Triglyceride To HDL-cholesterol Research Articles

Triglyceride/high-density cholesterol ratio as a predictor of cardiometabolic risk in young population.

Cardiovascular disease remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Understanding and detecting risk factors are crucial for early diagnosis and prevention strategies. Obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and insulin resistance, among others, have been described as modifiable risk factors. Among these, the triglycerides-to-HDL cholesterol (TG/HDL) ratio has been described as a marker of insulin resistance and a predictor of cardiovascular disease. Our objective was to investigate the association between the TG/HDL ratio and various cardiometabolic risk factors. A total of 239 young adults aged 18-24 years were recruited. We assessed anthropometric measurements, lipid profiles, glucose levels, insulin, the HOMA index, and the TG/HDL ratio. Participants were stratified based on their BMI and TG/HDL ratio. Our findings revealed that individuals with an elevated TG/HDL ratio had higher blood pressure, BMI, waist circumference, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels compared to those with a normal ratio. Specifically, the TG/HDL ratio was associated with an odds ratio (OR) of 9.3 for overweight, 27.5 for obesity, and 4.41 for abdominal obesity. Additionally, the HOMA index, which measures insulin resistance, was higher in those with an elevated TG/HDL ratio, with a prevalence of 45.6%. In conclusion, the TG/HDL ratio is a predictive marker of insulin resistance in young individuals and is associated with modifiable risk factors for cardiometabolic disease.

Association between triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio and type 2 diabetes risk in Japanese

Abnormal lipid metabolism is known to increases the risk for metabolic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM). The relationship between baseline ratio of triglyceride to HDL cholesterol (TG/HDL-C) and T2DM in Japanese adults was investigated in this study. Our secondary analysis included 8419 male and 7034 female Japanese subjects who were free of diabetes at baseline. The correlation between baseline TG/HDL-C and T2DM was analyzed by a proportional risk regression model, the nonlinear correlation between baseline TG/HDL-C and T2DM was analyzed by a generalized additive model (GAM), and the threshold effect analysis was performed by a segmented regression model. We conducted subgroup analyses in different populations. During the median 5.39 years follow-up, 373 participants, 286 males and 87 females, developed diabetes mellitus. After full adjustment for confounders, the baseline TG/HDL-C ratio positively correlated with the risk of diabetes (hazard ratio 1.19, 95% confidence interval 1.09–1.3), and smoothed curve fitting and two-stage linear regression analysis revealed a J-shaped relationship between baseline TG/HDL-C and T2DM. The inflection point for baseline TG/HDL-C was 0.35. baseline TG/HDL-C > 0.35 was positively associated with the development of T2DM (hazard ratio 1.2, 95% confidence interval 1.10–1.31). Subgroup analysis showed no significant differences in the effect between TG/HDL-C and T2DM in different populations. A J-shaped relationship was observed between baseline TG/HDL-C and T2DM risk in the Japanese population. When TG/HDL-C was higher than 0.35, there was a positive relationship between baseline TG/HDL-C and the incidence of diabetes mellitus.

Uric acid and gamma-glutamyl-transferase in children and adolescents with obesity: Association to anthropometric measures and cardiometabolic risk markers depending on pubertal stage, sex, degree of weight loss and type of patient care: Evaluation of the adiposity patient follow-up registry.

