Lila Wolfman

Effect of oxandrolone on plasma lipids and lipoproteins of patients with disorders of lipid metabolism

Abstract The effect of oxandrolone (17 β-hydroxy-17α-methyl-2-oxa-5α-androstan-3-one) on plasma lipids, lipoproteins, proteins and glycoproteins has been studied in subjects with primary disorders of lipid metabolism. The effect of this steroid on plasma lipids was highly selective in that it produced profound lowering of all plasma lipids only when the lipid disorder was associated with carbohydrate-induced hypertriglyceridemia (hyper-pre-β-lipoprotenemia). Subjects with familial hypercholesterolemia (hyper-β-lipoproteinemia) showed either no change or elevations of plasma lipids. A patient with fat-induced hypertriglyceridemia (hyperchylomicronemia) showed further elevations in plasma triglyceride levels with administration of the compound. The steroid produced significant increases in α 2 -globulins and α 2 -glycoproteins. A conceptual scheme is presented which correlates the plasma lipid and glycoprotein findings with the response to the drug.

THIN LAYER CHROMATOGRAPHY OF BLOOD LIPIDS.

Summary A simple method is described for the fractionation of blood lipids by thin layer chromatography. Lipid patterns for different disorders of lipid metabolism were demonstrated. A difference was noted in the triglyceride fraction between plasma and serum.

Colestipol Therapy of Hyperlipidemia in Man

Summary Colestipol, a bile acid-sequestrant anion exchange resin, was given in doses of 15 g/day to 18 patients with familial hyperlipopro-teinemia, and its effect compared to seven patients with this disorder treated with placebo. No alterations in diet were made. The colestipol significantly lowered plasma cholesterol and phospholipid levels and produced little alteration in triglyceride concentration. The resin had good patient acceptability and appeared to be an effective addition to methods available for the treatment of hyperlipoproteinemia, particularly type II. We are grateful to Lynn Schwarz for technical assistance and to Harriet Bresnick for assistance in preparation of the manuscript.

Plasma lipid and lipoprotein changes during “pill-a-month” contraceptive steroid administration

Abstract An oral contraceptive combining quinestrol and quingestanol acetate was administered on a once-a-month program, and its effects on plasma lipids and lipoproteins were studied. Significant increases in triglyceride (+32 per cent) and phospholipids (+16 per cent) were noted, but the average plasma cholesterol levels did not change. The average increases were qualitatively similar to those previously reported with the more traditionally administered contraceptives but were of lesser magnitude.

Mechanism and Identification of the Triglyceride Alteration Caused by a Plasma Factor

Conclusion The previously described plasma factor capable of producing an increase in the Rf value of triolein in TLC was shown to be bicarbonate acting as a catalyst in the production of ethyl esters of oleic acid from triolein. We are grateful to Dr. Donald B. Zilversmit for the GLC procedure which definitively identified the altered fraction, and to Drs. Jules Hirsch, Thomas Gallagher, Robert Rosenfeld, and Mr. Morris Wolf-man for help and criticism during various phases of this investigation.

A Plasma Factor Capable of Altering Triglyceride.

Summary A hitherto unknown factor has been found in human blood plasma capable of producing an increase in the Rf value of triglyceride in thin-layer chromatography. It has been shown that the factor is not protein-bound, appears in ultrafiltrates of plasma, and shows quantitative dose-response relationships. The activity is considered non-enzymatic.