Genetics of the metabolic syndrome

A healthy balance: the ratio of social support-to-demands is associated with metabolic syndrome

Metabolic syndrome is associated with increased risk for negative health events, decrements in quality of life, and greater health costs. The current study sought to identify whether the ratio of social support to social demands across multiple relationship types (spouse, friends, children, or other family members) were associated with concurrent metabolic syndrome in a nationally representative sample of US adults ages 32-40. Results indicate that the ratio of total social support to social demands was associated with a greater likelihood of meeting criteria for metabolic syndrome, even after statistically controlling for the effects of race, ethnicity, sex, age, income, and prior metabolic syndrome. When considering the relative contributions of each relationship type, greater support relative to demands from friends was the only relationship type that was significantly independently associated with lower likelihood of metabolic syndrome. Although not statistically significant, a trend-level negative association with spousal support/demands emerged, as did a trend-level positive association with support/demands from children. Taken together, the current study reaffirms the relevance of considering social support and demands with regards to metabolic syndrome and highlights the ways in which specific relationships may differentially relate to health risk.

Combined association of abdominal obesity and depressive symptoms with risk of type 2 diabetes: A cohort study

OBJECTIVE

To explore the combined effect of abdominal obesity and depressive symptoms on the risk to type 2 diabetes, while also assessing the potential influence of various glycemic states and gender on this combined relationship.

METHODS

Data is acquired from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study, and 5949 participants were included for analysis. Participants were divided into four groups: neither have abdominal obesity nor depressive symptoms (AO-/DS-), only have depressive symptoms (AO-/DS+), only have abdominal obesity (AO+/DS-), and have both abdominal obesity and depressive symptoms (AO+/DS+). Stratified analyses differentiating the glycemic statuses and sex of the participants were also carried out.

RESULTS

After adjusting for the confounders, the AO-/DS+, AO+/DS- and AO+/DS+ phenotypes were all discovered to be risk factors for type 2 diabetes (OR = 1.38, 95%CI: 1.06-1.79; OR = 2.07, 95%CI: 1.63-2.63; OR = 2.38, 95%CI: 1.83-3.11, respectively) compared with the AO-/DS- phenotype in the overall population. In further stratified analyses, we arrived at the same conclusion for normoglycemic individuals, especially in females. For prediabetes and males, the AO+/DS- and AO+/DS+ phenotypes are risk factors for type 2 diabetes compared with the AO-/DS- phenotype, but not with AO-/DS+.

CONCLUSION

Regardless of glycemic status and sex, the coexistence of abdominal obesity and depressive symptoms were associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes. Depressive symptoms were independent risk factors for type 2 diabetes only in normoglycemic individuals and females.

Impacts of chitosan and its nanoformulations on the metabolic syndromes: a review

A significant public health issue worldwide is metabolic syndrome, a cluster of metabolic illnesses that comprises insulin resistance, obesity, dyslipidemia, hyperglycemia, and hypertension. The creation of natural treatments and preventions for metabolic syndrome is crucial. Chitosan, along with its nanoformulations, is an oligomer of chitin, the second-most prevalent polymer in nature, which is created via deacetylation. Due to its plentiful biological actions in recent years, chitosan and its nanoformulations have drawn much interest. Recently, the chitosan nanoparticle-based delivery of CRISPR-Cas9 has been applied in treating metabolic syndromes. The benefits of chitosan and its nanoformulations on insulin resistance, obesity, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, hyperglycemia, and hypertension will be outlined in the present review, highlighting potential mechanisms for the avoidance and medication of the metabolic syndromes by chitosan and its nanoformulations.

The estrogen receptor and metabolism

Across the globe, metabolic syndrome, hyperuric acid, and their related diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and insulin resistance, are increasing in incidence due to metabolic imbalances. Due to the pathogenesis, women are more prone to these diseases than men. As estrogen levels decrease after menopause, obesity and metabolic disorders are more likely to occur. Men are also affected by hyperuric acid. To provide ideas for the prevention and treatment of metabolic syndrome and hyperuricemia, this article reviews and analyzes the relationship between estrogen receptors, metabolic syndrome, and hyperuricemia.

Gut microbiome supplementation as therapy for metabolic syndrome

The gut microbiome is defined as an ecological community of commensal symbiotic and pathogenic microorganisms that exist in our body. Gut microbiome dysbiosis is a condition of dysregulated and disrupted intestinal bacterial homeostasis, and recent evidence has shown that dysbiosis is related to chronic inflammation, insulin resistance, cardiovascular diseases (CVD), type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and obesity. It is well known that obesity, T2DM and CVD are caused or worsened by multiple factors like genetic predisposition, environmental factors, unhealthy high calorie diets, and sedentary lifestyle. However, recent evidence from human and mouse models suggest that the gut microbiome is also an active player in the modulation of metabolic syndrome, a set of risk factors including obesity, hyperglycemia, and dyslipidemia that increase the risk for CVD, T2DM, and other diseases. Current research aims to identify treatments to increase the number of beneficial microbiota in the gut microbiome in order to modulate metabolic syndrome by reducing chronic inflammation and insulin resistance. There is increasing interest in supplements, classified as prebiotics, probiotics, synbiotics, or postbiotics, and their effect on the gut microbiome and metabolic syndrome. In this review article, we have summarized current research on these supplements that are available to improve the abundance of beneficial gut microbiota and to reduce the harmful ones in patients with metabolic syndrome.

Dietary Patterns and Circadian Syndrome among Adults Attending NHANES 2005-2016

The study aimed to assess the associations of dietary patterns and circadian syndrome (CircS). Data from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2005-2016 were analyzed (n = 10,486). Factor analysis was used to construct dietary patterns based on two 24 h food recalls. CircS was defined based on components of the metabolic syndrome, with the addition of short sleep and depression symptoms. Multivariable logistic regression was used to analyze the associations. Two major dietary patterns were identified. The Western dietary pattern had high loadings of refined grains, solid fats, added sugars, and red and cured meats, while the prudent pattern was characterized by a high intake of vegetables, whole grains, oils, nuts, and seeds. The prevalence of CircS was 41.3%. Comparing extreme quartiles of intake, the odds ratios (OR) for having CircS were 1.96 (95%CI 1.53-2.53) and 0.71 (95%CI 0.58-0.86) for the Western pattern and prudent pattern, respectively. The association between the Western dietary pattern and CircS was stronger among men (OR = 2.05; 95%CI 1.48-2.85) and those with low income (OR = 1.94; 95%CI 1.27-2.96) and high education (OR = 3.38; 95%CI 1.90-6.04). The Western dietary pattern was associated with a higher likelihood of having CircS, while the prudent pattern was inversely associated with CircS.

Effect of the Interaction between Seaweed Intake and LPL Polymorphisms on Metabolic Syndrome in Middle-Aged Korean Adults

This study aimed to examine the effect of the interaction between seaweed (laver, kelp, and sea mustard) intake and lipoprotein lipase gene (LPL) rs17482735 genotypes on the incidence of metabolic syndrome (MetS). The Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study (KoGES) data of Korean adults aged 40-69 years were used in this study. Information on seaweed intake was obtained from the food frequency questionnaire. To investigate the interaction between seaweed intake and LPL rs17482735 genotypes on the incidence of MetS, multivariable Cox proportional hazard models were used after adjusting for confounding variables. There was no significant association in women, but men with TG and TT genotypes of rs17482753 had lower incidence of MetS (HR 0.83, 95% CI 0.71-0.95, p-value = 0.01), low HDL-cholesterol levels (HR 0.81, 95% CI 0.69-0.95, p-value = 0.01), high triglyceride levels (HR 0.83, 95% CI 0.70-0.99, p-value = 0.0471), and high blood pressure (HR 0.79, 95% CI 0.67-0.93, p-value = 0.004). Furthermore, the incidence of MetS was lower in men with the highest laver and total seaweed intake and TG and TT genotypes of rs17482735 (HR 0.60, 95% CI 0.43-0.84; HR 0.57, 95% CI 0.41-0.79, respectively). High seaweed intake was negatively associated with MetS, suggesting that LPL genetic variations, particularly in men, may be helpful in preventing MetS. These results demonstrate that seaweed intake considering LPL genotypes may be beneficial for preventing and treating MetS.

