Impact of body mass index on cholesterol of Japanese adults

The effect of family history of atherosclerosıs and other risk factors on changes in serum lipid levels in acne patients treated with isotretinoin

BACKGROUND

Oral isotretinoin causes changes in serum lipid values. These changes are not seen in every patient, regardless of dose. It is unclear what causes these changes and how often serum lipid values should be followed up.

AIMS

We aimed to evaluate the relationship between the change in serum lipid values and personal and familial risk factors.

METHODS

Serum lipid values at baseline (0th), 1st, 3rd, and 6th months of isotretinoin treatment of acne patients aged 16 years and over using oral isotretinoin at a dose of 0.5-1 mg/kg/day between January 2017 and December 2019 were recorded retrospectively. The relationship between personal and familial risk factors and changes in serum lipid values were evaluated statistically.

RESULTS

In pairwise comparison, a significant difference was detected between the 0th and 1st month, 0th and 3rd month, 0th and 6th month, and 1st and 6th month in the average serum lipid (Low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), total cholesterol, triglyceride) levels. However, no significant difference was detected between 3rd and 6th month. The change in LDL levels between the 0th and the 3rd month was significantly higher in those with a family history of atherosclerosis than those without a family history of atherosclerosis (p = 0.034). The change in VLDL levels between the 0th and 6th month was significantly higher in those with a family history of atherosclerosis than those without a family history of atherosclerosis (p = 0.022). It was observed that the changes in total cholesterol and VLDL levels between the 0th and 3rd month increased as body mass index (BMI) increased (p = 0.03, p = 0.014, respectively). Similarly, the changes in triglyceride and VLDL levels between 0th and 6th month and between 1st and 6th month increased by an increase in BMI (respectively; p = 0.006, p = 0.019; p = 0.016, p = 0.022). The increase in the levels of VLDL between the 1st and the 6th month was found to be significantly higher in smokers than in non-smokers (p = 0,032).

CONCLUSION

We recommend evaluation of serum lipids values in the 0th, 1st, and 3rd month in all acne patients using oral isotretinoin and that these values have to be checked monthly in the following months for smokers, those with a history of atherosclerosis, and those with a BMI above normal.

Anthropometric measures and lipid coronary heart disease risk factors in Korean immigrants with type 2 diabetes

OBJECTIVES

The purposes of this study were to (1) describe anthropometric measures among Korean immigrants with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and (2) examine the relationships between measures of obesity with several forms of dyslipidemia in this group.

BACKGROUND

Obesity and dyslipidemia are commonly associated with T2DM, and they are risk factors for coronary heart disease (CHD), the leading cause of death for people with diabetes. Asians are predisposed to abdominal obesity and experience significant CHD risk at lower body mass index (BMI) levels. Despite high prevalence of diabetes among Korean immigrants, relationships among anthropometric measures and lipid-related CHD risk factors have not been examined.

METHODS

A convenience sample of 143 adult Korean immigrants with T2DM between the ages of 30 and 80 years participated in the study. Body mass index, waist circumference (WC), and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) were obtained using standardized procedures. Total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were assessed using a fingerstick blood test. Hierarchical linear regressions were conducted to identify which of the anthropometric measures was significantly related to individuals' cholesterol levels.

RESULTS

Central obesity measures, not BMI, were significantly associated with dyslipidemia in Korean immigrants with T2DM independent of potential confounds such as hemoglobin A1C, cigarette smoking, age, and cholesterol medication. Different central obesity measures were associated with different cholesterol types for diabetic Korean men and women. In men, WHR was positively associated with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and total cholesterol levels. In women, WC was negatively associated with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol.

CONCLUSIONS

Central obesity measures (WC and WHR) are better indicators for assessing lipid-related CHD risk factor among Korean immigrants with T2DM than BMI. Gender difference in the association between central obesity measures and lipid types should be considered in CHD risk assessment of Korean immigrants with T2DM.

Alginate reduces the increased uptake of cholesterol and glucose in overweight male subjects: a pilot study

Dietary fibers are of particular interest in the prevention and management of obesity and consequent pathologies. Among the proposed mechanisms of action of fiber is the modulation of nutrient uptake from the small intestine. We have used a crossover study design in human subjects to monitor the uptake of glucose, cholesterol, and triacylglycerols in human subjects with normal and high body mass index. Our data demonstrate that uptakes of glucose, triacylglycerols, and cholesterol are all increased with increasing body fat. We demonstrate that treatment with a 1.5-g dose of a strong-gelling alginate may restore uptake of cholesterol and glucose to the levels of healthy subjects. These data indicate a potential therapeutic application of gelling fibers.