Low Serum High-density Lipoprotein Research Articles

Statin use and all-cause and cancer mortality: BioBank Japan cohort.

BackgroundStatins are the first-line agents used to treat patients with high serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, thus reducing the risk of death from arterial sclerotic cardiovascular disease; however, little is known about the effects of non-statin pharmacological interventions on mortality as well as about the potential protective effects of statin use against cancer death. This work aimed to compare all-cause and cancer mortality among patients with hyperlipidaemia who did and did not receive statin treatment.MethodsBetween 2003 and 2007 fiscal years, we recruited Japanese patients diagnosed with hyperlipidaemia from 66 hospitals. Patients in our cohort were followed up for a maximum of 12 years to observe the causes of death. Kaplan–Meier estimates from the baseline were used to compare the mortality of patients based on the administered medicine. All-cause mortality were compared among patients with/without administration of statins and other agents; any-organ and colorectal cancer mortality were compared between patients with/without administration of statins.ResultsOur cohort included 41,930 patients with mean ages of 64–66 years and mean body mass indices of 24–25 kg/m2. Patients who received statin monotherapy and were treated with lifestyle modification exhibited nearly identical survival curves, whereas statin use represented a non-significant but potentially protective effect against colorectal cancer-related mortality. The lowest mortality in this cohort was associated with resin monotherapy.ConclusionsMortality rate has been similar for patients treated with statin monotherapy and lifestyle modification. Statin monotherapy could potentially reduce any-organ- and colorectal cancer-related mortality.

Prevalence of comorbidities in obese New Zealand children and adolescents at enrolment in a community-based obesity programme.

The aim of this study was to describe the characteristics at enrolment of children and adolescents referred to an obesity programme and to determine how the prevalence of comorbidities differed in Indigenous versus non-Indigenous children. Participants were residents of a semi-rural region of New Zealand (NZ). Eligibility was defined by a body mass index (BMI) of ≥98th percentile or >91st centile with weight-related comorbidities. Fasting blood, medical and physical assessments were obtained. During the recruitment period from January 2012 to August 2014, 239 participants, aged 4.8-16.8 years, undertook assessment. Average BMI standard deviation score was 3.09 (standard deviation (SD) = 0.60, range 1.52-5.34 SD). The majority of participants were of either Maori (NZ's indigenous people (45%)) or NZ European (45%) ethnicity; 29% of participants were from the most deprived quintile of household deprivation. Maori participants were more likely than NZ Europeans to have a mother who smoked during pregnancy (52% vs. 28%, P = 0.001), a family history of type 2 diabetes (66% vs. 53%, P = 0.04), acanthosis nigricans on examination (58% vs. 20%, P < 0.0001), a low serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (27% vs. 14%, P = 0.03) or high serum triglyceride (38% vs. 24%, P = 0.03) concentration. The unique aspect of this study was the ability to recruit high levels of Maori participants and those from most deprived areas, indicating a high level of acceptability for these target groups. Comorbidities were prevalent in this cohort of overweight/obese school-aged children. While there were some differences in comorbidity prevalence between Maori and NZ Europeans, the overall clinical picture in our cohort, irrespective of ethnicity, was of concern.

PS 06-16 PREVALENCE AND CLINICAL FEATURES OF PREDIABETES IN PATIENTS WITH HYPERTENSION

Objective: Although prediabetes and hypertension are major components of metabolic syndrome, there is no reported data on the prevalence of prediabetes (FBS 100–125 mg/dL or HbA1c 5.7–6,4%) in hypertensive patients. We evaluated the prevalence and characteristics of prediabetes among hypertensive patients treated at primary clinics in Korea. Design and Method: Anthropometric and hemodynamic data and a variety of laboratory tests using serum and urine were obtained for 3109 patients who participated in the Wonder study which is a nation-wide, multi-centered, cross-sectional study. Risk factors and comorbidities according to diabetes status tertiles (normal, prediabetes and diabetes) were identified using multilevel logistic regression models. Results: The overall prevalence of normal, prediabetes and diabetes in patients with hypertension was 21.8%, 48.7and 29.5%, respectively. Smoking is significantly less in prediabetes and diabetic patients compared to normal glucose hypertensive subject. However, risk factors (high waist circumference and serum triglycerides, and low serum high-density lipoprotein), and subclinical organ damages such as LVH and microalbuminuria, and coronary artery disease, CKD and peripheral arterial disease were significantly increased as increasing diabetes status tertiles. Conclusions: The prevalence of prediabetic state in hypertension patients was 48.7%. Epidemiological factors of the prediabetes in hypertension patients showed higher CV risk factors and CV comorbidities, Almost half adults in Korean hypertensive patients was found to have prediabetes. We should have action to prevent prediabetes to be diabetes through better detection, awareness, prevention and treatment.

