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Addo J, Davy M, Newlands A, Orford L, Guta P, Scott R, van Hasselt J, Maher-Edwards G. The Africa non-communicable diseases (NCD) Open Lab: Impact of a portfolio of clinical studies to deepen the understanding of NCDs in sub-Saharan Africa. J Glob Health 2024; 14:04065. [PMID: 38695258 PMCID: PMC11063967 DOI: 10.7189/jogh.14.04065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Clinical research in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has often focussed on communicable diseases. However, with the increasing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), there is a need for Africa-specific NCD research. Methods GSK established the Africa NCD Open Lab in 2014. Three calls for proposals were advertised through various media channels. An external independent scientific advisory board, predominantly representing African scientists and NCD experts, reviewed and selected projects to receive funding. An additional programme in the Africa NCD Open Lab was designed to build statistical capability by supporting training initiatives. We assessed the impact of the Africa NCD Open Lab in three ways: scientific quality with impact; research training and professional development; and research environments. We captured metrics through regular reports/interactions with researchers; via a final report; and through exit interviews with principal investigators. Results Twenty projects in 11 African countries were funded; reports from 18 completed projects are available (data capture is ongoing). Overall, 139 articles have been published in peer-reviewed journals and other data have been presented at conferences and other forums. Most completed projects led to positive outcomes, such as further research, informing policy, or positively impacting clinical care, including three projects that saw changes to regional or national practice guidelines: the CREOLE study in Nigeria; the African Severe Asthma Program in Uganda; and the African Prospective Study on the Early Detection and Identification of Cardiovascular Disease and Hypertension in South Africa. Participation in the Africa NCD Open Lab led to the award of 34 grants related to or influenced by increased research capacity or experience. Significant professional development related to the projects also occurred with higher-level degrees being awarded, including 30 MScs, 30 PhDs, and nine postdoctoral fellowships. Through these projects, research capacity was strengthened across the region by equipping core research facilities, training research staff, strengthening research support services, and supporting the expansion of investigator networks. Conclusions The completed Africa NCD Open Lab projects demonstrate high-quality research outcomes addressing important health challenges with potential benefits to African populations. Based on the success of the Africa NCD Open Lab, additional funding has been secured to extend the Open Lab initiative.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - James van Hasselt
- General Medicines Regional Medical Affairs, GSK, Gauteng, South Africa
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Noren Hooten N, Mode NA, Allotey S, Ezike N, Zonderman AB, Evans MK. Inflammatory proteins are associated with mortality in a middle-aged diverse cohort. Clin Transl Med 2023; 13:e1412. [PMID: 37743657 PMCID: PMC10518496 DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.1412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent data indicate a decline in overall longevity in the United States. Even prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, an increase in midlife mortality rates had been reported. Life expectancy disparities have persisted in the United States for racial and ethnic groups and for individuals living at low socioeconomic status. These continued trends in mortality indicate the importance of examining biomarkers of mortality at midlife in at-risk populations. Circulating levels of cytokines and inflammatory markers reflect systemic chronic inflammation, which is a well-known driver of many age-related diseases. METHODS In this study, we examined the relationship of nine different inflammatory proteins with mortality in a middle-aged socioeconomically diverse cohort of African-American and White men and women (n = 1122; mean age = 47.8 years). RESULTS We found significant differences in inflammatory-related protein serum levels between African-American and White middle-aged adults. E-selectin and fibrinogen were significantly higher in African-American adults. IFN-γ, TNF-α trimer, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), soluble receptor for advanced glycation end-products (sRAGE) and P-selectin were significantly higher in White participants compared to African-American participants. Higher levels of E-selectin, MCP-1 and P-selectin were associated with a higher mortality risk. Furthermore, there was a significant interaction between sex and IL-6 with mortality. IL-6 levels were associated with an increased risk of mortality, an association that was significantly greater in women than men. In addition, White participants with high levels of sRAGE had significantly higher survival probability than White participants with low levels of sRAGE, while African-American participants had similar survival probabilities across sRAGE levels. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that circulating inflammatory markers can be utilized as indicators of midlife mortality risk in a socioeconomically diverse cohort of African-American and White individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Noren Hooten
- Laboratory of Epidemiology and Population Science National Institute on AgingNational Institutes of HealthBaltimoreMarylandUSA
| | - Nicolle A. Mode
- Laboratory of Epidemiology and Population Science National Institute on AgingNational Institutes of HealthBaltimoreMarylandUSA
| | - Samuel Allotey
- Laboratory of Epidemiology and Population Science National Institute on AgingNational Institutes of HealthBaltimoreMarylandUSA
- Feinberg School of MedicineNorthwestern UniversityChicagoIllinoisUSA
| | - Ngozi Ezike
- Laboratory of Epidemiology and Population Science National Institute on AgingNational Institutes of HealthBaltimoreMarylandUSA
| | - Alan B. Zonderman
