Blood Lipid Measurements Research Articles

Identifying the insulin resistance index in nondiabetic Chinese subjects.

In the present study, the performance of anthropometric parameters, lipid and glucose indexes, and the combination of anthropometric parameters with the TyG (triglycerides × fasting plasma glucose) metabolic index, was compared in detecting insulin resistance (IR) to evaluate the optimal cut-off points in nondiabetic Chinese individuals. A total of 1067 nondiabetics underwent oral glucose tolerance test, blood lipid, and fasting insulin measurements. The clinical usefulness of various parameters— body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), TyG, triglycerides/ high density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio, and TyG with adiposity status (TyG-BMI [TyG × BMI] and TyG-WC)—was analyzed to identify IR. Spearman correlation and receiver-operating characteristic curve analyses were used to compare the predictive efficacy of different indicators. All indicators showed a positive correlation with IR in both normal glucose and all subjects. However, the correlation between BMI and homeostasis model assessment of IR index was higher than other indicators as assessed by Spearman correlation test (P < .05). Furthermore, BMI and TyG-BMI were better indicators than others as determined by comparing the area under the receiver-operating characteristics curves (P < .05) in detecting IR. BMI is a simple and accurate measure for detecting IR in Chinese subjects. The 27 kg/m2 threshold was the optimal BMI cut-off point for detecting IR in both normal glucose and all glucose categories subjects.

The value of (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography ((18)F-FDG PET-CT) in evaluating the stability of atherosclerotic plaques

Objective: Positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) has been used to quantify inflammatory response in the body. The aim of the present study was to explore the possibility of using this method to evaluate the stability of atherosclerotic plaques and the efficacy of atorvastatin in stabilizing atherosclerotic plaques. Methods: Twenty New Zealand male white rabbits were included and divided into the atorvastatin intervention group and the control group, with 10 rabbits in each group. Rabbits in both groups were fed with a high fat diet for 20 weeks, and treated with thoracoabdominal aortic balloon-pulling to establish atherosclerosis model at the end of the 2nd week. Rabbits in atorvastatin intervention group was given atorvastatin intragastrically once a day. At the 8th week, thoracoabdominal aortic ultrasound was used to detect plaques in all rabbits. Blood was drawn at the 3rd and the 20th week, respectively, to measure blood lipids, high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9). At the end of experiment, survival animals were scanned by (18)F-FDG PET-CT, and the average and maximum standard uptake values (SUVmean, SUVmax) of aortic segments were measured. Thereafter, the animals were sacrificed and aortic specimens of rabbits were taken and examined by immunohistochemistry. The pathological indexes were measured and compared. Results: At the end of experiment, the total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), hs-CRP [ (4.58±0.51) ng/ml vs.(5.87±0.66) ng/ml, P<0.01], MMP-9[ (43.93±2.16) ng/ml vs. (50.77±2.32) ng/ml, P<0.01], SUVmean (0.59±0.15 vs. 0.68±0.20, P<0.05) , SUVmax (0.68±0.20 vs. 0.81±0.27, P<0.05) , plaque area [ (0.36±0.24) mm(2) vs. (0.50±0.34) mm(2), P<0.05) ] and density of macrophage[ (4.34±1.54) % vs. (5.65±1.89) %, P<0.01] in the atorvastatin intervention group were significantly lower than those in the control group. In contrast, fiber cap thickness of the plaque[ (4.12±0.66) μm vs. (2.96±0.37) μm, P<0.01] in the atorvastatin intervention group was higher than that of the control group, and the difference was statistically significant. The arterial plaque areas were positively correlated with SUVmean (r=0.27, P<0.05) and SUVmax (r=0.43, P<0.01) . Fiber cap thickness was negatively correlated with SUVmean (r=-0.38, P<0.05) and SUVmax (r=-0.47, P<0.01) . The density of macrophage were positively correlated with SUVmean (r=0.52, P<0.01) and SUVmax (r=0.51, P<0.01) . Conclusion: (18)F-FDG PET/CT can be used to evaluate the efficacy of atorvastatin by the stability of atherosclerotic plaques.

Long-Term Burden of Increased Body Mass Index from Childhood on Adult Dyslipidemia: The i3C Consortium Study.

