Role of Hyperinsulinemia and Insulin Resistance in Hypertension: Metabolic Syndrome Revisited

Relationship between triglyceride-glucose index and new-onset hypertension in general population-a systemic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies

BACKGROUND

The triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index is an alternative biomarker for insulin resistance that may be connected to incident hypertension. We performed the meta-analysis to clarify the connection between TyG index and new-onset hypertension in the general population.

METHODS

We recruited cohort studies that assessed the association between TyG index and the risk of hypertension in the general population by searching the databases of PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science (SCI) from their inception dates until July 18, 2023. The primary focus of the study was on the hazard ratio (HR) of hypertension in relation to the TyG index. The adjusted HR and 95% confidence interval (CI) were pooled by the random-effects model. Subgroup analyzes stratified by age, sex, follow-up duration, body mass index (BMI), and ethnicity were performed.

RESULTS

Our analysis comprised 35 848 participants from a total of 7 cohort studies. The highest TyG index category showed a 1.51-fold greater risk of hypertension in the general population than the lowest category (HR = 1.51, 95%CI 1.26-1.80, p < .001). Consistent results were obtained using sensitivity analysis by eliminating one trial at a time (p values all <0.001). Subgroup analysis showed that the relationship between TyG index and hypertension was not substantially influenced by age, sex, BMI, participant ethnicity, and follow-up times (P for interaction all >0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Elevated TyG index significantly increased the risk of new-onset hypertension in the general population. It is necessary to conduct the research to clarify the probable pathogenic processes underpinning the link between the TyG index and hypertension.

Terpenoids as potential phytoconstituent in the treatment of diabetes: From preclinical to clinical advancement

BACKGROUND

Diabetes mellitus, a hyperglycemic condition associated with multitudinous organ dysfunction, is a hallmark of the metabolic disorder. This life-threatening condition affects millions of individuals globally, harming them financially, physically and psychologically in the course of therapy.

PURPOSES

The course therapy for illnesses has undergone ground-breaking transformations due to recent technical advances and insights. Alternatively, the administration of hyperglycemia-reducing agents results in several complications, including severe cardiovascular disease, kidney failure, hepatic problems, and several dermatological conditions. Consideration of alternate diabetic therapy having minimal side effects or no adverse reactions has been driven by such problems.

STUDY DESIGN

An extensive literature study was conducted in authoritative scientific databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science to identify the studies elucidating the bioactivities of terpenoids in diabetic conditions.

METHODS

Keywords including 'terpenoids', 'monoterpenes', 'diterpenes', 'sesquiterpenes', 'diabetes', 'diabetes mellitus', 'clinical trials', 'preclinical studies', and 'increased blood glucose' were used to identify the relevant research articles. The exclusion criteria, such as English language, duplication, open access, abstract only, and studies not involving preclinical and clinical research, were set. Based on these criteria, 937 relevant articles were selected for further evaluation.

RESULTS

Triterpenes can serve as therapeutic agents for diabetic retinopathy, peripheral neuropathy, and kidney dysfunction by inhibiting several pathways linked to hyperglycemia and its complications. Therefore, it is essential to draw special attention to these compounds' therapeutic effectiveness and provide scientific professionals with novel data.

CONCLUSION

This study addressed recent progress in research focussing on mechanisms of terpenoid, its by-products, physiological actions, and therapeutic applications, particularly in diabetic and associated disorders.

Glutamine Defended the Kidneys Versus Lead Intoxication Via Elevating Endogenous Antioxidants, Reducing Inflammation and Carbonyl Stress, as well as Improving Insulin Resistance and Dyslipidemia

Kidneys are primarily sensitive to lead (Pb) poisoning due to their cardinal role in lead excretion. Then, we studied the effect of glutamine (Gln) on lead nephrotoxicity in rats by assessing the histopathological and biochemical parameters (the renal NF-kβ expression, metabolic profile, oxidative stress, inflammatory markers, methylglyoxal (MGO), and glyoxalase-I activity). Forty rats were allotted into four groups (ten rats in each): normal (N), Gln-treated N, Pb intoxication (Pbi), and Gln-treated Pbi. The treated groups took 0.1% Gln in drinking water for 1 month. To motivate lead poisoning, rats gained 50 mg/l lead acetate in drinking water for 1 month. Oxidative stress indices (total glutathione, its reduced and oxidized forms, their ratios, advanced protein oxidation products, malondialdehyde, and ferric ion reducing power) and inflammatory markers (renal nuclear factor-kβ expression, interleukin 1β level, and myeloperoxidase activity) were measured. Furthermore, metabolic profile (fasting blood sugar, insulin, insulin resistance, lipid profile, and atherogenic index) and renal dysfunction parameters were determined. Pb-induced renal histopathological alterations were investigated by a pathologist. In the kidney of Pbi rats, the glomerulus was damaged. Gln prevented kidney damage and reduced kidney dysfunction parameters. In addition, Gln decreased oxidative stress and inflammation in sera and kidney homogenates. In addition, it improved insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and carbonyl stress (p < 0.001). Gln guarded the kidneys versus lead intoxication by improving insulin resistance and dyslipidemia, elevating antioxidant markers, and diminishing inflammation and carbonyl stress.

Which surrogate insulin resistance indices best predict coronary artery disease? A machine learning approach

BACKGROUND

Various surrogate markers of insulin resistance have been developed, capable of predicting coronary artery disease (CAD) without the need to detect serum insulin. For accurate prediction, they depend only on glucose and lipid profiles, as well as anthropometric features. However, there is still no agreement on the most suitable one for predicting CAD.

METHODS

We followed a cohort of 2,000 individuals, ranging in age from 20 to 74, for a duration of 9.9 years. We utilized multivariate Cox proportional hazard models to investigate the association between TyG-index, TyG-BMI, TyG-WC, TG/HDL, plus METS-IR and the occurrence of CAD. The receiver operating curve (ROC) was employed to compare the predictive efficacy of these indices and their corresponding cutoff values for predicting CAD. We also used three distinct embedded feature selection methods: LASSO, Random Forest feature selection, and the Boruta algorithm, to evaluate and compare surrogate markers of insulin resistance in predicting CAD. In addition, we utilized the ceteris paribus profile on the Random Forest model to illustrate how the model's predictive performance is affected by variations in individual surrogate markers, while keeping all other factors consistent in a diagram.

RESULTS

The TyG-index was the only surrogate marker of insulin resistance that demonstrated an association with CAD in fully adjusted model (HR: 2.54, CI: 1.34-4.81). The association was more prominent in females. Moreover, it demonstrated the highest area under the ROC curve (0.67 [0.63-0.7]) in comparison to other surrogate indices for insulin resistance. All feature selection approaches concur that the TyG-index is the most reliable surrogate insulin resistance marker for predicting CAD. Based on the Ceteris paribus profile of Random Forest the predictive ability of the TyG-index increased steadily after 9 with a positive slope, without any decline or leveling off.

CONCLUSION

Due to the simplicity of assessing the TyG-index with routine biochemical assays and given that the TyG-index was the most effective surrogate insulin resistance index for predicting CAD based on our results, it seems suitable for inclusion in future CAD prevention strategies.

The association between triglyceride glucose-body mass index and all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in diabetes patients: a retrospective study from NHANES database

The triglyceride glucose body mass index (TyG-BMI) is a potential indicator for insulin resistance, but its association with mortality in diabetic patients is unclear. This study investigates the relationship between TyG-BMI and all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in diabetics. The study included 3109 diabetic patients from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2001-2018). Mortality data were obtained from National Death Index records until 31 December 2019. Multivariate Cox models analyzed the association between TyG-BMI and mortality. Non-linear correlations were assessed using restricted cubic splines, and a two-piecewise Cox model evaluated the relationship on both sides of the inflection point. Over a median 7.25-year follow-up, 795 total and 238 cardiovascular deaths occurred. A U-shaped link was found between initial TyG-BMI and mortality in diabetic patients. Low TyG-BMI (< 279.67 for all-cause, < 270.19 for CVD) reduced death risks (all-cause: HR 0.77, 95% CI 0.69-0.86; CVD: HR 0.64, 95% CI 0.48-0.86). High TyG-BMI (> 279.67 for all-cause, > 270.19 for CVD) increased these risks (all-cause: HR 1.26, 95% CI 1.10-1.44; CVD: HR 1.33, 95% CI 1.06-1.68). In the NHANES study population, a U-shaped association was observed between the baseline TyG-BMI index and all-cause mortality or CVD in diabetic patients.

Developing and validating a predictive model of delivering large-for-gestational-age infants among women with gestational diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND

The birth of large-for-gestational-age (LGA) infants is associated with many short-term adverse pregnancy outcomes. It has been observed that the proportion of LGA infants born to pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is significantly higher than that born to healthy pregnant women. However, traditional methods for the diagnosis of LGA have limitations. Therefore, this study aims to establish a predictive model that can effectively identify women with GDM who are at risk of delivering LGA infants.

AIM

To develop and validate a nomogram prediction model of delivering LGA infants among pregnant women with GDM, and provide strategies for the effective prevention and timely intervention of LGA.

METHODS

The multivariable prediction model was developed by carrying out the following steps. First, the variables that were associated with LGA risk in pregnant women with GDM were screened by univariate analyses, for which the P value was < 0.10. Subsequently, Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator regression was fit using ten cross-validations, and the optimal combination factors were selected by choosing lambda 1se as the criterion. The final predictors were determined by multiple backward stepwise logistic regression analysis, in which only the independent variables were associated with LGA risk, with a P value < 0.05. Finally, a risk prediction model was established and subsequently evaluated by using area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, calibration curve and decision curve analyses.

