The one year exercise and lifestyle intervention program KLAKS: Effects on anthropometric parameters,cardiometabolic risk factors and glycemic control in childhood obesity

Objective

Regular physical exercise within structured lifestyle programs may improve weight status and minimize metabolic risk factors in childhood obesity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the one-year combined physical exercise/lifestyle program KLAKS on anthropometric and metabolic parameters and glycemic control in childhood obesity.

Materials and Methods

142 overweight/obese (BMI > 90th percentile) candidates (7–18 years) were enrolled, 115 participants completed the program. Anthropometrics and biochemical parameters were obtained at beginning and completion. An oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed in a subgroup of participants. Course of glucose and insulin levels within OGTT was correlated with several parameters and is reported here for those who completed the program.

Results

The mean standard deviation scores (SDS) decreased significantly for BMI, waist circumference, waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) and percentage body fat (all p ≤ 0.01). Improved metabolic risk markers included mean glucose levels within an OGTT at follow-up compared to baseline (p < 0.0001) and HbA1c (p = 0.05) as well as indications of improvement for gamma-glutamyl-transferase and free fatty acids.

Conclusions

The one-year combined exercise/lifestyle program KLAKS significantly improves markers of obesity and glycemic control. Impaired cardiometabolic risk markers, even subclinical, are also favorably influenced by program participation.     

Bariatric surgery in severely obese adolescents improves major comorbidities including hyperuricemia

Objective

Serum uric acid (sUA) is believed to contribute to the pathogenesis of metabolic comorbidities like hypertension, insulin-resistance (IR) and endothelial dysfunction (EDF) in obese children. The present pilot study investigated the association between sUA concentrations and loss of body weight following laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) or laparoscopic Roux-en-Y-gastric bypass (RYGB) in severely obese adolescents.

Materials/Methods

10 severely obese adolescents underwent either LSG (n = 5) or RYGB (n = 5). 17 normal weight, healthy, age- and gender-matched adolescents served as a normal weight peer group (NWPG). Pre- and 12 months postoperatively, sUA and relevant metabolic parameters (glucose homeostasis, transaminases, lipids) were compared.

Results

Preoperatively, sUA was significantly elevated in patients with severe obesity compared to NWPG. Twelve months after LSG and RYGB, a significant decrease in sUA, BMI, CVD risk factors, hepatic transaminases, and HOMA-IR was observed. Reduction in SDS-BMI significantly correlated with changes in sUA.

Conclusions

sUA levels and metabolic comorbidities improved following bariatric surgery in severely obese adolescents. The impact of changes in sUA on long-term clinical complications of childhood obesity deserves further study.     

IL-6 is a predictive biomarker for stroke associated infection and future mortality in the elderly after an ischemic stroke

Background and purpose

Stroke associated infection (within the first seven days) occurs in approximately half of stroke patients and is associated with a worse prognosis, especially in the elderly. It is uncertain what factors predict stroke associated infection, yet identification of a suitable biomarker for infection may allow early and appropriate intervention with antibiotics. The aims of this study were to: a) identify independent risk factors for stroke associated infection, and b) test relationships between these risk factors and mortality at 2 years.

Methods

Eight-two elderly patients were assessed within 72 h of stroke. Data on stroke severity (Barthel Index), stroke associated infection and mortality at 2 years were collected. Inflammatory biomarkers at baseline and 6 months were measured by ELISA. Logistic regression was used to identify risk factors for stroke associated infection and death.

Results

Patients with stroke associated infection, especially pneumonia, had increased IL-6, more severe strokes, and higher mortality. IL-6 was independently associated with stroke associated infection (OR = 19.2, [95%CI 3.68, 100], p < 0.001), after adjustment for other risk factors and cytokines. IL-6 was also independently associated with 2 year mortality (OR = 9.2, [1.0, 85.1], p = 0.031).

Conclusions

These data suggest that IL-6 may be a key biomarker for predicting stroke associated infection and mortality in the first two years post stroke.     

The obesity paradox in men with coronary heart disease and heart failure: The role of muscle mass and leptin

Aims

We have investigated the role of muscle mass, natriuretic peptides and adipokines in explaining the obesity paradox.

Background

The obesity paradox relates to the association between obesity and increased survival in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) or heart failure (HF).