Background: Data are limited regarding the association of cumulative burden and trajectory of body mass index (BMI) from early life with adult lipid disorders. Methods: The study cohort consisted of 5195 adults who had BMI repeatedly measured 4 to 21 times from childhood and had blood lipid measurements of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and triglycerides (TG) and information on lipid-lowering medications in the last adult survey. The area under the curve (AUC) was calculated as a measure of long-term burden (total AUC) and trends (incremental AUC) of BMI. Results: Participants with dyslipidemia, high LDL-C, low HDL-C and high TG had consistently and significantly higher BMI levels from childhood to adulthood compared to those with normal lipid levels. After adjusting for age, race, sex, and cohort, increased risk of adult dyslipidemia was significantly associated with higher values of childhood BMI, adulthood BMI, total AUC and incremental AUC, with odds ratio (95% confidence interval) = 1.22 (1.15–1.29), 1.85 (1.74–1.97), 1.61 (1.52–1.71), and 1.59 (1.50–1.69), respectively, and p < 0.001 for all. The association patterns were similar in most race–sex subgroups. Conclusions: Adults with dyslipidemia versus normal lipid levels have consistently higher levels and distinct life-course trajectories of BMI, suggesting that the impact of excessive body weight on dyslipidemia originates in early life.

Protein Intake at Twice the RDA in Older Men Increases Circulatory Concentrations of the Microbiome Metabolite Trimethylamine-N-Oxide (TMAO).

Higher dietary protein intake is increasingly recommended for the elderly; however, high protein diets have also been linked to increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) is a bacterial metabolite derived from choline and carnitine abundant from animal protein-rich foods. TMAO may be a novel biomarker for heightened CVD risk. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of a high protein diet on TMAO. Healthy men (74.2 ± 3.6 years, n = 29) were randomised to consume the recommended dietary allowance of protein (RDA: 0.8 g protein/kg bodyweight/day) or twice the RDA (2RDA) as part of a supplied diet for 10 weeks. Fasting blood samples were collected pre- and post-intervention for measurement of TMAO, blood lipids, glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, and inflammatory biomarkers. An oral glucose tolerance test was also performed. In comparison with RDA, the 2RDA diet increased circulatory TMAO (p = 0.002) but unexpectedly decreased renal excretion of TMAO (p = 0.003). LDL cholesterol was increased in 2RDA compared to RDA (p = 0.049), but no differences in other biomarkers of CVD risk and insulin sensitivity were evident between groups. In conclusion, circulatory TMAO is responsive to changes in dietary protein intake in older healthy males.

A short-term religious “fast” from animal products has a minimal impact on cardiometabolic health biomarkers irrespective of concurrent shifts in distinct plant-based food groups

Plant-based diets may help improve measures of body fat, blood cholesterol, glucose metabolism, and inflammation. However, limited evidence suggests that the health effects of reducing animal products may depend on the quality of plant-based foods consumed as caloric replacements. This study examined how temporarily restricting consumption of meat, dairy, and egg (MDE) products for religious purposes influences cardiometabolic health biomarkers and whether any effects of MDE restriction on biomarkers are modified by concurrent shifts in calories, fish, and distinct plant-based foods. This study followed a sample of 99 individuals in the United States with varying degrees of adherence to Orthodox Christian (OC) guidance to abstain from MDE products during Lent, the 48-d period prior to Easter. Dietary composition was estimated from FFQs and 7-d food records; measures of body fat, blood lipids, glucose metabolism, and inflammation were collected prior to and at the end of Lent. Each serving decrease in MDE products was associated with an average -3.7% (95% CI: -5.5%, -2.0%; P<0.0001) and -3.6% (95% CI: -5.8%, -1.3%; P=0.003) change in fasting total and LDL blood cholesterol, respectively, which were partly explained by minor weight loss. However, the total/HDL cholesterol ratio did not significantly decrease due to an average -3.2% (95% CI: -5.8%, -0.6%; P=0.02) change in HDL cholesterol. No associations between MDE restrictions and shifts in measures of body fat, glucose, insulin, or C-reactive protein were observed. The data could not provide evidence that changes in cardiometabolic health biomarkers in relation to MDE restriction were modified by concurrent shifts in calories, fish, or plant-based foods. Temporary MDE restrictions practiced by this sample of OCs in the United States during Lent had minimal effects on cardiometabolic disease risk factors. Further research among larger samples of OCs is needed to understand how nutritionally distinct and complex combinations of plant-based foods may modify the health effects of religious fasting from MDE products.

Prevalence of hyperlipidaemia in adults and its relation to the Mediterranean diet: the Hellenic National Nutrition and Health Survey (HNNHS).