Associations between body mass index (BMI)- standard deviation score (SDS)/waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) were studied with (i) serum uric acid (sUA)/gamma-glutamyl-transferase (GGT) and (ii) cardiometabolic risk markers in children with obesity, considering sex, pubertal development, and degree of weight loss/type of patient care. 102 936 children from the Adiposity-Follow-up registry (APV; 47% boys) were included. Associations were analysed between sUA/GGT and anthropometrics, transaminases, lipids, fasting insulin (FI), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), triglycerides to HDL-cholesterol (TG/HDL)-ratio. Follow-up analyses (3-24 months after baseline) considered a BMI-SDS reduction ≥0.2 (n= 11 096) or ≥0.5 (n= 3728). Partialized correlation analyses for sex and BMI-SDS were performed, taking pubertal development into consideration. At baseline, BMI-SDS showed the strongest correlations to sUA (r= 0.35; n= 26 529), HOMA-IR/FI (r= 0.30; n= 5513 /n= 5880), TG/HDL-ratio (r= 0.23; n= 24 501), and WHtR to sUA (r= 0.32; n= 10 805), GGT (r= 0.34; n= 11 862) and Alanine-aminotransferase (ALAT) (r= 0.33; n= 11 821), with stronger correlations in boys (WHtR and GGT: r= 0.36, n= 5793) and prepubertal children (r= 0.36; n= 2216). GGT and sUA (after partializing effects of age, sex, BMI-SDS) showed a correlation to TG/HDL-ratio (r= 0.27; n= 24 501). Following a BMI-SDS reduction ≥0.2 or ≥0.5, GGT was most strongly related to Aspartate-aminotransferase (ASAT)/ ALAT, most evident in prepuberty and with increasing weight loss, and also to TG/HDL-ratio (r= 0.22; n= 1528). Prepubertal children showed strongest correlations between BMI-SDS/WHtR and GGT. ΔBMI-SDS was strongly correlated to ΔsUA (r= 0.30; n= 4160) and ΔGGT (r= 0.28; n= 3562), and ΔWHtR to ΔGGT (r= 0.28; n= 3562) (all p < 0.0001). Abdominal obesity may trigger hyperuricemia and hepatic involvement already in prepuberty. This may be stronger in infancy than anticipated to date. Even moderate weight loss has favourable effects on cardiometabolic risk profile and glucose homeostasis.

The influence of somatic maturity on the relationship between the triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein ratio and vascular health in children and adolescents with dyslipidemia.

Both the triglyceride to HDL cholesterol (TG/HDL) ratio and timing of pubertal maturation have been identified as independent contributors to the development of atherosclerosis. The purpose of our study was to determine the relationship between the TG/HDL ratio and measures of vascular health in children and adolescents with dyslipidemia stratified by somatic maturity. We hypothesized that somatic maturity would have a significant interaction with TG/HDL ratio and vascular health. This was a longitudinal analysis of 120 children and adolescents (age 8-14 years) with dyslipidemia recruited from a pediatric preventive cardiology clinic. At baseline and each follow-up visit, a non-fasting serum lipid panel was collected and vascular health (carotid artery intima--media thickness, pulse wave velocity, augmentation index) was assessed. Peak height velocity (PHV) was calculated at each visit, and participants were stratified into groups by maturity offset (pre-PHV, mid-PHV, post-PHV). A mixed model design permitted baseline and follow-up visits to be classified as discrete data points. Of the n=235 data points (pre-PHV=23%, mid-PHV=19%, and post-PHV=58%), we identified no significant interaction between TG/HDL ratio, maturity offset, and measures of vascular structure or function. There was also no significant relationship found between TG/HDL and maturity group. Within the mid-pubertal group, there was weak relationship found between TG/HDL and augmentation index. Despite the well-described relationship between early pubertal maturation and development of cardiovascular risk factors in adulthood, we found that vascular damage resulting from an elevated TG/HDL ratio is not independently associated with somatic maturity.

Evaluation of lipid ratios and triglyceride-glucose index as risk markers of insulin resistance in Iranian polycystic ovary syndrome women

