Healthy Middle-aged Men Research Articles

High Serum Total Bilirubin as a Protective Factor Against Hip Bone Loss in Healthy Middle-Aged Men

Bilirubin is known to have a physiologic role as an antioxidant that efficiently scavenges peroxyl radicals and suppresses oxidation, and oxidative stress has detrimental effects on bone metabolism. In the present study, we performed a 3-year longitudinal study of healthy middle-aged men, investigating the association between serum total bilirubin concentrations and annualized changes in bone mineral density (BMD). The study enrolled a total of 917 Korean men aged 40years or older who had undergone comprehensive routine health examinations with an average follow-up interval of 3years. BMD at proximal femur sites was measured with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry using the same equipment at baseline and follow-up. The overall mean annualized rates of bone loss at the total femur, femoral neck, and trochanter were -0.25 %/year, -0.34 %/year, and -0.44 %/year, respectively. After adjustment for potential confounders, the rates of bone loss at all proximal femur sites were significantly attenuated in a dose-response fashion across increasing bilirubin concentrations (P=0.006-0.046). Moreover, compared to subjects in the lowest bilirubin quartile category, those in the highest bilirubin quartile category showed significantly less bone loss at all proximal femur sites after adjustment for confounding factors (P=0.010-0.048). This study provides the first clinical evidence that serum total bilirubin could be a protective marker against future bone loss, especially in subjects without liver diseases.

Endothelial function does not relate to haemoglobin or serum erythropoietin concentrations and these do not explain the gender difference in endothelial function in healthy middle‐aged men and women

Haemoglobin scavenges nitric oxide, and a previous study has shown a negative association between flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD), a measure of nitric oxide (NO)-dependent vasomotor function and haemoglobin concentrations [Hb]. Circulating erythropoietin (EPO) is also negatively associated with [Hb] and could influence availability of NO. The purpose of this study was to examine the association of FMD with [Hb] and EPO concentrations and to determine whether these contribute to the sex difference in FMD. FMD (by high-resolution ultrasound), [Hb], circulating immunoreactive EPO and cardiovascular risk factors were measured in 317 healthy middle-aged men and women (183 women, 33 premenopausal, mean age ± SD, 55 ± 6·8 years) participating in a dietary study. In the whole mixed-sex group, FMD was negatively correlated with [Hb] (R = -0·23, P < 0·001). However, in a multivariable model, incorporating sex and other confounding factors, FMD was independently negatively correlated only with age, male sex and systolic blood pressure: standardized regression coefficients -0·21 (P < 0·01), -0·17 (P < 0·05) and -0·20 (P < 0·05) respectively and not with [Hb]. Similarly, when the analysis was restricted to men or to postmenopausal women, there was no significant relationship between FMD and Hb. There was no significant correlation between FMD and EPO on either univariate analysis in the whole group, in each sex, or in multivariate analysis. These results suggest that in healthy middle-aged subjects, FMD is not influenced by [Hb] or EPO and these do not contribute to the gender difference in FMD.

The Effect of Caffeine and Choline Combinations on Short-term Visual and Auditory Memory

The purpose of this randomized control trial was to determine whether choline in combination with several doses of caffeine, could facilitate short-term visual and verbal memory and attention in adult and middle aged human subjects with normal cognitive function. The effects of several doses of caffeine in combination with choline on short-term visual and verbal memory, blood pressure and heart rate were assessed in 125 healthy adult and middle-aged men and women using six standardized tests from the Wide Range Assessment of Memory and Learning, Second Edition (WRAML 2). Tests included: Verbal Learning, Design Memory, Picture Memory, Story Memory, Finger Windows and Number/Letter. Group comparisons utilized one-way analysis of variance with Dunnett’s test post-hoc. Subjects administered caffeine 25 mg/choline 2 g scored significantly higher on tests for short-term visual memory than the placebo group. Conversely, the caffeine 50 mg/choline 2 g treatment group scored significantly lower on tests for short-term verbal memory and attention than the placebo group. There were no significant differences in memory test scores between men and women and no significant changes in blood pressure or heart rate following administration of any of the treatment combinations. These results suggest that oral caffeine 25 mg in combination with choline 2 g may enhance short-term memory in healthy adults without affecting cardiovascular function.

Reproductive function in middle-aged males: healthy men versus male partners of infertile couples

The aim of this study was to compare the reproductive parameters and the health-related, lifestyle and educational factors in middle-aged healthy men and male partners of infertile couples. Our patient group included 164 male partners of infertile couples with a preceding period of infertility of at least 12 months and 61 men attending a prostate health screening and considering themselves healthy. Significant differences between the groups were found in testicular volume, total sperm output, density and morphology as well as oestradiol levels in serum. The analysis showed significant positive correlations between testicular volume and semen quality, while negative correlations were observed between gonadotrophin levels and sperm parameters in both groups. Physical activity and sexual capability were higher in healthy men, while coital frequency and a history of sexually transmitted diseases were higher in male partners of infertile couples. The impact of physical activity and sexual capability on semen quality for all subjects was revealed. We can conclude that impaired reproductive function, that is, semen quality, in men >45 years is related not only with general male ageing but obvious differences between subjects of infertile couples and healthy middle-aged men can be seen. Their relations with lifestyle, environmental or physiological factors need further study.

Determinants of vitamin D status in healthy men and women aged 40–80 years

ObjectivesTo determine the contribution of life style and health related factors on vitamin D status in middle-aged and older men and women. Study designA cross-sectional single-center study in 400 male subjects (40–80 years) and 402 postmenopausal female subjects (56–73 years), conducted in a University Medical Center in the central part of the Netherlands (52 degrees northern latitude). Main outcome measuresMedical history, vitamin D, calcium and alcohol intake, physical activity, Body Mass Index, Blood pressure, smoking, total fat body mass and total lean body mass were measured using DEXA. Laboratory analysis included 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) and sex hormones. ResultsThirty-six percent of men and 51% of women had 25OHD less than 50nmol/L. In summertime men had significant higher 25OHD as compared to women (81.5 vs 53.3nmol/L, P=.000) but this difference disappeared come winter. In a saturated model, male gender (B=.16, P=.008), and season (summer vs winter B=.30, P=.000) remained statistically significant. In men, physical activity and season explained 21% of the variance. In women, household physical activity (B=.13, P=.03), sport physical activity (B=.02, P=.02) and estradiol (B=−.003, P=.048) remained in the model,. ConclusionIn healthy middle-aged and older men and postmenopausal women, male gender and season were important predictors of vitamin D status. In men, physically activity and season, explained 21% of the variance in vitamin D status. In women, physical activity and estradiol explained 9.3% of the variance in vitamin D.

Effects of Muscular Strength on Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Prognosis

Physical fitness is one of the strongest predictors of individual future health status. Together with cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), muscular strength has been increasingly recognized in the pathogenesis and prevention of chronic disease. We review the most recent literature on the effect of muscular strength in the development of cardiovascular disease, with special interest in elucidating its specific benefits beyond those from CRF and body composition. Muscular strength has shown an independent protective effect on all-cause and cancer mortality in healthy middle-aged men, as well as in men with hypertension and patients with heart failure. It has also been inversely associated with age-related weight and adiposity gains, risk of hypertension, and prevalence and incidence of the metabolic syndrome. In children and adolescents, higher levels of muscular fitness have been inversely associated with insulin resistance, clustered cardiometabolic risk, and inflammatory proteins. Generally, the influence of muscular fitness was weakened but remained protective after considering CRF. Also, interestingly, higher levels of muscular fitness seems to some extent counteract the adverse cardiovascular profile of overweight and obese individuals. As many of the investigations have been conducted with non-Hispanic white men, it is important to examine how race/ethnicity and gender may affect these relationships. To conclude, most important effects of resistance training are also summarized, to better understand how higher levels of muscular fitness may result in a better cardiovascular prognosis and survival.