A long-term abnormal blood lipid profile increases the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). A probable protective role may be played by the Mediterranean diet. The aim of this study was to assess prevalence of dyslipidaemia, assess blood lipid status and treatment and examine the association between blood lipids, dyslipidaemia and Mediterranean diet. Data were from the Hellenic National Nutrition and Health Survey (HNNHS). Data from 3775 adults (40.8% males) were obtained by trained personnel and disease status was categorized according to the International Classification of Diseases codes (10th version). Blood lipid measurements were obtained from a subsample (N = 1080, mean age 40.1 years; 37.8% male). The Mediterranean diet score (MedDiet score) was calculated from 24-h recalls. The relationships between higher MedDiet score (>23), lipid levels and status were examined using linearized multiple linear and logistic regressions, respectively. In total, 20.7% of the population was dyslipidaemic, with 59.0% (no sex differences) receiving treatment, and 46.6% of the treated having a normal lipid profile. Lipid status awareness was 35.5% (64.5% unaware). Males aged 19-39 had higher total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides, and lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels than females (in mg/dl; p for all <0.05); these were significantly higher in overweight and obese individuals in all age groups, except high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (p for all <0.001). Higher MedDiet score was associated with significantly lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in the pooled sample (-6.39 mg/dl; 95% confidence interval (CI): -12.60, 0.17), in all males (-10.61 mg/dl; 95% CI: -19.89, -1.34) and in overweight and obese males (-15.6 mg/dl; 95% CI: -29.25, -1.94). This study underlines the abnormal lipid profile in the young, mostly male, population who are highly unaware and under-treated.

1033-P: Effects of Benaglutide on Weight Loss, Metabolic Changes, and Sexual Hormones in PCOS

Objective: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one the most common metabolic and endocrine disorders in women, which is always accompanied with obesity and insulin resistance (IR). Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) has been investigated to decrease body weight and IR in PCOS, and it appears superior combined with metformin (MET) than MET alone. Benaglutide is the first human homologous GLP-1 drug. It had been shown in previous studies to reduce blood glucose and have effect on weight loss. The potential impact of preconception intervention with benaglutide on improving IR and weight loss in PCOS has not been evaluated yet. Methods: This is a 12-week open-label randomized clinical study.88 overweight/obese (OW/OB) patients with PCOS, who had already received MET 1000 mg Bid treatment for more than 3 months. They were randomized into two groups, to receive either benaglutide (BEN) 0.2 mg ih tid and MET 1000 mg bid (N=35, age: 27.6±5.7, BMI: 28.33±3.36 kg/m2, mean±s.d.) or exenatide (EXE) 10ug ih bid and MET 1000 mg bid (N=33, age: 27.7±6.5, BMI: 28.82±3.44 kg/m2) per day. We observed BMI, OGTT 0- and 2-hour blood glucose, HOMAIR, blood lipids and sexual hormones, at 0 and 12 weeks. Lifestyle intervention was promoted in both groups. Results: BMI had decreased in the BEN group 1.89±1.55 kg/m2 (p&amp;lt;0.05) compared with 1.83±1.17 kg/m2 (p&amp;lt;0.05) in the EXE group. OGTT 2-hour blood glucose was reduced 0.97±1.80 mmol/l (p&amp;lt;0.05) in the BEN group with 1.43±2.86 mmol/l (p&amp;lt;0.05) in the EXE group. In the BEN group, HOMAIR decreased 1.38±2.86 (p&amp;lt;0.05) as well as in the EXE group 1.61±2.08 (p&amp;lt;0.05), whereas measures of OGTT 0h blood glucose, blood lipids and sex hormones did not change. From all the indexes no significant between-treatment difference (p&amp;gt;0.05) were found in the two groups. Conclusions: Benaglutide combined with metformin treatment in overweight/obese women with PCOS appears superior decrease in BMI, OGTT 2-hour blood glucose and HOMAIR, the efficiencies were same as exenatide with metformin. Disclosure J. Chen: None. Q. Sun: None. M. Zhang: None. H. Tian: None. S. Chen: None.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and blood lipid levels in pre-diabetic adults—longitudinal analysis of the diabetes prevention program outcomes study

Exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) may interfere with lipid regulation. However, most previous studies were cross-sectional with the risk of reverse causation, suggesting a need for long-term prospective studies. We examined the relationship of baseline plasma PFAS concentrations with repeated measures of blood lipids. We included 888 prediabetic adults from the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) and DPP Outcomes Study, who had measurements of 6 plasma PFAS concentrations at baseline (1996–1999) and repeated measures of blood lipids over 15 years of follow-up, and were initially randomized to placebo or a lifestyle intervention. We used linear regression to examine cross-sectional associations of PFAS concentrations and lipid levels at baseline, and evaluated prospective risks of hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia using Cox proportional hazard models, and tested for effect modification by study arm. Participants (65.9% female, 57.0% White, 65.9% aged 40–59 years) had comparable PFAS concentrations [e.g., median (IQR) perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) 4.9 ng/mL (3.2)] with the general U.S. population in 1999–2000. We observed higher total cholesterol at baseline per doubling of PFOA (β: 6.1 mg/dL, 95% CI: 3.1, 9.04), perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS, β: 2.2 mg/dL, 95% CI: 0.2, 4.3), and perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA, β: 2.9 mg/dL, 95% CI: 0.7, 5.0). Prospectively, baseline concentrations of several PFASs, including PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS and PFNA, predicted higher risks of incident hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia, but only in the placebo group and not the lifestyle intervention group. For example, participants in the placebo group with PFOA concentration > median (4.9 ng/mL) were almost twice as likely (HR: 1.90, 95% CI: 1.25, 2.88) to develop hypertriglyceridemia compared to those ≤median. Findings suggest adverse effects of some PFASs on lipid profiles in prediabetic adults. However, the detrimental effect was attenuated with a lifestyle intervention.

FREQUENCY OF TRADITIONAL RISK FACTORS AND EVALUATION OF LIPID PROFILE IN PATENTS WITH ACUTE CORONARY SYNDROME

Objective: To determine the frequency of traditional risk factors with evaluation oflipid profile in patients with acute coronary syndrome. Methodology: This was a descriptive cross sectional study with non-randomizedconsecutive sampling. The study was conducted from 1st June to 30thNovember, 2018 in Coronary Care Unit, Department of Cardiology, HayatabadMedical Complex, Peshawar, Pakistan in which all patients with age >18 yearswith diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome were recruited. Detail history ofhypertension, diabetes mellitus, smoking, and family history for coronary arterydisease was taken. Dyslipidemia was evaluated by measuring blood lipid profile.SPSS version 20 was used for analysis. Significance was set at P≤0.05. Results: We analyzed 384 patients with acute coronary syndrome out of which60.7% were male. There was no significant difference in age of male (25-91years) and female (26-90 years) patients. ST segment elevation acute coronarysyndrome was 74.5% and non ST segment elevation acute coronary syndromewas 25.5%. Frequency of dyslipidemia, hypertension, diabetes mellitus,smoking, and family history of coronary artery disease was 86.7%, 52.3%,34.1%, 26% and 9.6%, respectively. The most frequent lipid abnormality was inHDL cholesterol, followed by triglycerides, total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol. Conclusion: Dyslipidemia was the most common risk factor followed byhypertension, diabetes mellitus and smoking. The most common abnormalitiesin lipid profile were low level of HDL cholesterol, followed by triglycerides, totalcholesterol and LDL cholesterol. Key Words: Acute Coronary Syndrome, Risk Factors, Dyslipidemia,Hypertension, Diabetes Mellitus, Smoking

Quantification of Liver, Subcutaneous, and Visceral Adipose Tissues by MRI Before and After Bariatric Surgery

BackgroundMorbid obesity is a worldwide epidemic and is increasingly treated by bariatric surgery. Fatty liver is a common finding; almost half of all patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis develop steatohepatitis. Bariatric surgery improves steatohepatitis documented by liver biopsy and single voxel magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques.ObjectiveTo investigate changes before and after bariatric surgery using whole organ MRI quantification of liver, visceral, and subcutaneous fat.SettingUniversity of Basel Hospital and St. Clara Research Ltd, Basel, Switzerland.MethodsSixteen morbidly obese patients were evaluated by abdominal MRI-scanning before and 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after bariatric surgery to measure percentage liver fat (%-LF), total liver volume (TLV) and visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissues (VAT and SAT). Fasting plasma samples were taken for measurement of glucose, insulin, blood lipids, and liver biomarkers. In a control group of 12 healthy lean volunteers, the liver biomarker was also measured.ResultsThe reproducibility of fat quantification by use of MRI was excellent. LF decreased significantly faster than VAT and SAT (%-LF vs. VAT p < 0.001 and %-LF vs. SAT p < 0.001). At certain time points, %-LF, VAT, and SAT were associated with changes in blood lipids and insulin.ConclusionsMRI quantification offers excellently reproducible results in measurement of liver fat and visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissues. Liver fat decreased significantly faster than visceral or subcutaneous adipose tissue. Decrease in %-LF and VAT is associated with decrease in total cholesterol, LDL, and plasma insulin.

