Prevalence of hypertriglyceridemia among Royal Thai Army personnel and its related cardiometabolic risk factors, from 2017 to 2021

Effects of Cynara scolymus L. Bract Extract on Lipid Metabolism Disorders Through Modulation of HMG-CoA Reductase, Apo A-1, PCSK-9, p-AMPK, SREBP-2, and CYP2E1 Expression

Background/Objectives: Hyperlipidemia is a major contributor to metabolic complications and tissue damage, leading to conditions such as liver steatosis, atherosclerosis, and obesity. This study aimed to investigate the effects of aqueous artichoke bract extract (AE) on lipid metabolism, liver antioxidative defense, and liver steatosis in mice fed a high-fat, high-sucrose diet while elucidating the underlying mechanisms. Methods: An 8-week study used hyperlipidemic mice treated with AE at daily doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg bw, compared to fenofibrate. Plasma, liver, fecal, and biliary lipids, as well as blood glucose, were analyzed enzymatically. The liver antioxidative defense was assessed by measuring reduced glutathione, malondialdehyde (MDA), and antioxidant enzyme activities, while liver steatosis was evaluated through transaminase and alkaline phosphatase activities and histological monitoring of lipid droplets. Polyphenol profiling and quantification were performed using HPLC-DAD, and potential mechanisms were predicted by molecular docking and confirmed in HepG2 cells. Results: At 200 mg/kg, AE significantly improved plasma lipid profiles by reducing total cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL-cholesterol while increasing HDL-cholesterol. It facilitated cholesterol reduction in the liver and its excretion, indicating activation of reverse cholesterol transport, which led to reduced body weight and liver steatosis. AE lowered MDA levels and enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities. AE was found to be safe (LD50 > 5000 mg/kg) and modulated gene expression in HepG2 cells. Conclusions: Based on our results, the artichoke bract extract could be considered a natural resource of bioactive compounds to treat hyperlipidemia and related cardiometabolic diseases.

Validation of Nutritional Approaches to Modulate Cardiovascular and Diabetic Risk Factors in Patients with Hypertriglyceridemia or Prediabetes-The MoKaRi II Randomized Controlled Study

Hypertriglyceridemia and diabetes mellitus type 2 are among the most important metabolic diseases globally. Diet plays a vital role in the development and progression of both clinical pictures. For the 10-week randomized, controlled, intervention study, 67 subjects with elevated plasma triglyceride (TG) concentrations (≥1.7 mmol/L) and 69 subjects with elevated fasting glucose concentrations (≥5.6 < 7.0 mmol/L) were recruited. The intervention groups received specially developed, individualized menu plans and regular counseling sessions to lower (A) TG or (B) fasting glucose and glycated hemoglobin A1c as well as other cardiovascular and diabetic risk factors. The hypertriglyceridemia intervention group was further supplemented with fish oil (3.5 g/d eicosapentaenoic acid + docosahexaenoic acid). The two control groups maintained a typical Western diet. Blood samples were taken every 2 weeks, and anthropometric data were collected. A follow-up examination was conducted after another 10 weeks. In both intervention groups, there were comparable significant reductions in blood lipids, glucose metabolism, and anthropometric parameters. These results were, with a few exceptions, significantly more pronounced in the intervention groups than in the corresponding control groups (comparison of percentage change from baseline). In particular, body weight was reduced by 7.4% (6.4 kg) and 7.5% (5.9 kg), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations by 19.8% (0.8 mmol/L) and 13.0% (0.5 mmol/L), TG concentrations by 18.2% (0.3 mmol/L) and 13.0% (0.2 mmol/L), and homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance by 31.8% (1.1) and 26.4% (0.9) (p < 0.05) in the hypertriglyceridemia and prediabetes intervention groups, respectively. Some of these changes were maintained until follow-up. In patients with elevated TG or fasting glucose, implementing individualized menu plans in combination with regular counseling sessions over 10 weeks led to a significant improvement in cardiovascular and diabetic risk factors.

