High-density Lipoprotein In Women Research Articles

Exercise: Just What the Doctor Ordered, But Why? Elucidating Mechanisms for Women's Increased High-Density Lipoprotein Benefit From Exercise and for the Health ABC Study.

High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is protective against cardiovascular disease. Exercise can increase HDL concentration, and some evidence suggests that this effect occurs more strongly in women than in men. Both HDL and exercise are associated with inflammation. We hypothesized a sex-by-exercise interaction on HDL level, whereby women would benefit from exercise more strongly than men, and tumor necrosis factor alpha and serum soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor-2 would mediate this relationship. This study included 2,957 older adult participants (1,520 women; 41% Black, 59% White; 73.6-years-old) from the Health, Aging, and Body Composition study. Regression models revealed a positive exercise-HDL relationship in women only (sex-by-exercise interaction: β = 0.09, p = .013; exercise on HDL in women: β = 0.07, p = .015), mediated by TNFα (axb = 0.15; CI: 0.01, 0.30), suggesting that exercise may increase HDL levels in women through reduced inflammation. Given that vascular risk contributes to Alzheimer's disease risk, findings have implications for sex differences in AD risk factors.

The relationship between pregnancy count and duration of breast-feeding with metabolic syndrome (Fasa Persian cohort study)

BackgroundChanges that occur during pregnancy and after that during breastfeeding induce some symptoms similar to metabolic syndrome (MetS) risk factors. This study aims to determine the relationship between pregnancy, as well as the duration of breastfeeding and MetS controlling the effect of other risk factors like hypertension, glucose intolerance, triglyceride, central obesity, and reduction of high-density lipoprotein in women of Fasa Persian Cohort Study.Materials and methodsIn this cross-sectional study, 5015 women aged 35–70 years were investigated in the Sheshdeh region from 2016 to 2021, and the information related to the disease symptoms was collected through questionnaires, examinations, and laboratory tests. MetS was calculated based on two guidelines according to adult treatment panel III (ATP III) and international diabetes federation (IDF) methods. For reporting the data, the odds ratio with its 95% confidence interval was used. In order to eliminate the effect of confounders, logistic regression was used.ResultsPrevalence of MetS showed a descending trend in women with up to two pregnancies and it reached 22.6% and 22.4% using ATPIII and IDF methods respectively, while with an increase in the number of pregnancies of more than two, MetS prevalence was ascending. The prevalence of MetS did not have any specific trend across various breastfeeding duration groups. Multivariate analysis approved that the odds ratio of developing MetS in comparison with women who had two pregnancies was significantly increasing trend when the pregnancy counts increased.ConclusionThe chance of developing MetS based on both IDF and ATP III methods after adjustment for confounding effects would grow with an increase in the number of pregnancies to more than two and breast-feeding of more than seven years. It is recommended that women with more than two pregnancies or the long duration of breast-feeding women undergo a specialized examination to investigate and control MetS problems so that future diseases could be prevented.

Cholesterol Metabolic Profiling of HDL in Women with Late-Onset Preeclampsia.

A specific feature of dyslipidemia in pregnancy is increased high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol concentration, which is probably associated with maternal endothelium protection. However, preeclampsia is most often associated with low HDL cholesterol, and the mechanisms behind this change are scarcely explored. We aimed to investigate changes in HDL metabolism in risky pregnancies and those complicated by late-onset preeclampsia. We analyze cholesterol synthesis (cholesterol precursors: desmosterol, 7-dehydrocholesterol, and lathosterol) and absorption markers (phytosterols: campesterol and β-sitosterol) within HDL particles (NCSHDL), the activities of principal modulators of HDL cholesterol's content, and major HDL functional proteins levels in mid and late pregnancy. On the basis of the pregnancy outcome, participants were classified into the risk group (RG) (70 women) and the preeclampsia group (PG) (20 women). HDL cholesterol was lower in PG in the second trimester compared to RG (p < 0.05) and followed by lower levels of cholesterol absorption markers (p < 0.001 for campesterolHDL and p < 0.05 for β-sitosterolHDL). Lowering of HDL cholesterol between trimesters in RG (p < 0.05) was accompanied by a decrease in HDL phytosterol content (p < 0.001), apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) concentration (p < 0.05), and paraoxonase 1 (PON1) (p < 0.001), lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) (p < 0.05), and cholesterol ester transfer protein (CETP) activities (p < 0.05). These longitudinal changes were absent in PG. Development of late-onset preeclampsia is preceded by the appearance of lower HDL cholesterol and NCSHDL in the second trimester. We propose that reduced capacity for intestinal HDL synthesis, decreased LCAT activity, and impaired capacity for HDL-mediated cholesterol efflux could be the contributing mechanisms resulting in lower HDL cholesterol.