Gender Dictates the Relationship between Serum Lipids and Leukocyte Counts in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999⁻2004.

Dyslipidemias and leukocytosis are associated with cardiovascular disease and immune disorders. Mechanistic studies have shown lipoprotein metabolism to play a significant role in the regulation of atherosclerosis development and leukocyte activation, whereas lipid-lowering treatments have been shown to exert beneficial anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects in clinical trials. However, the relationship between clinical markers of lipid metabolism and leukocyte counts has not been extensively evaluated at the population level. We aimed to determine whether clinical blood lipid measures are associated with leukocyte counts in the general U.S. population represented in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999–2004, and whether differences exist between men and women (n = 5647). We observed a strong positive linear trend between serum triglycerides vs. blood lymphocyte and basophil counts in both men and women, whereas a positive trend between monocytes vs. triglycerides and lymphocytes vs. total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) was only detected in women. Conversely, HDL-C was inversely associated with a greater number of leukocyte subsets in men, whereas inverse trends between HDL-C vs. lymphocytes were observed in both men and women. In multiple regression models, a 10% increase in total cholesterol, LDL-C, and triglycerides was associated with a predicted 1.6%, 0.6%, and 1.4% increase in blood lymphocyte counts in women, respectively, whereas no relationship was observed in men. In both men and women, a 10% increase in triglycerides was additionally associated with higher lymphocyte, neutrophil, and basophil counts, whereas 10% increases in HDL-cholesterol were associated with significantly lower lymphocyte, neutrophil, eosinophil, and basophil counts in men, in addition to lower lymphocyte and monocyte counts in women. These findings suggest that clinical lipid markers may be used to predict blood leukocyte distributions, and that a gender-specific relationship exists between distinct classes of serum lipids and immune cell subsets.

Smartphone-Based Blood Lipid Data Acquisition for Cardiovascular Disease Management in Internet of Medical Things

With the ubiquitous deployment of smartphones worldwide recently, biomedical diagnostic devices based on smartphones are potential to be widely used for smart health management on the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) applications under point-of-care (PoC) settings. Therefore, this paper introduces one smartphone-based blood lipid data acquisition dongle to monitor blood lipid level, including total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), using only a fingertip blood drop for cardiovascular disease management. During detection, a thin photochemical test strip that consists of LEDs and detectors is plugged into the compact dongle, where changed color intensities will indicate the lipid determinant concentration from the measured reflection coefficient of the chromogenic product. Such smartphone-based photochemical blood lipid data acquisition dongle was validated by comparing with a clinical analyzer, and reached a correlation coefficient over 0.903 and averaged coefficient of variation (CV)% of 4.575% for blood lipid measurement of 115 patients. The photochemical dongle is, therefore, promising for the future chronic disease management in the IoMT.

Convincing evidence supports reducing saturated fat to decrease cardiovascular disease risk

Treatment guidelines and population-based recommendations evolve from research vetted by the scientific community. Healthcare providers require practice guidelines resulting from rigorous review of the totality of evidence. Open discussion/debate among...

The energy requirements and metabolic benefits of wilderness hunting in Alaska.

The purported healthy aspects of subsistence foods have led to the popularity of the Paleo diet. There has been very little focus, surprisingly, on health benefits derived from the nomadic nature of humans during the Paleolithic era. The purpose of our study was to examine total energy expenditure (TEE), total energy intake (TEI), body composition, blood lipids, and intrahepatic lipid in humans during a 12‐day Alaskan backcountry expeditionary hunting (ABEH) immersion. Four healthy men (age: 42 ± 3 year, BMI: 27 ± 1 kg/m2) were recruited for the study. TEE was measured using the doubly labeled water method and a food diary was utilized to assess TEI. Body composition was measured using dual energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA); cross‐sectional area of the thigh (XT) and intrahepatic lipid (IHL) were measured using molecular imaging. Blood samples were collected for the measurement of blood lipids. DXA, XT, IHL, and blood data were collected pre‐ and immediately post‐ABEH. Results were analyzed using paired t‐tests and considered significant at P < 0.05. TEE and TEI averaged 18.1 ± 1.2 and 9.1 ± 2.5 MJ/day, respectively, indicating substantial negative energy balance (‐9.0 ± 1.3 MJ/day). There was a reduction in percent body fat (∆−3.3 ± 0.2%), total fat mass (∆−3.3 ± 0.4 kg), and visceral fat volume (Δ−261 ± 188 cm3). Lean tissue mass and XT was unchanged. There was a decrease in IHL (Δ−0.5 ± 0.1% water peak), and a trend (P = 0.055) toward reduction in LDL‐cholesterol. We conclude that constancy of physical activity during negative energy balance may provide metabolic benefits above and beyond variations in diet that exist with the hunter‐gatherer lifestyle.

