青少年肥胖的相关因素分析

目的探讨青少年肥胖的相关危险因素。方法选择肥胖（BMI≥25kg／m^2）51例（观察组）和正常体质量青少年40例（对照组）,观察两组腰臀比（WHIR）、空腹血糖（FBG）、甘油三酯（TG）、胆固醇（TC）、空腹胰岛素（FUNS）、脂联素（APN）水平,并计算BMI、胰岛索抵抗指数（HOMA—IR）,采用多元逐步回归分析肥胖形成的主要因素。结果观察组BMI、WHR、FINS、TG、HOMA—IR均高于对照组,而APN水平低于对照组,P均〈0．01;两组间TC、FBG无统计学意义,P〉0．05。多元逐步回归分析显示APN、HOMA-IR是形成肥胖的主要因素。结论IR与低脂联索血症是形成肥胖的主要危险因素。     

肥胖及2型糖尿病患者血清apelin水平及其相关因素分析

目的测定肥胖及新诊断2型糖尿病患者血清apelin水平，探讨apelin与体脂、糖、脂代谢、胰岛素抵抗等的相关性。方法62例2型糖尿病患者和72例正常糖调节（NGR）者按体重指数（BMI）≥25kg／m^2或〈25kg／m^2又各自分为超重／肥胖与正常体重亚组，采用放射免疫分析法检测空腹血清apelin水平，同时检测空腹血糖（FPG）、HbA1C、血脂各项指标及空腹胰岛素（FINS）水平，计算BMI和腰臀比，并以稳态模型计算胰岛素抵抗指数（HOMA-IR）。结果校正年龄及性别后，2型糖尿病组血清apelin水平高于NGR组[（317．9±99．6vs279．0±66．8）ng／L，P〈0．01]，2型糖尿病组和NGR组中的超重／肥胖者均高于非肥胖者[（354．0±114．4vs274．1±53．0）ng／L，（299．2±74．5vs252．8±48．9）ng／L，均P〈0．05]，且2型糖尿病超重／肥胖组明显高于NGR肥胖组（P〈0．01）；偏相关分析显示，空腹血清apelin与BMI、ln（HOMA-IR）、FPG、总胆固醇（TC）呈正相关（r=0．353，r=0．355，r=0．224，r=0．241，均P〈0．01），与腰围、收缩压呈正相关（r=0．263，r=0．183，P〈0．05）。多元逐步回归分析发现，BMI、ln（HOMA—IR）和TC是血清apelin的独立相关因素。结论血清apelin水平在肥胖和初发的2型糖尿病人群中升高，且与BMI、HOMA-IR及脂代谢相关，推测apelin可能参与构成胰岛素抵抗综合征的病理生理基础。     

肥胖与非肥胖老年高血压患者血清生长激素水平比较及相关因素分析

目的比较肥胖与非肥胖老年高血压患者血清生长激素（GH）水平的差异,探讨其与心血管危险因素的相关性。方法根据体质量指数（BMI）及腰围（WC）,将80例老年高血压患者分为肥胖组及非肥胖组,测定WC、GH、空腹血糖（FPG）、空腹胰岛素（FINS）、血脂、纤维蛋白原（Fb）、收缩压（SBP）、舒张压（DBP）,C反应蛋白（CRP）,计算胰岛素抵抗指数（HOMA—IR）。结果（1）肥胖组GH、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇（HDL—C）低于非肥胖组,两者差异均有统计学意义（P〈0．05或P〈0．01）;（2）肥胖组FPG、FINS、三酰甘油（TG）、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇（LDL—C）、Fb、SBP、DBP、CRP、HOMA—IR高于非肥胖组,2组差异均有统计学意义（P〈0．05或P〈0．01）;（3）GH与HDL—C呈正相关,与WC、BMI、HOMA—IR、TG、TC、CRP、Fb及年龄呈负相关。结论肥胖的患者GH水平下降,并与心血管危险因素密切相关,GH水平降低可能预示心血管疾病的高风险。     

