Apoliprotein E genotype is associated with apoliprotein B plasma levels but not with coronary calcium score in very elderly individuals in primary care setting

Different anthropometric indicators of central obesity can predict hypertension in older adults

Objective: to investigate the association between hypertension and anthropometric indicators of central obesity, obtained from two anatomical sites in older adults.Methodology: cross-sectional study that involved 145 older adults, from whom socioeconomic and demographic data and anthropometric indicators of central obesity (waist circumference [CC] and abdominal circumference [CA]) were obtained, which were considered independent variables. A logistic regression model was used to analyze associations and for the discriminatory power of the cut-off points of the hypertension anthropometric indicators, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was performed. Comparisons were made between ROC curves, with the aim of identifying significant differences in the discriminatory power of the anthropometric indicators studied.Results: out of the 145 individuals, 79 were females (54%) and 66 males (46%). Results showed a high prevalence of arterial hypertension in men (69,7%) and women (73,4%). Both CC and CA were significantly associated with hypertension in both genders. Parameters of the ROC curve revealed that both anthropometric indicators of central obesity exhibit good discriminatory power for hypertension in the studied population. The cut-off point for CC was > 83,2 cm for men and > 82,6 cm for women; while for CA it was > 85,1 cm and > 85,4 cm for men and women, respectively.Conclusion: CA and CC are significantly associated with hypertension in both genders, and there is no superiority between them to predict hypertension in the elderly population.

Plasma apolipoproteins and physical and cognitive health in very old individuals

Apolipoproteins play a crucial role in lipid metabolism with implications in cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, and longevity. We quantified 7 apolipoproteins in plasma in 1067 individuals aged 56-105 using immunoassays and explored relationships with APOE polymorphism ε2/3/4, vascular health, frailty, and cognition. ApoA1, ApoA2, ApoB, ApoC3, ApoE, ApoH, and ApoJ decreased from mid-life, although ApoE and ApoJ had U-shaped trends. Centenarians had the highest ApoE levels and the lowest frequency of APOE ε4 allele relative to younger groups. Apolipoprotein levels trended lower in APOE ε4 homozygotes and heterozygotes compared with noncarriers, with ApoE and ApoJ being significantly lower. Levels of all apolipoproteins except ApoH were higher in females. Sex- and age-related differences were apparent in the association of apolipoproteins with cognitive performance, as only women had significant negative associations of ApoB, ApoE, ApoH, and ApoJ in mid-life, whereas associations at older age were nonsignificant or positive. Our findings suggest levels of some apolipoproteins, especially ApoE, are associated with lifespan and cognitive function in exceptionally long-lived individuals.

Selenium Level and Dyslipidemia in Rural Elderly Chinese

OBJECTIVE

Higher selenium level has been hypothesized to have the potential to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases including dyslipidemia. However, results from previous studies are inconsistent. This study aims to determine the association between selenium level and dyslipidemia in elderly Chinese with relatively low selenium status.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study of 1859 participants aged 65 or older from four rural counties in China was conducted. Serum total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDLC) and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDLC), nail selenium concentration and APOE genotype were measured in all subjects. The four types of dyslipidemia were defined as >5.17 mmol/L for High-TC, >1.69 mmol/L for High-TG, >3.36 mmol/L for High-LDLC, and <1.04 mmol/L for Low-HDLC according to Chinese Guidelines on Prevention and Treatment of Dyslipidemia in Adults. Logistic models adjusting for age, gender, APOE genotype, body mass index, alcohol consumption, smoking, physical activity, medication use for cardiovascular diseases were used to examine the relationship between selenium levels and the risk of dyslipidemia.

RESULTS

Mean nail selenium concentration was 0.465 μg/gin this sample. Rates for High-TC, High-LDLC, High-TG, Low-HDLC were 18.13%, 13.23%, 12.21% and 32.76% respectively. Results from logistic models indicated that higher selenium levels were significantly associated with higher risk of High-TC, High-LDLC and lower risk of Low-HDLC adjusting for covariates (p < 0.0001). Compared with the lowest selenium quartile group, participants in selenium quartile groups 2, 3 and 4 had significantly higher rates of High-TC, High-LDLC, High-TG, and lower rate of Low-HDLC adjusting for covariates. No significant association was observed between selenium level and the risk of High-TG. APOEε4 carriers had higher rates of High-TC and High-LDLC. There was no interaction between selenium level and APOE with the rates of dyslipidemia.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest long-term selenium exposure level may be associated with the risk of dyslipidemia in elderly population. Future studies are needed to examine the underlying mechanism of the association.