Increased High-Density Lipoprotein Levels Associated with Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Evidence from the EYE-RISK and European Eye Epidemiology Consortia

Genetic and epidemiologic studies have shown that lipid genes and high-density lipoproteins (HDLs) are implicated in age-related macular degeneration (AMD). We studied circulating lipid levels in relationship to AMD in a large European dataset. Pooled analysis of cross-sectional data. Individuals (N = 30 953) aged 50 years or older participating in the European Eye Epidemiology (E3) consortium and 1530 individuals from the Rotterdam Study with lipid subfraction data. AMD features were graded on fundus photographs using the Rotterdam classification. Routine blood lipid measurements, genetics, medication, and potential confounders were extracted from the E3 database. In a subgroup of the Rotterdam Study, lipid subfractions were identified by the Nightingale biomarker platform. Random-intercepts mixed-effects models incorporating confounders and study site as a random effect were used to estimate associations. AMD features and stage; lipid measurements. HDL was associated with an increased risk of AMD (odds ratio [OR], 1.21 per 1-mmol/l increase; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.14-1.29), whereas triglycerides were associated with a decreased risk (OR, 0.94 per 1-mmol/l increase; 95% CI, 0.91-0.97). Both were associated with drusen size. Higher HDL raised the odds of larger drusen, whereas higher triglycerides decreases the odds. LDL cholesterol reached statistical significance only in the association with early AMD (P= 0.045). Regarding lipid subfractions, the concentration of extra-large HDL particles showed the most prominent association with AMD (OR, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.10-1.40). The cholesteryl ester transfer protein risk variant (rs17231506) for AMD was in line with increased HDL levels (P= 7.7× 10-7), but lipase C risk variants (rs2043085, rs2070895) were associated in an opposite way (P= 1.0× 10-6 and P= 1.6× 10-4). Our study suggested that HDL cholesterol is associated with increased risk of AMD and that triglycerides are negatively associated. Both show the strongest association with early AMD and drusen. Extra-large HDL subfractions seem to be drivers in the relationship with AMD, and variants in lipid genes play a more ambiguous role in this association. Whether systemic lipids directly influence AMD or represent lipid metabolism in the retina remains to be answered.

PO-204 Effects of hypoxia and/or endurance exercise on autophagy of skeletal muscle in rats with nutritional obesity