2型糖尿病患者血清抵抗素与肥胖及脂代谢关系

将T2DM患者按BMI分为A组（肥胖组）及B组（非肥胖组），测定FBG、TC、TG、HDL、LDL、FINS、Resistin，计算BF％、Homa—IR、Homa—B、ISI。结果糖尿病组BMI、BF％、FBG、FINS、Homa—IR、ISI、Resistin高于对照组（P〈0．05），Homa—B低于对照组（P〈0．05）。A组Resistin与BF％、BMI呈正相关（P〈0．05），与Homa—B呈负相关（P〈0．05），B组Resistin与HI）L呈正相关（P〈0．01）。结论TzDM患者无论是否肥胖，Resistin均明显升高，肥胖者更高。Re—sistin可能参与了肥胖者T2DM的发生，而与非肥胖者T2DM的发生关系不大。     

2型糖尿病老年女性与肥胖、糖脂代谢关系

测60例患T2DM老年女性病例组和40例正常对照组的BMI和WHR及血脂血糖；双能X线吸收仪DEXA精确的测量身体脂肪的分布。结果：1、T2DM组的体重、血压、BMI、WHR、TC、TG、LDL-C、水平高于对照组；前组的Lp（a）、HDL-C则低于后组，差别有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。2、肥胖组（WHR〉0．85）的TG、2hPG、ApoB均值大于非肥胖组（WHR≤0．85）；前组的HDL—C、Lp（a）均值小于后组（P〈0．05）。3、WHR与LDL—C、TC、ApoB、TG、2hPG呈显著正相关，而与HDL-C呈显著负相关（P〈0．05）；BMI仅与TG、2hPG呈正相关（P〈0.05）。4、T2DM组与对照组比较，前者的上半身脂肪量、体脂肪率、上下半身脂肪率比均高于后者，下半身脂肪率却明显低，两组差别有显著性统计意义（P〈0．05）。结论：高脂血症老年女性患者的身体脂肪分布呈现上半身型，且易发生糖尿病；2型糖尿病老年女性患者糖代谢紊乱与脂代谢紊乱及肥胖有密切关系。     

维吾尔族高血压伴肥胖患者血脂及血尿酸相关性分析

目的：分析维吾尔族原发性高血压伴肥胖患者血脂及血尿酸水平。方法：选择维吾尔族原发性高血压患者124例及维吾尔族非高血压患者116例为研究对象。根据体重指数≥28g／m^2为肥胖,病人被分为高血压伴肥胖组（64例）、高血压无肥胖组（60例）和肥胖无高血压组（57例）、无高血压无肥胖组（59例）,分别测定血清总胆固醇（TC）、甘油三酯（TG）、高密度脂蛋白-胆固醇（HDL-C）、低密度脂蛋白-胆固醇（LDL—C）、载脂蛋白（Apo）-AI、APO-B、血尿酸（UA）浓度。结果：①高血压伴肥胖组血TC、TG、LDL—C、UA浓度较高血压无肥胖组及无高血压无肥胖组显著升高（P〈0．05）;②高血压伴肥胖组血脂、UA浓度与肥胖无高血压组相比无显著差异（P〉0．05）;③高血压无肥胖组TC、LDL—C水平较无高血压无肥胖组显著升高（P〈0．05）;④肥胖无高血压组TC、TG、LDL—C、UA水平较无高血压无肥胖组显著升高（P〈0．05）。结论：维吾尔族原发性高血压伴肥胖患者存在血脂和血尿酸水平升高等代谢紊乱的倾向。     

