Association of alcohol consumption with lipid profile in hypertensive men

Investigating the Impact of Long-Term Alcohol Consumption on Serum Chemical Changes: Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy for Human Blood Serum

Chronic alcohol consumption significantly impacts physiological and neurological functions. This study aimed to investigate the biochemical alterations in serum associated with long-term alcohol use using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Serum samples from control and alcohol use disorder (AUD) were analyzed, and their spectra were compared. Multivariate analysis techniques, including Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA), were employed to differentiate the groups. A machine learning model, Grid Search-Support Vector Machine Discriminant Analysis (GS-SVMDA), was developed to classify samples with high accuracy. Significant differences in the absorbance values of specific functional groups, particularly those associated with phospholipids, amides, and fatty acids revealed. The AUD exhibited lower levels of these biomolecules. The models achieved perfect classification, demonstrating the potential ofFTIR spectroscopy as a non-invasive tool for diagnosing AUD. Findings contribute to a better understanding of the biochemical mechanisms underlying alcohol addiction and may aid in the development of novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

Substance use and incidence of metabolic syndrome before midlife among military adults: the CHIEF cohort study

BACKGROUNDS

Habitual substance use, i. e., alcohol, tobacco and betel nut, has been found with an increased risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in the general population, whereas the association remains unclear in physically fit military personnel. This study aimed to investigate the combination of these substances use and their associations with new-onset MetS in the military.

METHODS

A total of 2,890 military men and women, aged 18-39 years, without MetS were obtained from the cardiorespiratory fitness and health in eastern armed forces study (CHIEF) in Taiwan and followed for incident MetS from baseline (2014) through the end of 2020. Incident MetS event was defined by the International Diabetes Federation guideline and confirmed in the annual health examinations. A self-report was used to assess the alcohol, tobacco and betel nut use status (active vs. former/never). Multivariable Cox regression model was performed to determine the association with adjustments for sex, age, body mass index and physical activity at baseline.

RESULTS

At baseline, there were 279 active betel nut chewers (9.7%), 991 active smokers (34.3%) and 1,159 active alcohol consumers (40.1%). During a mean follow-up of 6.0 years, 673 incident MetS (23.3%) were observed. As compared to no substance users, only one substance, and two and three substances users had a greater risk of incident MetS [hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals: 1.27 (1.06-1.54), 1.38 (1.12-1.69) and 1.78 (1.37-2.32), respectively]. In subgroup analyses, the risk of incident MetS in two and three substances users was significantly greater in those free of baseline low high-density lipoprotein [HRs: 1.54 (1.21-1.95) and 2.57 (1.92-3.46), respectively], as compared to their counterparts (both p for interactions <0.05).

CONCLUSION

A dose-response association of more substances use for new-onset MetS was noted in military personnel. This finding suggests that the combined alcohol, tobacco and betel nut use may play a role in the development of MetS. Further study is required to establish causation and to investigate the potential benefits of substance use cessation in reducing the risk of MetS.

Etiopathogenesis of Psoriasis: Integration of Proposed Theories

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by squamous and erythematous plaques on the skin and the involvement of the immune system. Global prevalence for psoriasis has been reported around 1-3% with a higher incidence in adults and similar proportions between men and women. The risk factors associated with psoriasis are both extrinsic and intrinsic, out of which a polygenic predisposition is a highlight out of the latter. Psoriasis etiology is not yet fully described, but several hypothesis have been proposed: 1) the autoimmunity hypothesis is based on the over-expression of antimicrobial peptides such as LL-37, the proteins ADAMTSL5, K17, and hsp27, or lipids synthesized by the PLA2G4D enzyme, all of which may serve as autoantigens to promote the differentiation of autoreactive lymphocytes T and unleash a chronic inflammatory response; 2) dysbiosis of skin microbiota hypothesis in psoriasis has gained relevance due to the observations of a loss of diversity and the participation of pathogenic bacteria such as Streptococcus spp. or Staphylococcus spp. the fungi Malassezia spp. or Candida spp. and the virus HPV, HCV, or HIV in psoriatic plaques; 3) the oxidative stress hypothesis, the most recent one, describes that the cell injury and the release of proinflammatory mediators and antimicrobial peptides that leads to activate of the Th1/Th17 axis observed in psoriasis is caused by a higher release of reactive oxygen species and the imbalance between oxidant and antioxidant mechanisms. This review aims to describe the mechanisms involved in the three hypotheses on the etiopathogeneses of psoriasis.

High diet quality indices associated with lower risk of lipid profile abnormalities in Taiwanese kidney transplant recipients

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and its risk factors seem to be linked with deteriorated graft function and persists as the major cause of mortality in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs). Diet quality is associated with CVD prevention in the healthy population, however, less study focuses on KTRs. The study aimed to determine the association between diet quality indices and lipid profile abnormalities as risk factors for CVD in KTRs. This prospective study enrolled 106 KTRs who had functioning allografts from September 2016. Lipid profiles included low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), total cholesterol (TC), and triglyceride (TG) and were based on the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III recommendations. Three-day dietary data were collected by a well-trained registered dietitian. The Alternative Healthy Eating Index-Taiwan (AHEI-Taiwan), Alternative Healthy Eating Index-2010 (AHEI-2010), and Healthy Eating Index-2015 (HEI-2015) scores were calculated and divided into quartiles and compared accordingly. KTRs' mean LDL-C, HDL-C, TC, and TG levels were 119.8 ± 36.6 mg/dL, 52.0 ± 17.9 mg/dL, 205.8 ± 43.9 mg/dL, and 160.2 ± 121.6 mg/dL, respectively. Compared with the lowest quartile, only the highest quartile of AHEI-Taiwan had lower TC and LDL-C levels. After adjustment for age, gender, energy, Charlson comorbidity index, transplant duration, and dialysis duration, logistic regression analysis revealed that the highest quartile of AHEI-Taiwan had 82% (odds ratio [OR], 0.18; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.04-0.72, p < 0.05) lower odds of high TC and 88% (OR 0.12; 95% CI 0.03-0.58, p < 0.05) lower odds of high LDL-C, and the highest quartile of HEI-2015 had 77% (OR 0.23; 95% CI 0.05-0.95, p < 0.05) lower odds of high LDL-C. Higher adherence to a healthy diet as per AHEI-Taiwan and HEI-2015 guidelines associated with lower risk of lipid profile abnormalities in KTRs.

