RESUMO
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The purpose of this review was to summarize important and updated information on sitosterolemia. Sitosterolemia is an inherited lipid disorder consisting of high levels of plasma plant sterols. This sterol storage condition is caused by biallelic loss-of-function genetic variants in either ABCG5 or ABCG8, leading to increased intestinal absorption and decreased hepatic excretion of plant sterols. Clinically, patients with sitosterolemia usually exhibit xanthomatosis, high levels of plasma cholesterol, and premature atherosclerotic disease, but presentation can be highly heterogeneous. Therefore, recognition of this condition requires a high level of suspicion, with confirmation upon genetic diagnosis or through measurement of plasma phytosterols. Treatment of sitosterolemia with both a plant sterol-restricted diet and the intestinal cholesterol absorption inhibitor ezetimibe can reduce efficiently the levels of plasma plant sterols, consisting in the first-line therapy for this disease. RECENT FINDINGS: Since hypercholesterolemia is often present in individuals with sitosterolemia, it is important to search for genetic variants in ABCG5 and ABCG8 in patients with clinical criteria for familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), but no variants in FH implicated genes. Indeed, recent studies have suggested that genetic variants in ABCG5/ABCG8 can mimic FH, and even when in heterozygosis, they may potentially exacerbate the phenotype of patients with severe dyslipidemia. Sitosterolemia is a genetic lipid disorder characterized by increased circulating levels of plant sterols and clinically manifested by xanthomatosis, hematologic disorders, and early atherosclerosis. Awareness about this condition, a rare, but commonly underdiagnosed and yet treatable cause of premature atherosclerotic disease, is imperative.
Assuntos
Aterosclerose , Hipercolesterolemia , Hiperlipoproteinemia Tipo II , Enteropatias , Erros Inatos do Metabolismo Lipídico , Fitosteróis , Xantomatose , Humanos , Hipercolesterolemia/tratamento farmacológico , Fitosteróis/efeitos adversos , Fitosteróis/genética , Erros Inatos do Metabolismo Lipídico/diagnóstico , Erros Inatos do Metabolismo Lipídico/genética , Erros Inatos do Metabolismo Lipídico/terapia , Enteropatias/diagnóstico , Enteropatias/genética , Enteropatias/tratamento farmacológico , Hiperlipoproteinemia Tipo II/complicações , Colesterol , Xantomatose/etiologia , Aterosclerose/genética , Aterosclerose/complicaçõesRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: Characterize homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH) individuals from Iberoamerica. Approach and Results: In a cross-sectional retrospective evaluation 134 individuals with a HoFH phenotype, 71 adults (age 39.3±15.8 years, 38.0% males), and 63 children (age 8.8±4.0 years, 50.8% males) were studied. Genetic characterization was available in 129 (96%). The majority (91%) were true homozygotes (true HoFH, n=79, 43.0% children, 46.8% males) or compound heterozygotes (compound heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, n=39, 51.3% children, 46.2% males) with putative pathogenic variants in the LDLR. True HoFH due to LDLR variants had higher total (P=0.015) and LDL (low-density lipoprotein)-cholesterol (P=0.008) compared with compound heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia. Children with true HoFH (n=34) tended to be diagnosed earlier (P=0.051) and had a greater frequency of xanthomas (P=0.016) than those with compound heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (n=20). Previous major cardiovascular events were present in 25 (48%) of 52 children (missing information in 2 cases), and in 43 (67%) of 64 adults with LDLR variants. Children who are true HoFH had higher frequency of major cardiovascular events (P=0.02), coronary heart (P=0.013), and aortic/supra-aortic valve diseases (P=0.022) than compound heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia. In adults, no differences were observed in major cardiovascular events according to type of LDLR variant. From 118 subjects with LDLR variants, 76 (64%) had 2 likely pathogenic or pathogenic variants. In 89 subjects with 2 LDLR variants, those with at least one null allele were younger (P=0.003) and had a greater frequency of major cardiovascular events (P=0.038) occurring at an earlier age (P=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: There was a high frequency of cardiovascular disease even in children. Phenotype and cardiovascular complications were heterogeneous and associated with the type of molecular defect.
Assuntos
Doenças Cardiovasculares/epidemiologia , LDL-Colesterol/sangue , Homozigoto , Hiperlipoproteinemia Tipo II/genética , Mutação , Proteínas Adaptadoras de Transdução de Sinal/genética , Adolescente , Adulto , Fatores Etários , Apolipoproteína B-100/genética , Biomarcadores/sangue , Doenças Cardiovasculares/diagnóstico , Criança , Pré-Escolar , Estudos Transversais , Europa (Continente)/epidemiologia , Feminino , Predisposição Genética para Doença , Humanos , Hiperlipoproteinemia Tipo II/sangue , Hiperlipoproteinemia Tipo II/diagnóstico , Hiperlipoproteinemia Tipo II/epidemiologia , Masculino , México/epidemiologia , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Fenótipo , Pró-Proteína Convertase 9/genética , Receptores de LDL/genética , Estudos Retrospectivos , Fatores de Risco , América do Sul/epidemiologia , Adulto JovemRESUMO
We report for the first time the efficiency and safety of a 49-month compassionate use of the microsomal transfer protein inhibitor lomitapide in a child with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia. On average, 20 mg of lomitapide caused a 37% reduction in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels on top of ezetimibe and atorvastatin. The drug was well tolerated with no changes in liver enzymes and occurrence of steatosis on hepatic ultrasound. The patient presented adequate growth and sexual maturation. Nonetheless, there was progression in either subclinical atherosclerotic carotid or aortic valve diseases. Further studies are necessary to test the impact and safety of lomitapide in children with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia.