Triglyceride Levels In Men Research Articles

Impact of Chia Seed Ingestion and Physical Activity on Insulin Resistance and Triglyceride Levels in Men and Women

بذور الشيا هي نبات عشبي موطنه جنوب المكسيك وغواتيمالا. ولها العديد من الاستخدامات الغذائية والطبية لاحتوائها على الألياف والمعادن والفيتامينات. ولهذه المكونات تأثير كبير على مقاومة الأنسولين، والتي تعتبر مصدر خطر للإصابة بالعديد من الأمراض، أبرزها مرض السكري من النوع الثاني. مستويات عالية من الدهون الثلاثية. ويعتبر مصدر خطر للعديد من الأمراض أهمها أمراض القلب. تهدف هذه الدراسة إلى تقييم تأثير استهلاك بذور الشيا على مؤشرات مقاومة الأنسولين ومستويات الدهون الثلاثية لدى الأفراد الذين يعانون من مقاومة الأنسولين. وتبحث الدراسة أيضًا فيما إذا كان هناك اختلاف في استجابات النساء والرجال. وكذلك هل يختلف تأثير بذور الشيا حسب النشاط؟ وشملت الدراسة 100 شخص، 60 رجلاً يعانون من مقاومة الأنسولين، 20 منهم يمشون لمدة نصف ساعة على الأقل يوميًا، و40 امرأة، 15 منهم يمشون لمدة نصف ساعة على الأقل يوميًا. وتم توجيههم جميعا بتناول بذور الشيا لمدة 45 يوما بمعدل ملعقة كبيرة بعد نقعها في الماء لمدة لا تقل عن ساعة. وأظهرت الدراسة انخفاضا واضحا في مستوى مقاومة الأنسولين لدى جميع الرجال، حيث انخفض بنسبة 38.37%، وبنسبة أعلى لدى الرجال الذين كانوا نشيطين بنسبة 41.47%، بينما انخفضت النسبة لدى النساء بدرجة أقل من الرجال، ولكنها أظهرت أيضاً انخفاضاً بنسبة 16.82%، وبنسبة أعلى لدى النساء اللاتي يمارسن المشي بنسبة 19.35%. في الختام أظهرت نتائج هذه الدراسة انخفاضا كبيرا في مقاومة الأنسولين بين الرجال والنساء، مع تأثير أكثر وضوحا في الأفراد الذين يمارسون النشاط البدني. وهذا ما يحقق احد اهداف التنمية المستدامة للامم المتحدة في العراق (الصحة الجيدة).

Biological sex-related differences in the postprandial triglyceride response to intermittent hypoxaemia in young adults: a randomized crossover trial.

Obstructive sleep apnoea is characterized by chronic intermittent hypoxaemia and is independently associated with an increased risk of metabolic comorbidities (e.g. type II diabetes and ischaemic heart disease). These comorbidities could be attributable to hypoxaemia-induced alterations in blood lipid profiles. However, it remains unclear whether intermittent hypoxaemia alters triglyceridaemia differently between biological sexes. Therefore, we used a randomized crossover design to examine whether 6h of moderate intermittent hypoxaemia (15hypoxaemic cycles/h, 85% oxyhaemoglobin saturation) alters plasma triglyceride levels differently between men and women after a high-fat meal. Relative to men, women displayed lower levels of total triglycerides, in addition to denser triglyceride-rich lipoprotein triglycerides (TRL-TG; mainly very low-density lipoprotein triglycerides and chylomicron remnant triglycerides) and buoyant TRL-TG (mainly chylomicron triglycerides) during normoxia (ambient air) and intermittent hypoxaemia (sex × time: all P ≤ 0.008). Intermittent hypoxaemia led to higher triglyceride levels (condition: all P ≤ 0.016); however, this effect was observed only in men (sex × condition: all P ≤ 0.002). Compared with normoxia, glucose levels were higher in men and lower in women during intermittent hypoxaemia (sex × condition: P<0.001). The different postprandial responses between biological sexes occurred despite similar reductions in mean oxyhaemoglobin saturation and similar elevations in insulin levels, non-esterified fatty acid levels and mean heart rate (sex × condition: all P ≥ 0.185). These results support growing evidence showing that intermittent hypoxaemia impacts men and women differently, and they might help to explain biological sex-related discrepancies in the rate of certain comorbidities associated with intermittent hypoxaemia. KEY POINTS: Intermittent hypoxaemia is a key characteristic of obstructive sleep apnoea and alters lipid metabolism in multiple tissues, resulting in increased circulating triglyceride levels, an important risk factor for cardiometabolic diseases. Circulating triglyceride levels are regulated differently between biological sexes, with women typically displaying much lower fasting and postprandial triglyceride levels than men, partly explaining why women of all ages experience lower mortality rates from cardiometabolic diseases. In this study, healthy young men and women consumed a high-fat meal and were then exposed to 6h of intermittent hypoxaemia or ambient air. We show that postprandial triglyceride levels are significantly lower in women compared with men and that intermittent hypoxaemia leads to higher postprandial triglyceride levels in men only. These results might help us to understand better why women living with obstructive sleep apnoea experience lower rates of cardiometabolic diseases (e.g. type II diabetes and ischaemic heart disease) than men living with obstructive sleep apnoea.