Predictive risk markers in alcoholism

The medical disorders of alcoholism rank among the leading public health problems worldwide and the need for predictive and prognostic risk markers for assessing alcohol use disorders (AUD) has been widely acknowledged. Early-phase detection of problem drinking and associated tissue toxicity are important prerequisites for timely initiations of appropriate treatments and improving patient's committing to the objective of reducing drinking. Recent advances in clinical chemistry have provided novel approaches for a specific detection of heavy drinking through assays of unique ethanol metabolites, phosphatidylethanol (PEth) or ethyl glucuronide (EtG). Carbohydrate-deficient transferrin (CDT) measurements can be used to indicate severe alcohol problems. Hazardous drinking frequently manifests as heavy episodic drinking or in combinations with other unfavorable lifestyle factors, such as smoking, physical inactivity, poor diet or adiposity, which aggravate the metabolic consequences of alcohol intake in a supra-additive manner. Such interactions are also reflected in multiple disease outcomes and distinct abnormalities in biomarkers of liver function, inflammation and oxidative stress. Use of predictive biomarkers either alone or as part of specifically designed biological algorithms helps to predict both hepatic and extrahepatic morbidity in individuals with such risk factors. Novel approaches for assessing progression of fibrosis, a major determinant of prognosis in AUD, have also been made available. Predictive algorithms based on the combined use of biomarkers and clinical observations may prove to have a major impact on clinical decisions to detect AUD in early pre-symptomatic stages, stratify patients according to their substantially different disease risks and predict individual responses to treatment.

DNA Hypomethylation as a Potential Link between Excessive Alcohol Intake and Cardiometabolic Dysfunction in Morbidly Obese Adults

A large percentage of obese patients in the United States suffer a comorbid substance use disorder, mainly alcohol use. Alcohol consumption interferes with the absorption of dietary methyl donors such as folate required for the one-carbon metabolism pathway and subsequently for DNA methylation. In this study, we assessed the association between alcohol consumption and DNA methylation in obese subjects. We obtained visceral adipose tissue (VAT) biopsies from bariatric patients. DNA methylation of 94 genes implicated in inflammation and immunity were analyzed in VAT in relation to alcohol consumption data obtained via questionnaires. Vasoreactivity was measured in the brachial artery and the VAT-isolated arterioles. Pro-inflammatory genes were significantly hypomethylated in the heavy drinking category correlating with higher levels of circulating inflammatory cytokines. Alcohol consumption correlated positively with body mass index (BMI), fat percentage, insulin resistance, impaired lipid profile, and systemic inflammation and negatively with plasma folate and vitamin B12, inflammatory gene DNA methylation, and vasoreactivity. In conclusion, these data suggest that alcohol intake is associated with lower DNA methylation and higher inflammation and cardiometabolic risk in obese individuals.

Effect of Resveratrol Content in Red Wine on Circulating Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin: Lessons from a Pilot Clinical Trial

SCOPE

Low sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) levels are associated with higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Epidemiological studies have shown that red wine has beneficial effects on cardiovascular disease. In this work if resveratrol content in red wine increases SHBG levels is explored.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A pilot study aims at testing the effect of drinking for 14 days two types of red wine with different resveratrol content is conducted in 26 healthy volunteers. SHBG levels and several biochemical parameters are measured at the beginning and the end of every period. Results show that consumption of both wines does not change body mass index or biochemical markers of liver injury. The low resveratrol wine does not modify the lipid profile or SHBG levels. By contrast, red wine with high resveratrol content significantly reduces total cholesterol in both men and women. Finally, red wine with high resveratrol content increases circulating SHBG in women but not in men.

CONCLUSIONS

Red wine rich in resveratrol reduces total cholesterol in men and women and increases SHBG only in women. Further research aims at investigating the potential SHBG role enhancement mediated by resveratrol regarding cardiovascular protection that presents women in comparison with men seems warranted.

Cardiovascular Effects of Chocolate and Wine-Narrative Review

The consumption of food for pleasure is mainly associated with adverse health effects. This review was carried out to verify recent reports on the impact of chocolate and wine consumption on cardiovascular health, with a particular focus on atherosclerosis. On one side, these products have proven adverse effects on the cardiovascular system, but on the other hand, if consumed in optimal amounts, they have cardiovascular benefits. The submitted data suggest that the beneficial doses are 30–50 g and 130/250 mL for chocolate and wine, respectively, for women and men. The accumulated evidence indicates that the active ingredients in the products under consideration in this review are phenolic compounds, characterized by anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiplatelet properties. However, there are also some reports of cardioprotective properties of other compounds such as esters, amines, biogenic amines, amino acids, fatty acids, mineral ingredients, and vitamins. Our narrative review has shown that in meta-analyses of intervention studies, consumption of chocolate and wine was positively associated with the beneficial outcomes associated with the cardiovascular system. In contrast, the assessment with the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation) scale did not confirm this phenomenon. In addition, mechanisms of action of bioactive compounds present in chocolate and wine depend on some factors, such as age, sex, body weight, and the presence of additional medical conditions. Patients using cardiovascular drugs simultaneously with both products should be alert to the risk of pharmacologically relevant interactions during their use. Our narrative review leads to the conclusion that there is abundant evidence to prove the beneficial impact of consuming both products on cardiovascular health, however some evidence still remains controversial. Many authors of studies included in this review postulated that well-designed, longitudinal studies should be performed to determine the effects of these products and their components on atherosclerosis and other CVD (Cardiovascular Disease) disease.

Prevalence and associated factors of dyslipidaemia among university workers in Southeast Nigeria: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

The job one does for a living may increase ones propensity to cardiovascular diseases due to many associated risk factors. University staff may be at high risk of dyslipidaemia, a major cardiovascular disease risk factor. This study assessed prevalence of dyslipidaemia and its associated factors among the staff of University of Nigeria, Nsukka campus, Nigeria.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey of 386 workers selected through a 4-stage sampling technique was conducted. Data were obtained through questionnaire and lipid profile determination. Bivariate analysis using Cochran and Mantel-Haenszel test was used to determine associations between dyslipidaemia and selected variables. Odds ratios and significance at p < 0.05 were reported.

