Associations of apolipoprotein B/apolipoprotein A-I ratio with pre-diabetes and diabetes risks: a cross-sectional study in Chinese adults

Modifiable factors mediating the effects of educational attainment on gestational diabetes mellitus: A two-step Mendelian randomization study

BACKGROUND

Although there is currently a wealth of evidence to indicate that maternal educational attainment is associated with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), the specific modifiable risk factors that mediate the causal relationship between these two variables have yet to be identified.

AIM

To identify the specific modifiable risk factors that mediate the causal relationship between the level of maternal education and GDM.

METHODS

Mendelian randomization (MR) was conducted using data from genome-wide association studies of European populations. We initially performed a two-sample MR analysis using data on genetic variants associated with the duration of education as instruments, and subsequently adopted a two-step MR approach using metabolic and lifestyle factors as mediators to examine the mechanisms underlying the relationship between the level of maternal education and risk of developing GDM. In addition, we calculated the proportions of total causal effects mediated by identified metabolic and lifestyle factors.

RESULTS

A genetically predicted higher educational attainment was found to be associated with a lower risk of developing GDM (OR: 0.71, 95%CI: 0.60-0.84). Among the metabolic factors assessed, four emerged as potential mediators of the education-GDM association, which, ranked by mediated proportions, were as follows: Waist-to-hip-ratio (31.56%, 95%CI: 12.38%-50.70%), body mass index (19.20%, 95%CI: 12.03%-26.42%), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (12.81%, 95%CI: 8.65%-17.05%), and apolipoprotein A-1 (7.70%, 95%CI: 4.32%-11.05%). These findings proved to be robust to sensitivity analyses.

CONCLUSION

Our findings indicate a causal relationship between lower levels of maternal education and the risk of developing GDM can be partly explained by adverse metabolic profiles.

Association of Lipoprotein and Apolipoprotein Ratios With Glycemic Levels in Individuals With Prediabetes: A Case-Control Study

BACKGROUND

 Prediabetes is defined as a hyperglycemic state between normal glucose metabolism and diabetes mellitus. It is also recognized as a predisposing factor for cardiovascular disease. Apolipoprotein is a constituent of lipoproteins, and its ratio levels (ApoB/ApoA1 ratio) are considered an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the apolipoprotein ratio (ApoB/ApoA1 ratio) and lipoprotein ratio (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C/HDL-C) ratio) in prediabetes in relation to glycemic levels and establish the association between apolipoprotein and lipoprotein ratios in prediabetic individuals and their glycemic levels.

METHODOLOGY

 A case-control study was conducted among 150 participants, 75 with prediabetes and 75 apparently healthy individuals (with no prediabetes or diabetes), from January 1, 2023 to December 30, 2023. The parameters involved are fasting serum glucose, insulin, blood HbA1c%, HDL-C, LDL-C, apolipoprotein A, apolipoprotein B, and lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)), measured using different principles.

RESULTS

Prediabetes was more predominant in males (58.7%), particularly those aged over 40 years (74.7%). The mean Lp(a) (46.18±11.66 mg/dl), LDL-C/HDL-C ratio (1.74±0.96), and ApoB/ApoA ratio (1.10±0.62) were significantly higher among prediabetic individuals. Moreover, these ratios were insignificantly higher in prediabetic individuals with HbA1c level (5.8-6.4%) and fasting glucose level (100-125 mg/dl) than those with lower levels.

CONCLUSIONS

Prediabetic individuals exhibited a notably elevated average level of Lp(a), as well as increased mean ApoB/ApoA1 ratio and mean LDL-C/HDL-C ratio compared to individuals who were apparently healthy.

Utility of apolipoprotein ratio in predicting metabolic risk and microvascular complications in Indian children and young adults with type 1 diabetes mellitus

OBJECTIVES

To assess the relationship of apolipoproteins with glycemic control and insulin resistance (IR) in Indian children and youth with type-1 diabetes (T1D) and to assess its utility in predicting metabolic risk (MR) and microvascular complications in these subjects.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study included 152 participants aged 6-23 years with T1D. Demographic, anthropometric, clinical, biochemical and body composition data were obtained using standard protocols. IR was calculated using estimated glucose disposal rate (eGDR) and metabolic syndrome (MS) was diagnosed using the international diabetes federation consensus definition 2017.