The association of cardiometabolic disorders with sleep duration: a cross-sectional study.

Alterations in sleep duration and quality are linked to the development of cardiovascular risk factors and the metabolic syndrome (MetS). The aim of this study was to determine a sex stratified analysis on the role and associations of sleep duration on cardiometabolic risk factors, and the MetS. Data from 1375 randomly selected participants (15-64 years) was collected for demographic, anthropometric, blood pressure and biochemistry data after overnight fasting, and derangements diagnosed according to published guidelines. Analysis of association between the MetS (harmonised criteria modified for South Asians), sleep duration (self-reported for a 24-hour period), and cardiometabolic risk factors was done using stepwise logistic regression. The BMI, waist circumference (WC), systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), fasting plasma glucose, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein were higher (p< 0.05) in subjects who slept <6 hours, with lower HDL. Under 6 hours of sleep was independently associated with raised FPG in men (OR 1.71 95% CI [1.53,5.52]) only. More than 10 hours of sleep was independently associated with increased triglyceride levels in men (1.72[0.56, 5.23]) and women (2.25[1.93,5.42]). The individual components of the Mets, particularly, increased triglycerides and blood glucose are associated with sleep deprivation or excess.

The Association of Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Nocturnal Hypoxemia with Lipid Profiles in a Population-Based Study of Community-Dwelling Australian Men.

ObjectiveTo determine the association of obstructive sleep apnea and nocturnal hypoxemia with serum lipid profiles in unselected community-dwelling men.MethodsCross-sectional data from participants of the Men Androgen Inflammation Lifestyle Environment and Stress (MAILES) study (n=753) who underwent full in-home polysomnography (Embletta X100) was used. Triglycerides, high- (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and total cholesterol were assessed on a fasting morning blood sample. Multivariable linear regression analyses assessed associations between lipids and continuous measures of nocturnal hypoxemia (oxygen desaturation index (3%) (ODI), apnea–hypopnea index (AHI), and rapid eye movement sleep apnea–hypopnea index (REM-AHI)), adjusted for chronic conditions, risk behavior and sociodemographic factors. Sensitivity analyses examined the effect of lipid lowering therapies on reported estimates. Effect modification was examined through stratification by waist circumference groups.ResultsIn 753 participants with mean (SD) age of 60.8 (10.9) years and waist circumference: 99.3 (11.6) cm, the prevalence of OSA (AHI≥10) was 52.6%. Overall, no significant associations between OSA metrics and lipid measures were found. Similarly, sensitivity analysis excluding lipid lowering therapies showed no significant associations. In analysis stratified by waist circumference (<95cm, 95–100cm, >100cm), ODI (3%, unstandardized B: 0.027, 95% CI: 0.015–0.040), AHI (0.023, 0.012–0.033) and AHIREM (0.012, 0.001–0.022) were positively associated with serum triglycerides in participants with a normal waist circumference (<95cm).ConclusionObstructive sleep apnea metrics were positively associated with serum triglyceride levels in men with a normal waist circumference. Healthy weight individuals with OSA require clinical attention to improve cardiometabolic risk profiles.

Aging, Cardiovascular Risk, and SHBG Levels in Men and Women From the General Population.