Associations of triglyceride-glucose index with hyperuricemia among Royal Thai Army personnel

BACKGROUND

Hyperuricemia has placed an immense burden on the global healthcare system. Studies have discovered a close correlation between serum uric acid (SUA) and insulin resistance (IR). The objective of this investigation is to examine the association between the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index, a simple surrogate for IR, and the presence of hyperuricemia.

METHODS

Between 2017 and 2021, an epidemiologic study was conducted on Royal Thai Army (RTA) personnel aged 35-60 years, involving a total of 231,286 participants. In the study, hyperuricemia was defined as a SUA level of 7 mg/dL and 6 mg/dL among male and female participants, respectively. Using linear regression analysis and logistic regression analysis, the association between the TyG index and SUA was determined.

RESULTS

A positive relationship was demonstrated between the TyG index and the SUA. Overall, SUA increased by 0.32 per unit of TyG index growth (95% CI: 0.31-0.32). In comparison with the first quartile, employees in the fourth TyG quartile had a greater likelihood of having hyperuricemia [adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 2.45, 95% CI: 2.38-2.52]. Effect modification by obesity on the association between the TyG index and SUA was observed (P-interaction < 0.001). Among individuals with obesity, compared with the first TyG index quartile, the AOR for hyperuricemia was 2.15 (95% CI: 2.06-2.25) and 2.14 (95% CI: 1.81-2.53) for the fourth quartile of the TyG index for males and females, respectively. However, for nonobese personnel, in comparison to the top quartile of the TyG index, the AOR for hyperuricemia was 2.73 (95% CI:2.61-2.84) and 5.03 (95% CI: 4.03-6.29) for the fourth quartile of the TyG index for males and females, respectively. Personnel in the fourth TyG index quartile revealed that the prevalence of hyperuricemia reached 44.2%.

CONCLUSION

A robust positive association between the TyG index and SUA was illustrated among active-duty RTA personnel. Obesity was identified as a modifier influencing this relationship. Furthermore, individuals in the fourth quarter of the TyG index, regardless of their obesity status, could be considered appropriate candidates for screening SUA levels.

Trends in Serum Total Cholesterol and High Total Cholesterol Prevalence Among Royal Thai Army Personnel in Thailand, 2017-2022

INTRODUCTION

High total cholesterol (TC) is a robust-documented risk factor for atherosclerosis cardiovascular diseases. Approximately one-fourth (23.5%) of Thai civilians had high TC. However, the information on high TC among the Royal Thai Army (RTA) personnel is limited.

AIM

The study aimed to identify the trends in serum TC and high TC prevalence among RTA personnel from 2017 to 2022.

METHODS

A serial cross-sectional study from 2017 to 2022 was conducted. A total of 318,353 active-duty RTA personnel aged 35-60 years were included in the study. High TC was defined as fasting TC ≥ 240 mg/dL. A multivariable log-binomial regression analysis was performed to investigate factors associated with high TC.

RESULTS

The overall age- and sex-adjusted high TC prevalence was 26.3% in 2017 and dropped to 22.9% in 2020; then, it increased to 26.4% in 2022 (p for quadratic trend < 0.001). Younger-aged RTA personnel have significantly rising trends in sex-adjusted high TC prevalence over 6 years. In the south, the age- and sex-adjusted high TC prevalence was 24.4% in 2017 and substantially rose to 33.6% in 2022 (p for quadratic trend < 0.001). Meanwhile, in the northeast, it rose by 3.6% over 6 years. High body mass index, high blood pressure, and hyperglycemia were associated with high TC prevalence among this population.

CONCLUSION

High TC was a common essential health issue among RTA personnel. Rising trends in mean serum TC and high TC prevalence from 2017 to 2022 were discovered, especially in younger participants and those residing in the south and northeast.

Trends in baseline triglyceride-glucose index and association with predicted 10-year cardiovascular disease risk among type 2 diabetes patients in Thailand

Triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Our study determined the trends of the TyG index and its relationship to predicted CVD risk among patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). A serial cross-sectional study was conducted including 63,815 participants with T2D aged 30-74 years without a history of CVD. The predicted CVD risk was based on the Framingham Heart Study (FHS). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was utilized for identifying the cutoff point of TyG index to predict intermediate-to-high CVD risk. The relationship between TyG index and predicted CVD risk was tested using linear and logistic regression. Decreasing trends of TyG index were observed between 2014 and 2018 (p < 0.001). ROC curve analysis of the TyG index indicated an AUC of 0.57 (95% CI 0.56-0.57, p < 0.001) in predicting intermediate-to-high predicted CVD risk, with a cutoff value of TyG index > 9.2 (sensitivity of 55.7%, specificity of 46.8%). An independent relationship between the TyG index and predicted CVD risk was observed. High TyG index was independently associated with intermediate-to-high predicted CVD risk. From our study, the TyG index was positively related to predicted 10-year CVD risk. However, the predictive ability of the TyG index in predicting the intermediate-to-high predicted 10-year CVD risk among patients with T2D remained questionable.

Relationship between pulse pressure and body mass index in active-duty Royal Thai Army personnel in Thailand

BACKGROUND

Elevated pulse pressure (PP) is a robust independent predictor of cardiovascular diseases. The relationship between PP and body mass index (BMI) was presented in a few studies. However, the findings were inconsistent. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to identify the association between elevated PP and BMI using a large sample of active-duty Royal Thai Army (RTA) personnel.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted through the use of the dataset obtained from the annual health examination database of RTA personnel in Thailand in 2022. BMI 25.0-29.9 kg/m² was classified as obesity I, whereas BMI ≥ 30.0 kg/m² was classified as obesity II. Elevated PP was defined as PP ≥ 50 mmHg. Multivariable linear regression and log-binomial regression models were utilized for determining the association between elevated PP and BMI.

RESULTS

A total of 62,113 active-duty RTA personnel were included in the study. The average BMI was 25.4 ± 3.8 kg/m², while the average PP was 50.1 ± 11.2 mmHg. Compared to individuals with normal weight, the [Formula: see text] coefficients of PP and BMI were 1.38 (95% CI: 1.15-1.60) and 2.57 (95% CI: 2.25-2.88) in individuals with obesity I and obesity II, respectively. Effect modification by high blood pressure (BP) on the association between elevated PP and BMI was observed. Among participants with normal BP, in comparison with BMI of 18.5-22.9 kg/m², the adjusted prevalence ratio (PR) for elevated PP was 1.23 (95% CI: 1.19-1.28) and 1.41 (95% CI: 1.35-1.48) in those with obesity I and obesity II, respectively. Meanwhile, among individuals with high BP, the adjusted PR for elevated PP was 1.05 (95% CI: 1.01-1.08) and 1.09 (95% CI: 1.06-1.13) in those with obesity I and obesity II, respectively.

CONCLUSION

PP was positively associated with BMI in active-duty RTA personnel. High BP was the modifier of the association between PP and BMI. A weaker association between elevated PP and BMI was observed among RTA personnel with high BP.

Relationship between triglyceride-glucose index and aminotransferase among Royal Thai Army personnel 2017-2021: a serial cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Insulin resistance (IR) is a major pathogenesis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index has recently gained popularity to assess IR and NAFLD due to its simplicity and low cost. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the relationship between the TyG index and aminotransferase.

METHODS

A serial cross-sectional study was conducted among 232,235 Royal Thai Army (RTA) personnel aged 35-60 years from 2017-2021. Elevated aminotransferase was defined as ≥ 40 U/L and ≥ 35 U/L among males and females, respectively. A linear regression analysis between the TyG index and log-transformed aminotransferase was performed. High- and low-TyG index groups were divided according to Youden's index cut point for predicting elevated aminotransferase. Multivariable logistic analysis was also utilized to investigate the association between the TyG index and elevated aminotransferase.

