Drugs For High Cholesterol | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

New Drugs To Combat High Cholesterol Could Be A Game Changer For Healthcare In The U.S.

We may be able to finally subdue the increasing obesity rate across the United States.

104
Doctor

High cholesterol level is a leading cause of the obesity epidemic throughout the United States, with approximately 30% of American children calling in at overweight or obese. An increased level of cholesterol in the body is indicative of higher levels of fat in the bloodstream being carried by lipoproteins, which can build up in arteries, block blood flow to the heart, and ultimately increase the risk for heart attacks and coronary-related diseases such as coronary artery disease.

A recently-discovered enzyme's structure has been determined to be a key factor in reducing excess cholesterol to the liver, and the physical stabilization of that structure could be a new hallmark in the development of statins (drugs to combat high cholesterol levels) in order to stem this rising tide of obesity.

Lead author Kelly Manthei, a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Michigan, has conducted research to reveal how a drug-like chemical stimulates the action of the lecithin: cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) enzyme to help high-density lipoprotein (HDL, AKA, "good cholesterol") remove cholesterol from the blood via conversion of the lipid into a more mobile form to transport. Various mutations in LCAT have led to both partial loss of activity (known as the fish-eye disease) and full loss (known as FLD), characterized by fluid buildup in the eyes as a result of excessive cholesterol buildup.

Utilizing X-ray crystallography, Manthei's team was able to isolate the LCAT enzyme and ascertain how LCAT activators bind specifically to the enzyme to promote cholesterol transport. They utilized two different chemicals — the activator molecule and a second compound that mimics a substrate bound to the enzyme (agonist).

When viewing the results of the scan, Manthei's team was able to deduce that the two chemicals had more of an effect on the protein when presented in tandem rather than separately, suggesting that the two molecules had unique binding sites on the enzyme. Further analysis revealed that the activator molecule binds to a region close to where the HDL attaches.

However, the activator's role was not to help LCAT bind HDL more effectively, but rather to assist in the transfer of cholesterol and lipids into the catalytic center of the enzyme in order to convert it for transport in HDL.

Having understood the purpose of the activator, Manthei's team developed a modified version of the enzyme with a mutation normally seen in FLD patients and then tested that variation's ability to bind HDL and convert cholesterol in both the presence and absence of the activator molecule. They found that the activator could partly reverse the loss of activity in the mutated enzymes, resulting in similar transport of cholesterol to that of the normally functioning enzyme.

These results show a great deal of pharmacological promise to help develop new compounds specifically needed to combat high cholesterol levels, and ultimately subdue the increasing obesity rate across the United States.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

125277
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

27818
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less
Health and Wellness

10 Hygiene Tips For All College Athletes

College athletes, it's time we talk about sports hygiene.

25900
Woman doing pull-ups on bars with sun shining behind her.

I got a request to talk about college athletes hygiene so here it is.

College athletes, I get it, you are busy! From class, to morning workouts, to study table, to practice, and more. But that does not excuse the fact that your hygiene comes first! Here are some tips when it comes to taking care of your self.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments