酰基辅酶A∶胆固醇酰基转移酶2基因734位点T等位基因与高糖低脂膳食诱导的健康青年女性TG/HDLC、log(TG/HDLC)及LDLC/HDLC改变相关联

目的探讨酰基辅酶A∶胆固醇酰基转移酶2(ACAT-2)基因734位点C/T多态性对健康青年血脂比值的影响及在高糖低脂膳食诱导的血脂比值变化中的作用。方法给予56名健康青年志愿者7天平衡膳食和6天高糖低脂膳食,于第1天、第8天以及第14天清晨抽取12 h空腹静脉血,测定血脂,计算甘油三酯/高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(TG/HDLC)、log(TG/HDLC)、总胆固醇/高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(TC/HDLC)和低密度脂蛋白胆固醇/高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDLC/HDLC)比值。提取基因组DNA,聚合酶链反应限制性酶切法分析ACAT-2基因734位点多态性。结果女性T等位基因携带者log(TG/HDLC)显著低于CC纯合子受试者,男性CC纯合子受试者TC/HDLC显著高于女性CC纯合子受试者,男性T等位基因携带者log(TG/HDLC)显著高于女性。高糖低脂膳食前,男性T等位基因携带者TG/HDLC、log(TG/HDLC)显著高于女性。与高糖低脂膳食前相比,高糖低脂膳食后男性TC/HDLC、LDLC/HDLC显著降低,不受基因型影响。女性CC纯合子受试者高糖低脂膳食后TG/HDLC、log(TG/HDLC)显著升高,TC/HDLC、LDLC/HDLC显著降低,女性T等位基因携带者TC/HDLC显著降低。结论 ACAT-2 734位点T等位基因与高糖低脂膳食诱导的健康青年女性TG/HDLC、log(TG/HDLC)及LDLC/HDLC改变相关联。     

血清雄激素水平与男性动脉粥样硬化的关系

目的研究男性冠心病患者血清雄激素水平及颈动脉内膜—中膜厚度的变化,以及血清雄激素对血清脂蛋白、血糖、胰岛素抵抗的影响,探讨血清雄激素水平与男性动脉粥样硬化的关系。方法选择经冠状动脉造影证实的男性冠心病病人91例(冠心病组),根据血管病变情况分为单支病变组(n=30)、两支病变组(n=33)和三支病变组(n=28),同时选择冠状动脉造影正常男性43例作为对照组。入选病例均测定血清总睾酮、游离睾酮、去氢表雄酮,血清总胆固醇、甘油三酯、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇、脂蛋白a和空腹血糖、空腹胰岛素,以稳态模型评估胰岛素抵抗指数,超声测量颈动脉内膜—中膜厚度。结果冠心病组与对照组比较,血清总胆固醇、低密度脂蛋白、脂蛋白a、空腹胰岛素、空腹血糖、稳态模型评估胰岛素抵抗指数及颈动脉内膜—中膜厚度显著增高(P<0.05),血清高密度脂蛋白胆固醇、游离睾酮显著降低(P<0.001);游离睾酮冠心病各亚组与对照组比差异有显著性(P<0.001);颈动脉内膜—中膜厚度冠心病各亚组均高于对照组(P<0.001),单支病变组低于两支及三支病变组(P<0.01);空腹胰岛素及稳态模型评估胰岛素抵抗指数:冠心病各亚组均显著高于对照组(P<0.01),且三支病变组显著高于单支病变组。Pearson相关分析表明,内膜—中膜厚度与游离睾酮、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇呈显著负相关(r值均小于-0.5,P<0.001),与空腹胰岛素、稳态模型评估胰岛素抵抗指数、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇、脂蛋白a呈显著正相关(r值均大于0.5,P<0.001)。结论男性冠心病患者血清游离睾酮水平下降,游离睾酮通过影响血脂、血糖、胰岛素抵抗等因素参与男性动脉粥样硬化的形成。     

High and low density lipoprotein cholesterols in adolescent boys: relationships with endogenous testosterone, estradiol, and Quetelet index

