Association between insulin resistance and the development of cardiovascular disease

Inflammatory and metabolic markers mediate the association of hepatic steatosis and fibrosis with 10-year ASCVD risk

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Liver steatosis and fibrosis increase the predicted 10-year atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk, though the roles of chronic inflammation and metabolic dysregulation remain unclear. This cross-sectional study quantitatively assesses this association and evaluates the mediating effects of metabolic dysregulation and chronic inflammation.

METHODS

In this study, we enrolled 6110 adults from ten communities in Canton, China. Hepatic steatosis and fibrosis were assessed using vibration-controlled transient elastography (VCTE) through controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) and liver stiffness measurement (LSM), while predicted 10-year ASCVD risk was calculated using the China-PAR project model. Associations between CAP/LSM values and predicted 10-year ASCVD risk were analyzed. Mediation analysis quantified the effects of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), remnant cholesterol (RC), and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C). The main statistical methods used included logistic regression, restricted cubic splines (RCS) analysis, interaction calculations, and mediation analysis to examine the relationships and mediators.

RESULTS

The study population had a mean age of 50.1 years (SD = 9.7), with 3927 females (64.3%) and 2183 males (35.7%). Additionally, 808 participants (13.2%) had type 2 diabetes, and 1911 participants (31.3%) had hypertension. Compared to the first CAP quartile (Q1), higher CAP quartiles showed increased odds ratios (OR) for predicted moderate to high 10-year ASCVD risk: 1.14 (0.89, 1.45), 1.37 (1.08, 1.73), and 2.44 (1.93, 3.10). Mediation analysis showed hs-CRP and HOMA-IR mediated CAP's link to ASCVD risk, with mediation proportions of 15.40% and 27.37%. RC and non-HDL-C mediated this association at 7.12% and 6.26%. Among patients with hepatic steatosis (CAP ≥ 248 dB/m), LSM Q4 participants had a significantly higher predicted 10-year ASCVD risk than those in LSM Q1 (OR 2.22, [1.52, 3.25]), with hs-CRP and HOMA-IR mediating 2.62% and 13.75%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Liver steatosis and fibrosis were associated with the increased predicted ASCVD risk, with mediation effects from hs-CRP, HOMA-IR, RC, and non-HDL-C.

The triglyceride-glucose index and acute kidney injury risk in critically ill patients with coronary artery disease

BACKGROUND

The triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index, proven a reliable and simple surrogate of insulin resistance, has shown potential associations with cardiovascular outcomes and renal diseases. This research delved into the utility of the TyG index in predicting the risk of acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), an area not extensively covered in existing literature.

METHODS

A cohort of patients with CAD was recruited from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care-IV database, and categorized into quartiles based on their TyG index. The primary outcome was AKI incidence, and the secondary outcome was renal replacement therapy (RRT). Scatterplot histograms, cox proportional hazards models, Kaplan-Meier survival curves, and restricted cubic splines were employed to investigate the association between the TyG index and the risk of AKI in patients with CAD.

RESULTS

A total of 1,501 patients were enrolled in this study, predominantly male (61.56%), with a median age of 69.80 years. The AKI incidence was 67.22% among all patients, with the AKI stages increased with higher TyG levels (P for trend <0.001). The Kaplan-Meier survival analyses demonstrated statistically significant differences in AKI incidence and RRT application throughout the entire cohort, stratified by the TyG index quartiles (p < 0.001). Additionally, the restricted cubic spline analysis revealed a non-linear association between the TyG index and the risk of AKI (P for non-linear =0.637). Both multivariate Cox proportional hazards analyses (HR 1.62; 95% CI 1.15-2.27; p = 0.005) and multivariate logistic regression analyses (OR 2.16; 95% CI 1.18-3.94; p = 0.012) showed that the elevated TyG index was significantly related to AKI incidence. The association between TyG index and the risk of AKI is more significant in patients without diabetes (HR 1.27; 95% CI 1.14-1.42; p < 0.001), compared to patients with diabetes (P for interaction =0.013).

CONCLUSIONS

In summary, the TyG index emerged as a reliable predictor for the occurrence of AKI in CAD patients during ICU stay. Furthermore, it is also anticipated to serve as a valuable indicator for non-diabetic patients in predicting the incidence of AKI.

Left Ventricular Hypertrophy in Women With a History of Preeclampsia

BACKGROUND

As a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy, preeclampsia is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality later in life. Since early signs of myocardial affection could indicate a higher risk of future cardiovascular disease manifestations, we investigated whether women with prior preeclampsia have a higher prevalence of left ventricular hypertrophy compared with women from the general population and to what extent chronic hypertension affects any potential difference.

METHODS

In a cohort study, women aged 40 to 55 years with prior preeclampsia were compared with age- and parity-matched women from the general population. They underwent a research cardiac computed tomography, and the primary outcome was left ventricular hypertrophy, defined as a left ventricular mass index >30 g/m2.7.

RESULTS

In 679 women with prior preeclampsia and 672 controls (median age, 47 years), we found a higher prevalence of left ventricular hypertrophy (14.0% versus 6.4%) in the preeclampsia group with an odds ratio of 1.62, 95% CI (1.07-2.46), P=0.024, median of 15 years (range, 0-28) after pregnancy, after adjustment for cardiovascular risk factors, including chronic hypertension. Left ventricular hypertrophy was more frequent among women with preeclampsia with (26.2% versus 15.6%) and without (5.5% versus 2.4%) chronic hypertension, and a mediation analysis showed that chronic hypertension explained 22% of the association between preeclampsia and left ventricular hypertrophy.

CONCLUSIONS

Women with prior preeclampsia had a 2-fold higher prevalence of left ventricular hypertrophy compared with women from the general population, and preeclampsia was independently associated with left ventricular hypertrophy, regardless of the presence of cardiovascular risk factors, including chronic hypertension.

REGISTRATION

URL: https://www.clinicalTrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT03949829.

Features, functions, and associated diseases of visceral and ectopic fat: a comprehensive review

Obesity is a complex, chronic, and recurrent disease marked by abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that poses significant health risks. The distribution of body fat, especially ectopic fat deposition, plays a crucial role in the development of chronic metabolic diseases. Under normal conditions, fatty acids are primarily stored in subcutaneous adipose tissue; however, excessive intake can lead to fat accumulation in visceral adipose tissue and ectopic sites, including the pancreas, heart, and muscle. This redistribution is associated with disruptions in energy metabolism, inflammation, and insulin resistance, impairing organ function and raising the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and fatty liver. This review explores the roles of visceral and ectopic fat in the development of insulin resistance and related diseases such as type 2 diabetes and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease. Specifically, we examine the structure and characteristics of different fat types, their associations with disease, and the underlying pathogenic mechanisms. Future strategies for managing obesity-related diseases may include lifestyle modifications, surgical interventions, and emerging medications that target lipid metabolism and energy regulation, aiming to improve patient outcomes.

Enhanced Stroke Risk Stratification Using Triglyceride-Glucose-Waist Circumference in Chinese Adults Without Diabetes

INTRODUCTION

Insulin resistance is a well-establsihed risk factor for stroke. However, the relationship between triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index; its modified indices‒TyG-waist circumference (TyG-WC); TyG-waist-to-height ratio (TyG-WHtR); and TyG-BMI and the risk of stroke in populations without diabetes remains underexplored.

METHODS

Data from the CHARLS on 4,029 participants without diabetes aged 45+ years at baseline (2011‒2012) were analyzed, with follow-ups through 2020. Statistical analysis and modeling were performed in 2024. Incident strokes occurring between 2015 and 2020 were examined. TyG and its modified indices were categorized into tertiles and analyzed based on baseline levels, changes over time, and cumulative measures. Changes in TyG and its modified indices were identified using K-means clustering, while cumulative indices were calculated using a formula: (TyG2012+TyG2015)/2 × time (2015-2012).

RESULTS

Between 2015 and 2020, 225 participants (5.6%) experienced a stroke. After full adjustment, for cofounders only TyG-WC remained significantly associated at each level across its baseline levels, changes, and cumulative measures (p<0.05), outperforming TyG, TyG-WHtR and TyG-BMI. Compared to Tertile 1, AORs (95% CIs) for stroke associated with TyG-WC were 1.64 (1.10, 2.47) in Tertile 2 and 1.79 (1.15, 2.82) in Tertile 3. For changes in TyG-WC, ORs (95% CIs) were 1.70 (1.14, 2.60) in Class 2 and 1.80 (1.11, 2.97) in Class 3. Regarding cumulative TyG-WC, the ORs (95% CIs) were 1.61 (1.08, 2.41) for Tertile 2 and 1.70 (1.10, 2.66) for Tertile 3. Additionally, TyG-WC demonstrated superior predictive performance for stroke compared to other indices.

CONCLUSIONS

TyG-WC is strongly associated with stroke risk in populations without diabetes, offering superior risk stratification compared to other TyG indices.

Association Between Estimated Glucose Disposal Rate and Stroke in Middle-Aged and Older Chinese Adults: A Nationwide Prospective Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

The estimated glucose disposal rate (eGDR) is recognized as a reliable marker of insulin resistance. However, the association between eGDR and the risk of stroke remains unclear.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A total of 13 706 middle-aged and older participants were enrolled from CHARLS (China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study). The primary end point was the occurrence of stroke events. The Kaplan-Meier curves, Cox proportional hazard models, and restricted cubic spline analysis were applied to explore the association between eGDR and the risk of stroke according to sex, age, and glycemic status. A total of 1101 stroke events were recorded. Our findings revealed a significant nonlinear relationship between eGDR and the occurrence of stroke. The association was similar between men (hazard ratio [HR], 0.83 [95% CI, 0.80-0.87]) and women (HR, 0.86 [95% CI, 0.80-0.87]), as well as among participants with normal glucose tolerance (HR, 0.83 [95% CI, 0.79-0.87]), prediabetes (HR, 0.85 [95% CI, 0.82-0.89]), and diabetes (HR, 0.87 [95% CI, 0.82-0.92]). However, the association was stronger in middle-aged participants (HR, 0.82 [95% CI, 0.78-0.86]) compared with older individuals (HR, 0.87 [95% CI, 0.83-0.90]; P for interaction=0.019).

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates that lower eGDR levels are significantly linked to increased stroke risk. The relationship between eGDR and stroke risk was similar across different sexes and glycemic statuses and was stronger in middle-aged participants compared with older participants.

The role of estimated glucose disposal rate in predicting cardiovascular risk among general and diabetes mellitus population: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Estimated glucose disposal rate (eGDR) is a measure of insulin sensitivity. While recent evidence suggests its role in cardiovascular risk assessment in Type 1 diabetes, its associations with cardiovascular disease (CVD), diabetic microvascular complications (DMC), and mortality across different populations remain unclear.

METHODS

We systematically searched Medline, EMBASE, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library up to September 1st, 2024, following PRISMA guidelines. We examined associations between eGDR and CVD, DMC (including diabetic retinopathy, nephropathy, and peripheral neuropathy), and all-cause mortality using random-effects models. Secondary analysis assessed mean eGDR levels in diabetes populations.

RESULTS

Nineteen observational studies (185,810 participants) examined clinical outcomes, while 50 studies reported mean eGDR values. In patients with Type 1 diabetes (T1DM), each 1-unit (mg/kg/min) increase in eGDR was associated with lower risks of CVD (HR 0.78; 95% CI 0.69-0.87; I2 = 68%) and all-cause mortality (HR 0.83; 95% CI 0.79-0.88; I2 = 0%). The association between eGDR and DMC in T1DM was not statistically significant (HR 0.86; 95% CI 0.72-1.03; I2 = 25%). In patients with Type 2 diabetes (T2DM), each 1-unit (mg/kg/min) increase in eGDR was associated with reduced all-cause mortality (HR 0.90; 95% CI 0.84-0.97; I2 = 62%). Similarly, in the general population, each 1-unit (mg/kg/min) increase in eGDR was associated with decreased mortality risk (HR 0.88; 95% CI 0.82-0.94; I2 = 48%). The pooled mean eGDR was higher in patients with T1DM (8.19 mg/kg/min; 95% CI 7.81-8.57; I2 = 99%) compared to those with T2DM (7.03 mg/kg/min; 95% CI 4.89-9.17; I2 = 100%).

CONCLUSIONS

Higher eGDR levels were consistently associated with lower risks of CVD and mortality in T1DM, with similar associations observed for mortality in T2DM. In the general population, higher eGDR levels were associated with reduced mortality risk. The relationship between eGDR and DMC requires further investigation, particularly in T2DM. These findings suggest eGDR's potential utility as a risk assessment tool, though its clinical application may vary across different populations.

The relationship of glycosylated hemoglobin A1c and Apolipoprotein A‑1 ratio on short-term prognosis in STEMI patients following PCI: a retrospective study

The ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients tend to experience cardiovascular events following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and the prognosis remains suboptimal. The objective of this investigation was to examine the correlation between the ratio of glycosylated hemoglobin A1c/Apolipoprotein A1 (HbA1c/ApoA-1) and the short-term prognosis in STEMI patients following PCI. This study conducted a retrospective analysis of the clinical data of 182 patients diagnosed with STEMI following PCI and admitted to our hospital between January 2022 and June 2023. The patients were categorized into two groups based on the occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs), and a comparative analysis of baseline characteristics was performed. The significant correlation between HbA1c/ApoA-1 with short-term MACEs in STEMI patients post-PCI were determined through univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Different models and Subgroup analysis demonstrated that HbA1c/ApoA-1 was independent risk factor for MACEs in STEMI patients post-PCI and exhibited high stability. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and area under curve (AUC) value were utilized to validate the predictive value of HbA1c/ApoA-1 in forecasting outcomes among STEMI patients post-PCI, with an AUC of 0.752 (95% CI: 0.68-0.86), sensitivity of 85.7%, and specificity of 56.8%. Restricted cubic spline (RCS) was employed to evaluate the potential non-linear relationship between HbA1c/ApoA-1 levels and MACEs in STEMI patients post-PCI. Our results demonstrated high and significant correlation between HbA1c/ApoA-1 and short-term prognosis, and indicated that HbA1c/ApoA-1 was independent risk factor for MACEs in STEMI patients following PCI and possessed significant predictive value, facilitating the early identification of high-risk cohorts and the anticipation of MACEs.

The joint effect of triglyceride-glucose related indices and depression on cardio-renal-metabolic multimorbidity among middle-aged and older Chinese adults

BACKGROUND

The triglyceride-glucose (TyG) related indices, indicators for insulin resistance, and depression are both established predictors of cardiovascular diseases. However, the single and combined effect of TyG related indices and depression on cardio-renal-metabolic multimorbidity (CRMM) risk remain uncertain.

METHODS

This study included 7848 respondents aged 45 years and older, derived from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) 2011, 2020. Cox regression was used to determine independent and joint effect of TyG indices and depression on CRMM incidence. Restricted cubic spline (RCS) was further performed to identify associations of TyG indices with CRMM.

RESULTS

Results demonstrated that both TyG indices (including TyG-WC, TyG-WHtR, and TyG-BMI) and depression were independently linked to increased risk of CRMM. The RCS model further confirmed the significant dose-response relationships. Participants experiencing both elevated TyG indices and depression exhibited the highest CRMM risk, in contrast to those with neither condition (HR = 1.630, 95%CI: 1.467-1.811; HR = 1.631, 95%CI: 1.465-1.817; HR = 1.582, 95%CI: 1.419-1.764; HR = 1.532, 95%CI: 1.372-1.711, respectively).

LIMITATIONS

Firstly, disease diagnoses in the CHARLS were self-reported, which might cause recall bias. Then, data was specific to the population over 45 years old, so the results may not apply broadly to all populations.

CONCLUSIONS

This study revealed both the single and joint effect of TyG, TyG-WC, TyG-WHtR, as well as TyG-BMI and depression on CRMM risk. Combined evaluations of the TyG index with depression screening is crucial for identifying related risk factors and enhancing prevention strategies against CRMM.

Association of insulin resistance-related indicators with cardiovascular disease in Chinese people with different glycemic states

Background

This study compares the association of eight insulin resistance (IR)-related markers (triglyceride-glucose index (TyG), TyG-body mass index (TyG-BMI), TyG-waist circumference (TyG-WC), TyG-waist-to-height ratio (TyG-WHtR), triglycerides-to-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (TG/HDL), lipid accumulation product (LAP), visceral adiposity index (VAI), and estimated glucose disposal rate (eGDR)) with cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Methods

Spearman's coefficients were used for correlations between IR-related markers. Predictive capacities were evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, Akaike Information Criterion, and Bayesian Information Criterion were calculated. Multivariable-adjusted Cox regression models and restricted cubic spline (RCS) analysis were performed to explore associations between IR-related markers and CVD.

Results

In Pearson correlation analysis, TyG-WC and TyG-WHtR had a correlation coefficient of 0.95, while TG/HDL ratio and VAI had a correlation coefficient of 0.97. Regarding predictive capacity across different glycemic states, eGDR showed the best performance among the 8 IR-related markers, particularly in predicting stroke. According to Cox regression analysis, with each unit increase in TyG, TyG-BMI, TyG-WC, and TyG-WHtR, the risk of heart disease increased by 24.1%, 0.4%, 0.1%, and 17.56%, respectively; and the risk of stroke increased by 69.3%, 0.6%, 0.2%, and 36.5%, respectively. Additionally, TG/HDL ratio, VAI, and LAP exhibited nonlinear associations with heart disease and stroke risk. For each unit increase in eGDR, the risks of heart disease and stroke decreased by 21% and 14.2%, respectively.

Conclusion

eGDR is the most effective marker for predicting CVD, especially stroke, across all glycemic states. Modified TyG indices provide better predictive value than TyG alone.

Metabolic Syndrome and Liver Disease: Re-Appraisal of Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment Through the Paradigm Shift from NAFLD to MASLD

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), previously known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), encompasses a spectrum of liver diseases characterized by hepatic steatosis, the presence of at least one cardiometabolic risk factor, and no other apparent cause. Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of clinical conditions associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and overall morbidity and mortality. This narrative review summarizes the changes in the management of people with MetS and NAFLD/MASLD from screening to therapeutic strategies that have occurred in the last decades. Specifically, we underline the clinical importance of considering the different impacts of simple steatosis and advanced fibrosis and provide an up-to-date overview on non-invasive diagnostic tests (i.e., imaging and serum biomarkers), which now offer acceptable accuracy and are globally more accessible. Early detection of MetS and MASLD is a top priority as it allows for timely interventions, primarily through lifestyle modification. The liver and cardiovascular benefits of a global and multidimensional approach are not negligible. Therefore, a holistic approach to both conditions, MetS and related chronic liver disease, should be applied to improve overall health and longevity.

Tea Polysaccharide Ameliorates Atherosclerosis by Inhibiting Insulin Resistance-Mediated Hepatic VLDL Overproduction

Hepatic VLDL overproduction, tightly modulated by insulin signaling, plays a pivotal role in the progression of atherosclerosis (AS). The present study aimed to investigate whether inhibition of hepatic VLDL overproduction is a novel therapeutic strategy for the homogeneous tea polysaccharide (TPS3A) to ameliorate AS under insulin resistance (IR) conditions and the potential molecular basis involved. Results showed that TPS3A supplementation effectively alleviated systemic IR and delayed atherosclerotic plaque progression in HFD-exposed ApoE-/- mice. Additionally, TPS3A markedly down-regulated the expression of TG synthesis markers (SREBP-1, ACC1, and FAS) and apoB lipidation markers (apoB, apoCIII, and MTP), while up-regulating the expression of apoB degradation maker (sortilin) and VLDL clearance maker (LDLR), thereby inhibiting VLDL overproduction in insulin-resistant ApoE-/- mice and HepG2 cells. The IRS-mediated PI3K-AKT-mTORC1/FoxO1 insulin signaling cascades are central pathways regulating VLDL production. We found that TPS3A significantly abolished insulin-induced activation of PI3K, AKT, mTORC1, and nuclear FoxO1 in vivo and in vitro. Moreover, the suppression effects of TPS3A on VLDL overproduction were synergistically strengthened by inhibitors targeting PI3K (Wortmannin), AKT (GSK690693), mTORC1 (Rapamycin), and FoxO1 (AS1842856). Overall, TPS3A holds promise in ameliorating AS by inhibiting hepatic VLDL overproduction through the IRS-mediated PI3K-AKT-mTORC1/FoxO1 insulin signaling pathways.

Differential Association Between Ten Indices of Insulin Resistance and End-Organ Damage in a Community of African Ancestry in Africa

Objective: Various insulin resistance (IR) indices have been developed to assess cardiovascular (CVS) risk. We compared the association between ten IR indices and cardiac, renal, and vascular end-organ measures in a predominantly young (age 45.0 ± 18.3 years) South African Black population. Methods: We assessed the relationships between ten IR indices (homeostatic model assessment for IR [HOMA-IR], quantitative insulin sensitivity check index [QUICKI], metabolic score for IR [METS-IR], triglyceride-glucose index [TyG], TyG-body mass index [TyG-BMI], TyG-waist circumference [TyG-WC], TyG-waist-to-height ratio [TyG-WHtR], triglyceride to high-density cholesterol concentration [TyG-HDL], lipid accumulation product [LAP], visceral adiposity index [VAI]) and end-organ measures in 779 community participants of African ancestry. Results: HOMA-IR and QUICKI were the only IR indices consistently associated with end-organ measures (left ventricular [LV] mass index, p ≤ 0.005; LV relative wall thickness, p < 0.0001; early-to-late mitral velocity, p ≤ 0.01; E/e', p ≤ 0.002; e', p < 0.0001; pulse wave velocity, p = 0.036 (HOMA-IR only); glomerular filtration rate [GFR], p < 0.0001), independent of confounders. Furthermore, HOMA-IR was consistently higher, and QUICKI lower, in those with compared to those without end-organ damage (LV hypertrophy [p ≤ 0.03], concentric LV [p < 0.03], and reduced GFR [p ≤ 0.008]), independent of confounders. Importantly, the associations between HOMA-IR or QUICKI and end-organ measures were independent of additional CVS risk factors, including adiposity measures, and were replicated in the participants without diabetes mellitus (n = 669) and in the participants without high blood pressure (n = 505). Conclusions: In a predominantly young community of African ancestry, of ten recommended IR indices, only HOMA-IR and QUICKI were consistently associated with end-organ damage independent of CVS risk factors.

Association between triglyceride-glucose index and the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus

OBJECTIVE

To assess the efficacy of the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index in predicting type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in the general population.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Baseline data were collected from a community population that underwent physical examination between 2015 and 2020. The TyG index was calculated via the following formula: TyG = Ln [fasting triglyceride (mg/dL) × fasting blood glucose (mg/dL)/2]. Cox regression and stratified analyses were performed to evaluate the ability of the TyG score to predict the occurrence of diabetes.

RESULTS

In total, 8 576 subjects were ultimately included and divided into a T2DM group (n = 882) and a non-T2DM group (n = 7,694) according to the results of the 5-year follow-up. Adjustment for all covariates revealed that every 1-unit increase in the TyG index multiplied the risk of T2DM in all the participants (HR: 3.348; 95% CI: 3.004-3.731; P < 0.001). When TyG was divided into three quantiles, the risk of T2DM in the highest quantile was 6.412 times greater than that in the lowest quantile. Subgroup analysis revealed that the correlation was more pronounced in middle-aged and young adults, females, and eutrophic individuals (interaction P value < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The TyG index can be a strong predictor of T2DM and is more useful for estimating the risk of T2DM in young and middle-aged adults, females, and eutrophic people.

Triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio associates major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events: a 13-year prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Few studies have been conducted to investigate the association between the triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TG/HDL-C) ratio and major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs) in a predominantly male cohort from China.

METHODS

A prospective cohort study was conducted on a total 95,837 individuals (males account for 79.67) extracted from the Kailuan study. All individuals were grouped according to the TG/HDL-C ratio quartile. The endpoints of this study were composite MACCEs and its subtypes [non-fatal myocardial (MI), non-fatal stroke and all-cause mortality]. The Kaplan-Meier method was employed to illustrate the cumulative incidence curve. The incidence rate was reported as per 1000 person-years. To explore the impact of varying quartiles of the TG/HDL-C ratio on the risk of MACCEs, Cox proportional hazard regression analysis was conducted. Furthermore, multivariate adjusted spline regression models were applied to examine the relationship between the TG/HDL-C ratio and the risk of MACCEs.

RESULTS

A total of 18,430 cases of composite MACCEs occurred during a 13.97-year follow-up. In brief, 1762 cases of MI, 6653 cases of stroke, and 12,524 cases of all-cause mortality were reported, respectively. The cumulative incidence and incidence rate of composite MACCEs, MI, and stroke increased with increment in the TG/HDL-C ratio (p < 0.001). In comparison to quartile 1, the hazard ratios of quartile 4 for composite MACCEs, MI, stroke, and all-cause mortality were 1.13 (95% CI 1.07-1.19), 1.55 (95% CI 1.30-1.84), 1.21 (95% CI 1.12-1.31), and 1.12 (95% CI 1.05-1.20), respectively. Multivariate adjusted spline regression models showed a nonlinear relationship between baseline TG/HDL-C ratio and risk of composite MACCEs (p for non-linearity < 0.01), MI (p for non-linearity < 0.01), stroke (p for non-linearity < 0.01), and all-cause mortality (p for non-linearity = 0.029).

CONCLUSIONS

The TG/HDL-C ratio is significantly associated with an increased risk of MACCEs in a predominantly male cohort from northern China.

Trends and Disparities in Cardiovascular Disease in US Adults with Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease

Background/Objectives: Recently, the term metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) has replaced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Through analysis of the trends and disparities regarding cardiovascular disease (CVD) among individuals with MASLD, identifying the leading cause of death in this population is crucial. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) III (1988-1994) and NHANES 2017-2020 data. MASLD was identified by using clinical profiles and liver ultrasonography to exclude other liver diseases. We estimated the prevalence of CVD among individuals with MASLD and calculated the prevalence ratios for those with and without MASLD. Results: In 2017-2020, MASLD affected 31.2% or 61.9 million US adults, and 17.0% (95% confidence interval: 13.7-20.3%) of these individuals had CVD. The absolute CVD prevalence in individuals with MASLD doubled from that in the NHANES III cohort, which was 8.7% (6.4%, 10.9%). These increases were especially notable among older adults, non-Hispanic whites, and those with higher education and income. Individuals with MASLD had a higher prevalence of total CVD than those without MASLD, even after adjusting for socioeconomic and metabolic factors. These differences were more pronounced in younger age groups. Conclusions: This study revealed a doubled 30-year trend in CVD prevalence among adults with MASLD in the US. Sociodemographic disparities emphasize the need for tailored screening, prevention, and policy measures to address gaps and promote cardiovascular health in this population.

The Association Between Preoperative Triglyceride Glucose Index and Postoperative Adverse Cardiovascular Events in Non-Cardiac Surgery: A Single-Center Study From China

Background

The incidence of postoperative adverse cardiovascular events (PACE) in non-cardiac surgery has significantly increased, severely affecting surgical outcomes and patient prognosis. This study investigates the relationship between preoperative triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index and PACE in patients who underwent non-cardiac surgery.

Methods

We conducted a single-center retrospective study, including adult patients (age ≥18 years) who underwent non-cardiac surgery. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses assessed the relationship between the TyG index and PACE. Nonlinear correlations were investigated using restricted cubic splines (RCS). Additionally, subgroup analysis was performed to evaluate the relationship between the TyG index and PACE in different subsamples.

Results

16,066 patients were studied, among which 1505 cases (9.37%) developed PACE, with a median TyG index of 8.61 (8.22, 9.07). Using the lowest quartile of the TyG index as a reference, the fully adjusted (ORs) (95% CIs) for PACE in the second, third, and fourth quartiles of the TyG index were 1.78 (1.49~2.11), 2.16 (1.81~2.59), and 2.30 (1.88~2.83), respectively. After adjusting for all confounding factors, we found that patients with the highest TyG index had a 68% increased risk of PACE (OR 1.68, 95% CI 1.50~1.90). The results of the subgroup analysis were similar to those of the primary analysis. The RCS model suggests a linear positive correlation between the TyG index and the risk of PACE occurrence. (P for overall < 0.001, P for nonlinear = 0.547).

Conclusion

This cohort study indicates that preoperative TyG index is linearly and positively correlated with an increased incidence of PACE in the non-cardiac surgery population. This finding suggests that intensifying the evaluation of the TyG index may provide a more convenient and effective tool for identifying individuals at risk of PACE during non-cardiac surgeries.

Association between the triglyceride-glucose index and cognitive function in stroke free patients with atrial fibrillation: A cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVES

No existing research has documented the correlation between the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index and cognitive function in patients suffering from atrial fibrillation (AF). The objective of this study is to examine this potential association.

METHODS

Patients diagnosed with AF were enrolled in this study from March 2021 to May 2022 at the cardiology department of West China Hospital, Sichuan University. TyG index was calculated. Cognitive function was evaluated using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scale and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Verbal Fluency Test (VFT), Shape Trail Test (STT), Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST), and Stroop C scores and seconds. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine the association between the TyG index (continuous and quartiles) and cognitive function.

RESULTS

A total of 142 patients were included. The median value of the TyG index was 1.28 (1.01, 1.71). After adjusted potential confounding factors, participants in the 4th quartile of the TyG index were not found to be associated with cognitive function (all P > 0.05). The findings for TyG as a continuous variable were consistent with these results.

CONCLUSION

In patients with AF, the TyG index was found to be unrelated to low cognitive function as assessed by a comprehensive battery of tests. These findings should be validated in further studies.

Associations Between the Atherogenic Index of Plasma and Triglyceride-Glucose Index With Coronary Microvascular Dysfunction in Hypertensive Patients

Background

The triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index is a reliable marker of insulin resistance, and the atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) reflects atherosclerosis. However, the relationship between these biomarkers-particularly AIP-and coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) in hypertensive patients has not been systematically studied. This study investigates the association between TyG, AIP, and CMD in hypertensive individuals.

Methods

We included 155 hypertensive patients with coronary anatomy confirmed by coronary angiography (CAG) or computed tomography angiography (CTA) within six months of SPECT imaging. CMD was diagnosed with a summed stress score (SSS) ≥4 and a summed difference score (SDS) ≥2. Patients were stratified into tertiles by TyG index and AIP. Logistic regression, adjusted for traditional cardiovascular risk factors, was used to explore the relationship with CMD. The predictive value of TyG and AIP was assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, and decision curve analysis (DCA) evaluated their clinical benefit.

Results

Logistic regression revealed that both TyG and AIP were independently associated with coronary artery disease (CAD) (P<0.05 for both). The area under the ROC curve (AUC) for TyG, AIP, and their combined predictive capacity for CMD was 0.744, 0.707, and 0.748, respectively (P<0.001 for all). The optimal cutoff values for TyG and AIP were 7.012 and 0.5175, respectively. Combining both biomarkers enhanced clinical decision-making and patient benefit.

Conclusion

Higher levels of TyG and AIP are significantly associated with an increased risk of CMD in hypertensive patients. Both biomarkers exhibit strong predictive value, with AIP showing greater specificity and TyG higher sensitivity. Their combined use can improve clinical decision-making and patient outcomes.

Associations of the triglyceride-glucose index with short-term mortality in patients with cardiogenic shock: a cohort study

BACKGROUND

Cardiogenic shock (CS) is a severe cardiac disorder with a high mortality rate. The triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index, a biomarker of insulin resistance, is associated with cardiovascular disease-related mortality. This study aimed to investigate the association between the TyG index and mortality in patients with CS.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study analyzed 727 patients with CS from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care IV database. The TyG index was calculated as follows: ln[triglycerides (mg/dL) × fasting blood glucose (mg/dL)/2]. Outcomes included 28-day intensive care unit (ICU) mortality and 28-day in-hospital mortality. Kaplan-Meier survival curve models and Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to evaluate the prognostic significance of the TyG index. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to determine the predictive efficacy of the TyG index for mortality. Subgroup analyses were conducted to determine the association between the TyG index and mortality across different groups.

RESULTS

Non-survivors had a significantly higher TyG index (ICU: 9.30 vs. 9.13, p = 0.008; in-hospital: 9.29 vs. 9.13, p = 0.004). Adjusted Cox models showed that each 1-unit increase in the TyG index increased ICU mortality risk by 24% (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.24, 95% confidence interval [CI]:1.04-1.48; p = 0.015) and in-hospital mortality by 44% (HR = 1.44, 95% CI:1.11-1.88; p = 0.007). The Quartile 4 TyG index ICU mortality was increased by 77% (HR = 1.77, 95% CI:1.09-2.89) compared to that for Quartile 1 and in-hospital mortality was increased by 61% (HR = 1.61, 95% CI:1.08-2.38). The area under the ROC curve (AUROC) showed a modest standalone predictive ability of 0.56, but when combined with clinical variables, the AUROC improved to 0.80 (ICU) and 0.78 (in-hospital). Subgroup analyses identified stronger associations in patients ≥ 60 years, females, non-septic, and those with acute myocardial infarction or heart failure.

