Blood Total Cholesterol Levels Research Articles

Inverstigation of the Effects of Aerobic Exercise on Lipid Metabolism

Although the fact that technology is at the fingertips of almost every person in the daily life process provides the opportunity to handle all tasks easily, it has also opened the door to the problem of restricting physical movements. Many health problems may occur due to physical inactivity, especially with advancing age. A few of these are obesity and cardiovascular system disorders that develop due to excess fat and weight gain. At this point, exercise is the most effective element in reducing these diseases. Exercise applied regularly can benefit the heart by positively affecting lipid and lipoprotein Levels. It is known that exercise reduces total cholesterol, serum triglyceride and low-density Lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and increases high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. In particular, aerobic exercise not only changes lipoprotein concentrations quantitatively, but also causes positive changes in lipoprotein subgroups (Öğe, 2019; Assunçãovd.,2017). So that; The importance of regular physical activity and exercise for healthy aging and its preventive effects on chronic diseases are inevitable (Costa et al. 2018). Studies on exercise show that moderate-intensity regular exercises and long-term exercises have positive effects on lipid metabolism. It has been shown that it increases HDL levels while decreasing blood levels of Total Cholesterol, LDL and Triglycerides. In addition to these changes in blood lipid levels, it is well known that high blood pressure and obesity diseases also decrease with exercise. (Lemura and Amdreacci, 2000; Fox et al., 1999; Karagöz, 2016). Due to this effect of exercise on healthy life dynamics, it is considered a fundamental factor in improving the quality of life of individuals. In recent years, the positive effects of aerobic exercise on metabolic health have received much attention. Especially with the prevalence of a sedentary lifestyle, insufficient exercise and physical activity can cause a number of health problems, including lipid metabolism (Dunstan et al., 2012; Mozaffarian et al., 2011; Barranco et al., 2019). Lipid metabolism is an important biochemical mechanism that includes the processes of synthesis, transportation and storage of fats in the body. Levels of lipoproteins such as low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) play a critical role in determining the risk of cardiovascular disease (Rossi et al., 2016; Mohr et al., 2014). In this context, understanding how aerobic exercise affects the lipid profile is important for protecting and improving cardiovascular health. At this point, spinning, which is an aerobic exercise; It is a type of entertaining activity accompanied by music, performed for weight loss purposes, and intensely stimulating muscle groups (Caria et al., 2007; Tortop et al., 2010; Uzun, 2016). It is a type of high-intensity cardiovascular activity and is widely preferred. It is a form of conditioning exercise. Spinning classes involve a dynamic exercise routine on special bikes and are very interesting as they are performed in groups, often accompanied by music. Therefore, its positive effects on lipid metabolism are inevitable. When the literature is examined; It is noteworthy that there are few studies examining the effects of spinning exercise on lipid metabolism in women. This research shows that a 6-week aerobic (spinning) exercise program applied to sedentary women has positive effects on lipid metabolism. It is thought that the research will shed light on the literature in terms of conducting more comprehensive studies examining these effects. and whose average age was 24.58±3.53. A bioelectrical impedance analyzer (TANİTA TC-418, USA) was used to determine the weight and fat percentage measurements of the participants. No diet program was applied to the participants during the study.

7-Hydroxyflavone improves nonalcoholic fatty liver disease by acting on STK24.

The escalating incidence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is closely associated with a high-fat diet, leading to a decline in quality of life and significant health impairment. 7-Hydroxyflavone (7-HY) is a flavonoid known for its anti-inflammatory, anticarcinogenic, and antioxidant effects. This study aims to assess the ameliorative effects of 7-HY on NAFLD induced by a high-fat diet and elucidate underlying mechanisms. Oleic acid/palmitic acid-induced HepG2 cells and C57BL/6 mice on a high-fat diet were utilized as in vitro and in vivo models. In animal experiments, 7-HY was utilized as a dietary supplement. The 15-week in vivo experiment monitored body weight, body fat percentage, glucose tolerance, insulin tolerance, and metabolic indexes. Commercial kits assessed triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol levels in cells, liver tissue, and blood. Discovery Studio identified potential targets of 7-HY, compared with NAFLD-associated targets in the GeneCards database. Results indicated 7-HY mitigated fat accumulation, hepatic steatosis, and oxidative stress induced by a high-fat diet. Furthermore, 7-HY showed potential efficacy in ameliorating abnormal glucose metabolism and promoting energy metabolism. Reverse target finding and molecular docking demonstrated a robust interaction between 7-HY and serine/threonine kinase 24 (STK24). Subsequent experimental results confirmed 7-HY's ability to inhibit TG deposition in HepG2 cells through interaction with STK24. In conclusion, 7-HY demonstrated the capacity to alleviate high-fat diet-induced NAFLD, presenting a novel strategy for the prevention and treatment of NAFLD.