BackgroundInsulin resistance has a vital role in the pathophysiology of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Previous investigations have shown that some lipid ratios could be a simple clinical indicator of insulin resistance (IR) in some disorders and ethnicities. The present study was conducted to evaluate the correlation between triglyceride to HDL-cholesterol (TG/HDL-C), total cholesterol to HDL-cholesterol (TC/HDL-C), as well as fasting triglyceride-glucose (TyG) indices with IR (as measured by homeostasis model assessment of IR (HOMA-IR), quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) and fasting glucose to insulin ratio (FGIR)) among the Iranian women diagnosed with PCOS.MethodsIn the current study, a total of 305 women with PCOS were evaluated. TG/HDL-C, TC/HDL-C, and TyG indices were calculated. Fasting insulin level was measured using ELISA technique. IR was defined as a HOMA-IR value of ≥2.63, FG-IR value of < 8.25, and QUICKI value of < 0.33.ResultsThe insulin-resistant (IR) and insulin-sensitive (IS) groups, established by the HOMA-IR, FG-IR, and QUICKI values were different in terms of TG/HDL-C, TC/HDL-C, and TyG indices. These indices were associated with IR even after adjusting for age and BMI. ROC curve analyses showed that TyG, TG/HDL-C, and TC/HDL-C strongly predicted HOMA-IR with area under the curve (AUC) of 0.639, 0.619, and 0.623, respectively (P < 0.05). Further, TC/HDL-C was a good predictor of FG-IR with AUC of 0.614 (P = 0.04).ConclusionTyG, TG/HDL-C, and TC/HDL-C indices might be good indicators of IR among Iranian women diagnosed with PCOS.

Relationship between the short stature and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance markers in workers of a private educational institution in Peru

Background and aimsShort stature has been linked with the development of metabolic syndrome (MetS). However, only one study has been conducted in Latin American adults. We aimed to assess the association between short stature and MetS in workers of a private educational institution in Peru. In addition, we evaluated the association between height and surrogate markers of insulin resistance (IR). MethodsWe performed an analytical cross-sectional study. We categorized the height in tertiles and evaluated MetS according to the Latin American Diabetes Association statement. We used the triglycerides and glucose (TyG) index and the triglycerides to HDL-cholesterol (TG/HDL-c) ratio as IR markers. We elaborated crude and adjusted Poisson generalized linear models to evaluate the association between height tertiles and MetS. For the IR markers, we carried out crude and adjusted linear regressions. ResultsWe analyzed 1080 participants and the overall prevalence of MetS was 16.2%. In the adjusted Poisson generalized linear model, using the high tertile as a reference, we found statistically significant differences in the prevalence of MetS with the low and intermediate tertile (aPR = 2.03; 95%CI: 1.48–2.77 and aPR = 1.41; 95%CI: 1.01–1.99; respectively). In the gender-stratified analysis, we found statistical significance between height and MetS when comparing high and low tertile for both genders. For IR markers, we found an inverse association between the height and TyG index (aβ = −0.14; 95%CI: 0.19 to −0.10) and TG/HDL-c ratio (aβ = −0.62; 95%CI: 0.84 to −0.39). When we stratified by gender, the association for both secondary outcomes and height remained statistically significant in both groups. ConclusionsWe found an association between short stature and the prevalence of MetS and IR markers. We need studies with national representative samples to define the threshold of short stature with better sensitivity and specificity for the screening of MetS.