The Circadian Syndrome Is a Significant and Stronger Predictor for Cardiovascular Disease than the Metabolic Syndrome-The NHANES Survey during 2005-2016

The study aimed to compare the predictive value of the Circadian Syndrome (CircS) and Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) for cardiovascular disease (CVD). We used data of 12,156 adults aged ≥20 years who attended National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2005-2016. Mortality was obtained from the registry updated to 2019. The CircS was defined based on components of the MetS, in addition to short sleep and depression. Both the MetS and CircS were directly associated with self-reported history of CVD. The odds ratios for prevalent CVD associated with the CircS and MetS, respectively, were 2.92 (95% confidence interval (CI) 2.21-3.86) and 3.20 (2.38-4.30) in men, and 3.27 (2.34-4.59) and 3.04 (2.15-4.30) in women. The CircS had a better predictive power for prevalent CVD than that of MetS, as indicated by the higher positive predictive value (PPV); in men, the PPV for prevalent CVD with CircS was 23.1% and with MetS 20.9%, and in women these were 17.9% vs. 16.4%, respectively. However, the PPV of the CircS and MetS did not differ for the CVD mortality prediction. Women with CircS alone had a higher risk for both prevalent CVD and CVD mortality than those with MetS alone. In conclusion, the CircS is a significant and stronger predictor for CVD than the MetS in US adults.

TBXAS1 Gene Polymorphism Is Associated with the Risk of Ischemic Stroke of Metabolic Syndrome in a Chinese Han Population

Objective

To investigate the association between thromboxane A synthase 1 (TBXAS1) gene polymorphism and metabolic syndrome (MS) and explore whether gene polymorphism could act as biomarkers in MS and its components or whether it could play a role in MS-related damage.

Methods

A total of 3072 eligible subjects were obtained, of which 1079 cases were controls and 1993 cases were MS patients. Subjects were followed up for 5 years, and the endpoint were recorded. The gene polymorphism of TBXAS1 was detected by using the Sequenom MassArray method.

Results

Significant differences were observed in ischemic stroke and NC_000007.14: g.139985896C>T (P < 0.05). The incidence of ischemic stroke was significantly higher in T allele carriers than in C (P < 0.05). C allele was the protective factor of the onset of ischemic stroke. There were negative interactions between C allele and waist circumference (WC), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and fasting plasma glucose (FPG).

Conclusion

These findings suggest that NC_000007.14: g.139985896C>T was related to the incidence of ischemic stroke in the whole and MS population, and individuals who carry the C allele have a reduced risk of ischemic stroke, which may be used as a promising biomarker of disease risk in patients with MS.

Analysis of energy intakes, physical activities and metabolic syndrome according to the income level in Korean elderly people: Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2016‒2018

[Purpose]

To determine the correlations of differences in the income level with the presence of metabolic syndrome (MetS), energy intake, and physical activity across Korean elderly populations.

[Methods]

We obtained data from 2,139 elderly individuals (aged >65 years) based on the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) (2016‒2018). We analyzed the levels of physical activity (PA) and energy intake using the survey data. Moreover, we analyzed the differences in energy intake and PA levels according to the income level and MetS.

[Results]

Compared with the non-MetS group, the MetS group displayed significantly higher levels of waist circumference (p=0.000), triglycerides (p=0.000), systolic blood pressure (p=0.000), diastolic blood pressure (p=0.016), and fasting blood glucose (p=0.000) for both high and low income levels. However, the level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was significantly lower in the MetS group than that in the non-MetS group (p=0.000). The level of smoking in non-MetS men was significantly higher than that in MetS men across all participants (p=0.047). Except carbohydrate intake, the total energy intake (p=0.022), fat intake (p=0.009), and protein intake (p=0.005) were significantly lower in the MetS group than those in the non-MetS group for high income levels. We obtained similar results for low income levels. The two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) did not identify an interaction between the income level and the presence of MetS; however, the total energy, i.e., the level of total energy intake, was significantly lower in participants with low income levels than in those with high income levels. For high income levels, transport PA (p=0.002), vigorous recreational PA (p=0.001), moderate recreational PA (p=0.001), and total PA (p=0.000) were significantly lower in the MetS group than those in the non-MetS group. For low income levels, moderate occupational PA (p=0.012), transport PA (p=0.018), and total PA ((p=0.000) were significantly lower in the MetS group than those in the non-MetS group. The total PA, i.e., the level of energy consumption, was significantly lower in the elderly with low income levels than in those with high income levels.

[Conclusion]

Regardless of the income level, the elderly with MetS exhibited low levels of energy intake and PA, compared with those without MetS. In addition, regardless of the presence of MetS, the elderly with low income levels exhibited lesser energy intake and PA. These findings implied the need for balanced nutrient intake and increased participation in PA as well as education and program development to prevent MetS in the elderly.

Prevalence of uncoupling protein one genetic polymorphisms and their relationship with cardiovascular and metabolic health

Contribution of UCP1 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to susceptibility for cardiometabolic pathologies (CMP) and their involvement in specific risk factors for these conditions varies across populations. We tested whether UCP1 SNPs A-3826G, A-1766G, Ala64Thr and A-112C are associated with common CMP and their risk factors across Armenia, Greece, Poland, Russia and United Kingdom. This case-control study included genotyping of these SNPs, from 2,283 Caucasians. Results were extended via systematic review and meta-analysis. In Armenia, GA genotype and A allele of Ala64Thr displayed ~2-fold higher risk for CMP compared to GG genotype and G allele, respectively (p<0.05). In Greece, A allele of Ala64Thr decreased risk of CMP by 39%. Healthy individuals with A-3826G GG genotype and carriers of mutant allele of A-112C and Ala64Thr had higher body mass index compared to those carrying other alleles. In healthy Polish, higher waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) was observed in heterozygotes A-3826G compared to AA homozygotes. Heterozygosity of A-112C and Ala64Thr SNPs was related to lower WHR in CMP individuals compared to wild type homozygotes (p<0.05). Meta-analysis showed no statistically significant odds-ratios across our SNPs (p>0.05). Concluding, the studied SNPs could be associated with the most common CMP and their risk factors in some populations.

Association of UCP3 Polymorphisms with Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis and Metabolic Syndrome in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Brazilian Patients

Background: We investigated the possible association of uncoupling protein 3 gene (UCP3) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) Brazilian patients. Methods: UCP3 SNPs rs1726745, rs3781907, and rs11235972 were genotyped in 158 biopsy-proven NAFLD Brazilian patients. Statistics was performed with JMP, R, and SHEsis softwares. Results: The TT genotype of rs1726745 was associated with less occurrence of MetS (P = 0.006) and with lower body mass index (BMI) in the entire NAFLD sample (P = 0.01) and in the NASH group (P = 0.02). The rs1726745-T was associated with lower values of AST (P = 0.001), ALT (P = 0.0002), triglycerides (P = 0.01), and total cholesterol (P = 0.02) in the entire NAFLD sample. Between groups, there were lower values of aminotransferases strictly in individuals with NASH (AST, P = 0.002; ALT, P = 0.0007) and with MetS (AST, P = 0.002; ALT, P = 0.001). The rs3781907-G was associated with lower GGT elevation values in the entire NAFLD sample (P = 0.002), in the NASH group (P = 0.004), and with MetS group (P = 0.003) and with protection for advanced fibrosis (P = 0.01). The rs11235972-A was associated with lower GGT values in the entire NAFLD sample (P = 0.006) and in the NASH group (P = 0.01) and with MetS group (P = 0.005), with fibrosis absence (P = 0.01) and protection for advanced fibrosis (P = 0.01). The TAA haplotype was protective for NASH (P = 0.002), and TGG haplotype was protective for MetS (P = 0.01). Conclusion: UCP3 gene variants were associated with protection against NASH and MetS, in addition to lower values of liver enzymes, lipid profile, BMI and, lesser fibrosis severity in the studied population.

