Relation between age and gender differences in plasma triglyceride concentrations and coronary artery disease in Southern Turkey

Non-fasting triglyceride levels in the Korean population with and without ischemic heart disease and cerebrovascular disease

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Associations between non-fasting triglyceride (TG) levels and a risk of ischemic heart disease (IHD) and cerebrovascular accident (CVA) have been suggested in Caucasians. We aimed to investigate whether non-fasting TG levels reflect the risk of IHD/CVA in Koreans.

METHODS

We conducted an analysis of patients aged ≥ 30 years from the nationwide survey database. Fasting TG was defined as a measurement taken ≥ 12 hours since the last meal. Non-fasting TG was categorized by fasting duration of 0 to 3, 4 to 7, and 8 to 11 hours.

RESULTS

In subjects without history of IHD/CVA, diabetes, or lipid-lowering medication, the TG level was significantly elevated for 7 hours in men compared to fasting TG levels (p = 0.011); the mean TG levels were 154.9 mg/dL (standard error [SE], 13.0), 177.0 mg/dL (SE, 12.1), 148.8 mg/dL (SE, 2.8), and 141.5 mg/dL (SE, 1.4) for 0 to 3, 4 to 7, 8 to 11, and ≥12 hours' fasting, respectively. In women, there was no difference in TG level according to fasting duration after adjustment for confounders. In men without diabetes, the TG level from 4 to 7 hours' fasting showed a significant difference between subjects with or without IHD/CVA even after adjustments for age, body mass index, lipid medication, exercise, and dietary factors (215.1 mg/dL vs. 177.3 mg/dL, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

In men, non-fasting TG levels from 4 to 7 hours' fasting were significantly associated with IHD/CVA, and were superior to fasting TG levels level in the significant association with the history of IHD or CVA.

Atherogenic index of plasma may be strong predictor of subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with Behçet disease

OBJECTIVES

Behcet's disease (BD) is a systemic vasculitis characterized by cardiovascular complications. Early diagnosis of these complications can reduce morbidity and mortality. Carotid artery intima-media thickness (cIMT) and the logarithmic value of triglyceride to high density lipoprotein ratio (atherogenic index of plasma, AIP) are good markers of atherosclerosis. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether AIP is a predictive marker of subclinical atherosclerosis in BD patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 84 BD patients (60 male, 24 female) and 84 healthy control individuals (58 male, 26 female) were included in this study. cIMT measurements were made, and AIP values were calculated.

RESULTS

cIMT (p < 0.001) and AIP (p < 0.001) values of the BD patients were higher than those of the control group. A strong independent relationship was found between the AIP value and cIMT (β = 0.232, p = 0.018). In the subgroup analysis, the cIMT and AIP values of male BD patients were higher than those of female BD patients.

CONCLUSION

Increased AIP and cIMT values can be a good marker for subclinical atherosclerosis in BD patients, especially in male BD patients.

Atherogenic index of plasma may be strong predictor of subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with Behçet disease

OBJECTIVES

Behcet's disease (BD) is a systemic vasculitis characterized by cardiovascular complications. Early diagnosis of these complications can reduce morbidity and mortality. Carotid artery intima-media thickness (cIMT) and the logarithmic value of triglyceride to high density lipoprotein ratio (atherogenic index of plasma, AIP) are good markers of atherosclerosis. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether AIP is a predictive marker of subclinical atherosclerosis in BD patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 84 BD patients (60 male, 24 female) and 84 healthy control individuals (58 male, 26 female) were included in this study. cIMT measurements were made, and AIP values were calculated.

RESULTS

cIMT (p < 0.001) and AIP (p < 0.001) values of the BD patients were higher than those of the control group. A strong independent relationship was found between the AIP value and cIMT (β = 0.232, p = 0.018). In the subgroup analysis, the cIMT and AIP values of male BD patients were higher than those of female BD patients.

CONCLUSION

Increased AIP and cIMT values can be a good marker for subclinical atherosclerosis in BD patients, especially in male BD patients.