RESULTS

Apolipoprotein ratio in subjects with T1D had negative and positive correlation with eGDR and HbA_1c respectively. Positive correlation of Apolipoproten B and apolipoprotein ratio with urinary albumin creatinine ratio is noted. The ratio had area under curve of 0.766 and 0.737 to predict MR and microvascular complications respectively. The ratio cut-off of 0.536 yielded 77.1 % sensitivity and 61 % specificity to predict MR. On adding the apolipoprotein ratio as a predictor to the regression model developed to predict MR, the R² and accuracy improved.

CONCLUSIONS

The apolipoprotein ratio had significant correlation with IR, microalbuminuria and glycaemic control. The ratio also predicts risk of development of microvascular complications and maybe used to predict MR in subjects with T1D.

Effectiveness of Non-Contact Dietary Coaching in Adults with Diabetes or Prediabetes Using a Continuous Glucose Monitoring Device: A Randomized Controlled Trial

We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of dietary coaching and continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) in patients with diabetes or prediabetes to improve their behavioral skills and health outcomes. A randomized controlled study with pre- and post-testing was conducted. Data were collected between November 2020 and April 2021. Forty-five patients with diabetes or prediabetes who used a CGM device were enrolled and analyzed. Dietary education, individual coaching and group coaching were provided to participants in the experimental group for 4 weeks. After the intervention, the thigh circumference in men significantly differed between the two groups (z = -2.02, p = 0.044). For women, participants in the experimental group showed greater improvement in eating self-efficacy compared with those in the control group (z = -2.66, p = 0.008). Insomnia was negatively related to the change in eating self-efficacy (r = -0.35, p = 0.018) and increase in thigh circumference (r = -0.35, p = 0.017). Even if used within a short intervention period, non-contact dietary coaching programs can help enhance behavioral skills, such as eating self-efficacy and health outcomes, such as thigh circumference. Moreover, the changed variables can indirectly improve other health outcomes in patients with diabetes or prediabetes.

Elevated ApoB/ApoA-I ratio is associated with acute anti-N-Methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis, but not disease outcomes

Objective

The purpose of the present study is to clarify the relationship between the apolipoprotein B100/apolipoprotein A-I (ApoB/ApoA-I) ratio and anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (anti-NMDAR) encephalitis.

Methods

A total of 71 patients with anti-NMDAR encephalitis were included in this study, and their ApoB/ApoA-I ratios in baseline and follow-up were retrospectively analyzed.

Results

The ApoB/ApoA-I ratio was closely correlated with the baseline-modified Rankin scale (mRS) score of >3 in patients with anti-NMDAR encephalitis. A subgroup analysis showed obvious differences between the high and low ApoB/ApoA-I ratio groups. The ApoB/ApoA-I ratio was positively correlated with intensive care unit (ICU) treatment, length of hospital stay, baseline mRS score, C-reactive protein (CRP), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). The ratios of the high and low ApoB/ApoA-I groups both improved in the follow-up.

Conclusion

The increased ApoB/ApoA-I ratio is associated with acute anti-NMDAR encephalitis, but not disease outcomes. Serum ApoB/ApoA-I ratio was related to inflammation and immunity in peripheral blood. The findings might provide a new idea for further exploration of the pathogenesis and treatment of anti-NMDAR encephalitis.

Association between apolipoprotein B/A1 and the risk of metabolic dysfunction associated fatty liver disease according to different lipid profiles in a Chinese population: A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Metabolic dysfunction associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is the most common liver disease and dyslipidemia is commonly considered a prominent risk factor for MAFLD. This study was to investigate the association between the apolipoprotein B/A1 (apo B/A1) ratio and the risk of MAFLD based on new diagnostic criteria.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional study on 3341 participants. Restricted cubic spline (RCS) analyses, logistic regression, Synergistic effects analyses and stratified analyses were used to evaluate the association between the apo B/A1 ratio and the risk of MAFLD.

