川芎嗪注射液对冠心病心绞痛患者血脂相关指标的影响及其临床疗效分析

目的:探讨川芎嗪注射液治疗冠心病心绞痛的临床疗效。方法:选择2014年5月-2016年5月在我院接受治疗的冠心病心绞痛患者79例,根据治疗方法不同分为对照组(37例)和研究组(42例)。对照组患者给予常规治疗,研究组患者在对照组基础上给予川芎嗪注射液治疗。观察并比较两组患者的临床疗效。结果:治疗前,两组患者总胆固醇(TC)、甘油三酯(TG)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)及高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)水平比较,差异无统计学意义(P0.05);治疗后,两组患者总胆固醇(TC)、甘油三酯(TG)及低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)水平均显著降低,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05);治疗后,研究组患者总胆固醇(TC)、甘油三酯(TG)及低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)水平均低于对照组,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05);治疗后,两组患者高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)水平比较,差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。研究组患者治疗总有效率(92.86%)高于对照组(81.08%),差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:川芎嗪注射液治疗冠心病心绞痛的临床疗效显著,能够降低血脂相关指标水平,改善临床症状,值得临床推广应用。     

Hypolipidaemic efficacy of Capparis decidua fruit and shoot extracts in cholesterol fed rabbits

High fat diet caused significant (8-fold) increase in serum total cholesterol in rabbits. Administration of C. decidua fruit extract (50% ethanolic) at the dose of 500 mg/kg body weight significantly reduced serum total cholesterol (61%), LDL cholesterol (71%), triglycerides (32%) and phospholipids (25%). Similarly C. decidua shoot extract lowered serum total cholesterol (48%), LDL cholesterol (57%), triglycerides (38%) and phospholipids (36%).The cholesterol content of aorta was decreased by 44 and 28% in fruit and shoot extract treatment respectively. The HDL to total cholesterol ratio and atherogenic index was significantly decreased in plant extract treated groups suggesting antiatherosclerotic nature of these plant extract. These results reveal the hypolipidaemic potential of C. decidua fruit and shoot.     

Lowering cholesterol concentrations and mortality: a quantitative review of primary prevention trials.

OBJECTIVE--To determine the effects of lowering cholesterol concentrations on total and cause specific mortality in randomised primary prevention trials. DESIGN--Qualitative (meta-analytic) evaluation of total mortality from coronary heart disease, cancer, and causes not related to illness in six primary prevention trials of cholesterol reduction (mean duration of treatment 4.8 years). PATIENTS--24,847 Male participants; mean age 47.5 years. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--Total and cause specific mortalities. RESULTS--Follow up periods totalled 119,000 person years, during which 1147 deaths occurred. Mortality from coronary heart disease tended to be lower in men receiving interventions to reduce cholesterol concentrations compared with mortality in control subjects (p = 0.06), although total mortality was not affected by treatment. No consistent relation was found between reduction of cholesterol concentrations and mortality from cancer, but there was a significant increase in deaths not related to illness (deaths from accidents, suicide, or violence) in groups receiving treatment to lower cholesterol concentrations relative to controls (p = 0.004). When drug trials were analysed separately the treatment was found to reduce mortality from coronary heart disease significantly (p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS--The association between reduction of cholesterol concentrations and deaths not related to illness warrants further investigation. Additionally, the failure of cholesterol lowering to affect overall survival justifies a more cautious appraisal of the probable benefits of reducing cholesterol concentrations in the general population.     

Exonic, but not intronic polymorphisms of ESR1 gene might influence the hypolipemic effect of raloxifene

Studies have shown that selective modulator of estrogen receptor raloxifene, exerts hypolipemic properties at least partially through estrogen receptor alpha activation. To test the hypothesis that polymorphisms of estrogen receptor alpha are associated with the influence of 6 months raloxifene treatment on serum lipids, two intronic (PvuII and XbaI), and one exonic polymorphism (P325P) were analyzed in 49 postmenopausal women, mean age 62.5+/-5.7 years. In all subjects, the total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, and triglycerides were determined before and after 6 months of raloxifene treatment. We were unable to find any relationship between estrogen receptor alpha genotype and serum lipids at baseline. At the end of 6 months treatment with raloxifene, the mean decrease of total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol, independently of genotypes, was highly significant, but no influence on HDL and triglycerides concentrations was found. Neither the PvuII nor XbaI ESR1 gene polymorphisms were associated with the magnitude of lipid changes after 6 months treatment, whereas the subjects with non-CC genotype of P325P mutation had significantly lower total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol concentrations, and higher decline of total cholesterol (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that exonic, but not intronic polymorphisms of estrogen receptor alpha gene might intensify the cholesterol lowering effect of raloxifene.     

