High Fish Consumption Research Articles

Fish consumption and incidence of heart failure: a meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies

Background The association between fish consumption and heart failure (HF) incidence is inconsistent. Methods We performed a systematic search of Pubmed and Embase (from 1953 to June 2012) using key words related to fish and HF. Studies with at least three categories of fish consumption reporting both relative risk (RR) and corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) for HF incidence were included. The pooled RR and 95%CI were calculated using a fixed or random-effects model. The generalized least squares regression model was used to quantify the dose-response relationship between fish consumption and HF incidence. Results Five prospective cohort studies including 4750 HF events of 170 231 participants with an average of 9.7-year follow-up were selected and identified. Compared with those who never ate fish, individuals with higher fish consumption had a lower HF incidence. The pooled RRs for HF incidence was 0.99 (95%CI, 0.91 to 1.08) for fish consumption 1 to 3 times per month, 0.91 (95%CI, 0.84 to 0.99) for once a week, 0.87 (95%CI, 0.81 to 0.95) for 2 to 4 times per week, and 0.86 (95%CI, 0.84 to 0.99) for 5 or more times per week. An increment of 20 g of daily fish intake was related to a 6% lower risk of HF (RR: 0.94, 95% CI, 0.90 to 0.97; P for trend = 0.001). Conclusions This meta-analysis suggests that there is a dose-dependent inverse relationship between fish consumption and HF incidence. Fish intake once or more times a week could reduce HF incidence.

Nonlegacy PCBs: Pigment Manufacturing By-Products Get a Second Look

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were commercially manufactured in the United States from about 1930 until 1979, when their production was banned under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) because of concerns about their extreme environmental persistence, ability to bioaccumulate, and adverse human health effects. PCBs were used in numerous industrial and consumer applications, most notably as insulation fluids in electrical transformers and generators but also in products including fluorescent lamp ballasts, caulk, and carbonless copy paper. These now-discontinued manufactured chemicals have received a great deal of attention in terms of research and environmental remediation. But other, lesser-known PCBs continue to be generated and released into the environment, not from intentionally created commercial products but as unintentional by-products of manufacturing processes including, according to recent studies, those used to make certain pigments used in dyes, inks, and paints. PCBs do not occur naturally, and once in the environment they can last for decades. Until recently, PCBs that were being detected in the environment were thought to come entirely from “legacy” sources. Yet developments in analytical technology have given researchers a better understanding of PCB sources, of the patterns of individual PCBs (or congeners) that are being detected environmentally, and the fate of PCBs in the environment—how they move between soil, sediment, water, and air. These advances have also enabled the detection of individual congeners at very low levels and the identification of many new and ongoing sources of PCBs beyond those resulting from historical commercial mixtures. Unintentionally produced PCBs were known to be present in inks and dyes when the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the final rule barring commercial PCB production in 1979. A rule allowing exemptions for PCBs in controlled manufacturing processes and as unintentional contaminants was promulgated under TSCA a few years later. This rule allowed for PCB concentrations of up to 50 ppm in certain products as a result of manufacturing processes.1 Recently, manufacturing by-product PCBs have been identified in wastewater, sediments, and air in numerous locations. They have also been positively identified in testing of new products colored with such pigments, so it is clear these PCBs are not occurring as a result of legacy commercial mixtures. What is emerging is an increasingly complex picture of the prevalence of nonlegacy PCBs alongside the persisting environmental presence of legacy PCBs, and a concurrent and likewise complex picture of how PCBs can affect human health at very low levels of exposure.