Low insulin-like growth factor 1 is associated with low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and metabolic syndrome in Chinese nondiabetic obese children and adolescents: a cross-sectional study.

BackgroundLow serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) is an independent risk factor for developing cardiovascular disease. Insulin-like growth factor 1(IGF-1) levels have been proven to be positively associated with HDL-C, but few studies were based on the dataset of children or adolescents. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship among IGF-1, HDL-C and the metabolic syndrome in Chinese nondiabetic obese children and adolescents.MethodsAs a cross-sectional study, this study includes 120 obese Chinese children and adolescents and 120 healthy ones. The obese subjects were divided into two groups based on using 1.03 mmol/L as a threshold value for HDL-C. Clinical examination and laboratory examinations were assessed for all participants.ResultsObese subjects had significantly lower IGF-1SDS and higher Height SDS than those in the control group. Among 120 obese children and adolescents, 22 (18.3 %) subjects had an HDL-C level <1.03 mmol/L. IGF-1SDS was significantly lower (P = 0.001) in obese subjects with low HDL-C. According to the results of multivariate logistic regression analysis, IGF-1 SDS is significantly associated with low HDL-C(OR 0.518, 95 % CI 0.292–0.916; P = 0.024), after being adjusted for age, gender, pubertal status, BMI SDS, SBP, DBP, HOMR-IR, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol, triglycerides, ALT and uric acid. In addition, IGF-1 SDS is significantly correlated with the level of serum HDL-C in study population (r = 0.19, P = 0.003). Based on logistic regression analysis with adjustment for age, gender and pubertal status, the increased IGF-1 SDS was associated with a decreased probability of metabolic syndrome (OR 0.555, 95 % CI 0.385–0.801; P = 0.002) and hypertriglyceridemia (OR 0.582, 95 % CI 0.395–0.856; P = 0.006), but no significant correlation with hypertension.ConclusionObese children had lower IGF-1SDS and taller stature compared with the control group. Low levels of IGF-1 SDS were associated with low levels of HDL-C in chinese nondiabetic obese children and adolescents, independent of insulin resistance, as well as other traditional cardiovascular disease risk markers.

Major components of metabolic syndrome and nutritional intakes in different genotype of UCP2 -866G/A gene polymorphisms in patients with NAFLD.

BackgroundIt has been suggested that dietary modifications in combination with genetic predisposition play an important role in the pathogenesis of NAFLD. In the current study we aimed to investigate the major components of metabolic syndrome in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and nutritional intakes according to different genotype of uncoupling protein-2 (UCP2) −866G/A gene polymorphism in these patients.MethodsIn this study 151 participants including 75 patients with NAFLD and 76 healthy individuals were enrolled. Dietary intakes were assessed using a semi-quantitative food-frequency questionnaire. Physical activity was obtained by metabolic equivalent questionnaire. Anthropometric assessments were conducted by a trained researcher and body mass index and waist to hip ratio were calculated. Body composition was measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis and biochemical assays including fasting serum glucose, liver enzymes and lipid profiles were measured. Polymorphisms of −866G/A UCP2 gene was determined using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method.ResultsSerum triglyceride concentrations in 53.3 % of NAFLD patients compared with 35.5 % of control group was more than 150 mg/dl (P = 0.034). A significantly higher prevalence of low serum high density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations was also observed in female NAFLD patients (P < 0.001). Dietary intakes in NAFLD group were not significantly different compared with control group (P > 0.05). However, according to genotypes patients with AG genotype had significantly higher protein consumption compared with control group (P < 0.05). Significantly higher consumption of dietary iron and copper in NAFLD patients with AG genotype was only observed among patients with NAFLD. However, the comparison of macro and micronutrient intakes in control group sound for stronger differences for AA genotype although these differences did not achieve significant threshold.ConclusionsA high prevalence of metabolic abnormalities was reported among NAFLD patients. Additionally, among NAFLD group, patients with AG genotype significantly consumed more protein, iron and copper in their usual diet.