Association of rs9939609-FTO with metabolic syndrome components among women from Mayan communities of Chiapas, Mexico

Background

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a complex cluster of risk factors, considered as a polygenic and multifactorial entity. The objective of this study was to determine the association of rs9939609-FTO polymorphism and MetS components in adult women of Mayan communities of Chiapas.

Methods

In a cross-sectional study, sociodemographic, anthropometric, clinical, and biochemical data were obtained from 291 adult women from three regions of Chiapas, Mexico. The prevalence of MetS and the allele and genotype frequencies of the rs9939609-FTO were estimated. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to assess the association of the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) with each of the MetS components.

Results

The MetS prevalence was 60%. We found a statistically significant association between rs9939609-FTO and hyperglycemia in the dominant model (OR 2.6; 95% CI 1.3–5.3; p = 0.007).

Conclusions

Women from Mayan communities of Chiapas presented a high prevalence of MetS and a relevant association of the FTO variant with hyperglycemia. This is the first study carried out in these Mayan indigenous communities from Chiapas.

Study of DYRK1B gene expression and its association with metabolic syndrome in a small cohort of Egyptians

BACKGROUND

A cluster of many risk factors for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease is used to describe the metabolic syndrome (MetS). Moreover, genetic differences associated with metabolic syndrome play a key role in its prevalence and side effects. This study aims to investigate the expression of DYRK1B and its association with metabolic syndrome in a small cohort of Egyptian.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 100 adult Egyptians (50 with MetS and 50 healthy control subjects) were included to this study. Clinical, biochemical and anthropometric analysis were assessed. Relative gene expressions of DYRK1B were compared between two groups of subjects using real time PCR.

RESULTS

We observed marked overexpression in DYRK1B (p < 0.05) in MetS subjects when compared with the healthy control subjects.

CONCLUSION

This is the first study to provide evidence that DYRK1B is highly expressed among the MetS subjects.

The circadian syndrome predicts cardiovascular disease better than metabolic syndrome in Chinese adults

BACKGROUND

To compare the predictive value of the circadian syndrome (CircS) and Metabolic syndrome (MetS) for cardiovascular disease.

METHOD

We used the data of 9360 Chinese adults aged ≥40 years from the 2011 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). Of the participants, 8253 people were followed in the 2015 survey. MetS was defined using the harmonized criteria. CircS was based on the components of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) MetS plus short sleep and depression. The cut-off for CircS was set as ≥4. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to examine the associations.

RESULTS

The prevalence of CircS and MetS was 39.0% and 44.7%. Both MetS and CircS were directly associated with prevalent CVD. The odds ratios for prevalent CVD comparing CircS with MetS, respectively, were 2.83 (95%CI 2.33-3.43) and 2.34 (1.93-2.83) in men, and 2.33 (1.98-2.73) and 1.79 (1.53-2.10) in women. Similar associations were found for incident CVD. The five-year incidence of CVD was 15.1% in CircS and 14.0% in MetS. The number of CircS components has a better predictive power for both prevalent and incident CVD than those of Mets components as indicated by the area under the ROC (AUC). AUC values for CVD in 2011 were higher for CircS than MetS in both men (0.659 (95%CI 0.634-0.684) vs 0.635 (95%CI 0.610-0.661)) and women (0.652 (95%CI 0.632-0.672) vs 0.619 (95%CI 0.599-0.640)).

CONCLUSION

The circadian syndrome is a strong and better predictor for CVD than the metabolic syndrome in Chinese adults.

The Impact of Education and Age on Metabolic Disorders

Metabolic disorders, such as obesity, elevated blood pressure, dyslipidemias, insulin resistance, hyperglycemia, and hyperuricemia have all been identified as risk factors for an epidemic of important and widespread chronic-degenerative diseases, such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, that constitute some of the world's most important public health challenges. Their increasing prevalence can be associated with an aging population and to lifestyles within an obesogenic environment. Taking educational level as a proxy for lifestyle, and using both logistic and linear regressions, we study the relation between a wide set of metabolic biomarkers, and educational level, body mass index (BMI), age, and sex as correlates, in a population of 1,073 students, academic and non-academic staff at Mexico's largest university (UNAM). Controlling for BMI and sex, we consider educational level and age as complementary measures-degree and duration-of exposure to metabolic insults. Analyzing the role of education across a wide spectrum of educational levels (from primary school to doctoral degree), we show that higher education correlates to significantly better metabolic health when compared to lower levels, and is associated with significantly less risk for waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, triglycerides, high density lipoprotein and metabolic syndrome (all p < 0.05); but not for diastolic blood pressure, basal insulin, uric acid, low density lipoprotein, and total cholesterol. We classify each biomarker, and corresponding metabolic disorder, by its associated set of statistically significant correlates. Differences among the sets of significant correlates indicate various aetiologies and the need for targeted population-specific interventions. Thus, variables strongly linked to educational level are candidates for lifestyle change interventions. Hence, public policy efforts should be focused on those metabolic biomarkers strongly linked to education, while adopting a different approach for those biomarkers not linked as they may be poor targets for educational campaigns.

Leisure Time Physical Activity to Reduce Metabolic Syndrome Risk: A 10-Year Community-Based Prospective Study in Korea

PURPOSE

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a major public health problem related to increased risks of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. We investigated whether recommended levels of leisure time physical activity (LTPA) decrease the risk of MetS in a community-based prospective cohort study (Ansung and Ansan cohort).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 3910 adults (1890 men, 2020 women) without MetS examined in 2001-2002 (baseline) were included in this study and followed up from 2013 to 2014. We measured LTPA energy expenditure using the standard metabolic equivalent value [metabolic equivalent of task (MET)-h/wk]. Individuals were categorized into five groups (physically inactive, 0.1 to <7.5, 7.5 to <15.0, 15.0 to <22.5, 22.5 to <40.0, and ≥40.0 MET-h/wk).

RESULTS

The mean follow-up period was 11.8 years. Among the cohort, 482 men (25.5%) and 541 women (26.8%) were diagnosed with newly developed MetS. Multivariate logistic analysis revealed a 4.4% lower MetS risk among those performing two to three times the recommended minimum of 7.5 MET-h/wk [multivariate relative risk (RR), 0.956; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.654-1.398] and a 21.9% lower risk among those performing three to four times the physical activity minimum (multivariate RR, 0.781; 95% CI, 0.574-1.063). This association was only significant in females performing three to four times the minimum (crude RR, 0.655; 95% CI, 0.432-0.994).

CONCLUSION

We noted that physical activity at more than 2 times the recommended minimum prevents MetS. Healthcare professionals should encourage inactive adults to be physically active during their leisure time to take advantage of its health benefits.