Methods

Prospective study of 4046 men aged 60–79 years followed up for a mean period of 11 years, during which 1340 deaths occurred. The men were divided according to the presence of doctor diagnosed CHD and HF: (i) no CHD or HF ii), with CHD (no HF) and (iii) with HF.

Results

Overweight (BMI 25–9.9 kg/m²) and obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m²) were associated with lower mortality risk compared to men with normal weight (BMI 18.5–24.9 kg/m²) in those with CHD [hazards ratio (HR) 0.71 (0.56,0.91) and 0.77 (0.57,1.04); p = 0.04 for trend] and in those with HF [HR 0.57 (0.28,1.16) and 0.41 (0.16,1.09; p = 0.04 for trend). Adjustment for muscle mass and NT-proBNP attenuated the inverse association in those with CHD (no HF) [HR 0.78 (0.61,1.01) and 0.96 (0.68,1.36) p = 0.60 for trend) but made minor differences to those with HF [p = 0.05]. Leptin related positively to mortality in men without HF but inversely to mortality in those with HF; adjustment for leptin abolished the BMI mortality association in men with HF [HR 0.82 (0.31,2.20) and 0.99 (0.27,3.71); p = 0.98 for trend].

Conclusion

The lower mortality risk associated with excess weight in men with CHD without HF may be due to higher muscle mass. In men with HF, leptin (possibly reflecting cachexia) explain the inverse association.     

Prevalence and associated metabolic factors of fatty liver disease in the elderly

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate the metabolic risk factors for fatty liver disease in the elderly, and determine the prevalence of fatty liver disease in the elderly in Wuhan, central China.

Methods

The study was a case–control study based on all 4226 adults above 60 years of age from a cohort investigated in 2010–11 at the medical examination center of Zhongnan hospital, using 3145 randomly selected adults under 60 years of age from the same cohort as controls. Fatty liver disease (FLD) was identified with ultrasound imaging. The risk factors measured were body mass index (BMI), and plasma concentrations of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL) and serum uric acid (SUA). The probability of steatohepatitis with advanced fibrosis was predicted using a score based on BMI, age, ALT, and TG (BAAT),and using AST/ALT ratio (AAR).

Results

FLD was higher in the elderly (26.7%) than in the non-elderly (22.8%) and similar in the elderly between men and women (26.6% vs 27.0%, p > 0.05). BMI, TC, TG, LDL, SUA, AST and ALT were all significantly higher in FLD, whereas the level of HDL was markedly lower. Multiple regression analyses showed that obesity, high TC, TG, SUA, low HDL, and elevated ALT, AAR < 1 were closely related to the elderly FLD, while male sex, obesity, high TC, TG, low HDL, elevated ALT, AST and AAR < 1 were closely related to the non-elderly FLD. The prevalence of steatohepatitis with advanced fibrosis estimated as BAAT index ≥ 3 was 2.4% in all subjects, and was higher in the elderly FLD patients than in the non-elderly FLD patients.

Conclusion

The prevalence of FLD is higher in the elderly, and is broadly related to the same metabolic risk factors as in the non-elderly. However, female-sex is no longer protective with increasing age, and the prevalence of steatohepatitis with advanced fibrosis is estimated to be considerably higher in the elderly FLD patients than in the non-elderly FLD controls.     

Trends in the prevalence of major cardiovascular disease risk factors among Korean adults: Results from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1998–2012

Background

Mortality from coronary heart disease in Korea has increased continuously, but there are few comprehensive national data on trend in the prevalence of risk factors for cardiovascular disease in this population. We examined the trends in the prevalence of major risk factors for cardiovascular disease, including smoking, obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and hypercholesterolemia, from 1998 through 2012 in a representative Korean population.

Methods

Using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey I (1998) to V (2010–2012), we selected the adults aged ≥ 30 yr who participated in both a health examination and health interview survey.

Results

From 1998 to 2012, significant decrease in the prevalence of hypertension was observed in both men (32.5 to 31.5%) and women (26.9 to 24.3%). Smoking rates decreased only in men (65.1 to 47.0%), whereas the prevalence of diabetes did not change over time. Conversely, the prevalence of hypercholesterolemia significantly increased from 7.2% to 12.6% for men and from 8.4% to 14.9% for women, whereas the rates of awareness and treatment for hypercholesterolemia were relatively lower than that of hypertension and diabetes. During the period, prevalence of obesity significantly increased from 26.8% to 38.1% only in men.