Long term neurocognitive impact of low dose prenatal methylmercury exposure in Hong Kong

BackgroundInternational studies suggest that low dose prenatal methylmercury exposure (>29nmol/L) has long-term adverse neurocognitive effects. There is evidence that the majority of children in Hong Kong exceed this level as a result of high fish consumption of mothers during pregnancy. ObjectiveTo study whether there are any associations between low-dose prenatal methylmercury exposure and neurocognitive outcomes in Hong Kong children. Materials and methodsAll 1057 children from the original birth cohort were eligible for entry into the study, except children with conditions that would affect neurocognitive development, but were unrelated to methylmercury exposure. Subjects were assessed by a wide panel of tests covering a broad range of neurocognitive functions: Hong Kong Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (HK-WISC), Hong Kong List Learning Test (HKLLT), Tests of Everyday Attention for Children (TEACH), Boston Naming Test, and Grooved Pegboard Test. Results608 subjects were recruited (median age 8.2years, IQR 7.3, 8.8; 53.9% boys). After correction by confounders including child age and sex, multivariate analysis showed that cord blood mercury concentration was significantly associated with three subtests: Picture Arrangement of HK-WISC (coefficient −0.944, P=0.049) and Short and Long Delay Recall Difference of the HKLLT (coefficient −1.087, P=0.007 and coefficient −1.161, P=0.005, respectively), i.e., performance worsened with increasing prenatal methylmercury exposure in these subtests. ConclusionsSmall, but statistically significant adverse associations between prenatal methylmercury exposure and long-term neurocognitive effects (a visual sequencing task and retention ability of verbal memory) were found in our study. These effects are compatible with findings of studies with higher prenatal methylmercury exposure levels and suggest that safe strategies to further reduce exposure levels in Hong Kong are desirable.

Total and methyl-mercury in hair and milk of mothers living in the city of Porto Velho and in villages along the Rio Madeira, Amazon, Brazil

High fish consumption and extended breastfeeding are hallmarks of traditional lifestyle in Western Amazonia. We studied sources of mercury exposure, fish-methylmercury (meHg) and dental-amalgam filling, in 75 urban and 82 rural lactating mothers. Total mercury was determined in all samples while meHg concentrations were determined in subsamples of milk (45) and hair (27) of urban mothers living in Porto Velho (PV) and in hair (46) and milk (37) of mothers living in traditional communities (TC) of the Rio Madeira. The TC mothers showed significantly higher median hair-Hg concentrations (8.2μgg(-1)) than PV mothers (1.3μgg(-1)). Median total Hg in milk of PV mothers (0.36ngg(-1)) was significantly lower (p=0.0000) than that found in milk of TC mothers (2.30ngg(-1)). The median meHg concentrations in milk of TC mothers were also significantly higher (1.0ngg(-1)) than in milk of PV mothers (0.07ngg(-1)). For urban mothers with low fish consumption rates (and relatively higher dental amalgam fillings) the proportion of inorganic Hg in milk was higher (85%) than in TC (62%). In TC mothers 51% of breast milk Hg concentrations were above 2ngg(-1) (world median concentrations), contrasting with 8% in PV mothers. Despite this, there was no significant correlation between total Hg concentrations in milk and either amalgam filling or daily fish consumption. Socioeconomic changes occurring in Western Amazonia are causing changes in fish-eating habits of urban mothers. However, traditional lifestyle and attendant high fish consumption in riverine populations can still impact total Hg and methylmercury concentrations in mothers' milk and hair.

Choline status and neurodevelopmental outcomes at 5 years of age in the Seychelles Child Development Nutrition Study

Choline is an essential nutrient that is found in many food sources and plays a critical role in the development of the central nervous system. Animal studies have shown that choline status pre- and postnatally can have long-lasting effects on attention and memory; however, effects in human subjects have not been well studied. The aim of the present study was to examine the association between plasma concentrations of free choline and its related metabolites in children and their neurodevelopment in the Seychelles Child Development Nutrition Study, an ongoing longitudinal study assessing the development of children born to mothers with high fish consumption during pregnancy. Plasma concentrations of free choline, betaine, dimethylglycine (DMG), methionine and homocysteine and specific measures of neurodevelopment were measured in 210 children aged 5 years. The children's plasma free choline concentration (9·17 (sd 2·09) μmol/l) was moderately, but significantly, correlated with betaine (r 0·24; P= 0·0006), DMG (r 0·15; P= 0·03), methionine (r 0·24; P= 0·0005) and homocysteine (r 0·19; P= 0·006) concentrations. Adjusted multiple linear regression revealed that betaine concentrations were positively associated with Preschool Language Scale – total language scores (β = 0·066; P= 0·04), but no other associations were evident. We found no indication that free choline concentration or its metabolites, within the normal physiological range, are associated with neurodevelopmental outcomes in children at 5 years of age. As there is considerable animal evidence suggesting that choline status during development is associated with cognitive outcome, the issue deserves further study in other cohorts.