RESULTS

Respondents who were 46 years and above accounted for 51.3 % while 95.3 % had tertiary education. Administrative/technical staff were 76.4 % while academic staff were only 23.6 %; 73.8 % were senior staff and 26.2 % were junior staff. More than half (60.4 %) consumed alcohol above recommendation. Lipid biomarkers of the workers were not sex dependent (p > 0.05). Few (23.4 and 6.5 %) of the respondents had borderline high and high total cholesterol values, respectively. Whereas none (0.0 %) had low high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), borderline low values were observed among 1.3 %. High low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) affected 1.3 %. Triglyceride was high among 3.9 %; 20.8 % had high atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) and 2.6 % had impaired fasting blood glucose (IFBG). Dyslipidaemia had a prevalence of 54.5 % with female dominance. Hypercholesterolemia with high LDL-c was the commonest combined dyslipidaemia observed (7.8 %). Dyslipidaemia was dependent on hypercholesterolemia (OR = 0.352, 95 % C.I.=0.245-0.505), high LDL-c (OR = 0.462, 95 % C.I.=0.355-0.600) and hypertriglyceridemia (OR = 0.462, 95 % C.I.=0.355-0.600). Alcohol intake above normal was associated with almost 6 times higher risk of dyslipidaemia (OR = 5.625, 95 % C.I.=1.062-29.799).

CONCLUSIONS

Dyslipidaemia is a problem among the workers with hypercholesterolemia in combination with high LDL-c and hypertriglyceridemia compounding the problem. Nutrition education and physical activity are advocated to prevent cardiovascular events among the university staff.

Alcohol in Psoriasis-From Bench to Bedside

Alcohol affects the symptoms, compliance and comorbidities as well as the safety and efficacy of treatments in psoriatic patients. In this review, we aim to summarize and link clinical observations with a molecular background, such as signaling pathways at the cellular level and genetic variations, and to provide an overview of how this knowledge could influence our treatment selection and patient management.

A time course study on dose-response relationship between alcohol exposure and its effects on lipid profile and biomarkers of tissue damage

This present research investigated variations in lipid profiles and important biomarkers of tissue damage in response to graded concentrations of alcohol administration in male Wistar rats. Group A (control) received distilled water while group B, C and D received 30%, 40% and 50% (v/v) alcohol respectively. Five rats each from groups A-D were sacrificed after day(s) 1, 7, 14, 21 and 28 of administration. A significant increase was observed at day 28 for serum cholesterol by 79% (group B), 78% (group C) and 47% (group D) together with serum phospholipid 58% (group B), 50% (group C) and 92% (group D). Serum triacylglycerol increased by 71% (group B), 43% (group C) and 16% (group D) at day 21, while concentration of serum albumin decreased at day 28 by 40.9% (group B), 50.2% (group C), 53.3% (group D) respectively when compared with control (group A). Serum aminotransferases and alkaline phosphatase specific activities, as well as creatinine and uric acid concentration increased in a concentration-dependent manner, following alcohol administration. Though most of these effects induced by alcohol were time- and concentration-dependent, 40% alcohol appear to be more stable, giving results consistent with alcohol-induced damages, with minimal mortality. This study therefore further validated dyslipidemia and imbalance in clinical biomarkers as hallmarks of tissue damage induced by excessive alcohol consumption with an insight on the time- and concentration-response relationship between alcohol consumption and its toxicity.

Comorbidities and Outcome of Alcoholic and Non-Alcoholic Liver Cirrhosis in Taiwan: A Population-Based Study

The prognosis of different etiologies of liver cirrhosis (LC) is not well understood. Previous studies performed on alcoholic LC-dominated cohorts have demonstrated a few conflicting results. We aimed to compare the outcome and the effect of comorbidities on survival between alcoholic and non-alcoholic LC in a viral hepatitis-dominated LC cohort. We identified newly diagnosed alcoholic and non-alcoholic LC patients, aged ≥40 years old, between 2006 and 2011, by using the Longitudinal Health Insurance Database. The hazard ratios (HRs) were calculated using the Cox proportional hazards model and the Kaplan–Meier method. A total of 472 alcoholic LC and 4313 non-alcoholic LC patients were identified in our study cohort. We found that alcoholic LC patients were predominantly male (94.7% of alcoholic LC and 62.6% of non-alcoholic LC patients were male) and younger (78.8% of alcoholic LC and 37.4% of non-alcoholic LC patients were less than 60 years old) compared with non-alcoholic LC patients. Non-alcoholic LC patients had a higher rate of concomitant comorbidities than alcoholic LC patients (79.6% vs. 68.6%, p < 0.001). LC patients with chronic kidney disease demonstrated the highest adjusted HRs of 2.762 in alcoholic LC and 1.751 in non-alcoholic LC (all p < 0.001). In contrast, LC patients with hypertension and hyperlipidemia had a decreased risk of mortality. The six-year survival rates showed no difference between both study groups (p = 0.312). In conclusion, alcoholic LC patients were younger and had lower rates of concomitant comorbidities compared with non-alcoholic LC patients. However, all-cause mortality was not different between alcoholic and non-alcoholic LC patients.

Diet and Skin Aging-From the Perspective of Food Nutrition

We regularly face primary challenges in deciding what to eat to maintain young and healthy skin, defining a healthy diet and the role of diet in aging. The topic that currently attracts maximum attention is ways to maintain healthy skin and delay skin aging. Skin is the primary barrier that protects the body from external aggressions. Skin aging is a complex biological process, categorized as chronological aging and photo-aging, and is affected by internal factors and external factors. With the rapid breakthrough of medicine in prolonging human life and the rapid deterioration of environmental conditions, it has become urgent to find safe and effective methods to treat skin aging. For diet, as the main way for the body to obtain energy and nutrients, people have gradually realized its importance to the skin. Therefore, in this review, we discuss the skin structure, aging manifestations, and possible mechanisms, summarize the research progress, challenges, possible directions of diet management, and effects of foodborne antioxidants on skin aging from the perspective of food and nutrition.

Screening for Metabolic Syndrome Using an Integrated Continuous Index Consisting of Waist Circumference and Triglyceride: A Preliminary Cross-sectional Study

BACKGROUND

It has been suggested that hypertriglyceridemic waist (HW) phenotype is strongly associated with metabolic syndrome (MetS); however, there are very limited studies integrating triglyceride (TG) and waist circumference (WC) into a continuous variable to investigate the predictive power of this phenotype. Inspired from the triglyceride glucose index (TyG), we developed an integrated continuous index termed waist-triglyceride index (WTI) which was calculated as Ln [TG (mg/dl) WC (cm)/2].

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to examine the potential of WTI in screening for MetS by comparing this quantitative index with the qualitative HW phenotype and other frequently used indices.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted in a total of 3460 non-diabetic adults who participated in an annual health checkup. MetS was defined by the update National Cholesterol Education Program/Adult Treatment Panel ш criteria for Asian Americans. Receiving operating characteristic (ROC) curve and areas under the curve (AUC) were employed to evaluate the performance of the involved indices in screening for MetS. Statistical differences among the AUC values of the indices were compared.

RESULTS

In both genders, the AUC value of WTI, TyG or HW phenotype was markedly larger than that of each anthropometric index alone. In men, there were no statistical differences in the AUC values among WTI, TyG and HW phenotype, whereas in women, the AUC value of WTI was significantly larger than that of HW phenotype [difference between area (DBA): 0.042, 95% CI: 0.0224-0.0617, P < 0.0001] and was nominally and significantly smaller than that of TyG (DBA: 0.00646, 95% CI: 0.000903-0.012, P = 0.0227).

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that there are discriminatory performance between the WTI and HW phenotype in the detection of MetS in women rather than in men. Appropriate markers for screening MetS in population study should be considered according to the genders.

The impact of frequency, pattern, intensity, and type of alcohol consumption, and its combined effect with smoking on inflammation, lipid profile, and the risk of myocardial infarction

Aim

To determine the risk of myocardial infarction (MI) associated with pattern, frequency, and intensity of alcohol consumption, type of alcoholic beverage, and the combined effect of alcohol and smoking on risk of MI, inflammation, and lipid profile.

Method

A total of 423 cases with a first MI and 465 controls from the Maltese Acute Myocardial Infarction (MAMI) Study were analysed. Data was collected through an extensive interviewer-led questionnaire, along with measurements of various blood parameters. Medians and the Mann–Whitney test were used to assess effect of different drinking patterns, frequency, intensity, and smoking and drinking combinations on hs-CRP and lipid profile. Odds ratios, adjusted for the conventional risk factors of MI (AdjORs), were calculated as an estimate of the relative risk of MI.

Results

Regular alcohol consumption protected against MI [AdjOR 0.6 (95% CI 0.4–0.9)] while daily binge drinking increased risk [AdjOR 5.0 (95% CI 1.6–15.0)] relative to regular drinkers who did not binge drink. Whereas moderate weekly consumption of wine protected against MI, high weekly consumption of beer conveyed a deleterious effect. Alcohol consumption decreased risk of MI independent of smoking status. Frequent alcohol consumption was associated with higher HDL-, non-HDL-, total cholesterol and triglycerides, and lower hs-CRP. Total and HDL-cholesterol increased and BMI decreased with increasing quantity of weekly alcohol consumption relative to the non-regular drinkers. The effect of smoking on lipid profile and hs-CRP was less pronounced in current drinkers than in those who were non-regular drinkers.

Conclusion

The protective effect of alcohol consumption was dependent on the pattern, frequency, type, and intensity of alcohol consumed. Alcohol modified the effects of smoking on the lipid profile. Regular drinking attenuated the effect of smoking on hs-CRP and lipid profile.

Red Wine Consumption and Cardiovascular Health

Wine is a popular alcoholic beverage that has been consumed for hundreds of years. Benefits from moderate alcohol consumption have been widely supported by the scientific literature and, in this line, red wine intake has been related to a lesser risk for coronary heart disease (CHD). Experimental studies and meta-analyses have mainly attributed this outcome to the presence in red wine of a great variety of polyphenolic compounds such as resveratrol, catechin, epicatechin, quercetin, and anthocyanin. Resveratrol is considered the most effective wine compound with respect to the prevention of CHD because of its antioxidant properties. The mechanisms responsible for its putative cardioprotective effects would include changes in lipid profiles, reduction of insulin resistance, and decrease in oxidative stress  of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). The aim of this review is to summarize the accumulated evidence correlating moderate red wine consumption with prevention of CHD by focusing on the different mechanisms underlying this relationship. Furthermore, the chemistry of wine as well as chemical factors that influence the composition of the bioactive components of red wine are also discussed.

Psoriasis and alcohol

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that may be triggered or worsened by several factors, including alcohol. A higher than average alcohol consumption is common among individuals with psoriasis. Neurobiological signaling affected by alcohol intake includes a range of neurotransmitters, such as the dopaminergic, serotonergic, and tachykinergic systems, involved in reward and drug-seeking. These neurotransmitters may also have an impact on the inflammatory processes per se in psoriasis. Future therapy may, therefore, be targeted at neurotransmitter networks involved with both alcohol intake and the inflammatory processes.

Prevalence and associations of behavioural risk factors with blood lipids profile in Lebanese adults: findings from WHO STEPwise NCD cross-sectional survey

OBJECTIVE

To examine associations of behavioural risk factors, namely cigarette smoking, physical activity, dietary intakes and alcohol consumption, with blood lipids profile.

DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS

Data drawn from a cross-sectional study involving participants aged 18 years and over (n=363) from the nationwide WHO STEPwise Nutrition and Non-communicable Disease Risk Factor survey in Lebanon.

MEASURES

Demographic characteristics, behaviours and medical history were obtained from participants by questionnaire. Dietary assessment was performed using a 61-item Culture-Specific Food Frequency Questionnaire that measured food intake over the past year. Lipid levels were measured by the analysis of fasting blood samples (serum total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C)).

