Associate Professor Jeffrey Cohn gives invited lectures at two conferences

Nutrition and Metabolism Group Leader, Associate Professor Jeffrey Cohn, recently accepted invitations to give lectures at two European conferences.  The first was at the International Symposium on Chylomicrons in Disease, held in Rotterdam, Holland, where he gave a lecture entitled, ‘Food Factors Affecting Intestinal Cholesterol Absorption’. The second was at the Postprandial Satellite Symposium of the European Atherosclerosis Society (EAS) in Hamburg, Germany, where he gave the opening lecture entitled, ‘Postprandial Lipids and Lipoproteins: the Past, the Present and the Future’.

The two conferences highlight current interest in the role of intestinal lipoproteins in the onset and development of atherosclerosis.  Furthermore, they reflect the research effort that is now being applied to the therapeutic regulation of intestinal lipid and lipoprotein metabolism.  Inhibiting cholesterol absorption by the intestine is now accepted as a very effective way of reducing plasma levels of atherogenic LDL and various pharmacological agents have been developed to directly reduce intestinal uptake of dietary cholesterol.  These drugs are not without side effects however, which means that there is growing interest in nutritional ways to reduce cholesterol absorption.  One way is through increased intake of soluble fibre – another is through the ingestion of small amounts of plant sterols (1).  A more novel approach that is being investigated by the Nutrition and Metabolism Group is through supplementation of the diet with phospholipids.  It is likely that a combination of these dietary agents will prove to be as efficacious as currently prescribed medications in reducing intestinal cholesterol absorption and potentially in reducing risk of cardiovascular disease.

Jeffrey had a strong presence at the EAS Symposium in Hamburg, participating in a final debate with Professor Christine Williams from the University of Reading in the UK.  The topic was ‘Are We Ready for Further Postprandial Studies?’ which was followed by lively audience-driven discussion and questions.  For those suffering from increased postprandial triglyceridaemia and increased intestinal cholesterol absorption, the hope is clearly: “yes”.

1) Reduction in intestinal cholesterol absorption by various food components: mechanisms and implications.  Cohn JS, Kamili A, Wat E, Chung RW, Tandy S. Atheroscler Suppl. 2010;11(1):45-48.