LCA and DCA are secondary bile acids. These secondary bile acids are associated with disease. An LCA:DCA ratio greater than 1 is associated with increased risk of gallstones, breast cancer, and colorectal cancer. 

When illness or injury damages your cells, LDH may be released into the bloodstream, causing the level of LDH in your blood to rise.

LDH-1: heart and red blood cells

When illness or injury damages your cells, LDH may be released into the bloodstream, causing the level of LDH in your blood to rise.

LDH-2: heart and red blood cells

When illness or injury damages your cells, LDH may be released into the bloodstream, causing the level of LDH in your blood to rise.

LDH-3: lymph tissue, lungs, platelets, pancreas

When illness or injury damages your cells, LDH may be released into the bloodstream, causing the level of LDH in your blood to rise.

LDH-4: liver and skeletal muscle

When illness or injury damages your cells, LDH may be released into the bloodstream, causing the level of LDH in your blood to rise.

LDH-5: liver and skeletal muscle

Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) serves as a significant biomarker for evaluating various central nervous system (CNS) conditions. Elevated CSF LDH levels are linked to trauma, infections, neoplastic disorders, and autoimmune diseases, reflecting underlying pathologies affecting the brain and CNS. LDH plays a crucial role in cellular metabolism by catalyzing the interconversion of pyruvate and lactate.

CSF LDH analysis is particularly valuable in distinguishing structural from metabolic causes of altered mental status in children, with higher levels often indicating structural brain injuries. In meningitis, CSF LDH levels are markedly elevated in pyogenic and tubercular meningitis compared to viral meningitis, aiding in diagnosis and differentiation. Furthermore, CSF LDH isoenzyme analysis has shown potential in identifying CNS involvement in hematologic malignancies, enhancing the sensitivity of CSF cytology.

This test measures the number of particles in each of the 8 LDL subclasses. Six of these 8 subclasses are small LDL subclass particles. These smaller particles are associated with rapid uptake into the endothelium contributing to accelerated atherosclerosis.

There is a 1.3-fold increased risk for Cardiovascular diseases associated with the small LDL trait and a 1.4-fold increased risk with the medium LDL trait.

LDL-P (LDL particle number) measures the actual number of LDL particles (particle concentration, nmol/L). It appears that LDL-P may be a stronger predictor of cardiovascular events than LDL-C.

Lipoproteins are particles that transport fats throughout the body. These particles are essential and carry a combination of proteins, vitamins, cholesterol, triglyceride, and phospholipid molecules. The composition of a lipoprotein particle changes as it circulates in the blood. Some molecules are removed and others are added, resulting in lipoprotein particles with variable amounts of cholesterol.

LDL patterns A and B refer to the size of LDL cholesterol particles in the blood. Some doctors believe that small LDL cholesterol particles in the blood may pose a greater risk for developing atherosclerosis and heart attacks than the absolute level of LDL cholesterol in the blood. The size of LDL cholesterol particles is primarily inherited. A special blood test called polyacrylamide gradient gel electrophoresis can measure particle size and determine whether a person has blood cholesterol LDL pattern A or LDL pattern B.

PATTERN A:

Persons with LDL cholesterol pattern A have large, buoyant LDL cholesterol particles. Individuals with pattern A are more likely to have normal blood levels of LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides. Pattern A is usually not associated with an increased likelihood of atherosclerosis.

PATTERN B:

Persons with LDL cholesterol pattern B have predominantly small and dense LDL cholesterol particles. Pattern B is frequently associated with low HDL cholesterol levels, elevated triglyceride levels, and the tendency to develop high blood sugar levels and type II diabetes mellitus.

An average size of LDL peak subclass particles measuring less than 218 angstroms, as measured with Ion Mobility, is associated with a 1.35-fold increased risk for CVD.

Contributing factors:

Genetics/demographics:

- Genetic predisposition

- High triglyceride and low HDL-C levels

Small LDL-P and LDL Size are associated with CVD risk, but not after LDL-P is taken into account.

Small LDL subclass particles cause plaque buildup to progress much faster because they enter the artery wall more easily than large LDL particles. A predominance of smaller LDL particles, referred to as Pattern B lipid phenotype, represents an atherogenic lipid profile that is associated with CVD.

Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), or “bad” cholesterol, is known to increase risk of heart attack and stroke when levels become elevated in the blood. LDL-C is measured as a part of a lipid profile, which is used to determine your risk for developing cardiovascular disease. LDL-C can usually be controlled through a combination of lifestyle changes.