Conclusions

The increased prevalence of hypercholesterolemia and obesity may have contributed to the increasing trend in the mortality from coronary heart disease in Korea. Further population-based surveillance of blood cholesterol levels and obesity needs to be performed, and national strategies for improvement of these factors should be established in Korea.     

Association of computed tomography-derived left atrial size with major cardiovascular events in the general population: The Heinz Nixdorf Recall Study

Background

Echocardiography based data suggests that left atrial (LA) size is associated with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Once non-contrast cardiac CT is performed for prevention purposes, information on the LA is readily available. We aimed to determine whether LA area from non-contrast cardiac CT is associated with incident major cardiovascular (CV) events, independent of CV risk factors and coronary artery calcium (CAC), based on a general population cohort.

Methods

Subjects aged 45–75 years without prevalent CV disease from the population-based Heinz Nixdorf Recall Study were enrolled between 2000 and 2003. LA area at the level of the mitral valve was quantified from non-contrast cardiac CT. Major CV events (coronary event, stroke, CV death) were assessed during follow-up. The association of LA with events was assessed using Cox regression analysis.

Results

Overall, 3958 subjects (59.2 ± 7.7 years, 53% female) were included. Mean LA area was 17.64 ± 4.22 cm² (range: 7.16–44.13 cm²). During 8.0 ± 1.5 years of follow-up, 221 major CV events occurred. In univariate analysis, increase of LA size by 1 standard deviation was associated with nearly 50% excess events (HR (95%CI): 1.48 (1.32–1.65)), which remained significant after adjustment for CV risk factors (HR (95%CI): 1.25 (1.09–1.43)) and when additionally adjusting for CAC (HR (95%CI): 1.22 (1.07–1.40)). Associations for LA size were similar for each endpoint and again independent of risk factors and CAC (coronary event: HR (95%CI): 1.21 (1.01–1.45); stroke: 1.31 (1.05–1.63); CV death: 1.33 (1.03–1.71)).

Conclusion

LA size is associated with incident major CV events independent of risk factors and CAC-score. Once cardiac CT imaging is performed, assessment of LA size may complement information of this imaging modality.     

Evaluation by MRA of aortic dilation late after repair of tetralogy of Fallot

Objectives

This study evaluated predictors for aortic dilation (AD) in patients with repaired tetralogy of Fallot (rTOF) using magnetic resonance angiography (MRA).

Background

AD is common in patients with rTOF and may result in increased morbidity and mortality. There are no guidelines for evaluation of AD for rTOF patients.

Methods

All adults with rTOF who previously underwent MRA had retrospective aortic measurements at the sinuses of Valsalva (SoV) and ascending aorta (AsAo). Rate of change in diameter was determined in patients with multiple MRAs. Chart review identified risk factors for AD. Univariate and multivariate analyses tested predictors of AD.

Results

Of the 87 patients who met the inclusion criteria, 12 (14%) had AD. At baseline, mean diameter was 3.6 ± 0.6 cm and 3.1 ± 0.6 cm at the SoV and AsAo, respectively. The AsAo was larger than the SoV in 17%. Predictors of AD included male gender, age, right aortic arch, pregnancy, older age at complete repair, smoking, and systemic hypertension. Serial studies were available in 55 patients; the rate of growth was slow: 0.4 ± 0.9 mm/year (SoV) and 0.1 ± 0.8 mm/year (AsAo).

Conclusions

AD is common in rTOF at the SoV and AsAo. Transthoracic echocardiography, which does not always image the AsAo as well as MRA, may not image AD in rTOF in cases in which the AsAo is dilated. Although several risk factors correlate with AD in rTOF, the rate of aortic growth is slow, suggesting that rTOF patients may not require frequent aortic imaging.     

Trajectories of the Framingham general cardiovascular risk profile in midlife and poor motor function later in life: The Whitehall II study

Background

Vascular risk factors are associated with increased risk of cognitive impairment and dementia, but their association with motor function, another key feature of aging, has received little research attention. We examined the association between trajectories of the Framingham general cardiovascular disease risk score (FRS) over midlife and motor function later in life.

Methods

A total of 5376 participants of the Whitehall II cohort study (29% women) who had up to four repeat measures of FRS between 1991–1993 (mean age = 48.6 years) and 2007–2009 (mean age = 65.4 years) and without history of stroke or coronary heart disease in 2007–2009 were included. Motor function was assessed in 2007–2009 through objective tests (walking speed, chair rises, balance, finger tapping, grip strength). We used age- and sex-adjusted linear mixed models.

