HDL and associated factors stratified by sex and menopausal status: results from a community-based survey in Taiwan

Influence of Sex Differences on Serum Lipid Profiles among Habitual Coffee Drinkers: Evidence from 23,072 Taiwan Biobank Participants

The bioactive compounds of coffee are involved in lipid metabolism, and sex differences may play an important role. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of sex differences on serum lipid profiles among habitual coffee drinkers. We conducted a nationwide cross-sectional study of 23,628 adults using data obtained from the Taiwan Biobank database. Adults who drank more than one cup of coffee per day and those who drank less than one cup per day were compared with non-drinkers. After adjusting for baseline demographics and lifestyle, a generalized linear model was used to estimate the change in serum lipid profiles in men and women and in postmenopausal and premenopausal women among different coffee-drinking behaviors. We found that habitual coffee consumption changed the serum lipid profiles of men and women. Further, coffee drinkers had higher serum total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and lower serum triglyceride levels than non-drinkers. Compared with premenopausal women, both men and postmenopausal women had increased serum total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. Menopausal status may play an important role in modulating the effect of habitual coffee intake on dyslipidemia. Moreover, premenopausal women potentially benefit more from habitual coffee drinking than men and postmenopausal women.

Comparison of metabolic syndrome and related factors in married pre-menopausal white- and blue-collar woman

This study aimed to identify the prevalence and associated factors of metabolic syndrome in pre-menopausal married women with white-collar and blue-collar jobs. This study analyzed 4,447 women with jobs in the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2010-2018). The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was higher among blue-collar women (15.3%) than among white-collar women (10.5%). Age, family type, alcohol consumption, frequency of high-risk drinking, perceived health status, and body mass index (BMI) were significantly associated with metabolic syndrome in the white-collar (p < .05). Age, family type, frequency of eating out, and BMI were associated in the blue-collar (p < .05). Blue-collar women were more vulnerable to metabolic syndrome than white-collar ones. To prevent metabolic syndrome in pre-menopausal married women with jobs, lifestyle modifications such as mitigating obesity and reducing alcohol consumption with aging are necessary.

Gender Differences in the Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome Among Taiwanese Air Force Personnel: A Population-Based Study

BACKGROUND

Authors of several studies have reported differences in the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) between men and women. However, information is lacking on gender difference among military personnel.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of MetS and its component abnormalities among Taiwanese Air Force personnel by gender and age groups.

METHODS

A population-based study was conducted including 14 872 Taiwanese Air Force personnel. Data were retrieved from the military's Health Management Information System. Analyses were performed using Student t test, χ test, and linear-by-linear χ test. Statistical significance was defined as P < .05.

RESULTS

The MetS prevalence was 14.0% (15.1% in men and 5.3% in women). Metabolic syndrome was associated with age for both men and women (both Ptrend < .001), with a greater prevalence of MetS in men aged 18 to 44 years than in women, but not in the age group of 45 years or older. In men, MetS was most prevalent in those with increased waist circumference (78.2%), followed by those with elevated blood pressure (75.6%). By contrast, in women, it was most prevalent in those with increased waist circumference (86.5%), followed by those with reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (84.3%).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that military nurses and other health providers should consider the gender- and age-based MetS prevalence trend among Taiwanese Air Force personnel when designing interventions to identify vulnerable subgroups at a high risk of MetS. Health management programs should be adapted to minimize metabolic risks.

Gynura procumbens Standardised Extract Reduces Cholesterol Levels and Modulates Oxidative Status in Postmenopausal Rats Fed with Cholesterol Diet Enriched with Repeatedly Heated Palm Oil

Gynura procumbens (Lour.) Merr. (GP) has been reported in previous studies to possess antihyperlipidaemic, antioxidative, and cardioprotective properties. This study was aimed to determine the effect of standardised 80% ethanol extract of GP on lipid profiles and oxidative status of hypercholesterolemic rats. Postmenopausal (PM) Sprague-Dawley rats were ovariectomised and fed with 2% cholesterol diet fortified with five times heated palm oil to develop hyperlipidaemia status. Two doses of the extract (250 and 500 mg/kg) and atorvastatin (10 mg/kg) were administered once daily via oral gavage for 24 weeks. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) was increased during the first month in the postmenopausal group and decreased with GP supplementation. Lipid droplets accumulation was shown at the tunica media (TM) area of the aorta in the postmenopausal group and reduced with GP supplementation. Total cholesterol (TC), total triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels increased (p < 0.05) at 3 and 6 months in the postmenopausal group and were reduced with GP supplementation. GP also increased high-density lipoprotein (HDL) level in the postmenopausal group. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities were reduced in the postmenopausal group compared to control in the sham group but increased (p < 0.05) with GP supplementation. The results showed that the higher dose of GP (500 mg/kg) gave better effect. GP has the ability to reduce oxidative stress and prevent membrane cell damage through antioxidant enzyme activity modification and lipid profile changes in postmenopausal rats related to atherosclerosis.

Genetic and Non-Genetic Factor-Adjusted Association between Coffee Drinking and High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol in Taiwanese Adults: Stratification by Sex

Low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), the leading cause of global mortality. We aimed to determine the effect of coffee drinking and sex and their interaction, as well as rs1800588 and rs1800775 polymorphisms on HDL-C levels in Taiwanese adults. Data of 4262 men and 4813 women, aged 30–70 years, were retrieved from Taiwan Biobank. The interaction between sex and coffee drinking on HDL-C was significant (p = 0.0452). Coffee consumption was significantly associated with higher HDL-C levels in only women (β = 0.81679; p = 0.0246). However, rs1800588 and rs1800775 variants were significantly associated with HDL-C in both sexes. In women, β-values were 0.99080; p = 0.0059 and 3.16277; p < 0.0001 for rs1800588 CT and TT genotypes, respectively and −1.80954; p < 0.0001 and −2.81512; p < 0.0001 for rs1800775 AC and CC genotypes, respectively. In men, β-values were 1.32430; p < 0.0001 and 3.24976; p < 0.0001 for rs1800775 CT and TT genotypes, respectively and −1.96232; p < 0.0001 and −2.71536, p < 0.0001 for the AC and CC genotypes, respectively. In conclusion, coffee drinking was significantly associated with higher high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels in women but not men after adjusting for confounders including rs1800588 (LIPC) and rs1800775 (CETP) variants.