Association of metabolic syndrome components with insulin resistance in normal weight population: the Qazvin Metabolic Diseases study

PURPOSE

Metabolically obese but normal weight (MONW) is associated with higher risk of type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, and hypertension. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of metabolic syndrome components with MONW in each sex in Iranian population.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was performed on 417 normal weight subjects in Qazvin, Iran between September 2010 and April 2011. MONW was defined by insulin resistance (IR) using the homeostatic model assessment (HOMA). Cut off point for IR was defined as the lower limit of top quintile of HOMA-IR values in normal weight population without any metabolic risk factors. Data were analyzed using T test, Mann-Whitney U test, and multi-variant logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

Of 417 subjects, 44.3 % were female. The prevalence of MONW was 33.8 % in men and 39.8 % in women. Triglycerides levels were significantly higher in both men and women with MONW. Waist circumference was significantly higher in men with MONW, while high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were significantly lower in women with MONW. In logistic regression analysis, hypertriglyceridemia in women (OR 3.398; 95 % CI 1.306-8.846) and waist circumference (per 5 cm increment) in men (OR 1.653; 95 % CI 1.279-2.136) had independent association with MONW.

CONCLUSION

Association of metabolic syndrome components with MONW is different in men and women. Waist circumference had an independent association with IR in men but not in women. IR and its complications should be considered in lean women with hypertriglyceridemia.

Mitochondrial GWA Analysis of Lipid Profile Identifies Genetic Variants to Be Associated with HDL Cholesterol and Triglyceride Levels

It has been suggested that mitochondrial dysfunction has an influence on lipid metabolism. The fact that mitochondrial defects can be accumulated over time as a normal part of aging may explain why cholesterol levels often are altered with age. To test the hypothesis whether mitochondrial variants are associated with lipid profile (total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and triglycerides) we analyzed a total number of 978 mitochondrial single nucleotide polymorphisms (mtSNPs) in a sample of 2,815 individuals participating in the population-based KORA F4 study. To assess mtSNP association while taking the presence of heteroplasmy into account we used the raw signal intensity values measured on the microarray and applied linear regression. Ten mtSNPs (mt3285, mt3336, mt5285, mt6591, mt6671, mt9163, mt13855, mt13958, mt14000, and mt14580) were significantly associated with HDL cholesterol and one mtSNP (mt15074) with triglycerides levels. These results highlight the importance of the mitochondrial genome among the factors that contribute to the regulation of lipid levels. Focusing on mitochondrial variants may lead to further insights regarding the underlying physiological mechanisms, or even to the development of innovative treatments. Since this is the first mitochondrial genome-wide association analysis (mtGWAS) for lipid profile, further analyses are needed to follow up on the present findings.

Gender difference and characteristics attributed to coronary artery disease in Gaza-Palestine

Traditionally coronary artery disease (CAD) has been considered as disease affecting men, and for long time women were not included in researches programme. In both sexes, coronary heart disease risk increases with age. Extensive clinical and statistical studies have identified serial factors that increase the risk of coronary heart disease, some of them can be modified, and some cannot. This study was performed to analyze the extent to which cardiovascular risk factors can explain the gender difference in coronary heart disease.

The association of hypertriglyceridemia with cardiovascular events and pancreatitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Hypertriglyceridemia may be associated with important complications. The aim of this study is to estimate the magnitude of association and quality of supporting evidence linking hypertriglyceridemia to cardiovascular events and pancreatitis.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic review of multiple electronic bibliographic databases and subsequent meta-analysis using a random effects model. Studies eligible for this review followed patients longitudinally and evaluated quantitatively the association of fasting hypertriglyceridemia with the outcomes of interest. Reviewers working independently and in duplicate reviewed studies and extracted data.

RESULTS

35 studies provided data sufficient for meta-analysis. The quality of these observational studies was moderate to low with fair level of multivariable adjustments and adequate exposure and outcome ascertainment. Fasting hypertriglyceridemia was significantly associated with cardiovascular death (odds ratios (OR) 1.80; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.31-2.49), cardiovascular events (OR, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.23-1.53), myocardial infarction (OR, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.15-1.49), and pancreatitis (OR, 3.96; 95% CI, 1.27-12.34, in one study only). The association with all-cause mortality was not statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS

The current evidence suggests that fasting hypertriglyceridemia is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular death, MI, cardiovascular events, and possibly acute pancreatitis.Précis: hypertriglyceridemia is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular death, MI, cardiovascular events, and possibly acute pancreatitis.

