Search NEL Online

Journal Article 2012; 33(Suppl 2): 83-86 PubMed PMID: 23183516 Citation  Keywords:  Adult, Aged, Cardiovascular Diseases:epidemiology, Cholesterol Esters:blood, Depressive Disorder:epidemiology, Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2:epidemiology, Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated:blood, Fatty Acids, Unsaturated:blood, Female, Humans, Insulin Resistance:p.   

BACKGROUND: Depressive disorder is related to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Insulin resistance (IR), connected with altered fatty acid (FA) composition, namely with decreased proportion of polyunsaturated FA could participate in these associations. The aim of the study was to investigate the composition of FA in plasma cholesterol esters (CE) and phosphatidylcholine (PC) as well as indices of insulin resistance and oxidative stress in the patients with depressive disorder.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Parameters of lipid and glucose homeostasis, concentrations of FA in plasma cholesteryl esters (CE) and phosphatidylcholine (PC) and conjugated dienes in LDL were investigated in a group of 47 patients (9M/38F) with depression and compared with 47 control persons (16M/31F). Delta-9 desaturase (D9D) and D6D desaturase were estimated as product to precursor fatty acid ratios.

RESULTS: In depressive patients increased concentrations of palmitoleic acid and total monounsaturated FA with decreased proportion of total polyunsaturated FA n-6 (PUFA n-6) (all p<0.05) in CE were found, while in PC increased proportion of saturated FA was observed (p<0.05). Moreover, index of D6D activity was significantly increased in PC and CE (p<0.05). Concomitantly, in depressive patients higher levels of plasma triacylglycerols (p<0.05), conjugated dienes in LDL (p<0.001) and HOMA index of IR (p<0.05) were found.

CONCLUSIONS: Esterified FA composition of depressive patients revealed changes, similar to those, usually observed in insulin resistance. Dysregulation of FA could participate in the pathogenesis of depression and be associated with an increased risk of CVD and DM2....

Read abstract  Full text PDF

Clinical Trial 2012; 33(Suppl 2): 78-82 PubMed PMID: 23183515 Citation  Keywords:  Adipose Tissue:pathology, Adiposity, Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Anthropometry:methods, Body Mass Index, European Continental Ancestry Group:statistics & numerical data, Female, Humans, Middle Aged, Obesity:diagnosis, Reproducibility of Results, Risk Factors.   

OBJECTIVES: The body mass index (BMI) has been the most commonly applied clinical measure to characterise body composition in individuals. However, the BMI has been criticised as being an inaccurate measure of body fatness. Recently, a new index reflecting body composition, the Body Adiposity Index (BAI) was proposed. The BAI was calculated using the equation BAI=((hip circumference)/ ((height)1.5) - 18).

AIM: The aim of this study was to compare estimates of body fat content, i.e., body adiposity index (BAI), BMI, waist-hip ratio (WHR) and waist and hip circumferences, with respect to their ability to predict the percentage of body fat (PBF).

RESULTS: To select an optimal surrogate for adiposity, we examined the correlation between body adiposity percentage as measured by BIA and several variables, including BAI, BMI and WHR. Correlations ranged from a high of 0.78 for BMI, 0.67 for BAI and 0.66 for waist circumference to a low value of 0.39 for the WHR index. The correlation between PBF and BAI (R=0.67, R2=0.45, p<0.001) and the correlation between PBF and BMI (R=0.78, R2=0.60, p<0.001) were of similar magnitude.

CONCLUSION: Based on our results and those of other studies, we can say that the BAI index is not a universally valid index that could be used in the place of the BMI index in a Caucasian population; indeed, it would not accurately reflect body fat mass and thus could lead to an increased risk of obesity. Further, WHR index is not a suitable for an estimation of body fat....

Read abstract  Full text PDF

Journal Article 2012; 33(Suppl 2): 73-77 PubMed PMID: 23183514 Citation  Keywords:  Adult, Antigens, CD11a:metabolism, Antigens, CD14:metabolism, Antigens, CD18:metabolism, Cross-Over Studies, Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2:drug therapy, Dyslipidemias:drug therapy, Female, Fenofibrate:administration & dosage, Humans, Hypolipidemic Agents:admi.   

BACKGROUND: Mixed hyperlipidemia is often associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus and contributes to atherosclerosis progression in diabetes patients. Leukocyte activation plays an important role in atherogenesis. Both statins and fibrates are used in the treatment of mixed dyslipidemia, but their specific effect on leukocyte function remains to be elucidated. We have therefore compared the effect of simvastatin and fenofibrate on several leukocyte activation markers in diabetes patients.

METHODS: Twenty patients with type 2 diabetes and mixed hyperlipidemia were sequentially treated with simvastatin (20 mg/day) and fenofibrate (200 mg/day) in a randomized cross-over study (12 weeks each treatment). We measured adhesion molecules LFA-1, VLA-4 and CD18; in addition, lipopolysaccharide receptor CD14 on monocytes was analyzed as a marker of innate immunity. Leukocyte expression of these molecules was quantified using flow cytometry. Laboratory examinations were done at baseline and at the end of each treatment. Baseline values were compared to those of 29 healthy controls.