Low serum high-density lipoprotein level is associated with proliferative retinopathy in patients with diabetes mellitus

Low serum high-density lipoprotein level is associated with proliferative retinopathy in patients with diabetes mellitus

'Bedside assessment' of acute hantavirus infections and their possible classification into the spectrum of haemophagocytic syndromes.

Hantavirus infections, recently renamed 'hantavirus fever' (HTVF), belong to the most common but also most underestimated zoonoses in the world. A small number of reports described the so-called 'lipid paradox' in HTVF, i.e. the striking contrast between a very low serum total cholesterol and/or high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLc), and a paradoxical concomitant hypertriglyceridaemia. In a prospective study, with patients being their own control after illness, we wanted to verify if this quick and easy 'bedside test' was robust enough to warrant a preliminary diagnosis of acute kidney injury (AKI) caused by HTVF. The study cohort consisted of 58 Belgian cases (mean age 44years), admitted with varying degrees of AKI and of thrombocytopaenia, both characteristic for presumptive HTVF. All cases were sero-confirmed as having acute HTVF. At or shortly after hospital admission, a significant (p < 0.001) decrease of total cholesterol and HDLc was found in comparison with normalised levels in the same cohort, quantified a few days after spontaneous AKI recovery. Conversely, fasting triglyceride levels during HTVF infection were significantly (p < 0.001) higher during illness than after recovery. This 'lipid paradox' was most outspoken in severe HTVF cases, often accompanying, or even predicting, major kidney or lung complications. Thus, this 'bedside assessment' seems to hold even promise for presumptive diagnosis of more severe so-called 'hantavirus cardio-pulmonary syndrome' (HCPS) cases, mostly described hitherto in the New World. In more severe AKI cases, the mean total cholesterol was significantly lower (p = 0.02) than in milder cases, i.e. cases with peak serum creatinine levels of < 1.5mg/dL. Thrombocytopaenia, generally accepted as the severity index in HTVF, appeared, moreover, significantly correlated with serum levels of total cholesterol (R = 0.52, p < 0.001) and with serum levels of HDLc (R = 0.45, p < 0.01). A link with the novel clinical entity of haemophagocytic syndromes, also characterised by manifest hypertriglyceridaemia, is discussed.

Effect of High Intensity Interval and Continuous Swimming Training on Body Mass Adiposity Level and Serum Parameters in High-Fat Diet Fed Rats

This study aimed to investigate the effects of interval and continuous training on the body mass gain and adiposity levels of rats fed a high-fat diet. Forty-eight male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into two groups, standard diet and high-fat diet, and received their respective diets for a period of four weeks without exercise stimuli. After this period, the animals were randomly divided into six groups (n = 8): control standard diet (CS), control high-fat diet (CH), continuous training standard diet (CTS), continuous training high-fat diet (CTH), interval training standard diet (ITS), and interval training high-fat diet (ITH). The interval and continuous training consisted of a swimming exercise performed over eight weeks. CH rats had greater body mass gain, sum of adipose tissues mass, and lower serum high density lipoprotein values than CS. The trained groups showed lower values of feed intake, caloric intake, body mass gain, and adiposity levels compared with the CH group. No significant differences were observed between the trained groups (CTS versus ITS and CTH versus ITH) on body mass gains and adiposity levels. In conclusion, both training methodologies were shown to be effective in controlling body mass gain and adiposity levels in high-fat diet fed rats.

Endothelial dysfunction and periodontitis: The role of inflammatory serum biomarkers

Introduction: Periodontitis is a local chronic inflammation with systemic consequences. Many disorders are associated with periodontitis such as diabetes, high-serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and premature birth. Cardiovascular disease does not correspond to a classic risk factor for periodontitis but evidence suggests that endothelial dysfunction due to systemic inflammation may be the link between both pathologies. The aim of this study was to review the literature regarding endothelial dysfunction and periodontitis and to establish a possible link through systemic inflammatory biomarkers. Methods: We searched the terms periodontitis and endothelial dysfunction and periodontal disease and endothelial dysfunction in the following four databases: PubMed, Cochrane, Bibliografia Brasileira de Odontologia-Brazilian Bibliography in Dentistry (BBO), and Embase. Results: Both diseases share same systemic biomarkers. Conclusion: Endothelial dysfunction may be the link between periodontitis and other diseases such as cardiovascular ones.

