Does high-fructose feeding promote accelerated degradation of hepatic LDL receptor and hypercholesterolemia in hamsters via elevated circulating PCSK9 levels?
Our studies for the first time demonstrate that high fructose consumption increases serum PCSK9 concentrations and reduces liver LDLR protein levels in hyperlipidemic hamsters. The positive correlation between circulating cholesterol and PCSK9 and the reduction of liver LDLR protein in HFD-fed hamsters suggest that hamster is a better animal model than mouse to study the modulation of PCSK9/LDLR pathway by atherogenic diets.
Abnormal serum ALT levels, as surrogate measure of NAFLD, are closely associated with impaired insulin sensitivity in young PCOS women in a manner that is independent from the contribution of age and total adiposity. Early recognition of NAFLD by radiological imaging tests in this group of young patients is warranted.