Proneness to high blood lipid-related indices in female smokers

BackgroundSmoking is a major risk factor for dyslipidemia. However, it remains to be clarified whether light smoking in Asian women affects lipid profiles and lipid-related indices. The aim of this study was to determine the relationships between lipid-related indices and smoking in Japanese women. Alcohol drinking influences blood lipid levels and is a potent confounder for the relationship between smoking and blood lipids. Thus, analysis for the relationships between smoking and blood lipid-related indices was also performed after stratification of drinking status.MethodsThe participants were 18,793 Japanese women aged 35–70 years. A cross-sectional study was performed using a local population-based database. The relationships of smoking with each index were investigated by using analysis of covariance and logistic regression analysis with adjustment for age and other lifestyle factors such as alcohol drinking and regular exercise.ResultsIn multivariate logistic regression analysis, odds ratios of smokers vs. nonsmokers for high ratio of LDL cholesterol to HDL cholesterol (LDL-C/HDL-C), high ratio of triglycerides to HDL cholesterol (TG/HDL-C), high lipid accumulation product (LAP) and high cardio metabolic index (CMI) were significantly higher than the reference level of 1.00 in overall participants (2.17 [1.78–2.66], 1.70 [1.47–1.97], 1.17 [1.08–1.27] and 1.41 [1.30–1.53], respectively), nondrinking participants (2.29 [1.80–2.91], 1.68 [1.39–2.02], 1.21 [1.08–1.36] and 1.46 [1.30–1.63], respectively), and drinking participants (1.96 [1.35–2.85], 1.76 [1.39–2.21], 1.13 [1.01–1.27] and 1.38 [1.22–1.55], respectively). In overall participants, nondrinking participants, and drinking participants, LDL-C/HDL-C, TG/HDL-C, LAP and CMI were significantly higher in smokers than in nonsmokers. In nondrinking participants, triglycerides and LDL cholesterol were significantly higher in smokers than in nonsmokers, while the ratio of waist circumference to height and HDL cholesterol were significantly lower in smokers than in nonsmokers.ConclusionIn women, all of the four lipid-related indices tested were higher in smokers than in nonsmokers, and these associations were independent of alcohol drinking. The high levels of the lipid-related indices in smokers result from the detrimental effects of smoking on levels of blood lipids such as triglycerides, HDL cholesterol and LDL cholesterol.

Association between waist circumference and waist-to-height ratio with insulin resistance biomarkers in normal-weight adults working in a private educational institution

AimTo assess the association between elevated waist circumference (WC) and high waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) with insulin resistance biomarkers. MethodsWe conducted an analytical cross-sectional study in normal-weight adults. Participants were divided in two groups according to WC or WHtR levels. We considered values of WC ≥ 90 in male participants and WC ≥ 80 in adult women as elevated, and values of WHtR≥0.50 as high, for both genders. Our outcomes were high triglycerides to HDL-cholesterol (TG/HDL-C) ratio and elevated triglycerides and glucose index (TGI). We considered values of TG/HDL-C ratio ≥ 3 as high and TGI values ≥ 8.37 as elevated. We elaborated crude and adjusted Poisson generalized linear models to evaluate the proposed associations and explored the gender interaction using stratified models. We reported the prevalence ratio (PR) with their respective 95% confidence intervals (95%CI). ResultsWe analyzed 355 participants. The prevalence of elevated WC and high WHtR was 17.2% (n = 61) and 33.2% (n = 118), respectively, while the prevalence of high TG/HDL-C ratio and elevated TGI was 24.8% (n = 88) and 12.7% (n = 45), respectively. In the adjusted regression model, elevated WC was associated with high TG/HDL-C ratio only in female participants (aPR = 3.61; 95%CI: 1.59–8.20). Similarly, high WHtR was associated with high TG/HDL-C ratio in women (aPR = 2.54; 95%CI:1.08–5.97). We found an association with statistically marginal significance between elevated WC and elevated TGI in women (aPR = 1.54; 95%CI: 0.95–2.50); as well as for the association between high WHtR and elevated TGI in male participants (aPR = 1.87; 95%CI: 1.00–3.50). ConclusionElevated WC and high WHtR were associated with a high TG/HDL-C ratio in women. It is necessary to perform prospective follow-up studies in the Peruvian population in order to corroborate our results.

The Triglyceride/HDL Ratio and Triglyceride Glucose Index as Predictors of Glycemic Control in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus Type 2.