RESULTS

The apo B/A1 ratio was nonlinearly related to the increased risk of MAFLD and the OR and 95% CI for the apo B/A1 95th percentile was 1.700 (1.004-2.879) compared with the 50th percentile. Each 1 SD increase in apo B/A1 ratio would increase the 1.313-fold risk of the risk of MAFLD in all participants and 1.46-fold risk in normolipidemic participants. Synergistic effects indicated elevated Apo B/A1 ratio and dyslipidemia collectively contributed to an increased risk of MAFLD [OR (95 %CI): 2.496(1.869-3.334)].

CONCLUSIONS

The apo B/A 1 ratio was a risk factor of the presence of MAFLD. Dyslipidemia and elevated the Apo B/A1 ratio can synergistically contributed to the risk of MAFLD.

Relationship between the ApoB/ApoA-I ratio trajectory and risk of type 2 diabetes in China: a retrospective cohort study

PURPOSE

Little research has investigated the correlation of changes in long-term apolipoprotein B/apolipoprotein A-I (ApoB/ApoA-I) ratio with risk of new-onset type 2 diabetes (T2D) among ordinary people. Therefore, the research took long-term ApoB/ApoA-I ratio trajectories as independent variables for exploring their association with the risk of newly diagnosed T2D.

METHODS

Altogether 5362 non-diabetic participants with a median age of 49 were enrolled in the cohort study. Their ApoB/ApoA-I ratio trajectories from 2016 to 2019 were analyzed and grouped using group-based trajectory modeling. The Kaplan-Meier approach was employed for calculating the newly diagnosed T2D-related incidence with different ApoB/ApoA-I ratio trajectories. A log-rank test was conducted for testing the presence of statistical difference in new-onset T2D incidence among the different ApoB/ApoA-I ratio trajectory groups. A multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression model was adopted for analyzing how ApoB/ApoA-I ratio trajectory changes affected new-onset T2D.

RESULTS

From 2016 to 2019, 199 patients developed T2D (3% in 3 years). The incidence of T2D was 2.0%, 3.28%, 5.86%, and 6.92% for low, middle, upper, and high ApoB/ApoA-I ratio trajectories, respectively. Following adjustment of underlying confounding factors, in contrast to low ApoB/ApoA-I ratio trajectory, new-onset T2D risk ratios and hazard ratio (HR) (95% confidence intervals [CI]) for the middle lower ApoB/ApoA-I ratio trajectory, and upper middle and high ApoB/ApoA-I ratio trajectories were [HR (95% CI)] 1.35(0.88-2.08), 1.98(1.27-3.09) and 2.42(1.35-4.34), respectively, indicating high and statistically significant risks of T2D.

CONCLUSION

Variations of the ApoB/ApoA-I ratio trajectory exerted independent effects on the 3-year incidence of T2D. Long-term monitoring on the ApoB/ApoA-I ratio locus may help improve the identification on patients with T2D.

Association of Ratio of Apolipoprotein B to Apolipoprotein A1 With Survival in Peritoneal Dialysis

Background

Although the ratio of apolipoprotein B (apo B) to apolipoprotein A1 (apo A1) (apo B/apo A1) seems to be associated with mortality in hemodialysis (HD) patients, the association of apo B/apo A1 ratio with death remains not clear in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients.

Aims

The study targets to examine the relationship of apo B/apo A1 ratio with survival in patients receiving PD treatment.

Methods

In this single-center prospective observational cohort study, we enrolled 1,616 patients receiving PD treatment with a median follow-up time of 47.6 months. We used a multivariable Cox proportional hazards model to examine the relationship between apo B/apo A1 ratio and cardiovascular (CV) and all-cause mortality. The association of apo B/apo A1 ratio with atherosclerotic and non-atherosclerotic CV mortality was further evaluated by competing risk regression models.

Results

During the follow-up, 508 (31.4%) patients died, 249 (49.0%) died from CV events, of which 149 (59.8%) were atherosclerotic CV mortality. In multivariable models, for 1-SD increase in apo B/apo A1 ratio level, the adjusted hazard ratios for CV and all-cause mortality were 1.26 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.07–1.47; P = 0.005] and 1.20 (95% CI, 1.07–1.35; P = 0.003), respectively. The adjusted subdistribution hazard ratios for atherosclerotic and non-atherosclerotic CV mortality were 1.43 (95% CI, 1.19–1.73; P < 0.001) and 0.85 (95% CI, 0.64–1.13; P = 0.256), respectively. For quartile analysis, patients in quartile 4 had higher CV, all-cause, and atherosclerotic CV mortality compared with those in quartile 1. Moreover, apo B/apo A1 ratio had a diabetes-related difference in CV, all-cause, and atherosclerotic CV mortality.

Conclusion

Elevated apo B/apo A1 ratio level was significantly associated with CV, all-cause, and atherosclerotic CV mortality in patients undergoing PD. Moreover, the association was especially statistically significant in patients with diabetes.

Direct low field J-edited diffusional proton NMR spectroscopic measurement of COVID-19 inflammatory biomarkers in human serum

A JEDI NMR pulse experiment incorporating relaxation, diffusion and J-modulation peak editing was implemented at a low field (80 MHz) spectrometer system to quantify two recently discovered plasma markers of SARS-CoV-2 infection and general inflammation.

Apolipoprotein E Gene Polymorphism and Coronary Artery Disease Risk Among Patients in Northwest China

PURPOSE

The association between apolipoprotein E (ApoE) gene polymorphisms and the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) among different populations has been assessed in numerous previous studies, but the results remain inconclusive. The present study aimed to determine the role of ApoE genotypes in CAD risk and the interrelationships between lipid profiles and ApoE alleles and genotypes among the population of northwest China.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This study was performed on 308 patients with CAD and 308 control participants. ApoE gene polymorphism was analysed using the polymerase chain reaction and hybridization.

RESULTS

The findings indicated that the frequencies of ε3/ε4 genotype and ε4 allele frequency were significantly higher in patients with CAD than in the control participants. ε2 carriers had significantly lower total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and triglycerides (TG) levels than did ε3 or ε4 carriers among the control participants. However, our study found no significant differences in plasma lipoprotein levels between ɛ2, ɛ3 and ɛ4 carriers in patients with CAD. Moreover, ε4 carriers had significantly higher ApoB, ApoB/ApoA-I levels and significantly lower ApoE levels in both patients with CAD and control participants. ε4 allele presence was associated with a nearly two-fold higher CAD risk. After adjusting for other established risk factors, ε4 allele was an independent risk factor for CAD. After stratified by age (≤ 60 years and >60 years), ε4 allele was indicated to increase the CAD risk 3.3-fold in elderly patients with CAD, but not in young patients with CAD. After stratified by sex, ε4 allele was not a risk factor in females and males patients with CAD.

CONCLUSION

This study provides evidence that the ε4 allele, drinking, smoking, hypertension, and TG and ApoE levels are independent risk factor for CAD among patients in northwest China.

Incomplete Systemic Recovery and Metabolic Phenoreversion in Post-Acute-Phase Nonhospitalized COVID-19 Patients: Implications for Assessment of Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome

We present a multivariate metabotyping approach to assess the functional recovery of nonhospitalized COVID-19 patients and the possible biochemical sequelae of "Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome", colloquially known as long-COVID. Blood samples were taken from patients ca. 3 months after acute COVID-19 infection with further assessment of symptoms at 6 months. Some 57% of the patients had one or more persistent symptoms including respiratory-related symptoms like cough, dyspnea, and rhinorrhea or other nonrespiratory symptoms including chronic fatigue, anosmia, myalgia, or joint pain. Plasma samples were quantitatively analyzed for lipoproteins, glycoproteins, amino acids, biogenic amines, and tryptophan pathway intermediates using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Metabolic data for the follow-up patients (n = 27) were compared with controls (n = 41) and hospitalized severe acute respiratory syndrome SARS-CoV-2 positive patients (n = 18, with multiple time-points). Univariate and multivariate statistics revealed variable patterns of functional recovery with many patients exhibiting residual COVID-19 biomarker signatures. Several parameters were persistently perturbed, e.g., elevated taurine (p = 3.6 × 10-3 versus controls) and reduced glutamine/glutamate ratio (p = 6.95 × 10-8 versus controls), indicative of possible liver and muscle damage and a high energy demand linked to more generalized tissue repair or immune function. Some parameters showed near-complete normalization, e.g., the plasma apolipoprotein B100/A1 ratio was similar to that of healthy controls but significantly lower (p = 4.2 × 10-3) than post-acute COVID-19 patients, reflecting partial reversion of the metabolic phenotype (phenoreversion) toward the healthy metabolic state. Plasma neopterin was normalized in all follow-up patients, indicative of a reduction in the adaptive immune activity that has been previously detected in active SARS-CoV-2 infection. Other systemic inflammatory biomarkers such as GlycA and the kynurenine/tryptophan ratio remained elevated in some, but not all, patients. Correlation analysis, principal component analysis (PCA), and orthogonal-partial least-squares discriminant analysis (O-PLS-DA) showed that the follow-up patients were, as a group, metabolically distinct from controls and partially comapped with the acute-phase patients. Significant systematic metabolic differences between asymptomatic and symptomatic follow-up patients were also observed for multiple metabolites. The overall metabolic variance of the symptomatic patients was significantly greater than that of nonsymptomatic patients for multiple parameters (χ2p = 0.014). Thus, asymptomatic follow-up patients including those with post-acute COVID-19 Syndrome displayed a spectrum of multiple persistent biochemical pathophysiology, suggesting that the metabolic phenotyping approach may be deployed for multisystem functional assessment of individual post-acute COVID-19 patients.