Effects of dietary intervention on diabetic nephropathy: an umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials.

To evaluate the quality of evidence, potential biases, and validity of all available studies on dietary intervention and diabetic nephropathy (DN). We conducted an umbrella review of existing meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that focused on the effects of dietary intervention on DN incidence. The literature was searched via PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. According to the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE), evidence of each outcome was evaluated and graded as "high", "moderate", "low" or "very low" quality to draw conclusions. Additionally, we classified evidence of outcomes into 4 categories. We identified 36 meta-analyses of RCTs and 55 clinical outcomes of DN from 395 unique articles. Moderate-quality evidence suggested that probiotic supplementation could significantly improve blood urea nitrogen (BUN), total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels in DN patients. Low-quality evidence indicated that probiotic supplementation significantly improved the serum creatinine concentration, urinary albumin-creatinine ratio (UACR), fasting blood glucose (FBG), HbA1c and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) in DN patients. In addition, low-quality evidence suggested that a salt restriction diet could significantly improve the creatinine clearance rate (CrCl) in patients with DN. Low-quality evidence suggested that vitamin D supplementation could significantly improve the UACR in patients with DN. In addition, low-quality evidence has indicated that soy isoflavone supplementation could significantly improve BUN, FBG, total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG) and LDL-C levels in patients with DN. Furthermore, low-quality evidence suggested that coenzyme Q10 supplementation could significantly improve HbA1c, TC and HDL-C in patients with DN, and dietary polyphenols also significantly improved HbA1c in patients with DN. Finally, low-quality evidence suggested that supplementation with antioxidant vitamins could significantly improve the serum creatinine concentration, systolic blood pressure, and HbA1c level in patients with DN. Given the small sample size, all significantly associated outcomes were evaluated as class IV evidence. Moderate to low amounts of evidence suggest that supplementation with probiotics, vitamin D, soy isoflavones, coenzyme Q10, dietary polyphenols, antioxidant vitamins, or salt-restricted diets may significantly improve clinical outcomes in patients with DN. https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, identifier CRD42024512670.

The Importance of Evaluating Sudomotor Function in the Diagnosis of Cardiac Autonomic Neuropathy.

Cardiac autonomic neuropathy (CAN) is a disorder affecting the autonomic nerves that regulate the cardiovascular system, leading to irregular heart rate and blood pressure control. It is commonly associated with diabetes mellitus but can also result from other conditions such as autoimmune disorders, chronic kidney disease, alcohol abuse, and certain medications. Screening for CAN is essential, particularly in individuals with poor glycemic control, cardiovascular risk factors, or complications. Early identification of CAN is vital for timely intervention to prevent or manage cardiovascular complications effectively. Regular screening helps detect CAN before symptoms emerge, enabling early intervention to slow or halt its progression. This study examined the relationship between sudomotor function and cardiovascular reflex tests. This was a cross-sectional study conducted between June 2019 and June 2020. The study included 271 subjects aged 18 years and above who provided informed consent, were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and were overweight or obese. Exclusion criteria encompassed patients with other types of diabetes, pregnant women, those with recent neoplasm diagnoses, stroke sequelae, history of myocardial infarction, or pelvic limb amputations. The assessment of cardiac autonomic neuropathy involved conducting an electrocardiogram and evaluating the QTc interval in the morning before taking medication. Additionally, cardiovascular reflex tests (CART) were conducted, including assessments of heart rate variability during deep breathing, the Valsalva maneuver, and changes in orthostatic position. Simultaneously, the diagnosis of CAN was assessed by performing a sweat test using a Sudoscan assessment (Impeto Medical, Moulineaux, France). Results: More than half of the participants (52%, n=143) were female. Significant differences in statistical measures were noted between females and males regarding age, systolic blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, A1c level, total cholesterol, triglycerides, gamma-glutamyl transferase, and bilirubin levels. Within the CAN-diagnosed group (CAN+), 40.92% were classified as mild cases (n=90), 47.27% as moderate cases (n=104), and 11.81% as severe cases (n=26). Among the CAN+ group, 54% (n=119) were women. Electrochemical skin conductance was lower in the CAN+ group than the CAN- group in hands (67.34±15.51 μS versus 72.38±12.12 μS, p=0.008) and feet (73.37±13.38 μS versus 82.84 ±10.29 μS, p<0.001). The Sudoscan-CAN score significantly correlated with Ewing scores (r= 0.522, p<0.001). In multiple linear regression analysis, the Sudoscan-CAN score remained significantly associated with age, high BMI, long-standing diabetes, and Ewing score. Sudoscan demonstrates potential in identifying patients with an increased risk of CAN. Its integration into clinical practice can improve patient outcomes through early detection, risk stratification, and personalized treatment approaches. Its non-invasive, portable, and user-friendly features render it suitable for utilization in outreach programs or resource-constrained settings as part of screening efforts designed to pinpoint high-risk individuals for additional assessment.