Evolutionary Theories and Men's Preferences for Women's Waist-to-Hip Ratio: Which Hypotheses Remain? A Systematic Review

Over the last 25 years, a large amount of research has been dedicated to identifying men's preferences for women's physical features, and the evolutionary benefits associated with such preferences. Today, this area of research generates substantial controversy and criticism. I argue that part of the crisis is due to inaccuracies in the evolutionary hypotheses used in the field. For this review, I focus on the extensive literature regarding men's adaptive preferences for women's waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), which has become a classic example of the just-so storytelling contributing to the general mistrust toward evolutionary explanations of human behavior. The issues in this literature originate in the vagueness and incompleteness of the theorizing of the evolutionary mechanisms leading to mate preferences. Authors seem to have rushed into testing and debating the effects of WHR on women's attractiveness under various conditions and using different stimuli, without first establishing (a) clear definitions of the central evolution concepts (e.g., female mate value is often reduced to an imprecise concept of "health-and-fertility"), and (b) a complete overview of the distinct evolutionary paths potentially at work (e.g., focusing on fecundability while omitting descendants' quality). Unsound theoretical foundations will lead to imprecise predictions which cannot properly be tested, thus ultimately resulting in the premature rejection of an evolutionary explanation to human mate preferences. This paper provides the first comprehensive review of the existing hypotheses on why men's preferences for a certain WHR in women might be adaptive, as well as an analysis of the theoretical credibility of these hypotheses. By dissecting the evolutionary reasoning behind each hypothesis, I show which hypotheses are plausible and which are unfit to account for men's preferences for female WHR. Moreover, the most cited hypotheses (e.g., WHR as a cue of health or fecundity) are found to not necessarily be the ones with the strongest theoretical support, and some promising hypotheses (e.g., WHR as a cue of parity or current pregnancy) have seemingly been mostly overlooked. Finally, I suggest some directions for future studies on human mate choice, to move this evolutionary psychology literature toward a stronger theoretical foundation.

Metabolic Syndrome, Mild Cognitive Impairment, and Dementia: A Meta-Analysis of Longitudinal Studies

OBJECTIVE

A systematic review and a meta-analysis of both clinical and population-based studies was undertaken according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement to clarify whether Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) is a risk or a protective factor for incident dementia, Alzheimer disease (AD), and vascular dementia (VaD), and whether it's involved in progression to dementia in patients affected by mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

METHODS

Search terms included ("metabolic syndrome" OR "syndrome x" OR "plurimetabolic syndrome") AND ("dementia" OR "Alzheimer disease" OR "vascular dementia" OR "mild cognitive impairment" OR "MCI"). Research was restricted to articles published in English between January 1, 2000 and August 31, 2018. No age limit was set.

RESULTS

At the end of the selection procedure, nine longitudinal studies were selected for the meta-analysis: six studies enrolled cognitively well-functioning participants and three studies involved MCI patients. A total of 18,313 participants aged older than 40 years with mean MetS prevalence of 22.7% were followed on average for 9.41years. A fixed model was used to estimate pooled hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals.

CONCLUSION

No statistically significant pooled association emerged between MetS and incident dementia and AD. MetS increased the incidence of pure VaD. MetS increased the risk of progression from MCI to dementia. Follow-up length might be a key factor in investigating these associations further. Because MetS is constituted by a set of potentially modifiable factors, further studies with longer follow-up and repeated assessment of both MetS and cognitive status are desirable to draw definite conclusions.

The Characteristics Of Abdominal Fat Distribution In Japanese Adolescents With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

PURPOSE

The aim was to investigate the characteristics of abdominal fat distribution in Japanese adolescents with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Eighty-six Japanese adolescents with simple obesity or type 2 diabetes mellitus treated between 2002 and 2018 were included. The subjects were classified into the simple obesity group (SO group, n=38) and type 2 diabetes mellitus group (DM group, n=23) by matching average age and gender ratio. The metabolic parameters VFA, SFA, and V/S ratio were compared between the 2 groups. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify clinical factors associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Linear regression analysis was performed between hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and visceral fat area (VFA), subcutaneous fat area (SFA), or VFA-to-SFA ratio (V/S ratio) among all enrolled subjects. Finally, correlation analyses were performed to determine the relationships between VFA, SFA, and V/S ratio and metabolic parameters of the DM group. For the metabolic parameters, serum lipids, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and HbA1c were measured without fasting. The VFA and SFA at umbilical level were investigated using computed tomography.

RESULTS

VFA and V/S ratio in DM group were higher than those in SO group (p=0.04 and p<0.01, respectively). SFA in DM group was lower than that in SO group (p<0.01). VFA and SFA, and non-high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol were identified as being independently associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (odds ratio, 1.05, 0.98, and 1.04, respectively, p<0.05). HbA1c was correlated with VFA and V/S ratio (p<0.01). In DM group, VFA and SFA were positively correlated with systolic blood pressure (p<0.01), ALT (p<0.05), total cholesterol (p<0.05), and non-HDL cholesterol (p<0.01); however, V/S ratio was not correlated.

CONCLUSION

Abdominal fat distribution in Japanese adolescents with type 2 diabetes mellitus was different from those with simple obesity and might associate with glucose and lipid metabolism.

The role of insulin receptor substrate 1 gene polymorphism Gly972Arg as a risk factor for ischemic stroke among Indonesian subjects

OBJECTIVE

The identification of new genetic-associated risk factor of ischemic stroke could improves strategies for stroke prevention. This study aims to identify insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1) gene polymorphism Gly972Arg as the risk factor for ischemic stroke among Indonesian subjects. The case-control study was conducted by matching the gender and race on 85 cases of patients with ischemic stroke and 86 healthy non-stroke control subjects. Ischemic stroke was established by the complete neurology examination and brain computed tomography scan or magnetic resonance imaging. Polymerase chain reaction-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism was performed to analyze IRS-1 gene Gly972Arg genotype.

RESULTS

There were 85 ischemic stroke cases and 86 control subjects. The distribution of nucleotide IRS-1 gene polymorphism Gly972Arg in the ischemic stroke vs health controls for GG were 32.2% vs 41.5%, for GR were 16% vs 7.6%, and for RR were 0.5% vs 1.9%. IRS-1 gene polymorphism Gly972Arg was found as significant risk factor for ischemic stroke [odds ratio of 2.6 (1.27-5.27); CI 95%, p = 0.008]. Conclusively, the IRS-1 gene polymorphism Gly972Arg should be considered as an important factor in the prevention and treatment of ischemic stroke.

A Study on Neonatal Intake of Oleanolic Acid and Metformin in Rats (Rattus norvegicus) with Metabolic Dysfunction: Implications on Lipid Metabolism and Glucose Transport

Metabolic syndrome, a cluster of different disorders which include diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular diseases, is a global epidemic that is growing at an alarming rate. The origins of disease can be traced back to early developmental stages of life. This has increased mortalities and continues to reduce life expectancies of individuals across the globe. The aim of this study was to investigate the sub-acute and long term effects of neonatal oral administration of oleanolic acid and metformin on lipids (free fatty acids, FFAs) and genes associated with lipid metabolism and glucose transport using a neonatal rat experimental model. In the first study, seven days old pups were randomly grouped into control—distilled water (DW); oleanolic acid (60 mg/kg), metformin (500 mg/kg), high fructose diet (20% w/v, HF), oleanolic acid (OA) + high fructose diet (OA + HF), and Metformin + high fructose diet (MET + HF) groups. The pups were treated for 7 days, and then terminated on postnatal day (PD) 14. In the second study, rat pups were initially treated similarly to study 1 and weaned onto normal rat chow and plain drinking water on PD 21 till they reached adulthood (PD112). Tissue and blood samples were collected for further analyses. Measurement of the levels of free fatty acids (FFAs) was done using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was used to analyze the gene expression of glut-4, glut-5, fas, acc-1, nrf-1 and cpt-1 in the skeletal muscle. The results showed that HF accelerated accumulation of saturated FFAs within skeletal muscles. The HF fed neonatal rats had increased stearic acid, which was associated with decreased glucose, suppressed expression of glut-4, glut-5, nrf-1 and cpt-1 genes, and increased expression of acc-1 (p < 0.01) and fas. OA + HF and MET + HF treated groups had increased mono- and polyunsaturated FFAs; oleic, and octadecadienoic acids than the HF group. These unsaturated FFAs were associated with increased glut-4, glut-5 and nrf-1 (p < 0.01) and decreased acc-1 and fas (p < 0.05) in both OA + HF and MET + HF treated groups. Conclusions: The present study shows that neonatal oral administration of oleanolic acid and metformin potentially protects against the development of fructose-induced metabolic dysfunction in the rats in both short and long time periods.