Dietary Patterns, Anthropometry and Metabolic Cardiovascular Risk

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in developed countries. Early detection of high-risk individuals is essential in order to adopt more effective preventive and therapeutic measures. One of the most controversial issues today is how to manage eating habits in order to establish the best diet: current data suggest that promotion of healthy eating habits—consumption of fruit and vegetables, limitation of fat intake to unsaturated fats—could help to significantly reduce the number of cardiovascular risk factors and the risk of suffering from metabolic syndrome, and that maintaining these measures over time could help maintain, and even reduce, body weight. Some recent studies, likes DORICA study analyzes the association between the predominant dietary patterns and the presence of cardiovascular risk factors. The hypothesis is that the most traditional consumption patterns (for example the Mediterranean diet) are associated with a healthier cardiovascular profile in the Spanish adult population. The results of DORICA revealed that energy intake was 2560 (797) kcal in men and 2230 (665) kcal in women, and that fats accounted for 39.3% of energy intake in women and 37% in men. In other words, 47% of men and 64% of women have fat intakes that are above the recommended levels. In addition, 87% have cholesterol levels above 100 mg/1000 kcal, especially men younger than 45 years (89%). This study analyze 3 types of dietary patterns: I) high-protein pattern, with a high consumption of meat, cereals, potatoes, and alcoholic drinks; II) unbalanced pattern, with a high consumption of milk and its derivatives, and a low consumption of fruit, cereals, vegetables, and potatoes; and III) Mediterranean pattern, with a high consumption of fish, vegetables, fruit, and olive oil. The results show that the Mediterranean pattern consumed more unsaturated fats than the other two, in terms of both the mean and for the quartiles. SF intake, on the other hand, was lower in this pattern, which also had the smallest values for the Keys and Hegsted indices. The highest values for these indices were observed in the high-protein pattern. The same was true for cholesterol intake. The Mediterranean pattern had the highest intake of fiber. The study concluded that, in terms of nutrition and eating habits, the Mediterranean pattern was characterized by a higher intake of fats, although these were mainly unsaturated, with a clear predominance of MUF. Fiber intake was good, with a high consumption of fruit, vegetables, and fish. This pattern also had the lowest number of smokers. On the contrary, the unbalanced pattern had the least favorable cardiovascular profile, with a predominance of SFs. In summary, this phase of the DORICA study suggests that a Mediterranean-type diet—with increased intake of fruit, vegetables, fish, and olive oil, in combination with moderate physical activity—is the most favorable profile in terms of the weighted estimates and of cardiovascular risk factors in our setting. Keywords: Diet, Anthropometry, Cardiometabolic Risk. Read more →

Omega 3 fatty acids in psychiatry

Omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (?-3 LC-PUFAs) are thought to be important for normal dopaminergic, glutamatergic and serotonergic neurotransmission. Depression is less prevalent in societies with high fish consumption, and depressed patients have significantly lower red blood cell ?-3 levels. Studies with ?-3 supplementation have led to controversial results. A significantly longer remission of bipolar symptomatology has been confirmed from a high-dose DHA and EPA mixture. Greater seafood consumption per capita has been connected with a lower prevalence of bipolar spectrum disorders. Reduced levels of ?-6 and ?-3 PUFAs were found in patients with schizophrenia.

