Are Dietary Factors Associated with Lung Function in Canadian Adults?

Low Vitamin B12 Levels and Its Association With Insulin Resistance: A Potent Cardiovascular Risk Indicator in Childhood Asthma

Introduction As insulin resistance metabolically affects the body mass index (BMI), obese asthma children have more severe diseases than children with normal body mass index. A low level of vitamin B12 (Vit B12) is a known atherogenic factor by increasing the homocysteine level and therefore promotes cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Limited studies have evaluated the role of serum B12 and insulin resistance among poorly controlled asthma in children. The purpose of the study was to compare the cardio-metabolic risk factor such as BMI, waist-hip ratio (WHR), insulin resistance, and vitamin B12 in well-controlled and poorly-controlled asthma patients and to determine the relationship between these parameters with the severity of asthma as assessed by Pulmonary Function Test. Methodology Based on the asthma control questionnaire and Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) criteria, chronic asthma patients (n=60) of age 10-15 years were divided into two groups, namely well-controlled and poorly-controlled (30 each). Anthropometry was assessed by BMI and waist-hip ratio, and fasting blood samples were collected for the estimation of blood glucose, insulin, and serum vitamin B12 levels. Insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was calculated using the formula- fasting glucose (mg/dL) x fasting insulin (µIU/mL)]/405. Forced expiratory volume (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), and FEV1/FVC ratio were measured to assess the pulmonary function test. Results There were significant differences in the values of the BMI, insulin resistance, vitamin B12, and pulmonary function tests between poorly controlled and well-controlled asthma (p<0.01). The FEV1: FVC% was negatively correlated with BMI (r=0.53), WHR (r=0.50), glucose (r=0.68), insulin (r=0.68), Insulin resistance (r=0.80), and positive correlation with Vit B12 (0.73). In addition, Vit B12 and HOMA-IR correlate negatively (r=0.76). Conclusion This study concludes that the level of Vit B12 is decreased and insulin resistance is increased in poorly controlled asthmatic children in comparison to well-controlled asthma. These factors along with the increased BMI in poorly controlled asthma can predispose to cardiometabolic risk which needs attention.

Influence of cardiovascular risk burden on pulmonary function trajectory: role of physical and social activities

The impact of cardiovascular risk burden on long-term trajectories of pulmonary function (PF) remains unclear. We examined the association of cardiovascular risk burden assessed by Framingham general cardiovascular risk score (FGCRS) with PF decline and explored whether cardiovascular diseases (CVD), physical and social activities play a role in the association. Within the Rush Memory and Aging Project, 1,442 participants (mean age:79.83) were followed up to 22 years. FGCRS at baseline was calculated and categorized into tertiles. Composite PF was measured annually based on peak expiratory flow, forced expiratory volume in one second, and forced vital capacity. We found that the highest FGCRS was associated with faster PF decline (β: -0.013, 95% CI: -0.023 to -0.003) compared with the lowest FGCRS. There were significant interactions between higher FGCRS and low level of physical/social activity (β: -0.014, 95% CI: -0.026 to -0.003)/(β: -0.020, 95% CI:-0.031 to -0.009) or CVD(β: -0.023, 95% CI:-0.034 to -0.011) compared to the low FGCRS with high level of physical/social activity or without CVD (P-interaction<0.05). Our results suggest that higher cardiovascular risk burden is associated with a faster PF decline, especially among people with CVD. High level of physical activity and social activity appears to mitigate this association.

Evaluation of Serum IL-33, IL-5 and Trace Elements Levels among Asthmatic Patients

The precise relationship between interleukins-33 and IL-5, as well as some trace elements and asthma, is unknown. The target of research was to compare and link the above-mentioned serological parameters in asthmatic patients and healthy controls. In 69 asthmatic patients and 35 healthy controls, serum levels of IL-33, IL-5, zinc, copper, iron, total IgE, Forced expiratory volume (FEV) and Forced expiratory volume (FEV) were compared. Spirometry was used to assess the (FEV) and (FVC) in asthmatic patients, as well as their age and body mass index (BMI). When asthmatic patients were matched to controls, mean levels of IL-33, IL-5, and total IgE appeared highly significant difference (p < 0.001). There was a substantial decline in zinc levels in the asthmatic group, but no significant drop in Copper levels. There was also a statistically significant difference in high Iron mean levels among asthmatic patients. In addition, the findings revealed a significant positive correlation between Iron and IgE levels in patients and the levels of (IL-33 and IL-5), plus a significant negative correlation with Zinc levels. Only Copper had no relationship with the interleukins studied. IL-33, also known as IL-5, is a novel inflammatory marker implicated in asthma progression by interacting with IgE, Zinc, Iron, but not Copper levels. As a result, it could be a one-of-a-kind therapeutic target in these patients.