CONCLUSIONS

The TyG index is significantly associated with short-term mortality in patients with CS and may serve as a useful biomarker for risk stratification.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Not applicable.

Association between triglyceride glucose-body mass index and 365-day mortality in patients with critical coronary heart disease

Objectives

The aim of this study was to analyze the association between TyG-BMI and 365-day mortality in critically ill patients with CHD.

Methods

Patient data were extracted from the MIMIC-IV database. All patients were categorized into 3 groups based on TyG-BMI index: Low TyG-BMI index group, Medium TyG-BMI index group, and High TyG-BMI index group. Outcomes included primary and secondary outcomes, with the primary outcome being 365-day mortality and the secondary outcomes being hospital survival, intensive care unit (ICU) survival, and 28-day, 90-day, and 180-day mortality. The Kaplan-Meier survival curves were used to compare the outcomes of the three groups. The relationship between TyG-BMI index and 365-day mortality was assessed using multivariate Cox proportional risk regression models and restricted cubic spline curves (RCS).

Results

889 critically ill patients with CHD were analyzed. Among them, 600 (67.50%) were male patients with a mean age of 68.37 years and 289 (32.50%) were female patients with a mean age of 73.91 years. Patients with a medium TyG-BMI index had the best 365-day prognostic outcome and the highest survival rate compared with patients in the Low and High TyG-BMI index groups [201 (67.68%) vs. 166 (56.08%), 188 (63.51%); P=0.013]. After fully adjusted modeling analysis, the hazard ratio (HR) for 365-day mortality was found to be 0.71 (95% CI 0.54-0.93, P=0.012) for the Medium TyG-BMI index group. Meanwhile, RCS analysis showed an L-shaped relationship between TyG-BMI index and 365-day mortality.

Conclusions

The TyG-BMI index is significantly associated with 365-day mortality in patients with severe CHD.

Association between triglyceride-glucose index and all-cause mortality in patients with congestive heart failure and atrial fibrillation

Background

The role of the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index in critically ill patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) and atrial fibrillation (AF), requiring intensive care unit (ICU) admission, remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the association between the TyG index and the clinical prognosis of critically ill patients with CHF and AF.

Methods

This retrospective observational cohort study utilized data from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care-IV (MIMIC IV2.2) database. Participants were categorized into four groups based on TyG index level. The primary outcome was hospital all-cause mortality. Multivariable logistic proportional regression analysis and restricted cubic spline regression were employed to assess the TyG index's association with hospital mortality in patients with CHF and AF. Sensitivity analysis included determining the TyG index's feature importance through subgroup analysis in different subgroups.

Results

A total of 787 patients were included in the study, with hospital and ICU mortalities of 14.2% and 8.3%, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that the TyG index was independently associated with an increased risk of hospital mortality (odds ratio (OR), 1.59 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.15-2.19], P = 0.005) and ICU mortality [OR 1.9; (95% CI 1.28-2.83), P = 0.001] after adjusting for confounders. The restricted cubic spline regression model indicated a linear increase in the risks of in-hospital and ICU mortality with a higher TyG index. Sensitivity analysis revealed consistent effect sizes and directions in different subgroups, ensuring result stability.

Conclusions

The results of our study suggest a significant association between the TyG index and hospital and ICU all-cause mortality in critically ill patients with CHF and AF. This finding implies that the TyG index could potentially serve as a valuable tool for identifying patients with CHF and AF at an elevated risk of all-cause mortality.

Elevated triglyceride-glucose index is a risk factor for cardiovascular events in adults with type 1 diabetes: a cohort study

BACKGROUND

The triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index is recognized as an indicator of insulin resistance and is linked to cardiovascular disease (CVD) in patients with type 2 diabetes. However, its utility in patients with Type 1 diabetes (T1DM) has not been studied.

METHODS

In this nationwide cohort study, we enrolled 14,543 patients with T1DM between 2009 and 2015, with a median follow-up duration of 7.52 years. The primary outcome was the incidence of CVD, including myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, and heart failure. The secondary outcome was the all-cause mortality. The risk of CVD across the TyG index quartiles was compared using the Cox proportional hazards model.

RESULTS

The cut-off points for the TyG quartiles were 8.46, 9.03, and 9.60. Patients in the highest TyG quartile exhibited a higher burden of cardiometabolic risk factors, including obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and lower HDL cholesterol levels. Compared to the lowest quartile, the highest TyG quartile group showed a significantly increased risk of CVD (Composite CVD: adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] = 1.80; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.62-2.00, myocardial infarction: aHR = 1.70;95% CI = 1.38-2.10, ischemic stroke: aHR = 2.11; 95% CI = 1.78-2.50, heart failure: aHR = 1.65, 95% CI = 1.45-1.88) and all-cause mortality (aHR = 1.60, 95% CI = 1.41-1.81).

CONCLUSIONS

A higher TyG index was significantly associated with an increased risk of CVD and all-cause mortality in patients with T1DM.

RESEARCH INSIGHTS

What is currently known about this topic? 1. The TyG index is associated with insulin resistance and cardiovascular disease in both patients with type 2 diabetes and the general population. What is the key research question? 1. Could the TyG index also be utilized to assess insulin resistance and cardiovascular disease risk in patients with type 1 diabetes? What is new? 1. In patients with type 1 diabetes, those in the higher TyG quartile showed a higher prevalence of metabolic dysfunction such as obesity, hypertension and dyslipidemia. 2. A higher TyG index in patients with type 1 diabetes was associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality and cardiovascular disease including myocardial infarction, heart failure and stroke. How might this study influence clinical practice? 1. The TyG index, a simple and non-invasive marker composed of triglycerides and fasting glucose, could be used to identify patients with type 1 diabetes who have high insulin resistance and cardiovascular disease risk.

Associations of modified triglyceride-glucose indices and the triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein ratio with all-cause and cause-specific mortality in the general population: an analysis of the UK biobank database

BACKGROUND

This study investigates the associations between modified triglyceride-glucose (TyG) indices and the triglyceride-to-high-density lipoprotein (TG/HDL) ratio, which are recognized as simple surrogate indicators of insulin resistance, with all-cause and cause-specific mortality.

METHODS

A cohort of 410,515 participants from the UK Biobank was analyzed. Cox proportional hazard models and restricted cubic spline regression analyses were employed to examine the relationships between the TyG index, TyG-body mass index (TyG-BMI), TyG-waist circumference (TyG-WC), TG/HDL ratio, and all-cause and cause-specific mortality. Structural equation modeling was employed to elucidate the associations between the TyG index, TG/HDL ratio, inflammation, metabolism, and mortality.

RESULTS

The TyG index, TyG-WC, and TG/HDL ratio were associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality by 3.7% (HR 1.037 [1.016, 1.059]), 0.1% (HR 1.001 [1.024, 1.031]), and 1.5% (HR 1.015 [1.006, 1.025]), respectively. Restricted cubic spline regression models revealed nonlinear trends in the TyG index, TyG-BMI, TyG-WC, and TG/HDL ratio in relation to both all-cause and cause-specific mortality (P for nonlinearity < 0.05). TyG index and TG/HDL ratio exhibited a J-shaped relationship with all-cause mortality as well as mortality from cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and respiratory diseases. Similarly, TyG-BMI demonstrated an L-shaped association with all-cause mortality and mortality due to cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and respiratory diseases. Additionally, TyG-WC was associated with a progressively increasing mortality risk once it exceeded a certain threshold. Structural equation modeling demonstrated that the TyG index and TG/HDL ratio influenced mortality through inflammation and lifestyle factors.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, TyG, TyG-BMI, TyG-WC, and TG/HDL ratio are significantly associated with all-cause and cause-specific mortality in the general population.These associations appear to be linked to inflammation and lifestyle.

Anti-obesity and gut microbiota modulation effects of chondroitin sulfate on obese mice induced by high-fat diet

Despite the extensive application of chondroitin sulfate (CS), a type of biological macromolecule, in various fields, including biomedicine, cosmetics, food, and pharmaceuticals, research into its potential anti-obesity properties remains limited. In this study, the impacts of CS on obese mice induced by a high-fat diet (HFD) were investigated. The results showed that supplementing CS effectively controlled body weight gain and fat accumulation (perirenal fat and epididymal fat) compared to the control group of obese mice. Furthermore, supplementation with CS reduced the levels of glucose and triglyceride in the serum. Analysis of 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing data illustrated that the diet supplemented with CS modified the composition of gut microbiota, particularly resulting in a reduction of Desulfobacterota and an increase in Bacteroides abundance. Correlation analysis suggested significant associations between specific gut microbiota taxa and obese phenotypes. Overall, these findings highlight that dietary intervention with CS may provide a promising strategy to mitigate obesity and its related symptoms, likely involving the role of gut microbiota in obese mice. This research offers compelling scientific evidence supporting the anti-obesity potential of CS as a dietary supplement.

The comprehensive effects of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and triglyceride glucose index on cardiometabolic multimorbidity

Background

The triglyceride-glucose index (TyG index) is one of the surrogate markers of insulin resistance, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) reflects systemic inflammation. Existing studies suggest that insulin resistance or systemic inflammation may be indicative of cardiometabolic disease, but few of the existing studies have combined the TyG index and inflammation levels before assessing cardiometabolic multimorbidity. Our study data came from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). Participants in this data were followed for 9 years, and we used these data to conduct a long-term analysis to assess the combined effects of the TyG index and hsCRP on cardiometabolic multimorbidity in Chinese adults over 45 years of age.

Purpose

To study the combined effect of TyG index and hsCRP on cardiometabolic multimorbidity in middle-aged as well as elderly Chinese.

Method

The study data came from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), which included a total of 4,483 middle-aged and elderly participants who did not have cardiovascular metabolic diseases at baseline, which was from CHARLS 2011, and the last survey was in 2020. A total of five cardiometabolic diseases were considered in this study: diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, heart disease and stroke. A person was defined as having cardiometabolic multimorbidity when he/she had two or more cardiometabolic diseases at the same time. TyG index (median as cut-off) and hsCRP (1mg/L as cut-off) were each divided into two groups and combined into four groups (Group L-L: TyG index=median & hsCRP<1mg/L; Group L-H: TyG index=1mg/L; Group H-H: TyG index>=median & hsCRP>=1mg/L). Multiple regression equations were fitted to analyse the combined influence of TyG index and hsCRP on cardiometabolic multimorbidity.

Results

TyG index increases the risk of CMM events independently of hsCRP, as does the reverse. When the TyG index is elevated and hsCRP is also elevated, this condition significantly increases the danger of cardiometabolic multimorbidity in middle-aged and elderly Chinese.

Conclusion

High levels of TyG index and hsCRP can enhance the danger of cardiometabolic multimorbidity in Chinese middle-aged and elderly people, and the joint use of hsCRP and TyG index assessment may be a better way to achieve primary prevention of cardiometabolic multimorbidity in Chinese middle-aged and elderly people.