The decrement in high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC) during male adolescence has been postulated to result from increased testosterone (T) production. Although pharmacologic doses of exogenous T lower HDLC, in adults, HDLC and endogenous T correlate positively. Our specific aim was to assess whether and to what degree, endogenous testosterone (T) and estradiol (E2), Quetelet index (Q), and their interactions relate to HDLC, low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC), and the ratio of LDLC to HDLC in adolescent boys undergoing sexual maturation. Using multiple regression analysis with E2, E2², T, T², Q, Q², and their interactions as explanatory variables, 47% of the variance of HDLC (p = 0.006), 76% of the variance of LDLC (p = 0.0001), 87% of the variance of the ratio of LDLC to HDLC (p = 0.0001), and 56% of the variance of triglycerides (p = 0.01) could be explained. For high levels of estradiol there was a negative association between HDLC and testosterone. For those with the highest estradiol levels, and at any given testosterone level, the higher the Quetelet index, the lower the HDLC. Boys with median estradiol levels had a slight increase in HDLC as testosterone increased. Boys with low estradiol levels had sharper increases in HDLC with increases in testosterone. At the highest estradiol levels, LDLC was negatively and curvilinearly related to testosterone, the decrement in LDLC becoming sharper at higher levels of testosterone. At high levels of estradiol, and at any given level of testosterone, low Quetelet index was associated with a lower LDLC. For median levels of estradiol, as testosterone increased, LDLC decreased. Only at low estradiol levels did LDLC increase along with testosterone levels. For the ratio of LDLC to HDLC, the higher the Quetelet index was, the higher the ratio tended to be. At high Quetelet indices, as testosterone increased, the ratio of LDLC to HDLC increased. Conversely, at low Quetelet index levels, as testosterone increased, the ratio of LDLC to HDLC fell. Within the Quetelet groups, estradiol levels allowed further discrimination, with the lowest ratio of LDLC to HDLC observed for boys with low Quetelet and low E2, and the highest LDLC to HDLC ratio observed for boys with high Quetelet and high E2. Overall, boys with the highest E2 had the greatest fall in HDLC and the highest ratio of LDLC to HDLC with increasing testosterone, with both trends accentuated by increasing ponderosity. We speculate that interactions of estradiol, testosterone, and Quetelet index in adolescent males may lead, in some subjects, to atherogenic changes in lipoproteins (lower HDLC, higher LDLC to HDLC ratios) and a higher risk of coronary heart disease later in life. In aggregate, changes in Quetelet index, testosterone, estradiol, and their interactions in boys during adolescence can account for a significant proportion of the dynamic changes observed in low and high density lipoprotein cholesterol.     

普罗布考与阿托伐他汀合用对急性冠状动脉综合征的调脂及抗氧化作用

目的 观察普罗布考与阿托伐他汀联合治疗对急性冠状动脉综合征患者血脂、血清氧化型低密度脂蛋白水平及对氧磷酶1活性的影响.方法 38例急性冠状动脉综合征患者随机分为对照组(n=20,阿托伐他汀10mg/d)和治疗组(n=18,阿托伐他汀10 mg/d+普罗布考1 000 mg/d),随访4周.两组在治疗前后分别测定血清总胆固醇、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇、甘油三酯、血清氧化型低密度脂蛋白水平及对氧磷酶1活性.结果 治疗4周后,对照组低密度脂蛋白胆固醇降低15.4%、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇上升13.7%(P<0.05),血清总胆固醇、甘油三酯略有下降但未达到统计学意义(P>0.05);治疗组血清总胆固醇、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇、甘油三酯分别下降28.1%、28.5%、14.2%(P<0.01)和23.3%(P<0.05);与对照组相比,治疗组血清总胆固醇、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇和高密度脂蛋白胆固醇下降更为明显(P<0.01).治疗后,两组血清氧化型低密度脂蛋白水平均明显降低,对氧磷酶1活性均明显升高(P<0.01);而治疗组血清氧化型低密度脂蛋白水平和对氧磷酶1活性的变化比对照组更为明显(P<0.01).治疗前的血清氧化型低密度脂蛋白水平、对氧磷酶活性及两者治疗后的变化值与血脂各指标之间均无相关关系(P>0.05),而对氧磷酶活性与血清氧化型低密度脂蛋白水平呈显著负相关(r=-0.669,P<0.01).结论 阿托伐他汀与普罗布考合用具有协同降胆固醇作用和抗氧化作用,但普罗布考降高密度脂蛋白胆固醇的作用不能被阿托伐他汀抵消.     