Association of apolipoproteins A1 and B with type 2 diabetes and fasting blood glucose: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Apolipoprotein (Apo) may be associated with type 2 diabetes (T2D), however, little is known whether or not serum apolipoproteins are correlated with fasting blood glucose (FBG) and the prevalence of T2D in Chinese populations. In this study, we examined the association of serum ApoA1, ApoB, and the ratio of ApoB/ApoA1 (ApoB/A1 ratio) with T2D and FBG level, and compared apolipoprotein indicators in predicting T2D in Chinese adults.

METHODS

A total of 1027 subjects were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. The association of ApoA1, ApoB, and ApoB/A1 ratio with T2D prevalence was determined using logistic regression models. Multivariate-analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was performed for comparisons of the mean difference in FBG level.

RESULTS

We found that ApoB and ApoB/A1 ratio were positively associated with T2D prevalence and FBG, while inverse association was noted between ApoA1 and T2D prevalence as well as FBG. Stratified analyses for sex, age, body mass index (BMI), smoking, and alcohol consumption showed no significant difference for the association of ApoA1, ApoB, and ApoB/A1 ratio with the prevalence of T2D among subgroups (all p-interactions> 0.05). Nonetheless, ApoA1 poorly performed in predicting T2D as it provided an AUC value of 0.310 that was significantly lower than those observed for ApoB (AUC value: 0.631) and ApoB/A1 ratio (AUC value: 0.685). Finally, path analyses indicated that the association between ApoB and T2D was mediated by BMI.

CONCLUSIONS

This study reveals the association of serum ApoA1, ApoB, and ApoB/A1 ratio with T2D and FBG in Chinese adults, suggesting that ApoB and ApoB/A1 ratio may be early indicators for predicting T2D. Prospective investigation in large cohort is needed.

Associations of iron status with apolipoproteins and lipid ratios: a cross-sectional study from the China Health and Nutrition Survey

Background

Iron overload has been found to be related with various cardiometabolic disorders, like dyslipidemia, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes. The disturbance of the iron status and lipid metabolism can contribute to organ damage such as atherosclerotic plaque growth and instability. An assessment on the associations of iron status with apolipoproteins and lipid ratios would be informative for maintenance of metabolic homeostasis and hinderance of disease progression. Hence, this study aims to establish the relationships of iron status with apolipoproteins and lipid ratios.

Methods

A cross-sectional study of 7540 adult participants from the China Health and Nutrition Survey 2009 was conducted. Logistic regression analyses were used to investigate the relationships between indicators of iron status and the prevalence of unfavorable apolipoprotein profiles. Multivariate linear regression models were constructed to assess the dose-response correlations between serum ferritin and lipid parameters.