RESULTS

The TyG index revealed a dose‒response relationship with log-transformed aminotransferase in both sexes and all age groups. The TyG index was positively associated with the prevalence of elevated aminotransferases. In comparison with the first TyG quartile (< 8.37), participants in the fourth quartile (> 9.23) had a higher chance for elevated ALT (AOR: 2.81, 95% CI: 2.71-2.90 for males and AOR: 4.01, 95% CI: 3.50-4.60 for females, P < 0.001 for both). In the fourth TyG quartile, the prevalence of elevated ALT was 47.8% and 40.2% in the participants aged 35-44 and male participants, respectively.

CONCLUSION

A high TyG index is a novel risk factor for elevated aminotransferase among RTA personnel. Those with a high TyG index should be screened for elevated aminotransferase, particularly males aged 35-44 years.

Association between raised blood pressure and elevated serum liver enzymes among active-duty Royal Thai Army personnel in Thailand

BACKGROUND

The relationship between hypertension (HT) and serum liver enzymes was reported in a few studies, but the findings were inconsistent. Therefore, the present study aimed to identify the association between elevated serum liver enzymes and raised BP through the use of a large sample of Royal Thai Army (RTA) personnel.

METHODS

The dataset obtained from the annual health examination database of RTA personnel in Thailand was utilized. A total of 244,281 RTA personnel aged 35-60 were included in the current study. Elevated serum liver enzymes were defined as aspartate aminotransferase (AST) or alanine aminotransferase (ALT) ≥ 40 U/L in males and ≥ 35 U/L in females. HT was defined as systolic BP ≥ 140 or diastolic BP ≥ 90 mmHg. A multivariable linear regression model was used to estimate the coefficient and 95% confidence intervals (CI), whereas a multivariable logistic regression model was applied to estimate adjusted odds ratios (AORs) and 95% CI for the association between raised BP and serum liver enzymes.

RESULTS

Compared to individuals with SBP < 120 and DBP < 80 mmHg, the β coefficients of log-transformed AST and ALT were 0.13 (95% CI: 0.12-0.13) and 0.11 (95% CI: 0.11-0.12) in males with HT. Meanwhile, the β  coefficients of log-transformed AST and ALT were 0.03 (95% CI: 0.02-0.04) and 0.07 (95% CI: 0.05-0.08) in females with HT. In males, HT was associated with elevated AST (AOR: 1.92; 95% CI: 1.85-2.01) and elevated ALT (AOR: 1.43; 95% CI: 1.38-1.48). On the other hand, in females, HT was associated with elevated AST (AOR: 1.42; 95% CI: 1.21-1.66) and elevated ALT (AOR: 1.38; 95% CI: 1.21-1.57).

CONCLUSION

Raised BP was positively correlated with elevated AST and ALT in active-duty RTA personnel. Moreover, HT was independently attributed to higher odds of elevated AST and ALT in comparison to optimal BP in both males and females. Furthermore, the relationship between serum liver enzymes and BP was modified by sex.

Rising trends in the predicted 10-year risk of cardiovascular diseases among Royal Thai Army personnel from 2017 to 2021

Deaths from cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are becoming a growing threat to global health, including in Thailand. The aim of the present study was to identify the recent trends in the predicted 10-year risk of CVD among Royal Thai Army (RTA) personnel from 2017 to 2021. The predicted 10-year risk for CVD was calculated through the use of the 2008 updated version of the risk algorithm derived from the Framingham Heart Study data. The current study included 346,355 active-duty RTA personnel aged 30-60 years. The age- and sex-adjusted mean of the predicted 10-year risk for CVD significantly increased from 10.8% (95% CI: 10.8-10.9%) in 2017 to 11.7% (95% CI: 11.6-11.7%) in 2021 (p for trend < 0.001). The overall age- and sex-adjusted prevalence of intermediate-to-high predicted 10-year risk for CVD remarkably surged from 24.9% (95% CI: 24.4-25.4%) in 2017 to 29.5% (95% CI: 29.0-30.0%) in 2021 (p for trend < 0.001). The modifiable risk factors for CVD, including high systolic blood pressure, high body mass index, and current smoking in this population, should be alleviated to mitigate the risk for CVD in the future.