Ethnic immunity to coronary heart disease?

Dietary fat intake is often regarded as a major determinant of coronary heart disease (CHD) rate and it has been deemed unnecessary to invoke racial or other factors to explain the differences in CHD rates among different ethnic groups. Despite a high prevalence of CHD risk factors such as hypertension, obesity, and smoking, CHD remains a rarity in westernized black Africans. Cord blood total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC) and apolipoprotein B (apo B) levels were measured and found to be respectively 12.1%, 18.3% and 22.4% lower in black neonates when compared to white neonates. These differences were again studied in a group of young black African males and a comparable group of age-matched whites who had been exposed to the same environment and western diet for at least 2 years. Although the body mass indices and serum albumin concentrations in the adult males were not significantly different, serum levels of TC, LDLC and apo B were 10.7%, 18.7% and 39.7% lower in the blacks, respectively. Furthermore, high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC) and Apolipoprotein AI were 20.2% and 9.5% higher, homocysteine 45.6% lower and coagulation factor VII 26.6% lower in the adult black Africans. It is concluded that blacks are biochemically less responsive to an atherogenic diet than whites and these differences are already present at birth.     

Correlation between bone mineral density and plasma lipids in Taiwan

Many studies showed that depression is correlated with osteoporosis, while others showed that low cholesterol level is also related to depression. However, these relationships still remain controversial. Since the bone mineral density (BMD) is related to depression and depression is related to hypocholesterolemia, there might exist a correlation between BMD and plasma cholesterol levels. To prove this, we enrolled 5000 individuals, 2170 males, and 2830 females, who had health check-ups at a private clinic between 1998 and 1999. They were divided into three groups. Group 1 was composed of male subjects; Group 2, female subjects; and Group 3, females aged over 50 to exclude pre-menopausal females. Each subject had a routine physical examination, fasting blood drawing, BMD measured by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) over the wrist, and was given a questionnaire to answer. Between Groups 1 and 2, the females were significantly younger, had higher body mass index (BMI), total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC), and platelet, but lower BMD, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), triglycerides (TG), hemoglobin (Hgb), and white blood cell (WBC) count. As for Groups 1 and 3, all the aforementioned findings still remained the same except that the systolic blood pressure (SBP) was higher and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) was lower in Group 3. Our results showed that BMD is negatively related to age in males. In females, it is negatively correlated with age, FPG, PPG, SBP, DBP, TC, LDLC, TG, and Hgb, but positively related to BMI and platelet. However, for females in Group 3, BMD is only negatively related to age, FPG, SBP, and TG but positively related to BMI. Stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that the BMD is negatively related to age but positively related to BMI in both males and females. In Group 3, BMD is negatively related to age and FPG but positively related BMI. In conclusion, no correlation exists between BMD and cholesterol. This implies that the depression is not significantly related to cholesterol and/or BMD. This might be due to various confounding factors, which could affect their relationships. The negative correlation between BMD and FPG is only observed in females older than 50 years. Further studies are needed to clarify these relationships.     

Prevalence of familial hyper- and hypolipoproteinemias: The Princeton School District Family Study

Using the Princeton School Family Study cohort, our specific aim was to estimate the prevalence of suspected familial hyper- and hypolipoproteinemias, and to provide empirical coronary heart disease (CHD) risk estimates for the proportion of probands' first-degree relatives who were similarly affected. Two hundred and seventy two white probands, 125 randomly recalled, 147 from a hyperlipidemic recall group, and their relatives were assessed. Suspected familial hyper- and hypolipoproteinemias were arbitrarily identified in those kindreds having at least 2 first-degree relatives in the same decile as the proband, top or bottom respectively, for low or high density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC, HDLC). Of the 125 randomly recalled probands, 3 had suspected familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), the probands and 3 additional first-degree relatives having top decile LDLC. Of 53 top decile LDLC probands from the hyperlipidemic recall group, 6 (11%), and 7 (13%) came from kindreds where the proband and at least 2 and 3 additional first-degree relatives respectively had top decile LDLC; 3 (6%) had tendon xanthomas. In the 16 top decile LDLC probands with at least 2 similarly affected relatives, overt diseases, drugs, and dietary excess did not appear to cause elevated LDLC. Of the 272 kindreds, there was one (random recall) kindred with familial hypobetalipoproteinemia, and there were 4 (2 random recall, 2 hyperlipidemic recall) with familial hyperalphalipoproteinemia. An average of 32% and 22% of the first-degree relatives of top decile LDLC and HDLC probands respectively also had top decile LDLC and HDLC; 27% and 16% of first-degree relatives of bottom decile LDLC and HDLC probands respectively also had bottom decile LDLC and HDLC. Given our current state of knowledge, we cannot yet provide a definitive conclusion regarding the relative and absolute contributions of single genes, multiple genes, environment, and environment: genetic interactions to familial aggregation of hyper- and hypolipoproteinemias. Whatever definition of FH is used, the high prevalence of FH in the Family Study underlines the importance of sampling all first-degree relatives of top decile LDLC probands; clustering of CHD in families may be related in part to familial aggregation of LDLC and/or HDLC.     