Metabolic Syndrome Associated With Reduced Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in Middle-aged Men Receiving Health Checkup

To investigate the impact of metabolic syndrome on lower urinary tract symptoms in a sample of middle-aged men receiving a health checkup. Subjects aged 45 years or older who voluntarily underwent a medical checkup were enrolled. Participant demographics and health history were collected by a self-administered questionnaire. All participants were stratified into 2 groups by the presence of metabolic syndrome, as defined according to the updated National Cholesterol Education Program's Adult Treatment Panel III. Prostate volume and prostate-specific antigen levels were used for subgroup analysis. During January through December of 2010, 708 subjects with a mean age of 55.6 ± 9.72 years were enrolled into the study. Compared to the nonmetabolic syndrome group, the metabolic syndrome group had lower total international prostatic symptoms score (7.89 ± 6.63 vs 6.85 ± 6.52, P = .05) and lower severity of weak urinary stream (1.24 ± 1.60 vs 0.95 ± 1.50, P = .021). In the higher prostate volume group (prostate volume ≥ 30 mL), total international prostatic symptoms score, storage score, and urinary frequency, urgency and incomplete emptying were lower in men vs those without metabolic syndrome (all P < .05). The negative association between voiding score, severity of lower urinary tract symptoms, and metabolic syndrome became particularly pronounced as the number of metabolic syndrome factors increased (P for trend < .01). We confirmed that metabolic syndrome had favorable effects on lower urinary tract symptoms, including voiding and storage symptoms in healthy middle-aged men. This beneficial effect was most significant in men with enlarged prostate and/or high prostate specific antigen levels.

Positive correlation between circulating cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide (hCAP18/LL-37) and 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in healthy adults

BackgroundTranscription of the cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide (CAMP) gene is induced by binding of the bioactive form of vitamin D, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, to the vitamin D receptor. Significant levels of the protein hCAP18/LL-37 are found in the blood and may protect against infection and/or sepsis. We hypothesized that serum vitamin D levels may modulate the circulating levels of hCAP18. Only three studies have shown a positive correlation between circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D and hCAP18 levels. Here we provide additional evidence for such a correlation in healthy, middle-aged adults.FindingsSerum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] and plasma levels of hCAP18 were determined in 19 healthy middle-aged (mean of 50.1 years) adult men and women. Plasma hCAP18 concentrations correlated with serum 25(OH)D concentrations in subjects with 25(OH)D levels ≤ 32 ng/ml (r = 0.81, p < 0.005) but not in subjects with concentrations > 32 ng/ml (r = 0.19, p = 0.63).ConclusionsWe conclude that plasma hCAP18 levels correlate with serum 25(OH)D levels in subjects with concentrations of 25(OH)D ≤ 32 ng/ml as opposed to those with concentrations > 32 ng/ml and that vitamin D status may regulate systemic levels of hCAP18/LL-37.

Human apolipoprotein E isoforms differentially affect bone mass and turnover in vivo

The primary role of apolipoprotein E (apoE) is to mediate the cellular uptake of lipoproteins. However, a new role for apoE as a regulator of bone metabolism in mice has recently been established. In contrast to mice, the human APOE gene is characterized by three common isoforms APOE ε2, ε3, and ε4 that result in different metabolic properties of the apoE isoforms, but it remains controversial whether the APOE polymorphism influences bone traits in humans. To clarify this, we investigated bone phenotypes of apoE knock-in (k.i.) mice, which express one human isoform each (apoE2 k.i., apoE3 k.i., apoE4 k.i.) in place of the mouse apoE. Analysis of 12-week-old female k.i. mice revealed increased levels of biochemical bone formation and resorption markers in apoE2 k.i. animals as compared to apoE3 k.i. and apoE4 k.i., with a reduced osteoprotegerin (OPG)/receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL) ratio in apoE2 k.i., indicating increased turnover with prevailing resorption in apoE2 k.i. Accordingly, histomorphometric and micro-computed tomography (µCT) analyses demonstrated significantly lower trabecular bone mass in apoE2 than in apoE3 and apoE4 k.i. animals, which was reflected by a significant reduction of lumbar vertebrae maximum force resistance. Unlike trabecular bone, femoral cortical thickness, and stability was not differentially affected by the apoE isoforms. To extend these observations to the human situation, plasma from middle-aged healthy men homozygous for ε2/ε2, ε3/ε3, and ε4/ε4 (n = 21, n = 80, n = 55, respectively) was analyzed with regard to bone turnover markers. In analogy to apoE2 k.i. mice, a lower OPG/RANKL ratio was observed in the serum of ε2/ε2 carriers as compared to ε3/ε3 and ε4/ε4 individuals (p = 0.02 for ε2/ε2 versus ε4/ε4). In conclusion, the current data strongly underline the general importance of apoE as a regulator of bone metabolism and identifies the APOE ε2 allele as a potential genetic risk factor for low trabecular bone mass and vertebral fractures in humans.

Adiponectin concentration in plasma is associated with muscle fiber size in healthy middle-aged men

Obesity and ectopic fat deposition are major risk factors for many diseases ranging from insulin resistance to type 2 diabetes and atherosclerosis. In obese individuals, the size of muscle fibers is increased mainly because of the ectopic fat present in skeletal muscle. The aim of the study was to investigate if adipokines would associate with muscle fiber characteristics and if muscle fiber characteristics and expression of the skeletal muscle adiponectin receptor (ADIPOR) would be associated with overweight and other components of the metabolic syndrome. This is a population-based, epidemiological cross-sectional study where normotensive, non-smoking men with normal OGTT provided a muscle biopsy (N = 54). Body mass index was higher in the group with the largest muscle fiber size (p for trend <0.05) compared to medium (p <0.05) or small (p <0.05) muscle fiber size. Plasma adiponectin level (p < 0.05) was negatively and concentrations of leptin (p < 0.05) and hs-CRP (p <0.05) positively associated with muscle fiber size before adjustments. The inverse association between the plasma adiponectin level and muscle fiber size tertile remained significant (p < 0.05) when adjusted for age and total adiposity. No associations were observed between the expression of muscle adiponectin receptors (ADIPOR) and features of the metabolic syndrome. Skeletal muscle fiber characteristics are related to overweight. In addition, a correlation was observed between low adiponectin and large muscle fiber size and this was not dependent on the amount of total fatness.

Paul Ridker: reaching the end game

Paul Ridker: reaching the end game

Lenalidomide enhancement of human T cell functions in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected and HIV-negative CD4 T lymphocytopenic patients

Suppressed T cell functions in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection were identified and corrected by lenalidomide in middle-aged HIV-infected patients. Chemotaxis of T cells from HIV-infected men (n = 6, mean 43 years) to sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) and CCL21 was significantly lower than that of HIV-negative men (n = 6, mean 41 years), and was enhanced significantly up to control levels by 100 and 1000 nM lenalidomide. Generation of interleukin (IL)-2, but not interferon (IFN)-γ, by T cells of middle-aged HIV-infected men was significantly lower than that for controls and was increased significantly by 10-1000 nM lenalidomide up to a maximum of more than 300%. CD4 and CD8 T cells isolated from healthy middle-aged men and reconstituted in vitro at a low CD4 : CD8 ratio typical of HIV infection had depressed chemotaxis to S1P, but not CCL21, and generation of IL-2, but not IFN-γ. Significant enhancement of chemotaxis to S1P and CCL21 was induced by 100-1000 nM lenalidomide only for normal T cells at a low CD4 : CD8 ratio. T cells from HIV-negative middle-aged CD4 T lymphocytopenic patients (n = 3), with a CD4 : CD8 ratio as low as that of HIV-infected patients, had similarly diminished chemotaxis to S1P and CCL21, and depressed generation of IL-2, but not IFN-γ. Lenalidomide at 30-1000 nM significantly enhanced chemotaxis to S1P and IL-2 generation for T cells from HIV-negative CD4 T lymphocytopenic patients as from HIV-infected patients, with less effect on CCL21-elicited chemotaxis and none for IFN-γ generation. Defects in functions of T cells from middle-aged HIV-infected men are partially attributable to CD4 T lymphocytopenia and are corrected by lenalidomide.

Iron overload accelerates bone loss in healthy postmenopausal women and middle-aged men: A 3-year retrospective longitudinal study

Despite extensive experimental and animal evidence about the detrimental effects of iron and its overload on bone metabolism, there have been no clinical studies relating iron stores to bone loss, especially in nonpathologic conditions. In the present study, we performed a large longitudinal study to evaluate serum ferritin concentrations in relation to annualized changes in bone mineral density (BMD) in healthy Koreans. A total of 1729 subjects (940 postmenopausal women and 789 middle-aged men) aged 40 years or older who had undergone comprehensive routine health examinations with an average 3 years of follow-up were enrolled. BMD in proximal femur sites (ie, the total femur, femur neck, and trochanter) was measured with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry using the same equipment at baseline and follow-up. The mean age of women and men in this study was 55.8 ± 6.0 years and 55.5 ± 7.8 years, respectively, and serum ferritin levels were significantly higher in men than in women (p < 0.001). The overall mean annualized rates of bone loss in the total femur, femur neck, and trochanter were -1.14%/year, -1.17%/year, and -1.51%/year, respectively, in women, and -0.27%/year, -0.34%/year, and -0.41%/year, respectively, in men. After adjustment for potential confounders, the rates of bone loss in all proximal femur sites in both genders were significantly accelerated in a dose-response fashion across increasing ferritin quartile categories (p for trend = 0.043 to <0.001). Consistently, compared with subjects in the lowest ferritin quartile category, those in the third and/or highest ferritin quartile category showed significantly faster bone loss in the total femur and femur neck in both genders (p = 0.023 to <0.001). In conclusion, these data provide the first clinical evidence that increased total body iron stores could be an independent risk factor for accelerated bone loss, even in healthy populations.

Does long-lasting sports practice increase the risk of atrial fibrillation in healthy middle-aged men? Weak suggestions, no objective evidence

Some authors have suggested that sports activity can increase the risk of atrial fibrillation in healthy middle-aged men. Therefore, sport activity, although it prevents coronary artery disease, might be the cause of a potentially dangerous arrhythmia. To verify this assumption, we critically analyzed the current literature including original articles, reviews and meta-analyses. All published articles showed several limitations. The data provided by published studies support the following conclusions: the incidence of atrial fibrillation in sporting middle-aged men is rare (<0.5% per year); a possible facilitating effect on atrial fibrillation is limited to vigorous endurance exercise, not to less vigorous sports; there are no convincing data to demonstrate that sport itself may be the cause of atrial fibrillation in healthy middle-aged men; and a facilitating effect of long-lasting sport cannot be excluded in middle-aged individuals with cardiovascular disorders. Nevertheless, the beneficial effects of exercise should offset this supposed risk, which, albeit increased, remains low.

Importance of Physical Fitness on Predictive Effect of Body Mass Index and Weight Gain on Incident Atrial Fibrillation in Healthy Middle-Age Men