Low CETP activity and unique composition of large VLDL and small HDL in women giving birth to small-for-gestational age infants

Cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) regulates high density lipoproteins (HDL)-cholesterol (C) and HDL-C is essential for fetal development. We hypothesized that women giving birth to large-for-gestational-age (LGA) and small-for-gestational age (SGA) infants differed in longitudinal changes in lipoproteins, CETP activity and HDL-C and that placentas from women with higher or lower circulating HDL-C displayed differential expression of mRNAs involved in cholesterol/nutrient transport, insulin signaling, inflammation/ extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling. Circulating lipids and CETP activity was measured during pregnancy, NMR lipidomics in late pregnancy, and associations with LGA and SGA infants investigated. RNA sequencing was performed in 28 placentas according to higher and lower maternal HDL-C levels. Lipidomics revealed high triglycerides in large VLDL and lipids/cholesterol/cholesteryl esters in small HDL in women giving birth to SGA infants. Placentas from women with higher HDL-C had decreased levels of CETP expression which was associated with mRNAs involved in cholesterol/nutrient transport, insulin signaling and inflammation/ECM remodeling. Both placental and circulating CETP levels were associated with growth of the fetus. Low circulating CETP activity at 36–38 weeks was associated with giving birth to SGA infants. Our findings suggest a link between increased maternal HDL-C levels, low CETP levels both in circulation and placenta, and SGA infants.

Липидный профиль плазмы молодых женщин в зависимости от физической активности и наследственной предрасположенности

We studied the association of the polymorphic rs320 variant of the lipoprotein lipase (LPL) gene, rs2016520 variant of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor delta (PPARD) gene and rs670 variant of the apolipoprotein A1 (APOA1) gene with blood lipids in female athletes and women not involved in sports. Key indicators of the lipid spectrum – total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), highdensity lipoproteins (HDL) and low-density lipoproteins (LDL) in the blood serum – were determined by the enzymatic method using Cormay reagents (Germany) and Fluorat-02-ABLF-T analyser (Russia). Genotyping of the samples was carried out by means of the PCR-RFLP analysis. A direct correlation was found between the *H+ allele of the rs320 polymorphic variant of the LPL gene and the blood levels of TC (r = 0.17; p = 0.01), TG (r = 0.33; p = 0.000005), LDL (r = 0.16; p = 0.02), and atherogenic index (AI) (r = 0.28; p = 0.0002), as well as an inverse correlation between this allele and HDL (r = –0.19; p = 0.009) in women not involved in sports. The *A allele of the polymorphic variant rs670 of the APOA1 gene in this group showed a negative correlation with TC (r = –0.22; p = 0.004) and TG (r = –0.31; p = 0.00004), while the polymorphic variant rs2016520 of the PPARD gene revealed a linear correlation of the *C allele with LDL (r = 0.15; p = 0.02) and AI (r = 0.16; p = 0.01). Three alleles – *H of the LPL gene, *G of the APOA1 gene and *T of the PPARD gene – demonstrated an additive effect on the decrease in TG, LDL and AI and on the increase in HDL in women regardless of their level of motor activity. There were no statistically significant differences in the level of blood lipids in female athletes with different genotypes of the LPL, PPARD, and APOA1 genes. Further research is needed involving larger samples of athletes.