Recent development of ischaemic heart disease in sex difference

Despite a dramatic decline in mortality over the past years, coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death and disability in the world. At the same time, with the great improvement of medical science, there is a growing population of postmyocardial infarction, postrevascularisation and heart failure survivors. Furthermore, there are rising rates of cigarette smoking, obesity, hypertension and the metabolic syndrome in the world. All the above contribute to the rising incidence rates of ischaemic heart disease (IHD) among women and men. This review highlights sex-specific issues in IHD presentation, evaluation and outcomes, with several new results published from the Women's Ischemia Syndrome Evaluation study. New evidence on traditional and novel risk markers as well as sex-specific differences in symptoms and diagnostic approaches have also been discussed.

Prevalence of Hyperlipidemia and Its Risk Factors for the Middle-Aged and Elderly in the Guangxi Hei Yi Zhuang and Han Populations

BACKGROUND

Han is the largest and Zhuang is the second largest among the 56 nationalities in China. Geographically and linguistically, Zhuang can be classified into 43 ethnic subgroups, among which Hei Yi (which means "black worship" and "black dressing") Zhuang is the most conservative group, according to its unique culture and customs. Little is known about the lipid profiles and corresponding risk factors of hyperlipidemia in this population. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the effects of demographic characteristics, health-related behaviors, and lifestyle factors on the prevalence of hyperlipidemia for the middle-aged and elderly in the Guangxi Hei Yi Zhuang and Han populations.

METHODS

A sample of 657 people of Hei Yi Zhuang aged 40 years and over was randomly selected from 7 villages in Napo County, Guangxi, China. Information on demographic characteristics, health-related behaviors, and lifestyle factors was collected by questionnaire. Blood pressure, height, weight, waist circumference, and serum lipid and apolipoprotein (apo) levels were measured, and body mass index (BMI) was calculated as a measure of weight relative to height. The results were compared with those in 520 people of Han living in the same region.

RESULTS

The prevalence of hyperlipidemia in the Hei Yi Zhuang was significantly lower than that in the Han (36.2% vs 42.3%; p < .05). The levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and apo B in Hei Yi Zhuang were also significantly lower than those in the Han (p < .05 to .001), but the levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and the ratio of apo A-I to apo B in the Hei Yi Zhuang were significantly higher than those in the Han (p < .01 and < .001, respectively). There were no significant differences in apo A-I levels between the two ethnic groups (p > .05). The prevalence of hyperlipidemia was positively correlated with BMI and blood pressure in the Hei Yi Zhuang. Hyperlipidemia was positively associated with age, BMI, and blood pressure and negatively associated with gender (female higher) in the Han.

CONCLUSIONS

In the present study of the middle-aged and elderly population, the Hei Yi Zhuang have a more favorable lipid profile and a lower prevalence of hyperlipidemia than do the Han, and there is also a significant difference in the risk factors for hyperlipidemia between the two ethnic groups, which might result from the effects of different demographic characteristics, health-related behaviors, and lifestyle factors.

Predictors of coronary artery disease in the Lebanese population

BACKGROUND

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in the world. The disease is determined by many risk factors such as age, gender, diabetes, dyslipidemia, smoking, as well as elevated serum levels of lipoprotein (a) (Lp(a)), homocysteine, C-reactive protein (CRP) and uric acid. In this study, we evaluated the association of biologic and metabolic parameters with CAD in a group of Lebanese patients.

METHODS

Three hundred patients were recruited for the study. Biologic and blood metabolic parameters were measured. Patients were then divided into 3 groups according to their catheterization result: 0% stenosis (controls), <50% stenosis and >or=50% stenosis.

RESULTS

Hyperlipidemias, CRP, homocysteine and uric acid levels in CAD patients were not different from those of the controls. However, age, elevated fasting blood glucose (FBG) and elevated serum Lp(a) levels were found to be strong independent predictors of CAD in our study population. Association with CAD was also shown for gender, hypertension, diabetes and family history of CAD.

CONCLUSION

We report the importance of serum Lp(a) levels and FBG in the prediction and prevention of CAD in our population.