herceptin - which significantly increases disease-free survival. Read more here.
To create arteries researchers started with a tube of structural material that would later dissolve, then seeded the inner wall with the patient's vascular cells that had been reversed in ageing with Geron's telomerase technology, while pulsing a vitamin and nutrient solution through the tube as the cells multiplied and filled the dissolving scaffold. Other cells were added to line the interior of the tube to complete the artery.
These proto-arteries are not yet fully functional since collagen and elastin at least will have to be woven into the arterial matrix so there's a lot more research to be done. Encourage the young to migrate to science. See the wonder. EdRef College Search Directory.
To add to these remarkable studies is attention to the fruit known as a pomegranate. I'm thankful to Dr. Isadore Rosenfeld (Fox News, Sunday mornings, 10:30 am, June 19th) who pointed out that pomegranate juice in sufficient quantity is so packed with polyphenol antioxidants that reversal of coronary and carotid artery plaque has been observed. Read this
The National Institutes of Health has already reported and is continuing research in growing new blood vessels in patients by inserting time-release capsules of basic fibroblast growth factor into the heart muscle of patients scheduled for bypass surgery.
Clinical studies have proved that injecting the patient's own bone marrow cells into the calf muscle results in newly formed blood vessels for a person with peripheral artery disease, resulting in reversal of claudication in even the most severe cases.
Angiogenesis growth factor induced generation of new blood vessels for patients with coronary artery disease are showing promising results, News-medical.net is explaining about planned clinical studies, while other researchers are exploring various options for generating new arteries.
LEF sells the best quality vitamins and supplements.
Sufficient blood levels of vitamin D3 (ergocalciferol) have been shown to be essential in surviving lung cancer surgery. Read more here.
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I've pointed out before the occurrence of a small proportion of the population with the condition hypobetalipoproteinemia, whose genetic inheritance of natural very low LDL levels predisposes them to a condition known as a 'longevity syndrome' in which they do not suffer from atherosclerosis or the sequelae of cardiovascular disease.
As statin therapy is lowering LDL and C-reactive protein levels, attention is turning to molecules to raise HDL levels. Pfizer's clinical trials with torcetrapib/atorvastatin will lead to effective treatment. A very high level of HDL is hyperalphalipoproteinemia
Hyperalphalipoproteinemia is also a genetic inheritance that is a 'longevity syndrome' which varies in incidence between women and men, between racial groups, and even between young and old. And in that, there is an interesting story. Let us call hyperalpha lipoproteinemia HALP. I am indebted to Dr. Vibhuti Singh, Dr. Elena Citkowitz and their colleague editors for their comprehensive review of HALP June 3, 2004. John Fahey
HALP has been described in most populations of the world but population-wide data for most countries is not yet available. What is known from population studies in the United States is suprising. For example, among randomly screened children and teenagers ages 6 to 19, this ' longevity syndrome' HALP is found to occur in 25% of black males, 17.2% of black females, 12.8% of white females and 7.8% of white males.
Ageing most certainly has an effect on the incidence of HALP since adults aged 20 to 79 were found to have an incidence of 13.3% for black men and women, 6.9% for white women, and 4% for white men.
A general population survey also shows incidence of HALP declining with age as shown by a prevalence of 15.8% in the 20 to 29 year age group, 8.4% in the 30 to 39 year age group, and 7.8% for those over 40 years of age.
The most important mechanism by which HDL protects against atherosclerosis is by removing excess cholesterol from peripheral cells and transporting it to the liver. This process is commonly termed the 'reverse cholesterol transport system'.
Familial HALP results in high plasma concentrations of HDL-C, lipoprotein A-1 and Apo-1. One metabolic cause is believed to be due to an elevated rate of production of Apo A-1.
This raises an interesting prospect. As defined by the US National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III guidelines an HDL (HDL-C) level of 60 mg/dL (1.55 mmol/L) or greater has cardioprotective effects while the multi-center statin trials demonstrated that for coronary disease patients a level of LDL below 70 mg/dL (1.81 mmol/L) had reversal of atherosclerosis effects and therefore patients at severe cardiac risk are advised to bring their LDL below that level. Since further studies will unfold in the years to come defining preferable ranges and limits for maximal cardioprotection, it raises bold options for a healthy individual seeking optimal healthy longevity.
Since there is a wide variation in HDL and LDL levels among the general population as well as genetic differences in the levels of various enzymes involved in the reverse cholesterol transfer mechanism, it will take a long time before an individually tailored adjustment of lipoprotein levels will be feasible for the general population. At this stage I am willing to speculate that eventually medical opinion will advise levels trending toward 'longevity syndrome' levels with HDL 60 -100 mg/dL (1.55 - 3.6 mmol/L) and LDL 30-40 mg/dL (~0.8 - 1.0 mmol/L). Of course attention to triglyceride levels, VLDL, C-reactive protein, homocysteine and fibrinogen will need to be monitored and if necessary adjusted as stated in Cholesterol_01. John Fahey
This web page is one of a number of ErinPharm web pages designed by me as a synopsis of topics that interest me as well as being a quick reference page for my newsletter subscribers and myself. I have no affiliation of any kind to any pharmaceutical company or medical group. The opinions expressed are my own. I welcome communication and debate. I am an optimist. I look forward to the future with wonder.
John L. Fahey johnfahey@tds.net
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See note of caution below about using supplements to raise HDL-cholesterol
************** Note of caution regarding the use of supplements to raise HDL-cholesterol.
Added January 31, 2008.
Although supplements of Vitamin E (tocopherols) can provide benefit, the results of numerous studies are contradictory. Current research indicates that for some subgroup of people raising HDL-cholesterol is not cardioprotective and may even be atherogenic, causing plaque. As of this date ongoing investigations are examining such a puzzling finding. For an update read relevant sections of Erinpharm Gazette January 2008.
For the most prudent approach to halting or even reversing atherosclerosis the standard is still good nutrition, frequent moderate exercise, stopping smoking, taking omega-3 fish oils to lower triglycerides, and using a statin as to reduce LDL-cholesterol below 60 mg/dL. Consult with your physician to raise HDL-cholesterol with Trocor (fenofibrate).
***** Note added April 26 2008.
Pfizer torcetrapib trials halted but CETP inhibition molecules still under investigation by other companies. Use the Google toolbar above to search for news of CETP inhibition studies from Erinpharm monthly Gazettes.