Pro-inflammatory HDL in women with obesity and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis

BackgroundIndividuals with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which includes non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), are at increased risk for cardiovascular events, independent of traditional risk factors. Limited data on pro-inflammatory high density lipoprotein (HDL) in NASH exists in the literature. We hypothesized that HDL from individuals with NASH would be more pro-inflammatory than HDL from individuals without NASH. MethodsStudy participants were individuals with obesity who had undergone bariatric surgery with wedge liver biopsy. Using HDL isolated from serum obtained from study participants at the time of surgery, HDL-elicited macrophage cytokine expression (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6) from THP-1 macrophages, HDL-associated receptor expression (ABCA1 and ABCG1) from apolipoprotein E deficient (apo E−/−) mouse peritoneal macrophages, and isolevuglandin (isoLG) modified HDL were measured. Results11 women with NASH and 15 women without NASH were included in the study. Both TNF-α (P = 0.032) and IL-1β (P = 0.029) were significantly more expressed by THP-1 macrophages exposed to HDL from women with NASH compared to women without NASH. ABCA1 and ABCG1 expression by apo E−/− mouse peritoneal macrophages was not significantly different when exposed to HDL from either women with NASH or women without NASH. IsoLG-modified HDL isolated from the serum of women with NASH trended higher than women without NASH. ConclusionOur study suggests a more pro-inflammatory HDL in women with obesity and NASH compared to women with obesity and without NASH.

Bimodal fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (BFAHP) for coronary heart disease risk assessment

Rooted deeply in medical multiple criteria decision-making (MCDM), risk assessment is very important especially when applied to the risk of being affected by deadly diseases such as coronary heart disease (CHD). CHD risk assessment is a stochastic, uncertain, and highly dynamic process influenced by various known and unknown variables. In recent years, there has been a great interest in fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (FAHP), a popular methodology for dealing with uncertainty in MCDM. This paper proposes a new FAHP, bimodal fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (BFAHP) that augments two aspects of knowledge, probability and validity, to fuzzy numbers to better deal with uncertainty. In BFAHP, fuzzy validity is computed by aggregating the validities of relevant risk factors based on expert knowledge and collective intelligence. By considering both soft and statistical data, we compute the fuzzy probability of risk factors using the Bayesian formulation. In BFAHP approach, these fuzzy validities and fuzzy probabilities are used to construct a reciprocal comparison matrix. We then aggregate fuzzy probabilities and fuzzy validities in a pairwise manner for each risk factor and each alternative. BFAHP decides about being affected and not being affected by ranking of high and low risks. For evaluation, the proposed approach is applied to the risk of being affected by CHD using a real dataset of 152 patients of Iranian hospitals. Simulation results confirm that adding validity in a fuzzy manner can accrue more confidence of results and clinically useful especially in the face of incomplete information when compared with actual results. Applying the proposed BFAHP on CHD risk assessment of the dataset, it yields high accuracy rate above 85% for correct prediction. In addition, this paper recognizes that the risk factors of diastolic blood pressure in men and high-density lipoprotein in women are more important in CHD than other risk factors.

Relationship of “weekend warrior” and regular physical activity patterns with metabolic syndrome and its associated diseases among Chinese rural adults