RESULTS: Expression of integrin CD18 (in all leukocyte populations), lipopolysaccharide receptor and VLA-4 (on lymphocytes only) was significantly higher in patients than in controls. Both treatments resulted in significant decrease in CD18 and CD14 expression; LFA-1 and VLA-4 were not influenced.

CONCLUSIONS: Both simvastatin and fenofibrate had similar favorable effect on leukocyte activation markers. This result supports the use of both statins and fibrates for the treatment of mixed hyperlipidemia in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus....

Read abstract  Full text PDF

Clinical Trial 2012; 33(Suppl 2): 68-72 PubMed PMID: 23183513 Citation  Keywords:  Adult, Aged, Biomarkers:blood, Cardiomyopathy, Dilated:blood, Cell-Derived Microparticles:metabolism, Endothelium, Vascular:metabolism, Heart Failure:blood, Heart-Assist Devices:adverse effects, Hemodynamics:physiology, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Myocardi.   

OBJECTIVES: Recent technological breakthroughs in the design of reliable systems for long term non-pulsatile mechanical heart support offer the possibility to study the effect of continuous blood flow in the vascular system. Generally, it is assumed that the absence of physiological pulsatile flow leads to prothrombogenic and proatherogenic changes. We investigated the change in the circulating endothelial microparticle concentration as a marker of endothelial damage in patients implanted with a continuous-flow left ventricle assist device (LVAD).

METHODS: Endothelial microparticles were measured in 8 males (mean age 54.1±11.5 years) with terminal heart failure before and 3 months after implantation of an LVAD. The group consisted of 3 patients with dilated cardiomyopathy, 3 patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy, 1 patient with both conditions and 1 patient with congenital valvular disease. The concentration of endothelial microparticles was determined by ELISA Zymutest MP activity test.

RESULTS: We did not observe a significant change in the concentration of circulating endothelial microparticles measured before and 3 months after implantation (p=0.669). High inter-individual variability in response to implantation was found. However, no association between a change in endothelial microparticle concentration and heart failure aetiology or a significant clinical complication attributed to LVAD implantation was observed.

CONCLUSION: Results from this preliminary pilot study do not indicate that LVADs contribute to short-term vascular damage as defined by an increase in circulating endothelial microparticles....

Read abstract  Full text PDF

Journal Article 2012; 33(Suppl 2): 60-67 PubMed PMID: 23183512 Citation  Keywords:  Animal Feed, Animals, Aquaculture:methods, Cardiovascular Diseases:diet therapy, Carps:growth & development, Docosahexaenoic Acids:metabolism, Eicosapentaenoic Acid:metabolism, Fatty Acids, Omega-3:metabolism, Fatty Acids, Omega-6:metabolism, Female, Fish.   

OBJECTIVES: Fish is the major source of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) which are well known to have positive effects in prevention of cardiovascular diseases. This study investigated the possibility to produce common carp with defined flesh quality using finishing feeding strategy and predict changes of fillet FA by a dilution model.

METHODS: During the 110-day experiment, fish were fed diets with two different vegetable oils (rapeseed/linseed blend, VO; olive oil, OO) only, or with a subsequent fish oil (FO) finishing treatment for 30 or 60 days. Fillet FA composition was measured and data were compared to the ones predicted by the dilution model.

RESULTS: The FO finishing treatment resulted in the higher percentage of SFA (from 19.1% to 23.6%; p<0.001), MUFA (from 46.8% to 51.9%; p<0.001), n-3 PUFA (from 3.6% to 7.4%; p<0.001) and lower n-6 PUFA (from 30.5% to 16.9%; p<0.001) and n-6/n-3 ratio (from 8.7 to 2.3; p<0.001) in groups previously fed the VO diet and in lower MUFA percentage (from 67% to 63%; p<0.001) and n-6/n-3 ratio (from 8.2 to 2.8; p<0.001) and higher n-3 PUFA percentage (from 1.5% to 4.5%; p<0.001) in group previously fed the OO diet. The dilution model gave a good prediction for fillet FA changes (slope of the regression line 0.97-1.00; R2 value of 0.992-0.996).

CONCLUSION: The finishing feeding strategy is suggested for production of common carp with a required flesh FA composition for purposes of special nutritional needs, especially for primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease....

Read abstract  Full text PDF

Journal Article 2012; 33(Suppl 2): 55-59 PubMed PMID: 23183511 Citation  Keywords:  Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Cohort Studies, Coronary Artery Disease:blood, Dyslipidemias:blood, Female, Humans, Hypolipidemic Agents:therapeutic use, Lipoprotein(a):blood, Logistic Models, Male, Middle Aged, Risk Factors, Severity of Illness Index,.   

OBJECTIVES: Lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)], together with other serum lipoproteins have an important role in the pathogenesis of coronary heart disease. The objective of the study was to assess the association between plasma levels of Lp(a) with the extent of angiographically defined coronary artery disease (CAD).

PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 518 consecutive patients (66 % males) underwent coronary angiography in connection with lipids and lipoprotein determinations between 1st January and 31st May 2010. Most of the patients were treated with lipid lowering therapy (77 % statins). Modified angiographic Gensini Score (GS) and adjusted angiographic score (AS) were used to reflect the extent of coronary atherosclerosis.