脂代谢紊乱对肥胖人群胰岛素抵抗的影响

目的探讨脂代谢紊乱对肥胖人群胰岛素抵抗（IR）的影响。方法将106例入选者按照体质指数（BMI）的不同分为体重正常组（BMI 18．5—24．9kg／m^2）、超重组（BMI25．0—27．0kg／m^2）和肥胖组（BMI〉27．0kg／m^2），做口服葡萄糖耐量试验（OGTT），测定空腹及服糖后2h血糖（FBG、2hBG），同时测定空腹及服糖后2h真胰岛素（FTI、2hTI）、空腹胆固醇（TC）、三酰甘油（TG）、高密度皮脂蛋白（HDL）、低密度脂蛋白（LDL）、游离脂肪酸（FFA）、瘦素（Lep）、肿瘤坏死因子-α（TNF-α），计算胰岛素抵抗指数（HOMA—IR），并对有些数据做相关分析。结果超重组TG、FFA、Lep、TNF-α、FTI、2hBG水平及HOMA—IR高于体重正常组但低于肥胖组（P〈0．05）；超重组与肥胖组之间TC、LDL水平差异无显著性意义（P〉0．05），但均高于正常组（P〈0．05）；正常组FBG、HDL水平分别低于和高于肥胖组（P〈0．05），但与超重组差异无显著性意义（P〉0．05）；TG与FFA、Lep与FFA、Lep与TNFα、TNFα与FFA之间均呈正相关（r=0．62、0．49、0．41、0．54，P〈0．01）；FFA、Lep、TNFα、腰臀围比值（WHR）与HOMA—IR独立相关（F=242．1，偏回归系数分别为1、55、1.69、1．02、0．03。P〈0．05）。结论脂代谢紊乱是引起肥胖人群IR的重要因素之一。     

健脾化浊法治疗老年单纯性肥胖临床观察

目的观察健脾化浊法治疗老年单纯性肥胖的临床疗效。方法将76例患者随机分为对照组和治疗组，每组38例，治疗组在对照组相同饮食原则的基础上，口服以健脾化浊、理气化湿立法组方的中药水煎剂，2次Id，200mL／次，治疗共12W，并记录治疗前后的体重指数（BMI）、腰围、血压、总胆固醇（TC）、甘油三酯（TG）、低密度脂蛋白（LDL-C），比较前后变化。结果治疗组总有效率为86．84％，对照组为57．89％，两者差异有显著性意义（P〈0．05）；在降低腰围、TG方面，治疗组均明显优于对照组（P〈0．05）。结论用健脾化浊、理气化湿立法组方治疗单纯性肥胖疗效可靠，从而降低肥胖患者心血管疾病发生的危险因素。     

超重和肥胖人群血清脂联素水平与心血管多重危险因素的关系

选取32例超重和肥胖者（OW4-Ob组）和36例正常体重者（NC组），常规测量身高等，测定APN、甘油三酯（TG）、胆固醇（TC）、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇（HDL-C）、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇（LDL-C）等指标。结果：（1）OW＋Ob组血清APN水平明显低于NC组（P〈0．05）；OW＋Ob组WC、SBP、DBP、FINS、FBG、TG、TC、LDL-C、IL-6、hs-CRP均高于NC组（0．000〈P〈0．05）；OW＋Ob组ISI低于NC组，HOMA-IR高于NC组。（2）APN与BMI、WC、FINS、TG、TC、LDL-C、HOMA-IR、hs-CRP呈显著负相关（0．05〉P〉0．001）；与HDL-C呈显著正相关（P〈0．05）。（3）OW＋Ob组女性血清APN水平较男性明显升高（P〈0．05），APN与T，OW＋Ob组人群中血清APN与T及T／E2均呈显著负相关（P〈0．05）。（4）HDL-C是影响血清APN水平的独立相关因素。结论：超重和肥胖者血清APN水平明显降低。低APN水平与心血管多重危险因素密切相关。     

脂代谢在急性代谢紊乱时的变化

检测37例Ⅱ型糖尿病酮症酸中毒时的血糖（BG）、甘油三酯（TC）、胆 固醇（TG）、高密度脂蛋白（HDL）水平,并于胰岛素药物治疗进行比较。结果急性代谢,BG、TG、TC均明显升高,而HDL下降,治疗后,BG、TG、TC依次下降,P值分别：P＜0．001、P＞0．01、P＜0．05。HDL上升,P＜0．05：急性代谢紊乱控制后的BG,血脂水平与对照组无显差异。     

