Age-associated alterations in cholesterol homeostasis: evidence from a cross-sectional study in a Northern Italy population

Figures & data

Table 1 Serum levels of total cholesterol and other sterols in the different age quartilesa

Age range	Cholesterol* (mg/dL)	Latho/Ch* (μg/100 mg)	C4 (μg/dL)	Campe/Ch (μg/100 mg)	Sito/Ch (μg/100 mg)
38–53	191±32**	122±54**	1.16±1.48	192±119	391±235
53–62	217±42	87±34	1.01±1.08	171±94	378±213
62–68	229±41	86±48	1.19±1.49	142±72	306±271
68–79	226±38	78±40	0.99±0.68	164±133	373±302

Notes:

a Data are presented as mean value and SD

* P<0.01 among age quartiles, one-way analysis of variance

** P<0.05 versus all remaining groups, Bonferroni’s test.

Abbreviations: Latho/Ch, lathosterol to cholesterol ratio; C4, 7α-hydroxy-4-cholesten-3-one; Campe/Ch, serum campesterol to cholesterol ratio; Sito/Ch, serum sitosterol to cholesterol ratio.

Figure 1 Correlation between serum cholesterol levels and age.

Notes: Individual data points are shown for 201 subjects; r=0.34; P<0.01, linear regression analysis.

Figure 2 Correlation between serum lathosterol to cholesterol ratio, a marker of cholesterol synthesis, and age. (A) Individual data points are shown for all subjects (n=201) of the studied cohort; r=−0.32; P<0.01, linear regression analysis; (B) data points are shown for gallstone-free subjects (n=98); r=−0.48; P<0.01, linear regression analysis; (C) data points are shown for gallstone patients (n=103); r=−0.28; P<0.01, linear regression analysis.

Figure 3 Correlation between serum levels of 7α-hydroxy-4-cholesten-3-one, a marker of cholesterol degradation to bile acids, and age.

Note: Individual data points are shown for 201 subjects; r=−0.005; P>0.1.

Figure 4 Correlation between serum campesterol-to-cholesterol ratio, a marker of cholesterol absorption, and age. (A) Individual data points are shown for gallstone-free subjects (n=98); r=−0.23; P<0.05, linear regression analysis; (B) data points are shown for gallstone patients (n=103); r=−0.07; P>0.1.