RESULTS: Both GS and AS angiographic scores correlated significantly with age, male gender, statin therapy and inversely with left ventricular ejection fraction (p<0.05-0.01 for all). The results showed significant inverse correlation of HDL cholesterol levels with GS and AS (r=-0.16, p<0.001), and apolipoprotein A levels with GS and AS (r=-0.20, p<0.0001) and a positive correlation of Lp(a) levels with angiographic score (r=0.13, p<0.01) and with adjusted angiographic score (r=0.16, p<0.01). Regression analysis showed only Lp(a) concentration was an independent lipid factor that correlated with the extent of CAD.

CONCLUSION: Only Lp(a) levels correlated with the extent of coronary artery disease as assessed with coronary angiography in patients treated with lipid lowering therapy....

Read abstract  Full text PDF

Journal Article 2012; 33(Suppl 2): 50-54 PubMed PMID: 23183510 Citation  Keywords:  Adult, Aged, Angina, Stable:blood, Biomarkers:blood, C-Reactive Protein:metabolism, Chaperonin 60:blood, Chemokine CCL2:blood, Dyspnea:blood, Exercise Tolerance:immunology, Female, Glutathione Disulfide:blood, Humans, Interleukin-6:blood, Mannose-Binding .   

OBJECTIVE: Ischemic heart disease (IHD) is associated with decreased exercise tolerance and it is subjectively reported as angina pectoris or dyspnea. Inflammation and pro- inflammatory cytokines are related to progression of IHD, but their level is seldom analyzed in association with self reported exercise tolerance.

METHODS: Women aged 35-75 years with stable IHD from Homocysteine Slovakia study (N=175) were analyzed for monocyte chemoatractant protein-1 (MCP-1), interleukin 6 (IL-6), transforming growth factor β1 (TGF β1), Mannan binding lectin (MBL), heat shock proteins 60 (HSP60), carbonyl protein (CP), high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and oxidized glutathione (GSSG) in relation to exercise induced dyspnea or angina pectoris (AP) (≤200 m).

RESULTS: Patients with dyspnea had higher HSP60 (77.3±107.2 vs 43.7±48.9 ng/ml; p=0.014) and IL-6 (2.9±1.3 vs 1.9±0.6 pg/ml; p=0.04) levels. IL-6 and HSP60 demonstrated direct correlation with dyspnea (rho=0.39; p=0.02 resp. rho=0.22; p=0.01). AP≤200 m patients showed only decreased protein carbonyl a marker of protein oxidation and increased oxidative stress (CP 61.7±27.3 vs. 72.1±23.1 pg/ml; p=0.001). CP indirectly correlates with AP≤200 m (rho=-0.25; p=0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: We have found associations of pro-inflammatory cytokines and inflammation markers with dyspnea or angina pectoris, but the relationship was not consistent in our patients with stable ischemic heart disease....

Read abstract  Full text PDF

Journal Article 2012; 33(Suppl 2): 43-49 PubMed PMID: 23183509 Citation  Keywords:  Animals, Animals, Congenic, Chromosomes, Mammalian, Disease Models, Animal, Glucose Intolerance:drug therapy, Hypertension:drug therapy, Lipids:blood, Male, Metabolic Syndrome X:drug therapy, Ondansetron:pharmacology, Polydactyly:genetics, Rats, Rats, Inb.   

OBJECTIVES: Ondansetron is an antagonist of 5-HT3 receptors mostly used as an antiemetic yet known to modulate metabolism and appetite. We tested the metabolic effects of ondansetron in newly derived congenic rat strain, carrying limited chromosome 8 regions of (PD) Brown Norway (BN) and polydactylous (PD) strain origins (including variant serotonin receptor Htr3b gene) within the genomic background of highly inbred model of metabolic syndrome, the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR).

METHODS: Adult, standard diet-fed male rats of SHR and the congenic SHR.(PD/BN)8 strains received ondansetron (2mg/kg body weight/day) or vehicle (n=6/strain/treatment) via oral gavage for 14 days while we followed their metabolic and morphometric profiles including glucose tolerance and triacylgycerol and cholesterol concentrations in 20 lipoprotein fractions.

RESULTS: We fine-mapped the chromosome 8 differential segment in the new SHR.(PD/BN)8 congenic strain: it comprises BN-derived region together with an adjacent 422kb stretch of PD origin. The SHR.(PD/BN)8 rats were heavier than SHR, the fasting glucose was significantly higher in ondansetron-treated congenic than in SHR (post-hoc Tukey's HSD p=0.02). Compared to SHR, ondansetron induced significantly more robust increases of cholesterol and triacylglycerol concentrations in total, chylomicron, VLDL and HDL particles in the SHR.(PD/BN)8 congenic strain.

CONCLUSION: We established new congenic model with distinct pharmacogenetic profile related to metabolic effects of ondansetron, facilitating thus the search for responsible genetic variants within the limited genomic region demarcated by the differential segment....

Read abstract  Full text PDF