A Proof-of-Concept for a Hypolipidemic Brown Trout Model.

The impacts of hypolipidemic pharmaceuticals on fish lipid metabolism remain unexplored. However, data points to similar effects and mechanisms of action between fish and humans. Therefore, fish may be a strong model for screening hypolipidemic drug candidates and water pollution by lipid-modulating agents. This study aimed to test a new hypolipidemic model assay with juvenile brown trout using atorvastatin (ATV)-a hypolipidemic chemical. We selected 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2), known to cause hyperlipidemia in fish, to ensure model functionality. Fish received intramuscular injections of 4 μL/g for two weeks under the following experimental conditions: control-C (0.7% NaCl), solvent control-SC (0.7% NaCl, 0.9% ethanol, 0.1% dimethyl sulfoxide), ATV (0.3 μg/g), EE2 (2 μg/g), and a mixture of both compounds-MIX (0.3 μg/g ATV and 2 μg/g EE2). Endpoints included blood lipid biochemistry, hepatic lipid droplet quantification, and liver mRNA expression of lipid-related target genes (related to lipogenesis, lipid transport, and β-oxidation pathways). ATV lowered blood total cholesterol, high-density lipoproteins (HDL), and low-density lipoproteins (LDL) levels, whilst triglycerides and very-low-density lipoproteins (VLDL) were highest under EE2. Hepatic lipid droplet deposition significantly increased in the ATV, EE2, and MIX groups. ATV and MIX caused a significant downregulation of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (pparγ) and acetyl Co-A oxidase 3 (acox3). EE2 upregulated acyl-CoA long-chain synthetase 1 (acsl1) and downregulated both fatty acid binding protein 1 (fabp1) and acetyl Co-A oxidase 1-3I (acox1-3I). ATV caused hypolipidemic effects in juvenile brown trout and could even counteract EE2-stimulated hyperlipidemia, reinforcing the potential of fish hypo- and hyperlipidemic models.

Effect of different alpha-receptor antagonists on metabolic parameters: a head-to-head comparison.

Although it is known that alpha-adrenergic receptor antagonists have positive effects on metabolic parameters such as glucose metabolism, lipid profile, and insulin sensitivity, it is unclear whether this is a class effect. Tamsulosin is reported to have adverse effects on glucose metabolism and insulin resistance, and this may be because of its lack of glycolysis-enhancing effect compared with other alpha-adrenergic receptor antagonists with glycolysis-enhancing effects such as doxazosin, terazosin, and alfuzosin. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of tamsulosin on metabolic parameters with another alpha-1 adrenergic receptor antagonist, doxazosin. In this prospective, observational, controlled, 12-week clinical study, a total of 60 male patients aged ≥ 40years who were first started on tamsulosin (n = 30; 0.4mg/day, oral; mean age, 59.20 ± 8.97years) or doxazosin (n = 30; 4 or 8mg/day, oral; mean age, 58.50 ± 8.93years) for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) were enrolled. The groups were compared according to the changes in anthropometric and biochemical parameters (glycemia, lipid profile, and insulin sensitivity) at the end of treatment. In intragroup analyses, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, and HbA1c levels decreased significantly in the doxazosin group compared with baseline (p < 0.05 for all), while no significant change was observed in the tamsulosin group. In comparisons between groups, systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels showed a significant decrease in the doxazosin group compared with the tamsulosin group (percent change: - 6.68 ± 13.08 vs. 0.53 ± 11.02, p = 0.025; - 3.63 ± 9.56 vs. 4.02 ± 10.86, p = 0.005; and - 5.62 ± 18.18 vs. 5.24 ± 15.42, p = 0.015, respectively). Although these results do not support previous findings that tamsulosin has adverse effects on metabolic parameters, they suggest that doxazosin treatment may be a reason for preference in patients with BPH or LUTS accompanied by metabolic disorder.

Choroidal Changes in Patients with Diabetic Retinopathy: A Retrospective Study.

This study aimed to investigate the characteristic choroidal changes in patients with diabetic retinopathy and identify factors affecting choroidal thickness (CTh), choroidal vascular index (CVI), and choriocapillaris flow. We retrospectively analyzed 79 eyes of 48 patients with diabetes between August 2021 and February 2022. We collected laboratory data, including HbA1c, serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, triglyceride, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels. Optical coherence tomography images of the foveal avascular zone, retinal vascular density, choroidal flow, retinal thickness, CTh, and CVI were analyzed. Possible determining factors affecting CTh, CVI, and choriocapillaris flow were analyzed using nonparametric multivariate analysis. LDL (p < 0.001) positively correlated with CTh, whereas CVI (p = 0.007) was negatively correlated with CTh in diabetic patients with diabetes. We also identified a negative correlation between choriocapillaris flow and deep parafoveal retinal vessel density in patients with low-grade diabetic retinopathy (DR), which diminished in those with more advanced DR. Our study provides further information on the changes in choroidal structure and blood flow in patients with diabetes.

Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome and its Components in Patients with Controlled Graves’ Disease

Abstract Aim: Our aim was to assess the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components in patients with controlled Graves’ disease (GD). Methods: This was a cross-sectional study involving 95 consecutive patients with GD referred to our tertiary care inpatient clinical center meeting the following inclusion criteria: controlled hyperthyroidism, treatment with antithyroid drugs, untreated Graves’ orbitopathy (GO), if present. Patients’ anthropometric parameters were evaluated and laboratory tests were performed with measurement of fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, thyroid hormone and antibody levels. The presence of the MetS and its components as defined by the International Diabetes Federation from 2009 were evaluated. Results: In our patient cohort 82.1% were females, 17.9% were males, mean age 50.2 ± 13 years, with median duration of GD 16.5 months. The MetS was observed in 32.6% of our patients, obesity – in 34.7%, hyperglycemia in 38.9%, arterial hypertension – in 36.8%, low HDL-cholesterol – in 23.2% and hypertriglyceridemia – in 13.7%. There was not statistical difference neither between the prevalence of the MetS, nor between the prevalence of its individual components in female and male GD patients. The MetS was significantly more frequent in older patients, as well as abdominal obesity, hyperglycemia and arterial hypertension. There was not statistical difference in the frequency of the MetS and its components between GD patients with and without GO, except for waist circumference, which was significantly higher in patients with GO. Conclusions: The presence of the MetS and its components among GD patients are to great extent similar to those reported in the general population, which underlines the need for their screening and proper treatment in this subpopulation.

Effects of the Mediterranean Diet on metabolic indices and quality of life in cancer patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

The Mediterranean diet (MD) had a protective effect on cancer prevention. However, there has not been a systematic evaluation of the diet's comprehensive effects on metabolic indices and quality of life in cancer patients. The present meta-analysis summarizes for the first time the effects of MD on metabolic indices and quality of life in cancer patients. We conducted a randomized controlled trial (RCT) search on PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library, which recruited cancer patients receiving the MD intervention. Inthismeta-analysis,nine RCTswereincluded. Two authors independently extracted the data and checked the accuracy of the results. Compared with the control group, MD reduced the body weight (p < 0.00001), fat mass (p < 0.00001), % fat mass (p = 0.02), waist circumference (p < 0.00001), and BMI (p < 0.0001) of cancer patients. MD improved the scores of FICT-G (p = 0.002), Physical well-being (p < 0.00001), Emotional well-being (p < 0.00001), Functional well-being (p = 0.0002), and Fatigue (p < 0.00001). MD also increased the serum vitamin C level. Sensitivity analysis revealed that MD reduced the levels of blood glucose (p < 0.00001), triglyceride (p = 0.003), total cholesterol (p = 0.009), and LDH-C (p = 0.0002) in cancer patients. However, it did not affect the levels of HDL-C (p = 0.63) and vitamin A (p = 0.97). In brief, our findings indicate that higher MD compliance can reduce the weight and fat mass of cancer patients, improve their quality of life, and alleviate fatigue. Furthermore, MD can potentially improve cancer patients' serum glucose and lipid metabolism and enhance the body's antioxidant stress capacity. Nevertheless, further high-quality randomized controlled trials with larger sample sizes are necessary to obtain more dependable outcomes. INPLASY registration number: INPLASY 202320006.

Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Camellia sinensis Leaf Extract: Promising Particles for the Treatment of Cancer and Diabetes.

Both diabetes and cancer pose significant threats to public health. To overcome these challenges, nanobiotechnology offers innovative solutions for the treatment of these diseases. However, the synthesis of nanoparticles can be complex, costly and environmentally toxic. Therefore, in this study, we successfully synthesized Camellia sinensis silver nanoparticles (CS-AgNPs) biologically from methanolic leaf extract of C. sinensis and as confirmed by the visual appearance which exhibited strong absorption at 456 nm in UV-visible spectroscopy. The fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis revealed that phytochemicals of C. sinensis were coated with AgNPs. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis showed the spherical shape of CS-AgNPs, with a size of 15.954 nm, while X-ray diffraction spectrometry (XRD) analysis detected a size of 20.32 nm. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) indicated the thermal stability of CS-AgNPs. The synthesized CS-AgNPs significantly inhibited the ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) cell growth with 53.42±1.101 %. The EAC cell line induced mice exhibited increased level of the serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), however this elevated serum parameter significantly reduced and controlled by the treatment with CS-AgNPs. Moreover, in a streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice model, CS-AgNPs greatly reduced blood glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and creatinine levels. These findings highlight that the synthesized CS-AgNPs have significant anticancer and antidiabetic activities that could be used as promising particles for the treatment of these major diseases. However, pre-clinical and clinical trial should be addressed before use this particles as therapeutics agents.