Introduction:Poor glycemic control, assessed by higher glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels, is associated with greater risk of diabetic complications.Aim:The aim of this study was to assess the association of triglyceride - to - HDL cholesterol (TG/HDL-C) ratio and triglyceride glucose (TyG) index with HbA1c and to evaluate their potential role as predictors of glycemic control in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2).Patients and methods:This cross-sectional study was conducted in Health Center Banovici and included a total of 113 patients with DM2 classified according to their HbA1c values in two groups: DM2 HbA1c <7% - DM2 patients with good glycemic control (n=39) and DM2 HbA1c ≥7% - DM2 patients with poor glycemic control (n=74). Anthropometric, biochemical parameters and blood pressure values were measured, while TG/HDL-C ratio and TyG index were calculated.Results:TG/HDL-C ratio and TyG index were significantly higher in DM2 HbA1c≥7% compared to DM2 HbA1c<7% group (p=0.003 and p<0.001; respectively). Both TG/HDL-C ratio and TyG index were positively associated with HbA1c levels (Rho=0.29; p=0.002; Rho=0.37; p<0.001; respectively). In linear regression analysis TG/HDL-C ratio and BMI, and also TyG index and BMI were significantly independently associated with HbA1c even after controlling for age, gender, diabetes duration and smoking. When we stratified patients according to BMI values, independent association between TG/HDL-C ratio and HbA1c remained significant only in normal weight subjects (OR 0.21; 95%CI: 0.05-0.37; β=0.65; p=0.017), while independent association between TyG index and HbA1c remained significant only in overweight and obese subjects (OR 0.063; 95%CI: 0.01- 0.12; β=0.24; p =0.027).Conclusion:TG/HDL-C ratio might be a useful predictor of glycemic control in normal weight, and TyG index in overweight and obese patients with DM2.

Modification and Validation of the Triglyceride-to-HDL Cholesterol Ratio as a Surrogate of Insulin Sensitivity in White Juveniles and Adults without Diabetes Mellitus: The Single Point Insulin Sensitivity Estimator (SPISE).

The triglyceride-to-HDL cholesterol (TG/HDL-C) ratio was introduced as a tool to estimate insulin resistance, because circulating lipid measurements are available in routine settings. Insulin, C-peptide, and free fatty acids are components of other insulin-sensitivity indices but their measurement is expensive. Easier and more affordable tools are of interest for both pediatric and adult patients. Study participants from the Relationship Between Insulin Sensitivity and Cardiovascular Disease [43.9 (8.3) years, n = 1260] as well as the Beta-Cell Function in Juvenile Diabetes and Obesity study cohorts [15 (1.9) years, n = 29] underwent oral-glucose-tolerance tests and euglycemic clamp tests for estimation of whole-body insulin sensitivity and calculation of insulin sensitivity indices. To refine the TG/HDL ratio, mathematical modeling was applied including body mass index (BMI), fasting TG, and HDL cholesterol and compared to the clamp-derived M-value as an estimate of insulin sensitivity. Each modeling result was scored by identifying insulin resistance and correlation coefficient. The Single Point Insulin Sensitivity Estimator (SPISE) was compared to traditional insulin sensitivity indices using area under the ROC curve (aROC) analysis and χ(2) test. The novel formula for SPISE was computed as follows: SPISE = 600 × HDL-C(0.185)/(TG(0.2) × BMI(1.338)), with fasting HDL-C (mg/dL), fasting TG concentrations (mg/dL), and BMI (kg/m(2)). A cutoff value of 6.61 corresponds to an M-value smaller than 4.7 mg · kg(-1) · min(-1) (aROC, M:0.797). SPISE showed a significantly better aROC than the TG/HDL-C ratio. SPISE aROC was comparable to the Matsuda ISI (insulin sensitivity index) and equal to the QUICKI (quantitative insulin sensitivity check index) and HOMA-IR (homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance) when calculated with M-values. The SPISE seems well suited to surrogate whole-body insulin sensitivity from inexpensive fasting single-point blood draw and BMI in white adolescents and adults.

Triglyceride/HDL ratio and its impact on the risk of diabetes mellitus development during ART.