RESULTS

After using a multistep screening method, we establish a predictive model. Several risk factors for delivering an LGA infant were identified (P < 0.01), including weight gain during pregnancy, parity, triglyceride-glucose index, free tetraiodothyronine level, abdominal circumference, alanine transaminase-aspartate aminotransferase ratio and weight at 24 gestational weeks. The nomogram’s prediction ability was supported by the area under the curve (0.703, 0.709, and 0.699 for the training cohort, validation cohort, and test cohort, respectively). The calibration curves of the three cohorts displayed good agreement. The decision curve showed that the use of the 10%-60% threshold for identifying pregnant women with GDM who are at risk of delivering an LGA infant would result in a positive net benefit.

CONCLUSION

Our nomogram incorporated easily accessible risk factors, facilitating individualized prediction of pregnant women with GDM who are likely to deliver an LGA infant.

Insulin resistance assessed by estimated glucose disposal rate and risk of incident cardiovascular diseases among individuals without diabetes: findings from a nationwide, population based, prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Recent studies have suggested that insulin resistance (IR) contributes to the development of cardiovascular diseases (CVD), and the estimated glucose disposal rate (eGDR) is considered to be a reliable surrogate marker of IR. However, most existing evidence stems from studies involving diabetic patients, potentially overstating the effects of eGDR on CVD. Therefore, the primary objective of this study is to examine the relationship of eGDR with incidence of CVD in non-diabetic participants.

METHOD

The current analysis included individuals from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) who were free of CVD and diabetes mellitus but had complete data on eGDR at baseline. The formula for calculating eGDR was as follows: eGDR (mg/kg/min) = 21.158 - (0.09 × WC) - (3.407 × hypertension) - (0.551 × HbA1c) [WC (cm), hypertension (yes = 1/no = 0), and HbA1c (%)]. The individuals were categorized into four subgroups according to the quartiles (Q) of eGDR. Crude incidence rate and hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were computed to investigate the association between eGDR and incident CVD, with the lowest quartile of eGDR (indicating the highest grade of insulin resistance) serving as the reference. Additionally, the multivariate adjusted restricted cubic spine (RCS) was employed to examine the dose-response relationship.

RESULTS

We included 5512 participants in this study, with a mean age of 58.2 ± 8.8 years, and 54.1% were female. Over a median follow-up duration of 79.4 months, 1213 incident CVD cases, including 927 heart disease and 391 stroke, were recorded. The RCS curves demonstrated a significant and linear relationship between eGDR and all outcomes (all P for non-linearity > 0.05). After multivariate adjustment, the lower eGDR levels were founded to be significantly associated with a higher risk of CVD. Compared with participants with Q1 of eGDR, the HRs (95% CIs) for those with Q2 - 4 were 0.88 (0.76 - 1.02), 0.69 (0.58 - 0.82), and 0.66 (0.56 - 0.79). When assessed as a continuous variable, per 1.0-SD increase in eGDR was associated a 17% (HR: 0.83, 95% CI: 0.78 - 0.89) lower risk of CVD, with the subgroup analyses indicating that smoking status modified the association (P for interaction = 0.012). Moreover, the mediation analysis revealed that obesity partly mediated the association. Additionally, incorporating eGDR into the basic model considerably improve the predictive ability for CVD.

CONCLUSION

A lower level of eGDR was found to be associated with increased risk of incident CVD among non-diabetic participants. This suggests that eGDR may serve as a promising and preferable predictor and intervention target for CVD.

Association of atherosclerosis indices, serum uric acid to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio and triglycerides-glucose index with hypertension: A gender-disaggregated analysis

This study assessed the association between atherosclerosis indices, serum uric acid to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (UHR) and triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index and the prevalence of hypertension among MASHAD cohort participants. In this cross-sectional study, the participants were divided into hypertensive and non-hypertensive subjects. The atherosclerosis indices, UHR and TyG index of the two groups were compared. Logistic regression analyses were used to determine the associations of these indices with hypertension in both sex. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to establish the cut-off values for differentiating hypertensive from non-hypertensive subjects. p-values < .05 were considered statistically significant. Data related to 9675 subjects (3035 hypertensive and 6640 non-hypertensive) were analyzed. The mean values of atherosclerosis indices, UHR and TyG index were significantly higher (p < .001) in the hypertensives compared to non-hypertensives. After adjustment for potential confounders, among men, the TyG index (OR = 1.360; 95% CI: 1.210-1.530; p < .001) remained an independent factor for hypertension. Among women, atherogenic index of plasma (OR = 1.005; 95% CI: 1.002-1.007; p < .001), UHR (OR = 1.043; 95% CI: 1.026-1.060; p < .001) and TyG index (OR = 1.519; 95% CI: 1.376-1.677; p < .001) remained independent factors for hypertension. ROC curve analysis revealed that compare to the other indices, TyG index had a better predictive value for hypertension in both sex, especially in women.

Gut microbiota in insulin resistance: a bibliometric analysis

Background

Insulin resistance (IR) is considered the pathogenic driver of diabetes, and can lead to obesity, hypertension, coronary artery disease, metabolic syndrome, and other metabolic disorders. Accumulating evidence indicates that the connection between gut microbiota and IR. This bibliometric analysis aimed to summarize the knowledge structure of gut microbiota in IR.

Methods

Articles and reviews related to gut microbiota in IR from 2013 to 2022 were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC), and the bibliometric analysis and visualization were performed by Microsoft Excel, Origin, R package (bibliometrix), Citespace, and VOSviewer.

Results

A total of 4 749 publications from WoSCC were retrieved, including 3 050 articles and 1 699 reviews. The majority of publications were from China and USA. The University Copenhagen and Shanghai Jiao Tong University were the most active institutions. The journal of Nutrients published the most papers, while Nature was the top 1 co-cited journal, and the major area of these publications was molecular, biology, and immunology. Nieuwdorp M published the highest number of papers, and Cani PD had the highest co-citations. Keyword analysis showed that the most frequently occurring keywords were "gut microbiota", "insulin-resistance", "obesity", and "inflammation". Trend topics and thematic maps showed that serum metabolome and natural products, such as resveratrol, flavonoids were the research hotspots in this field.

Conclusion

This bibliometric analysis summarised the hotspots, frontiers, pathogenesis, and treatment strategies, providing a clear and comprehensive profile of gut microbiota in IR.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40200-023-01342-x.

Triglyceride-glucose index is associated with myocardial ischemia and poor prognosis in patients with ischemia and no obstructive coronary artery disease

BACKGROUND

Ischemia and no obstructive coronary artery disease (INOCA) is increasingly recognized and associated with poor outcomes. The triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index is a reliable alternative measure of insulin resistance significantly linked to cardiovascular disease and adverse prognosis. We investigated the association between the TyG index and myocardial ischemia and the prognosis in INOCA patients.

METHODS

INOCA patients who underwent both coronary angiography and myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) were included consecutively. All participants were divided into three groups according to TyG tertiles (T1, T2, and T3). Abnormal MPI for myocardial ischemia in individual coronary territories was defined as summed stress score (SSS) ≥ 4 and summed difference score (SDS) ≥ 2. SSS refers to the sum of all defects in the stress images, and SDS is the difference of the sum of all defects between the rest images and stress images. All patients were followed up for major adverse cardiac events (MACE).

RESULTS

Among 332 INOCA patients, 113 (34.0%) had abnormal MPI. Patients with higher TyG index had a higher rate of abnormal MPI (25.5% vs. 32.4% vs. 44.1%; p = 0.012). Multivariate logistic analysis showed that a high TyG index was significantly correlated with abnormal MPI in INOCA patients (OR, 1.901; 95% CI, 1.045-3.458; P = 0.035). During the median 35 months of follow-up, 83 (25%) MACE were recorded, and a higher incidence of MACE was observed in the T3 group (T3 vs. T2 vs. T1: 36.9% vs. 21.6% vs. 16.4%, respectively; p = 0.001). In multivariate Cox regression analysis, the T3 group was significantly associated with the risk of MACE compared to the T1 group (HR, 2.338; 95% CI 1.253-4.364, P = 0.008).

CONCLUSION

This study indicates for the first time that the TyG index is significantly associated with myocardial ischemia and poor prognosis among INOCA patients.

Elevated TyG index associated with increased prevalence of gallstones in a United States cross-sectional study

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the correlation between the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index and the incidence of cholelithiasis.

Research approach

In this investigation, a cross-sectional analysis was undertaken utilizing data from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) spanning the years 2017 to 2020. The TyG index served as an independent predictor, while gallstone prevalence was considered the dependent variable of interest. We employed a multivariate logistic regression model to evaluate the interplay between these independent and dependent variables. To assess the presence of potential non-linear associations, sensitivity analysis was executed, utilizing inverse probability weighted validation, smooth curve fitting, and threshold effect analysis. In cases where non-linear relationships were observed, likelihood ratios were utilized to pinpoint potential inflection points. Ultimately, subgroup analyses were conducted to identify specific populations demonstrating heightened susceptibility to gallstone prevalence.

Results

Encompassing 838 patients who self-reported gallstones, a total of 7,794 participants were included in the analytical cohort. A statistically significant disparity in the TyG index was observed when all individuals were categorized into gallstone patients and non-patients (p < 0.05). Logistic regression findings indicated a positive correlation between the TyG index and gallstone disease prevalence (OR = 1.28, 95% CI: 1.12, 1.47), with a strengthening association as the TyG index increased (p trend <0.01). The results were corroborated by the use of inverse probability weighting. Additionally, a non-linear connection between the TyG index and gallstone prevalence was identified (log-likelihood ratio p < 0.01), with the optimal inflection point for TyG calculated at 8.96. In subgroup analysis, the positive relationship between the TyG index and gallstone prevalence was notably pronounced among black Americans under the age of 40 and female participants.

Conclusion

Alterations in the TyG index may potentially correlate with shifts in the prevalence of gallstones among adult populations in the United States. Elevated TyG index values may coincide with an augmented likelihood of gallstone occurrence.

The association between the triglyceride-glucose index and the risk of cardiovascular disease in US population aged ≤ 65 years with prediabetes or diabetes: a population-based study

BACKGROUND

The relationship between the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index and the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the U.S. population under 65 years of age with diabetes or prediabetes is unknown. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between baseline TyG index and CVD risk in U.S. patients under 65 years of age with diabetes or prediabetes.