AimsPrior studies have reported inconsistent results for the association between sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) and cardiovascular disease among men and women. Although it is suggested that SHBG levels change with aging, the exact trend of SHBG across age and cardiovascular risk and the underlying mechanisms of these changes remain to be elucidated.MethodsUsing data of 3264 men and women from a large population-based cohort study, we first visualized the distribution of serum SHBG levels across age. Second, we computed a cardiovascular risk factor sum score and investigated the mean SHBG levels across categories of the risk factor sum score and stratified per age-category. Next, linear regression models were used to investigate the associations between serum SHBG levels and age and potential regulators of SHBG, including body mass index (BMI), fasting insulin, sex steroids, thyroxine, and triglycerides.ResultsAmong men, a linear increase in SHBG levels with age and among women a U-shaped pattern was observed. Participants with larger number of cardiovascular risk factors had lower SHBG levels. When stratified by age, older participants had higher SHBG levels. A multivariate model including total testosterone and triglyceride levels in men and total testosterone, triglycerides, BMI, and fasting insulin in women explained, respectively, 46.2% and 31.8% of the variance in SHBG levels.ConclusionWe observed a clear sex-specific pattern for SHBG levels with age. Our findings highlight the importance of taking into account the age-related changes in SHBG levels to avoid controversial results in the assessment of the cardiovascular risk associated with SHBG.

Sex differences in the cardiometabolic health of cannabis users with a psychotic illness

Background: Growing evidence shows cannabis use is associated with lower rates of metabolic dysregulation. Despite cannabis impacting each sex differently, few studies have examined the metabolic profile of male and female cannabis users separately. Our aim was to investigate sex differences in the impact of cannabis use on metabolic syndrome in adults with psychotic illness.Method: Data from 1078 men and 735 women interviewed in the second Australian national survey of psychosis were analyzed using multiple logistic regression to model separately, for each sex, the influence of no, occasional and frequent past-year cannabis use on metabolic syndrome, adjusting for potential covariates including antipsychotic medication, smoking, and physical activity.Results: The proportion of women and men with metabolic syndrome was 58.1% and 57.6% respectively. Unadjusted analyses showed frequent cannabis use was associated with significantly lower odds of metabolic syndrome for both sexes. In adjusted analyses, the association between metabolic syndrome and frequent cannabis use remained significant for men (AOR = 0.49, 95% CI = 0.31-0.78), but not for women (AOR = 0.68, 95% CI = 0.37–1.24). Frequent cannabis use was associated with lower odds of abdominal obesity, hypertension and elevated triglyceride levels in men only.Conclusions: The differences we found suggest cannabinoid regulation of energy balance may be sex-dependent and highlight the importance of examining cannabis use in men and women separately. At the same time, the negative association between cannabis and psychosis onset and relapse should not be dismissed.

Association of dopamine receptor D4 (DRD4) gene polymorphism with cardiovascular disease risk factors

Dopamine receptor genes are known to be candidate genes, mutations of which may be involved in the development of cardiovascular diseases. The human D4 receptor gene (DRD4) contains a variable number (two to ten copies) of tandem 48-bp repeats in exon 3. The goal of the study was to analyze the association of DRD4 gene polymorphism with cardiovascular disease risk factors in the Russian population: blood pressure (BP), high-density (HDL) and low-density (LDL) lipoprotein cholesterol levels, and the triglyceride level. We genotyped 257 women and 425 men for variable number tandem repeat polymorphism in DRD4. The subjects were Novosibirsk residents of Slavic ethnicity. They were divided either into 7+ (those having the allele of seven or eight repeats) and 7–(two to six repeats) groups or into 2+5+ (two or five repeats) and 2–5–(three, four, six, seven, or eight repeats) groups. We found associations between the 7+ allele and elevated systolic and diastolic BP in women but not in men. Neither sex showed associations between the long variants of the DRD4 gene and pulse blood pressure. The presence of the 2–or 5–allele of the DRD4 polymorphism was associated with low HDL cholesterol levels in women and low total cholesterol levels in men. The polymorphism exerted no significant effects on LDL, HDL, or triglyceride levels in men.

