Ldl-cholesterol
Ldl-cholesterol has been studied in 18 papers since 2016: 16 observational studies in people, 1 in animals, 1 review; 6 in the past year. The newest paper, Aug 31, 2026: “Causal Effects of Lipoproteins and Lipids on Atrial Fibrillation: A Mendelian Randomization Study”.
18 papers study it14 findingsUpdated
Research on it is growing 56% faster than aging research as a whole: 15 papers in the latest year counted
See all 18 papers on ldl-cholesterol
At a glance
The findings reach people, from one lab or study. 8 independent labs in 5 countries; 1 trial, none about aging, 1 with no results posted.
“Multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) per standard deviation (SD) increase in TC, non-HDL-C, LDL-C, and log(TG) were 1.24 (1.12-1.37), 1.26 (1.14-1.39), 1.20 (1.08-1.34), and 1.29 (1.15-1.45), respectively.”
None of its findings points the other way.
- 8 independent labs in 5 countries
- 1 trial, none about aging, 1 with no results posted
- Funders: Alzheimer's Association and others
- Humans16
- Animals1
What did studies of ldl-cholesterol find?
8Studies of ldl-cholesterol measured 8 outcomes; the most studied are NFE2L2 (1 study), Long-chain fatty acid uptake (1) and GFAP (1).
NFE2L2
upin rat cells1
1 study
NFE2L2
upin rat cells1
Ldl-cholesterol increases NFE2L2 in rat cells (300 μg/mL LDL at 48 h).
“Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) expression was significantly increased after 48 h of incubation with 300 μg/mL LDL.”
Cells300 μg/mL LDL at 48 hhuman LDL300 μg/mL48 h
Journal of neurochemistry
Long-chain fatty acid uptake
downin rat cells1
1 study
Long-chain fatty acid uptake
downin rat cells1
Ldl-cholesterol decreases long-chain fatty acid uptake in rat cells (at 24 h).
“LDL cholesterol decreased long-chain fatty acids (LCFA) uptake and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity at 24 h”
Cellsat 24 hhuman LDL24 h
Journal of neurochemistry
GFAP
upin rat cells1
1 study
GFAP
upin rat cells1
Ldl-cholesterol increases GFAP in rat cells (300 μg/mL LDL at 24 h; 50 μg/mL LDL at 48 h).
“increased glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP) messenger RNA (mRNA) levels at 24 h with 300 μg/mL LDL”
Cells300 μg/mL LDL at 24 h; 50 μg/mL LDL at 48 hhuman LDL300 μg/mL and 50 μg/mL24 or 48 h
Journal of neurochemistry
Intracellular lipid content
upin rat cells1
1 study
Intracellular lipid content
upin rat cells1
Ldl-cholesterol increases intracellular lipid content in rat cells.
“LDL exposure increased intracellular lipid content”
Cellshuman LDL
Journal of neurochemistry
Apoptosis
upin human cells1
1 study
Apoptosis
upin human cells1
Ldl-cholesterol induces apoptosis in vitro stimulation of human monocyte-derived macrophages.
“In vitro, LDL-C triggered mTORC1 activation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and apoptosis in HMDMs.”
Cellsin vitro stimulation of human monocyte-derived macrophagesmacrophage
AHA Scientific Sessions 2025 abstract
Reactive oxygen species
upin human cells1
1 study
Reactive oxygen species
upin human cells1
Ldl-cholesterol induces reactive oxygen species in vitro stimulation of human monocyte-derived macrophages.
“In vitro, LDL-C triggered mTORC1 activation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and apoptosis in HMDMs.”
Cellsin vitro stimulation of human monocyte-derived macrophagesmacrophage
AHA Scientific Sessions 2025 abstract
Presbycusis
no changein humans1OR 1.089
1 study
Presbycusis
no changein humans1OR 1.089
Ldl-cholesterol was not clearly linked with presbycusis in humans (Mendelian randomization, five methods) (OR 1.089, p = .281).
“LDL OR = 1.089, p = .281”
HumansMendelian randomization, five methods
Hearing research
Heel bone mineral density
downin humans1OR 0.9586
1 study
Heel bone mineral density
downin humans1OR 0.9586
Ldl-cholesterol is linked with lower heel bone mineral density in humans (OR 0.9586, p = 8.68E-05).