METHODS

We used data from the 2003-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Multivariate regression analysis models were constructed to explore the relationship between baseline TyG index and CVD risk. Nonlinear correlations were explored using restricted cubic splines. Subgroup analysis and interaction tests were also conducted.

RESULTS

The study enrolled a total of 4340 participants with diabetes or pre-diabetes, with a mean TyG index of 9.02 ± 0.02. The overall average prevalence of CVD was 10.38%. Participants in the higher TyG quartiles showed high rates of CVD (Quartile 1: 7.35%; Quartile 2: 10.04%; Quartile 3: 10.71%; Quartile 4: 13.65%). For CVD, a possible association between the TyG index and the risk of CVD was observed. Our findings suggested a linear association between the TyG index and the risk of CVD. The results revealed a U-shaped relationship between the TyG index and both the risk of CVD (P nonlinear = 0.02583) and CHF (P nonlinear = 0.0208) in individuals with diabetes. Subgroup analysis and the interaction term indicated that there was no significant difference among different stratifications. Our study also revealed a positive association between the TyG index and comorbid MetS in the U.S. population under 65 years of age with prediabetes or diabetes.

CONCLUSIONS

A higher TyG index was linked to an increased likelihood of CVD in the U.S. population aged ≤ 65 years with prediabetes and diabetes. Besides, TyG index assessment will contribute to more convenient and effective screening of high-risk individuals in patients with MetS. Future studies should explore whether interventions targeting the TyG index may improve clinical outcomes in these patients.

Obesity and metabolic syndrome in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: a cross-sectional analysis of the Veradigm Cardiology Registry

BACKGROUND

The proportion of heart failure patients with preserved ejection fraction has been rising over the past decades and has coincided with increases in the prevalence of obesity and metabolic syndrome. The relationship between these interconnected comorbidities and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is still poorly understood. This study characterized obesity and metabolic syndrome among real-world patients with HFpEF.

METHODS

We identified adults with heart failure in the Veradigm Cardiology Registry, previously the PINNACLE Registry, with a left ventricular ejection fraction measurement ≥ 50% between 01/01/2016 and 12/31/2019. Patients were stratified by obesity diagnosis and presence of metabolic syndrome (≥ 3 of the following: diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and obesity). We captured baseline demographic and clinical characteristics and used multivariable logistic regression to examine the odds of having cardiac (atrial fibrillation, coronary artery disease, coronary artery bypass surgery, myocardial infarction, and stroke/transient ischemic attack) and non-cardiac (chronic kidney disease, chronic liver disease, and peripheral artery disease) comorbidities of interest. The models adjusted for age and sex, and the main covariates of interest were obesity and metabolic burden score (0-3 based on the presence of diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia). The models were run with and without an obesity*metabolic burden score interaction term.

RESULTS

This study included 264,571 patients with HFpEF, of whom 55.7% had obesity, 52.5% had metabolic syndrome, 42.5% had both, and 34.3% had neither. After adjusting for age, sex, and burden of other metabolic syndrome-associated diagnoses, patients with HFpEF with obesity had lower odds of a diagnosis of other evaluated comorbidities relative to patients without obesity. The presence of metabolic syndrome in HFpEF appears to increase comorbidity burden as each additional metabolic syndrome-associated diagnosis was associated with higher odds of assessed comorbidities except atrial fibrillation.

CONCLUSION

Obesity was common among patients with HFpEF and not always co-occurring with metabolic syndrome. Multivariable analysis suggested that patients with obesity may develop HFpEF in the absence of other driving factors such as cardiovascular disease or metabolic syndrome.

l-norleucine on high glucose-induced insulin sensitivity and mitochondrial function in skeletal muscle cells

l-norleucine, an isomer of leucine, stimulates the anabolic process of insulin. However, it is not known if and how it improves insulin sensitivity and insulin resistance. This experiment describes the generation of an insulin resistance model using high glucose-induced cells and the administration of 1.0 mmol/L l-norleucine for 48 h, to observe the effects on metabolism and gene expression in skeletal muscle cells. The results showed that l-norleucine significantly increased mitochondrial ATP content, decreased the amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and promoted the expression of mitochondrial generation-related genes TFAM, AMPK, PGC-1α in cells under high glucose treatment; at the same time, l-norleucine also increased glucose uptake, suggesting that l-norleucine increased insulin sensitivity and improved insulin resistance. This study suggesting that l-norleucine improves insulin resistance by ameliorating oxidative stress damage of mitochondria, improving mitochondrial function, and improving insulin sensitivity in skeletal muscle cell caused by high glucose, rather than by altering mitochondrial efficiency.

The impact of triglyceride glucose-body mass index on all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in elderly patients with diabetes mellitus: evidence from NHANES 2007-2016

BACKGROUND

The relationship between triglyceride glucose-body mass index (TyG-BMI) index and mortality in elderly patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) are still unclear. This study aimed to investigate the association between TyG-BMI with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality among elderly DM patients in the United States (US).

METHODS

Patients aged over 60 years with DM from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2007-2016) were included in this study. The study endpoints were all-cause and cardiovascular mortality and the morality data were extracted from the National Death Index (NDI) which records up to December 31, 2019. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to explore the association between TyG-BMI index with mortality. Restricted cubic spline was used to model nonlinear relationships.

RESULTS

A total of 1363 elderly diabetic patients were included, and were categorized into four quartiles. The mean age was 70.0 ± 6.8 years, and 48.6% of them were female. Overall, there were 429 all-cause deaths and 123 cardiovascular deaths were recorded during a median follow-up of 77.3 months. Multivariate Cox regression analyses indicated that compared to the 1st quartile (used as the reference), the 3rd quartile demonstrated a significant association with all-cause mortality (model 2: HR = 0.64, 95% CI 0.46-0.89, P = 0.009; model 3: HR = 0.65, 95% CI 0.43-0.96, P = 0.030). Additionally, the 4th quartile was significantly associated with cardiovascular mortality (model 2: HR = 1.83, 95% CI 1.01-3.30, P = 0.047; model 3: HR = 2.45, 95% CI 1.07-5.57, P = 0.033). The restricted cubic spline revealed a U-shaped association between TyG-BMI index with all-cause mortality and a linear association with cardiovascular mortality, after adjustment for possible confounding factors.

CONCLUSIONS

A U-shaped association was observed between the TyG-BMI index with all-cause mortality and a linear association was observed between the TyG-BMI index with cardiovascular mortality in elderly patients with DM in the US population.

Association between a metabolic score for insulin resistance and hypertension: results from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007-2016 analyses

Background

The Metabolic Score for Insulin Resistance (METS-IR) offers a promising and reliable non-insulin-based approach to assess insulin resistance and evaluate cardiometabolic risk. However, evidence for the association between METS-IR and hypertension was still limited.

Methods

Participants from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database from 2007-2016 were selected for weighted multivariable regression analyses, subgroup analyses and restricted cubic spline (RCS) modeling to assess the association between the METS-IR and hypertension, as well as systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP).

Results

This study enrolled 7,721 adults aged ≥20 years, 2,926 (34.03%) of whom was diagnosed as hypertension. After adjusting for all potential covariates, an increased METS-IR (log2 conversion, denoted as log2METS-IR) was independently associated with a higher prevalence of hypertension (odd ratio [OR] 3.99, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.19~5.01). The OR for hypertension in subjects with the highest quartile of METS-IR was 3.89-fold (OR 3.89, 95% CI 3.06~4.94) higher than that in those with the lowest quartile of METS-IR. This positive correlation became more significant as METS-IR increased (p for trend < 0.001). Log2METS-IR was significantly correlated with increase in SBP (β 6.75, 95% CI 5.65~7.85) and DBP (β 5.59, 95% CI 4.75~6.43) in a fully adjusted model. Consistent results were obtained in subgroup analyses. Hypertension, SBP and DBP all exhibited a non-linear increase with the rise in METS-IR. The minimal threshold for the beneficial association of METS-IR with hypertension, SBP and DBP were all identified to be 46.88.

Conclusion

The findings of this study revealed a significant positive association between METS-IR and hypertension among US adults, suggesting METS-IR as a potential tool for assessing hypertension risk.

Assessing the impact of body composition, metabolic and oxidative stress parameters on insulin resistance as a prognostic marker for reactive hypoglycemia: a cross-sectional study in overweight, obese, and normal weight individuals

Oxidative stress (OS) plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance (IR), particularly in its association with obesity. This study evaluate both the diagnostic and clinical significance of assessing oxidative status in patients affected by overweight and obesity displaying IR, especially with reactive hypoglycemic episodes (RH). A comprehensive examination of OS biomarkers was carried out, encompassing measurements of total oxidative capacity (TOC) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC). Our analysis results reveal noteworthy connections between OS levels and the severity of IR in overweight and obese patients. Moreover, in the study, we demonstrated the diagnostic utility of serum concentrations of TAC and TOC as indicators of the risk of RH, the occurrence of which, even at the stage of overweight, may be associated with increased OS and further development of obesity. Our findings imply that the evaluation of oxidative status could serve as a crucial diagnostic and prognostic tool for patients observed with IR and overweight and obesity. In conclusion, our study underscores the potential utility of assessing oxidative status in the context of IR and highlights the possibility of identifying novel therapeutic targets for the treatment of overweight and obese patients.

Investigating genetic links between blood metabolites and preeclampsia

BACKGROUND

Observational studies have revealed that metabolic disorders are closely related to the development of preeclampsia (PE). However, there is still a research gap on the causal role of metabolites in promoting or preventing PE. We aimed to systematically explore the causal association between circulating metabolites and PE.