单纯性肥胖青少年血清脂蛋白亚组分水平分析

目的探讨青少年单纯性肥胖与血清脂蛋白及其亚组分水平的关系。方法采用超速离心-高效液相色谱法测定60例肥胖青少年和19例体重指数正常者血清脂蛋白及其亚型水平。使用双能量X线吸收仪检测所有受试者全身及躯干部体脂比率。结果与正常对照组相比,肥胖组血清TC(4.47±0.90)比(3.79±0.50)mmol/L、TG(1.02±0.41)比(0.72±0.34)mmol/L、LDL-C(2.56±0.81)比(1.95±0.35)mmol/L、LDLa-C(2.39±0.83)比(1.74±0.37)mmol/L平均水平显著增高,而HDL-C(1.18±0.23)比(1.35±0.16)mmol/L、HDL2-C(0.73±0.21)比(0.91±0.16)mmol/L平均水平明显降低(P<0.01)。BMI、腰围、全身体脂及躯干体脂比率分别与TC、TG、LDL-C、LDLa-C水平呈显著正相关,与HDL-C、HDL2-C水平呈显著负相关(P<0.05,P<0.01)。结论单纯性肥胖青少年存在与肥胖相关的早期脂质代谢紊乱的趋势。     

Is thyroid-stimulating hormone within the normal reference range a risk factor for atherosclerosis in women?

The relationship between overt hypothyroidism and cardiovascular risk has been well documented and some data also suggest an association between cardiovascular risk and subclinical hypothyroidism. The aim of our study was to investigate, in a large cohort of euthyroid women, the association of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) within the normal reference range with cardiovascular risk factors. The study was carried out on 744 women with normal thyroid function (TSH 0.3–4.9 μU/mL). Women with TSH above the median (≥2.1 μU/mL) were more obese, had greater waist girth, were more hypertensive and had higher levels of total cholesterol (TC), serum triglycerides (TG), blood sugar (BG) and lower levels of HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) than women with TSH below the median. TSH was significantly correlated with body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, BG, TG, TC, HDL-C and hypertension. Multiple backward stepwise regression analysis with age, waist circumference and TSH as independent variables confirmed the strong association of TSH with BG, TG, HDL-C and hypertension. A total of 205 patients (28%) fulfilled the definition criteria of the metabolic syndrome and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome was significantly greater in patients with TSH above than in patients with TSH below the median. Results of logistic analysis, including age and TSH as predictor variables, confirmed the association of TSH with metabolic syndrome.The results of this study suggest that TSH in the upper limits of the reference range (above 2.1 μU/ml) is associated with a less favourable cardiometabolic profile and consequently with a higher risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.     

The cardiovascular risk of young women with polycystic ovary syndrome: an observational, analytical, prospective case-control study

To evaluate the cardiovascular risk of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), we investigated lipid profile, metabolic pattern, and echocardiography in 30 young women with PCOS and 30 healthy age- and body mass index (BMI)-matched women. PCOS women had higher fasting glucose and insulin levels, homeostasis model assessment score of insulin sensitivity, total cholesterol (TC) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels, and TC/high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) ratio and lower HDL-C levels than controls. Additionally, PCOS women had higher left atrium size (32.0 +/- 4.9 vs. 27.4 +/- 2.1 mm; P < 0.0001) and left ventricular mass index (80.5 +/- 18.1 vs. 56.1 +/- 5.4 g/m(2); P < 0.0001) and lower left ventricular ejection fraction (64.4 +/- 4.1 vs. 67.1 +/- 2.6%; P = 0.003) and early to late mitral flow velocity ratio (1.6 +/- 0.4 vs. 2.1 +/- 0.2; P < 0.0001) than controls. When patients and controls were grouped according to BMI [normal weight (BMI, >18 and <25 kg/m(2)), overweight (BMI, 25.1-30 kg/m(2)), and obese (BMI, >30 kg/m(2))], the differences between PCOS women and controls were maintained in overweight and obese women. In normal weight PCOS women, a significant increase in left ventricular mass index and a decrease in diastolic filling were observed, notwithstanding no change in TC, LDL-C, HDL-C, TC/HDL-C ratio, and TG compared with controls. In conclusion, our data show the detrimental effect of PCOS on the cardiovascular system even in young women asymptomatic for cardiac disease.     