ABSTRACTLittle is known about the “weekend warrior” pattern of physical activity (PA) where people perform all their PA in 1 or 2 sessions per week. We investigated the relationship of weekend warrior and other PA patterns with metabolic syndrome (MS) and its associated diseases. Data on sociodemographic and lifestyle characteristics were collected from the Nantong Metabolic Syndrome Study that included 13,505 women and 6,997 men between 2007 and 2008. Compared with inactive participants, weekend warriors were at lower risk of MS, diabetes, and hypertension; respective odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) for men and women were 0.58 (0.43–0.79) and 0.67 (0.52–0.86), 0.52 (0.34–0.79) and 0.52 (0.33–0.83), and 0.79 (0.63–0.99) and 0.71 (0.57–0.89). Similar results were observed with regular activity, at a frequency of >3 sessions per week. Both weekend warrior and regular PA patterns showed a 10–60% decrease in abnormal triglycerides, glucose, and blood pressure in both sexes; abnormal waist circumference in men only; and abnormal high-density lipoprotein in women only. Our observed cross-sectional relationships reflect that >150 min/week of moderate PA or 75 min/week vigorous-intensity PA is needed to prevent MS and its component diseases, even if in a short-bout, intermittent PA pattern.Abbreviations: MS: Metabolic syndrome; WC: Waist circumference; TG: Triglycerides; HDL-c: High-density lipoprotein cholesterol; BP: Blood pressure; SBP: Systolic blood pressure, DBP: Diastolic blood pressure; PA: Physical activity; JIS: Joint Interim Statement; CVD: Cardiovascular disease; ATP III: US Third Report of the National Cholesterol Education Program, the Adult Treatment Panel; IDF: International Diabetes Federation; IPAQ: International Physical Activity Questionnaire; BMI: Body mass index; CDC: the Nantong Centers for Disease Control; OR: Odds ratio; CI: Confidence interval; SD: Standard deviation; IQR: Interquartile range.

Abstract P101: Menopause and its Related Endogenous Sex Hormone Alterations are Associated with Changes in Function and Subclasses of High-density Lipoprotein in Women at Midlife

Objective: Growing evidence challenges the cardioprotective effects of high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) in postmenopausal women. HDL particle size and concentration are heterogeneous and HDL-C only measures the cholesterol content of all HDL particles. Therefore, HDL-C does not necessarily reflect HDL subclasses or functionality, which may be more important in predicting CVD risk. Our main objective was to characterize HDL subclasses and functional alterations over menopause and to evaluate their associations with changes in estradiol (E2) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), cardinal hormonal markers of menopause. Methods: Participants were drawn from the Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (SWAN) at the Pittsburgh site. The women had stored blood specimens at two time points; one before and one after they reached menopause. HDL particle concentration and size using calibrated ion mobility analyses and HDL cholesterol efflux capacity (HDL-CEC) with radiolabeled J774 macrophages were measured at the two time points. None of the study participants were on lipid lowering medications or hormone therapy. Results: The study included 50 women (66% White and 34% Black), who were 47 (45, 49) years old (median (Q1, Q3)) and were either pre- (38%) or early peri-menopause (62%) at the first time point. At the second time point, all participants were postmenopausal with a median (Q1, Q3) time since their final menstrual period of 2.14 (1.55, 3.41) years. After menopause, women had significantly higher concentrations of total and large HDL particles, and smaller sizes of medium and small HDL particles (all P&lt;0.05), independent of race and change in age. HDL-CEC was significantly higher after menopause. Independent of age and race, larger declines in E2 were correlated with a more atherogenic changes (smaller increases in large HDL particles and larger increases in small HDL particles concentrations, P&lt;0.05). Additionally, greater rises in FSH were correlated with bigger reductions in sizes of large and medium HDL particles (P&lt;0.05). Conclusions: Within a median of 2.14 years of menopause, an improvement in HDL-CEC and significant alterations in HDL particle subclasses were observed. Whether patterns of these alterations change further in late postmenopause and how they relate to atherosclerotic risk are not known. The reported changes in HDL metrics over menopause warrant further evaluation of their potential risk on CVD after menopause.

Glucose-Dependent Insulinotropic Polypeptide Is Associated With Lower Low-Density Lipoprotein But Unhealthy Fat Distribution, Independent of Insulin: The ADDITION-PRO Study.

Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) may increase lipid clearance by stimulating lipid uptake. However, given that GIP promotes release of insulin by the pancreas and insulin is anti-lipolytic, the effect may be indirect. In this study we examined the association between GIP and lipid metabolism in individuals with low to high risk of type 2 diabetes and assessed whether the associations were modified by or mediated through insulin. Analyses were based on the Danish cross-sectional ADDITION-PRO study (n = 1405). Lipid metabolism was measured by fasting plasma lipids and obesity including abdominal fat distribution assessed by ultrasonography. GIP and insulin were measured during an oral glucose tolerance test (0, 30 and 120 min). Linear regression analysis was used to study the associations between GIP, plasma lipids, and obesity measures. A doubling in fasting GIP levels was associated with lower low-density lipoprotein in both men (mean [95% CI] -0.10 mmol/l [-0.18--0.03]) and women (-0.14 mmol/l [-0.23--0.04]) and with higher high-density lipoprotein in women (0.06 mmol/l [-0.02-0.10]). In men, a doubling in stimulated GIP was associated with 0.13 cm less 0.01-0.25 sc fat but with more visceral abdominal fat (0.45 cm [0.12-0.78]) and higher waist-hip ratio (0.011 [0.004-0.019]). Contrary to what was previously thought, GIP may be associated with improved low-density lipoprotein clearance but with an unhealthy fat distribution independent of insulin. The effect of GIP on obesity measures was substantially different between men and women. The potential effect of GIP on visceral and sc adipose tissue physiology warrants further examination.

Abstract P090: Change in Visceral Adipose Tissue and Change in Cardiometabolic Risk in a Minority Cohort: The IRAS Family Study

Visceral adipose tissue (VAT), the more metabolically harmful fat depot, has been associated with a higher prevalence of diabetes, insulin resistance, and impaired glucose homeostasis. Higher levels of VAT are associated cross-sectionally with cardiovascular (CV) risk factors, specifically hypertension and unfavorable lipid profiles. Research on the effects of change in VAT on CV risk factors is extremely limited and no studies have explored these questions in minority cohorts. The Insulin Resistance Atherosclerosis Family (IRAS Family) Study offered the opportunity to explore whether changes in VAT were associated with changes in CV risk, independent of changes in BMI, in a minority cohort. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) scans were obtained at two time points spanning a five year interval among African-American (N=295) and Hispanic-American participants (N=719), aged 18-65 years. The CV risk factors included 5-year change in insulin resistance (HOMA), high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and systolic blood pressure (SBP). To account for family structure, we used mixed models stratified by gender to estimate change in CV risk factors as a function of change in VAT, adjusted for change in BMI, age category, race, physical activity level, smoking status, statin use (for HDL) and antihypertensive use (for SBP). The cohort was 62% female, with an overall mean age of 40 years at baseline. The mean (SD) changes in BMI and VAT over 5-years were 1.1 (2.6) kg/m 2 and 4.2 (31.0) cm 2 , respectively; the mean (SD) changes in HOMA, HDL, and SBP over 5 years were 1.3 units (2.8), 4.8 (9.3) mg/dL and 2.4 (12.7) mm Hg, respectively. On average, a one standard deviation increase in VAT (31 cm 2 ) was significantly associated with a 0.58 unit increase in HOMA in men (p&lt;0.0001) and 0.42 unit increase in women (p=0.0048) in the adjusted model. A 31 cm 2 increase in VAT was significantly associated with a 1.8 mg/dL decrease in HDL in women (p=0.0007), but not in men (0.07 mg/dL increase, p=0.87). VAT change was not significantly associated with change in SBP in men or women. In this study of change in CT measured abdominal fat area in a large minority cohort, modest increases in VAT were significantly related to changes in HOMA and HDL, independent of changes in BMI. Further research is needed to determine whether preventing VAT accumulation may lead to improvements in glucose homeostasis and lipid profile.

321: Gender peculiarities of lipid profile and metabolic oxygen-dependent reactions in patients with acute myocardial infarction accompanied with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis

It is well known that prognosis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in women (taking into consideration the age correction) is more unfavorable than in men. That's why studying of pathogenetic issues of AMI in women with metabolic disorders is highly important. The purpose of the research is to determine the gender peculiarities of lipid profile changes and the state of metabolic oxygen-dependent reactions in patients with AMI accompanied with NASH. 59 men and 36 women with AMI accompanied with NASH were examined. All women had menopause. The amount of troponin, creatine phosphokinase, transaminases was determined in blood of all patients. Also the data of liver ultrasound and liver biopsy were analyzed. The state of metabolic oxygen-dependent reactions was determined by spectrophotometric method; the levels of malonic dialdehyde (MDA) and diene conjugates (DC) were analyzed. Women had higher indexes of MDA (+10,2%, p=0,028) and DC (+15,2%, p=0,009) in comparison with men. Also, a decreased activity of superoxide dismutase and ceruloplasmin was revealed in women (−12,7% and − 3,3% respectively, p<0,05). Disorders of blood lipid profile were determined in patients of both groups. However, women had reliably higher level of cholesterol (+15,4%, p=0,027), triglycerides (+22,8%, p=0,003) and low-density lipoproteins (+15,8%, p=0,015). Besides, the level of high-density lipoprotein in women was lower than in men (−17,6%, p=0,022). Women with AMI accompanied with NASH were characterized by more significant derangements of lipid profile and higher activity of metabolic oxygen-dependent reactions than men. The mentioned above changes in women were probably caused by loss of estrogen protection due to menopause. Such changes suggest the need in more intensive hypolipidemic and antioxidant therapy in women with AMI accompanied with NASH.

Gender-Specific Alterations in Fibrin Structure Function in Type 2 Diabetes: Associations with Cardiometabolic and Vascular Markers

Diabetes is associated with increased incidence of atherothrombotic disease. The fibrin network forms the backbone of the arterial thrombus, and fibrin clot structure determines predisposition to cardiovascular events. The aim of the study was to investigate fibrin clot structure/fibrinolysis in the largest type 2 diabetes cohort and analyze associations with cardiometabolic risk factors and vascular pathology. Clot structure/fibrinolysis was assessed in 875 participants of the Edinburgh Type 2 Diabetes Study [age, 68 (range, 60-75) yr; 450 males] by turbidimetric assays, and clots were visualized by confocal microscopy. Four parameters of clot structure/fibrinolysis were analyzed, and plasma levels of fibrinogen and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 were studied by Clauss assay and ELISA, respectively. Clot maximum absorbance was increased in females compared with males (0.37 ± 0.005 and 0.34 ± 0.005 arbitrary unit, respectively; P < 0.001), and took longer to lyse (803 ± 20 and 665 ± 12 sec, respectively; P < 0.001). These gender differences in clot structure and fibrinolysis were still evident after correcting for fibrinogen and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 plasma levels. A prothrombotic fibrin structure profile was associated with increased body mass index and low levels of high-density lipoprotein in women and with inadequate diabetes control in men. Clot formation time was related to previous cardiac ischemic events in both men and women after adjusting for traditional risk factors [odds ratio, 1.22 (95% confidence interval, 1.07, 1.38); and 1.33 (1.15, 1.50), respectively], and prothrombotic clots were associated with low ankle brachial index, renal impairment, and smoking, regardless of gender. Women with type 2 diabetes have compact clots with compromised fibrinolysis compared with men. There are gender-specific associations between clotting parameters and cardiometabolic risk factors in this population, whereas vascular abnormalities, impaired renal function, and smoking are associated with prothrombotic clot structure profile regardless of gender.

The effect of modifying dietary protein and carbohydrate in weight loss on arterial compliance and postprandial lipidemia in overweight women with polycystic ovary syndrome

In overweight women with polycystic ovary syndrome, weight loss improves arterial compliance and postprandial lipidemia. Modifying dietary carbohydrate or protein in weight loss provided similar improvements in arterial compliance and postprandial lipidemia.

Physical inactivity interacts with an endothelial lipase polymorphism to modulate high density lipoprotein cholesterol in the GOLDN study