METHODS

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from genome-wide association study (GWAS) of 486 blood metabolites (7,824 participants) were extracted as instrumental variables (P < 1 × 10- 5), GWAS summary statistics for PE were obtained from FinnGen consortium (7,212 cases and 194,266 controls) as outcome, and a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was conducted. Inverse variance weighted (IVW) was set as the primary method, with MR-Egger and weighted median as auxiliary methods; the instrumental variable strength and confounding factors were also assessed. Sensitivity analyses including MR-Egger, Cochran's Q test, MR-PRESSO and leave-one-out analysis were performed to test the robustness of the MR results. For significant associations, repeated MR and meta-analysis were performed by another metabolite GWAS (8,299 participants). Furthermore, significantly associated metabolites were subjected to a metabolic pathway analysis.

RESULTS

The instrumental variables for the metabolites ranged from 3 to 493. Primary analysis revealed a total of 12 known (e.g., phenol sulfate, citrulline, lactate and gamma-glutamylglutamine) and 11 unknown metabolites were associated with PE. Heterogeneity and pleiotropy tests verified the robustness of the MR results. Validation with another metabolite GWAS dataset revealed consistency trends in 6 of the known metabolites with preliminary analysis, particularly the finding that genetic susceptibility to low levels of arachidonate (20:4n6) and citrulline were risk factors for PE. The pathway analysis revealed glycolysis/gluconeogenesis and arginine biosynthesis involved in the pathogenesis of PE.

CONCLUSIONS

This study identifies a causal relationship between some circulating metabolites and PE. Our study presented new perspectives on the pathogenesis of PE by integrating metabolomics with genomics, which opens up avenues for more accurate understanding and management of the disease, providing new potential candidate metabolic molecular markers for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of PE. Considering the limitations of MR studies, further research is needed to confirm the causality and underlying mechanisms of these findings.

Triglyceride-Glucose Index and Its Correlates: Associations with Serum Creatinine and Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate in a Cross-Sectional Study from CHARLS 2011-2015

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) has emerged as a significant global public health challenge, and the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) is widely used due to its convenience, low cost, and broad clinical applicability. Concurrently, insulin resistance (IR) serves as a crucial marker of metabolic disturbance, and alternative indicators have garnered increasing attention in CKD research in recent years. Objective: This study aims to investigate the relationship between IR-related indices (TyG index, TyG-BMI index, and TyG-WC index) and serum creatinine levels, as well as the eGFR, with the intention of uncovering their potential roles in the assessment of renal function. Methods: We analyzed nationally representative cross-sectional data from a cohort of individuals aged 45 and above in China, comprising 11,608 participants. Participants were categorized into different groups based on quartiles of the TyG index, and multiple factors, including gender, age, lifestyle, and co-morbidities, were adjusted for using linear regression models. Results: By linear regression, TyG, TyG-BMI, and TyG-WC indices were significantly positively correlated with serum creatinine and significantly negatively correlated with eGFR. Results showed similar trends when TyG, TyG-BMI, and TyG-WC indices were used as categorical variables. In the fully adjusted model, the highest quartile of serum creatinine was higher than the first quartile for TyG, TyG-BMI, and TyG-WC indices, with β values of 2.673, 3.67, and 1.937 mg/dL, respectively; the highest quartile of eGFR was lower than the first quartile, with β values of -2.4, -2.955, and -1.823 mL/min/1.73 m2. P values were statistically significant. Conclusions: This study indicates a consistent correlation between the TyG index and its related indices with serum creatinine levels and eGFR among the middle aged and elderly population in China. These findings suggest the potential utility of these indices in early screening and management of the risk of chronic kidney disease.

Association between triglyceride-glucose index and hypertension: a cohort study based on the China Health and Nutrition Survey (2009-2015)

AIM

Insulin resistance (IR) may participate in the pathogenesis of hypertension by mediating low-grade systemic inflammation. The triglycerides-glucose (TyG) index has recently been suggested as a reliable alternative biochemical marker of IR compared with traditional methods. Herein, we speculated TyG index may also be associated with hypertension.

METHODS

Data of adults were extracted from the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS) in 2009-2015 in this retrospective cohort study. The TyG index was calculated using the formula: TyG = Ln [fasting triglycerides (mg/dL) ×fasting glucose (mg/dL)/2]. Associations between TyG index and hypertension were evaluated by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses with odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Subgroup analyses of age and gender were also performed. In addition, we assessed the interaction effect between TyG index and body mass index (BMI) on hypertension in participants with different age and gender.

RESULTS

Among 3,413 eligible participants, 1,627 (47.67%) developed hypertension. The average TyG index in hypertension group and non-hypertension group was 8.58 and 8.39 respectively. After adjusting for covariates, we found that compared with participants with TyG index ≤ 8.41 (median value), those who had higher TyG index seemed to have higher odds of hypertension [OR = 1.17, 95%CI: (1.01-1.37)]. Similarly, this association was also discovered in participants who aged ≤ 65 years old [OR = 1.19, 95%CI: (1.01-1.39)] or were female [OR = 1.35, 95%CI: (1.10-1.65)]. Additionally, there was a potential additive interaction effect between obesity and TyG index on hypertension.

CONCLUSION

High TyG index was associated with high odds of hypertension in general population in China, but the causal relationship between them needed further exploration.

Effects of Metabolic Syndrome and Its Components on Chronic Kidney Disease and Renal Function: A Two-Sample Mendelian Randomization Study

Objective: The association of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and renal function remains controversial in observational studies. To comprehensively investigate the association between MetS and its components with CKD and renal function, a Mendelian randomization (MR) study was performed. Methods: The inverse variance weighting (IVW) of random effects was used as the main estimation method, while MR-Egger and weighted median analysis results were used for auxiliary judgments. Cochran's Q test, MR-Egger intercept test, leave-one-out analysis, and funnel plots were used to assess heterogeneity and pleiotropy. Results: The MR analyses of genetically predicted MetS and its components' association with CKD risk and renal function showed the following causal associations: hypertension with CKD risk; MetS and obesity with increased blood urea nitrogen and decreased estimated glomerular filtration rate based on cystatin C; hypertension and diabetes with increased urine albumin-creatinine ratio and increased risk of microalbuminuria; and CKD with increased triglyceride. Conclusion: Based on genetic data, this study demonstrated an association between hypertension and CKD risk and a causal association between other MetS components and renal function. The early diagnosis and prevention of MetS and its components might be essential for CKD management.

Assessment of the triglyceride glucose index in adult patients with chronic diarrhea and constipation

BACKGROUND

Accumulating evidence suggests that the gut microbiome is involved in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance (IR). However, the link between two of the most prevalent bowel disorders, chronic diarrhea and constipation, and the triglyceride glucose (TyG) index, a marker of IR, has not yet been investigated.

AIM

To investigate the potential association between TyG and the incidence of chronic diarrhea and constipation.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study enrolled 2400 participants from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey database from 2009-2010. TyG was used as an exposure variable, with chronic diarrhea and constipation as determined by the Bristol Stool Form Scale used as the outcome variables. A demographic investigation based on TyG quartile subgroups was performed. The application of multivariate logistic regression models and weighted generalized additive models revealed potential correlations between TyG, chronic diarrhea, and constipation. Subgroup analyses were performed to examine the stability of any potential associations.

RESULTS

In the chosen sample, chronic diarrhea had a prevalence of 8.00%, while chronic constipation had a prevalence of 8.04%. In multiple logistic regression, a more prominent positive association was found between TyG and chronic diarrhea, particularly in model 1 (OR = 1.45; 95%CI: 1.17-1.79, P = 0.0007) and model 2 (OR = 1.40; 95%CI: 1.12-1.76, P = 0.0033). No definite association was observed between the TyG levels and chronic constipation. The weighted generalized additive model findings suggested a more substantial positive association with chronic diarrhea when TyG was less than 9.63 (OR = 1.89; 95%CI: 1.05-3.41, P = 0.0344), and another positive association with chronic constipation when it was greater than 8.2 (OR = 1.74; 95%CI: 1.02-2.95, P = 0.0415). The results of the subgroup analyses further strengthen the extrapolation of these results to a wide range of populations.

CONCLUSION

Higher TyG levels were positively associated with abnormal bowel health.

Effects of Various Heavy Metal Exposures on Insulin Resistance in Non-diabetic Populations: Interpretability Analysis from Machine Learning Modeling Perspective

Increasing and compelling evidence has been proved that heavy metal exposure is involved in the development of insulin resistance (IR). We trained an interpretable predictive machine learning (ML) model for IR in the non-diabetic populations based on levels of heavy metal exposure. A total of 4354 participants from the NHANES (2003-2020) with complete information were randomly divided into a training set and a test set. Twelve ML algorithms, including random forest (RF), XGBoost (XGB), logistic regression (LR), GaussianNB (GNB), ridge regression (RR), support vector machine (SVM), multilayer perceptron (MLP), decision tree (DT), AdaBoost (AB), Gradient Boosting Decision Tree (GBDT), Voting Classifier (VC), and K-Nearest Neighbour (KNN), were constructed for IR prediction using the training set. Among these models, the RF algorithm had the best predictive performance, showing an accuracy of 80.14%, an AUC of 0.856, and an F1 score of 0.74 in the test set. We embedded three interpretable methods, the permutation feature importance analysis, partial dependence plot (PDP), and Shapley additive explanations (SHAP) in RF model for model interpretation. Urinary Ba, urinary Mo, blood Pb, and blood Cd levels were identified as the main influencers of IR. Within a specific range, urinary Ba (0.56-3.56 µg/L) and urinary Mo (1.06-20.25 µg/L) levels exhibited the most pronounced upwards trend with the risk of IR, while blood Pb (0.05-2.81 µg/dL) and blood Cd (0.24-0.65 µg/L) levels showed a declining trend with IR. The findings on the synergistic effects demonstrated that controlling urinary Ba levels might be more crucial for the management of IR. The SHAP decision plot offered personalized care for IR based on heavy metal control. In conclusion, by utilizing interpretable ML approaches, we emphasize the predictive value of heavy metals for IR, especially Ba, Mo, Pb, and Cd.

