Trans-fatty Acids and Survival in Renal Transplantation

Nutritional Parameters in Early and Late Kidney Transplantation

BACKGROUND

Kidney transplantation (KT) has the advantage of providing a better quality of life and freedom for the patient. However, nutritional changes can occur, with clinical repercussions. The aim of the study was to compare the nutritional status in the initial and late post-KT period.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 169 outpatients post-KT. Clinical, demographic, biochemical, food intake, handgrip strength (HGS), and anthropometric data were collected from medical records for the first nutritional care after KT. Statistical tests were performed to compare the groups according to the time of KT: early (≤1 year) and late (>1 year). The level of significance adopted was 5%.

RESULTS

The median age of the patients was 46 years (range, 38-57), 50.3% were men, and it was observed that 66.9% underwent KT with a deceased donor. There was a higher prevalence of diabetes mellitus (42.6% vs 23.5%; P = .011), and higher body mass index (28.80 ± 7.26 vs 26.51 ± 6.62 kg/m²; P = .046), arm muscle circumference (25.84 ± 4.63 vs 24.09 ± 3.36 cm; P = .019), and HGS (26.97 ± 10.70 vs 20.21 ± 10.83 kg; P = .010) in patients with late KT. Linear regression analysis showed that at each log of time, there was an increase of 1.90 kg in HGS (P = .045) and 0.48 cm (P = .036) in mid-arm muscle circumference.

CONCLUSION

The present study demonstrated that late kidney transplantation was associated with higher values of body mass index, mid-arm muscle circumference, and HGS.

Plasma Trans Fatty Acid Levels, Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Lifestyle: Results from the Akershus Cardiac Examination 1950 Study

Intake of industrially produced trans fatty acids (iTFAs) has previously been associated with dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, hypertension and inflammation, as well as increased cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality. iTFA intake declined in Norway after the introduction of legislative bans against iTFA consumption. However, the relationship between the current iTFA intake and CV health is unclear. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between current iTFA intake, reflected by plasma iTFA levels, and established CV risk factors. We also examined the associations between plasma ruminant TFA levels and CV risk factors. In this cross-sectional study, we included 3706 participants from a Norwegian general population, born in 1950 and residing in Akershus County, Norway. The statistical method was multivariable linear regression. Plasma iTFA levels were inversely associated with serum triglycerides (p < 0.001), fasting plasma glucose (p < 0.001), body mass index (p < 0.001), systolic and diastolic blood pressure (p = 0.001 and p = 0.03) and C-reactive protein (p = 0.001). Furthermore, high plasma iTFA levels were associated with higher education and less smoking and alcohol consumption. We found that plasma ruminant trans fatty acids (rTFA) levels were favorably associated with CV risk factors. Furthermore, plasma iTFA levels were inversely associated with CV risk factors. However, our results might have been driven by lifestyle factors. Overall, our findings suggest that the current low intake of iTFAs in Norway does not constitute a threat to CV health.