RESULTS

Current cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption and low physical activity were prevalent among 33.3%, 39.7% and 41.6% of the sample, respectively. The contributions of fat and saturated fat to daily energy intake were high, estimated at 36.5% and 11.4%, respectively. Abnormal levels of TC, TG, VLDL, LDL-C and HDL-C were observed for 55.4%, 31.4%, 29.2%, 47.5% and 21.8% of participants, respectively. Adjusting for potential confounders, cigarette smoking was positively associated with higher odds of TG and VLDL (OR=4.27; 95% CI 1.69 to 10.77; and 3.26; 95% CI 1.33 to 8.03, respectively) with a significant dose-response relationship (p value for trend=0.010 and 0.030, respectively). Alcohol drinking and high saturated fat intake (≥10% energy intake) were associated with higher odds of LDL-C (OR=1.68; 95% CI 1.01 to 2.82 and OR= 1.73; 95% CI 1.02 to 2.93). Physical activity did not associate significantly with any blood lipid parameter.

CONCLUSION

The demonstrated positive associations between smoking, alcohol drinking and high saturated fat intake with adverse lipoprotein levels lay further evidence for clinical practitioners, public health professionals and dietitians in the development of preventive strategies among subjects with a high risk of cardiovascular diseases in Lebanon and other neighbouring countries with similar epidemiological profile.

Association between SNPs of Circulating Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Levels, Hypercholesterolemia and Metabolic Syndrome

Background and Objectives: Four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs); rs6921438 and rs4416670 in LOC100132354-C6orf223, rs6993770 in ZFPM2, and rs10738760 in VLDLR-KCNV2 were reported to explain up to 50% of the heritability of vascular endothelial growth factor circulating levels. These SNPs were also studied for possible associations with circulating lipid levels in supposedly healthy European individuals and in a limited number of Iranian individuals with metabolic syndrome. To go further, the association of those four SNPs with plasma lipid parameters, hypercholesterolemia and metabolic syndrome (MetS) was assessed. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 460 individuals chosen from the general population. Demographic and clinical data were collected and DNA was extracted and genotyped using Kompetitive allele specific PCR (KASP™). A meta-analysis followed, combining our participants with the Iranian individuals (n = 336). Results: Whereas rs10738760 was associated with total cholesterol (Tchol) (p = 0.01), rs6993770 showed significant associations with both Tchol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels (p = 0.007 and p = 0.01 respectively). Using a multivariate logistic regression model adjusted for different confounding factors, we found that rs6993770 was associated with hypercholesterolemia, specifically high Tchol (p = 0.01) and LDL-C levels (p = 0.01). Furthermore, rs10738760 was positively associated with the risk of MetS in these individuals (p = 0.02) and in the meta-analysis (OR = 1.67, p = 0.01). Conclusion: Our results suggest that whereas rs6993770 in ZFPM2 was positively associated with hypercholesterolemia, rs10738760 (VLDLR-KCNV2) has a possible implication in MetS in two Middle Eastern populations.

The Joint Effects of Smoking and Alcohol Drinking on Lipid-Related Indices among Chinese Males-Comparing Exercise and Non-Exercise Groups

BACKGROUND

Smoking and drinking are two predisposing factors for dyslipidemia. Exercise has been proposed as a strategy to improve the blood lipids. However, it remains unclear how smoking and drinking jointly affect blood lipids and whether exercise influences their effects.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the effects of smoking and drinking, either alone or in combination, on lipid-related indices in both exercise and non-exercise groups among Chinese men.

METHODS

This study was conducted in a health examination center between 2015 and 2016. A sample of 6,179 male subjects was divided into exercise and non-exercise groups. Logistic and linear regression analyses were used to calculate the odds ratios for abnormal lipid-related indices and correlation coefficients between smoking/drinking and lipid-related indices.

RESULTS

In the study population, the percentage of stable smokers and stable drinkers was 46.3% (2,860/6,179) and 77.6% (4,795/6,179), respectively. An increased smoking amount was significantly associated with an elevated triglyceride (TG) level and a decreased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) level. Heavier smokers had higher odds ratios for high TG and low HDL-C. Heavier drinkers had higher levels of total cholesterol (TC), TG, and HDL-C and higher odds ratios for high TC and high TG but lower odds ratio for low HDL-C. The exercise group had lower TG levels and higher HDL-C levels than did the non-exercise group.

CONCLUSIONS

Both heavier smoking and heavier drinking were associated with poorer TG levels, and the results suggest that drinking may be helpful for HDL-C. Exercise may relieve the negative effects of smoking and drinking.

Relationship between duration of breast-feeding and obesity in korean women: The korea national health and nutrition examination survey (KNHANES) 2010-2012

OBJECTIVE

Breast-feeding is associated with maternal health, such as electrolyte metabolism, lipid profile and body component change. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between duration of breast-feeding and obesity in postmenopausal women.

METHODS

We analyzed data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) 2010-2012, a cross-sectional study in a Korean population. A total of 6621 postmenopausal women were analyzed.

RESULTS

Body mass index and waist circumference were greater in women who had breast-fed for 6 months or more than in those who had not (BMI: 23.7±0.1 vs 24.5±0.1, P<0.0001; WC: 80.6±0.4 vs 82.8±0.3, P<0.001). This association persisted after adjustment for confounding factors (BMI: odds ratio[OR]1.54, 95% confidence interval[CI] 1.19-2.0; WC: OR1.67, 95% CI 1.29-2.17). The duration of breast-feeding tended to increase with increasing BMI and WC (P for trend, 0.001 for each). The proportions of women with greater BMI and WC increased with increasing duration of breast-feeding (27.3% in ≤6 months vs 41.2% in >18months, P<0.0001).

CONCLUSION

The results of this study suggest that prolonged breast-feeding may be associated with greater BMI and WC among postmenopausal women.

Longitudinal study of alcohol consumption and HDL concentrations: a community-based study