Effects of prolactin and androgens on seminal vesicular lipids of castrated mature bonnet monkeys Macaca radiata

Effects of prolactin (PRL), bromocriptine (Br), testosterone propionate (TP), dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and the combination of these androgens with PRL/Br on the total lipid, total cholesterol, total glyceride glycerols, total phospholipid and their fractions in seminal vesicles of castrated mature monkeys were studied. Glyceride glycerols formed the major portion (50%) of total lipids in normal monkeys. Cholesterol and phospholipids were of equal share (25%). Esterified cholesterol formed major share (75%) of total cholesterol. Diacyl glycerol was the major (60%) glyceride glycerol and phosphatidyl choline and ethanolamine were the major phospholipid classes. Except triacyl glycerol castration markedly decreased all the lipid classes. PRL restored normal free and esterified cholesterol and phosphatidyl inositol but Br invariably decreased all the lipid classes. TP/DHT treatment stimulated the free and esterified cholesterol more than the control; it restored the normal glyceride glycerols. Phosphatidyl inositol, choline and ethanolamine were stimulated by androgens and other phospholipid classes were brought to normal. Addition of PRL + TP/DHT markedly increased esterified cholesterol, phosphatidyl inositol, choline, ethanolamine and phosphatidic acid. In all these aspects, Br counteracted the effects of androgens and PRL.     

Prevention of progression of coronary atherosclerosis by treatment of hyperlipidaemia: a seven year prospective angiographic study.

The progression of coronary atherosclerosis was assessed by repeat angiography in 28 patients and 20 controls with hyperlipidaemia (serum cholesterol concentration greater than 7.2 mmol/l (278 mg/100 ml) or serum triglyceride concentration greater than 2.0 mmol/l (177 mg/100 ml), or both) and symptomatic coronary artery disease of two or three vessels. Twenty eight patients (26 men and two women) were treated with diet and drugs (clofibrate or nicotinic acid, or both) to lower lipid concentrations. Twenty men taking part in a simultaneous study served as non-randomised controls. They received medical treatment for coronary artery disease but no treatment to reduce lipid concentrations. The initial levels of coronary risk factors and the angiographic state were comparable in the two groups. In the 28 patients total cholesterol, total triglyceride, and low density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations were reduced by an average 18%, 38%, and 19% respectively by treatment for hyperlipidaemia and high density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration was increased on average by 10%. The treatment maintained these concentrations during a follow up of seven years. By all criteria coronary lesions progressed significantly less in the patients than the controls: the angiographic state remained completely unchanged in nine (32%) of the patients compared with only one (8%) of the surviving controls; of the arterial segments at risk, 46 (16.5%) progressed in the patients compared with 50 (38.2%) in the controls (p less than 0.001); and the coronary obstruction increased less in patients than in controls (p less than 0.05). Cardiac survival was 89% in seven years in the patients compared with 65% in five years in the controls (p less than 0.01). The anginal symptoms diminished or remained stable in 16 of the 24 patients who survived until the end of the study. The progression of coronary atheromatosis was significantly greater in those patients who during the seven years of treatment had an average total cholesterol concentration, VLDL plus LDL cholesterol concentration, or ratio of LDL to HDL cholesterol concentration above the respective median value than in those with the corresponding values below median. On the other hand, the patients with HDL cholesterol concentrations above the median during treatment showed less progression than those with lower HDL cholesterol concentrations. The increase in coronary obstruction was inversely related to the average HDL cholesterol concentration during treatment. The progression was not, however, related to LDL cholesterol concentration during treatment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

