Kay Doyle

Oral Nicotine Induces an Atherogenic Lipoprotein Profile

Abstract Male squirrel monkeys were used to evaluate the effect of chronic oral nicotine intake on lipoprotein composition and metabolism. Eighteen yearling monkeys were divided into two groups: 1) Controls fed isocaloric liquid diet; and 2) Nicotine primates given liquid diet supplemented with nicotine at 6 mg/kg body wt/day. Animals were weighed biweekly, plasma lipid, glucose, and lipoprotein parameters were measured monthly, and detailed lipoprotein composition, along with postheparin plasma lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and hepatic triglyceride lipase (HTGL) activity, was assessed after 24 months of treatment. Although nicotine had no effect on plasma triglyceride or high density lipoproteins (HDL), the alkaloid caused a significant increase in plasma glucose, cholesterol, and low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol plus protein while simultaneously reducing the HDL cholesterol/plasma cholesterol ratio and animal body weight. Levels of LDL precursors, very low density (VLDL) and intermediate density (IDL) lipoproteins, were also lower in nicotine-treated primates while total postheparin lipase (LPL + HTGL) activity was significantly elevated. Our data indicate that long-term consumption of oral nicotine induces an atherogenic lipoprotein profile (+LDL, +HDL/total cholesterol ratio) by enhancing lipolytic conversion of VLDL to LDL. These results have important health implications for humans who use smokeless tobacco products or chew nicotine gum for prolonged periods.

Ethanol Induced Alterations in Low and High Density Lipoproteins

Abstract Male squirrel monkeys fed ethanol (ETOH) at variable doses were used to determine whether alcohol modifies levels of plasma low density lipoproteins (LDL) in addition to increasing high density lipoproteins (HDL). Because we earlier showed that high alcohol consumption enhances lipoprotein cholesterol synthesis, experiments were also performed to further assess whether ETOH alters lipoprotein clearance and plasma transfer processes in vivo- Monkeys were divided into three groups: Controls fed isocaloric liquid diet; and Low and High ETOH animals fed liquid diet with vodka substituted isocalorically for carbohydrate at 12 and 24% of calories, respectively. High ETOH primates had significantly more LDL lipid and protein while serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase was similar for the three groups. Although removal of 3H LDL cholesteryl ester (CE) from the plasma compartment was not affected by dietary ETOH, transfer of LDL CE to HDL was impaired in the High ETOH group suggesting a mechanism for the enlarged circulating pool of LDL. Transfer of 14C HDL CE to lower density lipoproteins was similar for the three groups. However, ETOH at both doses delayed clearance of radiolabeled HDL CE from circulation. Thus besides enhancing synthesis of lipoproteins, ETOH at a moderately high dose (24% of calories) influences lipoprotein levels in primates by modifying lipid transfer processes (LDL) as well as by altering clearance (HDL) without adversely affecting liver function.

Ethanol enhances de novo synthesis of high density lipoprotein cholesterol.

Abstract Male squirrel monkeys fed ethanol at variable doses were used to assess whether alcohol enhances de novo synthesis of high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol in vivo. Monkeys were divided into three groups: 1) Controls fed isocaloric liquid diet; 2) Low Ethanol monkeys fed liquid diet with vodka substituted isocalorical-ly for carbohydrate at 12% of calories; and 3) High Ethanol animals fed diet plus vodka at 24% of calories. High Ethanol primates had significantly higher levels of HDL nonesterified cholesterol than Control and Low Ethanol animals while serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase was similar for the three treatments. There were no significant differences between the groups in HDL cholesteryl ester mass or specific activity following intravenous injection of labeled mevalonolactone. By contrast, High Ethanol monkeys had significantly greater HDL nonesterified cholesterol specific activity with approximately 60% of the radioactivity distributed in the HDL3 sub-fraction. This report provides the first experimental evidence that ethanol at 24% of calories induces elevations in HDL cholesterol in primates through enhanced de novo synthesis without adverse effects on liver function.

Building a Laboratory Workforce to Meet the Future ASCP Task Force on the Laboratory Professionals Workforce

OBJECTIVES To analyze the demand for services from the nations medical laboratories, which is predicted to dramatically increase as our citizens age and millions receive insurance coverage through the Affordable Care Act. METHODS A systematic review of relevant publications and databases was conducted to assess the current state of the nations medical laboratory workforce and to examine the impact of population demographics and health reform on workforce development to address the future demand for laboratory services. RESULTS Building a Laboratory Workforce to Meet the Future, a new report from the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP), provides a comprehensive strategy to address the future workforce needs of the nations medical laboratories to meet this demand to provide timely, accurate, and safe patient care and to fully realize the benefits of personalized medicine. CONCLUSIONS The report, from the ASCP Task Force on the Laboratory Professionals Workforce, is a comprehensive review of the myriad of factors affecting recruitment and retention of qualified laboratory professionals and provides a set of thoughtful recommendations outlining a multifaceted approach to bolster the pipeline of potential candidates for the profession as well as leadership in health care.