Association between Triglyceride-Glucose indices and ischemic stroke risk across different glucose metabolism statuses

BACKGROUND

Triglyceride-glucose (TyG) related indices, including TyG, TyG-body mass index (TyG-BMI), and TyG-waist circumference (TyG-WC), have been identified as promising biomarkers for assessing insulin resistance (IR), a known risk factor for ischemic stroke. While previous research has highlighted the relevance of these indices in various metabolic disorders, their predictive utility for ischemic stroke across different glucose metabolic statuses has not been extensively explored.

METHOD

This study utilized data from the UK Biobank, analyzing 392,733 participants free from ischemic stroke at baseline, categorized into normal glucose, prediabetes, and diabetes groups based on American Diabetes Association criteria. TyG-related indices were computed using baseline measures of fasting blood glucose and triglycerides. Participants were followed for a median of 14.68 years to assess the incidence of ischemic stroke. Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for demographic and clinical covariates were used to explore the associations between TyG indices and stroke risk.

RESULTS

Over the follow-up period, 8033 participants experienced an ischemic stroke. Higher TyG-related indices were associated with an increased stroke risk in all glucose metabolism groups, with the strongest associations observed in the prediabetes and normal glucose groups. The risk of stroke increased progressively across quartiles of TyG, TyG-BMI, and TyG-WC indices. The analysis revealed that each unit increase in the TyG index significantly elevated stroke risk in diabetic individuals, while TyG-BMI and TyG-WC indices showed significant predictive power in the prediabetes and normal glucose groups.

CONCLUSION

TyG-related indices, particularly TyG-BMI and TyG-WC, are effective in predicting the risk of ischemic stroke, especially among individuals with prediabetes and normal glucose levels. These findings underscore the utility of TyG indices as tools for early detection and preventive strategies in stroke risk management across various states of glucose metabolism.

HOMA-IR and TyG index differ for their relationship with dietary, anthropometric, inflammatory factors and capacity to predict cardiovascular risk

BACKGROUND

HOMA-IR and the triglyceride-glucose index (TyG index) are surrogate indexes of insulin resistance. However, it remains to elucidate how HOMA-IR and the TyG index compare for their relationship with cardiometabolic health.

AIM

This study aimed at comparing HOMA-IR and the TyG index with regard to their relationship with anthropometric, dietary and inflammatory factors as well as ability to predict cardiovascular risk.

METHODS

438 subjects aged 55-80 years, underwent anthropometric, metabolic and nutritional characterisation. Spearman's correlation coefficient was used to evaluate the association between the parameters of interest. Predictors of HOMA-IR, the TyG index and the 10-year risk of cardiovascular events were investigated using stepwise multivariable regression analysis.

RESULTS

HOMA-IR and TyG index correlated positively with body mass index, waist circumference, fat mass, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, interleukin-18 and C-reactive protein. However, only HOMA-IR correlated with dietary factors. After adjusting for age and sex, waist circumference and interleukin-18 were stronger predictors of HOMA-IR compared to the TyG index. Instead, the TyG index, but not HOMA-IR, emerged as a predictor of cardiovascular risk.

CONCLUSIONS

The TyG index represents a better predictor of cardiovascular risk compared to HOMA-IR which, instead, exhibits a stronger relationship with anthropometric, inflammatory and nutritional variables.

Pathophysiological hallmarks in type 2 diabetes heterogeneity (review)

The mechanistic complexity in type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is primarily responsible for the degrees of heterogeneity and development of complications. A complex mode of interactions between different pathophysiological events and diabetogenic environmental factors support for the genesis of diabetes heterogeneity both in phenotypic and clinical contexts. The currently used diabetes classification strategies suffer from several inconsistencies that cannot fully capture the inherent heterogeneity among the diabetes patients. To effectively address this pathobiological and heterogeneity-related issue in diabetes research, the current review proposes nine pathophysiological hallmarks of T2DM that aims to mechanistically explain complexities of diabetes associated pathophysiological events and their underlying features. These pathophysiological hallmarks are pancreatic beta cell dysfunction, insulin sensitivity, insulin resistance, obesity, aging, subclinical inflammation, metabolic dysregulation, prothrombotic state induction and hypertension. Detail knowledge of these pathophysiological hallmarks with their key molecular mediators, influencing factors, clinical biomarkers and clinical assessment methodologies will greatly support precision medicine approaches in diabetes including patient stratification, subtype diagnosis and treatment.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13340-024-00783-w.

The cumulative exposure to triglyceride-glucose index and the risk of onset fragility fractures

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the association between the cumulative exposure to triglyceride-glucose index (cumTyG index) and fragility fractures in the general population.

METHODS

This prospective cohort study analyzed active and retired employees of Kailuan Group who participated in three consecutive health examinations in 2006, 2008 and 2010, and were followed up until 31st December 2022. The cohort comprised 55,824 participants who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria and were grouped using the cumTyG index quartiles. The outcome event was onset fragility fracture. The cumulative incidence of fragility fracture in each group was calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method, and the incidence curve was plotted. Between-group comparisons were performed using the log-rank test. A Cox regression model was used to analyze the hazard ratio (HR) and 95 % confidence interval (CI) of fragility fractures.

RESULTS

Nine-hundred fragility fractures occurred during a mean follow-up of 11.35 years. After multivariate Cox regression analysis and adjustment for confounders (full model), the HR (95 % CI) of the group with the highest cumTyG index compared with the group with the lowest cumTyG index was 1.30 (1.04-1.61). The risk of fragility fracture was higher in men (HR 1.37, 95 % CI 1.06-1.77) and those taking antihypertensive drugs (HR 2.47, 95 % CI 1.25-4.86). There was a linear association between the cumTyG index and the risk of fragility fracture.

CONCLUSION

A high cumTyG index is a risk factor for fragility fracture and should be considered in the management of patients with high blood sugar and high cholesterol concentrations.

Joint association of estimated glucose disposal rate and systemic inflammation response index with mortality in cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome stage 0-3: a nationwide prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

The Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic (CKM) syndrome underscores the complex interactions among metabolic disorders, kidney disease, and cardiovascular conditions. Insulin resistance (IR) and inflammation are crucial in CKM syndrome development, but their combined effect in stages 0-3 remains unclear.

METHODS

Using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), we included 18,295 participants with CKM syndrome stages 0-3 from 10 cycles between 1999 and 2018. IR was assessed using the estimated glucose disposal rate (eGDR), and systemic inflammation was evaluated using the Systemic Inflammation Response Index (SIRI). The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality, and the secondary endpoint was cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality.

RESULTS

Over an average follow-up period of 121 months, we recorded 1,998 all-cause deaths and 539 CVD deaths. Both eGDR and SIRI were independent risk factors for mortality. The hazard ratios (HR) for eGDR were 0.90 (0.86, 0.94) for all-cause mortality and 0.85 (0.78, 0.93) for CVD mortality, per unit increase in eGDR. For SIRI, the HRs were 1.16 (1.11, 1.21) for all-cause mortality and 1.33 (1.19, 1.46) for CVD mortality, per unit increase in SIRI. Compared to individuals with high eGDR and low SIRI levels, those with low eGDR and high SIRI levels exhibited significantly higher mortality risks, with HRs of 1.97 (1.58, 2.44) for all-cause mortality and 2.35 (1.48, 3.73) for CVD mortality. Subgroup analysis revealed that the combined impact of eGDR and SIRI was particularly significant in patients under 60 years old.

CONCLUSION

In CKM syndrome stages 0-3, eGDR and SIRI have joint effect on mortality. Combining these markers can help identify high-risk individuals early, enabling timely monitoring and intervention to improve outcomes.

Durability and efficacy of solbinsiran, a GalNAc-conjugated siRNA targeting ANGPTL3, in adults with mixed dyslipidaemia (PROLONG-ANG3): a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, phase 2 trial

BACKGROUND

Mixed dyslipidaemia, characterised by elevated concentrations of circulating triglycerides and LDL cholesterol (LDL-C), is associated with an increased risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Solbinsiran, a GalNAc-conjugated small interfering RNA targeting hepatic angiopoietin-like protein 3 (ANGPTL3), reduced triglycerides and LDL-C concentrations in a phase 1 study. This study aimed to assess the durability and efficacy of solbinsiran in reducing concentrations of atherogenic lipoproteins in adults with mixed dyslipidaemia.

METHODS

This double-blind, parallel-arm, randomised, placebo-controlled, phase 2 trial enrolled adults (aged ≥18 years) with mixed dyslipidaemia at 41 clinical research units across seven countries. Patients receiving moderate-intensity or high-intensity statins, and with concentrations of fasting triglycerides between 1·69 mmol/L and 5·64 mmol/L, LDL-C of at least 1·81 mmol/L, and non-HDL cholesterol of at least 3·36 mmol/L were included. Using an interactive web-response system, patients were randomly assigned (1:2:2:2) to receive either solbinsiran 100 mg, solbinsiran 400 mg, solbinsiran 800 mg, or placebo, by subcutaneous injection on days 0 and 90. Patients were followed up for at least 270 days. The primary outcome was percent change in apolipoprotein B (apoB) concentration from baseline to day 180 with solbinsiran compared with placebo, analysed under an efficacy estimand (in patients who received at least one dose of the study drug). This trial is completed and registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05256654.

FINDINGS

Of 585 patients screened, 205 patients were enrolled in the study between July 20, 2022, and March 4, 2024. Patients (111 [54%] female and 94 [46%] male; median age 57 years [IQR 49-65]) were randomly assigned to receive solbinsiran 100 mg (n=30), solbinsiran 400 mg (n=58), solbinsiran 800 mg (n=59), or placebo (n=58). At baseline, median concentrations were 111 mg/dL (IQR 96-130) for apoB, 2·64 mmol/L (2·06-3·29) for triglycerides, and 3·16 mmol/L (2·57-3·82) for LDL-C. The placebo-adjusted percent change in apoB concentration from baseline at day 180 was -2·8% (95% CI -15·5 to 11·9; p=0·69) for solbinsiran 100 mg; -14·3% (-23·6 to -3·9; p=0·0085) for solbinsiran 400 mg; and -8·3% (-18·3 to 2·9; p=0·14) for solbinsiran 800 mg. Solbinsiran administration was well tolerated, with a low incidence of adverse events. The number of patients with treatment-emergent adverse events was 18 [60%] of 30 patients in the solbinsiran 100 mg group, 30 [52%] of 58 patients in the solbinsiran 400 mg group, 26 [44%] of 59 patients in the solbinsiran 800 mg group, and 37 [65%] of 57 patients in the placebo group.

INTERPRETATION

Solbinsiran 400 mg reduced apoB in patients with mixed dyslipidaemia and was generally well tolerated. The impact of solbinsiran on cardiovascular outcomes remains to be investigated.

FUNDING

Eli Lilly and Company.

Cardiovascular abnormalities already occurred in newly-diagnosed patients with early-onset type 2 diabetes

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of early-onset type 2 diabetes (EOD) is rapidly increasing. This study intends to screen for early cardiovascular abnormalities in patients newly diagnosed with EOD and evaluate the cardiovascular risk across cluster phenotypes.