Results

After adjustment for confounding factors, in both sexes, the subjects in the top quartile of ferritin had the highest prevalence of an elevated apolipoprotein B (men: odds ratio (OR) 1.97, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.50–2.62; women: OR 2.13, 95% CI 1.53–2.97) and an elevated apolipoprotein B/apolipoprotein A1 ratio (men: OR 2.00, 95% CI 1.50–2.66; women: OR 1.41, 95% CI 1.04–1.92) when compared with individuals in the lowest quartile. Hemoglobin were also independently associated with unfavorable apolipoprotein B and apolipoprotein B/apolipoprotein A1 ratio both in men and women. However, transferrin (men: OR 0.74, 95% CI 0.56–0.99; women: OR 0.73, 95% CI 0.56–0.95) and soluble transferrin receptor (men: OR 0.75, 95% CI 0.57–0.99; women: OR 0.71, 95% CI 0.55–0.91) were found to be negatively associated with a decreased apolipoprotein A1. Moreover, after controlling for potential confounders, the ferritin concentrations were significantly associated with the levels of lipid ratios including TG/HDL-C, non-HDL-C/HDL-C, TC/HDL-C, apoB/apoA1, and LDL-C/HDL-C ratio in men (β coefficient = 0.147, 0.061, 0.043, 0.038, 0.032, respectively, all P values < 0.001) and in women (β coefficient = 0.074, 0.034, 0.025, 0.020, 0.018, respectively, all P values < 0.05).

Conclusions

The indicators of iron status are significantly associated with unfavorable apolipoprotein profiles. Serum ferritin concentrations are positively correlated with the levels of lipid ratios. The management on the modifiable iron status and lipid metabolism has a clinical significance. The atherosclerotic lipid profiles of the patients with iron overload deserve special clinical concerns.

Prognosis evaluation of universal acute coronary syndrome: the interplay between SYNTAX score and ApoB/ApoA1

Background

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is a group of clinical syndromes associated with substantial morbidity and mortality rate. SYNTAX and SYNTAX II score used to be a reference for surgical selection of coronary revascularization and prognosis evaluation in patients with 3-vessel or left main artery disease. In addition, apoB/apoA1 is an important predictor of ACS risk. This study aims to assess the prognosis value of different kinds of SYNTAX score together with apoB/apoA1 in universal ACS patients (Regardless of ACS type, lesion location and vessel numbers).

Method

Three hundred ninety-six patients with ACS undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI)and coronary stenting from 2013 to 2014 were chosen and recorded the major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) and quality of life during the next 5 years. According to SYNTAX and SYNTAX II score, the patients were divided into low-risk, medium-risk and high-risk groups, and the clinical features, MACCE incidence and EQ-5D score at each time points were compared. And the predictive factors of MACCE incidence were analyzed.

Results

① Compared with SYNTAX low-risk group, MACCE incidence in 1 year significantly increased in medium/high risk group (p = 0.011). Compared with SYNTAX II low-risk group, MACCE incidence in 5 years significantly increased in medium and high-risk group (p = 0.032). ② Compared with SYNTAX II low-risk group, cardiovascular mortality in 3 and 5 years significantly elevated in high-risk group (p = 0.001, p<0.001 respectively). ③ Compared with SYNTAX II low and medium-risk group, EQ-5D score in 5 years significantly decreased in high-risk group (p = 0.019, p = 0.023 respectively). ④ ApoB/ApoA1 was more likely to be classified as high risk in SYNTAX/SYNTAX II medium and high-risk group (p = 0.023, p = 0.044 respectively). ⑤ Logistic regression analysis showed that apoB/apoA1 was an independent predictor of MACCE events in hospital and 5 years (p = 0.038, p = 0.016 respectively), SYNTAX score was an independent predictor of MACCE events in 1 year (medium-risk group: p = 0.02; high-risk group: p = 0.015) SYNTAX II score was an independent predictor of MACCE events in 5 yeasrs (p = 0.003).

Conclusions

① SYNTAX score has a high predictive value for short-term prognosis while SYNTAX II score is more predictive of long-term prognosis. ② SYNTAX II score is superior to SYNTAX score in predicting cardiovascular death. ③ The combination of apoB/apoA1 high-risk and SYNTAX II medium and high-risk group is the focus of clinical treatment and long-term follow-up observation.