Comparison of the efficacy of steroid-free versus classic steroid-containing regimens in primary membranous nephropathy.

Objective: To compare the efficacy of a steroid-free regimen with steroid-based treatment in managing primary membranous nephropathy (PMN) and investigate the potential benefits of steroid-free regimens in PMN therapy. Methods: This was a single-centre prospective cohort study. A total of 81 patients were divided into two groups according to their medication regimen: a rituximab (RTX)/tacrolimus (TAC) group (low-dose RTX combined with low-dose TAC group, without steroids, n = 31) and a prednisone (P)/TAC group (P combined with TAC group, n = 61). The changes in 24-h urine protein quantification, levels of blood albumin, blood creatinine, total cholesterol, triglyceride and fasting blood glucose as well as anti-phospholipase A2 receptor antibody titres were observed in both groups before treatment and after 1, 3, 6 and 12months of treatment. Clinical remission (complete and partial remission), serological remission and recurrence were assessed in both groups after treatment, and the occurrence of adverse reactions was observed. Results: 1) Before treatment, there was no significant difference in baseline values between the two groups (p > 0.05). 2) After 12months of treatment, the 24-h proteinuria and total cholesterol levels in the RTX/TAC group were significantly lower than those in the P/TAC group (p < 0.05). 3) After 6months of treatment, the clinical remission rate of the RTX/TAC group was significantly higher than that of the P/TAC group (p < 0.05). After 12months of treatment, the clinical remission rate of the RTX/TAC group was significantly higher than that of the P/TAC group (p < 0.05). (4) After 3, 6 and 12months of treatment, serological remission rates in the RTX/TAC group were significantly higher than those in the P/TAC group (p < 0.05). During treatment, the anti-PLA2R antibody titres in the RTX/TAC group remained lower than those in the P/TAC group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The low-dose RTX combined with low-dose TAC steroid-free regimen induces serological remission in patients with PMN earlier than the classic regimen of P combined with TAC, and there was no significant difference in adverse effects between the two groups. Besides, the long-term clinical remission effect of low-dose RTX combined with low-dose TAC is better than that of P combined with TAC.

The relationship of polymorphisms of the SOD2, NOS3 and SIRT1 genes with hypertension in employees of the converter workshop of the ferrous metallurgy enterprise

Workers employed in ferrous metallurgy enterprises are affected by various oxidants, which lead to increased formation of free radicals, suppression of the antioxidant system, initiation of oxidative stress and the development of diseases characterized by high blood pressure. In this regard, the identification of polymorphisms of genes encoding enzymes that are associated with the formation and neutralization of free radicals is an important task of personalized medicine.&#x0D; The study aims to explore the relationship of polymorphisms rs4880 (SOD2), rs1799983 (NOS3) and rs7069102 (SIRT1) with hypertension in workers of the converter workshop.&#x0D; To conduct the research the authors used data from periodic medical examinations of men aged 30 to 59 years, including 116 employees of the converter shop and 169 representatives of administrative and managerial personnel (comparison group). Subsequently, we divided each group according to the principle of the presence or absence of a diagnosis of "hypertensive heart disease" (I11 according to ICD-10), established or confirmed during a periodic medical examination. DNA was isolated from peripheral blood using the Lumiere kit for the isolation of genomic DNA from whole blood and literal epithelium (Lumiprobe, Russia) in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. The scientists performed genotyping using the optical PCR system with real-time optical detection QuantStudio 3 (Thermo Fisher, USA) and ready-made commercial sets "SNP-Screen" (Syntol, Russia).&#x0D; The ratio of the chances of developing hypertension in the personnel of the converter shop was increased in carriers of mutant genotypes of the SOD2 (TT) gene. Also, the values of blood pressure, total cholesterol and glucose levels were higher in carriers of the mutant TT genotype of the SOD2 gene compared with CC/CT, but only in the group of converter shop workers with hypertension. In addition, in the comparison group with hypertension, systolic and diastolic blood pressure significantly differed, the values of which were higher in carriers of the mutant GG genotype of the SIRT1 gene.&#x0D; Presumably, an excess of superoxide anion in the TT genotype of the SOD2 gene, together with exposure to harmful environmental factors, may contribute to the development of cardiovascular diseases in workers of the converter workshop.&#x0D; Ethics. The study was approved in accordance with Protocol No. 1 dated 02/26/2021 and the conclusion of the Local Ethics Committee of the Federal Budgetary Institution of Science "Yekaterinburg Medical Scientific Center for the Prevention and Health Protection of Industrial Workers" of Rospotrebnadzor.