METHOD

A total of 400 patients ≤ 40 years old with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes were enrolled from the START cohort (the Study of The newly diAgnosed eaRly onset diabeTes). Cluster classification was performed using the K-means method based on age, BMI, HbA1c, HOMA2-β, HOMA2-IR, and GAD antibodies. Echocardiography and carotid ultrasound were performed within 3 months of diabetes diagnosis. Carotid ultrasound abnormalities included intimal thickening and plaque formation, while echocardiography assessed changes in cardiac structure and systolic/diastolic function. Cluster-specific partitioned polygenic scores (pPS) were used to validate our findings from a genetic perspective.

RESULT

Carotid artery abnormalities were detected in 26.3% of patients, and echocardiography abnormalities were observed in 20.0%. Patients with severe insulin resistant diabetes (SIRD) had the highest incidence of carotid artery abnormality (40.0%). After adjusting for relevant risk factors, fasting C-peptide levels were significantly associated with a 1.247-fold increase in the risk of carotid artery abnormalities. Left atrial enlargement was more prevalent in the SIRD (16.7%) and mild obesity-related diabetes (MOD) (18.5%) classifications. A high proportion of patients with SIRD had abnormal left ventricular geometry (36.1%). Increases in BMI, fasting C-peptide level and HOMA2IR were accompanied by a further increase in left atrial enlargement risk by 1.136-, 1.781- and 1.687-fold respectively. The pPS for lipodystrophy was higher in the EOD group with plaque formation, and showed a significant linear correlation with the ratio of the left atrial anteroposterior diameter to body surface area (LAAP/BSA) (R = 0.344, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Heart and carotid artery abnormalities are common in patients with early-onset T2DM at the time of diagnosis. Patients with obesity and insulin resistance are at higher risk for cardiovascular abnormalities. Cluster classification based on clinical characteristics enables more accurate identification of patients at increased risk of cardiovascular complications at an early stage.

Remnant Cholesterol Levels at Diagnosis May Predict Acute Coronary Syndrome Occurrence During Follow-Up in Patients with Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-Associated Vasculitis

Background/Objectives: Previous studies have revealed the predictive potential of remnant cholesterol (RC) for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) occurrence in the general population. However, whether this association applies to patients with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis (AAV), in which a lipid paradox exists, remains unclear. We investigated whether RC levels at diagnosis could predict ACS occurrence during follow-up in patients with AAV. Methods: This study included 139 patients with AAV. ACS was defined as ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), non-STEMI, or unstable angina occurring after AAV diagnosis. RC levels were calculated as (total cholesterol)-(low-density lipoprotein cholesterol)-(high-density lipoprotein cholesterol). Patients were categorised into three groups by RC tertiles: highest (≥26.2 mg/dL), middle (19.1-26.1 mg/dL), and lowest (≤19.0 mg/dL) tertile groups. Results: The median age of the 139 patients (male, 31.7%) was 58.0 years. During follow-up, six, two, and one patients were diagnosed with ACS in the highest, middle, and lowest tertile groups, respectively. Patients in the highest tertile group exhibited a significantly lower ACS-free survival rate than those in the lowest tertile (p = 0.030). In the multivariable Cox hazards model, male sex (hazard ratio [HR] 9.054, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.786-45.910), Birmingham vasculitis activity score (HR 1.147, 95% CI 1.033-1.274), and the highest tertile of RC levels (HR 10.818, 95% CI 1.867-62.689) were significantly and independently associated with ACS occurrence during follow-up in patients with AAV. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that RC levels at diagnosis may predict ACS occurrence during follow-up in patients with AAV, regardless of the traditional cardiovascular risk factors.

The role of TyG index as a predictor of all-cause mortality in hospitalized patients with acute pancreatitis: a retrospective study utilizing the MIMIC-IV database

BACKGROUND

The TyG index is widely recognized as a reliable indicator for cardiovascular disease risk and as a biomarker for assessing insulin resistance(IR). However, its significance in the context of patients with acute pancreatitis(AP) needs further exploration. This study aimed to investigate the association between the TyG index and the risk of all-cause mortality in critically ill patients with AP.

METHODS

Data for this retrospective study were obtained from the MIMIC IV2.2 database. The participants were divided into four groups based on the TyG index tertiles. The primary outcome measured was in-hospital all-cause mortality. We employed Cox proportional hazards regression analysis and restricted cubic splines to evaluate the correlation between the TyG index and clinical outcomes in patients with AP.

RESULTS

The study included 586 patients, of which 44.71% were male. The rates of mortality observed in the hospital stay and in the ICU stay were 19.28% and 12.97%. By conducting multivariable Cox proportional hazards, it was determined that the TyG index was independently associated with a heightened risk of in-hospital mortality [HR(95%CI) of 1.38(1.03-1.87, P=0.033)] and in ICU mortality [1.65(1.12-2.44), P=0.012]. The analysis using restricted cubic splines showed that there was a consistent and gradually increasing risk of all-cause mortality as the TyG index increased. This indicates that a higher TyG index is associated with a higher risk of mortality.

CONCLUSION

In critically ill patients with AP, the TyG index shows a notable correlation with all-cause death in both hospital and ICU. The TyG index can be useful in identifying insulin resistance at an early stage in patients with AP, thereby improving risk assessment and guiding subsequent interventions.

Association between triglyceride-glucose index and mortality in critically ill patients with atrial fibrillation: a retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

The triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index, an emerging surrogate marker of insulin resistance, has been implicated in adverse cardiovascular outcomes. However, its prognostic value in critically ill patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the association between the TyG index and all-cause mortality in this high-risk population.

METHODS

We identified critically ill patients with AF from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care IV (MIMIC-IV) database and categorized them into tertiles based on their TyG index levels. The primary outcome was 30-day mortality, with 90-day and 365-day all-cause mortality as secondary outcomes. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis and restricted cubic splines were used to elucidate the relationship between the TyG index and all-cause mortality. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was performed to visualize survival differences among the tertiles.

RESULTS

A total of 1473 patients were included; the 30-day, 90-day, and 365-day all-cause mortality rates were 26.8%, 33.3%, and 41.1%, respectively. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards analysis revealed that the TyG index was independently associated with mortality at 30 days [hazard ratio (HR) (95% confidence interval (CI)) 1.26 (1.09-1.45), P = 0.002], 90 days [HR (95% CI) 1.27 (1.11-1.45), P < 0.001], and 365 days [HR (95% CI) 1.24 (1.10-1.40), P < 0.001]. Restricted cubic splines regression showed a positive linear association between the TyG index and mortality risk. Kaplan-Meier survival curves further confirmed the significant survival disparities across TyG index tertiles.

CONCLUSIONS

A significant linear association was observed between higher TyG index and increased all-cause mortality at 30, 90, and 365 days in critically ill patients with AF. This underscores the role of the TyG index as a key prognostic indicator for risk stratification and management in intensive care.

Exploring the nonlinear association between cardiometabolic index and hypertension in U.S. Adults: an NHANES-based study

BACKGROUND

Hypertension is a prevalent chronic disease affecting over 1.2 billion people worldwide, representing a major modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. The Waist-to-Height Ratio (WHtR) and Triglyceride to High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (TG/HDL-C) ratio are established metabolic indicators linked to the risk of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Recently, a Cardiometabolic Index (CMI), combining WHtR and TG/HDL-C ratios, has been proposed to provide a comprehensive assessment of metabolic health. This study investigates the association between CMI and hypertension using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).

METHODS

The study utilized NHANES data from nine cycles spanning 2001 to 2018, encompassing 20,049 participants aged over 20. Exclusions were made for individuals with incomplete CMI or hypertension data, and pregnant women. CMI was calculated by multiplying the WHtR by the TG/HDL-C ratio. Hypertension was defined according to American Heart Association guidelines. The relationship between CMI and hypertension was evaluated using multivariate logistic regression analyses, with additional subgroup analyses conducted based on demographic factors. Nonlinear relationships were analyzed using smoothing curve fitting techniques.

RESULTS

The study identified a significant positive correlation between CMI and hypertension risk, with an increase of one unit in CMI associated with a 9% heightened risk of hypertension (OR: 1.09, 95% CI: 1.05, 1.13). The association remained significant across various demographic subgroups. A nonlinear relationship was observed, with a critical CMI threshold of 2.64. Below this threshold, higher CMI values were associated with a progressively higher prevalence of hypertension, whereas beyond this threshold, further increases in CMI did not significantly correlate with an elevated risk of hypertension.

CONCLUSION

The study demonstrates that CMI is significantly associated with hypertension risk and may serve as a valuable tool for early screening and risk assessment, particularly in identifying individuals at higher risk before reaching the critical CMI threshold. These results underscore the importance of addressing metabolic health in the prevention and management of hypertension. Future research should focus on longitudinal studies to establish causality, explore the clinical utility of CMI in hypertension screening, and examine its applicability in diverse populations.

Comparisons of three novel markers for insulin resistance to predict incident cardiovascular disease: a Korean cohort study from three different regions

BACKGROUND

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a crucial human health challenge. Previous studies have shown an association between CVD and the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index, atherogenic index of plasma (AIP), and metabolic score for insulin resistance (METS-IR). However, a comparison of these novel markers for predicting CVD is not well known. Therefore, we aimed to assess the value of TyG, AIP, and METS-IR in predicting the incidence of CVD in three large cohorts of Korean adults.

METHODS

Data from 28 437 participants in the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study (KoGES) and Korea Health Insurance Review and Assessment (HERAS-HIRA) were assessed. The participants were divided into four groups according to the quartiles of TyG index: ln ([triglyceride × fasting plasma glucose]/2), AIP calculated as log (triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol), and METS-IR index: (ln ([2 × fasting plasma glucose] + triglyceride) × body mass index)/(ln [high-density lipoprotein cholesterol-cholesterol]). We prospectively assessed the hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for CVD using multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression models after adjusting for potential confounding variables.

RESULTS

During the follow-up period, 987 participants (3.5%) developed CVD. Compared with the referent first quartiles, the highest TyG index, AIP, and METS-IR quartiles, with HRs of 1.73 (95% CI 1.41-2.12), 1.47 (95% CI 1.19-1.80), and 2.61 (95% CI 1.83-3.72), respectively, significantly predicted future CVD, after adjusting for age, sex, and body mass index. When comparing the three biomarkers for insulin resistance, the TyG index and METS-IR showed similar predictive values, whereas AIP had a lower significance in predicting CVD.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the current findings, novel surrogate markers of insulin resistance, particularly METS-IR and TyG index, may help predict the risk of CVD in Koreans.

Identification of Novel Therapeutic Targets for Hypertension

BACKGROUND

Persistently high blood pressure remains the leading risk factor for mortality worldwide. This study aims to identify potential drug targets for hypertension.

METHODS

Mendelian randomization was used to identify therapeutic targets for hypertension. Genome-wide association study summary statistics were obtained from the UK Biobank and FinnGen study. Cis-expression quantitative trait loci from the eQTLGen Consortium served as genetic instruments. Colocalization analysis evaluated the likelihood of shared causal variants between single-nucleotide polymorphisms influencing hypertension and gene expression. Survival analysis of UK Biobank data assessed hypertension and mortality risks across participants with different gene alleles.