Associations Between Television Viewing Time and Overall Sitting Time with the Metabolic Syndrome in Older Men and Women: The Australian Diabetes Obesity and Lifestyle Study

To examine associations between self-reported television (TV) viewing time and overall sitting time with the metabolic syndrome and its components. Cross-sectional. Population-based sample of older men and women living in Australia. One thousand nine hundred fifty-eight participants from the Australian Diabetes, Obesity and Lifestyle (AusDiab) study (aged ≥ 60, mean age 69, 54% women). Self-reported television viewing time and overall sitting time were collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. The metabolic syndrome was defined according to the revised International Diabetes Federation criteria. Compared with those in the lowest quartile, the odds ratios (ORs) of the metabolic syndrome in the highest quartile of television viewing time were 1.42 (95% confidence interval (CI)=0.93-2.15) for men and 1.42 (95% CI=1.01-2.01) for women and in the highest quartile of overall sitting time were 1.57 (95% CI=1.02-2.41) for men and 1.56 (95% CI=1.09-2.24) for women. Television viewing time was associated with lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels and glucose intolerance in women. Overall sitting time was detrimentally associated with greater risk of high triglyceride levels in men and women, abdominal obesity in women, and low HDL-C levels in men. All models were adjusted for age, education, physical activity, self-rated health, employment, diet, smoking, and alcohol intake and for hormone replacement therapy and estrogen use in women. For older adults, high levels of sedentary behavior were associated with greater prevalence of the metabolic syndrome; reducing prolonged overall sitting time may be a feasible way to improve metabolic health.

Serum lipid levels are positively associated with non‐erosive reflux disease, but not with functional heartburn

Metabolic syndrome and obesity are known risk factors for gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD), especially for erosive esophagitis. Although non-erosive reflux disease (NERD) is probably associated with obesity or other metabolic syndrome, there is little direct evidence to support this assertion. Workers in Keio University who underwent a general health examination between September 2006 and August 2007 were enrolled. Reflux symptom questionnaires were administered and metabolic parameters were obtained. The severity of gastro-esophageal reflux (GER) was scored using a validated scale of videoesophagography. Two hundred and eighty-three subjects (243 men and 40 women; mean age 49.8 +/- 6.9 years) with no radiographic evidence of erosive esophagitis were enrolled. The severity of GER was worse among men than among women, whereas the severity of reflux symptoms was worse among women. The severity of GER was associated with age and serum triglyceride levels in men, and with the serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in women. The severity of reflux symptoms, however, was not associated with metabolic parameters. There were more women than men with reflux symptoms but without GER ('presumed' functional heartburn group), compared with subjects with neither GER nor reflux symptoms. In men, the presence of both reflux symptoms and GER ('presumed' NERD group) was associated with the serum triglyceride levels. While NERD is associated with serum lipid levels, functional heartburn is not. The prevalence of GER was greater among men; conversely, the prevalence of functional heartburn was greater among women.

Early Age-Related Maculopathy and Risk Factors of Cardiovascular Disease in Middle-Aged Lithuanian Urban Population

To assess the prevalence of age-related maculopathy (ARM) in a middle-aged urban population and the relationship between ARM and the main risk factors of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The survey according to the WHO MONICA study protocol was carried out in Kaunas city, Lithuania, from 2001 to 2002. A total of 1403 persons aged 35 to 64 years were screened (626 men and 777 women: response rate 62.4%). Ophthalmologic investigation was performed for 1337 respondents (594 men and 743 women). Analysis of the relationship between ARM and risk factors of CVD was performed in case-control subdivision matching for sex, age, and education level. Early ARM was diagnosed in 7.4% of men and 5.4% of women. Rate of current smoking in case and control groups did not differ in men but in case group of women it was greater than in control group. Mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure and body mass index (BMI) in male case group and mean fasting blood glucose concentration in female case group were higher than in corresponding control groups. Frequency of diastolic hypertension (diastolic blood pressure > or = 90 mmHg) and obesity (BMI > or = 30 kg/m2) in male case group was higher than in control group. ARM was not associated with cholesterol and triglyceride levels in men and women. Early ARM in middle-aged Lithuanian urban population was associated with current smoking in women but not in men; it was associated with diastolic blood pressure and BMI in men and with fasting glucose level in women.