Our primary aim was to study diabetes mellitus (DM) arising during combination ART (cART) and to attempt to identify associations between these cases and triglycerides (TRG) and the TRG to HDL-cholesterol (TRG/HDL) ratio. Our secondary aim was to analyse the association between DM development and hepatic fibrosis. This was a retrospective cohort study. Patients from the Icona Foundation study initiating first-line cART between 1997 and 2013 were selected and observed until new-onset DM or most recent clinical follow-up. The predictive value of TRG and TRG/HDL ratio levels on DM was evaluated using multivariable Poisson regression models. Three-thousand, five-hundred and forty-six patients (males, 73.7%; median age, 38 years; median BMI, 23.1 kg/m(2); and hepatitis C virus antibody positive, 22.1%) were included. Of these, 80 developed DM over 13 911 person-years of follow-up (PYFU), corresponding to 5.7 cases per 1000 PYFU (95% CI = 4.6-7.1). At multivariable analysis, latest TRG/HDL ratio, when high, was associated with significant increases in DM risk [relative risk (RR) = 1.63; 95% CI = 1.32-2.01 per 10 points higher], while current TRG, in contrast, was associated with new-onset DM only at crude analysis. Advanced liver fibrosis (defined as fibrosis-4 index >3.25) was also shown to be an independent risk factor for DM (RR = 2.91; 95% CI = 1.10-7.72). High TRG/HDL ratio predicted risk of new-onset DM, independently of other traditional risk factors. Furthermore, our findings suggest that advanced hepatic fibrosis, estimated using the fibrosis-4 score, could provide an additional predictor for DM.

Relationship between aerobic capacity and cardiovascular disease risk factors in Thai men and women with normolipidemia and dyslipidemia.

[Purpose] This research aimed to investigate the relationship between aerobic capacity (VO2,peak) and cardiovascular risk factors in normolipidemic and dyslipidemic Thai men and women. [Subjects and Methods] We recruited 104 dyslipidemic and 100 healthy participants. Fasting blood samples were analyzed for lipid and blood glucose levels. Anthropometry, blood pressure, and body composition were measured before exercise. Each subject underwent exercise testing to determine VO2, peak. Heart rate (HR) was recorded throughout the exercise test. [Results] Dyslipidemic participants had a lower VO2, peak than normolipidemic participants (p<0.01). In normolipidemic male participants, VO2, peak was positively correlated with high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels and negatively correlated with low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels and triglycerides to HDL-cholesterol (TG/HDL-C) ratios; in females, VO2, peak was negatively correlated with age, total cholesterol, and LDL-C. In dyslipidemic males, VO2, peak was positively correlated with HDL-C levels and negatively correlated with age, LDL-C and TG levels, and percent body fat; in females, VO2, peak was positively correlated with resting HR and heart rate recovery and negatively correlated with age, TG/HDL-C, and waist circumference. [Conclusion] There was a relationship between aerobic capacity and cardiovascular disease risk factors in both normolipidemic and dyslipidemic participants. This relationship was affected by gender.

Association of Chronic Kidney Disease and Diabetes with Triglyceridesto-HDL Cholesterol Ratio for a Japanese Population: The Nagasaki Islands Study

Objective and background Although a previous study of ours found that diabetes combined with high serum Triglycerides to High-Density Lipoprotein cholesterol (TG-HDL) ratios constitutes a risk factor for atherosclerosis, the association, in terms of TGHDL ratio, between diabetes and Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), which is also known to be an independent risk factor for atherosclerosis, has not been clarified yet. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study of 3,069 Japanese (1,153 men and 1,916 women) aged 60-89 years who underwent a general health check. We investigated the associations between CKD and diabetes for all subjects, who were divided into tertiles according to TG-HDL level. Diabetes was defined as HbA1c ≥ 6.5% (reference: the National Glycohemoglobin Standardization Program), and/or initiation of glucose-lowering medication or insulin therapy. CKD was defined as GFR<60mL/min/1.73 m2. Results Of the 246 diabetes participants identified in this study, 102 had high and 74 low TG-HDL diabetes. Even though total diabetes showed no significant association with CKD, high TG-HDL diabetes showed a significant positive association and low TG-HDL diabetes a significant inverse association. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) of classical cardiovascular risk factors for CKD were 0.92 (0.70-1.23) for total diabetes, 1.52 (1.01-2.29) for high TG-HDL diabetes, and 0.55 (0.31- 0.97) for low TG-HDL diabetes. Conclusion High but not low TG-HDL diabetes constitutes a significant risk for CKD, suggesting that diabetes categorized by TG-HDL ratio is clinically relevant for estimating the risk of CKD.