Candidate gene polymorphisms related to lipid metabolism in Asian Indians living in Durban, South Africa

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES

Asian Indians have been shown to have a high prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS), related to insulin resistance and possibly genetic factors. The aim of this study was to determine the genetic patterns associated with MetS in Asian Indians living in Durban, South Africa.

METHODS

Nine hundred and ninety nine participants from the Phoenix Lifestyle Project underwent clinical, biochemical and genetic assessment. MetS was diagnosed according to the harmonized definition. The apolipoprotein A5 Q139X, lipoprotein lipase (LPL) Hinf I, human paraoxonase 1 (PON1) 192Arg/Gln, cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) Taq1B, adiponectin 45T>G and leptin (LEP) 25CAG were genotyped by real-time polymerase chain reaction in participants with and without MetS. Univariate-unadjusted and multivariate-adjusted relations were conducted for all analyses.

RESULTS

The prevalence of MetS was high (49.0%). More females had MetS than males (51.0 vs 42.8%). There was no significant difference in the distribution of genotypes between participants with MetS and those without. Males with the MetS who had the adiponectin TG genotype and human paraoxonase 1 AA genotype were more likely to have reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (P=0.001) and higher systolic blood pressure (P=0.018), respectively.

INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSIONS

About half of the Asian Indians living in Phoenix had MetS. No association between the polymorphisms studied and the risk for MetS was observed. The adiponectin TG genotype may be associated with reduced HDL-C and the human paraoxonase 1 AA genotype with hypertension in males. This suggested that lifestyle factors were the major determinant for MetS in this ethnic group and the genetic risk might be related to its component risk factors than to MetS as an entity.

Different metabolic responses induced by long-term interdisciplinary therapy in obese adolescents related to ACE I/D polymorphism

Introduction:

The main purpose of the present study was to investigate whether I/D polymorphism of the ACE gene might affect metabolic changes related to the metabolic syndrome through a long-term interdisciplinary therapy in obese adolescents.

Methods:

In total, 125 obese adolescents who entered the interdisciplinary obesity programme were assigned to the following two subgroups: metabolic syndrome or non-metabolic syndrome. They were evaluated at baseline and after 1 year. Genomic DNA was extracted from circulating leukocytes.

Results:

Subjects with the II genotype in the non-metabolic syndrome group were only to increase their fat-free mass after therapy. Regarding lipid profile, subjects with ID and DD genotypes from both groups reduced their low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels significantly. The metabolic parameters from the ID and DD genotypes of the non-metabolic syndrome group showed a significantly improved insulin response.

Conclusion:

In the present study, we showed that the ACE polymorphism was able to influence the fat-free mass in the I-carry allele in the non-metabolic syndrome group positively. In addition, the I-carry allele was able to improve the insulin resistance of the metabolic syndrome group significantly. These results suggest that the ACE I/D genotypes can influence, in different ways, the specific parameters of metabolism among obese adolescents submitted for long-term interdisciplinary therapy.

Association study of HNF1A polymorphisms with metabolic syndrome in the Moroccan population

AIMS

Variants in Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 1 alpha (HNF1A) gene are associated with Metabolic Syndromeand its components independently. In this study, we aimed to assess the statistical association of the rs1169288, rs2464196 and rs735396 variants and haplotypes of HNF1A gene with metabolic syndrome (MS) and its components in a Moroccan population sample.

METHODS

Three variants in the HNF1A gene were genotyped, rs1169288 A>C, rs2464196 G>A and rs735396 T>C in cases and controls from Moroccan population using KASPar^® technology (KBioscience, UK). Anthropometric and biochemical parameters were assessed. MS was defined according to the international Diabetes Federation (IDF). The effects of HNF1A polymorphisms and constructed haplotypes on MS were estimated using logistic regression analyses.

RESULTS

The HNF1A gene, rs1169288 and rs2464196 variants conferred an increased risk to MS (OR=2.08, 95%CI=1.38-3.14, P=0.0005 and OR=1.52, 95%IC=1.05-2.20, P=0.03, respectively) when adjusted for BMI, sex and age. We found that the C allele of the variant rs735396 was associated with an increased triglycerides level (p-value=0.04434) among patients and high weist circumference (P=0.02005) and total cholesterol (P=0.03227) amount among controls. The haplotype AAT (OR=5.656, P<0.00001) was the most significantly associated with susceptibility to metabolic syndrome.

CONCLUSION

The present study demonstrated that SNPs rs1169288 and rs2464196 of HNF1A gene were significantly associated with metabolic syndrome in a Morrocan population. Furthermore, the CAC, AAC, AAT and AGT haplotypes of these SNPs and rs735396 were significantly associated with metabolic syndrome.

The (FTO) gene polymorphism is associated with metabolic syndrome risk in Egyptian females: a case- control study

Background

Variations within fat mass and obesity associated (FTO) gene had crosstalk with obesity risk in European and some Asian populations. This study was designed to investigate FTO rs9939609 association with metabolic syndrome (MetS) as well as biochemical parameters as plasma glucose, serum triacylglycerol (TAG), total cholesterol (TC) and transaminases enzymes in Arab female population from Egypt.

Methods

In order to achieve that, FTO gene rs9939609 (A < T) was genotyped using TaqMan SNP Genotyping Assay in a total of 197 females which were enrolled in this study. Fasting levels of serum insulin, lipid profile and plasma glucose, in addition to liver transaminases were measured. The association between the genotype distribution and MetS risk was evaluated using Chi-square and logistic regression tests in a case-control design under different genetic models.

Results

The association of genotype distribution with MetS was significant (χ2 = 8.6/P = 0.014) with an increased odds ratio under dominant model (OR = 1.97, P = 0.029 and 95%C.I = 1.07–3.6) and recessive model (OR = 2.95, P = 0.017 and 95%C.I = 1.22–7.22). Moreover, (AA) subjects showed significant lower HDL-C levels (P = 0.009) when compared to (TT) ones. In addition, interestingly subjects with (AA) genotype have significantly higher ALT levels (P = 0.02) that remained significant after correction of major confounders as body mass index and serum triacylglycerols but not after conservative Bonferroni adjustment.

Conclusions

The present study shows for first time that FTO gene rs9939609 is genetic risk factor for metabolic syndrome in Egyptian population which may help in understanding the biology of this complex syndrome and highlighted that this association may be through HDL-C component. The association of this genetic polymorphism with ALT levels needs to be studied in other populations with larger sample size.

Transcription factor 7-like 2 polymorphism and context-specific risk of metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and dyslipidemia

BACKGROUND

The transcription factor 7-like 2 gene (TCF7L2) is an element of the Wnt signaling pathway. There is lack of evidence if TCF7L2 has a functional role in lipid metabolism and regulation of the components constitutes the metabolic syndrome (MetSyn). The aims of this study were to evaluate whether the risk allele of TCF7L2 gene polymorphism is associated with dyslipidemia and MetSyn.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The MetSyn subjects were participated only based on the National Cholesterol Education Program - Third Adult Treatment Panel criteria. In this case-control study, the DNA from MetSyn patients without (n = 90) and with type 2 diabetes (T2D) (n = 94) were genotyped.

RESULTS

The results show that the genotype-phenotype for CC, CT/TT of TCF7L2 gene polymorphism correlated with body mass index and waist circumference in MetSyn and MetSyn + T2D subjects (r = -0.949 and r = -0.963, respectively). The subjects that only possess MetSyn but are not diabetics show the 2 h postprandial glucose and fasting blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin significantly lower (P < 0.05) than those subjects have both abnormality. The level of triglyceride in CT/TT carriers in MetSyn was higher than CC carriers (P = 0.025). A comparison with the controls subjects, the frequencies of the T allele in the groups of MetSyn (46.66%) and MetSyn + T2D (47.34%) show significantly different (P < 0.05). The odds ratios for T allele in (MetSyn)/(normal), (MetSyn + T2D)/(normal), and in (MetSyn + T2D)/(MetSyn) were 3.59 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.33-9.67, P = 0.0093), 3.76 (95% CI, 1.40-10.07, P = 0.0068), and 1.08 (95% CI: 0.55- 2.11, P = 0.834), respectively.

