Pharmacological approach to cardiovascular risk in metabolic syndrome

Low serum choline and high serum betaine levels are associated with favorable components of metabolic syndrome in Newfoundland population

BACKGROUND

We investigated the relationships between serum choline and betaine levels with metabolic syndrome-related indices in the general population of Newfoundland.

METHODS

1081 adults were selected from the CODING study. Serum choline and betaine levels were measured. Major confounding factors were controlled in all analyses.

RESULTS

Partial correlation and linear regression analysis showed that serum choline levels were positively associated with systolic blood pressure (r: 0.124), serum TG levels (r: 0.132) and negatively correlated with serum glucose levels (r: -0.121) in males (p < 0.01 for all). In females, serum choline levels were positively correlated with serum TG, TC and HDL levels (r: 0.104 to 0.148, p < 0.05 for all). Serum betaine levels were negatively associated with serum TG, TC, LDL and insulin levels, and with atherogenic index and HOMA-IR index in males (r: -0.081 to -0.179, p < 0.05 for all). In females, serum betaine levels were negatively associated with serum TG, hsCRP and insulin levels, and with HOMA-IR index (r: -0.092 to -0.213, p < 0.05 for all). Moreover, subjects with serum choline levels in the highest tertile showed highest serum TG levels and systolic blood pressure in males, and highest serum lipids levels in females. Subjects with the highest serum betaine levels had the lowest serum lipids levels, atherogenic index, IR severity in males, and the lowest serum TG and hsCRP levels, and IR severity in females.

CONCLUSION

Low serum choline and high serum betaine levels are associated with favorable components of metabolic syndrome in general adults.

Unfavorable Associations Between Serum Trimethylamine N-Oxide and L-Carnitine Levels With Components of Metabolic Syndrome in the Newfoundland Population

Background: We aimed to study the relationships between serum Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) and L-carnitine levels with metabolic syndrome profiles, including obesity, blood pressure, serum lipids, serum glucose and insulin resistance (IR)-related index in humans. Methods: Cross-sectional study was performed in 1,081 subjects from the CODING study in Newfoundland. Serum TMAO and L-carnitine levels were quantified by LC-MS/MS. Metabolic markers were measured in all subjects using fasting blood samples. Partial correlation and linear regression analysis were employed after systematically controlling the major confounding factors, such as age, gender, calorie intake and physical activity level. Results: Serum L-carnitine level was positively correlated with serum triglyceride (TG), serum insulin, IR in males with normal fasting glucose (p < 0.05 for all) and positively correlated with only serum TG (p < 0.05) in those with hyperglycemia. In females, significant positive correlations were identified between serum L-carnitine level with obesity, serum total cholesterol, glucose, insulin, and IR in those with normal fasting glucose level (p < 0.05 for all), while none was found in those with hyperglycemia. Serum TMAO level was only identified to be positively correlated with serum insulin level and IR in hyperglycemic males (p < 0.05 for all). Conclusions: Serum L-carnitine level was significantly associated with an unfavorable metabolic syndrome (MS) profile mainly in subjects with normal serum glucose level, while serum TMAO level was associated with an unfavorable MS profile in subjects with hyperglycemia. The gender difference warrants further investigations.