The effect of insulin resistance in the association between obesity and hypertension incidence among Chinese middle-aged and older adults: data from China health and retirement longitudinal study (CHARLS)

Background and aims

Obesity and insulin resistance are well-known important risk factors for hypertension. This study aimed to investigate the mediating effect of the triglyceride-glucose index (TyG) in the association between Chinese visceral obesity index (CVAI) and hypertension among Chinese middle-aged and older adults.

Methods

A total of 10,322 participants aged 45 years and older from CHARLS (2011-2018) were included. Baseline data were collected in 2011 and hypertension incidence data were gathered during follow-up in 2013, 2015 and 2018. Multivariate logistic regression models were constructed to investigate the association of CVAI and TyG with the incidence of hypertension. Additionally, mediation analyses were conducted to evaluate the mediating role of the TyG index in the relationship between CVAI and hypertension. Subgroup analysis was also performed.

Results

A total of 2,802 participants developed hypertension during the follow-up period. CVAI and TyG index were independently and significantly associated with hypertension incidence. Increasing quartiles of CVAI and TyG index were associated with high hypertension incidence in middle-aged and older adults. The TyG index was identified as a mediator in the relationship between CVAI and hypertension incidence, with a mediation effect (95% confidence interval) was 12.38% (6.75, 31.81%).

Conclusion

Our study found that CVAI and TyG were independently associated with hypertension incidence. TyG played a partial mediating effect in the positive association between CVAI and hypertension incidence.

Association of the triglyceride glucose index with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in a general population of Iranian adults

BACKGROUND

The triglyceride glucose (TyG) index is a new and low-cost marker to determine insulin resistant which may be a predictor of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Although available evidence showed that its association with CVD mortality (CVM) and all-cause mortality (ACM) may differ in different populations, scarce data are available in this regard specially in low and middle-income countries.

PURPOSE

To examine the association between TyG index and risk of CVM and ACM in Iranians.

METHODS

This prospective cohort study included 5432 adults (age ≥ 35 years) with no history of CVD events. Fasting glucose and triglyceride were measured at baseline in all participants and TyG index was calculated. Cox frailty model was used to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) for CVM and ACM across the tertiles of TyG index.

RESULTS

After a median follow-up of 11.25 years, a total number of 191 cardiovascular deaths, and 487 all-cause mortality was recorded. The risk of both CVM and ACM increased across the tertiles of TyG index. In the adjusted model for lifestyle and metabolic variables, the risks of ACM and CVM increased by 41% (95% CI 1.11, 1.81; P for trend = 0.005) and 64% (95% CI 1.07, 2.50; P for trend = 0.024), respectively. However, adjustment for diabetes mellitus disappeared the significance for both ACM and CVM. These associations may vary by sex. TyG was not related to the risk of non-CVD mortality.

CONCLUSION

The predicting value of TyG index for ACM and CVM might be mediated by diabetes status. Further studies are required to confirm these findings.

An overview of nutritional factors in the aetiopathogenesis of myocardial fibrosis in great apes

The main cause of mortality in great apes in zoological settings is cardiovascular disease (CVD), affecting all four taxa: chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes), bonobo (Pan paniscus), gorilla (Gorilla spp.) and orangutan (Pongo spp.). Myocardial fibrosis, the most typical histological characterisation of CVD in great apes, is non-specific, making it challenging to understand the aetiopathogenesis. A multifactorial origin of disease is assumed whereby many potential causative factors are directly or indirectly related to the diet, which in wild-living great apes mainly consists of high-fibre, low-carbohydrate and very low-sodium components. Diets of great apes housed in zoological settings are often different compared with the situation in the wild. Moreover, low circulating vitamin D levels have recently been recognised in great apes housed in more northern regions. Evaluation of current supplementation guidelines shows that, despite implementation of different dietary strategies, animals stay vitamin D insufficient. Therefore, recent hypotheses designate vitamin D deficiency as a potential underlying factor in the pathogenesis of myocardial fibrosis. The aim of this literature review is to: (i) examine important differences in nutritional factors between zoological and wild great ape populations; (ii) explain the potential detrimental effects of the highlighted dietary discrepancies on cardiovascular function in great apes; and (iii) elucidate specific nutrition-related pathophysiological mechanisms that may underlie the development of myocardial fibrosis. This information may contribute to understanding the aetiopathogenesis of myocardial fibrosis in great apes and pave the way for future clinical studies and a more preventive approach to great ape CVD management.

The role of renal denervation in cardiology and beyond: An updated comprehensive review and future directives

Renal denervation (RDN) is a minimally invasive intervention performed by denervation of the nervous fibers in the renal plexus, which decreases sympathetic activity. These sympathetic nerves influence various physiological functions that regulate blood pressure (BP), including intravascular volume, electrolyte composition, and vascular tone. Although proven effective in some trials, controversial trials, such as the Controlled Trial of Renal Denervation for Resistant Hypertension (SYMPLICITY-HTN3), have demonstrated contradictory results for the effectiveness of RDN in resistant hypertension (HTN). In the treatment of HTN, individuals with primary HTN are expected to experience greater benefits compared to those with secondary HTN due to the diverse underlying causes of secondary HTN. Beyond its application for HTN, RDN has also found utility in addressing cardiac arrhythmias, such as atrial fibrillation, and managing cases of heart failure. Non-cardiogenic applications of RDN include reducing the intensity of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), overcoming insulin resistance, and in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. This article aims to provide a comprehensive review of RDN and its uses in cardiology and beyond, along with providing future directions and perspectives.

Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter Protein 2 Inhibitors: Novel Application for the Treatment of Obesity-Associated Hypertension

Obesity is becoming increasingly prevalent in China and worldwide and is closely related to the development of hypertension. The pathophysiology of obesity-associated hypertension is complex, including an overactive sympathetic nervous system (SNS), activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), insulin resistance, hyperleptinemia, renal dysfunction, inflammatory responses, and endothelial function, which complicates treatment. Sodium-glucose cotransporter protein 2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors, novel hypoglycemic agents, have been shown to reduce body weight and blood pressure and may serve as potential novel agents for the treatment of obesity-associated hypertension. This review discusses the beneficial mechanisms of SGLT-2 inhibitors for the treatment of obesity-associated hypertension. SGLT-2 inhibitors can inhibit SNS activity, reduce RAAS activation, ameliorate insulin resistance, reduce leptin secretion, improve renal function, and inhibit inflammatory responses. SGLT-2 inhibitors can, therefore, simultaneously target multiple mechanisms of obesity-associated hypertension and may serve as an effective treatment for obesity-associated hypertension.

The relationship between triglyceride-glucose index and prospective key clinical outcomes in patients hospitalised for coronary artery disease

BACKGROUND

The triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index is regarded as a dependable alternative for assessing insulin resistance (IR), given its simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and strong correlation with IR. The relationship between the TyG index and adverse outcomes in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) is not well established. This study examines the association of the TyG index with long-term adverse outcomes in hospitalized CHD patients.

METHODS

In this single-center prospective cohort study, 3321 patients hospitalized with CHD were included. Multivariate Cox regression models were employed to assess the associations between the TyG index and the incidence of all-cause mortality and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs). To examine potential nonlinear associations, restricted cubic splines and threshold analysis were utilized.

RESULTS

During a follow-up period of 9.4 years, 759 patients (22.9%) succumbed to mortality, while 1291 (38.9%) experienced MACEs. Threshold analysis demonstrated a significant "U"-shaped nonlinear relationship with MACEs, with different hazard ratios observed below and above a TyG index of 8.62 (below: HR 0.71, 95% CI 0.50-0.99; above: HR 1.28, 95% CI 1.10-1.48). Notably, an increased risk of all-cause mortality was observed only when the TyG index exceeded 8.77 (HR 1.53, 95% CI 1.19-1.96).

CONCLUSIONS

This study reveals a nonlinear association between the TyG index and both all-cause mortality and MACEs in hospitalized CHD patients with CHD. Assessing the TyG index, particularly focusing on individuals with extremely low or high TyG index values, may enhance risk stratification for adverse outcomes in this patient population.

Obesity-and lipid-related indices as a risk factor of hypertension in mid-aged and elderly Chinese: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE

Hypertension refers to the persistent elevation of blood pressure above the established normal range, resulting in increased pressure exerted by blood on the walls of blood vessels during its circulation. Recent studies have identified significant associations between obesity and lipid-related indices, as well as hypertension. Nevertheless, these studies have yet to comprehensively examine the correlation between the two variables. Our objective is to identify the fat and lipid-related indices that have the strongest correlation with hypertension.

METHOD

There was a total of 9488 elderly and middle-aged Chinese citizens who participated in this investigation. The participants in this research were separated into distinct gender cohorts. The participants were classified into normal and hypertensive categories according to their gender, with hypertension defined as a blood pressure level of 140/90 mmHg or higher, or a history of hypertension. Through the utilization of binary logistic regression analyses and the receiver operator curve (ROC), the optimal among fourteen indicators associated with obesity and lipids were identified.

RESULTS

After adjusting for variables, statistical analysis showed that all 14 measures of obesity and lipid were risk factors for hypertension. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis reveals that the Chinese visceral adiposity index (CVAI) has the highest degree of relationship to hypertension. Simultaneously, a statistically significant association between hypertension and these 14 variables was observed in both males and females.

CONCLUSION

There was a significant independent association between various parameters related to obesity and lipid-related index and the presence of hypertension, indicating that these factors can be considered risk factors for hypertension. CVAI and WHtR (waist height ratio) can be used to screen the high-risk groups of hypertensions in middle-aged and elderly people in China, and then take individualized health care measures to reduce the harm of hypertension.

Relationship between TyG index and the degree of coronary artery lesions in patients with H-type hypertension

BACKGROUND

The TyG index, a prominent metric for assessing insulin resistance, has gained traction as a prognostic tool for cardiovascular disease. Nevertheless, the understanding of the prognostic significance of the extent of coronary artery stenosis in individuals afflicted with H-type hypertension remains limited.