The Triglyceride-to-HDL Cholesterol Ratio

OBJECTIVEWe evaluated whether the triglyceride-to-HDL cholesterol (TG/HDL-C) ratio is associated with insulin resistance (IR) in a large multiethnic cohort of obese youths.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODSObese youths (1,452) had an oral glucose tolerance test and a fasting lipid profile. Insulin sensitivity was estimated using the whole body insulin sensitivity index (WBISI) and homeostasis model assessment (HOMA)-IR and evaluated, in a subgroup of 146 obese youths, by the hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp. The cohort was divided by ethnicity (612 whites, 357 Hispanics, and 483 African Americans) and then stratified into ethnicity-specific tertiles of TG/HDL-C ratio. Differences across tertiles were evaluated, and the association between the TG/HDL-C ratio and insulin sensitivity (WBISI) was defined by a multiple stepwise linear regression analysis. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) was determined to calculate the TG/HDL-C ratio cutoff to identify insulin-resistant subjects by ethnicity.RESULTSIn each ethnic group and across rising tertiles of TG/HDL-C ratio, insulin sensitivity (WBISI) progressively decreased, whereas 2-h glucose and the AUC-glucose progressively increased. The cutoff for TG/HDL-C ratio was 2.27, and the odds of presenting with IR, in youths with TG/HDL-C ratio higher than the cutoff, was 6.023 (95% CI 2.798–12.964; P < 0.001) in white girls and boys, whereas for both Hispanics and African Americans the AUC-ROCs were not significant, thus not allowing the calculation of an optimal cutoff TG/HDL-C value.CONCLUSIONSThe TG/HDL-C ratio is associated with IR mainly in white obese boys and girls and thus may be used with other risk factors to identify subjects at increased risk of IR-driven morbidity.

Atherogenic Index and Protein Fractions in Psoriasis

Context: Psoriasis is a common non-contagious chronic inflammatory skin disorder characterized by patchy inflammatory lesion covered with silvery white scales. Its etiology is still unknown while genetic, metabolic and immunological mechanisms have been recommended as its cause. An increased ratio of triglycerides to HDL-cholesterol (TG/HDL-c) is considered a risk for the development of coronary heart disease is reported by several studies. Excessive shedding of scales from the skin in the course of disease causes loss of proteins. Objective: To estimate and compare atherogenic index in psoriatic patients and controls and to analyze the electrophoretic pattern of serum protein fractions in psoriatic patients and controls. Materials and methods: 50 patients with psoriasis of various degrees of severity and 50 age and gender matched non psoriatic subjects were included in the study. Serum lipid profile and serum total proteins and protein fractions was determined. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS software. Results: Atherogenic index showed statistically significant increase in psoriatic patients compared to normal individuals (p < 0.05). The mean serum total proteins showed statistically significant decrease due to decrease in albumin.However, the protein fractions showed statistically significant increase due to increase in α2 , β and γ globulins in psoriatic patients compared to normal individuals (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Meticulous follow up of dyslipidemia and protein levels with adequate protein supplementation throughout the course of the disease can go a long way in improving patient's nutritional status and also can prevent the complications associated with hyperlipidemia and hypoproteinemia.