Apolipoprotein B/A-I Ratio Predicts Lesion Severity and Clinical Outcomes in Diabetic Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome

BACKGROUND

Dyslipidemia plays a crucial role in acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Paucity of data is available concerning the effect of apolipoprotein (apo) B/A-I ratio on the severity and outcomes in diabetic patients with ACS. This study investigated these associations in a Chinese cohort undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.Methods and Results:In 2013, a total of 2,563 diabetic patients concomitant with ACS were included. Patients were divided into 2 groups based on the apoB/apoA-I ratio on admission: <0.63 (n=1,279, 49.9%) and ≥0.63 (n=1,284, 50.1%). Angiographic complexity and severity were determined by SYNTAX score (SS). A higher apo ratio was significantly associated with higher proportions of acute myocardial infarction (MI) and intermediate-high SS. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that the apo ratio was an independent factor of complicated lesions (OR 1.341, 95% confidence interval 1.039-1.730, P=0.024). Moreover, consistent results were found in the subgroups of normal concentrations of conventional lipid parameters. During a median follow-up period of 878 days, significant differences were found in periprocedural MI (1.0% vs. 2.2%, P=0.019) and total events of MI (2.0% vs. 3.3%, P=0.028). After adjusting for confounders, a high apo ratio remained independently predictive of MI, the risk of which was doubled during the periprocedural period and in the long term.

CONCLUSIONS

The ApoB/apoA-I ratio is an independent predictor for complicated lesions and future MI in patients with diabetes and ACS.

Interrelationships among common predictors of cardiovascular diseases in patients of OSA: A large-scale observational study

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The apolipoprotein B/apolipoprotein A-I (ApoB/ApoA-I) and insulin resistance has been recognized as common cardiovascular diseases (CVD) risk factors. However, whether they were biomarkers for 10-year CVD risk in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) had been rarely studied. Besides, interrelationships between the ApoB/ApoA-I, insulin resistance and OSA remain unclear.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A total of 4010 subjects were finally included. Anthropometric, fasting biochemical, and polysomnographic parameters were collected. 10-year Framingham CVD risk score (FRS) was calculated for each subjects. The relationships between insulin resistance, OSA risk and the ApoB/ApoA-I was evaluated through logistic regressions analysis, restricted cubic spline (RCS) analysis and mediation analysis. ApoB/ApoA-I, HOMA-IR and AHI were all risk factors for high10-year CVD risk as assessed by FRS (odds ratios (OR) = 5.365, 1.094, 1.010, respectively, all P < 0.001)). The fully adjusted OR (95% confidence intervals) for both OSA [1 (reference), 1.308 (1.027-1.665), 1.517 (1.178-1.953), and 1.803 (1.371-2.372)] and insulin resistance [1 (reference), 1.457 (1.173-1.711), 1.701 (1.369-2.113), 2.051(1.645-2.558)] increased from the first to the fourth quartiles of the ApoB/ApoA-I. The RCS mapped a nonlinear dose-effect relationship between the ApoB/ApoA-I and risk of insulin resistance and OSA. Mediation analyses showed HOMA-IR explain 9.7%, 4.7% and 10.8% of the association between apnea-hypopnea index, oxygen desaturation index, micro-arousal index and ApoB/ApoA-I, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study revealed that ApoB/ApoA-I, insulin resistance and OSA were risk factors for CVD. Insulin resistance may serve as a potential mediator in OSA-related lipoprotein disorders and further increase CVD risk.

Evaluation of atherogenic laboratory markers in Behçet's disease patients with vascular involvement

INTRODUCTION

Behçet's disease is a chronic inflammatory vasculitis presenting with immunological and endothelial changes. The aim of the present study is to evaluate blood levels of diagnostic markers which can be used in Behçet's patients with vascular involvement.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Fifty Behçet's patients (22 with vascular involvement) and 30 healthy controls were included in the study. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), apolipoprotein A1 (apoA1), apolipoprotein B (apoB), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), triglyceride, total cholesterol, Lp-plA-2, homocysteine and ischemia modified albumin (IMA) levels were analyzed. Statistical analysis was performed with the SPSS program version 11.0. p < 0.05 was accepted as statistically significant.