Background: In cross-sectional studies and short-term clinical trials, it has been suggested that there is a positive dose-response relation between alcohol consumption and HDL concentrations. However, prospective data have been limited.Objective: We sought to determine the association between total alcohol intake, the type of alcohol-containing beverage, and the 6-y (2006-2012) longitudinal change in HDL-cholesterol concentrations in a community-based cohort.Design: A total of 71,379 Chinese adults (mean age: 50 y) who were free of cardiovascular diseases and cancer and did not use cholesterol-lowering agents during follow-up were included in the study. Alcohol intake was assessed via a questionnaire in 2006 (baseline), and participants were classified into the following categories of alcohol consumption: never, past, light (women: 0-0.4 servings/d; men: 0-0.9 servings/d), moderate (women: 0.5-1.0 servings/d; men: 1-2 servings/d), and heavy (women: >1.0 servings/d; men: >2 servings/d). HDL-cholesterol concentrations were measured in 2006, 2008, 2010, and 2012. We used generalized estimating equation models to examine the associations between baseline alcohol intake and the change in HDL-cholesterol concentrations with adjustment for age, sex, smoking, physical activity, obesity, hypertension, diabetes, liver function, and C-reactive protein concentrations.Results: An umbrella-shaped association was observed between total alcohol consumption and changes in HDL-cholesterol concentrations. Compared with never drinkers, past, light, moderate, and heavy drinkers experienced slower decreases in HDL cholesterol of 0.012 mmol · L^-1 · y^-1 (95% CI: 0.008, 0.016 mmol · L^-1 · y^-1), 0.013 mmol · L^-1 · y^-1 (95% CI: 0.010, 0.016 mmol · L^-1 · y^-1), 0.017 mmol · L^-1 · y^-1 (95% CI: 0.009, 0.025 mmol · L^-1 · y^-1), and 0.008 mmol · L^-1 · y^-1 (95% CI: 0.005, 0.011 mmol · L^-1 · y^-1), respectively (P < 0.0001 for all), after adjustment for potential confounders. Moderate alcohol consumption was associated with the slowest increase in total-cholesterol:HDL-cholesterol and triglyceride:HDL-cholesterol ratios. We observed a similar association between hard-liquor consumption and the HDL-cholesterol change. In contrast, greater beer consumption was associated with slower HDL-cholesterol decreases in a dose-response manner.Conclusion: Moderate alcohol consumption was associated with slower HDL-cholesterol decreases; however, the type of alcoholic beverage had differential effects on the change in the HDL-cholesterol concentration.

The changes in biochemical parameters due to wine consumption depending on gender

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of red wine consumption on the lipid profile and glucose in the group of male (13 men aged 34 - 64 years) and the group of female (11 women aged 28 - 57 years). Research consisted of moderate red wine consumption for 6 weeks. The dose of alcohol ranged from 200 to 300 mL per day of red wine Lemberger (Winery Masaryk, Slovakia). The blood samples were obtained after overnight fasting and were collected at baseline and after three days, three weeks and six weeks of wine consumption. Differences between male and female subjects were reflected in the results of different biochemical parameters in the dynamics of wine consumption. We found out that while in females the total cholesterol level did not change significantly and had a predominantly downward trend, for male subjects we observed at the beginning the slight increase of the levels, which, however, after 6 weeks of consumption significantly decreased from an initial value of 5.75 ±1.32 mmol.L-1 to 5.35 ±1.25 mmol.L-1 (p <0.05). The blood concentration of triglycerides in the dynamics of the experiment did not change significantly in either one gender, although small differences were observed, because while the female subjects had triglyceride development over consumption upward trend in male subjects it was vice versa. LDL-cholesterol changed significantly only in the group of female. Level of this lipid parameter decreased significantly during the six weeks of consumption of Lemberger from an initial value 3.37 ±0.68 mmol.L-1 to the lowest 2.99 ±0.61 mmol.L-1, which was recorded in the third week of consumption (p <0.0001), but statistically significant differences versus baseline we monitored after three days and six weeks of consumption (p <0.01). In the group of male, we did not observe such significant changes, but it should be noted, that the men had changes in LDL-cholesterol downward direction and all the values were in the range of benchmarks. In the group of female, HDL-cholesterol increased to 2.05 ±0.6 mmol.L-1 after six weeks of consumption from baseline of 1.7 ±0.69 mmol.L-1, and the difference was statistically significant (p <0.05), in the group of male, its level changed first significantly after three days of consumption of steep increase (1.46 ±0.61 mmol.L-1, p <0.05), and for the next six weeks, it was the significantly increase (1.59 ±0.5 mmol.L-1, p <0.01). The glucose concentration did not change significantly in the dynamics of wine consumption among men and women, and all the values were between the limits of the standard.

Causal Role of Alcohol Consumption in an Improved Lipid Profile: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study

INTRODUCTION

Health benefits of low-to-moderate alcohol consumption may operate through an improved lipid profile. A Mendelian randomization (MR) approach was used to examine whether alcohol consumption causally affects lipid levels.

METHODS

This analysis involved 10,893 European Americans (EA) from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study. Common and rare variants in alcohol dehydrogenase and acetaldehyde dehydrogenase genes were evaluated for MR assumptions. Five variants, residing in the ADH1B, ADH1C, and ADH4 genes, were selected as genetic instruments and were combined into an unweighted genetic score. Triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) and its subfractions (HDL2-c and HDL3-c), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), small dense LDL-c (sdLDL-c), apolipoprotein B (apoB), and lipoprotein (a) (Lp(a)) levels were analyzed.

RESULTS

Alcohol consumption significantly increased HDL2-c and reduced TG, total cholesterol, LDL-c, sdLDL-c, and apoB levels. For each of these lipids a non-linear trend was observed. Compared to the first quartile of alcohol consumption, the third quartile had a 12.3% lower level of TG (p < 0.001), a 7.71 mg/dL lower level of total cholesterol (p = 0.007), a 10.3% higher level of HDL2-c (p = 0.007), a 6.87 mg/dL lower level of LDL-c (p = 0.012), a 7.4% lower level of sdLDL-c (p = 0.037), and a 3.5% lower level of apoB (p = 0.058, poverall = 0.022).

CONCLUSIONS

This study supports the causal role of regular low-to-moderate alcohol consumption in increasing HDL2-c, reducing TG, total cholesterol, and LDL-c, and provides evidence for the novel finding that low-to-moderate consumption of alcohol reduces apoB and sdLDL-c levels among EA. However, given the nonlinearity of the effect of alcohol consumption, even within the range of low-to-moderate drinking, increased consumption does not always result in a larger benefit.

Differences in the lipid profile and hormone replacement therapy use in Korean postmenopausal women: the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) 2010-2012

Purpose

Hormonal changes after menopause can cause dyslipidemia by the cessation of endogenous estrogen. We analyzed the lipid profile of the Korean healthy menopausal women according to the use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

Methods

Data obtained from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) 2010–2012 were analyzed. The study included 428 healthy postmenopausal women with HRT (HRT group) and 1804 healthy postmenopausal women without HRT (NHRT group).