Plasma Phospholipid Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Freshwater Fish Consumption in the Brazilian Amazon

Background: Amazonian riverside communities consume large quantities of freshwater fish, comparable to marine fish consumption of Inuit, Scandinavian and Japanese populations. Few studies have considered the relation of high freshwater fish consumption and intake of omega-3 fatty acids (FA). Objective: The objective of the present study was to determine the profile of the concentrations of plasma phospholipid FAs and its relation with freshwater fish intake in 12 riverside communities in the Tapajos River basin (State of Para, Brazilian Amazon). Design: This cross-sectional study included 333 adults (15 - 86 years old). Fish meal frequency was determined using a 7-day interview-administered dietary recall questionnaire. Fish were categorized as piscivorous and non-piscivorous fish on trophic level. Plasma phospholipid FAs were measured by capillary gas-liquid chromatography. Results: Participants consumed 5 to 6 fish meals a week, with twice as many non-piscivorous fish than piscivorous fish (4.4 fish/week vs 2.2 fish/week, respectively). The omega-3 FA levels in plasma phospholipids were low (EPA + DHA = 31.21 mg/L; %EPA + DHA = 2.59%). Omega-3 FAs increased with frequency of fish intake, and particularly with piscivorous fish, controlling for sociodemographic, anthropometric and lifestyle characteristics. DHA levels were greater in women than in men. Conclusions: Omega-3 FA in this Amazonian population increased with fish consumption, but although they consumed freshwater fish almost daily, the concentrations of omega-3 FA were relatively low and comparable to fish-eater communities for which fish is not a dietary mainstay. It is possible that nutrients present in marine, but not in certain freshwater fish species, may facilitate absorption of omega-3 FA. Sex and/or gender differences must be taken into account when assessing the relationship between fish consumption and plasma phospholipid omega-3 FA levels.

Mercury in Canned Tuna in Spain. Is Light Tuna Really Light?

In Spain, certain population-based studies have shown high blood mercury (Hg) levels due to the high consumption of fish. Some studies have stated that one of the most consumed fish in Spain is canned tuna. Different Spanish organisms consider that it is safe to consume canned tuna as it supposedly has a low mercury content, particularly in so-called light tuna. However, in Spain light tuna is mainly yellowfin and bigeye tuna, while in other countries it is mainly skipjack tuna. This study analyzed 36 cans of the most popular brands in Spain and examined the influence of the type of tuna, packaging medium (olive oil, sunflower seed oil, water or marinade), different brands, prices and expiration dates. Mercury concentrations (mg/kg) were measured by atomic absorption spectrometry and thermal decomposition amalgamation. The medians observed were (mg/kg): light tuna: 0.314; IQR: 0.205 - 0.594, white tuna: 0.338; IQR: 0.276 - 0.558, skipjack: 0.311; IQR: 0.299 - 0.322, frigate tuna: 0.219; IQR 0.182 - 0.257 and mackerel: 0.042; IQR 0.029 - 0.074. We found statistically significant differences between white tuna, light tuna and mackerel (p = 0.004); light tuna and mackerel (p = 0.002) and white tuna and mackerel (p = 0.006). However, we found no differences between white tuna and light tuna, or among packaging medium, brands, prices or expiration dates. The limit of 0.500 mg/kg of mercury in canned tuna was exceeded by the following percentages of the cans: 33.3% of light tuna, 16.7% of white tuna, and 0% of Skipjack, frigate tuna and mackerel. The mercury content of the cans of Spanish light tuna that were analyzed was variable and high. The results of this study indicate that stricter regulation of Hg in canned tuna is necessary. Until then, it is safer to recommend that vulnerable populations such as children and pregnant women consume canned mackerel, which has a markedly lower mercury content.

Diet and lifestyle factors associated with fish consumption in men and women: a study of whether gender differences can result in gender-specific confounding