Leucine Associated With Exercise Reduces Body Weight And Improves The Lipid Profile Of Obese Rats

Leucine, as an essential amino acid and activator of mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin), promotes protein synthesis and suppresses protein catabolism. However, the effect of leucine associated with exercise on weight loss and improvement on cholesterol metabolism remains unclear, and whether leucine has beneficial effects as a long-term dietary supplement has not been examined. PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of leucine associated with exercise on weight loss and metabolism of cholesterol in rats previously submitted to a high-fat diet. METHODS: Initially fifteen Sprague-Dawley rats were to fed with high-fat diet for 15 weeks. Subsequently, they were distributed in two groups, exercise group (EG) (n = 8) and exercise + leucine (GEL) (n = 7). Both groups rats were submitted to a swimming exercise for 60 minutes per day for 6 weeks, and GEL rats recieved supplementation with 5% of leucine. After 21 weeks the animals were sacrificed and samples for analysis were collected. Test t was done for statistical analysis with p<0.05. RESULTS: There was a significant variation in body weight of GEL compared with GE (-32.50 ± 37.05 vs. 30.87 ± 7.82 respectively; p<0.03), equivalent to -6.15% vs. 1.73%. In addition, GEL compared with the GE showed a significant increase in HDL-c (43.46 ± 5.81 vs 32.34 ± 12.27 respectively; p<0.04). The values of triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol and ratio of triglycerides to HDL-cholesterol (TG/HDL-c) showed no significant difference, 88.19 ± 20.03 (GEL) vs. 98.42 ± 33.12 (GE), p>0.490; 69.89 ± 17.30 (GEL) vs. 60.04 ± 12.06 (GE), p>0.218; 2.06 ± 0.40 (GEL) vs 2.64 ± 0.60 (GE), p>0.060; respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that exercise when combined with supplementation with leucine favors the loss of body weight and increases the fraction of HDL-C in rats previously submitted to a high-fat diet via multiple mechanisms. Supported by FAPESP, 07/59291-3 and 07/51964-9.

High Ratio of Triglycerides to HDL-Cholesterol Predicts Extensive Coronary Disease

An abnormal ratio of triglycerides to HDL-cholesterol (TG/HDL-c) indicates an atherogenic lipid profile and a risk for the development of coronary disease.OBJECTIVETo investigate the association between lipid levels, specifically TG/HDL-c, and the extent of coronary disease.METHODSHigh-risk patients (n = 374) submitted for coronary angiography had their lipid variables measured and coronary disease extent scored by the Friesinger index.RESULTSThe subjects consisted of 220 males and 154 females, age 57.2 ± 11.1 years, with total cholesterol of 210± 50.3 mg/dL, triglycerides of 173.8 ± 169.8 mg/dL, HDL-cholesterol (HDL-c) of 40.1 ± 12.8 mg/dL, LDL-cholesterol (LDL-c) of 137.3 ± 46.2 mg/dL, TG/HDL-c of 5.1 ± 5.3, and a Friesinger index of 6.6 ± 4.7. The relationship between the extent of coronary disease (dichotomized by a Friesenger index of 5 and lipid levels (normal vs. abnormal) was statistically significant for the following: triglycerides, odds ratio of 2.02 (1.31–3.1; p = 0.0018); HDL-c, odds ratio of 2.21 (1.42–3.43; p = 0.0005); and TG/HDL-c, odds ratio of 2.01(1.30–3.09; p = 0.0018). However, the relationship was not significant between extent of coronary disease and total cholesterol [1.25 (0.82–1.91; p = 0.33)] or LDL-c [1.47 (0.96–2.25; p = 0.0842)]. The chi-square for linear trends for Friesinger > 4 and lipid quartiles was statistically significant for triglycerides (p = 0.0017), HDL-c (p = 0.0001), and TG/HDL-c (p = 0.0018), but not for total cholesterol (p = 0.393) or LDL-c (p = 0.0568). The multivariate analysis by logistic regression OR gave 1.3 ± 0.79 (p = .0001) for TG/HDL-c, 0.779 ± 0.074 (p = .0001) for HDL-c, and 1.234 ± 0.097 (p = 0.03) for LDL. Analysis of receiver operating characteristic curves showed that only TG/HDL-c and HDL-c were useful for detecting extensive coronary disease, with the former more strongly associated with disease.CONCLUSIONSAlthough some lipid variables were associated with the extent of coronary disease, the ratio of triglycerides to HDL-cholesterol showed the strongest association with extent.