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in Mumbai City, India

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a complex web of metabolic factors that are associated with a 2-fold risk of cardiovascular diseases and a 5-fold risk of diabetes. There are lacunae of Indian studies regarding its prevalence with special reference to metropolitan cities such as Mumbai, India. Aim: To determine the prevalence of MetS in apparently healthy adult male population from Mumbai city based on their anthropometric, biochemical, and clinical health markers. Materials and Methods: This study was a cross-sectional study comprising 313 apparently healthy adult males aged 18-65 years from upper-middle-income group from different locales of Mumbai. A standardized pretested questionnaire was used to collect data regarding demographic characteristics, anthropometric parameters, and biochemical and clinical health markers using standardized methods. The data were analyzed using SPSS statistical software. Any observed difference was considered statistically significant with P < 0.05. Results: The mean age of the subjects was 46 years. The prevalence of MetS was 40% with 82% of the population surveyed being overweight and obese and 70.3% of the population with waist circumference of ΃90 cm. It was observed that 36% of the subjects were prehypertensives and 23.4% had systolic and/or diastolic blood pressures ΃140/90 mmHg. Almost 40% of the subjects had dysglycemia with 34% of the subjects with high triglycerides, 26% with high total cholesterol, 64% with raised serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and almost 66% with low serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. A significant positive correlation was observed between anthropometric and biochemical markers. Conclusion: In apparently healthy adult population of Mumbai, the prevalence of MetS was 40%. A significant positive correlation was observed between anthropometric, clinical, and biochemical markers. The study highlights the need for intervention to lower the risk markers predisposing the urban population to noncommunicable diseases.

The Cut-Off Point and Boundary Values of Waist-to-Height Ratio as an Indicator for Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Chinese Adults from the PURE Study.

To explore a scientific boundary of WHtR to evaluate central obesity and CVD risk factors in a Chinese adult population. The data are from the Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiology (PURE) China study that was conducted from 2005–2007. The final study sample consisted of 43 841 participants (18 019 men and 25 822 women) aged 35–70 years. According to the group of CVD risk factors proposed by Joint National Committee 7 version and the clustering of risk factors, some diagnosis parameters, such as sensitivity, specificity and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve least distance were calculated for hypertension, diabetes, high serum triglyceride (TG), high serum low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), low serum high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and clustering of risk factors (number≥2) to evaluate the efficacy at each value of the WHtR cut-off point. The upper boundary value for severity was fixed on the point where the specificity was above 90%. The lower boundary value, which indicated above underweight, was determined by the percentile distribution of WHtR, specifically the 5th percentile (P5) for both males and females population. Then, based on convenience and practical use, the optimal boundary values of WHtR for underweight and obvious central obesity were determined. For the whole study population, the optimal WHtR cut-off point for the CVD risk factor cluster was 0.50. The cut-off points for severe central obesity were 0.57 in the whole population. The upper boundary values of WHtR to detect the risk factor cluster with specificity above 90% were 0.55 and 0.58 for men and women, respectively. Additionally, the cut-off points of WHtR for each of four cardiovascular risk factors with specificity above 90% in males ranged from 0.55 to 0.56, whereas in females, it ranged from 0.57 to 0.58. The P5 of WHtR, which represents the lower boundary values of WHtR that indicates above underweight, was 0.40 in the whole population. WHtR 0.50 was an optimal cut-off point for evaluating CVD risks in Chinese adults of both genders. The optimal boundaries of WHtR were 0.40 and 0.57, indicating low body weight and severe risk for CVD, respectively, in Chinese adults.