The incidence of both atrial fibrillation (AF) and obesity is increasing in the community, and lifestyle intervention is recommended. We aimed to test whether the predictive effect of body mass index (BMI) and weight change from age 25 years to midlife on incident AF were influenced by physical fitness. In 1972 to 1975, 2,014 healthy middle-age men conducted a bicycle exercise electrocardiographic test as a part of a cardiovascular survey program, defining physical fitness as work performed divided by body weight. During 35 years of follow-up, 270 men developed AF, documented by scrutiny of the health files in all Norwegian hospitals. Risk estimation was analyzed using Cox proportional hazard models and tested for age-adjusted physical fitness above and below the median. The mean BMI of 24.6 kg/m(2) defined a lean baseline cohort. The men with a baseline BMI of ≥28 kg/m(2) (11%) compared to a BMI <28 kg/m(2) had a 1.68-fold risk of AF (95% confidence interval 1.14 to 2.40) and men reporting weight gain of ≥10 kg (24%) compared to weight loss (11%) of 1.66-fold (95% confidence interval 1.00 to 2.89), respectively. The dichotomy into men with age-adjusted physical fitness above and below the median, demonstrated statistically significant risk associations only for men with low fitness. The overall risk of AF was reduced by 23% in the fit men. In conclusion, within our lean baseline cohort of healthy middle-age men, a BMI of ≥28 kg/m(2) and weight gain of ≥10 kg from age 25 to midlife were long-term predictors of incident AF in men with physical fitness below the population median. The fit men had an overall slightly reduced risk of AF.

Abstract 189: Hypercholesterolemia Blunts Gender Differences in Vascular Endothelin-1 Activity in Middle-Aged Adults

Background: Compared with age-matched women, healthy middle-aged men have a higher vascular activity of the vasoconstrictor and proatherosclerotic peptide endothelin-1(ET-1). Hypercholesterolemia is a major atherosclerotic risk factor and is associated with increased ET-1 activity. Whether high cholesterol levels abrogate gender differences in vascular ET-1 activity has not been studied. This investigation has been conducted to test the hypothesis that hypercholesterolemia blunts the gender difference in ET-1 activity present in middle-aged men and women. Methods: Forearm blood flow (FBF) responses were measured by strain-gauge plethysmography during the intra-arterial infusion of the selective ET A receptor blocker BQ-123 in 19 women and 21 men with hypercholesterolemia (total cholesterol &gt;240 mg/dL). Results: Baseline characteristics were similar between women and men (see table). BQ-123 administration resulted in a significant progressive vasodilator response in both the female and male group (p &lt; 0.001 for both). When these responses were compared between the two gender groups, no significant differences were observed (p=NS). Conclusions: Hypercholesterolemia increases the vascular activity of ET-1 in middle-aged women and men. The lack of difference in ET-1 activity between women and men suggests that hypercholesterolemia eliminates the gender differences in ET-1 vascular activity, potentially offsetting the advantage in cardiovascular risk of middle-aged women compared with middle-aged men.

Loneliness and stress-related inflammatory and neuroendocrine responses in older men and women

Loneliness is a predictor of mortality and increased cardiovascular morbidity. Inflammation is a potential pathway through which loneliness might impact health. The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between loneliness and inflammatory interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) responses to standardized mental stress. A secondary purpose was to evaluate whether individual variations in cortisol responses influenced the hypothesised relationship between loneliness and inflammation. Saliva samples and blood were taken from 524 healthy middle-aged men and women from the Whitehall II cohort at baseline, immediately after the stress tasks and 45min later. Loneliness was measured using the revised UCLA loneliness scale. Greater loneliness was associated with larger IL-6 (p=0.044) and IL-1Ra (p=0.006) responses to psychological stress and higher MCP-1 (p<0.001) levels in women, independently of age, grade of employment, body mass index and smoking status. No associations were observed in men. Cortisol responsivity was inversely related to loneliness in women, with the odds of being a cortisol responder decreasing with increased loneliness independently of covariates (p=0.008). The impact of loneliness on health in women may be mediated in part through dysregulation of inflammatory and neuroendocrine systems.

