Serum Alanine Aminotransferase Level as a Risk Factor for Coronary Heart Disease Prediction in Koreans: Analysis of the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (V-1, 2010 and V-2, 2011)

Endothelin-converting Enzyme-1b Genetic Variants Increase the Risk of Coronary Artery Ectasia

Coronary artery ectasia (CAE), defined as a 1.5-fold or greater enlargement of a coronary artery segment compared to the adjacent normal coronary artery, is frequently associated with atherosclerotic coronary artery disease (CAD). Membrane-bound endothelin converting enzyme-1 (ECE-1) is involved in the maturation process of the most potent vasoconstrictor ET-1. Polymorphisms in the endothelin (ET) gene family have been shown associated with the development of atherosclerosis. This study aims to investigate the effects of rs213045 and rs2038089 polymorphisms in the ECE-1 gene which have been previously shown to be associated with atherosclerosis and hypertension (HT), in CAE patients. Ninety-six CAE and 175 patients with normal coronary arteries were included in the study. ECE-1b gene variations rs213045 and rs2038089 were determined by real-time PCR. The frequencies of rs213045 C > A (C338A) CC genotype (60.4% vs. 35.4%, p < 0.001) and rs2038089 T > C T allele (64.58% vs. 35.42%, p = 0.017) were higher in the CAE group compared to the control group. The multivariate regression analysis showed that the ECE-1b rs213045 CC genotype (p = 0.001), rs2038089 T allele (p = 0.017), and hypercholesterolemia (HC) (p = 0.001) are risk factors for CAE. Moreover, in nondiabetic individuals of the CAE and control groups, it was observed that the rs213045 CC genotype (p < 0.001), and rs2038089 T allele (p = 0.003) were a risk factor for CAE, but this relationship was not found in the diabetic subgroups of the study groups (p > 0.05). These results show that ECE-1b polymorphisms may be associated with the risk of CAE and this relationship may change according to the presence of type II diabetes.

Daily intake of heat-killed Lactobacillus plantarum L-137 improves inflammation and lipid metabolism in overweight healthy adults: a randomized-controlled trial

PURPOSE

The effects of heat-killed Lactobacillus plantarum L-137 (HK L-137) on inflammation and lipid metabolism were investigated in overweight volunteers.

METHODS

One hundred healthy subjects with a body mass index from 23.0 to 29.9 (51 men and 49 women; mean age: 41.4 years) were enrolled in this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group study. Subjects were randomly assigned to daily administration of a tablet containing HK L-137 (10 mg) or a placebo tablet for 12 weeks. Blood samples were collected every 4 weeks to measure biomarkers of lipid metabolism and inflammatory mediators.

RESULTS

The percent change of concanavalin A-induced proliferation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells was significantly larger in the HK L-137 group than in the control group, similar to previous studies. The decreases of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase over time were significantly larger in the HK L-137 group than in the control group, as were the decreases of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and the leukocyte count at one time point. These effects of HK L-137 were stronger in the subjects with higher C-reactive protein levels.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that daily intake of HK L-137 can improve inflammation and lipid metabolism in subjects at risk of inflammation.