METHODS

A retrospective study was conducted at Wuhan Third Hospital, including a cohort of 320 inpatients who were diagnosed with hypertension in combination with coronary artery disease. The study period spanned from January 1, 2021, to February 1, 2023. The study cohort was stratified based on the severity of stenosis into three distinct groups: low stenosis, medium stenosis, and high stenosis, as determined by the Gensini score derived from coronary angiography findings. The present study aimed to investigate the association between the severity of coronary stenosis and the number of lesion branches, utilizing the TyG index as a testing indicator. The predictive ability of TyG for coronary lesion severity was assessed using logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

The results of our study indicate a positive correlation between elevated levels of TyG and an increased susceptibility to severe stenosis in individuals diagnosed with H-type hypertension. Upon careful consideration of potential confounding variables, it has been observed that the TyG index exhibits a robust association with the likelihood of severe stenosis in individuals with H-type hypertension (odds ratio [OR] = 4000, 95% confidence interval CI 2.411-6.635, p = 0.0001), as well as the prevalence of multivessel disease (OR = 1.862, 95% CI 1.036-3.348, p < 0.0001). The TyG index demonstrated superior predictive ability for severe coronary stenosis in patients with H-type hypertension compared to those without H-type hypertension (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.888, 95% confidence interval CI 0.838-0.939, p < 0.0001, versus AUC = 0.615, 95% CI 0.494-0.737, p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The TyG index is an independent risk factor for the degree of coronary stenosis and a better predictor in patients with H-type hypertension combined with coronary artery disease.

Predictors of Cardiac Autonomic Dysfunction in Obesity-Related Hypertension

INTRODUCTION

Cardiac Autonomic Dysfunction (CAD) is an overlooked cardiovascular risk factor in individuals with obesity-related hypertension. Despite its clinical significance, there is a notable lack of clarity regarding the pathophysiological correlates involved in its onset and progression.

AIM

The present study aimed to identify potential predictors of CAD in obesity-related hypertension.

METHODS

A total of 72 participants (34 men and 38 women) were enrolled. Comprehensive evaluations were conducted, including cardiac autonomic function assessments, body composition estimation and biochemical analysis. Participants were categorized as CAD-positive or CAD-negative based on Ewing's criteria for autonomic dysfunction. Univariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify potential predictors for CAD. Multivariate logistic regression models were further constructed by adjusting clinically relevant covariates to identify independent predictors of CAD.

RESULTS

Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that resting heart rate (HRrest), (odds ratio, confidence interval: 0.85, 0.78-0.93; p = 0.001) and percentage body fat (BF%), (odds ratio, confidence interval: 0.78, 0.64-0.96; p = 0.018) were significant independent predictors of CAD. Receiver Operating Characteristic curve analysis depicted optimal cut-off values for HRrest and BF% as > 74.1 bpm and > 33.6%, respectively. Multicolinearity analysis showed variance inflation factors (VIF) below the cautionary threshold of 3.

CONCLUSIONS

The HRrest and BF% emerged as significant independent predictors of CAD in obesity-related hypertension. Therapeutic strategies should target HRrest < 74.1 bpm and BF% < 33.6% to mitigate CAD risk in this population. Future trials are required to establish causal relationships and may consider additional confounding variables in obesity-related hypertension.

Celastrol ameliorates energy metabolism dysfunction of hypertensive rats by dilating vessels to improve hemodynamics

The impact of hypertension on tissue and organ damage is mediated through its influence on the structure and function of blood vessels. This study aimed to examine the potential of celastrol, a bioactive compound derived from Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F, in mitigating hypertension-induced energy metabolism disorder and enhancing blood perfusion and vasodilation. In order to investigate this phenomenon, we conducted in vivo experiments on renovascular hypertensive rats, employing indirect calorimetry to measure energy metabolism and laser speckle contrast imaging to evaluate hemodynamics. In vitro, we assessed the vasodilatory effects of celastrol on the basilar artery and superior mesenteric artery of rats using the Multi Wires Myograph System. Furthermore, we conducted preliminary investigations to elucidate the underlying mechanism. Moreover, administration of celastrol at doses of 1 and 2 mg/kg yielded a notable enhancement in blood flow ranging from 6 to 31% across different cerebral and mesenteric vessels in hypertensive rats. Furthermore, celastrol demonstrated a concentration-dependent (1 × 10-7 to 1 × 10-5 M) arterial dilation, independent of endothelial function. This vasodilatory effect could potentially be attributed to the inhibition of Ca2+ channels on vascular smooth muscle cells induced by celastrol. These findings imply that celastrol has the potential to ameliorate hemodynamics through vasodilation, thereby alleviating energy metabolism dysfunctions in hypertensive rats. Consequently, celastrol may hold promise as a novel therapeutic agent for the treatment of hypertension.

Association between non-dipping blood pressure pattern and different glucometabolic profile during oral glucose tolerance test

It is known that, a not physiological blood pressure (BP) circadian pattern has been associated with increased risk of organ damage and cardiovascular (CV) event. The aim of this study was to assess the association between circadian BP pattern and glucometabolic phenotypes occurring after oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). We recruited 810 hypertensive Caucasian patients. All participants underwent to OGTT, laboratory test and 24-h ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM). The analysis of collected data allowed classifying patients based on nocturnal BP profiles into four categories: dippers, non-dippers, extreme dippers, and reverse dippers. Considering the dipping pattern, the proportion of non-dippers in normal glucose tolerance patients with 1-h glucose ≥ 155 mg/dL (NGT ≥ 155) (36.4%) was higher than NGT < 155 (29.6%) and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) (34.8%), but lower than type 2 diabetes group (T2DM) (52.6%) (p = 0.001). The proportion of dippers was lower in NGT ≥ 155 (47%) and T2DM (34.6%), when compared with NGT < 155 (53.8%) and IGT (51.2%) (p = 0.017). From logistic regression analysis, 1-h glucose ≥ 155 increased the risk of a pathological nocturnal drop in BP by 74%, (OR = 1.740, 95% CI 1.254-2.415, p < 0.0001). In addition, the improvement in 1 unit of Matsuda was responsible for a 3.5% risk decrease (OR = 0.965, 95% CI 0.958-0.971, p < 0.0001), while e-GFR determined a 0.9% risk reduction of nocturnal BP drop (OR = 0.991, 95% CI 0.984-0.999, p = 0.020). Our data demonstrated the existence, in newly diagnosed hypertensive patients, of an association between circadian BP profile and altered glycemic response during OGTT, in particular NGT ≥ 155 subjects are associated with a non-dipper BP pattern, this is clinically relevant because may explain, at least in part, the increased CV risk in this setting of patients.

Mechanisms and treatment of obesity-related hypertension-Part 1: Mechanisms

The prevalence of obesity has tripled over the past five decades. Obesity, especially visceral obesity, is closely related to hypertension, increasing the risk of primary (essential) hypertension by 65%-75%. Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death worldwide, and its prevalence is rapidly increasing following the pandemic rise in obesity. Although the causal relationship between obesity and high blood pressure (BP) is well established, the detailed mechanisms for such association are still under research. For more than 30 years sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and kidney sodium reabsorption activation, secondary to insulin resistance and compensatory hyperinsulinemia, have been considered as primary mediators of elevated BP in obesity. However, experimental and clinical data show that severe insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia can occur in the absence of elevated BP, challenging the causal relationship between insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia as the key factor linking obesity to hypertension. The purpose of Part 1 of this review is to summarize the available data on recently emerging mechanisms believed to contribute to obesity-related hypertension through increased sodium reabsorption and volume expansion, such as: physical compression of the kidney by perirenal/intrarenal fat and overactivation of the systemic/renal SNS and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. The role of hyperleptinemia, impaired chemoreceptor and baroreceptor reflexes, and increased perivascular fat is also discussed. Specifically targeting these mechanisms may pave the way for a new therapeutic intervention in the treatment of obesity-related hypertension in the context of 'precision medicine' principles, which will be discussed in Part 2.

TorS - Reframing a rational for type 2 diabetes treatment

The mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 syndrome (Tors), paradigm implies an exhaustive cohesive disease entity driven by a hyperactive mTORC1, and which includes obesity, type 2 diabetic hyperglycemia, diabetic dyslipidemia, diabetic cardiomyopathy, diabetic nephropathy, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, hypertension, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, some cancers, neurodegeneration, polycystic ovary syndrome, psoriasis and other. The TorS paradigm may account for the efficacy of standard-of-care treatments of type 2 diabetes (T2D) in alleviating the glycaemic and non-glycaemic diseases of TorS in T2D and non-T2D patients. The TorS paradigm may generate novel treatments for TorS diseases.

Association of hypertension with the triglyceride-glucose index and its associated indices in the Chinese population: A 6-year prospective cohort study

The authors aim to assess the correlation between hypertension and the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index and its associated indices, and to compare their abilities to identify hypertension. Four thousand eight hundred and sixty-six non-hypertensive participants were enrolled from the China National Health Survey in 2009. The data on new-onset hypertension were gathered in both 2011 and 2015. The TyG index and its associated indices were derived from the fasting triglyceride, blood glucose levels, and anthropometric parameters. Multivariate logistic regression analyses and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis were used. The adjusted odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for the new-onset hypertension for the TyG-waist-to-height ratio (TyG-WHtR), TyG-waist circumference (TyG-WC), TyG-waist-to-hip ratio (TyG-WHR), TyG-body mass index (TyG-BMI), and TyG index were 1.379 (1.230-1.546), 1.002 (1.001-1.003), 1.156 (1.069-1.251), 1.007 (1.005-1.009), and 1.187 (1.051-1.341), respectively. In addition, comparing the lowest quartile (Q1) group with the highest quartile (Q4), the adjusted OR and 95% CI for the new-onset hypertension were found to be 1.86 (1.48-2.35), 1.93 (1.53-2.43), 1.71 (1.36-2.16), 2.00 (1.60-2.50), and 1.49 (1.19-1.88) for TyG-WHtR, TyG-WC, TyG-WHR, TyG-BMI, and TyG index, respectively, among all participants. The TyG-WHtR had the largest area under the curve (AUC) for hypertension (AUC, 0.628; 95% CI, 0.614-0.641) in all participants. Stratified analysis also indicated that the TyG-WHtR exhibited the greatest AUC in both males (AUC, 0.608; 95% CI, 0.587-0.629) and females (AUC, 0.648; 95% CI, 0.629-0.666). In conclusions, the TyG index and its associated indices were positively associated with hypertension. Among these indices, TyG-WHtR was the most valuable indicator for predicting hypertension.