原发性高血压患者血清瘦素浓度的测定及意义

目的 :探讨血清瘦素与原发性高血压患者性别及体重指数间的关系。方法 :用放射免疫法检测了 2 0例健康正常人 (正常对照组 )和 48例原发性高血压患者 (高血压组 )血清瘦素浓度 ,同时测血压和体重指数 (BMI) ;根据体重指数将 2组研究对象又分为肥胖者和非肥胖者。检测血清甘油三酯 (TG)、总胆固醇 (TC)、高密度脂蛋白 (HDL C)、低密度脂蛋白 (LDL C)等指标。并将血清瘦素水平与血压、体重指数、性别、TG、TC、HDL C和LDL C进行相关分析。结果 :高血压组血清瘦素水平高于正常对照组 ,有显著性差异 (P <0 0 5 ) ;高血压组和正常对照组肥胖者血清瘦素浓度均高于非肥胖者 ,有显著性差异 (P <0 0 5～ 0 0 1) ;女性血清瘦素明显高于男性 ,有显著性差异 (P <0 0 1) ;血清瘦素与收缩压、舒张压、TG呈正相关 ,而与TC、HDL C、LDL C无明显相关性。结论 :血清瘦素与原发性高血压患者血压及肥胖程度呈正相关 ,女性高于男性     

Prevalence of obesity and its association with cardiovascular disease risk factors in adolescent girls from a college in central Taiwan

Although obesity is associated with important hemodynamic disturbances, little data exists on population-wide cardiovascular risk factors in obese adolescent girls in Taiwan. This study measured the prevalence of overweight/obesity and related cardiovascular disease risk factors in adolescent females. This was a school-based survey of a representative sample of 291 females aged 15 and 18 years in a public college in Central Taiwan. The main measures were height, body weight, systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), uric acid, cholesterol, triglyceride (TG) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). Obese (body mass index [BMI] > or = 25.3) and overweight (22.7 < or = BMI < or = 25.2) individuals were combined and labeled as overweight (BMI > or = 22.7) to make communication of results clearer. Data gleaned from freshmens health examinations were analyzed. The prevalence of obesity (BMI > or = 25.3) was 9.28% and of overweight (BMI > or = 22.7) was 21.31%. Being overweight was associated with higher SBP, DBP, uric acid and TG, and lower levels of HDL-C, but was not associated with cholesterol. The 15-year-old group showed higher mean levels of uric acid, total cholesterol, TG and HDL-C than the 18-year-old group (p < 0.05). All told, 3.1%, 15.12% and 2.1% of the girls showed abnormally elevated levels of uric acid, cholesterol and TG, respectively. In addition, 5.84% had abnormally lower HDL-C levels, indicating that interventions should focus on reducing obesity and encouraging proper dietary habits and sufficient exercise, especially in subjects with lower HDL-C levels and higher levels of cholesterol, TG and uric acid.     

B-type natriuretic peptide levels in obese patients with advanced heart failure.