CONCLUSION

The results revealed the important insights essential for the role of TCF7L2 that the T allele of TCF7L2 plays a significant role in the susceptibility to dyslipidemia, MetSyn, and T2D.

Recommended Levels of Physical Activity Are Associated with Reduced Risk of the Metabolic Syndrome in Mexican-Americans

Purpose

To measure the association between physical activity and the metabolic syndrome risk in Mexican-Americans.

Methods

Participants were drawn from the Cameron County Hispanic Cohort (n = 3,414), a randomly selected Mexican-American cohort in Texas on the US-Mexico border. Moderate and vigorous physical activity was assessed using reliable and validated instruments. The metabolic syndrome was defined as having 3 or more metabolic abnormalities.

Results

One thousand five hundred and twenty-four participants of the cohort (45.02%) were found to have the metabolic syndrome. Compared to participants who did not meet US physical activity guidelines, participants who met physical activity guidelines of 150 moderate and vigorous minutes per week (≥ 600 MET adjusted minutes) had 36% lower risk for the metabolic syndrome (OR = 0.64; 95% CI: 0.42–0.98), and participants with total minutes per week of moderate and vigorous/strenuous activity greater than 743 MET adjusted minutes had 37% lower risk for the metabolic syndrome (OR = 0.63; 95% CI: 0.42–0.94) compared with their counterparts, after adjusting for age, gender, annual household income, body mass index, smoking and alcohol drinking status, total portions of fruit and vegetable intake, census tracts and blocks, and survey version for physical activity.

Conclusions

Meeting or exceeding physical activity guidelines significantly was inversely associated with the risk for the metabolic syndrome in Mexican-Americans. Improving levels of physical activity appears to be an effective target for the metabolic syndrome prevention and control among Mexican-Americans independent of other factors.

Association of Apolipoprotein A5 Gene Polymorphisms with Metabolic Syndrome in the Korean Population

AIMS

Functional defects of the ApoA5 protein have been identified as risk factors for hypertriglyceridemia, vascular diseases and susceptibility to metabolic syndrome (MetS). These associations are neither strong nor consistent in all populations studied. In this study, we investigated the association between the ApoA5 -1131T>C and -12,238T>C polymorphic loci in Korean patients with MetS.

METHODS

A total of 1074 subjects, including 415 patients with MetS and 659 healthy control subjects, were enrolled to investigate the affect of ApoA5 polymorphisms on risk of MetS. Genotyping of the ApoA5 polymorphisms was performed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism techniques.

RESULTS

The CC genotype and the dominant (TT vs. TC+CC) and recessive (TT+TC vs. CC) models of the -1131T>C polymorphism were associated with increased MetS susceptibility (p < 0.001, p = 0.018, and p = 0.002, respectively). The association was male-specific when stratified by gender. With regard to the -12,238T>C polymorphism, the TC and CC genotypes and the dominant (TT vs. TC+CC) and recessive (TT+TC vs. CC) models were frequently found in the patient group, compared with the control group (p = 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, and p = 0.031, respectively). The T-C, C-T, and C-C haplotypes of the ApoA5 -1131T>C and -12,238T>C polymorphisms were associated with an increased risk for MetS (p < 0.001, p = 0.001, and p < 0.001, respectively). The variant of the ApoA5 -1131T>C polymorphism was also associated with increased triglyceride (TG) levels. Dominant models of ApoA5 -1131T>C and -12,238T>C polymorphisms were associated with the risk components of MetS by the stratification analysis.

CONCLUSION

The -1131C and -12,238C variants and the C-containing haplotypes of ApoA5 -1131T>C and -12,238T>C polymorphisms were associated with higher risk for MetS in the Korean population. The -1131C variant was also associated with the increased level of TG.

Abdominal Obesity and Insulin Resistance in People Exposed to Moderate-to-High Levels of Dioxin

Obesity, a risk factor for developing metabolic complications, is a major public health problem. Abdominal obesity is strongly accompanied by a cluster of metabolic abnormalities characterized by insulin resistance. The link between persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and insulin resistance has been investigated in animal and epidemiological studies. We aimed to examine whether insulin resistance is greater in people with abdominal obesity (AO) and concomitant exposure to serum dioxins (PCDD/Fs). We conducted a cross-sectional descriptive study of 2876 participants living near a PCDD/Fs contaminated area. Seventeen 2,3,7,8-substituted PCDD/Fs congeners were measured, and then the associations between the main predictor variable, serum TEQ_DF-1998, abdominal obesity (AO), dependent variables, and insulin resistance were examined. Twelve of the 17 congeners, widely distributed among PCDDs, and PCDFs, had trends for associations with abdominal adiposity. In men, the highest quintiles of 1,2,3,7,8-PeCDF; 1,2,3,7,8-PeCDD; 2,3,7,8-TCDD; 2,3,7,8-TCDF; and 2,3,4,7,8-PeCDF had the top five adjusted odds ratios (AORs) + 95% confidence intervals (CIs):[4.2; 2.7–6.4], [3.6; 2.3–5.7], [3.2; 2.1–5.0], [3.0; 2.0–4.5], and [2.9; 1.9–4.7], respectively. In women, the highest quintiles of 1,2,3,4,7,8,9-HpCDF; 1,2,3,6,7,8-HxCDF; and 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-HpCDF had the top three AORs + 95% CIs:[3.0; 1.9–4.7], [2.0; 1.3–3.1], and [1.9; 1.3–2.9], respectively. After confounding factors had been adjusted for, men, but not women, with higher serum TEQ_DF-1998 levels or abdominal obesity had a significantly (P_trend < 0.001) greater risk for abnormal insulin resistance. The groups with the highest joint serum TEQ_DF-1998 and abdominal obesity levels were associated with elevated insulin resistance at 5.0 times the odds of the groups with the lowest joint levels (AOR 5.23; 95% CI: 3.53–7.77). We hypothesize that serum TEQ_DF-1998 and abdominal obesity affect the association with insulin resistance in general populations.

Association of FURIN and ZPR1 polymorphisms with metabolic syndrome

Although genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have identified various genes and loci in predisposition to metabolic syndrome (MetS) or each component of this condition, the genetic basis of MetS in individuals remains to be identified definitively. The aim of the present study was to examine the possible association of MetS in individuals with 29 polymorphisms that were previously identified as susceptibility loci for coronary artery disease or myocardial infarction by meta-analyses of GWASs. The study population comprised 1,822 subjects with MetS and 1,096 controls. Subjects with MetS had ≥3 of the 5 components of the diagnostic criteria for MetS, whereas control individuals had 0-1 of the 5 components. The genotypes for the 29 polymorphisms were determined by the multiplex bead-based Luminex assay. Comparisons of allele frequencies by the χ2 test revealed that rs17514846 (A→C) of the furin (paired basic amino acid-cleaving enzyme) gene (FURIN; P=0.0006), rs964184 (C→G) of the ZPR1 zinc finger gene (ZPR1; P=0.0078) and rs599839 (G→A) of the proline/serine-rich coiled-coil 1 gene (P=0.0486) were significantly (P<0.05) associated with the prevalence of MetS. Multivariable logistic regression analysis with adjustment for age, gender and smoking status revealed that rs17514846 of FURIN (P=0.0016; odds ratio, 0.76; dominant model) and rs964184 of ZPR1 (P=0.0164; odds ratio, 1.21; dominant model) were significantly associated with MetS. The minor A allele of rs17514846 of FURIN was significantly associated with a decrease in the serum concentration of triglycerides (P=0.0293) and to an increase in the serum concentration of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (P=0.0460). The minor G allele of rs964184 of ZPR1 was significantly associated with increases in the serum concentration of triglycerides (P=6.2×10-9) and fasting plasma glucose level (P=0.0028) and to a decrease in the serum concentration of HDL cholesterol (P=0.0105). FURIN and ZPR1 may thus be susceptibility loci for MetS.