The effects of soy protein in women and men with elevated plasma lipids

Fifty four postmenopausal women with elevated cholesterol were recruited for a randomised, double-blind controlled trial of soy protein containing isoflavones. (ISP+) or a soy protein with a low isoflavone content (ISP-), taken daily for 12 weeks. There was an overall reduction after 12 weeks in total cholesterol (TC), LDL cholesterol (LDL-C), sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), and luteinizing hormone (LH). There were no significant differences between treatment groups. In a separate study 27 male subjects with a TC > 5.5 mmol/l were given ISP+ for 12 weeks. In this male study there was a significant increase in HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) and SHBG. Soy protein has a cholesterol lowering effect in both women and men. These studies suggest that this effect is independent of isoflavones. Soy protein also reduces SHBG levels in both sexes.     

大剂量胰岛素联合西格列汀对老年2 型糖尿病患者的疗效

目的:研究大剂量胰岛素联合西格列汀对老年2型糖尿病患者的疗效。方法:选择2012年1月~2015年12月在我院进行诊治的老年2型糖尿病患者82例,随机分为两组,观察组采用大剂量胰岛素联合西格列汀治疗,对照组采用大剂量胰岛素治疗,两组均治疗3个月。比较两组治疗前后的甘油三酯、总胆固醇、低密度脂蛋白和高密度脂蛋白水平,餐后2 h血糖、空腹血糖、糖化血红蛋白,胰岛素抵抗指数、胰岛素分泌指数、每日胰岛素总量和低血糖发生次数。结果:对照组治疗前后的血脂水平无明显差异(P0.05),观察组治疗后的甘油三酯、总胆固醇和低密度脂蛋白明显降低(P0.05),高密度脂蛋白明显升高(P0.05);治疗后,两组的餐后2 h血糖、空腹血糖、糖化血红蛋白均明显降低(P0.05),且观察组降低更为明显(P0.05);对照组治疗前后的胰岛素抵抗指数、胰岛素分泌指数和每日胰岛素总量均无明显差异(P0.05),观察组治疗后的胰岛素抵抗指数和每日胰岛素总量均明显降低(P0.05),胰岛素分泌指数明显升高(P0.05);两组治疗前后低血糖发生次数和身体质量指数均无明显差异(P0.05)。结论:大剂量胰岛素联合西格列汀能有效控制老年2型糖尿病患者的血糖水平,改善胰岛β细胞功能,减少胰岛素用量,是一种安全有效的治疗方法。     

Total cholesterol concentration in relation to superovulatory responses in crossbred cows

Blood serum total cholesterol levels of crossbred Taur-indicus donor cows (n=22), in their 1st to 4th parity, were studied as an indicator of embryo yield. These cows were superovulated either with FSH or PMSG + anti-PMSG on the 12th day of the synchronized estrous cycle. The total and transferable number of embryos did not differ significantly between the treatment groups. The number of corpora lutea and total and transferable embryos in donors having total cholesterol levels <140 mg/dl were significantly (P < 0.05) lower than those of cows having >140 mg/dl, indicating that low total cholesterol levels might adversely affect superovulatory response. Thus, estimation of total cholesterol concentrations of potential donors can be a useful tool for predicting superovulatory responses.     

Role of thyroid hormone in intermediary metabolism of propranolol or alloxan-treated Calotes versicolor.

Administration of L-thyroxine (T4) to thyroidectomized Calotes versicolor significantly increased the activity of glucose-6-phosphatase (G-6-Pase) (liver and kidney), the concentrations of blood glucose and total protein (liver and kidney), and decreased hepatic cholesterol when compared to thyroidectomized lizards. Propranolol injections in thyroidectomized lizards increased the cholesterol concentration and did not change the other parameters. The activity of G-6-Pase and blood glucose content was stimulated, whereas the total protein and cholesterol contents were decreased after alloxan treatment. Administration of T4 to thyroidectomized animals pretreated with propranolol or alloxan significantly elevated the activity of G-6-Pase, the concentrations of blood glucose, and total protein, and reduced hepatic cholesterol level when compared to drug-treated lizards. From the results, it is evident that thyroid hormone has an independent stimulatory influence on intermediary metabolism in C. versicolor irrespective of the involvement of adrenaline or insulin.     

