To investigate the relationship between oxysterols and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in a matched case–control study. The plasma levels of four oxysterols, 27–hydroxycholesterol (27–OHC), 24S–hydroxycholesterol (24S–OHC), 7α–hydroxycholesterol (7α–OHC) and 7β–hydroxycholesterol (7β–OHC), were analyzed by High Performance Liquid Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (HPLC–MS) and compared between 70 MCI patients and 140 matched controls with normal cognition. The odds ratio (OR) was calculated using logistic analyses to assess the association between oxysterols and MCI. Compared with controls with normal cognition, plasma level of 27–OHC was significantly higher in MCI patients. Logistic analyses suggested high plasma level of 27–OHC was significantly associated with MCI even after multivariate adjustment (OR = 2.86, 95 % CI: 1.52 ~ 5.37). Our findings suggested that the increased plasma level of 27-OHC was associated with MCI, suggesting high plasma levels of 27-OHC may pay an important role in the development of MCI.

The significance of maternal cholesterol transporting to the fetus under normal as well as pathological circumstances is less understood. The objective of this study was to observe the effects of maternal hypercholesterolemia on placental cholesterol transportation. Human full-time placenta, maternal and venous cord blood were sampled at delivery from the pregnant women with serum total cholesterol (TC) concentrations at third trimester higher than 7.25 mM (n = 19) and the pregnant women with normal TC concentrations (n = 19). Serum lipids and expression of genes related to cholesterol transportation were measured by western blot or real-time PCR. The results indicated that serum TC, high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels were significantly increased, in pregnancies, but decreased in cord blood in hypercholesterolemic group compared to the matched control group. All the subjects were no-drinking, non-smoker, and gestational disease free. The mRNA expression of lipoprotein receptors, including LDLR and VLDLR were significantly increased, while the protein expression of PCSK9 was significantly increased in hypercholesterolemic placenta. In conclusion, maternal hypercholesterolemia might decrease the transportation of cholesterol from mother to fetus because of the high levels of PCSK9 protein expression.

Aim: Profiles of heavy metals such as chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), arsenic (As), lead (Pb), and cadmium (Cd), and micronutrients such as ferrum (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and selenium (Se) in maternal and umbilical cord blood clots were investigated for assessing placenta function in the transport of micronutrients or heavy metal pollutants. Methods: Correlations between contents of elements in the two tissues were also analyzed. Results: Significantly lower levels of Cr, Pb, and Cd in umbilical cord blood clots than in maternal blood clots, and negative relationship between lead levels in maternal and umbilical cord blood (r = −.334, p = .016). Concentration of Mn in cord blood was significantly higher than that in maternal blood clots and positively related to the maternal level. The data also show that the placenta may work most strongly as a barrier against Cd and protects fetus from its harmful effect, while plays almost no role in preventing the transportation of As, Mn, and Pb. Conclusions: In conclusion, pregnant women should avoid exposure to environment polluted with heavy metals, particularly with As, Mn, and Pb.