Abstract 13823: The Cut-off Point and Boundary Values of Waist-to-height Ratio as an Indicator for Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Chinese Adults Population From PURE Study

Objectives: To explore a scientific boundary of WHtR to evaluate central obesity and CVD risk factors in Chinese adult population. Methods: The data from the Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiology (PURE) China study that carried out during 2005-2007. The final study analytical sample consisted of 43 841 participants (18 019 men and 25 822 women) aged 35-70 years. According to the category of CVD risk factors proposed by Joint National Committee 7 version (JNC7) and the clustering of risk factors, some diagnosis parameters, such as sensitivity, specificity, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve least distance were calculated for hypertension, diabetes, high serum triglyceride (TG), high serum low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), low serum high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and clustering of risk factors (number≥2) to evaluate the efficacy each value of WHtR cut-off point. The upper boundary value for severity was fixed on the point whose specificity of the point was gathered more than 90%. And the lower boundary value to indicate over low weight was determined by the percentile distribution of WHtR, at which the 5 th percentile (P 5 ) of point, both in male and female population. Then, basis on the principle of convenient and practical for use, determine the optimal boundary values of WHtR for low weight and obvious central obesity. Results: For the whole study population, the optimal WHtR cut point for CVD risk factors cluster was 0.50.The cut points for severe central obesity were 0.57 in the whole population. The upper boundary values of WHtR to detect risk factors cluster with specificity above 90% were 0.55 and 0.58 for men and women, respectively. Additionally, the cut-off points of WHtR for each of 4 cardiovascular risk factors with specificity above 90% in male ranged from 0.55 to 0.56, while in female ranged from 0.57 to 0.58. The P 5 of WHtR, which the lower boundary values of WHtR to indicate over low weight, was 0.40 in the whole population. Conclusion: WHtR 0.50 was an optimal cut point for CVD risks evaluation in Chinese adults population for both genders. The optimal boundaries of WHtR were 0.40 and 0.57 indicating low body weight and severe risk for CVD respectively in Chinese adults.

Spices and condiments: safer option for treatment of hyperlipidemia

Hyperlipidemia is a lipoprotein metabolic disorder characterized by high serum Low density Lipoprotein and blood cholesterol. It is a major risk factors in the development and progression of atherosclerosis that eventually lead to cardiovascular diseases. This poses a major problem to majority of society because of the close correlation between cardiovascular diseases and lipid abnormalities. There are various features which are associated directly or indirectly as etiological factors viz. heredity, age, obesity, sex, diet, physical inactivity, hypertension, lifestyle disorders and various stress factors. For alleviation and treatment there are many ways such as allopathic medications, alternative systems like Ayurvedic, Diet control, lifestyle discipline etc. Recently Spice therapies are seen useful and effective. In India, Ayurveda and other Indian literature mentions the use of various plants and spices. Spices in diet are useful as they play effective role in the functioning of various body systems such as gastrointestinal, cardiovascular and nervous system. Along with proper food habits, diet which contains variety of spices which have been proved as hypolipidemic, can be effective in controlling hyperlipidemia. Spices used in day-to-day life as food, can also be used in the treatment of various human ailments. Along with the taste, flavor, colour and preservative property, spices also possess hypolipidemic effects. This review is focused mainly on the beneficial hypolipidemic effect of five spices (Dill, Garlic, Fenugreek, Ginger, Coriander) in the management of hyperlipidemia. This article is based on the traditional knowledge, mechanism of action for hypolipidemic activity and some experimental scientific studies done to support the use of these spices in the management of hyperlipidemia.

Hyperviscosity in Renal Transplant Recipients

ObjectiveThe resistance of blood to flow is called plasma viscosity. Increased blood viscosity has been described in patients with coronary and peripheral arterial disease. In this study, we evaluated the influence of clinical and laboratory findings on plasma viscosity in renal transplant recipients. MethodsEighty-one kidney transplant recipients (37.8 ± 11.3 years old, 50.38 ± 16.8 months post-transplantation period, 27 female) with normal graft functions were enrolled. The biochemical and clinical parameters in the 1st year after transplantation were retrospectively recorded, and graft function was evaluated by means of the yearly decline in eGFR. Plasma viscosity was measured and searched for the association with cross-sectionally analyzed cardiovascular parameters including body composition analyses, ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) data, and pulse-wave velocity. ResultsPatients were divided into 2 groups according to the median value of serum viscosity. Patients with high viscosity had higher serum low-density lipoprotein (P = .042) and C-reactive protein (P = .046) levels than lower viscosity group. In ABPM, daytime (P = .047) and office systolic (P = .046) blood pressure levels and left ventricular mass index (LVMI; P = .012) were significantly higher in patients with hyperviscosity. Patients with high viscosity had higher hip circumference (P = .038) and fat mass (P = .048). Estimated glomerular filtration rate decline was significantly higher in high-viscosity patients than in patients with low viscosity levels (12.9% vs 17.2%; P = .001) at 2 years' follow-up. ConclusionsWe suggest that the hyperviscous state of the renal transplant recipients may arise from the inflammatory state, hypertension, and increased fat mass and increased LVMI. Hyperviscosity is also closely related to renal allograft dysfunction.