Alpha-1-antitrypsin-deficiency is associated with lower cardiovascular risk: an approach based on federated learning

BackgroundChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an inflammatory multisystemic disease caused by environmental exposures and/or genetic factors. Inherited alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) is one of the best recognized genetic factors increasing the risk for an early onset COPD with emphysema. The aim of this study was to gain a better understanding of the associations between comorbidities and specific biomarkers in COPD patients with and without AATD to enable future investigations aimed, for example, at identifying risk factors or improving care.MethodsWe focused on cardiovascular comorbidities, blood high sensitivity troponin (hs-troponin) and lipid profiles in COPD patients with and without AATD. We used clinical data from six German University Medical Centres of the MIRACUM (Medical Informatics Initiative in Research and Medicine) consortium. The codes for the international classification of diseases (ICD) were used for COPD as a main diagnosis and for comorbidities and blood laboratory data were obtained. Data analyses were based on the DataSHIELD framework.ResultsOut of 112,852 visits complete information was available for 43,057 COPD patients. According to our findings, 746 patients with AATD (1.73%) showed significantly lower total blood cholesterol levels and less cardiovascular comorbidities than non-AATD COPD patients. Moreover, after adjusting for the confounder factors, such as age, gender, and nicotine abuse, we confirmed that hs-troponin is a suitable predictor of overall mortality in COPD patients. The comorbidities associated with AATD in the current study differ from other studies, which may reflect geographic and population-based differences as well as the heterogeneous characteristics of AATD.ConclusionThe concept of MIRACUM is suitable for the analysis of a large healthcare database. This study provided evidence that COPD patients with AATD have a lower cardiovascular risk and revealed that hs-troponin is a predictor for hospital mortality in individuals with COPD.

Risk of cardiocerebrovascular diseases is increased in Korean women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a nationwide cohort study

To investigate the relationship between polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and risk of cardiocerebrovascular disease in Korean women. This longitudinal cohort study using data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service included the women aged 15–44 years diagnosed with PCOS between 2002 and 2019, and the controls were matched 1:3 by age group, income, and region of residence. The endpoint outcomes of this study were the occurrence of ischemic heart disease, cerebrovascular diseases, and combined cardiocerebrovascular diseases in the PCOS and control groups. A stratified Cox proportional hazards regression analysis for matched data was performed to evaluate the relative hazard of events in the PCOS group compared to that in the control group. Among a total of 549,400 participants in the cohort, 137,416 women had a diagnosis of PCOS and 412,118 women did not have it. During a median follow-up of 54 months (interquartile range, 30–78 months), the incidence rates of all cardiovascular, ischemic heart, and cerebrovascular diseases were 6.6, 4.0, and 2.9, respectively, per 1000 person-years for women with PCOS, and 4.8, 2.8, and 2.3, respectively, per 1000 person-years for healthy control women. Women with PCOS had a higher hazard ratio of 1.224 (95% confidence interval, 1.18–1.27) of the composite cardiocerebrovascular diseases than those in the controls after propensity score matching for confounding variables, including body mass index, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidemia, physical exercise level, alcohol consumption, current smoking, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, total cholesterol, and triglyceride levels. Hazard ratio for ischemic heart and cerebrovascular diseases was higher in women with PCOS than in the control group (hazard ratio, 1.254; 95% confidence interval, 1.20–1.31 and hazard ratio, 1.201; 95% confidence interval, 1.14–1.27, respectively). PCOS is associated with an increased risk of cardiocerebrovascular diseases in Korean women irrespective of their obesity. Counselling on the management of long-term risk of cardiovascular diseases should be offered to women with PCOS in East Asian countries where PCOS is characterized by a relatively low BMI.

Diagnostic criteria of endothelial dysfunction, subclinical atherosclerosis and their relationship with NOS3 and HIF1A gene polymorphism in military personnel in extreme conditions of the arctic zone