- Laboratory of Epidemiology and Population Science National Institute on AgingNational Institutes of HealthBaltimoreMarylandUSA
| | - Michele K. Evans
- Laboratory of Epidemiology and Population Science National Institute on AgingNational Institutes of HealthBaltimoreMarylandUSA
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Santos FSD, Oliveira IOD, Mintem GC, Horta BL, Gigante DP. Epidemiology of interleukin-6: the 30-year follow-up of the 1982 Pelotas (Brazil) birth cohort study. Ann Hum Biol 2022; 48:525-533. [PMID: 35105198 DOI: 10.1080/03014460.2021.1998619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cardiovascular diseases are the main cause of death globally. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a biomarker of cardiovascular risk. AIM To investigate factors associated with IL-6 concentration in serum, from early life up to 30 years of age. SUBJECTS AND METHODS In the 2012-2013 follow-up, IL-6 was measured in 2809 participants of the 1982 Pelotas Birth Cohort (1369 males). Multivariable linear regressions, stratified by sex, were performed to evaluate the associations of African ancestry, family income and maternal education at birth, monthly income and education at 30 years, smoking status, harmful alcohol intake, physical activity, and body composition with IL-6, considering a conceptual hierarchical framework. RESULTS Males with low educational levels and current smokers had the highest mean IL-6. Among females, African ancestry and low monthly income were associated with the highest mean values for the outcome. Physical activity had an inverse association with IL-6 concentration among females. A direct relationship was observed between the measures of adiposity on IL-6, in both sexes. CONCLUSION Body composition was the main predictor for the outcome evaluated in males and females. Thus, the avoidance of overweight remains an important strategy for the prevention and control of cardiovascular risk and biomarkers associated with these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Gicele Costa Mintem
- Post-graduate Program in Nutrition and Food, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil
| | - Bernardo Lessa Horta
- Post-graduate Program in Epidemiology, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil
| | - Denise Petrucci Gigante
- Post-graduate Program in Epidemiology, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil.,Post-graduate Program in Nutrition and Food, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil
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Crouch SH, Botha-Le Roux S, Delles C, Graham LA, Schutte AE. Inflammation and hypertension development: A longitudinal analysis of the African-PREDICT study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL CARDIOLOGY HYPERTENSION 2020; 7:100067. [PMID: 33392493 PMCID: PMC7768897 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijchy.2020.100067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2020] [Revised: 10/31/2020] [Accepted: 11/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Background The role of inflammation in the development of hypertension remains incompletely understood. While single inflammatory mediators have been shown to associate with changes in blood pressure (ΔBP), the role of clusters of inflammatory mediators has been less comprehensively explored. We therefore determined whether individual or clusters of inflammatory mediators from a large biomarker panel were associated with ΔBP over 4.5 years, in young healthy adults. Methods We included 358 adults (white, n = 156; black, n = 202) with detailed information on ambulatory blood pressure (BP) at baseline and follow-up. Baseline blood samples were analysed for 22 inflammatory mediators using multiplexing technology. Principal component analysis was used to study associations between clusters of inflammatory mediators and ΔBP. Results In the total cohort in multivariable-adjusted regression analyses, percentage change in 24hr systolic BP associated positively with Factors 1 (Interferon-gamma, interleukin (IL)-4, IL-7, IL-10, IL-12, IL-17A, IL-21, IL-23, macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1α, MIP-1β, TNF-α, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF)) and 2 (IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, IL-13). Change in daytime systolic BP associated positively with Factors 1, 2 and 3 (C-Reactive protein, IL-1β, IL-2, MIP-3α). Subgroup analysis found these findings were limited to white study participants. Numerous associations were present between individual inflammatory mediators (Interferon-gamma, GM-CSF, IL-4, IL-6, IL-7, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12, IL-13, IL-17A, IL-21, IL-23, MIP-1α and MIP-1β) and ΔBP in the white but not black subgroups. Conclusion We found independent relationships between numerous inflammatory mediators (individual and clusters) and ΔBP over 4.5 years. The relationship between inflammatory markers and ΔBP was only found in white participants. ClinicalTrials.gov (Identifier: NCT03292094)..
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone H. Crouch
- Hypertension in Africa Research Team (HART), North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
| | - Shani Botha-Le Roux
- Hypertension in Africa Research Team (HART), North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
- MRC Research Unit: Hypertension and Cardiovascular Disease, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
| | - Christian Delles
- The British Heart Foundation Centre of Excellence, Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, College of Medical, Veterinary, and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Lesley A. Graham
- The British Heart Foundation Centre of Excellence, Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, College of Medical, Veterinary, and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Aletta E. Schutte
- Hypertension in Africa Research Team (HART), North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
- MRC Research Unit: Hypertension and Cardiovascular Disease, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
- School of Population Health, University of New South Wales; The George Institute for Global Health, Sydney, Australia
- Corresponding author. School of Population Health, UNSW Medicine, University of New South Wales, NSW 2052, Australia.