“LDL-C had a negative causal association with heel BMD (p = 8.68E-05, OR = 0.9586)”
Humans
Calcified tissue international
What is ldl-cholesterol linked with?
6Studies link ldl-cholesterol with 6 measures, most often atrial fibrillation (1 study), cardio-renal-metabolic multimorbidity (1) and lipoprotein(a) ≥ 0.30 g/L (1).
Atrial fibrillation
upin humans1
1 study
Atrial fibrillation
upin humans1
Ldl-cholesterol is linked with a higher risk of atrial fibrillation in humans.
“Genetically predicted elevated low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, LDL free cholesterol, LDL phospholipids, and LDL total lipids measured by NMR were associated with an increased risk of AF.”
Humansgenetically predicted levels, Mendelian randomization; also LDL free cholesterol, LDL phospholipids and LDL total lipids
Causal Effects of Lipoproteins and Lipids on Atrial Fibrillation: A Mendelian Randomization Study
Lipids
Cardio-renal-metabolic multimorbidity
upin humans1HR 1.2
1 study
Cardio-renal-metabolic multimorbidity
upin humans1HR 1.2
Ldl-cholesterol is linked with a higher risk of cardio-renal-metabolic multimorbidity in humans (per SD increase; multivariable-adjusted) (HR 1.20 (1.08–1.34) per SD increase).
“Multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) per standard deviation (SD) increase in TC, non-HDL-C, LDL-C, and log(TG) were 1.24 (1.12-1.37), 1.26 (1.14-1.39), 1.20 (1.08-1.34), and 1.29 (1.15-1.45), respectively.”
Humansper SD increase; multivariable-adjustedmedian follow-up 15.4 yearsn = 5,721
Nutrition, metabolism, and cardiovascular diseases : NMCD
Lipoprotein(a) ≥ 0.30 g/L
upin humans1OR 1.77
1 study
Lipoprotein(a) ≥ 0.30 g/L
upin humans1OR 1.77
Ldl-cholesterol predicts lipoprotein(a) ≥ 0.30 g/L in humans (multivariable logistic regression) (OR 1.77).
“increased LDL-C concentration was a significant predictor of Lp(a) ≥ 0.30 g/L in women (odds ratio, OR = 1.77; P = 0.021)”
Humansmultivariable logistic regressionfemales
Biochemia medica
Autophagy
downin humans1
1 study
Autophagy
downin humans1
Ldl-cholesterol is associated with autophagy in humans (hypercholesterolemic patients vs healthy controls) (~50% reduction in LC3 intensity).
“LC3 intensity was reduced by approximately 50%, indicating suppressed autophagy.”
Humanshypercholesterolemic patients vs healthy controlsmonocyten = 10
AHA Scientific Sessions 2025 abstract
mTOR signaling
upin humans1
1 study
mTOR signaling
upin humans1
Ldl-cholesterol is associated with mTOR signaling in humans (hypercholesterolemic patients vs healthy controls) (~3.5-fold pS6/total S6; ~1.5-fold mTOR–LAMP2 colocalization).
“Hypercholesterolemic patients exhibited a ~3.5-fold increase in monocyte pS6/Total S6 levels and ~1.5-fold higher mTOR–LAMP2 colocalization compared to controls”
Humanshypercholesterolemic patients vs healthy controlsmonocyten = 10
AHA Scientific Sessions 2025 abstract
Telomere length
upin humans1
1 study
Telomere length
upin humans1
Ldl-cholesterol is associated with telomere length in humans (univariable Mendelian randomization; not seen in multivariable MR).
“The uvMR analysis indicated that an increase in MUFA, MUFA/FA ratio, LDL-C, VLDL-C, total cholesterol, ApoB, and triglycerides (TG) was associated with an increase in TL.”
Humansunivariable Mendelian randomization; not seen in multivariable MR
Association between Lipids, Apolipoproteins and Telomere Length: A Mendelian Randomization Study
Nutrients
Has ldl-cholesterol been tested in people?
0 of 1 about agingYes: 16 observational studies in people have been published, and 1 trial is registered.
In trials
No phaseCompleted1 trial
Trial sponsors
Clinical Research Center for End Stage Renal Disease, Korea
1 trial43 people