老年冠心病患者血清脂质与脂质过氧化的关系

本文观察了４４例老年冠心病者及３０例健康老年人血脂水平及丙二醛和超氧化物歧化酶的血清含量。     

Rice bran oil lowers serum total and low density lipoprotein cholesterol and apo B levels in nonhuman primates

The hypolipidemic response of rice bran oil (RBO) was investigated in nonhuman primates fed semi-purified diets containing blends of oils which included RBO at 0-35% Kcals as dietary fat. The studies demonstrated the following: (a) the degree of reduction of serum total cholesterol (TC) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC) was highly correlated with initial serum cholesterol levels of the monkey on the stabilization diet; (b) the content of rice bran oil in the diet was the predominant factor influencing serum TC, LDLC and apoB causing up to a 40% reduction in LDLC without affecting high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC) when RBO was the sole dietary oil fed; (c) the cholesterol-lowering capabilities of RBO were not explained by its fatty acid composition. These studies suggest that RBO may be an additional vegetable oil which lowers serum cholesterol levels by unique mechanisms which will require further study.     

系统性红斑狼疮血脂异常患者的免疫功能

目的探讨系统性红斑狼疮患者的免疫功能对血脂水平的影响。方法以抗心磷脂抗体和T淋巴细胞亚群计数为切入点,观察149例系统性红斑狼疮患者的免疫功能与血脂水平,主要为高密度脂蛋白胆固醇、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇和甘油三酯水平的关系。结果高密度脂蛋白胆固醇水平与抗心磷脂抗体呈显著负相关(r=-0.448,P=0.005),低密度脂蛋白胆固醇水平与补体C4水平呈显著正相关(r=0.427,P=0.007)。结论系统性红斑狼疮患者的体液免疫功能异常可能影响其血脂水平。     

Body mass index (weight/height2) or percentage body fat by bioelectrical impedance analysis: which variable better reflects serum lipid profile?

We present population data on percentage body fat (%BF) by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) in 12,287 men and 6657 women aged 30-69 y. In addition, we examined relationships among BMI, %BF and serum lipids (total-cholesterol (TC), HDL-cholesterol (HDLC), TC/HDLC ratio, LDL-cholesterol (LDLC) and triglycerides (TG)) in order to determine whether body mass index (BMI, kg/m2) or %BF by BIA better reflected lipid metabolism. Women had larger %BF than men in all age groups. On the other hand, women aged < 60 y had smaller BMI than corresponding men. Regardless of age, BMI was obviously correlated with %BF (r = 0.743-0.924). As previously reported, high BMI and high %BF were strongly associated with high serum TC/HDLC ratio and TG, and low serum HDLC rather than high serum TC and LDLC. Compared with BMI, %BF by BIA was better correlated with the serum indices except for serum HDLC. These results were found in both sexes, and there was a trend in which younger subjects had stronger correlations among BMI, %BF and serum lipids. Consequently, %BF by BIA (an index of body composition) better reflects serum lipid profile than BMI.     