BackgroundFish consumption and intake of omega-3 fatty acids from fish are associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease. However, a prospective study from northern Sweden showed that high consumption of fish is associated with an increased risk of stroke in men, but not in women. The current study aimed to determine if fish consumption is differently related to lifestyle in men compared with women in northern Sweden.MethodsLifestyle information on 32,782 men and 34,866 women (aged 30–60 years) was collected between 1992 and 2006 within the Västerbotten Intervention Programme (a health intervention in northern Sweden). Spearman correlations coefficients (Rs) were calculated between self-reported consumption of fish and other food items. Lifestyle variables were compared between fish consumption categories.ResultsFish consumption was positively associated with other foods considered healthy (e.g., root vegetables, lettuce/cabbage/spinach/broccoli, chicken, and berries; Rs = 0.21-0.30), as well as with other healthy lifestyle factors (e.g., exercise and not smoking) and a higher educational level, in both men and women. The only gender difference found, concerned the association between fish consumption and alcohol consumption. Men who were high consumers of fish had a higher intake of all types of alcohol compared with low to moderate fish consumers. For women, this was true only for wine.ConclusionsExcept for alcohol, the association between fish consumption and healthy lifestyle did not differ between men and women in northern Sweden. It is important to adjust for other lifestyle variables and socioeconomic variables in studies concerning the effect of fish consumption on disease outcome.

DASH Eating Pattern Is Associated with Favorable Left Ventricular Function in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis

Objective: Potential associations between consistency with the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet and preclinical stages of heart failure (HF) in a large multiethnic cohort have not been evaluated. This study sought to determine the cross-sectional relationship between the DASH eating pattern and left ventricular (LV) function in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA).Design: A total of 4506 men and women from four ethnic groups (40% white, 24% African American, 22% Hispanic American, and 14% Chinese American) aged 45–84 years and free of clinical cardiovascular disease (CVD) were studied. Diet was assessed using a validated food-frequency questionnaire. LV functional parameters including end-diastolic volume, stroke volume, and LV ejection fraction were measured by magnetic resonance imaging. Multivariate analyses were conducted to examine the association between LV function and DASH eating pattern (including high consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, poultry, fish, nuts, and low-fat dairy products and low consumption of red meat, sweets, and sugar-sweetened beverages).Results: A 1-unit increase in DASH eating pattern score was associated with a 0.26 ml increase in end-diastolic volume and increases of 0.10 ml/m2 in stroke volume, adjusted for key confounders. A 1-unit increase in DASH eating pattern score was also associated with a 0.04% increase in ejection fraction, but the relationship was marginally significant (p = 0.08).Conclusions: In this population, greater DASH diet consistency is associated with favorable LV function. DASH dietary patterns could be protective against HF.

Maternal PUFA Status but Not Prenatal Methylmercury Exposure Is Associated with Children's Language Functions at Age Five Years in the Seychelles,

AbstractEvidence from the Seychelles Child Development Nutrition Study suggests that maternal nutritional status can modulate the relationship between prenatal methylmercury (MeHg) exposure and developmental outcomes in children. The aim of this study was to investigate whether maternal PUFA status was a confounding factor in any possible associations between prenatal MeHg exposure and developmental outcomes at 5 y of age in the Republic of Seychelles. Maternal status of (n-3) and (n-6) PUFA were measured in serum collected at 28 wk gestation and delivery. Prenatal MeHg exposure was determined in maternal hair collected at delivery. At 5 y of age, the children completed a comprehensive range of sensitive developmental assessments. Complete data from 225 mothers and their children were available for analysis. Multiple linear regression analyses revealed Preschool Language Scale scores of the children improved with increasing maternal serum DHA [22:6(n-3)] concentrations and decreased with increasing arachidonic acid [20:4(n-6)] concentrations, albeit verbal intelligence improved with increasing (n-6) PUFA concentrations in maternal serum. There were no adverse associations between MeHg exposure and developmental outcomes. These findings suggest that higher fish consumption, resulting in higher maternal (n-3) PUFA status, during pregnancy is associated with beneficial developmental effects rather than detrimental effects resulting from the higher concomitant exposures of the fetus to MeHg. The association of maternal (n-3) PUFA status with improved child language development may partially explain the authors’ previous finding of improving language scores, as prenatal MeHg exposure increased in an earlier mother-child cohort in the Seychelles where maternal PUFA status was not measured.