The Impact of Apolipoprotein A-I Polymorphisms on the Lipid Profiles in Middle Aged Healthy Men and Women

Background and Objectives:Apolipoprotein A-I is the major lipoprotein constituent of high density lipoprotein in plasma. In this study, the role of two polymorphisms in the apo A-I gene was investigated on the serum lipid profiles and apo A-I levels in healthy men and women. Subjects and Methods:Blood samples were ob- tained from 417 subjects (M:F=169:248, mean age 47.2 years). The apo A-I genotypes were determined by SNP-IT assays using the SNPstream 25K TM system. Results:The frequencies of the A allele at the XmnI restriction site and position -75 bp were 0.25/0.23 and 0.19/0.17 in men and women, respectively. A strong positive linkage disequilibrium (D' =0.990) between two polymorphisms was detected. In men, the A allele at the XmnI restriction site was associated with significantly lower levels of triglyceride (p=0.028) compared to the G/G subjects, but no significant associations were detected between the G-75A polymorphism and any of the lipid traits examined. In women, each A allele for the XmnI restriction site and -75 bp polymorphisms were significantly associated with higher levels of apo A-I (p=0.032 and p=0.012). In the multiple regression analysis, the HDL, being a current drinker and the A allele of the XmnI restriction site polymorphism were major determinants of the serum apo A-I levels in women (R 2 =0.272, p<0.05). Conclusion:Our study showed that the A allele at XmnI restriction site in the apo A-I gene was associated with decreased triglyceride levels in men. Each A allele of two polymorphisms was associated with an elevated apo A-I level in women.

APOA5-1131T>C polymorphism is associated with triglyceride levels in Chinese men.

A new apolipoprotein gene, APOA5, was recently discovered near the APOA1/C3/A4 gene cluster. Transgenic mice overexpressing the homologous gene, apoa5, showed reduced plasma triglyceride levels, while knockout mice had greatly increased triglycerides, suggesting that human genetic variants affecting expression of the protein product, APOAV, might affect triglyceride levels. Polymorphisms in the APOA5 gene were indeed found to be associated with triglyceride levels in men, though not in women. We sought to confirm the association of the APOA5-1131T>C polymorphism with triglyceride levels in 167 Chinese men chosen for having either high (>/=1.7 mm, n = 82) or low (</=1.2 mm, n = 85) triglycerides. More subjects with high triglycerides had one or two copies of the minor (C) allele of the polymorphism (67%) than did low triglyceride subjects (48%), and combining all subjects showed that those with one or two C alleles had higher triglyceride levels [1.67 +/- 2.20 (geometric mean +/- SD)] than those without (1.22 +/- 2.08 mm, p = 0.01), confirming the reported effect in a different ethnic group. The C allele is more common in Chinese than in Caucasians (26-40% vs. 8% of alleles), suggesting that the impact of this polymorphism on triglyceride levels in the population and therefore on public health is greater among Chinese.

Reduced α2-adrenergic sensitivity of subcutaneous abdominal adipocytes as a modulator of fasting and postprandial triglyceride levels in men

This study examined the postprandial lipemia of two groups of men displaying similar age, body weight, and regional fat distribution, but characterized by either low (n = 11) or high (n = 15) alpha(2)-adrenergic sensitivity of subcutaneous abdominal adipocytes. In addition to fat cell lipolysis, adipose tissue lipoprotein lipase (AT-LPL) as well as postheparin plasma LPL activities were measured in the fasting state. Fasting AT-LPL and PH-LPL activities were similar in both groups. Maximal adipose cell lipolysis induced by isoproterenol (beta-adrenergic agonist) as well as the beta-adrenergic sensitivity did not differ between both groups of men. The selective alpha(2)-adrenergic agonist UK-14304 promoted a similar antilipolytic response in subcutaneous abdominal adipocytes from both groups. However, the alpha(2)-adrenergic sensitivity, defined as the dose of UK-14304 that produced half-maximal inhibition of lipolysis (IC(50)), was significantly different between groups (P < 0.0001). Men with low versus high subcutaneous abdominal fat cell alpha(2)-adrenergic sensitivity showed higher fasting TG levels. In the whole group, a positive relationship was observed between log-transformed IC(50) UK-14304 values of subcutaneous adipocytes and fasting TG levels (r = 0.39, P < 0.05), suggesting that a low abdominal adipose cell alpha(2)-adrenergic sensitivity is associated with high TG levels. After the consumption of a high-fat meal, subjects with low subcutaneous abdominal adipose cell alpha(2)-adrenergic sensitivity showed higher TG levels in total, medium, and small triglyceride-rich lipoprotein (TRL) fractions at 0- to 6-h time points than men with high adipocyte alpha(2)-adrenergic sensitivity (P values ranging from 0.01 to 0.05). Stepwise regression analysis showed that the fasting TG concentration was the only variable retained as a significant predictor of the area under the curve of TG levels in total TRL fractions (73% of variance) among independent variables such as body weight, percent body fat, visceral and subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue accumulation measured by CT, as well as subcutaneous abdominal fat cell alpha(2)-adrenoceptor sensitivity. Taken together, these results indicate that a reduced antilipolytic sensitivity of subcutaneous abdominal adipocytes to catecholamines may increase fasting TG levels, which in turn play a role in the etiology of an impaired postprandial TRL clearance in men.