Thrombospondin 2 is a novel biomarker of essential hypertension and associated with nocturnal Na+ excretion and insulin resistance

BACKGROUND

Thrombospondins (TSPs) play important roles in several cardiovascular diseases. However, the association between circulating (plasma) thrombospondin 2 (TSP2) and essential hypertension remains unclear. The present study was aimed to investigate the association of circulating TSP2 with blood pressure and nocturnal urine Na+ excretion and evaluate the predictive value of circulating TSP2 in subjects with hypertension.

METHODS AND RESULTS

603 newly diagnosed essential hypertensive subjects and 508 healthy subjects were preliminarily screened, 47 healthy subjects and 40 newly diagnosed essential hypertensive subjects without any chronic diseases were recruited. The results showed that the levels of circulating TSP2 were elevated in essential hypertensive subjects. The levels of TSP2 positively associated with systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and other clinical parameters, including homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity, and serum triglycerides, but negatively associated with nocturnal urine Na+ concentration and excretion and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Results of multiple linear regressions showed that HOMA-IR and nocturnal Na+ excretion were independent factors related to circulating TSP2. Mantel-Haenszel chi-square test displayed linear relationships between TSP2 and SBP (χ2 = 35.737) and DBP (χ2 = 26.652). The area under receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) of hypertension prediction was 0.901.

CONCLUSION

Our study suggests for the first time that the circulating levels of TSP2 may be a novel potential biomarker for essential hypertension. The association between TSP2 and blood pressure may be, at least in part, related to the regulation of renal Na+ excretion, insulin resistance, and/or endothelial function.

Triglyceride-glucose index is associated with a higher risk of stroke in a hypertensive population

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to evaluate the association of triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index, an insulin resistance surrogate biomarker, with first stroke in a hypertensive population and to explore potential influencing factors.

METHODS

This study, a cohort study among a rural Chinese hypertensive population, utilized data from the China Stroke Primary Prevention Trial (CSPPT). The TyG index was calculated as ln [fasting triglyceride (mg/dL) × fasting glucose (mg/dL)/2]. Multivariate analysis using Cox proportional hazards models was conducted.

RESULTS

A total of 7569 hypertensive patients were included in this study. When TyG index was assessed as quartiles, compared with the reference group (Quartile 1), the hazard ratio of stroke was 1.04 in Quartile 2, 1.43 in Quartile 3, and 1.45 in Quartile 4, with a significant trend test (P = 0.013). When Quartiles 3 and 4 were combined (≥ 8.8), the hazard ratio was 1.41 compared with combined Quartiles 1 and 2 (< 8.8). Similar findings were observed for the association of TyG index with ischemic stroke. Further, a joint effect of baseline TyG index and age on first stroke was found. Using the group with TyG < 8.8 and age < 60 years as a reference, the highest hazard ratio of stroke was found in the group with a higher TyG index and aged 60 or greater (HR: 2.15, 95% CI 1.50, 3.07, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

In a hypertensive population, baseline TyG index was associated with a significantly higher risk of first stroke. In addition, age was a significant effect modifier for this association.

Possible organ-protective effects of renal denervation: insights from basic studies

Inappropriate sympathetic nervous activation is the body's response to biological stress and is thought to be involved in the development of various lifestyle-related diseases through an elevation in blood pressure. Experimental studies have shown that surgical renal denervation decreases blood pressure in hypertensive animals. Recently, minimally invasive catheter-based renal denervation has been clinically developed, which results in a reduction in blood pressure in patients with resistant hypertension. Accumulating evidence in basic studies has shown that renal denervation exerts beneficial effects on cardiovascular disease and chronic kidney disease. Interestingly, recent studies have also indicated that renal denervation improves glucose tolerance and inflammatory changes. In this review article, we summarize the evidence from animal studies to provide comprehensive insight into the organ-protective effects of renal denervation beyond changes in blood pressure.

Obesity and hypertension: Obesity medicine association (OMA) clinical practice statement (CPS) 2023

Background

This Obesity Medicine Association (OMA) Clinical Practice Statement (CPS) provides an overview of the mechanisms and treatment of obesity and hypertension.

Methods

The scientific support for this CPS is based upon published citations, clinical perspectives of OMA authors, and peer review by the Obesity Medicine Association leadership.

Results

Mechanisms contributing to obesity-related hypertension include unhealthful nutrition, physical inactivity, insulin resistance, increased sympathetic nervous system activity, renal dysfunction, vascular dysfunction, heart dysfunction, increased pancreatic insulin secretion, sleep apnea, and psychosocial stress. Adiposopathic factors that may contribute to hypertension include increased release of free fatty acids, increased leptin, decreased adiponectin, increased renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system activation, increased 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1, reduced nitric oxide activity, and increased inflammation.

Conclusions

Increase in body fat is the most common cause of hypertension. Among patients with obesity and hypertension, weight reduction via healthful nutrition, physical activity, behavior modification, bariatric surgery, and anti-obesity medications mostly decrease blood pressure, with the greatest degree of weight reduction generally correlated with the greatest degree of blood pressure reduction.

Triglyceride-glucose index in the prediction of clinical outcomes after successful recanalization for coronary chronic total occlusions

BACKGROUND

Triglyceride-glucose index (TyG) has been widely used to predict cardiovascular outcomes. However, it remains unclear whether TyG holds prognostic significance for patients with coronary chronic total occlusions (CTO). Thus, our study aimed to evaluate the predictive accuracy and prognostic value of TyG in individuals who underwent successful percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for CTO.

METHODS

A total of 331 consecutive patients with ≥ 1 successful CTO-PCI were included. The baseline and angiographic data were acquired. The duration of follow-up ranged from 32 to 79 months, with a median of 44 months and an interquartile range of 39 to 67 months. The primary outcome measured was the occurrence of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE), including mortality, target vessel revascularization, recurrent myocardial infarction, and stroke.

RESULTS

After controlling for confounders, multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that TyG remained statistically significant, regardless of being a continuous or categorical variable. In the partially adjusted regression model, the Hazard ratio (95%CI) for MACCE was 2.54 (1.12-5.79) in tertile 3 and 1.61 (1.22-2.12) per SD increase in the TyG.Kaplan-Meier survival analysis demonstrated significant differences in MACCE-free survival rates across tertiles of the TyG, as indicated by the log-rank test (p = 0.001). ROC analysis was conducted to evaluate the predictive ability of TyG for MACCE, resulting in an AUC of 0.677.

CONCLUSION

The TyG index demonstrates independent predictive capabilities for MACCE in patients who have undergone successful CTO-PCI. These findings suggest that TyG holds the potential as a valuable tool in risk stratification and the identification of patients who may benefit from early intervention in the management of CTO.

Association of age at menarche with gestational hypertension and preeclampsia: A large prospective cohort in China

This study explored the potential association between age at menarche and the risks of gestational hypertension and preeclampsia in Chinese women. Data were sourced from the China-US Collaborative Project for Neural Tube Defects Prevention, a large population-based cohort study. Our study consisted of 209 411 women pre-registered for pregnancy in two provinces in South China. Trained healthcare workers measured blood pressure at registration and recorded other pertinent health information. Using logistic regression, we assessed the correlations between age at menarche and the likelihood of developing gestational hypertension and preeclampsia, considering confounders such as maternal age, body mass index, ethnicity, parity, folic acid supplementation, education level, and occupation. The observed incidences for gestational hypertension and preeclampsia were 9.65% and 2.54%, respectively. The adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for gestational hypertension, based on age at menarche, were as follows: ≤13 years, 1.18 (95% confidence interval: 1.11-1.26); 14 years, 1.09 (1.04-1.15); 15 years, 1.11 (1.06-1.16); 16 years, 1.06 (1.01-1.12); and ≥17 years, 1.00 (reference; P for trend < .001). The correlation between age at menarche and preeclampsia varied across age groups, with the following respective ORs: 1.35 (1.20-1.52), 1.21 (1.09-1.34), 1.27 (1.15-1.39), 1.14 (1.03-1.26), and 1.00 (reference; P for trend < .001). This association appeared to be more pronounced in women with no folic acid supplementation and those with a lower education level. In conclusion, an earlier age at menarche seems to be linked to increased risks of gestational hypertension and preeclampsia.

Association of TyG index with prehypertension or hypertension: a retrospective study in Japanese normoglycemia subjects

Aim

The objective of our study was to investigate the potential association between the triglyceride and glucose (TyG) index and the occurrence of prehypertension or hypertension in a cohort of normoglycemic Japanese subjects.

Methods

The NAGALA physical examination program was conducted in 1994 at Murakami Memorial Hospital in Gifu City, Japan. For our retrospective study, we selected 15,450 participants who had taken part in this program. Our aim was to explore the potential link between the TyG index, a surrogate marker for insulin resistance, and the presence of prehypertension (pre-HTN) or hypertension (HTN). Our analysis included adjustments for clinical demographic attributes and serum biomarkers. Logistic regression was employed to assess the relationship between the TyG index and the likelihood of pre-HTN or HTN.

