Erythrocyte antioxidant enzymes and blood pressure in relation to overweight and obese Thai in Bangkok

The specific activities of antioxidant enzymes, [eg superoxide dismutases (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and catalase (CAT)], anthropometric measurements, including waist/hip ratio of 48 male and 167 female overweight persons (body mass index (BMI) > or = 25.0 kg/m2) compared with a 26 male and 80 female control group (BMI = 18.5-24.9 kg/m2) of Thai volunteers who attended the Out-patient Department, General Practice Section, Rajvithi Hospital, Bangkok, for a physical check-up during March-October, 1998, were investigated. There was a slightly significant difference between the median age of the sexes. The medians of height, weight, and waist/hip ratio in males were significantly higher than those in female overweight and obese subjects. The median of arm circumference (AC), mid arm muscle circumference (MAMC) in males was significantly higher than those in female overweight and obese subjects (p < 0.05). The prevalences of hypertension based on systolic and diastolic blood pressure of > or = 160/> or = 95 mmHg, were 8.3% and 37.5% for males and 5.4% and 18.6% for females, respectively. There was no significant difference between the median of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, GPX and CAT) between the sexes. No significant differences in the antioxidant enzymes in male overweight/obese persons and normal controls were presented, whereas antioxidant enzymes in female overweight/obese persons were statistically lower than in control females (p < 0.05). A significantly higher SOD, GPX, and CAT status was observed in normal subjects compared with overweight/obese subjects (p < 0.01). A higher prevalence of SOD < or = 2,866 U/gHb, GPX (< or = 15.96 U/gHb in females was found, compared with males. A high percentage of lower catalase (CAT < or = 19.2x10(4) IU/gHb) was found in both sexes (64.5% in males and 64.5% in females). In obese subjects (BMI > or = 30.0 kg/m2), there were significantly positive relationships between systolic and diastolic blood pressure, systolic blood pressure and waist/hip ratio, and SOD could be related to weight, BMI as well as GPX and CAT, whereas the opposite result was observed for age and SOD.     

Activity, dietary intake, and anthropometry of an informal social group of Thai elderly in Bangkok

Socio-demographic, anthropometric assessment, dietary pattern, lifestyle of 384 Thai elderly (55 males and 329 females) aged 60–94 years, who were members of an informal social activity group, were investigated. The 3-day dietary record was determined with the help of food models by random sampling of the group (seven males and 25 females). Most of the males investigated were married (88.9%), whereas 42.9% of the females were widowed. Nearly all of the elderly investigated lived with their relatives. Only 3% of the elderly had never attended school. More elderly males than females smoked or had smoked in the past, and this applies also to their drinking habits. The health situation of the individuals investigated seemed to be satisfactory. The most frequent diseases found among the elderly were chronic diseases, such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia and diabetes mellitus. No statistically significant difference in body mass index (BMI), arm circumference (AC), and hip circumference was found between males and females. Weight, height, mid-arm muscle circumference (MAMC), arm span, waist, waist/hip ratio and blood pressure of the males were significantly higher than those of the females. Tricep skin-fold thickness (TSF) and subscapular skin-fold thickness (SST) were lower for males than for females. A total of 54.5% of the males and 50.5% of the females were found to be over-nourished. Less than 2% of all the individuals investigated were undernourished. No significant differences were observed for all nutrients between the males and females. Intake of dietary energy from food for males and females was 69.8 and 75.5%, respectively, compared with the Thai RDA. When calculating the intake of macro-nutrients as percentage of total calorie intake, about 17% of the total calorie intake was attributed to fat, 13% to protein and 70% to carbohydrate for the males. For the females, the figures were 17, 15, and 68%, respectively. Intake of calcium, phosphorus, vitamin B1, B2 and niacin seem to be inadequate for both sexes.     