Elevated Serum Triglyceride Levels and Long-Term Mortality in Patients With Coronary Heart Disease

The association between elevated blood triglyceride levels and subsequent mortality risk in patients with established coronary heart disease (CHD) has been investigated rarely. The aim of the present study was to investigate this association. We evaluated mortality over a mean follow-up time of 5. 1 years among 9033 male and 2499 female CHD patients who were screened for participation in the Bezafibrate Infarction Prevention (BIP) Study. A stepwise increase in mortality with increasing serum triglyceride levels was observed in patients with desirable or elevated serum total cholesterol levels and in patients with either desirable or abnormally low HDL cholesterol levels. Multivariate adjustment for factors other than HDL cholesterol yielded a slightly increased adjusted mortality risk with a 1-natural-log-unit elevation of triglyceride levels in men (hazard ratio [HR] 1.14, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.30) and women (HR 1.37, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.88). Excess covariate-adjusted risk was noted among patients with elevated total and LDL cholesterol and in women with HDL cholesterol levels >45 mg/dL. After additional adjustment for HDL cholesterol, the risk of mortality with a 1-natural-log-unit elevation of triglycerides declined in men (HR 1.09, 95% CI 0.94 to 1.26) and in women (HR 1.10, 95% CI 0.80 to 1.50). A trend for increased mortality risk remained in patients with elevated total and LDL cholesterol and in women with HDL cholesterol >45 mg/dL. Elevated triglyceride levels were associated with a small, independent increased mortality risk in CHD patients. This risk may be increased among subgroups of patients with elevated total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels.

Metabolic risk factors worsen continuously across the spectrum of nondiabetic glucose tolerance. The Framingham Offspring Study.

Categorical definitions for glucose intolerance imply that risk thresholds exist, but metabolic risk for type 2 diabetes mellitus or cardiovascular disease may increase continuously as glucose intolerance increases. To examine the distributions of the following metabolic risk factors across the spectrum of glucose tolerance: overall and central obesity, hypertension, low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and increased triglyceride and insulin levels. Cross-sectional analysis. The community-based Framingham Offspring Study. 2583 adults without previously diagnosed diabetes. Clinical data; fasting glucose, insulin, and lipid levels; and glucose and insulin levels taken 2 hours after oral challenge were collected from 1991 to 1993. Glucose tolerance was determined by 1980 World Health Organization criteria. Patients with normal glucose tolerance were categorized into quintiles of fasting glucose. The distributions of each metabolic risk factor and the metabolic sum of the six risk factors were assessed across seven categories from the lowest quintile of normal fasting glucose level through impaired glucose tolerance and previously undiagnosed diabetes. The mean age of patients was 54 years (range, 26 to 82 years); 52.7% of patients were women. Glucose tolerance testing found that 12.7% of patients had impaired glucose tolerance and 4.8% had previously undiagnosed diabetes. Multivariable-adjusted mean measures of risk factors and odds ratios for obesity, elevated waist-to-hip ratio, hypertension, low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, elevated triglyceride levels, and hyperinsulinemia showed continuous increases across the spectrum of nondiabetic glucose tolerance. Although a threshold effect near the upper range of nondiabetic glucose tolerance could not be ruled out for triglyceride levels in men and for insulin levels 2 hours after oral challenge in men and women, no other metabolic risk factors showed clear evidence of thresholds for increased risk. Metabolic risk factors for type 2 diabetes mellitus and for cardiovascular disease worsen continuously across the spectrum of glucose tolerance categories, beginning in the lowest quintiles of normal fasting glucose level.