Association of SNP rs9939609 in FTO gene with metabolic syndrome in type 2 diabetic subjects, rectruited from a tertiary care unit of Karachi, Pakistan

Objective:

To determine the association of SNP in FTO gene, rs9939609, with Metabolic Syndrome (MS) in type 2 diabetic subjects at a tertiary care unit of Karachi, Pakistan.

Methods:

We genotyped FTO rs9939609 SNP in 296 patients with type 2 diabetes from the Out Patient Department (OPD) of Baqai Institute of Diabetology and Endocrinology (BIDE). MS was defined on the basis of International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and National Cholesterol Education program (NCEP) criterion. Association between the rs9939609 SNP and MS was tested through chi-square and Z-tests by using odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals.

Results:

The frequency of MS as defined by IDF criterion was significantly higher in female subjects as compared to male subjects (p= 0.006). Carriers of ≥ 1 copy of the rs9939609 A allele were significantly more likely to had MS (69.6%) than non-carriers (30.4%), corresponding to a carrier odds ratio (OR) of 0.52 (95% confidence interval [CI] (0.29-0.93), with a similar trend for the ATP III-defined MS.“A” allele carriers under dominant model, carry all the criterion of MS more significantly as compared to non-carriers.

Conclusion:

The FTO rs9939609 SNP was associated with an increased risk for Metabolic Syndrome in type 2 diabetic populations at a tertiary care unit of Karachi, Pakistan.

Is β-thalassaemia minor associated with metabolic disorder?

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the frequency of metabolic syndrome and its components in subjects with β-thalassaemia minor.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

A total of 194 subjects, i.e. 92 subjects with β-thalassaemia minor (study group) and 102 subjects without β-thalassaemia minor (control group), were enrolled into this case-control study. Haemoglobin electrophoresis was performed on all patients. The waist circumference and systolic and diastolic blood pressure of the subjects were recorded. Fasting blood glucose and serum lipid levels were measured.

RESULTS

Both groups were similar in terms of age and sex (p > 0.05 for each). The percentages of haemoglobin A2 (4.3 ± 0.4 vs. 2.0 ± 0.3) and haemoglobin F (3.38 ± 1.4 vs. 0.26 ± 0.4) and the mean corpuscular volumes (64 ± 4.7 vs. 81.5 ± 9.3) of the groups were statistically different (p < 0.001 for each). The frequency of metabolic syndrome and its components was similar in both groups (p > 0.05 for each). According to correlation analyses, the percentage of haemoglobin A2 correlated with fasting insulin, fasting glucose, systolic blood pressure, high-density lipoprotein, and low-density lipoprotein levels (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

No association was found between β-thalassaemia minor and metabolic syndrome despite insulin resistance, which was shown in subjects with β-thalassaemia minor.

Association of adiponectin promoter variants with traits and clusters of metabolic syndrome in Arabs: family-based study

Plasma levels of adiponectin are decreased in type 2 diabetes, obesity and hypertension. Our aim was to use a family-based analysis to identify the genetic variants of the adiponectin (ADIPOQ) gene that are associated with obesity, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia and hypertension, among Arabs. We screened 328 Arabs in one large extended family for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the promoter region of the ADIPOQ gene. Two common SNPs were detected: rs17300539 and rs266729. Evidences of association between traits related to the metabolic syndrome and the SNPs were studied by implementing quantitative genetic association analysis. Results showed that SNP rs266729 was significantly associated with body weight (p-value=0.001), waist circumference (p-value=0.037), BMI (p-value=0.015) and percentage of total body fat (p-value=0.003). Up to 4.1% of heritability of obesity traits was explained by the rs266729 locus. Further cross-sectional analysis showed that carriers of the G allele had significantly higher values of waist circumference, BMI and percentage of total body fat (p-values 0.014, 0.004 and 0.032, respectively). No association was detected between SNP rs266729 and other clusters of metabolic syndrome or their traits except for HOMA-IR and fasting plasma insulin levels, p-values 0.035 and 0.004, respectively. In contrast, both measured genotype and cross-sectional analysis failed to detect an association between the SNP rs17300539 with traits and clusters of metabolic syndrome. In conclusion, we showed family-based evidence of association of SNP rs266729 at ADIPOQ gene with traits defining obesity in Arab population. This is important for future prediction and prevention of obesity in population where obesity is in an increasing trend.

Metabolic hypertension: concept and practice

Hypertension is a serious public health problem worldwide. More than 60% of the risk factors for hypertension are associated with metabolic disturbances. Metabolic abnormalities increase the risk for hypertension and cause high blood pressure. Improving metabolic disturbances is beneficial for hypertension treatment. Due to the importance of metabolic abnormalities in the pathogenesis of hypertension, we propose a concept of metabolic hypertension. In this review, we discuss and review the clinical types, pathogenesis, risk evaluation and management of metabolic hypertension. Elucidation of the mechanism of metabolic hypertension should facilitate the design of novel pharmacotherapeutics and dedicated antihypertensive manipulations.

Oxidative damages in erythrocytes of patients with metabolic syndrome

The aim of the study was to estimate the changes caused by oxidative stress in structure and function of membrane of erythrocytes from patients with metabolic syndrome (MS). The study involved 85 patients with MS before pharmacological treatment and 75 healthy volunteers as a control group. Cholesterol level, lipid peroxidation, glutathione level (GSH), and antioxidant enzyme activities in erythrocytes were investigated. The damage to erythrocyte proteins was also indicated by means of activity of ATPase (total and Na⁺,K⁺ ATPase) and thiol group level. The membrane fluidity of erythrocytes was estimated by the fluorescent method. The cholesterol concentration and the level of lipid peroxidation were significantly higher, whereas the concentration of proteins thiol groups decreased in the patient group. ATPase and GSH peroxidase activities diminished compared to those in the control group. There were no differences in either catalase or superoxide dismutase activities. The membrane fluidity was lower in erythrocytes from patients with MS than in the ones from control group. These results show changes in red blood cells of patients with MS as a consequence of a higher concentration of cholesterol in the membrane and an increased oxidative stress.

Metabolism and the circadian clock converge

Circadian rhythms occur in almost all species and control vital aspects of our physiology, from sleeping and waking to neurotransmitter secretion and cellular metabolism. Epidemiological studies from recent decades have supported a unique role for circadian rhythm in metabolism. As evidenced by individuals working night or rotating shifts, but also by rodent models of circadian arrhythmia, disruption of the circadian cycle is strongly associated with metabolic imbalance. Some genetically engineered mouse models of circadian rhythmicity are obese and show hallmark signs of the metabolic syndrome. Whether these phenotypes are due to the loss of distinct circadian clock genes within a specific tissue versus the disruption of rhythmic physiological activities (such as eating and sleeping) remains a cynosure within the fields of chronobiology and metabolism. Becoming more apparent is that from metabolites to transcription factors, the circadian clock interfaces with metabolism in numerous ways that are essential for maintaining metabolic homeostasis.