Fish consumption, omega-3 fatty acids, and environmental contaminants in relation to low-grade inflammation and early atherosclerosis

BackgroundFish consumption and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) intake are shown to protect from cardiovascular diseases (CVD). However, most fish contain environmental contaminants such as dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and methylmercury (MeHg) that may have adverse effects on cardiovascular health. ObjectiveOur aim was to elucidate the associations of fish consumption, omega-3 PUFAs, environmental contaminants with low-grade inflammation, early atherosclerosis, and traditional CVD risk factors. MethodsThe Health 2000 survey participants (n=1173) represented the general Finnish population and the Fishermen study participants (n=255) represented a population with high fish consumption and high exposure to environmental contaminants. Model-adjusted geometric means and tests for linear trend were calculated for CVD risk factors by tertiles of fish consumption and serum omega-3 PUFAs, and additionally in the Fishermen study only, by tertiles of serum PCDD/F+PCB, and blood MeHg. ResultsSerum triglyceride decreased across omega-3 PUFA tertiles in both sexes and studies. Insulin resistance, C-reactive protein, tumour necrosis factor α, and interleukin 6 decreased across omega-3 PUFA tertiles among the Health 2000 survey participants. Among the Fishermen study men, insulin resistance and arterial stiffness indicated by β-stiffness index tended to increase and the RR estimate for carotid artery plaque tended to decrease across tertiles of PCDD/F+PCB and MeHg. ConclusionPreviously established hypotriglyceridemic and anti-inflammatory effects of omega-3 PUFAs were seen also in this study. The hypothesised favourable effect on insulin sensitivity and arterial elasticity was suggested to be counteracted by high exposure to environmental contaminants but the effect on plaque prevalence appeared not to be harmful.

Fish consumption, insulin sensitivity and beta-cell function in the Insulin Resistance Atherosclerosis Study (IRAS)

Background and aimsPrevious research on the association between fish consumption and incident type 2 diabetes has been inconclusive. In addition, few studies have investigated how fish consumption may be related to the metabolic abnormalities underlying diabetes. Therefore, we examined the association of fish consumption with measures of insulin sensitivity and beta-cell function in a multi-ethnic population. Methods and resultsWe examined the cross-sectional association between fish consumption and measures of insulin sensitivity and secretion in 951 non-diabetic participants in the Insulin Resistance Atherosclerosis Study (IRAS). Fish consumption, categorized as <2 vs. ≥2 portions/week, was measured using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Insulin sensitivity (SI) and acute insulin response (AIR) were determined from frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance tests.Higher fish consumption was independently associated with lower SI-adjusted AIR (β = −0.13 [−0.25, −0.016], p = 0.03, comparing ≥2 vs. <2 portions/week). Fish consumption was positively associated with intact and split proinsulin/C-peptide ratios, however, these associations were confounded by ethnicity (multivariable-adjusted β = 0.073 [−0.014, 0.16] for intact proinsulin/C-peptide ratio, β = 0.031 [−0.065, 0.13] for split proinsulin/C-peptide ratio). We also observed a significant positive association between fish consumption and fasting blood glucose (multivariable-adjusted β = 2.27 [0.68, 3.86], p = 0.005). We found no association between fish consumption and SI (multivariable-adjusted β = −0.015 [−0.083, 0.053]) or fasting insulin (multivariable-adjusted β = 0.016 [−0.066, 0.10]). ConclusionsFish consumption was not associated with measures of insulin sensitivity in the multi-ethnic IRAS cohort. However, higher fish consumption may be associated with pancreatic beta-cell dysfunction.

Dietary patterns and breast cancer risk among women in northern Tanzania: a case-control study.