Waist-to-height ratio is the best predictor of cardiovascular disease risk factors in Japanese schoolchildren

In adults, visceral fat accumulation is an important indicator for cardiovascular disease risk. This relationship is not fully understood in children. To determine the best predictor of cardiovascular disease risk factors among anthropometric indices such as body mass index (BMI), percent body fat (%Fat), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), waist circumference, and waist-to-height ratio (W/Ht ratio) in Japanese schoolchildren. This study included 880 children (447 boys and 433 girls), 9-13y of age. Dependent variables were total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC), atherogenic index (AI), life style related disease prevention score, and systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure. The strongest correlation was found between W/Ht ratio and the score by Pearson's correlation analysis. Multiple regression analysis showed that significant independent correlates for the score included W/Ht ratio and %Fat. Among the anthropometric indices, W/Ht ratio was the most significant predictor for TC, TG, LDLC, AI, and the score. W/Ht ratio is the best predictor of cardiovascular risk factors in Japanese schoolchildren. We propose using W/Ht ratio for detecting cardiovascular disease risk in children.     

A comparative research on obesity hypertension by the comparisons and associations between waist circumference,body mass index with systolic and diastolic blood pressure,and the clinical laboratory data between four special Chinese adult groups

Background: The obesity-hypertension pathogenesis is complex. From the phenotype to molecular mechanism, there is a long way to clarify the mechanism. To explore the association between obesity and hypertension, we correlate the phenotypes such as the waist circumference (WC), body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure (SB), and diastolic blood pressure (DB) with the clinical laboratory data between four specific Chinese adult physical examination groups (newly diagnosed untreated just-obesity group, newly diagnosed untreated obesity-hypertension group, newly diagnosed untreated just-hypertension group, and normal healthy group), and the results may show something. Objective: To explore the mechanisms from obesity to hypertension by analyzing the correlations and differences between WC, BMI, SB, DB, and other clinical laboratory data indices in four specific Chinese adult physical examination groups. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from September 2012 to July 2014, and 153 adult subjects, 34 women and 119 men, from 21 to 69 years, were taken from four characteristic Chinese adult physical examination groups (newly diagnosed untreated just-obesity group, newly diagnosed untreated obesity-hypertension group, newly diagnosed untreated just-hypertension group, and normal healthy group). The study was approved by the ethics committee of Hangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention. WC, BMI, SB, DB, and other clinical laboratory data were collected and analyzed by SPSS. Results: Serum levels of albumin (ALB),alanine aminotransferase (ALT), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC), triglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), uric acid (Ua), and TC/HDLC (odds ratio) were statistically significantly different between the four groups. WC statistically significantly positively correlated with BMI, ALT, Ua, and serum levels of glucose (GLU), and TC/HDLC, and negatively with ALB, HDLC, and serum levels of conjugated bilirubin (CB). BMI was statistically significantly positively related to ALT, Ua, LDLC, WC, and TC/HDLC, and negatively to ALB, HDLC, and CB. DB statistically significantly positively correlated with ALP, BMI, and WC. SB was statistically significantly positively related to LDLC, GLU, serum levels of fructosamine (FA), serum levels of the total protein (TC), BMI, and WC. Conclusion: The negative body effects of obesity are comprehensive. Obesity may lead to hypertension through multiple ways by different percents.

GGT, serum levels of gamma glutamyltransferase; ALB, serum levels of albumin; ALT, serum levels of alanine aminotransferase; LDLC, serum levels of low density lipoprotein cholesterol; TG, serum levels of triglyceride; HDLC, serum levels of high density lipoprotein cholesterol; FA, serum levels of fructosamine; S.C.R, serum levels of creatinine; IB, serum levels of indirect bilirubin; ALP, serum levels of alkaline phosphatase; CB, serum levels of conjugated bilirubin; UREA, Urea; Ua, serum levels of uric acid; GLU, serum levels of glucose; TC, serum levels of the total cholesterol; TB, serum levels of the total bilirubin; TP, serum levels of the total protein; TC/HDLC, TC/HDLC ratio.     