The state of the arterial vascular endothelium against the background of subclinical atherosclerosis and its relationship with gene polymorphism in military personnel serving in the Arctic climatic zone, depending on the duration of service, was evaluated. In total, 251 male servicemen aged 28–40 years were examined. The group of servicemen of the Arctic climate zone included 99 people, who were divided into three groups according to the duration of military service in the Arctic: group 1 included 8 (8%) servicemen with up to 5 years of military service; group 2, 21 (21%) people with 5–10 years; group 3, 70 (71%) servicemen with 10 years. The control group included 152 military personnel aged 28–40 years from the temperate climate zone. All participants underwent a test with reactive hyperemia, elastography, measurement of the thickness of the intima–media complex on the brachial artery, ultrasound examination of the common carotid arteries, photoplethysmography, pulse oximetry, spirometry, anthropometry, biochemical blood analysis, and determination of gene polymorphism using polymerase chain reaction. The results revealed that endothelium-dependent vasodilation rats in groups 2 and 3 were 1. 7 and 2. 7 times less than that in group 1 (p 0. 05). In 11 (16%) military personnel of group 3, thickening of the intima–media complex was found in 50% of the adjacent areas of the common carotid arteries. In groups 2 and 3, the total blood cholesterol level exceeded the value by 10% and 14%, respectively, compared with group 1 (p 0. 05). The artery wall was rigid in carriers of the T/T genotypes of the HIF1A and NOS3 genes and was most elastic in the G/T genotypes of the NOS3 gene and C/C of the HIF1A gene. In general, military personnel serving in the Arctic climatic zone with a service duration of 10 years have endothelial dysfunction and peripheral vascular stiffness with subclinical atherosclerosis phenomena, particularly in military personnel with the T/T genotypes of HIF1A (rs11549465) and NOS3 (rs1799983). We believe that the leading pathogenetic link of endothelial dysfunction of arterial vessels is the resistance of myocytes to the effects of vasodilation factors expressed by the vascular endothelium, particularly nitric oxide. The longer the service experience of military personnel under conditions of polar hypoxia, the higher the probability of developing endothelial dysfunction.

Combination of purple sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) leaf extract with metformin on blood glucose and total cholesterol levels of albino rats induced by high-fat diet and streptozotocin

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disease characterized by hyperglycemia due to impaired insulin secretion, often accompanied by hypercholesterolemia. Metformin is a first-line antihyperglycemic drug that is often combined with other antihyperglycemic drugs. Purple sweet potato leaves have been widely studied to reduce glucose and cholesterol levels. Methods: This study was an experimental study using rats induced with a high-fat diet and streptozotocin, which were divided into 8 treatment groups, namely groups given CMC Na 0.5%, Metformin 45 mg/kg BW, Purple Sweet Potato Leaf Extract (SPLE) 200 mg/kg BW, SPLE 400 mg/kg BW, SPLE 800 mg/kg BW, SPLE 200 mg/kg BW with metformin 45 mg/kg BW, SPLE 400 mg/kg BW with metformin 45 mg/kg BW, and SPLE 800 mg/kg BW with metformin 45 mg/kg BW. Results: After treatment for 28 days with SPLE doses of 200 mg, 400 mg, and 800 mg/kg BW, both single doses and combinations with metformin showed a decrease in fasting blood glucose levels and total cholesterol, which were statistically significantly different (p&lt;0.05) between treatment groups using the one-way ANOVA. The combination of SPLE 800 mg/kg BW with metformin normalized blood glucose levels of 93.50±4.93 mg/dl. Conclusion: The combination of purple sweet potato leaf extract with metformin is more effective in reducing blood glucose and total cholesterol levels compared to the single administration of metformin and SPLE.

Association study between genetic polymorphisms in MTHFR and stroke susceptibility in Egyptian population: a case–control study

Stroke is a major global disability cause, and genetic variables for multifactorial illnesses like stroke are crucial for precision medicine. The purpose of this study is to see if genetic variants in the MTHFR gene are associated with a higher risk of ischemic stroke among the Egyptian population. A case–control study was conducted at Mansoura University Hospital, involving 100 stroke patients and 150 healthy volunteers as the control group. Peripheral blood genomic DNA was isolated and single-nucleotide polymorphisms were genotyped using ARMS-PCR. The CT and TT genotypes of the C677T gene polymorphism exhibited substantial risks for having stroke disease [(OR 3.856; P ≤ 0.001); (OR 4.026; P ≤ 0.001), respectively]. The T allele was significantly more prevalent among patients compared to controls. (OR 2.517; (P = 0.001)). The over-dominant and dominant models demonstrated a substantial relationship between stroke groups at risk of developing stroke but not the Recessive model. An extensive connection was found between the MTHFR A1298C and stroke danger in three different inheritance models: dominant (CC + CA vs. AA), over-dominant (AA + CC vs AC), and allelic (C allele) (P < 0.001). A highly significant difference in blood pressure, total cholesterol, and triglycerides levels was found between patients and control. While there was no meaningful link discovered between genetic polymorphism with SBP, DBP, TG, LDL, VLDL among stroke group (P > 0.05 for each) except the CC genotype that was significantly associated with lower levels of TC and HDL when compared to CT + TT genotypes. The study evaluates a strong link among MTHFR mutations in genes and the probability to get stroke. The research significantly supports the use of MTHFR ((rs1801133) and (rs1801131) variations in stroke prediction.