Rapidly upsloping ST-segment on exercise ECG: a marker of reduced coronary heart disease mortality risk

The prognostic value of an isolated J-point depression, or rapidly upsloping ST-segment, on an exercise ECG has long been assumed to be a benign variant. However, little or no data supporting this assumption may be found in the literature. Our task was to examine if a rapidly upsloping ST-segment on an exercise ECG is associated with changes in risk of dying from CHD in 2014 healthy middle-aged men followed for 35 years. A group of healthy middle-aged men (n = 2014) participated in a cardiovascular survey. They underwent an examination programme including a symptom-limited ECG bicycle exercise test. Exercise induced ST-segments were categorised in three groups: normal ST-segment (n = 1383), rapidly upsloping (n = 401), and ST-depression (n = 230). Survival analyses were adjusted for smoking status, total cholesterol, systolic blood pressure, maximal heart rate, and physical fitness. The mean follow-up time was 35 years. The rapidly upsloping group had a 30% decreased risk of CHD death (hazard ratio, HR, 0.70, 95% CI 0.51-0.95) compared to the normal ST-segment group. The risk of CVD-death was numerically lower in the rapidly upsloping group (HR 0.82, 95% CI 0.65-1.04) compared to the normal ST-segment group. The ST-depression group had a 1.45-fold (HR 1.45, 95% CI 1.09-1.90) increased risk of CHD death compared to the normal ST-segment group. The rapidly upsloping ST-segment was a common finding (20%) on exercise ECG among healthy middle-aged men and was associated with a 30% reduced risk of dying from CHD compared to individuals with normal ST-segment. A rapidly upsloping ST-segment on exercise ECG may represent the true healthy state.

Diverse Effects of a Low Dose Supplement of Lipidated Curcumin in Healthy Middle Aged People

Curcumin extracts of turmeric are proposed to produce health benefits. However, such supplements often show poor absorption and have generally been tested just in people with existing health problems. In a new study, healthy middle aged men and women were given a low dose (80 mg) of curcumin in a form expected to have good absorption (LONGVIDA®, a mix of curcumin +stearic acid+lecithin+other ingredients). Curcumin (N=19), but not placebo (N=19), had diverse effects: lowered plasma triglyceride values, lowered salivary amylase levels, raised salivary radical scavenging capacities, raised plasma catalase activities, lowered plasma beta amyloid protein concentrations, lowered plasma sICAM readings, increased plasma myeloperoxidase without increased c‐reactive protein, increased plasma nitric oxide, and decreased plasma alanine amino transferase activities. Collectively, these results show that a low dose of a curcumin can produce a variety of potentially health promoting effects in healthy middle aged people. Although the study did not measure curcumin absorption directly, the effects on multiple body measures suggests efficient absorption. The work was supported by Verdure Sciences.

Association between simple renal cysts and development of hypertension in healthy middle-aged men

The temporal relationship between simple renal cysts and incident hypertension is unknown. In this study, we assessed the time-dependent relationship between simple renal cysts and incident hypertension in a cohort of healthy middle-aged men. A cohort study was conducted with data for 4516 healthy men with no evidence of hypertension at baseline. Study participants received a health checkup including abdominal ultrasonography between 2003 and 2004, and were followed in annual or biennial health examinations until May 2011. We matched groups with and without renal cysts by age. Renal cysts were found in 123 participants (2.7%). The age-matched control group included 1476 men. Mean age of the cyst group did not differ from that of the control group (42.3 ± 6.6 and 42.2 ± 6.8 years, respectively; P = 0.939). SBP was lower in the cyst group than in the control group (118.0 ± 13.2 and 120.5 ± 12.2, respectively; P = 0.044). During 10,731.5 person-years of follow-up, 169 participants developed hypertension (1.6/100 person-years). Cumulative incidence of hypertension was higher in the cyst group than in the control group (29.9 and 15.4%, respectively; P = 0.000). After adjusting for confounding factors, renal cysts still significantly increased risk for hypertension (hazard ratio, 3.28; 95% confidence interval 2.24-4.80; P = 0.000). Age, BMI, mean arterial pressure and a family history of hypertension were also risk factors. Simple renal cysts independently predicted incident hypertension in this cohort of middle-aged men. Further research is justified to test the causal role of renal cysts in the development of hypertension.