H型高血压患者HDL亚组分的改变及对内皮细胞抗炎功能的影响

目的观察H型高血压患者血同型半胱氨酸水平(Hcy)与高密度脂蛋白(HDL)亚组分的相关性,并研究HDL亚组分对内皮细胞抗炎功能的影响。方法选取健康人群133例、单纯高血压患者76例、H型高血压患者85例,测定空腹血糖(FBG)、血清肌酐(SCr)、尿酸(UA)、总胆固醇(TC)、甘油三酯(TG)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDLC)、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDLC)、HDL2、HDL3和Hcy等指标。分别留取各组血清各6例,应用快速蛋白液相色谱法(FPLC)提取大颗粒HDL(L-HDL),观察L-HDL对肿瘤坏死因子α(TNF-α)诱导的人脐静脉内皮细胞(HUVEC)炎症的改善作用。结果健康对照组、单纯高血压组和H型高血压组UA、FBG、TC、LDLC水平差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。对比单纯高血压患者和健康对照组,H型高血压患者具有更低的HDLC、HDL2水平及更高的HDL3水平(P<0.001);血Hcy水平与血HDLC、HDL2呈显著负相关(P<0.01),但是与HDL3无显著相关性(P=0.083)。健康对照组、单纯高血压组L-HDL均可下调TNF-α诱导的血管内皮细胞表达血管细胞黏附分子1(VCAM-1),而H型高血压组L-HDL并不能明显减低VCAM-1表达。结论H型高血压患者可能通过高Hcy影响HDL的亚组分分布以及L-HDL对内皮细胞的抗炎功能。     

Tracking of high- and low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol from childhood to young adulthood in a single large kindred with familial hypercholesterolemia

Tracking of high- and low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC, LDLC) from childhood to young adulthood was assessed in 77 children and in 53 adults from a single large pedigree with familial hypercholesterolemia who were respectively less than or equal to 19 and greater than or equal to 20 years old when first studied in 1973, with reassessment in 1984. No children and only five of the adults had received LDLC lowering therapy from 1973 to 1984. The rank correlations between the 1973 and 1984 measurements for LDLC were 0.73, 0.74, and 0.87; and for HDLC were 0.55, 0.73, and 0.65 (P less than 0.0001 for all correlations), respectively for relatives who were less than or equal to 12, 13 to 19, and greater than or equal to 20 years old in 1973. The 1973:1984 LDLC and HDLC correlations, categorized by relationships to the proband, were as follows: (1) unrelated, LDLC = 0.16, HDLC = 0.56;* (2) first-degree relatives, LDLC = 0.90, HDLC = 0.30; (3) second-degree relatives, LDLC = 0.79, HDLC = 0.39; and (4) other relatives, LDLC = 0.62, HDLC = 0.64. All nine of the probands' first-degree relatives who were above the age-sex specific LDLC 95th percentile in 1973 were also greater than the 95th percentile for LDLC in 1984. Similarly, seven of eight second-degree relatives with LDLC greater than the 95th percentile in 1973 were greater than the 95th percentile in 1984, as were ten of 15 other relatives. LDLC levels in childhood in this extended kindred were highly predictive of adult values.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Food and fatty acid intake and atopic disease in adults.

The aim of the study was to assess the relationship between dietary intake of selected foods and fatty acids with atopic disease prevalence in adults. Data from the European Community Respiratory Health Survey in Erfurt, combined with a 3-day weighed records dietary survey, was used. Complete data was available from 469 males and 333 females aged 20-64 yrs. Multiple logistic regression was applied comparing the highest with the lowest quartile of dietary exposures and linear trends were tested stratified by sex. In males, margarine intake and a high ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids were positively associated with hay fever. In females, a high intake of total fat, palmitoleic and oleic acids were positively associated with sensitisation. A high total fat, high monounsaturated fatty acid and high oleic acid consumption were positively associated with hay fever. Whilst an excessive intake of fat or imbalance in fat intake, particular of monounsaturated fatty acids, increased the risk for hay fever and allergic sensitisation in females, mostly no significant associations were found for males. Dietary factors were mostly not related with prevalence rates of bronchial hyperresponsiveness and atopic eczema either in males or in females.     

Long-term feeding of casein or soy protein with or without cholesterol in Mongolian gerbils. II. Plasma lipid and liver cholesterol responses