Results

A total of 15,450 study subjects were included in our analysis. Notably, the prevalence of both pre-HTN and HTN displayed an ascending trend with increasing quartiles of the TyG index. In our comprehensive multivariable logistic regression analysis, when evaluating TyG as a continuous variable, the adjusted odds ratio (OR) for pre-HTN was OR 1.31 [95% CI 1.11-1.56], while for HTN, it was OR 1.76 [95% CI 1.24-2.5] within the fully adjusted model (model 3). When TyG was stratified into quartiles within model 3, the adjusted ORs for pre-HTN were OR 1.16 [95% CI 1.02-1.31], OR 1.22 [95% CI 1.06-1.41], and OR 1.31 [95% CI 1.08-1.59], respectively, using quartile 1 as the reference. The adjusted ORs for HTN in quartiles 2, 3, and 4 were OR 1.22 [95% CI 0.89-1.66], OR 1.4 [95% CI 1.02-1.91], and OR 1.48 [95% CI 1.02-2.15], respectively, within the same model and analysis, with quartile 1 as the reference. Subgroup analysis indicated that the TyG index exhibited a significant positive correlation with the risk of hypertension or prehypertension, except in the subgroup aged ≥65 years.

Conclusion

Our study highlights a robust correlation between the TyG index and the likelihood of pre-HTN or HTN in normoglycemic Japanese subjects. This underscores the potential clinical relevance of the TyG index in refining early hypertension management strategies. Nonetheless, the validation of these findings necessitates larger studies with extended follow-up periods.

The triglyceride-glucose index is a predictor for cardiovascular and all-cause mortality in CVD patients with diabetes or pre-diabetes: evidence from NHANES 2001-2018

BACKGROUND

The association between the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index and mortality in cardiovascular disease (CVD) patients with diabetes or pre-diabetes remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between baseline TyG index and all-cause and cardiovascular (CV) mortality in CVD patients with diabetes or pre-diabetes among American adults. .

METHODS

This study enrolled 1072 CVD patients with diabetes or pre-diabetes from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2001-2018). Mortality outcomes were determined by linking to National Death Index (NDI) records up to December 31, 2019. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were constructed to analyze explore the associations between baseline TyG index and mortality. Non-linear correlations were explored using restricted cubic splines, and a two-piecewise Cox proportional hazards model for both sides of the inflection point was constructed.

RESULTS

During 7541 person-years of follow-up, a total of 461 all-cause deaths and 154 CVD-related deaths were recorded. The restricted cubic splines revealed a U-shaped association between the baseline TyG index with all-cause and CVD mortality in CVD patients with diabetes or pre-diabetes. Specifically, baseline TyG index lower than the threshold values (TyG index < 9.05 in all-cause mortality and < 8.84 in CVD mortality) was negatively associated with mortality (HR 0.47, 95% CI = 0.27-0.81 for all-cause mortality and HR 0.25, 95% CI = 0.07-0.89 for CVD mortality). In contrast, baseline TyG index higher than the threshold values (TyG index > 9.05 in all-cause mortality and > 8.84 in CVD mortality) was positively associated with mortality (HR 1.42, 95% CI = 1.02-1.99 for all-cause mortality and HR 1.77, 95% CI = 1.08-2.91 for CVD mortality).

CONCLUSIONS

A U-shaped association was observed between the baseline TyG index with CVD and all-cause mortality in CVD patients with diabetes or pre-diabetes in a American population. The thresholds of 8.84 and 9.05 for CVD and all-cause mortality, respectively.

Baseline treatments and metabolic control of 288,913 type 2 diabetes patients in a 10-year retrospective cohort in Malaysia

Diabetes is one of the quickest-growing global health emergencies of the twenty-first century, and data-driven care can improve the quality of diabetes management. We aimed to describe the formation of a 10-year retrospective open cohort of type 2 diabetes patients in Malaysia. We also described the baseline treatment profiles and HbA1c, blood pressure, and lipid control to assess the quality of diabetes care. We used 10 years of cross-sectional audit datasets from the National Diabetes Registry and merged 288,913 patients with the same identifying information into a 10-year open cohort dataset. Treatment targets for HbA1c, blood pressure, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, and triglycerides were based on Malaysian clinical practice guidelines. IBM SPSS Statistics version 23.0 was used, and frequencies and percentages with 95% confidence intervals were reported. In total, 288,913 patients were included, with 62.3% women and 54.1% younger adults. The commonest diabetes treatment modality was oral hypoglycaemic agents (75.9%). Meanwhile, 19.3% of patients had ≥ 3 antihypertensive agents, and 71.2% were on lipid-lowering drugs. Metformin (86.1%), angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (49.6%), and statins (69.2%) were the most prescribed antidiabetic, antihypertensive, and lipid-lowering medications, respectively. The mean HbA1c was 7.96 ± 2.11, and 31.2% had HbA1c > 8.5%. Only 35.8% and 35.2% attained blood pressure < 140/80 mmHg and LDL-cholesterol < 2.6 mmol/L, respectively. About 57.5% and 52.9% achieved their respective triglyceride and HDL-cholesterol goals. In conclusion, data integration is a feasible method in this diabetes registry. HbA1c, blood pressure, and lipids are not optimally controlled, and these findings can be capitalized as a guideline by clinicians, programme managers, and health policymakers to improve the quality of diabetes care and prevent long-term complications in Malaysia.

Effect of soluble fiber on blood pressure in adults: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

OBJECTIVES

Pervious epidemiologic evidence indicates that soluble fiber is protective against hypertention: however, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have presented varying results. In the present study, we aimed to conduct a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis to summarize published RCTs which assess the effect of soluble fiber supplementation on systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP).

METHODS

Scopus, PubMed, and ISI Web of Sciences were searched to identify relevant studies up to Aug 2022. We estimated the change in blood pressure for each 5 g/d increment in soluble fiber supplementation in each trial and then calculated the weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95%CI using a random-effects model. We estimated dose-dependent effects using a dose-response meta-analysis of differences in means. The risk of bias for study was assessed using the Cochrane tool. Publication bias was evaluated via funnel plot and Begg's test and Egger's test.

RESULTS

Eighty-three eligible studies with total sample size of 5,985 participants were included in the meta-analysis. Soluble fiber supplementation significantly decreased SBP (WMD: -1.36 mmHg, 95% CI: -2.13 to -0.60, P < 0.001; I2 = 47.1%, P < 0.001) and DBP (WMD: -0.72 mmHg, 95% CI: -1.26 to -0.18, P = 0.009; I2 = 45.4%, P < 0.001). Each 5 g/d increment in soluble fiber supplementation had a significant reduction in SBP (WMD: -0.54 mmHg; 95%CI: -0.86, -0.22, P = 0.001; I2 = 52.2, Phet < 0.001) and DBP (WMD: -0.28 mmHg; 95%CI: -0.49, -0.80, P = 0.007; I2 = 43.1%, Phet < 0.001). The levels of SBP decreased proportionally with the increase in soluble fiber supplementation up to 20 g/d (MD20g/d: -1.79 mmHg, 95%CI: -2.86, -0.71).

CONCLUSION

Current evidence indicated the beneficial effect of soluble fiber supplementation on blood pressure. Our findings suggest that soluble fiber supplementation could contribute to the management of hypertension and the reduction of cardiovascular disease risk.

mTORC1 and SGLT2 Inhibitors-A Therapeutic Perspective for Diabetic Cardiomyopathy

Diabetic cardiomyopathy is a critical diabetes-mediated co-morbidity characterized by cardiac dysfunction and heart failure, without predisposing hypertensive or atherosclerotic conditions. Metabolic insulin resistance, promoting hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia, is the primary cause of diabetes-related disorders, but ambiguous tissue-specific insulin sensitivity has shed light on the importance of identifying a unified target paradigm for both the glycemic and non-glycemic context of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Several studies have indicated hyperactivation of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), specifically complex 1 (mTORC1), as a critical mediator of T2D pathophysiology by promoting insulin resistance, hyperlipidemia, inflammation, vasoconstriction, and stress. Moreover, mTORC1 inhibitors like rapamycin and their analogs have shown significant benefits in diabetes and related cardiac dysfunction. Recently, FDA-approved anti-hyperglycemic sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) have gained therapeutic popularity for T2D and diabetic cardiomyopathy, even acknowledging the absence of SGLT2 channels in the heart. Recent studies have proposed SGLT2-independent drug mechanisms to ascertain their cardioprotective benefits by regulating sodium homeostasis and mimicking energy deprivation. In this review, we systematically discuss the role of mTORC1 as a unified, eminent target to treat T2D-mediated cardiac dysfunction and scrutinize whether SGLT2is can target mTORC1 signaling to benefit patients with diabetic cardiomyopathy. Further studies are warranted to establish the underlying cardioprotective mechanisms of SGLT2is under diabetic conditions, with selective inhibition of cardiac mTORC1 but the concomitant activation of mTORC2 (mTOR complex 2) signaling.

Triglyceride-glucose index is associated with hypertension incidence up to 13 years of follow-up in mexican adults

The triglyceride-glucose index (TyG index) is an indicator of insulin resistance that has been studied recently. The relationship between insulin resistance and the risk of hypertension has been documented previously. However, there is limited knowledge regarding the association of the TyG index with hypertension incidence. This study aimed to evaluate the association of the TyG index with changes in blood pressure (BP) and hypertension incidence in Mexican adults. This analysis was performed using the Health Workers Cohort Study data. The TyG index was estimated as Ln [fasting triglycerides (mg/dL) × fasting glucose (mg/dL)/2] and divided into categories defined by tertiles. The analysis was conducted using fixed-effects linear regression models (n = 1,545) and Cox proportional hazards regression models (n = 1,113), adjusting for potential confounding variables. The incidence rates (95% CI) for the low, medium, and high categories of the TyG index were 22.1 (17.8, 27.5), 35.8 (30.1, 42.7), and 49.4 (42.1, 57.9), respectively. An increase in the levels of systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) was observed when changing from a low to a medium (DBP: β 2.55 mmHg, 95% CI 0.81, 4.29) and from a low to a high category of the TyG index (SBP: β 3.10 mmHg, 95% CI 1.16, 5.04; DBP: β 4.91 mmHg, 95% CI 2.88, 6.94). Furthermore, participants within the top category of the TyG index had a 56% higher risk of hypertension than those in the bottom category (HR = 1.56; 95% CI 1.18, 2.08). These results support the hypothesis that the TyG index is associated with high blood pressure in Mexican adults.