Although recent studies show that obesity, or elevated body mass index (BMI), is associated with lower levels of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), it is unknown whether BMI affects the prognostic value of BNP in heart failure (HF). This study confirms the relationship between high BMI and low BNP in patients with advanced systolic HF. Despite relatively lower levels of BNP in overweight and obesity, BNP predicts worse symptoms, impaired hemodynamics, and higher mortality in HF at all levels of BMI.OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to examine the influence of obesity on the predictive value of the B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) assay in heart failure (HF). BACKGROUND: Recent studies show that obesity, or elevated body mass index (BMI), is associated with lower circulating levels of BNP both in the general population and in patients with HF. METHODS: We analyzed data from 316 systolic HF (left ventricular ejection fraction [LVEF] < or =40%) patients [age, 53 +/- 13 years; mean LVEF, 24 +/- 7%; 48% ischemic] followed up at a university HF center. Patients were divided into categories of BMI: lean (BMI <25 kg/m2), overweight (BMI = 25 to 29.9 kg/m2), and obese (BMI > or =30 kg/m2). RESULTS: The BNP levels were significantly lower in overweight and obese compared with lean patients (p = 0.0001); median BNP (interquartile range) for the lean (n = 131), overweight (n = 99), and obese (n = 86) groups was 747 (272 to 1,300), 380 (143 to 856), and 332 (118 to 617) pg/ml, respectively. In each BMI category, elevated BNP was significantly associated with worse symptoms and higher pulmonary capillary wedge pressure. Higher BNP was also a significant independent predictor of survival independent of BMI. Optimal BNP cutoff for prediction of death or urgent transplant in lean, overweight, and obese HF patients was 590, 471, and 342 pg/ml, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Although BNP levels are relatively lower in overweight and obese HF patients, BNP predicts worse symptoms, impaired hemodynamics, and higher mortality at all levels of BMI.     

高血压病超重及肥胖患者血清脂联素水平和IL-6含量的变化

目的研究高血压病超重及肥胖患者血清脂素水平、白介素-6(IL-6)含量的变化及其临床意义。方法63名正常非肥胖对照(男31名,女32名)和57名体重指数>25kg/m2的单纯性超重肥胖个体和41名高血压病超重肥胖患者进入研究,测量血压(BP)、体重指数(BMI)、腰围(WC)、腰臀围比(WHR),用ELISA法检测所有研究对象血清脂联素浓度、血清IL-6含量。结果单纯性超重肥胖患者与高血压超重病肥胖患者血清脂联素水平显著低于正常对照者[单纯性超重肥胖男性(7.03±1.67)mg/L,高血压病超重肥胖男性(6.13±1.74)mg/Lvs正常对照男性(8.21±0.93)mg/L,t=3.868,t=5.388,均P<0.01;单纯性超重肥胖女性(7.90±1.35)mg/L,高血压病超重肥胖女性(6.97±1.16)mg/Lvs正常对照女性(9.22±0.68)mg/L,t=4.612,t=7.167,均P<0.01]。高血压病超重肥胖男性血清IL-6含量显著高于正常对照男性[高血压病超重肥胖男性(394.86±353.9)pg/mlvs正常对照男性(248.02±223.2)pg/ml,t=2.368,P<0.05;高血压病超重肥胖女性(303.2±283.6)pg/mlvs正常对照女性(230.5±214.2)pg/ml,t=0.9046,P>0.05]。在高血压病超重肥胖患者中,脂联素与体重指数、腰围、腰臀围比、收缩压之间呈显著负相关;IL-6与收缩压之间呈显著正相关。结论脂联素水平下降与超重肥胖、血压之间存在一定的相关性;IL-6含量升高可能与高血压病有关。     