Results

After adjustment for confounding factors, total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) were lower in the HRT group than in the NHRT group (TC: 200.1 ± 2.0 vs. 204.9 ± 1.1, P = 0.04; LDL: 120.3 ± 1.0 vs. 124.5 ± 1.0 mg/ml, P = 0.033). Triglycerides (TG) were lower in the HRT group than in the NHRT group [106.8, (95 % CI 99.8–114.3) vs. 115.1 (95 % CI 111.8–118.5), P = 0.04]. Non-high-density lipoprotein (HDL) was lower in the HRT group than in the NHRT group (145.4 ± 1.9 vs. 151.2 ± 1.0 mg/ml, P = 0.008). Patients with HRT were lower in the LDL cholesterol level (OR 0.601, 95 % CI 0.397–0.917, P = 0.018), the total cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein ratio (OR 0.787, 95 % CI 0.617–0.997, P = 0.016), and the non-HDL level (OR 0.68, 95 % CI 0.509–0.907, P = 0.009).

Conclusion

The results of this study suggest that the use of HRT may have a positive effect on dyslipidemia in postmenopausal women.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, and mixed dyslipidemia: how similar, how different, and how to treat?

Individuals with mixed atherogenic dyslipidemia, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and metabolic syndrome are at high risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD) and can often benefit greatly from preventive lifestyle and medical interventions. These conditions typically co-exist in an individual, and the lipid profiles associated with them have several features in common. The worldwide prevalence of T2DM, atherogenic dyslipidemia, and metabolic syndrome is increasing, particularly in southern Asia and the Middle East. Statins can lower low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and reduce the risk of CVD in these high-risk individuals, but there is a residual risk of CVD associated with additional lipid abnormalities, such as high levels of triglycerides and low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. These abnormalities are commonly found in patients with T2DM and metabolic syndrome. Additional lipid-modifying therapies that target these abnormalities, such as fibrates and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, may be able to improve lipid profiles and further reduce the risk of CVD in these patients.

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome: association with risk factors and cardiovascular complications in an urban population

Introduction

Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a set of cardiovascular risk factors and type 2 diabetes, responsible for a 2.5-fold increased cardiovascular mortality and a 5-fold higher risk of developing diabetes.

Objectives

1-to evaluate the prevalence of MS in individuals over 18 years associated with age, gender, socioeconomic status, educational levels, body mass index (BMI), HOMA index and physical activity; moreover, to compare it to other studies; 2-to compare the prevalence of elevated blood pressure (BP), high triglycerides and plasma glucose levels, low HDL cholesterol and high waist circumference among individuals with MS also according to gender; 3-to determine the number of risk factors in subjects with MS and prevalence of complications in individuals with and without MS aged over 40 years.

Methods

A cross-sectional study of 1369 Individuals, 667 males (48.7%) and 702 females (51.3%) was considered to evaluate the prevalence of MS and associated factors in the population.

Results

The study showed that 22.7% (95% CI: 19.4% to 26.0%) of the population has MS, which increases with age, higher BMI and sedentary lifestyle. There was no significant difference between genders until age ≥70 years and social classes. Higher prevalence of MS was observed in lower educational levels and higher prevalence of HOMA positive among individuals with MS. The most prevalent risk factors were elevated blood pressure (85%), low HDL cholesterol (83.1%) and increased waist circumference (82.5%). The prevalence of elevated BP, low HDL cholesterol and plasma glucose levels did not show significant difference between genders. Individuals with MS had higher risk of cardiovascular complications over 40 years.

Conclusion

The prevalence of MS found is similar to that in developed countries, being influenced by age, body mass index, educational levels, physical activity, and leading to a higher prevalence of cardiovascular complications after the 4th decade of life.

High intraocular pressure is associated with cardiometabolic risk factors in South Korean men: Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2008-2010

OBJECTIVE

Elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) contributes to the progression of visual defects such as glaucoma. This study determined whether metabolic syndrome (MetS) and cardiovascular risk factors are associated with IOP in South Korean men.

METHODS

We analyzed data on 4875 men who participated in the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2008-2010. We recorded the values for age, weight, height, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), fasting blood glucose (FBG), insulin, homeostasis model assessment of estimated insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglyceride (TG), non-HDL-C (NHDL-C), and TG/HDL-C, as well as sociodemographic factors. IOP was measured using Goldmann applanation tonometry.

RESULTS

Weight, BMI, WC, SBP, DBP, FBG, insulin, HOMA-IR, TC, LDL-C, TG, NHDL-C, TG/HDL-C, and the prevalence of MetS differed significantly among the three groups with IOP (P<0.05). Mean IOP was higher in subjects who were obese and had hypertension, diabetes mellitus, MetS, abdominal obesity, high TG, high FBG, or high BP compared with normal subjects (P<0.005). Analysis using Pearson's correlation coefficient showed that all cardiometabolic risk factors were significantly associated with IOP (P<0.005), with the exception of WC and HDL-C. A multivariate linear regression analysis showed that IOP was positively correlated with BMI, SBP, DBP, FBG, HOMA-IR, TC, LDL-C, TG, NHDL-C, and TG/HDL-C after adjusting for all covariates (all P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Cardiometabolic risk factors, including the components of MetS, are associated with increased IOP.

Sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity and their association with dyslipidemia in Korean elderly men: the 2008-2010 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

BACKGROUND

Recently, aging has been shown to be associated with sarcopenic obesity (SO), of which decreased muscle mass and increased fat mass are features. Sarcopenia and obesity alone are known to be associated with abnormal lipid metabolism. However, it remains unclear whether SO has greater adverse effects on dyslipidemia than on sarcopenia or obesity alone.

AIM

We aimed to investigate the association between SO and dyslipidemia in elderly Koreans.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

This study was based on data collected during the 2008-2010 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. We included 1,466 men and 2,017 women aged 65 years and over. Sarcopenia was indicated in participants with height- or weight-adjusted appendicular skeletal muscle that was 1 standard deviation below the sex-specific mean for the young reference group, and obesity was defined as a body mass index ≥ 25 kg/m(2). Dyslipidemia was defined according to the National Cholesterol Education Program-Adult Treatment Panel III.