Results

Participants with poorer performances for walking speed, chair rises, and balance in 2007–2009 had higher FRS concurrently and also in 1991–1993, on average 16 years earlier. These associations were robust to adjustment for cognition, socio-economic status, height, and BMI, and not explained by incident mobility limitation prior to motor assessment. No association was found with finger tapping and grip strength.

Conclusions

Cardiovascular risk early in midlife is associated with poor motor performances later in life. Vascular risk factors play an important and under-recognized role in motor function, independently of their impact on cognition, and suggest that better control of vascular risk factors in midlife may prevent physical impairment and disability in the elderly.     

Epidemiological profile of Wolff–Parkinson–White syndrome in a general population younger than 50 years of age in an era of radiofrequency catheter ablation

Background

The prevalence of Wolff–Parkinson–White (WPW) syndrome varies between 0.68 and 1.7/1000. The epidemiological profile may be modified after the introduction of transcatheter interventions.

Objectives

The aim of this study is to investigate the epidemiological trends of the WPW syndrome in a general population during a period with available and reimbursed transcatheter ablation.

Methods and results

Data of WPW patients < 50 years old were retrieved from our national database (2000–2010). We identified 6086 (61% male) patients, accounting for an overall prevalence of 0.36/1000 with a peak of 0.61/1000 in ages 20–24 years. The risk of death and sudden death was 0.071% and 0.02% per patient-year, respectively. The 42 deaths occurred at a median age of 29 years. Associated congenial heart disease was noted in 158 (2.6%) patients, including 42 with Ebstein's anomaly that increased the mortality risk (P = 0.001, OR = 8.5). In those without congenital heart disease, myocardial dysfunction occurred in 115 (1.9%) patients and increased the risk of death (P < 0.001, OR = 10.6) and sudden death. Radiofrequency catheter ablation was performed in 2527 patients at a median age of 25.7 years (4.54% per patient-year, discharge mortality 0.16%); 11 (0.4%) before the age of 5, and 2231 (88%) after the age of 15. Whereas repeated ablation procedures accounted for 6.0% of the procedures, those in Ebstein's patients were 25%.

Conclusion

Radiofrequency catheter ablation is already a common treatment for WPW patients, particularly during young adulthood, which accounts for a lower prevalence. Myocardial dysfunction and associated congenital heart disease remain as risks of mortality.     

Serum levels of soluble receptor for advanced glycation end-products and metabolic syndrome: The Northern Manhattan Study

Objective

Recent studies have shown a strong link between serum soluble receptor for advanced glycation end-products (sRAGE) levels and cardiovascular risk factors and disease. What is less clear is the relationship between metabolic risk factors and sRAGE levels. Here, we tested the hypothesis that lower sRAGE levels may be associated with the metabolic syndrome (MetS) in an urban multi ethnic population.

Materials/methods

From the Northern Manhattan Study (NOMAS), we included 1101 stroke-free participants (mean age: 71 ± 9 years, 60% women, 64% Hispanic, 18% black, 16% white). Serum sRAGE was measured by ELISA. Quantile regression analysis was performed to evaluate the association between sRAGE and MetS components and MetS, after adjusting for sociodemographics, smoking status and kidney function.

Results

The median (interquartile) sRAGE was 899 pg/ml (647–1248 pg/ml), 42% had metabolic syndrome. The prevalence of unfavorable metabolic factors was 50% for waist circumference (WC), 81% for blood pressure, 39% for fasting glucose, 35% for reduced high density lipoproteins (HDL), and 23% for triglycerides. After adjustment, the median sRAGE levels were at least 120 pg/ml lower in those who had elevated WC (p < 0.0001), blood pressure (p = 0.0014), and fasting glucose (p < 0.0001), and those who had 2 or more unfavorable metabolic factors. No relationship was seen between sRAGE levels and elevated triglycerides or reduced HDL levels. Interaction and stratified analyses revealed that the association of sRAGE with MetS was more prominent in Hispanics compared to whites, and displaying no association with components of MetS in blacks.

Conclusions

sRAGE levels were mainly associated with MetS factors related to obesity, diabetes and hypertension, and displayed variation with ethnicity in a multi-ethnic population. Further studies of sRAGE, MetS and their relationship to cardiovascular disease are warranted.     