RESULTS

Mendelian randomization analysis identified 190 drug targets in the discovery cohort and 65 in the replication cohort after multiple testing correction. Colocalization analysis identified 14 hypertension-related drug targets, including angiotensin-converting enzyme, AIMP1, CDC25A, EHMT2, FES, GPX1, GRK4, HSD3B7, NEK4, PTPN12, SIK2, SLC22A4, SLC2A4, and TNFSF12. Survival analysis revealed individuals with the A allele at rs4308 in the angiotensin-converting enzyme gene had a higher incidence of hypertension, while those with the T allele at rs11242109 in the SLC22A4 gene showed a lower hypertension-specific mortality rate.

CONCLUSIONS

Drug target Mendelian randomization studies offer new directions for hypertension treatment, providing insights into its mechanisms and robust targets for developing antihypertensive drugs.

Hyperglycemia-induced DNA damage response activates DNA-PK complex to promote endothelial ferroptosis in type 2 diabetic cardiomyopathy

Rationale: Hyperglycemia-induced endothelial dysfunction is a hallmark of diabetic cardiomyopathy, yet the underlying molecular mechanisms remain incompletely understood. This study aimed to investigate how the DNA damage response (DDR) pathway regulates endothelial cell ferroptosis under hyperglycemic conditions, potentially revealing new therapeutic targets for mitigating cardiac damage in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods: We performed an integrated analysis of publicly available RNA sequencing datasets (GSE280770, GSE89475, GSE161931, CRA007245) to evaluate the role of DDR in hyperglycemia-induced endothelial dysfunction in vitro and in vivo, including in a T2DM mouse model. Key DDR and ferroptosis markers were validated in cardiac microvascular endothelial cells (CMECs) isolated from mice with streptozotocin (STZ)/high-fat diet (HFD)-induced T2DM, with and without treatment with the DNA-PK inhibitors NU7441 or M9831. Results: Hyperglycemia induced a robust DDR in endothelial cells, characterized by the upregulation of DNA-PK complex genes (PRKDC, XRCC5, XRCC6) and increased markers of DNA damage (γH2AX, 8-oxo-dG). This was accompanied by increased expression of pro-ferroptotic genes (Tfrc, Acsl4, Ptgs2), decreased expression of anti-ferroptotic genes (Gpx4, Slc7a11), and elevated lipid peroxidation (MDA, 4-HNE). Pharmacological inhibition of DNA-PK mitigated these effects, reducing oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation, and endothelial permeability, while improving cardiac contractile and relaxation parameters. Conclusions: Our findings implicate the DNA-PK complex as a key regulator of hyperglycemia-induced endothelial ferroptosis in T2DM cardiomyopathy. Targeting DNA-PK complex may represent a novel therapeutic strategy for mitigating microvascular dysfunction and cardiac decline in T2DM.

Cardiometabolic Comorbidities in Patients With Chronic Hepatitis B and Impact on Incidence of Liver Complications. A Danish Nationwide Cohort Study

Purpose

To evaluate liver complications in patients with chronic hepatitis B, both with and without cardiometabolic comorbidities, and to compare the incidence of cardiometabolic comorbidities in these patients with that of the general population.

Study Population and Methods

This nationwide registry-based cohort study included data from 2002-2020. In the primary analysis, we used multivariate Poisson regression to estimate the incidence rate and incidence rate ratio of liver complications in patients with chronic hepatitis B, stratified by the presence of cardiometabolic comorbidities. In the secondary analysis, we compared the incidence rate of developing cardiometabolic comorbidities in patients with chronic hepatitis B to those of the general population. Both analyses were adjusted for sex, age, and country of origin, while the primary analysis was additionally adjusted for time since cardiometabolic comorbidity diagnosis and calendar year.

Results

The primary analysis included 4731 patients with chronic hepatitis B, of whom 532 (11%) had at least one cardiometabolic comorbidity. The unadjusted overall incidence rate of liver complications in patients with cardiometabolic comorbidities was 1.0 per 100 person-years (95% confidence intervals: 0.84-1.30) compared to 0.4 per 100 person-years (95% confidence intervals: 0.30-0.42) in those without. The incidence rate ratio for liver complications was highest in the first year following the diagnosis of cardiometabolic comorbidity. The incidence rate ratio for developing cardiometabolic comorbidities in the chronic hepatitis B cohort compared to the general population, was 1.10 (95% confidence intervals: 1.02-1.19). Sensitivity analyses revealed a higher incidence rate ratio for type 2 diabetes and hypertension but a lower incidence rate ratio for hypercholesterolemia.

Conclusion

Patients with chronic hepatitis B and cardiometabolic comorbidities exhibit a higher incidence of liver complications, particularly in the first year following comorbidity diagnosis compared to those without comorbidities. Furthermore, patients with chronic hepatitis B have a higher incidence of cardiometabolic comorbidities than the general population.

Surrogate markers of insulin resistance and coronary artery disease in type 2 diabetes: U-shaped TyG association and insights from machine learning integration

BACKGROUND

Surrogate insulin resistance (IR) indices are simpler and more practical alternatives to insulin-based IR indicators for clinical use. This study explored the association between surrogate IR indices, including triglyceride-glucose index (TyG), triglyceride glucose-body mass index (TyG-BMI), triglyceride glucose-waist circumference (TyG-WC), triglyceride glucose-waist to height ratio (TyG-WHtR), metabolic score for insulin resistance (METS-IR), and the triglycerides/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TG/HDL-C) ratio, and coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D).

METHODS

Patients with T2D were enrolled in this study and divided into two groups, matched for age and diabetes duration: those with CAD and those without CAD. The association between surrogate IR indices and CAD was evaluated using restricted cubic spline (RCS) and multivariable logistic regression and their discriminative ability was assessed via Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Additionally, machine learning models, including Logistic Regression, Random Forest, eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), Light Gradient Boosting Machine (LightGBM), and Support Vector Machine (SVM), were employed to predict CAD presence using multiple surrogate IR indices and their components.

RESULTS

All surrogate IR indices exhibited non-linear associations with CAD. TyG demonstrated a U-shaped relationship, where both extremely low and high levels were associated with higher odds of CAD compared to intermediate levels. The surrogate IR indices showed a relatively strong discriminative ability for CAD, with AUC values exceeding 0.708 across all indices. The TG/HDL-C ratio displayed the highest AUC (0.721), accuracy (68%), and sensitivity (71%), whereas TyG-WC showed the highest specificity (78%). Machine learning algorithms (except logistic regression) demonstrated greater discriminative power than individual IR indices. Random forest and XGBoost revealed the best performance when using either multiple surrogate IR indices or their components.

CONCLUSIONS

Surrogate IR indices could be used as valuable tools for evaluating cardiometabolic risk in patients with T2D, who are at high risk for CAD. Integrating machine learning models further improved CAD prediction, underscoring their potential for better risk stratification. The observed association between these indices and CAD in T2D may help clarify the complex pathophysiology of CAD and offer insights for future research.

Triglyceride-glucose related indices as predictors for major adverse cardiovascular events and overall mortality in type-2 diabetes mellitus patients

BACKGROUND

Recent studies have indicated that triglyceride glucose (TyG)-waist height ratio (WHtR) and TyG-waist circumference (TyG-WC) are effective indicators for evaluating insulin resistance. However, research on the association in TyG-WHtR, TyG-WC, and the risk and prognosis of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) cases are limited.

AIM

To clarify the relation in TyG-WHtR, TyG-WC, and the risk of MACEs and overall mortality in T2DM patients.

METHODS

Information for this investigation was obtained from Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes (ACCORD)/ACCORD Follow-On (ACCORDION) study database. The Cox regression model was applied to assess the relation among TyG-WHtR, TyG-WC and future MACEs risk and overall mortality in T2DM cases. The RCS analysis was utilized to explore the nonlinear correlation. Subgroup and interaction analyses were conducted to prove the robustness. The receiver operating characteristic curves were applied to analysis the additional predicting value of TyG-WHtR and TyG-WC.

RESULTS

After full adjustment for confounding variables, the highest baseline TyG-WHtR cohort respectively exhibited a 1.353-fold and 1.420-fold higher risk for MACEs and overall mortality, than the lowest quartile group. Similarly, the highest baseline TyG-WC cohort showed a 1.314-fold and 1.480-fold higher risk for MACEs and overall mortality, respectively. Each 1 SD increase in TyG-WHtR was significantly related to an 11.7% increase in MACEs and a 14.9% enhance in overall mortality. Each 1 SD increase in TyG-WC corresponded to an 11.5% in MACEs and a 16.6% increase in overall mortality. Including these two indexes in conventional models significantly improved the predictive power for MACEs and overall mortality.

CONCLUSION

TyG-WHtR and TyG-WC were promising predictors of MACEs and overall mortality risk in T2DM cases.

Association between TyG index with obesity indicators and coronary heart disease: a cohort study

The potential of utilizing the Triglyceride Glucose Index (TyG), along with its combination with obesity indicators, for predicting the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) in the middle-aged and elderly population remains uncertain. This research aims to conduct a cohort study to assess the predictive capacity of the TyG and its combination with obesity indicators in forecasting the 10-year incidence of new-onset CHD among the middle-aged and elderly population in the Luzhou region. The study population was derived from the The China Cardiometabolic Disease and Cancer Cohort (4C) Study, comprising 8647 ordinary residents meeting specific criteria. The subjects were grouped based on quartiles of TyG, TyG-WC, TyG-WtHR, TyG-BMI, and TyG-WHR, and the occurrence of new-onset coronary heart disease was observed over a 10-year period. The study comprised 8647 participants, with 484 developing new-onset CHD, resulting in an incidence rate of 5.5% of the overall follow-up population. The comparison of new-onset CHD across quartiles of different indicators revealed a statistically significant difference (P < 0.001), with the order being the 4th quartile > 3rd quartile > 2nd quartile > 1st quartile. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis results indicated that, after adjusting for multiple influencing factors, the risk of new-onset CHD gradually increased with the quartiles of the 5 indicators. Specifically, when grouped according to TyG and TyG-WC quartiles, a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05) was observed between the 3rd and 4th quartiles compared to the 1st quartile. The ROC curve analysis results demonstrate that TyG-WC (area under the curve 0.608, P < 0.001) and TyG-WtHR (area under the curve 0.608, P < 0.001) exhibit superior predictive value for new-onset coronary heart disease compared to TyG (area under the curve 0.568, P < 0.001), TyG-BMI (area under the curve 0.576, P < 0.001), and TyG-WHR (area under the curve 0.595, P < 0.001). 1. TyG, TyG-WC, TyG-WtHR, TyG-BMI, and TyG-WHR demonstrate varying degrees of correlation with the incidence of new-onset coronary heart disease in the middle-aged and elderly population. 2. Specifically, TyG-WC may serve as a significant predictive factor for the occurrence of coronary heart disease in the elderly population.