English

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a common endocrine metabolic disorder and a leading cause of death worldwide. Dyslipidemia is a well-recognized manifestation of uncontrolled DM, because insulin has important regulatory effects on lipid metabolism. This study was conducted to determine the frequency and pattern of dyslipidaemia in diabetic patients. Cross-sectional study was conducted on a total of two hundred ninety five diabetic patients attending diabetic follow-up clinic of Hawassa University Referral Hospital from March to November, 2014. For each selected subject, structured questionnaire about socio-demographic characteristics and diabetic related information was filled; overnight fasting blood samples were analyzed for fasting blood sugar (FBS) and lipid profiles, namely, total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein (HDL) and low density lipoprotein (LDL). Dyslipidemia was assessed according to the United State National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP-ATP-III) model guideline. SPSS version 20 was used as tool for data analysis. P-value of <0.05 was used as statistical significance. The mean (± standard deviation, SD) values of TC, TG, HDL, LDL were 186.03 (± 37.40), 194.33 (± 93.38), 49.66 (± 10.34), 119.15 (± 42.33) mg/dl, respectively. Among all of the diabetic patients, 34.9% had high serum LDL, 34.6% had hypercholesterolemia, 29.8% had hypertriglyceridemia and 12.2% had low HDL. Significantly higher mean serum levels of TC (p = 0.002) and LDL (p = 0.008) were noted in type 2 DM than type 1 DM. Females had significantly higher TC and LDL levels than males; whereas males had significantly lower HDL levels as compared to females (48.04 ± 9.13 versus 51.93 ± 11.49 mg/dl; p < 0.001). The mean (± SD) FBS level was 178.18(± 85.39) mg/dl and patients with type 1 DM had significantly higher FBS than those with type 2 DM (p < 0.001). Our study showed the presence of dyslipidaemia in Ethiopians with DM. The most common dyslipidemia in this study was high level of serum LDL followed by hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia. The optimal care for diabetic patients should also include routine monitoring of serum lipid profile. Key words: Diabetes, lipid profile, dyslipidemia.

Diabetes and the breast

Diabetes and the breast

Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction and plasma asymmetric dimethylarginine concentration in persons with essential hypertension.

IntroductionThe study aimed to evaluate the relationship between plasma asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) concentration and development of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) in patients with essential hypertension (EH). Moreover, an attempt was made to define independent risk factors of LVDD in patients with EH.Material and methodsA group of 106 individuals with EH was obtained (mean age: 47.18 ±11.76 years). Two groups of patients were distinguished: group I – individuals with EH with LVDD (n = 57); group II – persons with EH without LVDD (n = 49). Echocardiographic examination was conducted by the transthoracic technique. High-performance liquid chromatography was used to measure dimethylarginine concentrations.ResultsIn the group suffering from EH with LVDD, mean ADMA concentration was significantly higher and the ratio of arginine to ADMA was significantly lower than in patients with EH without LVDD. No significant differences were detected between mean concentrations of plasma symmetric dimethylarginine concentration (SDMA) and arginine or in arginine/SDMA ratios in the studied groups. Independent factors of LVDD risk in the study group included higher plasma ADMA concentration, higher serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL) concentration, higher values of body mass index (BMI), higher values of left ventricular mass index (LVMI) and higher values of mean blood pressure (mBP) (ORADMA = 1.731; ORLDL = 1.188; ORBMI = 1.056; ORLVMI = 1.062; ORmBP = 1.014; p < 0.05).ConclusionsThe results of this study showed that ADMA concentration may be of prognostic value in relation to manifestation of LVDD in patients with EH.