C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels in overweight and healthy adults

This study aimed to 1) compare levels of high sensitivity c-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) between overweight Thais and apparently healthy controls, and 2) investigate the association between serum hs-CRP, IL-6, and TNF-alpha levels and other biochemical parameters. A total of 180 health-conscious adults aged 25-60 years, who resided in Bangkok, participated in this study. No significant difference was found in age and sex between the overweight subjects and controls. Serum levels of hs-CRP, IL-6, TNF-alpha, glucose, lipid profile, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC) and waist hip ratio (WHR) were determined in these volunteers. The mean levels of white blood cells (WBC), uric acid, total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and hs-CRP were significantly higher in the overweight subjects than those in the controls, whereas high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) values were significantly higher in the controls than the overweight subjects (p < 0.05). Hs-CRP levels were significantly positively correlated with levels of TG, BMI, WC, HC and WHR. HDL-C levels were significantly negative correlated with hs-CRP levels. In conclusion, the prevalence of elevated serum hs-CRP levels was higher in overweight subjects than controls. However, more data in larger and other population groups are needed to confirm this study.     

HLa-class II (DRB & DQB1) in Thai sudden unexplained death syndrome (Thai SUDS) families (Lai-Tai families)

Thai Sudden Unexplained Death Syndrome (Thai SUDS), or Lai-Tai, is a major health problem among rural residents of northeastern Thailand. The cause has been identified as a genetic disease. SUDS, a disorder found in Southeast Asia, is characterized by an abnormal electrocardiogram with ST-segment elevation in leads V1-V3, identical to that seen in Brugada Syndrome (Brugada Sign, BS) and sudden death due to ventricular fibrillation and cardiac arrest (represents an arrhythmogenic marker that identifies high-risk for SUDS). SUDS victims have a sleeping disorder (narcolepsy). The HLA-DR locus is tightly associated with narcoleptic Japanese patients and HLA-DR2, DQ haplotypes were also found in Oriental narcoleptic patients. These circumstances prompted us to study the association between the disease and HLA Class II by HLA DNA typing using a PCR-SSO method, with five Thai SUDS families (18 BS-positive subjects as the cases, and 27 BS-negatives as the controls). We found that the HLA-DRB1 *12021 allele was significantly increased in BS-positive subjects (p = 0.02; OR = 4.5), the same as the HLA-DRB1*12021-DQB1 *0301/09 haplotype (p = 0.01; OR = 7.95). Our data suggests that the HLA-DRB1* 12021 allele associated with BS and the HLA-DRB1*12021-DQB1 *0301/09 is a haplotype susceptible to arrhythmogenic markers that can identify a high risk for SUDS.     

Serum leptin and lipid profiles in Thai obese and overweight subjects

The weight, height, body mass index (BMI), waist/hip ratio, serum leptin and lipid profiles of 48 overweight (BMI > or = 25.00). Thai males and 166 overweight Thai females, compared with 26 males and 81 females in a control group (BMI = 18.5-24.9 kg/m2), were investigated. Subjects for the study were those persons who turned up regularly for physical check-ups at the out-patient department, general practice section of the Rajvithi Hospital, Bangkok. The study was conducted between March-October, 1998. Statistically significantly higher levels of serum leptin, cholesterol, LDL-C, LDL-C/HDL-C ratio and triglyceride were found in the overweight compared with the control subjects. The median serum leptin concentration in overweight subjects was 19.6 (2.0-60.0 ng/ml) compared with 9.0 (range 1.0-30.0 ng/ml) in the control subjects (p < 0.001). The median values of leptin serum concentrations in the overweight and obese males were significantly higher than those of the overweight and obese females. A total of 66.7% (32 out of 48) of the overweight and obese males had elevated leptin levels, while elevated leptin levels were found in 87.3% (145 out of 166) of the overweight and obese females. A total of 18.8% and 21.1% of the overweight and obese males and females respectively had cholesterol concentrations of > or = 6.48 mmol/l. However, the prevalence of low HDL-C (HDL-C < or = 0.91 mmol/l) was found to be 41.7% in the overweight and obese males and 4.2% in the overweight and obese females. Statistically significant associations were found between weight, height, BMI, waist, hip, waist/hip ratio, HDL-C, and serum leptin in both overweight male and female subjects. A negative correlation was found between serum leptin and LDL-C/HDL-C ratio in both the overweight and obese subjects.     

Exposure to lead of boatyard workers in southern Thailand

Lead oxide is used extensively in the construction and repair of wooden boats in Thailand, but the behaviors of boatyard workers that could place them at risk of contamination have not previously been documented. Baseline data on practices and behaviors of boatyard workers and on the level of worker and workplace contamination with lead were therefore collected. Fifty workers in two boatyards participated in this study. Lead exposure of workers was assessed by determining airborne and blood lead levels. A questionnaire was administered to collect information on work history, suspected exogenous lead sources, personal behavior and knowledge about lead. Evidence obtained by the study indicated that safety behavior and personal hygiene were poor--workers used no mask, gloves or hood, wore open sandals, smoked, drank, chewed and ate during work and did not wash their hands before drinking or eating. Some workers had lunch in the working area. The mean personal airborne lead of caulkers (36.4 microg/m3) was higher than that of carpenters (8.3 microg/m3). Forty-eight percent of all workers and 67% of caulkers had a blood lead level (BLL) exceeding 40 microg/dl. Multiple linear regression indicated that blood lead levels of workers were significantly related to job and education level, with significant differences between boatyards. In addition, the potential for "take-home" contamination was high; none of the workers took a shower or changed their clothes prior to going home. These results indicate a problem of lead exposure of sufficient magnitude to be a public health concern.     

Relationship between serum antioxidant vitamins A, E, and C and lipid profiles in priest subjects at the Priest Hospital

The serum vitamins A, E, and C (antioxidant vitamins) of 112 priest subjects, compared with 90 males and 119 females in a control group, were investigated. Subjects for the study were Thai volunteers who attended the Outpatient Department, Priest Hospital, Bangkok, for a physical check-up from July to September 2003. There was no age difference between the priest group and the controls. All serum vitamins, A, E, and C, of the priest group were significantly lower than the control group. Statistically significantly higher levels of total cholesterol, LDL-C, and LDL-C/HDL-C ratio were found in the priest subjects compared with the controls. The median serum retinol concentration in the priest subjects was 3.02 micromol/l (range 1.47-4.01 micromol/l) compared with 3.23 micromol/l (range 1.74-4.57 micromol/l) in the controls (p<0.01). The median serum a-tocopherol concentration in the priest subjects was 18.1 mmol/l (range 5.8-27.3 micromol/l) compared with 19.6 mmol/l (range 7.3-37.7 micromol/l) in the controls (p<0.01). The median serum ascorbic acid concentration in the priest subjects was 3.74 mg/l (range 0.0-17.0 mg/l) compared with 6.37 mg/l (range 0.0-18.0 mg/l) in the controls. The median values for retinol, alpha-tocopherol, and ascorbic acid serum concentrations in the male priests were lower than the control males. A total of 28% and 65% of the priest subjects had decreased alpha-tocopherol and ascorbic acid levels, while the controls had decreased alpha-tocopherol and ascorbic acid levels of 20% and 31.5%, respectively. A total of 67.8% and 54.4% of priest and control subjects, respectively, had cholesterol concentrations of > or = 5.18 mmol/l. However, a prevalence of low HDL-C (HDL-C < or = 0.91 micromol/l) was found in 1.8% of priest subjects and 1.4% of controls. Statistically significant associations were found between alpha-tocopherol, cholesterol, LDL-C, triglyceride, and serum retinol. A positive correlation was found between age, retinol, and serum alpha-tocopherol. A negative correlation was found between cholesterol, HDL-C, LDL-C, and the serum alpha-tocopherol/cholesterol ratio. In addition, negative correlations were found between weight, cholesterol, LDL-C, triglyceride, and the serum alpha-tocopherol/(cholesterol + triglyceride) ratio in priest and control subjects. The results suggest more research should be conducted into the health and nutritional problems of both healthy and diseased priest subjects concerning vitamins and oxidative stress.     