Effect of nadolol on plasma lipids in hyperthyroidism

The effect of Nadolol treatment on lipid subfractions in a group of 23 hyperthyroid patients was assessed in a randomised double-blind placebo controlled trial lasting six weeks, carbimazole being given to both groups from weeks 2 to 6. Clinical and biochemical euthyroidism was seen in both groups at 6 weeks; no effect of nadolol on peripheral monodeiodination of T4 to T3 was observed. At time 0 there were significant negative correlations between total cholesterol and free T3 (r = 0.68), and free T4 (r = 0.54). In the Nadolol group there were significant rises between 0 and 6 weeks in total cholesterol (52.6%, P less than 0.01), LDL cholesterol (30.3%, P less than 0.01) and HDL cholesterol (18.2%, P less than 0.05). HDL cholesterol rose significantly in the placebo group (12.4%, P less than 0.05) but there were no significant increases in LDL cholesterol or total cholesterol. The rise in triglyceride during this period in the Nadolol group (64.7%, P less than 0.05) was significantly greater (P less than 0.05) than the rise in the placebo group (8.8%). Nadolol increases triglyceride more than placebo during the early management of hyperthyroidism.     

Impact on lipoprotein profile after long-term testosterone replacement in hypogonadal men.

Testosterone serum levels may influence the lipoprotein metabolism and possibly atherogenic risk. Our aim was to investigate the effects of long-term testosterone supplementation in hypogonadal men on multiple lipoprotein markers. 18 Hypogonadal men were studied before and after 3, 6, and 18 (n = 7) months of treatment with testosterone enanthate. During treatment, serum testosterone and estradiol increased, reaching normal levels (p < 0.0001 and 0.003, respectively). This was associated with a decrease in HDL cholesterol (from 1.40 +/- 0.10 mmol/l to 1.22 +/- 0.08 mmol/l, p < 0.001) after six months at the expense of HDL2 cholesterol (p < 0.01), as well as apoprotein A1 (from 139 +/- 3.4 mg/dl to 126 +/- 3.0 mg/dl, p < 0.005). Hepatic lipase activity increased (p < 0.05) and correlated positively with testosterone (r = 0.56, p < 0.02) and negatively with HDL cholesterol (r = - 0.58, p < 0.02). Total and LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and apoprotein B did not increase. Among the seven patients who completed 18 months of treatment, triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL and HDL cholesterol, as well as total cholesterol/HDL cholesterol ratio values did not differ from baseline while apoprotein A1 (p < 0.03) and HDL cholesterol (p < 0.015) remained decreased and hepatic lipase unchanged. Restoration of testosterone levels in hypogonadal men in this study did not reveal unfavorable changes based on total cholesterol/HDL cholesterol and LDL cholesterol/apoprotein B ratios, which are both atherogenic risk markers. Whether the changes in light of lipoprotein metabolism will adversely influence cardiovascular risk over time remains to be determined.     

LCAT can rescue the abnormal phenotype produced by the natural ApoA-I mutations (Leu141Arg)Pisa and (Leu159Arg)FIN

To explain the etiology and find a mode of therapy of genetically determined low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), we have generated recombinant adenoviruses expressing apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I)(Leu141Arg)Pisa and apoA-I(Leu159Arg)FIN and studied their properties in vitro and in vivo. Both mutants were secreted efficiently from cells but had diminished capacity to activate lecithin/cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) in vitro. Adenovirus-mediated gene transfer of either of the two mutants in apoA-I-deficient (apoA-I-/-) mice resulted in greatly decreased total plasma cholesterol, apoA-I, and HDL cholesterol levels. The treatment also decreased the cholesteryl ester to total cholesterol ratio (CE/TC), caused accumulation of prebeta1-HDL and small size alpha4-HDL particles, and generated only few spherical HDL particles, as compared to mice expressing wild-type (WT) apoA-I. Simultaneous treatment of the mice with adenoviruses expressing either of the two mutants and human LCAT normalized the plasma apoA-I, HDL cholesterol levels, and the CE/TC ratio, restored normal prebeta- and alpha-HDL subpopulations, and generated spherical HDL. The study establishes that apoA-I(Leu141Arg)Pisa and apoA-I(Leu159Arg)FIN inhibit an early step in the biogenesis of HDL due to inefficient esterification of the cholesterol of the prebeta1-HDL particles by the endogenous LCAT. Both defects can be corrected by treatment with LCAT.     