Effect of chronic periodontal infection on systemic lipid profile: A clinical and biochemical study

Background: Hyperlipidemia is one of the major risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD). In the recent years, some evidence has been presented that periodontitis is associated with an increased risk of CVD. To further elucidate this association, we have studied the levels of serum lipid profile in a periodontally healthy group and a diseased group. Aim: To study the correlation between serum lipid profile and periodontitis. Materials and Methods: The levels of serum lipid profile in 60 subjects, 30 with chronic generalized periodontitis based on clinical attachment loss (CAL) constituting the test group and 30 without periodontitis constituting the control group, were measured and compared with each other. Both these groups were free from other systemic illnesses. Statistical Analysis: The mean CAL was positively correlated with serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (P < 0.01). Results: The mean serum LDL cholesterol (126.62) and total cholesterol (173.32) in periodontitis patients were found to be significantly higher as compared to that of the controls. The mean CAL (5.32 mm) was positively correlated with serum LDL cholesterol. The frequency of persons with pathologic values of LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol was significantly higher in periodontitis patients compared with that of the controls. Conclusions: These results showed that high serum LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol may be associated with periodontitis in otherwise healthy people. However, it is unclear whether periodontitis causes an increase in the levels of serum LDL.

Metabolic syndrome and benign prostatic enlargement: a systematic review and meta-analysis

To summarise and meta-analyse current literature on metabolic syndrome (MetS) and benign prostatic enlargement (BPE), focusing on all the components of MetS and their relationship with prostate volume, transitional zone volume, prostate-specific antigen and urinary symptoms, as evidence suggests an association between MetS and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) due to BPE. An extensive PubMed and Scopus search was performed including the following keywords: 'metabolic syndrome', 'diabetes', 'hypertension', 'obesity' and 'dyslipidaemia' combined with 'lower urinary tract symptoms', 'benign prostatic enlargement', 'benign prostatic hyperplasia' and 'prostate'. Of the retrieved articles, 82 were selected for detailed evaluation, and eight were included in this review. The eight studies enrolled 5403 patients, of which 1426 (26.4%) had MetS defined according to current classification. Patients with MetS had significantly higher total prostate volume when compared with those without MetS (+1.8 mL, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.74-2.87; P < 0.001). Conversely, there were no differences between patients with or without MetS for International Prostate Symptom Score total or LUTS subdomain scores. Meta-regression analysis showed that differences in total prostate volume were significantly higher in older (adjusted r = 0.09; P = 0.02), obese patients (adjusted r = 0.26; P < 0.005) and low serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations (adjusted r = -0.33; P < 0.001). Our results underline the exacerbating role of MetS-induced metabolic derangements in the development of BPE. Obese, dyslipidaemic, and aged men have a higher risk of having MetS as a determinant of their prostate enlargement.

Factors associated with sustained virological response in 24‐week telaprevir‐based triple therapy for chronic hepatitis C genotype 1b patients with the IL28B minor genotype

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) near the interleukin-28B (IL28B) gene affect the outcome of 24-week telaprevir-based triple therapy with telaprevir, pegylated interferon-α and ribavirin for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1b patients. We aimed to identify factors associated with treatment outcomes in patients with the unfavorable minor IL28B SNP genotype, who have poor response to combination therapy. Pretreatment and on-treatment factors associated with sustained virological response (SVR) for 24-week telaprevir-based triple therapy were analyzed using multiple logistic regression analysis in 106 HCV genotype 1b patients with the minor IL28B SNP rs8099917 genotype (non-TT). Of the 106 non-TT patients, 62 (58.5%) achieved SVR. Of the 44 remaining patients, 22 experienced relapse, 13 experienced viral breakthrough and nine were non-responders. Pretreatment factors such as treatment-naïve/prior treatment response (P = 0.0041), high fasting serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) concentration (P = 0.0068) and low serum HCV RNA levels (P = 0.0088) were significantly and independently associated with SVR. On-treatment factors such as achievement of rapid virological response (RVR) were significantly and independently associated with SVR (P = 0.0001). For both pre- and on-treatment factors, treatment-naïve/prior treatment response (P = 0.0018), low pretreatment serum fasting LDL-C (P = 0.0062) and achieving RVR (P = 0.0021) were significantly and independently associated with SVR. In HCV genotype 1b patients with the minor IL28B SNP rs8099917 genotype, evaluating prior treatment response and achieving RVR and pretreatment serum fasting LDL-C concentrations were useful for predicting SVR achievement after 24-week telaprevir-based triple therapy.