- Home
- Test Categories
- Allergy Testing
- Autoimmune Diseases
- Blood and Blood Diseases
- Cancer Detection
- Diabetes
- DNA, Paternity and Genetic Testing
- Drug Screening
- Environmental Toxin Testing
- Female Specific Tests
- Fitness, Nutrition and Anti-Aging
- Gastrointestinal Diseases
- General Wellness
- Heart Health and Cholesterol
- Hormones and Metabolism
- Immunization Check
- Infectious Diseases
- Infertility Testing
- Kidney Diseases
- Liver Diseases
- Male Specific Tests
- Musculoskeletal Diseases
- Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD's)
- Therapeutic Drug Monitoring
- Thyroid Diseases
- - STD Testing
- About STD Testing
- Chlamydia and Gonorrhea Test
- Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Antibodies, IgG
- Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Antibodies, IgM, Quantitative
- Epididymitis Screen
- Hepatitis A and B Immune Status Profile Test
- Hepatitis A and B Profile, Acute Diagnostic
- Hepatitis A and B Profile, Comprehensive
- Hepatitis A Antibody, IgM
- Hepatitis A Antibody, Total
- Hepatitis A Profile, Acute verses Chronic Differentiation
- Hepatitis B and C Profile Test (Comprehensive)
- Hepatitis B Core Antibody, IgG, IgM, Differentiation
- Hepatitis B Core Antibody, IgM
- Hepatitis B Core Antibody, Total
- Hepatitis B Patient Management Profile Test
- Hepatitis B Profile
- Hepatitis B Surface Antibody Test
- Hepatitis C Antibody Test
- Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Antibody, With Reflex to RIBA
- Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), RNA PCR, Qualitative
- Hepatitis Panel, Acute
- Hepatitis Profile II (Diagnostic Follow-up)
- Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) Type I and II IgG
- Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) Type II IgG
- Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV), Type I and II IgM
- HIV-1 and HIV-2 Screen
- HIV-1 Antibodies Test
- HIV-1 DNA RT- PCR With HIV Antibodies , ICMA
- HIV-2 Antibodies
- HIV-2 Proviral DNA by PCR
- Human Immunodeficiency Virus 1 (HIV-1) RNA (bDNA)
- Mycoplasma/Ureaplasma, Real-Time PCR
- Soluble Liver Antigen (SLA) IgG Antibody (Autoimmune Hepatitis)
- STD Recent Exposure Panel
- STD Urinary Tract Infection Panel
- Syphilis (RPR) Test
- Treponema pallidum Antibodies (TP-PA)
- Ultimate STD Panel
- Ultimate Viral STD Panel
- See All STD Tests
- - Blood Tests
- Allergy Testing
- Autoimmune Disease Testing
- Blood Disorder and Blood Disease Testing
- Cancer Detection Testing
- Diabetes Testing
- DNA, Paternity and Genetic Testing
- Drug Screening Testing
- Environmental Testing
- Female-Specific Testing
- Fitness, Nutrition and Anti-Aging Testing
- Gastrointestinal Disease Testing
- General Wellness Testing
- Heart Health and Cholesterol Testing
- Hormone Blood Tests
- Immunization Testing
- Infectious Disease Testing
- Infertility Testing
- Kidney Disease Testing
- Liver Function Tests
- Musculoskeletal Disorders Testing
- Prostate Testing
- Therapeutic Drug Monitoring Testing
- Thyroid Testing
- - All Tests
- Lab Locations
- Why Online Lab Tests
- How it Works
- About Us
- FAQ
- Health Resources
Questions?
1.877.283.7882
1.877.283.7882
Private MD News
Home | News | Heart Health and CholesterolNewly-identified enzyme may control bad cholesterol
Updated: 2009-06-15 20:48:21 CST Category: Heart Health and Cholesterol
by Laurent Castellucci
UCLA scientists have discovered a new mechanism that controls the way cells produce low-density lipoprotein (LDL), the so-called "bad" cholesterol linked to serious cardiovascular problems and stroke. Working with mice, the researchers identified an enzyme called Idol which destroys the receptor responsible for clearing LDL cholesterol from the bloodstream.
"We only know of three pathways that regulate the LDL receptor. The first two are already targeted by existing drugs," said principal investigator Dr Peter Tontonoz, a professor of pathology and laboratory medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and a Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator. "Idol is the first mechanism discovered in several years that may lead to a new medication designed to control cholesterol levels."
Statin drugs, the most commonly prescribed approach for lowering LDL cholesterol, work by increasing the amount of the receptor. The UCLA team hopes that by inactivating Idol, they could prevent destruction of the receptor, thus attacking the problem from another angle. This would be especially helpful for people who do not tolerate the side effects of statins well.
The American Heart Association considers an LDL level of 160 mg/dL as too high. Cholesterol can be assessed with a simple blood test.
Related Articles from Private MD:
-
Lesser-known cholesterol may be behind heart attacks
-
Possible new treatment for metabolic syndrome
-
Cardiologists and Periodontists publish new joint guidelines
-
Statins may help prevent recurring stroke
-
Study: Triglycerides better predictor of diabetic nerve loss than blood sug
Subscribe to Private MD Health News RSS Feed: 
Visit the Health News Archive: Click Here
Questions about online blood testing or how to order a lab test? Click here to get started or call us toll-free at 1.877.283.7882. Our certified professionals are ready to assist you.