Background Plasma high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (HDL-C) concentration is highly heritable but is also modifiable by environmental factors including physical activity. HDL-C response to exercise varies among individuals, and this variability may be associated with genetic polymorphisms in the key regulators of HDL metabolism including endothelial lipase ( LIPG). Methods We examined associations between variants LIPG T111I (rs2000813) and LIPG i24582 (rs6507931), HDL and television viewing/computer use (“screen time”) as a marker for physical inactivity in a population with high prevalence of metabolic syndrome. Subjects consisted of 539 White men and 584 women (mean ± S.D., 49 ± 16 years) participating in the GOLDN study. Results We did not observe an association with either LIPG SNP or HDL independently of screen time. In multi-adjusted linear regression models, HDL interacted significantly with screen time as a continuous variable in LIPG i24582 subjects with TT genotype ( P < 0.05). By dichotomizing screen time into high and low levels, we found significant genotype-associated differences in HDL in women but not men. When screen time was ≥2.6 h/day, the concentrations of total HDL-C, large HDL, large low density lipoprotein (LDL) were lower, the concentration of small LDL was higher and HDL and LDL particle sizes were smaller in subjects with LIPG i24582 TT compared to CT and CC subjects ( P < 0.05). Conclusions We found a significant gene-physical inactivity interaction for HDL and some LDL measures for the LIPG i24582 polymorphism. Higher levels of physical activity may be protective for HDL-C concentrations and low activity detrimental in LIPG i24582 TT individuals, especially in women.

Gender differences in obesity related cardiovascular risk factors in Spain

Background Obesity and overweight are increasing progressively leading to an increase in cardiovascular risk factors and cardiovascular events. Methods The MESYAS Registry (Metabolic Syndrome in Active Subjects) recruited active workers from their annual health examinations in Spain through 2003. Body mass index was used to diagnose overweight and obesity. Metabolic syndrome (MS) and risk factors were assessed according to the ATP-III definitions. Results 19,041 subjects were included (80% males), mean age 42.2 (10.7). The prevalence of overweight was 44.6% (44.0–45.2), obesity 17.3% (17.0–17.5) and MS 12.0% (11.8–12.2). Women had lower prevalence of all cardiovascular risk factors. Multivariate analysis showed independent associations between overweight (OR: 2.4; 95% CI 2.2–2.6) or obesity (OR: 5.3; 95% CI 4.7–5.9) and any other two MS criteria. Overweight and obesity were independently associated with all cardiovascular risk factors, except low high-density lipoproteins in women. Significantly higher association was found in women between obesity and diabetes (OR: 13.6; 95% CI 3.8–48.6), MS (OR: 10.6; 7.6–14.8), hypertriglyceridemia (OR: 8.6; 95% CI 5.6–13.1), and impaired fasting glucose (OR: 3.7; 95% CI 2.7–5.3). Conclusions Overweight and obesity are strongly related to classical cardiovascular risk factors, atherogenic dyslipidaemia and MS. Obesity has higher association to insulin-resistance related risk factors in women.

Ghrelin receptor gene polymorphisms are associated with female metabolic syndrome in Chinese population

The ghrelin plays an important role in the regulation of food intake and energy homeostasis. Therefore, the ghrelin receptor gene (GHSR) is an excellent candidate for studying metabolic syndrome. This study aimed to investigate whether polymorphisms in ghrelin receptor gene are associated with metabolic syndrome in Chinese population. Subjects consisted of 698 patients aged 41 to 80 years, diagnosed as metabolic syndrome by International Diabetes Federation (IDF) 2005 criteria, and 762 age- and gender-matched controls. Three variants within the GHSR were selected and genotyped using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). Odds ratios were estimated using a case-control study design by controlling confounding factors. The A/A genotype (rs2922126) in the promoter was associated with metabolic syndrome (OR 1.41, 95% CI 1.03-1.94), increased waist circumference (OR 1.75, 95% CI 1.26-2.42), and increased fast blood glucose (OR 1.49, 95% CI 1.07-2.06) in women. The A/A genotype (rs509030) in the intron was associated with lower plasma high density lipoprotein in women (OR 1.37, 95% CI 1.02-1.84). The polymorphisms within GHSR might be a genetic risk factor for metabolic syndrome in women.