The effects of improved metabolic risk factors on bone turnover markers after 12 weeks of simvastatin treatment with or without exercise

Objective

Emerging evidence supports an association between metabolic risk factors and bone turnover. Statins and exercise independently improve metabolic risk factors; however whether improvements in metabolic risk factor affects bone turnover is unknown. The purpose of the present study was to: 1) evaluate the relationship between metabolic risk factors and bone turnover; and 2) determine if improvements in metabolic risk factors after 12 weeks of statin treatment, exercise or the combination affect bone turnover.

Methods

Fifty participants with ≥ 2 metabolic syndrome defining characteristics were randomly assigned to one of three groups: statin (STAT: simvastatin, 40 mg/day), exercise (EX: brisk walking and/or slow jogging, 45 minutes/day, 5 days/week), or the combination (STAT + EX). Body composition and whole body bone mineral density were measured with dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Serum markers of bone formation (bone specific alkaline phosphatase, BAP; osteocalcin, OC), resorption (C-terminal peptide of type I collagen, CTX) and metabolic risk factors were determined. Two-factor (time, group) repeated-measures ANCOVA was used to examine changes of metabolic risk factors and bone turnover. General linear models were used to determine the effect of pre-treatment metabolic risk factors on post-treatment bone turnover marker outcomes.

Results

Participants with ≥ 4 metabolic syndrome defining characteristics had lower pre-treatment OC than those with 3 or fewer. OC was negatively correlated with glucose, and CTX was positively correlated with cholesterol. STAT or STAT + EX lowered total and LDL cholesterol. The OC to CTX ratio decreased in all groups with no other significant changes in bone turnover. Higher pre-treatment insulin or body fat predicted a greater CTX reduction and a greater BAP/CTX increase.

Conclusion

Metabolic risk factors were negatively associated with bone turnover markers. Short-term statin treatment with or without exercise lowered cholesterol and all treatments had a small effect on bone turnover.     

Cardiometabolic risk and disease in Indigenous Australians: The heart of the heart study

Objectives

This study assessed the burden and determinants of cardiovascular and metabolic risk in a community sample of high risk Indigenous Australians.

Background

Indigenous Australians are over-represented in the most disadvantaged strata of Australian society. The role of psychosocial and socioeconomic factors in patterning cardiometabolic disease in this population is unclear.

Methods

The Heart of the Heart Study was a cross sectional study of 436 Aboriginal adults from remote, urban and peri-urban communities around Alice Springs (Northern Territory, Australia). Participants underwent detailed assessments of socio-demographic, psychosocial, cardiovascular and metabolic status.

Results

Individuals with depression were twice as likely to have cardiovascular disease (OR 2.03; 1.07–3.88; p < 0.05). Chronic kidney disease (39.7%, 37.2% and 18.2%) and diabetes (28.4%, 34.0% and 19.2%) were more common in peri-urban and remote compared to urban communities. Cardiovascular disease did not vary across locations (p = 0.069), but coronary artery disease did (p = 0.035 for trend). Unemployed individuals were more likely to have cardiovascular disease (OR 2.32; 1.33–4.06; p < 0.001). Socioeconomic gradients in coronary artery disease, all cardiovascular disease and diabetes, as measured by income, operated differentially across locations (p for location/socioeconomic status interactions 0.002; 0.01 and 0.04 respectively).

Conclusion

Participants had high rates of pre-existing cardiovascular disease, diabetes and chronic kidney disease. Cardiovascular risk in these communities was associated with psychosocial factors and socioeconomic indicators. However, gradients operated differentially across location. These data provide a strong foundation for better understanding key drivers of increased levels of cardiovascular and other common forms of non-communicable disease in Indigenous people.     

Elevated plasma fractalkine levels are associated with higher levels of IL-6, Apo-B,LDL-C and insulin,but not with body composition in a large female twin sample

Objective

Plasma fractalkine (FRACT) is involved in the development of numerous inflammatory conditions including atherosclerosis. It is associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus and adipose inflammation. However, whether FRACT is associated with major risk factors for cardiovascular disease, in particular obesity, metabolic syndrome and blood lipids, is virtually unknown.

Methods

The study included a large community-based sample of 3306 middle-aged women drawn from the general UK population. Blood samples were analyzed for circulating levels of FRACT, leptin, insulin, glucose, LDL-C, HDL-C, Apo-A, ApoB and IL-6. Obesity was assessed by fat body mass (FBM) using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry and by body mass index (BMI).