Parenthood and lipid and lipoprotein levels in older men

PURPOSE: Parenthood for men and women has been associated with longevity, good physical health, and a deterrent effect on negative health behaviors which may affect subsequent mortality. However, decreased high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels have been reported in women with greater numbers of pregnancies. Similar studies have not been reported in men. The present study examines the association of number of biological and nonbiological children with lipid and lipoprotein levels in men. METHODS: Subjects included 1039 community-dwelling men aged 50–89 years. A standardized interview was used to obtain information on numbers of biological, adopted and stepchildren. Fasting total HDL, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides were measured. RESULTS: Men with five or more biological children were more obese than men without biological children. Alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking, and exercise did not vary in relation to the number of biological children. Only triglyceride levels were higher in men with four, five, or more children, and lower in men with one child as compared to men with no children, but this difference was no longer statistically significant after adjustment for obesity. CONCLUSIONS: These results show no favorable effect of parenthood for men with regard to lifestyle, lipid, or lipoprotein levels. Increased triglyceride levels in men with more children appeared to be mediated by greater obesity in men with five or more biological children. These data also suggest that relations between parity and HDL-C levels found for women, could be associated with either the long term biologic consequences of pregnancy or the stress of childrearing.

The association of modernization with dyslipidaemia and changes in lipid levels in the Polynesian population of Western Samoa.

Obesity and non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) have increased in prevalence in Polynesian Western Samoans over the 13-year period 1978-1991, as the population undergoes an 'epidemiological transition'. We therefore investigated changes in the frequency of dyslipidaemia over the same period in adults aged 25-74 years, and examined factors associated with dyslipidaemia in cross-sectional and longitudinal data. Subjects were drawn from three geographically defined locations representing different degrees of modernization. The age-standardized prevalence of dyslipidaemia increased in each location between 1978 (n = 1197) and 1991 (n = 1748) with the prevalence of hypercholesterolaemia (> or = 5.5 mmol/l) increasing from 18% to 36% (P < 0.001), and that of hypertriglyceridaemia (> or = 2.0 mmol/l) increasing from 9% to 15% (P < 0.001) in the capital city, Apia. In 1991 the highest serum concentrations of total, high density lipoprotein (HDL) and calculated low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol were found in Poutasi (intermediate level of modernization), and the highest triglyceride levels in urbanized Apia. Higher levels of body mass index (BMI), waist-hip ratio (WHR), glucose intolerance, fasting insulin concentration, physical inactivity, educational level, and occupational status were all associated with adverse lipid levels in univariate data. Obesity (BMI in women, WHR in men) and survey location were the most important correlates of abnormal lipid levels in logistic regression models. Fasting insulin was also independently associated with high triglyceride levels in men, while in women the increasing levels of fasting insulin were associated with adverse levels of total, LDL and HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides. In longitudinal data (n = 311), lower baseline levels of cholesterol and triglycerides were associated with greater increases in either parameter at follow-up. Elevated fasting insulin and female gender also predicted increasing cholesterol concentrations, and urban residence predicted an increase in triglyceride levels. Current levels of dyslipidaemia in Western Samoa are similar to those observed in developed Western populations, and are increasing rapidly. These findings, considered along with the high prevalence of other cardiovascular disease risk factors in Samoans, including smoking, obesity and NIDDM, suggest that cardiovascular disease will be a major health concern in the future.