&#x0D; Objective The globalization of obesity has become an important factor threatening human health, and the rational health of the solution has driven the exploration of experts and scholars. For this reason, this experiment uses hypoxia and exercise as interventions for 8 weeks. Changes of autophagy-related factors LC3 mRNA, p62 mRNA and energy regulation factor AMPKα2 mRNA, and cell stress-inducing factor Sestrin2 mRNA after hypoxia and/or combined endurance exercise, and explored the effect of hypoxia endurance exercise on autophagy of skeletal muscle cells To provide a reasonable experimental basis for exploring hypoxic exercise to lose weight and to prevent or reduce autophagy-related diseases.&#x0D; Methods First, a nutritional obese rat model fed with high-fat diet for 8 weeks was constructed and randomly divided into 8 groups: the normoxia group (A), the normoxic group (AE), and 16.3%. Oxygen quiet group (B) and 16.3% hypoxic exercise group (BE), 13.3% hypoxic quiet group (C), 13.3% hypoxic exercise group (CE), 11.3% hypoxic quiet group (D), 11.3% low Oxygen exercise group (DE), 10 in each group, and continued to feed with high fat diet. Secondly, establish a hypoxic and/or endurance exercise model, and the experimental experiment is expected. The rat training program is as follows: the normoxia quiet group does not perform any endurance exercise and other interventions under normoxia; the normoxic exercise group is large. The rats underwent a medium-intensity endurance exercise with a running speed of 20 m/min in a normal oxygen environment for 40 min. Similarly, rats in the hypoxic quiet group underwent continuous hypoxia intervention for 12h in the corresponding hypoxic environment; the hypoxic-binding endurance exercise group was based on the intervention of the hypoxic-quiet group, with a time of 40 min and a running speed of 20 m/ Min's medium-intensity endurance exercise. The frequency of exercise is 5 times a week (every Monday to Friday) for 8 weeks. After the last training, fasting for 24 hours, the rats were sacrificed and sampled. Biochemical indicators were used to measure blood lipids and blood glucose concentration; real-time quantitative PCR was used to detect the expression of autophagy regulators Sestrin2, AMPKɑ2 and autophagy Beclin1 and LC3II mRNA.&#x0D; Results &#x0D; 1.Nutritional obesity rat model: After 8 weeks of high-fat feeding, the body weight, Lee's index, BG, TC, TG and LDL-c concentrations in the high-fat group were significantly increased (P&lt;0.05)&#x0D; 2.Changes in morphology and blood lipids of rats: Compared with group A, the body weight, BG, TC, TG, LDL-c concentrations in the AE group were significantly decreased (P&lt;0.05), and the HDL-c concentration was significantly increased (P&lt;0.05). LDL-c in group D, TG and BD concentrations in group B, group C and group D were significantly decreased (P&lt;0.05), and HDL-c concentrations in groups C and D were significantly increased (P&lt;0.05); Compared with the group, the LDL-c and TG concentrations in the DE group were significantly lower (P&lt;0.05), the BG concentrations in the CE group and the DE group were significantly lower (P&lt;0.05), and the HDL-c concentration in the DE group was significantly increased (P&lt;0.05). ).&#x0D; 3.Real-time quantitative PCR showed that compared with group A, the expression of Sestrin2, Beclin1 and LC3II mRNA in skeletal muscle cells of AE group, C group and D group was significantly increased (P&lt;0.05), and the expression of AMPKɑ2 mRNA in group D was significantly increased. Compared with AE group, the expressions of Beclin1, LC3II and AMPKɑ2 mRNA in CE group and DE group were significantly increased (P&lt;0.05), and the expression of Sestrin2 mRNA in DE group was significantly increased (P&lt;0.05).&#x0D; Conclusions &#x0D; 1.Three different concentrations of hypoxia and / or combined endurance exercise can reduce the body weight of obese rats, improve the blood sugar, blood lipids, hypoxia and exercise in obese rats, the effect of weight loss, blood sugar and blood lipids is more obvious.&#x0D; 2.Endurance exercise, hypoxic exposure, hypoxia combined with endurance exercise can induce autophagy in skeletal muscle cells; and the cumulative stimulation effect of exercise and hypoxia is more prominent than simple endurance exercise and hypoxia exposure.&#x0D; 3.Three different concentrations of hypoxia and/or combined endurance exercise can up-regulate the expression of Sestrin2, AMPKɑ2, Beclin1, and LC3II mRNA, thereby effectively activating and enhancing the autophagy level of skeletal muscle cells in obese rats, especially 11.3% hypoxia. The endurance exercise group has a more pronounced effect.

Genetics of blood lipids among ~300,000 multi-ethnic participants of the Million Veteran Program.

The Million Veteran Program (MVP) was established in 2011 as a national research initiative to determine how genetic variation influences the health of U.S. military veterans. We genotyped 312,571 MVP participants using a custom biobank array and linked the genetic data to laboratory and clinical phenotypes extracted from electronic health records covering a median of 10.0 years of follow-up. Among 297,626 veterans with at least 1 blood lipid measurement including 57,332 blacks and 24,743 Hispanics, we tested up to ~32 million variants for association with lipid levels and identified 118 novel genome-wide significant loci after meta-analysis with data from the Global Lipids Genetics Consortium (total N > 600,000). Through a focus on mutations predicted to result in a loss of gene function and a phenome-wide association study, we propose novel indications for pharmaceutical inhibitors targeting PCSK9 (abdominal aortic aneurysm), ANGPTL4 (type 2 diabetes), and PDE3B (triglycerides and coronary disease).