Effects of piperine on the lipid composition and enzymes of the pyruvate-malate cycle in the testis of the rat in vivo

Effects of piperine at two oral doses (5 and 10 mg/kg body weight for 30 days) on the lipid composition and some lipogenic enzymes of the rat testis were studied. Piperine treatment depleted the total lipid content which was mainly due to the diminution of the total phospholipid concentration. All the classes of phospholipids were decreased markedly following high dose piperine treatment. In contrast, a marked increase in total cholesterol and cholesterol ester was evident with a concomitant fall in free cholesterol. A similar trend was found for the total glyceride glycerol and its fractions. Total glyceride glycerol and triacyl glycerol showed a significant increase at the expense of diacyl glycerol in rats treated with the high dose of piperine. Lipogenic enzymes, malate dehydrogenase (MDH), malic enzyme (ME) and isocitrate dehydrogenase (ICDH) were inhibited by the high dose and only MDH and ME activities were inhibited by the low dose treatment.     

Biliary lipid secretion in patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia and combined hyperlipidemia. Influence of bezafibrate and fenofibrate

Serum and biliary lipid metabolism were examined in 13 patients with different types of hyperlipoproteinemia before and after 4 weeks of treatment with either bezafibrate or fenofibrate. In patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), bezafibrate (n = 5) and fenofibrate (n = 7) produced a similar significant reduction of total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and triglycerides by 21, 23, and 32%, respectively. In patients with familial combined hyperlipidemia (CHL), only triglycerides decreased markedly. Biliary lipid secretion rates in patients with heterozygous FH were not different from those of young male volunteers, indicating that a reduction of hepatic LDL receptors did not affect hepatic elimination of cholesterol or bile acids. Biliary cholesterol secretion increased significantly from 57 to 75 mg/hr during bezafibrate therapy (n = 8) and from 62 to 71 mg/hr during fenofibrate therapy (n = 9). No consistent change in bile acid or phospholipid secretion was observed. The elevated output of biliary cholesterol increased cholesterol saturation significantly from 147 to 185% and from 152 to 173% during administration of bezafibrate and fenofibrate, respectively. The present study indicates that treatment with bezafibrate or fenofibrate is effective in lowering LDL cholesterol in patients with heterozygous FH, but both drugs increase cholesterol saturation of bile, which might enhance the risk of cholesterol gallstone formation.     

Alterations in brain lipid composition of mice made physically dependent to ethanol

The ability of chronic ethanol treatment to alter CNS membrane lipids was tested. Adult male C57/BL6 mice were given a liquid diet containing ethanol for eight days. This regimen produced strong physical dependence as judged by withdrawal seizures, tremors and concomitant hypothermia. Analyses were performed on cholesterol, total phospholipid content and total phospholipid acyl composition of myelin, crude (P2), light and heavy synaptosomes as well as synaptosomal plasma membranes. Chronic ethanol treatment had no effect on total phospholipid levels nor phospholipid acyl composition in any of the above subcellular fractions. In ethanol dependent mice, significant increases in cholesterol content and cholesterol/ phospholipid ratios were observed only in synaptosomal plasma membranes.     

The effect of weight loss on inflammation in obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of modest weight reduction on serum concentrations of tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), TNF soluble receptors (sTNFRs) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study group consisted of 15 obese women with PCOS (mean age 28.5 +/- 7.7 years). Serum concentrations of TNF-alpha, sTNFRs and IL-6, insulin, FSH, LH, DHEAS, androstendione, total and free testosterone, cortisol, 17OH-progesterone, oestradiol and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), glucose, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and triglycerides were measured before treatment and after 10% weight loss. All patients were advised to follow a 1000-1200 kcal diet with a limited intake of simple carbohydrate and animal fats and to exercise regularly (30 min, 3 times a week). Body composition was measured by bioimpedance. Serum concentrations of TNF-alpha, sTNFRs and IL-6 were determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Plasma insulin, FSH, LH, DHEAS, androstendione, total and free testosterone, cortisol, 17OH-progesterone, oestradiol and SHBG were measured by a commercial RIA. Blood glucose, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and triglycerides were measured by an enzymatic procedure. RESULTS: We observed no differences in serum concentrations of TNF-alpha, sTNFRs or IL-6 after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: It seems that more than a modest weight reduction is necessary to obtain a decrease in serum concentrations of proinflammatory cytokines and an improvement in ovarian function in obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome.     