Male Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) were fed casein or soy protein in the presence and absence of dietary cholesterol for 15 months. Diets resembled the average North American diet in energy contributions from protein, fat and carbohydrate, cholesterol content and fatty acid profile. At month 0, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 15, plasma samples were analyzed for total cholesterol (TC), HDL cholesterol (HDLC) and triglyceride (TG) concentrations. Plasma LDL cholesterol (LDLC) was estimated indirectly. Liver TC was also determined at these time points. Comparisons of protein source and cholesterol level were averaged over the 15 month period. Casein-fed gerbils had significantly higher plasma TC and TG levels and lower HDLC levels (as a percent of TC) compared to soy-fed animals, independent of the presence or absence of dietary cholesterol. LDLC was significantly elevated in casein-fed gerbils only when cholesterol was present in the diet. Elevations in plasma TC levels were reflected by elevations in liver TC. Despite plasma lipid elevations that are consistent with the development of atherosclerosis (AS) and coronary heart disease (CHD) in humans, hyperlipidemic gerbils do not develop AS. Further characterization of gerbil lipid metabolism responses to dietary alterations aimed at the prevention of CHD in humans is necessary to elucidate the mechanism for the gerbil's resistance to AS.     

A meta-analysis of three identified single nucleotide polymorphisms at 1p13.3 and 1q41 and their associations with lipid levels and coronary artery disease

The aim of this meta-analysis was to detect whether three identified single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (rs646776, rs599839, and rs17465637) at 1p13.3 and 1q41 are associated with lipid levels and the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD). Databases of MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, and BIOSIS were systematically searched. The pooled effects were expressed as odds ratio or standardized mean difference or mean difference with 95% confidence intervals. A total of 14 studies with 57,916 patients were included in the meta-analysis. Pooled effects showed that the AA group of 1p13.3 rs599839 had higher total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC), and lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC) levels than the GA/GG group, and the CAD group had higher AA genotype frequency than the control group. The TT group of 1p13.3 rs646776 had higher TC and LDLC levels and lower HDLC levels than the CT/CC group. The CAD group also had higher CC genotype frequency of 1q41 rs17465637 than the control group. The SNPs of 1p13 rs599839 and rs646776 were associated with serum lipid levels. The genetic variants of 1p13 rs599839 and 1q41 rs17465637 SNPs were prominently related to CAD, and the genetic variants of chromosome 1p13 promote the risk of CAD by increased TC and LDLC levels and decreased HDLC levels.     

Serum proteins and nutritional status of free-living Thai elderly

Fifty-six Thai males and 146 Thai females aged 60 years and above visiting a special clinic for the elderly were investigated. The serum protein and immunoglobulin of these elderly were assessed. Anthropometric measurements were also taken. From a random sample of the group, the dietary intake of main nutrients was determined by a 24 h recall method with the help of food models. Weight, height and mid-arm muscle circumference of males were greater than those of females. Triceps skinfold thickness was less in the males than in the females. Forty-seven per cent of the individuals investigated had ₁-antitrypsin levels below 200 mg/dl and 25.4% had IgG levels of 200 mg/dl and 39% IgA levels above 450 mg/dl. The males tend to consume more calories in the form of carbohydrates than the females. The nutritional density of fat was less than 20% in the males. A negative correlation between serum albumin and height and a positive correlation between serum IgG and tricep skinfold thickness were found. Weight was found to have a positive correlation with calories, carbohydrates and fat. Height correlated positively with calories, protein and carbohydrates. Serum prealbumin correlated with fat intake. It is concluded that, except for ₁-antitrypsin, IgA, serum proteins are found in a range normally detected also in elderlies in western countries. Body composition does not relate to level of protein intake.     

The correlation between the activity of tissue plasminogen activator (TPA), levels of tissue plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1) antigen and serum lipids in healthy subjects

It is well known that abnormality of the coagulation-fibrinolytic system and serum lipids plays an important role in the development of thrombi and atherosclerotic disease. In the present study, the correlation between the activity of tissue plasminogen activator (TPA), the levels of tissue plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1) and serum lipids (TC, TG, beta-Lp, HDLC, LDLC and apolipoproteins) were studied in 102 healthy subjects. The activity of TPA showed negative correlation with the obesity rate (r = 0.21, p less than 0.05) but levels of PAI-1 antigen showed a positive correlation with the obesity rate (r = 0.182, p less than 0.1). The activity of TPA showed no correlation with serum lipids including apolipoproteins, while the levels of PAI-1 antigen showed a positive correlation between TG and beta-Lp (r = 0.292, p less than 0.01, r = 0.211, p less than 0.05). The levels of PAI-1 antigen showed a negative correlation with HDLC (r = -0.286, p less than 0.01). These results indicate that TPA and PAI-1 play an important role in the development of thrombotic disease and atherosclerotic disease.