Results

We found no association between FRACT and body composition, in particular adiposity. Obese and non obese subjects with metabolic syndrome tended to have higher levels of FRACT compared with non-obese subjects without metabolic syndrome but this did not reach statistical significance. Most importantly we report significant correlations between FRACT and circulating IL-6, Apo-B, LDL-C and insulin. The associations with IL-6 and Apo-B were particularly significant (P-value < 0.001), and survived correction for multiple testing and adjustment for age and other covariates.

Conclusion

Higher FRACT levels correlated with elevated levels of IL-6, Apo-B, LDL-C and insulin, all known risk factors for several clinical related diseases suggesting a potential role of FRACT in inflammation and tissue injury. Variations of FRACT levels are not influenced by body composition and are not correlated with leptin indicating that fat mass alone is not responsible for elevation of FRACT seen in obese individuals.     

Associations of mid-regional pro-adrenomedullin levels to cardiovascular and metabolic abnormalities,and mortality in an elderly population from the community

Background

The mid-regional part of the prohormone of adrenomedullin (MR-proADM) is emerging as a novel risk indicator in patients with cardiac disease. We investigated MR-proADM levels and their changes over 5 years in elderly community-dwellers, together with the underlying cardiovascular and metabolic conditions, and the prognostic implications of these measurements.

Methods and results

MR-proADM was analyzed using a sandwich immunoassay (Thermo Fisher Scientific) in participants from the PIVUS study. Measurements were performed at 70 (n = 1002) and 75 years of age (n = 795) together with various measurements of other markers of cardiovascular function. In cross-sectional analyses, MR-proADM was independently related to current smoking, renal dysfunction, obesity, lower left-ventricular ejection fraction, and higher levels of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide and C-reactive protein. There were no independent associations to other cardiovascular risk factors or vascular pathologies. MR-proADM levels predicted all-cause mortality during 8.0 years of follow-up independent of cardiovascular risk indicators (adjusted HR 5.1 [95% CI 2.8–9.5]; p < 0.001) using results obtained at 70 and 75 years as updated covariates. Baseline MR-proADM levels improved prognostic discrimination (IDI = 0.018 [p = 0.001]). Also the change in MR-proADM levels over time independently predicted all-cause mortality occurring after 75 years (adjusted HR 13.4 [95% CI 3.5–50.5]; p < 0.001).

Conclusions

MR-proADM levels in the elderly integrate information on several relevant aspects in cardiovascular disease, namely cardiovascular risk factors including obesity, low-grade inflammation, renal dysfunction and left-ventricular abnormalities. Furthermore, MR-proADM and its changes over time predicted mortality, and might provide utility as an indicator of the overall cardiovascular risk burden.     

Significant association between angiotensin-converting enzyme gene insertion/deletion polymorphism and risk of recurrent miscarriage: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Many studies have investigated the association between angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism and risk of recurrent miscarriage, but the impact is unclear due to inconsistencies among those studies. This study aimed to quantify the strength of the association between ACE I/D polymorphism and recurrent miscarriage risk by performing a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Design and Methods

We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Wanfang Medicine databases for eligible articles relating the association between ACE I/D polymorphism and risk of recurrent miscarriage in humans. We estimated the summary odds ratios (ORs) with their 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) to assess the association.

Results

Eleven studies with a total of 3357 individuals were included in this meta-analysis. Compared to the ACE II genotype, DD and ID were both associated with increased risk of recurrent miscarriage (OR _{DD versus II} = 1.81, 95% CI 1.23–2.66, P = 0.003; OR _{ID versus II} = 1.50, 95% CI 1.25–1.80, P < 0.001). Sensitivity analyses further confirmed the association above. No evidence of publication bias was observed.

Conclusion

Meta-analyses of available data show a significant association between ACE I/D polymorphism and recurrent miscarriage risk, and the ACE polymorphic D allele contributes to increased risk of recurrent miscarriage.     

Diet quality is associated with circulating C-reactive protein but not irisin levels in humans

Objective

Adherence to a healthy diet has been shown to decrease the incidence of obesity and associated comorbidities. C-reactive protein (CRP) is an established inflammatory marker and irisin was recently identified as a molecule which may play a role in energy regulation and obesity but whether diet alters irisin levels remains unknown. We aimed to investigate the association between circulating irisin, leptin, and CRP levels and dietary quantity and quality using the Alternate Healthy Eating Index (AHEI) and the Alternate Mediterranean Diet Score (aMED).