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Möller C, Schutte AE, Smith W, Botha-Le Roux S. Von Willebrand factor, its cleaving protease (ADAMTS13), and inflammation in young adults: The African-PREDICT study. Cytokine 2020; 136:155265. [PMID: 32927287 DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2020.155265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Revised: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 08/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The role of inflammation in the early development of vascular dysfunction remains complex. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP) can cause an acute imbalance in the von Willebrand factor (vWF)-ADAMTS13 interaction, indicating a possible link between markers of haemostasis and low-grade inflammation. To better understand these inter-relationships in the early phases of disease development, we investigated whether vWF and ADAMTS13 associate with the pro-inflammatory markers, IL-6 and CRP in healthy young adults. We considered the role of blood types, sex and race on these relationships. METHODS In healthy black and white men and women (n = 1113; 24 ± 5 years; no previous diagnosis or medication use for chronic diseases) we analysed von Willebrand factor antigen (vWFag), ADAMTS13, IL-6 and CRP, and grouped blood types as non-O (A, B and AB) and O. Covariates included socioeconomic status, age, estimated glomerular filtration rate, 24-hour systolic blood pressure, waist circumference, glucose, total cholesterol, platelet count, γ-glutamyl transferase and total energy expenditure. RESULTS In the total group, vWFag was highest in the third tertile of both IL-6 and CRP (p ≤ 0.014), while ADAMTS13 was lowest in the third compared to the first IL-6 tertile (p = 0.006). In multivariate regression, vWFag associated positively with IL-6 (Adj R2 = 0.169; β = 0.123; p = 0.001) and CRP (Adj R2 = 0.163; β=0.094; p = 0.019) in the total group, in the O blood group (all p ≤ 0.051) and white men (all p ≤ 0.035). ADAMTS13 associated negatively with IL-6 (Adj R2 = 0.053; β = -0.154; p = 0.015) and CRP (Adj R2 = 0.055; β = -0.177; p = 0.009), only in the O blood group. CONCLUSIONS Markers of haemostasis associated independently with low-grade inflammation in the O type blood group and white men. An interplay between the haemostatic and inflammatory systems may already exist in young healthy adults and is dependent on blood groups, sex and race. This extends our understanding on the role of inflammation in the early development of vascular dysfunction prior to cardiovascular compromise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Möller
- Hypertension in Africa Research Team (HART), Faculty of Health Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
| | - Aletta E Schutte
- Hypertension in Africa Research Team (HART), Faculty of Health Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa; Medical Research Council: Research Unit for Hypertension and Cardiovascular Disease, Faculty of Health Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa; Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, The George Institute for Global Health, Sydney, Australia
| | - Wayne Smith
- Hypertension in Africa Research Team (HART), Faculty of Health Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa; Medical Research Council: Research Unit for Hypertension and Cardiovascular Disease, Faculty of Health Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
| | - Shani Botha-Le Roux
- Hypertension in Africa Research Team (HART), Faculty of Health Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa; Medical Research Council: Research Unit for Hypertension and Cardiovascular Disease, Faculty of Health Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa.
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Inflammation and salt in young adults: the African-PREDICT study. Eur J Nutr 2020; 60:873-882. [PMID: 32494865 PMCID: PMC7900065 DOI: 10.1007/s00394-020-02292-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2019] [Accepted: 04/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Low-grade inflammation and a diet high in salt are both established risk factors for cardiovascular disease. High potassium (K+) intake was found to counter increase in blood pressure due to high salt intake and may potentially also have protective anti-inflammatory effects. To better understand these interactions under normal physiological conditions, we investigated the relationships between 22 inflammatory mediators with 24-h urinary K+ in young healthy adults stratified by low, medium and high salt intake (salt tertiles). We stratified by ethnicity due to potential salt sensitivity in black populations. METHODS In 991 healthy black (N = 457) and white (N = 534) adults, aged 20-30 years, with complete data for 24-h urinary sodium and K+, we analysed blood samples for 22 inflammatory mediators. RESULTS We found no differences in inflammatory mediators between low-, mid- and high-sodium tertiles in either the black or white groups. In multivariable-adjusted regression analyses in white adults, we found only in the lowest salt tertile that K+ associated negatively with pro-inflammatory mediators, namely interferon gamma, interleukin (IL) -7, IL-12, IL-17A, IL-23 and tumour necrosis factor alpha (all p ≤ 0.046). In the black population, we found no independent associations between K+ and any inflammatory mediator. CONCLUSION In healthy white adults, 24-h urinary K+ associated independently and negatively with specific pro-inflammatory mediators, but only in those with a daily salt intake less than 6.31 g, suggesting K+ to play a protective, anti-inflammatory role in a low-sodium environment. No similar associations were found in young healthy black adults.
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