Association of apolipoprotein A5 gene -1131T>C polymorphism with the risk of metabolic syndrome in Korean subjects

We assessed the associations between the APOA5  −1131T>C polymorphism and lipid parameters and other risk factors of the metabolic syndrome in Korean subjects. A total of 2,901 participants from 20 oriental medical hospitals in Korea were enrolled between 2006 and 2011. According to the modified National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III definitions, subjects were classified into the metabolic syndrome group and control group. The APOA5  −1131T>C genotype was significantly associated with serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (effect = − 1.700 mg/dL, P=6.550-E07) in the total study population after adjustment for differences in age and gender. The association of the APOA5  −1131T>C genotype with serum log-transformed triglyceride was also significant in an additive genetic model (effect = 0.056 mg/dL, P=2.286E-19). After adjustment for age and gender, we determined that the odds ratio for the occurrence of the metabolic syndrome was 1.322 for C-allele carriers in the additive model (95% CI = [1.165 − 1.501], P=1.48E-05). In the current study, we demonstrated that the APOA5  −1131T>C polymorphism is associated with the metabolic syndrome because of its remarkable effect on serum triglyceride levels in Korean subjects.

Rice-eating pattern and the risk of metabolic syndrome especially waist circumference in Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study (KoGES)

Background

Metabolic syndrome poses a serious health threat in Asian countries. Rice is a staple food in Korea, and carbohydrate intake is associated with the risk of MetS. We hypothesized that various rice-eating patterns in a carbohydrate-based diet would have different effects on the risk of MetS.

Methods

Participants were 26,006 subjects enrolled in the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study between 2004 and 2006. They were classified into four dietary patterns - white rice, rice with beans, rice with multi-grains, and mixed based on their food frequency questionnaire responses. We compared metabolic risk traits according to the rice-eating patterns.

Results

Nutrients consumption and the presence of MetS risk factors differed according to rice-eating patterns. In men odds ratio(OR) for central obesity was slightly elevated in mixed group(1.18). In women, the risk for central obesity and abnormal fasting glucose were lower in the rice with beans group (adjusted OR =0.79, 0.83 respectively) and central obesity in rice with multi-grains(adjusted OR=0.91) than the white rice group. In postmenopausal women, ORs for central obesity (0.78) and abnormal fasting glucose (0.75) in the rice with beans group and ORs for central obesity (0.83), abnormal HDL-cholesterol (0.87) and MetS(0.85) in the rice with multi-grains group was lower than those in white rice group. In premenopausal women, the risk for central obesity (OR=0.77) was reduced in the rice with beans group.

Conclusion

The risk for MetS was lower in the rice with beans and rice with multi-grains groups compared with the white rice group, particularly in postmenopausal women.

Antihyperglycemic activity with DPP-IV inhibition of alkaloids from seed extract of Castanospermum australe: Investigation by experimental validation and molecular docking

The antidiabetic actions of Castanospermum australe Cunn., seed (CAS) extract were evaluated in Poloxamer-407 (PX-407) induced T2DM rats. The CAS extract (100 and 150 mg/kg body weight) was administered orally once a day for 5 weeks after the animals were confirmed diabetic. A significant increase in blood glucose, HbA₁c and serum insulin levels were observed in T2DM rats in comparison to citrate control rats. Treatment with CAS extract in T2DM rats reduced the elevated levels of blood glucose, HbA₁c and insulin with significant (p≤0.001) improvement in OGT. The CAS extract treatment also increased (p≤0.001) the K(ITT) and prevented increase in HOMA-R level in T2DM rats. The DPP-IV inhibitory potential of CAS extract showed IC₅₀ value of 13.96 μg/ml whilst the standard Diprotin A displayed the IC₅₀ value of 1.543 μg/ml. Molecular docking of the three reported alkaloids from the seeds of C. australe showed comparable DPP-IV inhibition with berberine. Our data suggest that CAS extract (150 mg/kg body weight) normalizes hyperglycemia in T2DM rats with strong DPP-IV inhibitory potential. The molecular docking showed that among the three alkaloids of seed extract 7-Deoxy-6-epi-castanospermine is a potent DPP-IV inhibitor similar to berberine.

Genetics of glucose homeostasis: implications for insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome

This review summarizes the current understanding of the genetic basis of glucose homeostasis through genome-wide association scans and candidate gene studies of case-control and family-based designs. We highlight the implications of phenotype-direct (euglycemic clamp or frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test) and indirect (fasting insulin and fasting glucose) measures on the determinants of insulin resistance and β-cell response that precede and contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and the metabolic syndrome. Finally, we examine future approaches that may aid in understanding the biology of insulin resistance and T2DM. Over the past 2 decades, the prevalence of insulin resistance, the metabolic syndrome, and T2DM has increased. Ethnic differences in T2DM and insulin resistance are evident, with nonwhite populations having the greatest risk. There continue to be significant gaps in our knowledge regarding the metabolic, behavioral, and genetic determinants of these conditions. Understanding the genetic basis of glucose homeostasis, insulin resistance, and T2DM should provide insight on known and novel metabolic pathways that identify potential therapeutic targets and mechanisms for intervention.

Mitochondrial protein acylation and intermediary metabolism: regulation by sirtuins and implications for metabolic disease

The sirtuins are a family of NAD(+)-dependent protein deacetylases that regulate cell survival, metabolism, and longevity. Three sirtuins, SIRT3-5, localize to mitochondria. Expression of SIRT3 is selectively activated during fasting and calorie restriction. SIRT3 regulates the acetylation level and enzymatic activity of key metabolic enzymes, such as acetyl-CoA synthetase, long-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase, and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA synthase 2, and enhances fat metabolism during fasting. SIRT5 exhibits demalonylase/desuccinylase activity, and lysine succinylation and malonylation are abundant mitochondrial protein modifications. No convincing enzymatic activity has been reported for SIRT4. Here, we review the emerging role of mitochondrial sirtuins as metabolic sensors that respond to changes in the energy status of the cell and modulate the activities of key metabolic enzymes via protein deacylation.

The GH/IGF-1 Axis in Obesity: Physiological and Pathological Aspects

The cluster of cardiovascular risk factors-abdominal obesity, dyslipidaemia, insulin resistance and hypertension-has been recognized as the core of the metabolic syndrome. Adults with severe growth hormone (GH) deficiency have, to a large extent, features of the metabolic syndrome, and there is a strong inverse association between visceral fat accumulation and blunted GH secretion in adults. Hyposomatotropism in abdominal obesity has therefore been suggested to be of importance for its metabolic consequences. However, the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms are poorly understood. Prevalence of the metabolic syndrome is steadily increasing worldwide. Overnutrition and sedentary habits are the stigmata of modern society that predispose genetically susceptible individuals to develop central obesity and other features of the metabolic syndrome including glucose intolerance, hypertension and dyslipidemia. Although there are still no unified definitions of the syndrome, it is clear that this condition is associated with an increased risk for development of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and diabetes mellitus (DM). In this review, we discuss current evidence regarding alterations in the GH-IGF- 1 axis in abdominal obesity and its possible impact on other features of the metabolic syndrome.

Dietary intake is not associated to the metabolic syndrome in elderly women

Background:

The metabolic syndrome is a complex metabolic disturbance due to an interaction between genetic factors, poor dietary habits and physical inactivity.

Aims:

To investigate the role of dietary intake on the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in a population of elderly, socially active women in Brazil.

Patients and Methods:

A total of 284 women with mean age 69.3 ± 6.3 years were evaluated in a cross-sectional retrospective study. The metabolic syndrome was diagnosed according to criteria of the International Diabetes Federation. The dietary intake was evaluated through a questionnaire for 24-hour dietary recall. The groups with or without the metabolic syndrome were compared for dietary intake and risk factors for metabolic syndrome by the multiple regression model adjusted for age, smoking, physical activity, educational level, total energy intake and fiber contents of the diet. The odds ratio for the presence of the metabolic syndrome was calculated for each nutrient by quartile for total energy intake adjusted by the residue method.

Results:

The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 32% in the sample. There was not found any association between dietary intake, including all macronutrients and several micronutrients, and the presence of metabolic syndrome.

Conclusion:

No associations were observed between nutritional factors and the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in elderly women, a result possibly due to the fact that these factors have an influence in earlier phases of life, or to a recent modification of dietary habits, which however was not able to prevent the establishment of the syndrome.