Is Serum Magnesium Associated with Prehypertension? Two-Year Cross-sectional Study at Rural Central India

Abstract Background: Prehypertension (HTN) raises the likelihood of developing HTN. Very few studies have been conducted on the serum magnesium responsible for causing pre-HTN. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 300 subjects (150 cases and 150 controls) were enrolled to investigate the association between serum magnesium levels and pre-HTN. One hundred and fifty individuals with pre-HTN were compared with 150 controls without pre-HTN. All subjects had undergone anthropometric measurements such as body mass index (BMI) and waist–hip ratio along with lipid profile. Results: Levels of serum magnesium were low among the study population with pre-HTN when compared to controls without pre-HTN. Prehypertensive individuals show high BMI (24.09 ± 2.10 vs. 21.54 ± 2.02), waist–hip ratio (0.86 ± 0.08 vs. 0.82 ± 0.07), fasting blood sugar levels (103.15 ± 7.47 vs. 94.41 ± 8.21), serum triglyceride (141.12 ± 41.41 vs. 128.37 ± 23.46), and total cholesterol (175.95 ± 28.12 vs. 159.59 ± 19.03) levels when compared to controls. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted which revealed a strong correlation between pre-HTN and hypomagnesemia. Conclusion: This study found a positive correlation between pre-HTN and low blood magnesium levels.

Dietary Quality Indices and Its Cardiovascular Diseases Risk Factors: A Survey from the Kavar Cohort Study

Background: Atherosclerosis is known to be a significant reason for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes, obesity, smoking, physical inactivity, and unhealthy diet are the most important causes of atherosclerosis. This study aimed to determine the relationship between DASH Diet Index, Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII), Mediterranean Diet (MEDI-LITE) Index, and CVDs risk factors. Materials and Methods: Out of 4997 patients, all eligible patients with CVDs (n=264) were chosen as the patient group, and 264 healthy individuals were included in the healthy group. Dietary intake and anthropometric measures were evaluated, including height, weight, hip and waist circumference, blood pressure, and lipid profile. Results: Among the three dietary indices, the DASH diet score was significantly higher in the healthy group than in the patient group (P=0.02). An inverse relationship was found between the DASH Diet Index and waist-to-hip ratio (r=-0.33, P=0.042), Visceral Adiposity Index (VAI; r=-0.16, P=0.044), systolic blood pressure (r=-0.13, P=0.035), triglycerides (r=-0.36, P=0.046), total cholesterol (r=-0.47, P=0.02), and low-density lipoprotein-C (LDL-C) levels (r=-0.09, P=0.03) in the patient group. Additionally, the MEDI-LITE Index was inversely associated with body mass index (BMI; r=-0.12, P=0.04), waist circumference (r=-0.065, P=0.05), triglyceride (r=-0.25, P=0.015), total cholesterol (r=-0.4, P=0.02), LDL-C levels (r=-0.2, P=0.006), and systolic blood pressure (r=-0.122, P=0.005) in the patient group. Also, a significant positive relationship was observed between the DII and BMI in both patients and healthy individuals (r=0.76, P=0.006 vs. r=0.24, P=0.01, respectively) and hip circumference (r=0.638, P=0.035) in the patients group. However, no significant relationship was observed between DII and CVDs risk factors. Conclusion: Patients with higher DASH diet scores had lower waist-to-hip ratio, VAI, total cholesterol, LDL-C, triglycerides, and lower blood pressure. In addition, patients with higher MEDI-LITE scores had lower BMI, waist circumference, triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL-C, and lower blood pressure, but no correlation was found the healthy group.

Association of altered serum glucose and lipid profiles with headaches in young women: clinical, cross-sectional study

IntroductionHeadaches, including migraines and tension headaches, affect millions of people globally. Migraines are the most common neurological disorder, with around 14.4% of the world's population affected. It is suggested that dysregulation of biochemical markers and individual metabolic differences may contribute to headaches.ObjectiveWe evaluated the frequency of headaches or migraines with changes in lipid, glucose and vitamin D serum levels in young women.MethodsClinical, cross-sectional study with 139 young women, aged at least 18 years, based on the third edition of the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD-3). The individuals were divided into two groups: one without headache and another with headache. Anthropometric analyzes (BMI, WC, BP and DBP) and blood samples were collected for analysis of vitamin D, glycemia and lipid profile.ResultsMean age was 22 (±4.6) years. We observed associations between headache and the following factors: high glucose levels (97 mg/dL, p=0.028), total cholesterol (180.4 mg/dL, p=0.002), HDL (44.2 mg/dL, p=0.017), and LDL (121.6 mg/dL, p=0.005). Longer duration of headache attacks was associated with increased levels of glucose (97.9 mg/dL, p=0.028), total cholesterol (186.8 mg/dL, p=0.05), diastolic blood pressure (74 mmHg, p=0.038), and BMI (24.6 kg/m2, p=0.024). High glucose levels were found to be directly related to the presence of migraine, particularly those with aura (105 mg/dL, p=0.034). However, there was no significant difference in vitamin D levels (p=0.640). ConclusionElevated levels of blood glucose and total plasma cholesterol and its fractions seems to be associated can increase with bouts of headache attacks, especially migraine, prolonging the duration of pain.