Efficacy of metformin in obese and non-obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled cross-over trial

Our aim was to assess the effects of metformin on menstrual frequency, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), insulin resistance assessed as HOMA-index, weight, waist/hip ratio, blood pressure (BP), serum lipids, and testosterone levels in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) METHODS: In a randomized, controlled, double-blinded setup, 56 women aged 18-45 with PCOS were treated with either metformin 850 mg or placebo twice daily for 6 months. After a wash-out period of 3 months participants received the alternate treatment for 6 months. The changes in the measured parameters were analysed by intention-to-treat and per protocol. There were no changes in menstrual frequency. In the intention-to-treat analysis, weight and systolic BP were reduced on metformin treatment (p=0.009 and 0.047, respectively), while high-density lipoprotein (HDL) increased (p=0.001). On placebo, weight and FPG increased (p<0.05). Post-hoc subgrouping according to BMI revealed reductions in testosterone (p=0.013), FPG (p=0.018), insulin (p=0.045) and HOMA-index (p=0.022) in obese women. Per protocol analysis showed the following differences between the changes on placebo and metformin (mean (5 - 95 % percentiles): weight (-4.2 (-7.0, -1.9) kg, p<0.001), FPG (-0.23 (-0.44, -0.01) mmol/l, p=0.041), insulin (-4.17 (-8.10, -0.23) mIU/l, p=0.039) and HOMA index (-1.50 (-2.53, -0.47) mIU/l*mmol/l, p=0.006). Weight, FPG and HOMA index were lower after metformin than after placebo. Metformin treatment lowered weight and systolic blood pressure and increased HDL in women with PCOS. In post-hoc analysis it increased insulin sensitivity and lowered testosterone in obese women. Non-obese women did not benefit from metformin.

Abnormal aminotransferase activity in women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity was abnormal in 30% of 70 female infertility patients with polycystic ovary syndrome in whom causes other than nonalcoholic fatty liver disease were excluded by history and serum testing. Women with elevated ALT had significantly higher body mass index, waist circumference, serum triglycerides, total cholesterol-to-HDL-cholesterol ratio, and degree of insulin resistance.

Interrelationships of spontaneous growth hormone axis activity, body fat, and serum lipids in healthy elderly women and men.

Aging is associated with decreased growth hormone (GH) secretion and plasma insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) levels, increased total and abdominal fat, total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and triglycerides, and reduced high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. Similar changes in lipids and body composition occur in nonelderly GH-deficient adults and are reversed with GH administration. To examine whether GH/IGF-I axis function in the elderly is related to the lipid profile independently of body fat, we evaluated GH secretion, serum IGF-I and IGF binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) levels, adiposity via the body mass index (BMI), waist to hip ratio (WHR), dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and circulating lipids in 101 healthy subjects older than 65 years. Integrated nocturnal GH secretion (log IAUPGH) was inversely related (P < .005) to DEXA total and abdominal fat and MRI visceral fat in both genders. Log IAUPGH was inversely related to visceral fat in women (P < .005) and men (P < .0001), but was not significantly related to total fat in either gender. In women, log IAUPGH was related inversely to total and LDL cholesterol and positively to HDL cholesterol (P < .008). In men, log IAUPGH was inversely related to total cholesterol and triglycerides (P < .005). In women, HDL cholesterol was inversely related to the WHR (P < .005). In men, triglycerides were positively related (P < .001) to the WHR and DEXA abdominal and MRI visceral fat. Multivariate regression revealed log IAUPGH, but not DEXA total body fat, to be an independent determinant of total (P < .001 for women and P = .01 for men) and LDL (P < .007 and P = .05) cholesterol in both sexes and of HDL cholesterol (P < .005) and triglycerides (P < .03) in women. Log IAUPGH, but not DEXA abdominal fat, was related to total (P < .005 and P < .03) and LDL (P < .03 and P = .05) cholesterol in both genders and to HDL in women (P < .05). Log IAUPGH, but not MRI visceral fat, was related to total cholesterol (P < .03 and P = .05) in women and men. Age, IGF-I, and IGFBP-3 were not significantly related to any body fat or lipid measures, except for a positive correlation of IGF-I with triglycerides in men. Thus, endogenous nocturnal GH secretion predicts total, LDL, and HDL cholesterol levels independently of total or abdominal fat, suggesting that it is an independent cardiometabolic risk factor in healthy elderly people.