RESULTS

hsCRP, TNF-α, homocysteine, IMA, apoA1, apoB, HDL, Lp-pla2 and ESR levels in patient and control groups were significantly different (p < 0.001, p = 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p = 0.005, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001 and p = 0.003 respectively). In Behçet's patients with vascular involvement, homocysteine, TNF-α and Lp-pla2 levels were significantly higher than in Behçet's patients without vascular involvement (p = 0.035, p = 0.010 and p < 0.001 respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Increased levels of inflammatory and atherogenic markers in Behçet's patients are an expected outcome due to the inflammatory nature of the disease. Especially, elevated levels of homocysteine, TNF-α and Lp-pla2 make them candidate diagnostic tools to be helpful in clinical evaluation of Behçet's disease patients with vascular involvement.

Dyslipidemia in diabetes: a population-based study in Bali

Purpose

To establish the lipid pattern in subjects with diabetes mellitus (DM) and factors that are correlated with insulin resistance and lipid disorders in a population of Bali.

Methods

A cross-sectional population-based study which enrolled 1840 subjects (age 13–100 years) from 7 villages was carried out. Several clinical parameters were measured including age, gender, body mass index, waist circumference (WC), fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), apolipoprotein (apo) A (apoA), apoB, non-HDL-C, T/HDL-C ratio, LDL-C/apoB ratio, apoB/A ratio, plasma insulin, and homeostasis of model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR).

Results

TC, TG, and non-HDL-C levels were higher in DM subjects than in normal glucose tolerance (NGT) subjects in both genders; total/HDL-C ratio was higher in subjects with DM than in NGT subjects only in men; LDL-C levels, apoB levels, and apoB/A ratios were higher and LDL/apoB was lower in subjects with DM than in NGT in women. In subjects with DM, the target for LDL-C (79%), non-HDL-C (85.2%), apoB (80%), HDL-C (34.9%), TG (46.7%), and small-dense low density lipoprotein (42.2%) was not achieved.

Conclusion

FBG was correlated with TC, TG, LDL-C, apoB, non-HDL-C levels, LDL/apoB, and apoB/apoA ratios. Subjects with DM had higher levels of TC, TG, and non-HDL-C levels in both genders; T/HDL-C ratio only in men; LDL-C, apoB/apoA ratio and lower LDL/apoB ratio only in women. Obesity was correlated with lipid levels. WC was correlated with LDL/apoB ratio, insulin level, HOMA-IR, and TG; highest absolute strength of correlation was with LDL/apoB ratio. Insulin resistance was correlated with lipid levels or ratios, especially in women. In women, HOMA-IR had a positive correlation with total/HDL-C ratio, non-HDL-C, apoB, and a negative correlation with HDL-C levels.

Association of sleep duration with apolipoproteins and the apolipoprotein B/A1 ratio: the China health and nutrition survey

Background

Short sleep duration has been related to established cardiovascular risk factors, likely obesity, diabetes, hypertension and dyslipidaemia. However, to the best of our knowledge, the associations between sleep duration and apolipoprotein concentrations and their ratios have not been investigated to date. This study aimed to explore the independent relationship of sleep duration with apolipoprotein (apo) A1, apoB and the apoB/apoA1 ratio in a Chinese adult population.

Methods

Data from 7381 participants, aged 18 to 75 years, from the National Health and Nutrition Survey 2009 were analysed in this cross-sectional study. Participants were divided into 3 categories according to sleep duration: ≤6, 7-8, and ≥9 h. Logistic regression analysis with odds ratios was employed to assess the association between sleep duration and apo profile.

Results

Using 7-8 h of sleep as a reference, short sleep duration was associated with significantly increased odds of elevated apoB (OR =1.75, 95% CI 1.12-2.72), whereas long sleep duration was correlated with a decreased (but not statistically significant) risk for elevated apoB (OR =0.86, 95% CI 0.54-1.38) among females after controlling for covariates. Among males, long sleep duration was only marginally related to decreased odds ratios for elevated apoB/apoA1 ratio after adjustment for covariates (OR =0.78, 95% CI 0.6-0.99).

Conclusions

These results indicate that short sleep duration is strongly associated with an increased risk of elevated apoB levels in women and that long sleep duration is correlated with decreased apoB/apoA1 levels in men. Sleep hygiene management could serve to treat and prevent cardiovascular diseases by altering unfavourable apo profile.