BackgroundBreast cancer is the second most common cancer among women in the Kilimanjaro Region of Tanzania. It was tested within a case–control study in this region whether a specific dietary pattern impacts on the breast cancer risk.MethodsA validated semi-quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire was used to assess the dietary intake of 115 female breast cancer patients and 230 healthy age-matched women living in the same districts. A logistic regression was performed to estimate breast cancer risk. Dietary patterns were obtained using principal component analysis with Varimax rotation.ResultsThe adjusted logistic regression estimated an increased risk for a “Fatty Diet”, characterized by a higher consumption of milk, vegetable oils and fats, butter, lard and red meat (OR = 1.42, 95 % CI 1.08–1.87; P = 0.01), and for a “Fruity Diet”, characterized by a higher consumption of fish, mango, papaya, avocado and watery fruits (OR = 1.61, 95 % CI 1.14–2.28; P = 0.01). Both diets showed an inverse association with the ratio between polyunsaturated and saturated fatty acids (P/S ratio).ConclusionA diet characterized by a low P/S ratio seems to be more important for the development of breast cancer than total fat intake.

Serum levels of marine-derived n-3 fatty acids in Icelanders, Japanese, Koreans, and Americans—A descriptive epidemiologic study

In the 1990s Iceland and Japan were known as countries with high fish consumption whereas coronary heart disease (CHD) mortality in Iceland was high and that in Japan was low among developed countries. We described recent data fish consumption and CHD mortality from publicly available data. We also measured CHD risk factors and serum levels of marine-derived n-3 and other fatty acids from population-based samples of 1324 men in Iceland, Japan, South Korea, and the US. CHD mortality in men in Iceland was almost 3 times as high as that in Japan and South Korea. Generally, a profile of CHD risk factors in Icelanders compared to Japanese was more favorable. Serum marine-derived n-3 fatty acids in Iceland were significantly lower than in Japan and South Korea but significantly higher than in the US.

Polymorphisms in carcinogen metabolism enzymes, fish intake, and risk of prostate cancer.

Cooking fish at high temperature can produce potent carcinogens such as heterocyclic amines and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. The effects of these carcinogens may undergo modification by the enzymes responsible for their detoxification and/or activation. In this study, we investigated genetic polymorphisms in nine carcinogen metabolism enzymes and their modifying effects on the association between white or dark fish consumption and prostate cancer (PCA) risk. We genotyped 497 localized and 936 advanced PCA cases and 760 controls from the California Collaborative Case-Control Study of Prostate Cancer. Three polymorphisms, EPHX1 Tyr113His, CYP1B1 Leu432Val and GSTT1 null/present, were associated with localized PCA risk. The PTGS2 765 G/C polymorphism modified the association between white fish consumption and advanced PCA risk (interaction P 5 0.002), with high white fish consumption being positively associated with risk only among carriers of the C allele. This effect modification by PTGS2 genotype was stronger when restricted to consumption of well-done white fish (interaction P 5 0.021). These findings support the hypotheses that changes in white fish brought upon by high-temperature cooking methods, such as carcinogen accumulation and/or fatty acid composition changes, may contribute to prostate carcinogenesis. However, the gene-diet interactions should be interpreted with caution given the limited sample size. Thus, our findings require further validation with additional studies.

Demographic and clinical features of gout patients in Turkey: a multicenter study

Gout results from multifactor interactions between gender, age, genetic and environmental factors. Environmental factors underlying gout and precipitating factors triggering acute attacks might vary in different populations with different lifestyles. In this study, we aimed to collect data regarding the demographic and clinical features, comorbid factors, and precipitating factors associated with the initiation of acute attacks in gout patients in Turkey. A total of 312 patients were included in this study (mean age, 58.8 ± 13.8 years; female/male ratio, 55/257). The demographic features, alcohol intake, clinical and laboratory features, and comorbid conditions including obesity, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and coronary heart disease were noted in a standard questionnaire. Precipitating factors initiating acute attacks (if any) were also noted. The patients were divided into 4 groups according to the region of location as central Anatolian region, southeast Anatolian region, Aegean region, and Trakya region. Our results were compared according to the gender and the location of the patients. The mean age at the start of the symptoms was 10 years higher in women (60.4 ± 14.8 and 50.6 ± 13.5 years in women and men, respectively, p < 0.001).Obesity was present in 40.1 %, diabetes mellitus in 17.9 %, hyperlipidemia in 30.1 %, hypertension in 53.5 %, coronary artery disease in 17 %, and nephrolithiasis in 21.8 % of patients. Precipitating factors triggering gout flares were as follows: diet (high consumption of meat or fish) in 46.5 %, alcohol consumption in 15.7 %, diuretics in 8.3 %, diet or diuretics in 5.1 %, diet or alcohol in 4.5 %, diet or alcohol or diuretics in 1.6 %, others in 4.2 %, and none in 14.1 %. The presence of diabetes and diuretic use was more common among women. Use of diuretics is a more common trigger for gout flares among women. On the other hand, various comorbid conditions, such as obesity and hypertension, and triggers for gout flares may differ between patients living in different geographic regions. In summary, we reported the first data regarding clinical and demographic characteristics of gout in Turkey. The majority of our patients could describe at least one "trigger" that initiated gout flare. Both comorbid conditions and triggers of attack might differ between men and women, and in different geographic areas. Better knowledge of the modifiable risk factors can be useful for the management strategy to optimize long-term patient outcomes in local clinics.