Materials/Methods

The study evaluated dietary data and biomarker levels of 151 participants between 2009 and 2011 (71 male vs. 80 female, over 35 years old, obese 43.7%). AHEI and aMED scores were calculated based on data derived from self-administered 110-item food-frequency questionnaires estimating usual nutrient intake over the past year. Cross-sectional associations between dietary quantity, quality, body composition by bioelectric impedance, and biomarker levels including irisin, leptin, and CRP after fasting were assessed.

Results

CRP, but not irisin, was negatively correlated with AHEI (r = − 0.34) and aMED (r = − 0.31). Irisin was positively correlated with BMI (r = 0.22), fat mass (r = 0.21), waist circumference (r = 0.24), waist–hip ratio (r = 0.20), leptin (r = 0.32), and CRP (r = 0.25). Participants with the highest AHEI scores tended to have 11.6% lower concentrations of irisin (P for trend = 0.09), but they were not significant after adjustment for potential confounders. Better diet quality was associated with lower CRP concentrations (P for trend = 0.02) in multivariate model. Percentage of energy from carbohydrate was inversely associated with CRP.

Conclusions

Unlike CRP, irisin is not associated with dietary quality or quantity.     

Physical activity energy expenditure is associated with 2-h insulin independently of obesity among Inuit in Greenland

Aims

Indigenous populations throughout the Arctic are experiencing a rapid increase in the prevalence of obesity and type 2 diabetes. The role of physical activity in relation to glucose metabolism in Arctic populations is not well studied. We examined the association between objectively measured physical activity energy expenditure (PAEE) and glucose metabolism in a population-based study of adult Inuit in Greenland.

Methods

Cross-sectional data were collected by combined accelerometry and heart rate monitoring (ACC + HR) among Inuit (18+ years) in Greenland during 2005–2010 (n = 1545). PAEE was calculated and the associations with fasting glucose, 2-h glucose, fasting insulin, 2-h insulin concentrations and body composition were analysed by linear regression.

Results

An inverse association between PAEE and fasting insulin, 2-h insulin, 2-h glucose, fat percentage, BMI and waist circumference (WC) was found after adjustments by age and sex. Only the association between PAEE and 2-h insulin remained significant after adjustment by WC (P = 0.01), most pronounced at low levels of PAEE indicating a threshold around 35–40 kJ/kg/day. No overall linear trend was found for fasting glucose and 2-h glucose.

Conclusions

This population-based study showed that PAEE was associated with 2-h insulin independently of obesity in an inverse dose-response relation. Insufficient physical activity may contribute to impaired glucose tolerance through a pathway including alterations in obesity and fat distribution. Both obesity and low levels of PAEE may be important contributing risk factors for the increasing prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus among Inuit in Greenland, but additional risk factors should be examined in this indigenous population.     

Uric acid levels,even in the normal range,are associated with increased cardiovascular risk: The Guangzhou Biobank Cohort Study

Objective

To examine the association between serum uric acid (UA) levels and cardiovascular risk factors in subjects without diabetes or hyperuricemia.

Methods

6172 women and 2662 men aged 50 + years without diabetes from Phase 1 of the Guangzhou Biobank Cohort Study were included. Data on personal history, physical examination and biochemical parameters were collected. Subjects were categorized by serum UA concentration, and the association between UA levels and cardiovascular risk factors was examined using generalized linear models.

Results

In both men and women with normouricemia (UA < 420 μmol/l in men and < 360 μmol/l in women), tertiles of UA levels were adversely associated with body mass index, waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, total- and HDL-cholesterol, apolipoprotein A1, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, pulse pressure, fasting plasma glucose and white blood cell count (P value for trend ranged from 0.04 to < 0.001), and also consistently associated with metabolic disorders including obesity, hypertension, hypertension treatment, dyslipidemia, waist circumference increased since the age of 18 years and the metabolic syndrome (P value for trend ranged from 0.02 to < 0.001).

Conclusion

Increasing UA levels, even in subjects with normouricemia and without diabetes, were associated with increasing prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors, suggesting that clinically dichotomous definition of hyperuricemia may be inadequate and high-normal value of UA may warn of metabolic disorders.