Mediating effects of insulin resistance on lipid metabolism with elevated paraben exposure in the general Taiwan population

Introduction

Parabens are commonly used to prevent bacteria from growing in cosmetics and foodstuffs. Parabens have been reported to influence hormone regulation, potentially leading to metabolic anomalies, including insulin resistance and obesity. However, there is a paucity of knowledge regarding the relationship between urinary paraben levels and lipid metabolism in the general Taiwanese population. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine whether the mediating role of insulin resistance exists between paraben exposure and lipid metabolism.

Methods

We selected the data of 264 adult participants from a representative survey in five major Taiwan area in 2013. UPLC tandem mass spectrometry was used to examine four urine parabens: methyl- (MeP), ethyl- (EtP), propyl- (PrP) and butyl- (BuP). Blood samples were analyzed for concentrations of glucose and lipid metabolic indices using the DxI 800 immunoassay analyzer and immunoradiometric assay kit. The relationship between urinary paraben levels and metabolism indices were evaluated through a multiple linear regression analysis. Finally, a mediation analysis was employed to understand the underlying mechanism by which paraben exposure influences lipid metabolism through insulin resistance.

Results

The significant positive association between MeP exposure and Castelli risk index I (CRI-I; β = 0.05, p = 0.049) was found, and also exhibited the similar associations between EtP exposure and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (β = 0.10, p = 0.001), total cholesterol (β = 0.06, p = 0.003), and non-HDL cholesterol (NHC; β = 0.08, p = 0.005). EtP exhibited a significant positive association with triglyceride BMI (TyG-BMI; β = 0.02, p = 0.040). Additionally, TyG-BMI was positively associated with CRI-I (β = 0.98, p < 0.001), CRI-II (β = 1.03, p < 0.001) and NHC (β = 0.63, p < 0.001). Moreover, insulin resistance served as mediators for the effects of EtP exposure on lipid metabolism indices.

Discussion

The results indicate that changes in insulin resistance mediated the relationship between urinary paraben and lipid metabolism. Large-scale epidemiological and animal studies are warranted to identify biological mechanisms underlying validate these relationships.

In Vitro Chronic Hyperinsulinemia Induces Remodelling of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells from Young Men and Women in a Sex Hormone Independent Manner

Elevated circulating insulin levels between 80 and 100 µU/mL characterize hyperinsulinemia, which often leads to metabolic disorders such as obesity, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes (T2D). Elevated circulating insulin levels can directly affect vascular function and contribute to the pathophysiology of the cardiovascular system, including secondary arterial hypertension (SAH) and atherosclerosis. It is well known that hyperinsulinemia induced remodeling of the heart. However, there is no information on whether intrinsic differences exist between human vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and if in vitro mimicking hyperinsulinemia induces human VSMCs morphological and intracellular homeostasis remodeling in a sex- and sex hormones-dependent manner. Our in vitro cultured human VSMCs, coupled with quantitative 3D confocal imaging results, show that intrinsic differences exist between VSMCs from young men and women. Chronic hyperinsulinemia (80 µU/mL, 48 h treatment) increases cell and nuclear volumes associated with increased intracellular calcium (Ca2+) and ROS and decreased glutathione. In the absence of hyperinsulinemia, pretreatment with testosterone in VSMCs from men and oestradiol in VSMCs from women had no effect. Both sex hormones partially but not completely prevented hyperinsulinemia-induced remodeling of VSMCs from young men and women. The increase in VSMC volume may increase the thickness of the tunica media, leading to a decrease in the lumen of the blood vessel, which promotes the development of SAH and atherosclerosis in a sex-dependent manner.

Association between the triglyceride glucose-Chinese visceral adiposity index and new-onset stroke risk: a national cohort study

BACKGROUND

Numerous studies have investigated the effect of an integrated index that combines the triglyceride‒glucose (TyG) index with various obesity indicators on stroke incidence. However, how to use the TyG index and the Chinese Visceral Adiposity Index (CVAI) for stroke prevention remains unclear. This study examined the associations between dynamic changes in the TyG-CVAI index and cumulative, baseline, and new-onset stroke risk.

METHODS

Data from 3,769 participants in the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study(CHARLS) were analyzed, concentrating on the baseline TyG-CVAI, TyG-CVAI in 2015, and the cumulative TyG-CVAI derived from these. The fluctuations of the TyG-CVAI index were grouped into three clusters using K-means clustering analysis. Logistic regression models were used to examine the relationship between the TyG-CVAI index and new-onset stroke risk. Restricted cubic splines (RCS) were employed to investigate potential nonlinear relationships while assessing the predictive capability by receiver operating characteristic curve.

RESULTS

During the follow-up period, 181 participants experienced stroke events. The stroke incidence rates in Clusters 1, 2, and 3 were 2.42%, 8.72%, and 4.37%, respectively. After adjustment for confounding factors, Cluster 2 with high and increasing TyG-CVAI index (OR = 3.16, 95% CI 1.94-5.22), the Q3 group with high cumulative TyG-CVAI index (OR = 2.53, 95% CI 1.60-4.02), and the Q3 group with high baseline TyG-CVAI index (OR = 2.49, 95% CI 1.57-3.95),which were all correlated with an elevated risk of new-onset stroke. The RCS analysis disclosed a U-shaped relationship between cumulative and baseline TyG-CVAI index and stroke risk.

CONCLUSION

The fluctuations in and baseline, and cumulative TyG-CVAI index are independently correlated with an increased risk of stroke. The TyG-CVAI index is anticipated to be a more efficient and significant indicator for evaluating early stroke.

Association between TyG-BMI and early-onset hypertension: evidence from NHANES

Early-onset hypertension (EHT) is a growing concern due to its long-term cardiovascular risks. This study investigated the association between the triglyceride glucose-body mass index (TyG-BMI) and EHT in a nationally representative US sample. EHT was defined as physician-reported hypertension diagnosed before age 40. We used weighted logistic regression models to assess the association between TyG-BMI and EHT, adjusting for potential confounders. Mediation analysis was conducted to examine the role of oxidative stress and inflammation markers in this association. We analyzed data from 5193 adults with age under 40 years from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2009-2018.Participants with EHT had significantly higher TyG-BMI compared to those without EHT (P < 0.001). In multivariable analysis, the highest quartile of Ty-BMI was independently associated with 6.47-fold increased odds of EHT (OR: 6.47, 95% CI: 4.35-9.61) compared to the lowest quartile. This association remained significant across subgroups stratified by gender, race, and smoking status. Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) and uric acid were identified as potential mediators. Higher TyG-BMI is significantly associated with EHT. TyG-BMI may serve as a readily available clinical tool for early identification and management of individuals at increased risk for EHT, facilitating timely interventions to mitigate long-term cardiovascular risks.

Assessing the impact of insulin resistance trajectories on cardiovascular disease risk using longitudinal targeted maximum likelihood estimation

BACKGROUND

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is closely associated with Insulin Resistance (IR). However, there is limited research on the relationship between trajectories of IR and CVD incidence, considering both time-invariant and time-varying confounders. We employed advanced causal inference methods to evaluate the longitudinal impact of IR trajectories on CVD risk.

METHODS

The data for this study were extracted from a Chinese nationwide cohort, named China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). Triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index and TyG body mass index (BMI) were used as surrogate markers for IR, and their changes were recorded as exposures. Longitudinal targeted maximum likelihood estimation (LTMLE) was used to study how dynamic shifts in IR trajectories (i.e., increase, decrease, etc.) influence long-term CVD risk, adjusting for both time-invariant and time-varying confounders.

RESULTS

A total of 3,966 participants were included in the analysis, with 2,152 (54.3%) being female. The average age at baseline was 58.28 years. Over the course of a 7-year follow-up period, 499 (12.6%) participants developed CVD. Four distinct trajectories of TyG index and TyG-BMI were identified: low stable, increasing, decreasing, and high stable. LTMLE analyses revealed individuals in the 'high stable' and 'increasing' groups had a significantly higher risk of developing CVD compared to those in the 'low stable' group, while the 'decreasing' group showed no significant differences. Specifically, when the exposure was set as TyG-BMI, the odds of CVD in the 'high stable' group were 1.694 (95% CI: 1.361-2.108) times higher than in the 'low stable' group. Similar trends were observed across other models, with ORs of 1.708 (95% CI: 1.367-2.134) in Model 2, 1.389 (1.083-1.782) in Model 3, 1.675 (1.185-2.366) in Model 4, and 1.375 (95% CI:1.07 - 1.768) in Model 5. When the exposure was changed to the TyG index, the results remained consistent, with a slightly lower magnitude of the odds ratios.

CONCLUSIONS

High stable and increasing TyG-BMI and TyG index trajectories were associated with the risk of CVD. TyG-BMI consistently exhibited higher odds ratios (ORs) of CVD risk when comparing with TyG index. Early identification of IR trajectories could provide insights for preventing CVD later in life.

Can cardiovascular health and its modifiable healthy lifestyle offset the increased risk of all-cause and cardiovascular deaths associated with insulin resistance?

BACKGROUND

Insulin resistance(IR) is associated with an increased risk of all-cause and cardiovascular death, and modifiable healthy lifestyles play an active role in the improvement of IR and the reduction of all-cause and cardiovascular death. Whether cardiovascular health (CVH) and modifiable healthy lifestyles within it can attenuate or even offset the heightened perils of both all-cause and cardiovascular deaths associated with insulin resistance remains unclear.

METHODS

The study encompassed 14,172 healthy participants from the 2005-2018 NHANES programme. Insulin resistance was evaluated using the TyG index, TyG-WC, and TyG-WHtR, while CVH was assessed employing the LE8 score, in addition to the LE4 index redefined according to four health behaviours. Weighted multifactor Cox regression models were used to assess the association of IR and CVH with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, and dose-response relationships were assessed using restricted cubic spline. Furthermore, subjects were grouped according to IR and CVH scores, and generalised linear models were used to estimate the weighted mortality and risk of death for each group and to calculate the absolute risk difference. Finally, the predicted probability of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality risk as a function of IR was computed, and the complex relationship between the three was visualised using two-dimensional grouped scatter plots and three-dimensional surface plots.

RESULTS

Among the 14,172 healthy participants included in the study, 1534 deaths occurred over a mean follow-up period of 7.6 years (382 of these deaths were due to cardiovascular causes). The weighted Cox regression analysis indicated that elevated TyG-WC and TyG-WHtR correlated with a greater likelihood of mortality from all causes and cardiovascular events, whereas cardiovascular health was inversely associated with these risks. Additional stratification revealed a notable reduction in the likelihood of mortality from all causes and cardiovascular events as cardiovascular health improved, irrespective of the presence of insulin resistance. Additionally, participants with high insulin resistance but moderate or high cardiovascular health did not have significantly increased risks compared with those with low insulin resistance. Stratified scatter plots and 3D surface plots revealed that cardiovascular health and modifiable healthy lifestyles significantly reduced the risk of insulin resistance-related death, with greater reductions observed at higher insulin resistance levels.

CONCLUSIONS

In this cohort study, improving cardiovascular health and modifiable health behaviors significantly reduced the risk of insulin resistance-related all-cause and cardiovascular deaths. Maintaining cardiovascular health at moderate or high levels (LE8 ≥ 50) could offset the increased risks caused by insulin resistance.