The relationship in African-Americans of sex differences in insulin-mediated suppression of nonesterified fatty acids to sex differences in fasting triglyceride levels

Insulin is a potent antilipolytic hormone that promotes the deposition of fat and decreases the release of nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) from adipose tissue. The purpose of this study was to investigate in African-Americans (AAs) sex differences in insulin-mediated suppression of plasma NEFA and fasting triglyceride (TG) levels. Ninety AAs, 44 men and 46 women with a mean age of 34 ± 8 years were classified by body mass index (BMI) into three groups: non-obese (22 men and 18 women), obese (12 men and 10 women), and severely obese (10 men and 18 women). In each BMI group, women versus men had greater percent body fat (non-obese, 30 ± 6 v 18 ± 6, P < .001; obese, 36 ± 3 v 26 ± 2, P < .001; and severely obese, 39 ± 4 v 29 ± 4, P < .001). An oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed with fasting TG levels and plasma insulin and NEFA concentrations obtained at 0, 30, 60, and 120 minutes. In women, insulin-mediated NEFA suppression was similar in each of the three BMI groups (non-obese, 85% ± 14%; obese, 88% ± 11%; and severely obese, 87% ± 10%; P = .8). In men, the percent suppression of NEFA declined with increasing obesity (non-obese, 83% ± 14%; obese, 71% ± 21%; and severely obese, 68% ± 16%; P = .04). Changes in NEFA suppression were reflected in the fasting TG levels. TG levels in women were similar in each BMI group (non-obese, 71 ± 39 mg/dL; obese; 69 ± 21; severely obese, 79 ± 30; P = .7). In contrast, fasting TG levels for men were higher in the higher BMI groups. Plasma TG levels in men were 87 ± 41 mg/dL for obese, 113 ± 65 for obese, and 169 ± 81 for severely obese ( P = .001). These data demonstrate sex differences in insulin-mediated NEFA metabolism. In AA women, the maintenance of sensitivity to insulin-mediated suppression of NEFA regardless of the degree of obesity may contribute to the normal plasma TG levels. For AA men, the resistance to insulin-mediated suppression of NEFA in the higher BMI categories may allow more NEFA to be released from adipose tissue into the circulation and available to the liver for synthesis into TG-containing lipoproteins.

Measures of fat distribution as determinants of serum lipids in healthy volunteers consuming a uniform standardized diet.

The relation was investigated between body fat topology and serum lipoproteins in healthy, nonobese men and women. Twenty-four men and 24 women consumed a standardized affluent diet for 17 days. Serum was obtained after 14 and 17 days. Regression coefficients of lipids and lipoproteins with age, body mass index, measures of fat distribution, and estimates of fat areas at a cross-section of the body at the level of the umbilicus, were calculated. Waist-to-thigh circumference ratio proved to be the strongest correlate of serum lipids compared with other measures of fat distribution. Upon multiple regression analysis, the waist-to-thigh ratio proved to be a stronger predictor of total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and triglyceride levels in men than either age or body mass index. In women this was only true for HDL3-cholesterol. In addition, no significant relations were observed any more of age and body mass index with these serum lipids, with the exception of age for IDL-cholesterol in men. Estimates of intra-abdominal fat area showed in general a stronger correlation with serum lipids than estimates of subcutaneous fat area. It is concluded that, in non-obese subjects, fat distribution is a stronger determinant of serum lipids than either body mass index or age.

Adiposity, lipids, alcohol consumption, smoking, and gender

Indices of obesity, plasma lipids, and lipoprotein levels, plasma cholesteryl ester fatty acid composition, reported alcohol consumption and smoking habits were measured in 88 men and 87 women, ages over 15 years, randomly selected from the total respondents (1192) to a health survey. Most indices of obesity were related to plasma triglycerides and high-density lipoprotein levels in both sexes; to very low-density lipoprotein levels in men only; and to plasma cholesteryl ester fatty acid linoleic acid proportions in women only. The correlations with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were dependent on very low-density lipoprotein triglyceride levels in men but not in women. Indices of obesity were significantly higher in nonsmoking women and reported alcohol consumption correlated with Quetelet's index (body mass index) in men. Smoking habits, but not alcohol consumption, influenced correlations between indices of obesity and plasma triglycerides and very low-density lipoprotein triglyceride levels in men. The present results showed several sex-related differences in relationships with indices of obesity. Lower very low-density lipoprotein levels, higher skinfold measurements, higher cholesteryl ester fatty acid linoleic acid proportions and lower alcohol intake in women than in men may be responsible. The data suggested that in women, altered diet composition may be linked with obesity.