T2 mapping MRI technique quantifies carotid plaque lipid, and its depletion after statin initiation, following acute myocardial infarction

Background & aimsA recently-validated, highly-sensitive T2 mapping magnetic resonance (MRI) technique accurately quantifies carotid plaque lipid. The aims of this study were to determine: (i) the extent of carotid plaque lipid in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS); (ii) the effects of initiation of high-intensity statin on plaque lipid content and (iii) whether plaque lipid content is related to standard or ‘functional’ blood lipid measurements. MethodsStatin naïve subjects presenting with ACS underwent carotid artery MRI at 3 T scanner to quantify plaque lipid. Patients were subsequently commenced on high dose statin as part of clinical care and underwent a second MRI after three months. Plaque composition was measured using objective semi-automated techniques. Results23 out of 24 patients had measurable lipid. Three months after statin initiation there was a significant reduction in carotid lipid percentage [from 10.3% (7.2–14.2) to 7.4% (5.4–10.0), p = 0.002] and a significant increase in fibrous percentage [from 83.3% ± 6.6–85.5% ± 4.8, p = 0.039]. None of the studied functional blood biomarkers were related to either baseline carotid plaque lipid content or its propensity to change with statin treatment. ConclusionsT2-mapping demonstrated depleted carotid plaque lipid following the initiation of high-intensity statin treatment. Standard or ‘functional’ blood biomarkers were dissociated from plaque lipid content or changes with treatment. These findings further reinforce the importance of disease characterisation over risk factor assessment. Subject to clinical trial findings, quantification of plaque lipid may provide the basis for an approach to identify patients suitable for intensive lipid reduction regimes.

Plasma metabolites reveal distinct profiles associating with different metabolic risk factors in monozygotic twin pairs.

Obesity is related to a myriad of cardiometabolic outcomes, each of which may have a specific metabolomic signature and a genetic basis. We identified plasma metabolites associating with different cardiometabolic risk factors (adiposity, cholesterol, insulin resistance, and inflammation) in monozygotic (MZ) twins. Additionally, we assessed if metabolite profiling can identify subgroups differing by cardiometabolic risk factors. We quantified 111 plasma metabolites (Acquity UPLC-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry), and measured blood lipids, HOMA index, CRP, and adiposity (BMI, %bodyfat by DEXA, fat distribution by MRI) in 40 MZ twin pairs (mean BMI 27.9 kg/m2, age 30.7). We determined associations among individuals (via linear regression) between metabolites and clinical phenotypes, and assessed, with within-twin pair analysis, if these associations were free from genetic confounding. We also performed cluster analysis to identify distinct subgroups based on subjects' metabolite profiles. We identified 42 metabolite-phenotype associations (FDR < 0.05), 19 remained significant after controlling for shared factors within the twin pairs. Aspartate, propionylcarnitine, tyrosine hexanoylcarnitine, and deoxycytidine associated positively with two or more adiposity measures. HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) associated negatively and BMI positively with the most numbers of metabolites; 12 were unique for HDL-C and 3 for BMI. Metabolites associating with HDL-C had the strongest effect size. Metabolite profiling revealed two distinct subgroups of individuals, differing by 32 metabolites (p < 0.05), and by total and LDL cholesterol(LDL-C). Forty-two metabolites predicted subgroup membership in correlation with total cholesterol and 45 metabolites predicted subgroup membership in correlation with LDL-C. Different fat depots share metabolites associating with general adiposity. BMI and HDL-C associated with the most pronounced and specific metabolomic signature. Metabolomics profiling can be used to identify distinct subgroups of individuals that differ by cholesterol measures. Most of the observed metabolite-phenotype associations are free of confounding by genetics and environmental factors shared by the co-twins.

Metabolic health and academic achievement in youth at risk for high school dropout in rural Mississippi: The role of classroom management

Disparities in health and academic achievement affect large cross-sections of the same population subgroups. This study examined the relationship metabolic health and academic achievement in youth “at risk” for school dropout in rural Mississippi. Fifteen adolescents participated in a studio based learning educational summer camp and subsequent follow-up sessions during the regular school year that were aimed at developing knowledge of core curriculum subjects by developing design projects based on the camp STEM-related theme. These projects are characteristic of a pedagogical technique known as Studio Based Learning (SBL) and involve more movement than a traditional classroom setting. Participants' metabolic health was assessed via measurements of blood lipids and glucose, blood pressure, BMI and waist circumference, and examined individually and as a combined risk score. Academic achievement measurements were obtained from district standardized testing. Mean BMI for this sample was classified as overweight; however, other metabolic parameters (blood lipids and glucose, and resting blood pressure) were in normal ranges for this age group. Little association was found between metabolic health and academic achievement and in this sample for math of language (r = −0.56 and 0.20, respectively). Participants took part in notable amounts of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity during the SBL camp and very little in the traditional classroom setting (approximately 30 vs. 7 min/day, respectively). Actively engaging teaching strategies, such as SBL, may impart a meaningful impact on physical activity levels of school-aged children, which may have long term, positive health outcomes.