代谢综合征患者C-反应蛋白与心血管病危险因素关系

目的 了解代谢综合征病人C反应蛋白与心血管病危险因素之间的关系.方法 回顾分析代谢综合征175例,根据C反应蛋白水平分为高C反应蛋白组和正常C反应蛋白组.检测两组体质量指数、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇、总胆固醇、甘油三酯、空腹血糖、餐后2小时血糖、糖化血红蛋白、收缩压和舒张压.结果 高C反应蛋白组的体质量指数、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇、总胆固醇、甘油三酯、空腹血糖、餐后2小时血糖、糖化血红蛋白、收缩压、舒张压均显著高于正常C反应蛋白组,而高密度脂蛋白胆固醇水平显著低于后者（P＜0.01）;C反应蛋白水平与体质量指数、甘油三酯、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇、糖化血红蛋白、舒张压、空腹血糖及餐后2小时血糖水平呈正相关（P＜0.05）,与高密度脂蛋白胆固醇呈负相关（P＜0.05）.结论 代谢综合征病人中C反应蛋白升高者往往伴随多种代谢紊乱加重,心血管病的危险因素亦随之加重,故对此类病人更要加强防治措施.     

Assessment of plasma lipid profile oxysterols and vitamin E concentration in morbidity obese patients with coexisting arterial hypertension and non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus

Morbid obesity (BMI > or = 40 kg/m2) is accompanied by lipid disturbances which may be involved in the increased incidence of arterial hypertension and non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus. The aim of the study was to assess plasma concentrations of total cholesterol (TC), HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides (TG) and two parameters of oxidation stress--vitamin E and oxysterols, in morbidly obese patients with coexisting arterial hypertension and non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus. Studies were performed in 37 morbidly obese patients divided into three groups: group I--without coexisting diseases, group II--with arterial hypertension, and group III--with arterial hypertension and non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus. In all groups there was an increase in TG concentration, a decrease in HDL-cholesterol level, and normal values of TC and LDL-cholesterol. The concentrations of 7-hydroxycholesterols (7-OH) in group II (602.65 +/- 264.46 ng/ml) and group III (570.94 +/- 210.59 ng/ml) were significantly higher compared to that in group I (336.09 +/- 220.74 ng/ml). There were no differences between groups in concentrations of 7-ketocholesterols (7-K), TC, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, TG, vitamin E and vitamin E/(TC + TG) ratio. In all groups TC concentration correlated positively with TG concentration, and negatively with vitamin E/(TC + TG) ratio. Moreover, the positive correlation between TG and HDL-cholesterol concentrations, and negative correlation between plasma vitamin E and 7-K concentrations were demonstrated. In conclusion, although the study demonstrates similar disturbances in lipid profile and oxidation stress parameters in all groups, with significant differences in 7-OH only, the role of cholesterol oxidation products in pathogenesis of arterial hypertension and non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus in morbidly obese patients cannot be excluded.     

Ethnicity may be a reason for lipid changes and high Lp(a) levels in rheumatoid arthritis

There are so many studies that suggest the changes in lipid profiles and lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] are associated with early atherosclerosis in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). But there are some opposite studies also. Because of marked ethnicity differences in the distribution of Lp(a), we aimed to investigate the associations of Lp(a) levels and lipid changes in Turkish RA patients. There were 30 women and 20 men, a total of 50 patients with RA (mean age 47.6±13.2 years), included and 21 healthy women and 14 healthy men (mean age 45.7±14.5 years) were recruited as a control (C) group. Serum Lp(a), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) and LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) levels were analysed for each group. Analysis of six different studies was performed. In the RA and C groups, mean serum Lp(a) levels were 39.7±64.4 and 10.5±13.4 mg/dl, respectively (P=0.001). Mean TC levels were 189.2±142.5 and 174.0±29.3 mg/dl (P=0.294), mean TG levels were 121.4±65.4 and 106.5±80.0 mg/dl (P=0.030), mean HDL-C levels were 44.5±10.0 and 47.7±4.8 mg/dl (P=0.014) and mean LDL-C levels were 94.3±35.3 and 102.0±24.6 mg/dl (P=0.98), respectively. Analysis of the six studies showed Lp(a) level was higher and HDL level was lower in RA patients than in healthy controls. Patients with RA may have altered lipid profiles from one country to another one. Especially in Turkey, higher serum Lp(a), lower HDL-C and higher TG levels may be found in RA patients instead of some findings of other countries showing different results. Ethnicity may be a reason for these findings.