RESULTS

After adjusting for confounding factors, the SO group had a higher risk for dyslipidemia [odds ratio (OR) 2.82 (95 % confidence interval 1.76-4.51)] than the obese group [2.12 (1.11-4.07)] and sarcopenic group [1.46 (1.01-2.11)] (p < 0.001) only in men. Furthermore, the SO group in men had the highest OR for hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, hypo-high-density lipoprotein cholesterolemia, hyper-low-density lipoprotein cholesterolemia, and a high ratio of triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol even after further adjustments.

CONCLUSIONS

In Korean elderly men, SO was associated with an increased risk for dyslipidemia compared with sarcopenia or obesity alone.

Alcohol and plasma triglycerides

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This study reviews recent developments concerning the effects of alcohol on plasma triglycerides. The focus will be on population, intervention and metabolic studies with respect to alcohol and plasma triglycerides.

RECENT FINDINGS

Alcohol consumption and fat ingestion are closely associated and stimulated by each other via hypothalamic signals and by an elevated cephalic response. A J-shaped relationship between alcohol intake and plasma triglycerides has been described. A normal body weight, polyphenols in red wine and specific polymorphisms of the apolipoprotein A-V and apolipoprotein C-III genes may protect against alcohol-associated hypertriglyceridemia. In contrast, obesity exaggerates alcohol-associated hypertriglyceridemia and therefore the risk of pancreatitis.

SUMMARY

High alcohol intake remains harmful since it is associated with elevated plasma triglycerides, but also with cardiovascular disease, alcoholic fatty liver disease and the development of pancreatitis. Alcohol-induced hypertriglyceridemia is due to increased very-low-density lipoprotein secretion, impaired lipolysis and increased free fatty acid fluxes from adipose tissue to the liver. However, light to moderate alcohol consumption may be associated with decreased plasma triglycerides, probably determined by the type of alcoholic beverage consumed, genetic polymorphisms and lifestyle factors. Nevertheless, patients should be advised to reduce or stop alcohol consumption in case of hypertriglyceridemia.

Associations between dietary patterns and hypertension among Korean adults: the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2008-2010)

The objective of this study is to identify the dietary patterns associated with the risk of hypertensions among Korean adults using data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES, 2008-2010). This study analyzes data from 11,883 subjects who participated in the health and nutrition survey, aging from 20 to 64 years. We performed factor analysis based on the weekly mean intake frequencies of 36 food groups to identify major dietary patterns. We identified three major dietary patterns in both sexes, namely "traditional", "western" and "dairy and carbohydrate" patterns. Participants in the highest quartile of western pattern scores had significantly higher blood pressure, serum total cholesterol, and triglyceride levels than those in the lowest quartile. Although not statistically significant, a trend (P for trend = 0.0732) toward a positive association between the western dietary pattern and hypertension risk was observed after adjustments for age, sex, education, income, body mass index (BMI), smoking, physical activity, and energy intake. The dairy and carbohydrate pattern was inversely related with BMI and blood pressures and positively associated with serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol. After adjusting the age, sex, education, income, BMI, smoking, physical activity and energy intake, the dairy and carbohydrate pattern showed inverse associations with hypertension prevalence (OR = 0.64, 95% CI = 0.55-0.75; P for trend < 0.0001). Intakes of fiber, sodium, and antioxidant vitamins were significantly higher in the top quartile for the traditional pattern than in the lowest quartile for the traditional pattern (P for trend < 0.0001). Intakes of fiber (P for trend < 0.0001), calcium (P for trend < 0.0001), retinol (P for trend = 0.0164), vitamin B₁ (P for trend = 0.001), vitamin B₂ (P for trend < 0.0001), niacin (P for trend = 0.0025), and vitamin C (P for trend < 0.0001) were significantly increased across quartiles for the dairy and carbohydrate pattern whereas sodium (P for trend < 0.0001) intake was decreased for this pattern. In conclusion, the dairy and carbohydrate pattern may be associated with a reduced risk of hypertension whereas the western pattern may be associated with an increased risk of hypertension among Korean adults.

Effects of wine, alcohol and polyphenols on cardiovascular disease risk factors: evidences from human studies

AIMS

The aim of this review was to focus on the knowledge of the cardiovascular benefits of moderate alcohol consumption, as well as to analyze the effects of the different types of alcoholic beverages.

METHODS

Systematic revision of human clinical studies and meta-analyses related to moderate alcohol consumption and cardiovascular disease (CVD) from 2000 to 2012.

RESULTS

Heavy or binge alcohol consumption unquestionably leads to increased morbidity and mortality. Nevertheless, moderate alcohol consumption, especially alcoholic beverages rich in polyphenols, such as wine and beer, seems to confer cardiovascular protective effects in patients with documented CVD and even in healthy subjects.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, wine and beer (but especially red wine) seem to confer greater cardiovascular protection than spirits because of their polyphenolic content. However, caution should be taken when making recommendations related to alcohol consumption.

Low bone mineral density is associated with dyslipidemia in South Korean men: the 2008-2010 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

This study examined the relationship between bone mineral density (BMD) and dyslipidemia in South Korean men. Data from 6,300 men who participated in the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2008 to 2010 were analyzed, including serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and triglyceride (TG) after 8 hours of fasting and mean BMD measured at the lumbar spine (LS), total hip (TH), and femoral neck (FN). Dyslipidemia was defined according to the criteria of the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III. Other parameters of dyslipidemia were also calculated, such as TG/HDL-C, TC/HDL-C, non-HDL-C (NHDL-C), and LDL-C/HDL-C. Men with dyslipidemia and high levels of TG, TG/HDL-C, TC/HDL-C, NHDL-C, and LDL-C/HDL-C had lower BMD than men without dyslipidemia at the LS, TH, and FN after adjustment for age and body mass index (all p<0.01). On multivariable regression analysis, all odds ratios for high levels of TG, TG/HDL-C, TC/HDL-C, NHDL-C, and LDL-C/HDL-C with an increase in BMD (per standard deviation) were <1 at all 3 sites after adjustment for age and body mass index (model 1). After adjustment for all covariates, only odds ratios for high levels of TG, TG/HDL-C, TC/HDL-C, and NHDL-C were <1 at all 3 sites (model 2), but an increase in BMD was not associated with high LDL-C levels in models 1 and 2. In conclusion, BMD was inversely correlated with parameters of atherogenic dyslipidemia in South Korean men.