Serum homocysteine,B12 and folic acid concentration in Thai overweight and obese subjects

This study investigated levels of serum homocysteine, vitamin B12, folic acid, vitamin B6 and vitamin C, in 37 male and 112 female overweight and obese Thai volunteers (body mass index; BMI > or = 25.00), and 23 male and 90 female normal-weight Thai volunteers, who came for a physical check-up at the Out-patient Department, General Practice Section, Rajvithi Hospital, Bangkok from March to October of 2000. Data included anthropometric measurements and waist/hip ratios. All anthropometric variables, except height, were significantly higher for the overweight subjects than for the normal subjects. Statistically significantly higher levels of serum homocysteine were found in the overweight subjects. Serum homocysteine concentrations in overweight and obese males were significantly higher than in overweight and obese females. Serum folic acid and vitamin C in the overweight and obese were found to be statistically significantly lower than in the control subjects. No statistically significant difference in vitamin B12 was found in the overweight and obese subjects compared with the normal control subjects. The medians of serum folic acid and vitamin C concentrations for the overweight and obese males were significantly lower than those of the overweight and obese females. A negative correlation was found between serum folic acid and homocysteine concentrations in all overweight and obese subjects. A significant negative correlation between serum folic acid and vitamin B6 was observed in both male and female overweight and obese subjects. The results of the investigation suggest that homocysteine levels in overweight and obese subjects seem to be caused by insufficient dietary folic acid intake and probably not by B12 deficiency.     

The relationships between anthropometric measurements,serum vitamin A and E concentrations and lipid profiles in overweight and obese subjects

The weight, height, body mass index (BMI), waist/hip ratio, serum retinol and alpha-tocopherol and lipid profiles of 16 overweight (BMI > or = 25.0 kg/m2) Thai males and 56 overweight females, compared with 14 males and 58 females in a control group (BMI 18.5-24.9 kg/m2), were investigated. Subjects for the study were those persons who turned up regularly for physical check-up at the Outpatient Department, General Practice Section of Rajvithi Hospital, Bangkok. The study was conducted between December 2000-March 2001. Higher levels of cholesterol, LDL-C, LDL-C/HDL-C ratio were found in the overweight compared with the control subjects. Statistically significant higher triglyceride levels were found in the overweight compared with the control subjects. The median serum retinol concentration in overweight subjects was 2.80 mumol/L (range 0.53-4.62 mumol/L) compared with 2.97 mumol/L (range 1.21-4.12 mumol/L) in control subjects (p = 0.0736). The median serum alpha-tocopherol concentration in overweight subjects was 17.30 mumol/L (range 6.29-28.65 mumol/L) compared with 18.75 mumol/L (range 5.30-30.28 mumol/L) in control subjects (P < 0.05). The median values of retinol and alpha-tocopherol serum concentrations in the overweight and obese males were lower than those of the overweight and obese females. A total of 6.3% (1 out of 16) and 12.5% (2 out of 16) of the overweight/obese males had decreased retinol and alpha-tocopherol levels, while the overweight/obese females had decreased retinol and alpha-tocopherol level of 1.8% (1 out of 56) and 10.7% (6 out of 56), respectively. A total of 12.5% and 39.3% of the overweight/obese males and females had cholesterol concentrations of > or = 6.48 mmol/l. However, the prevalence of low HDL-C (HDL-C < or = 0.91 mmol/l) was found to be 50% in the overweight and obese males and 10.7% in the overweight and obese females. Statistically significant associations were found between age, cholesterol, LDL-C, and serum alpha-tocopherol in the overweight and obese male and female subjects. A negative correlation was found between weight, BMI, AC, MAMC, hip circumference and serum retinol in both the overweight and obese subjects. A negative correlation was found between weight, BMI, MAMC, waist, hip circumferences and serum alpha-tocopherol in both the overweight and obese subjects.