Omega-3 index and smoking in patients with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction taking statins: a case-control study in Korea

Backgroundn-3 fatty acids and lifestyle also are closely related to risk of CVD. Most Koreans have higher fish consumption than people of Western populations. However, little is known about the recommended value of omega-3 index in Korean patients with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) taking statins. Here, we tested the hypothesis that lower omega-3 fatty acids and/or smoking are associated with acute STEMI, even though patients with dyslipidemia who were taking statins and who attained their LDL-C goals.MethodsWe conducted a case-control study in which omega-3 fatty acids and lifestyle factors were determined in 24 consecutive Korean patients taking statins with angiographically confirmed acute STEMI and 68 healthy controls without acute STEMI. The omega-3 index was calculated by the sum of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid in erythrocyte membranes. Multivariable adjusted regression analysis was used to assess independent associations between acute STEMI, omega-3 index, and lifestyle factors after adjusting for age, sex, and body mass index (BMI).ResultsThe mean age of total subjects was 59.9 years, and 57.6% of the subjects were male. The omega-3 index was significantly lower in cases (8.83%) than controls (11.13%; P < 0.001); however, total trans-fatty acids were not different between the two groups. The omega-3 index was inversely associated with odds for being a case (OR 0.16 (95% CI 0.03-1.14); P = 0.047), while smoking was positively associated with odds for being a case (OR 6.67 (95% CI 1.77-25.23); P = 0.005) after adjusting for all confounding variables.ConclusionThis study shows that relative to controls, acute STEMI cases are more likely to be smokers and to have a lower omega-3 index, even though the cases were taking statins. An omega-3 index of at least 11% and abstinence from smoking are associated with cardioprotection for Koreans.

IgE Sensitization to the Fish Parasite Anisakis simplex in a Norwegian Population: A Pilot Study

The reports on fish parasite Anisakis simplex allergy have increased in countries with high fish consumption in the last decade. In Norway, a high consumption country, the prevalence of immunoglobulin E (IgE) sensitization to A. simplex was still unknown. Thus, our objective was to investigate the sensitization prevalence in this country. At the Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway, two main groups of surplus serum samples were collected: one from newly recruited blood donors (BDO) and the other from the Allergy laboratory (ALL) after analysing IgE and IgE antibodies. The latter was divided into three series: one containing unsorted sera and two sorted by either Phadiatop(®) ≥0.35 kU(A)/l or total IgE ≥1000 kU/l. The sera were analysed for total IgE and IgE antibodies against A. simplex, shrimp, house dust mite (HDM), cod and cross-reactive carbohydrates (CCDs). The prevalence of IgE sensitization to A. simplex was 2.0%, 2.2% and 6.6% in BDO, the unsorted and Phadiatop(®) positive serum groups, respectively. A considerable degree of cross-sensitization to shrimp and HDM is further suggested. Unspecific binding because of high total IgE or by binding to CCDs seemed to play a minor role. The prevalence of IgE sensitization to A. simplex appears to be lower in a Norwegian population than in other high fish-consuming countries, but might still be overestimated owing to cross-sensitization.