阿托伐他汀对急性心肌梗塞患者hs-CRP及血脂水平的影响

目的:研究阿托伐他汀对急性心肌梗塞患者超敏C反应蛋白(hs-CRP)及血脂水平的影响。方法:选取2012年1月到2015年1月我院收治的急性心肌梗塞患者80例,按照随机数字表法将患者分为研究组和对照组,每组40例,对照组给予常规治疗,研究组在对照组的基础上给予阿托伐他汀治疗,比较治疗前后两组hs-CRP和总胆固醇(TC)、甘油三酯(TG)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)和高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)水平。结果:两组治疗后hs-CRP较治疗前显著降低(P0.05),且研究组治疗后hs-CRP显著低于对照组,(P0.05);治疗后两组TC、TG和LDL-C显著低于治疗前,HDL-C显著高于治疗前(P0.05),且治疗后研究组TC、TG和LDL-C显著低于对照组,HDL-C显著高于对照组(P0.05)。结论:阿托伐他汀治疗急性心肌梗塞具有较好的效果,能有效降低hs-CRP水平,改善患者血脂水平。     

Serum lathosterol concentration is an indicator of whole-body cholesterol synthesis in humans

The power of serum lathosterol concentration as an indicator of whole-body cholesterol synthesis was investigated in 47 human volunteers consuming two diets differing in fatty acid composition. The cholesterol balance (fecal excretion of neutral and acid steroids minus cholesterol intake) was strongly correlated with the serum level of total (free plus esterified) lathosterol and also with the ratio of serum lathosterol over serum cholesterol, both on a diet rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (r = 0.74 for the ratio) and one containing mainly saturated fatty acids (r = 0.70 for the ratio). In a subgroup for which the serum levels of free lanosterol and other free methylsterols were also quantitated, the correlations of these levels (expressed relative to serum free cholesterol) with the cholesterol balance were lower than that found for total lathosterol (expressed relative to serum total cholesterol). A further corroboration was obtained by measuring the lathosterol/cholesterol ratio in 20 patients with familial hypercholesterolemia before and during treatment with the hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitor Mk-733. The ratio was lowered by 47% during drug treatment, suggesting a significant decrease of the cholesterol balance in these patients. We conclude, from the various indicators proposed to monitor whole-body cholesterol synthesis, that the lathosterol/cholesterol ratio in serum appears preferable with respect to indicative power and ease of quantitation.     

Effects of skim milk, skim milk yogurt, orotic acid, and uric acid on lipid metabolism in rats

The effects of feeding two milk products (skim milk and skim milk yogurt) and two proposed hypocholesterolemic factors (orotic acid and uric acid) on serum cholesterol (HDL, LDL, total, HDL/Total and HDL/LDL), liver lipids (total liver lipids and liver cholesterol), and aortal cholesterol were studied. Ten groups, of nine rats each, were fed isocaloric Chow-based diets containing water, 45% skim milk (SM), 45% skim milk yogurt (SMY), and 0.0025% orotic acid (OA) or 0.001% uric acid (UA), without or with cholesterol. The SM diet (with cholesterol) resulted not only in lower total cholesterol (P < 0.10), LDL cholesterol (P < 0.05), aortal cholesterol (P < 0.01), and liver cholesterol (P < 0.10), but also in increased HDL (P < 0.05) and HDL/LDL (P < 0.10) cholesterol ratio. The SMY diet, on the other hand, resulted in lowered total serum cholesterol (P < 0.05) and aortal cholesterol (P < 0.01) and in higher LDL (P < 0.05) cholesterol. The hypocholesterolemic effects were more marked for SM than for SMY. Addition of OA and UA to diets increased serum cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and total liver lipids; the OA diet also increased liver cholesterol. Neither OA nor UA alone was the factor responsible for the hypocholesterolemic effects seen with SM and SMY feeding.