Total cholesterol/HDL-C ratio versus non-HDL-C as predictors for ischemic heart disease: a 17-year follow-up study of women in southern Sweden

Maternal dietary fatty acid composition and content prior to and during pregnancy and lactation influences serum profile, liver phenotype and hepatic miRNA expression in young male and female offspring

This study aimed to investigate whether modifying the pre-gestational lipid content could mitigate metabolic damage in offspring from dams exposed to a high-fat (HF) diet before conception and during pregnancy and lactation, with a focus on sex-specific outcomes. Specific effects of maternal normolipidic diets on offspring were also assessed. Female Wistar rats received control (C) or HF diets before conception. During pregnancy and lactation, females were distributed in five groups: C-C, HF-HF, HF-C, HF-saturated (HF-S) or HF-polyunsaturated n-3 group (HF-P). Saturated and PUFA n-3 diets were normolipidic. In 21-day-old offspring, corporal parameters, adiposity, serum metabolites, OGTT, liver phenotype, and miR-34a-5p hepatic expression were determined. Pre-gestational HF diet impaired glycemic response in females, independent of any change in body weight. Female and male offspring from dams continuously exposed to HF diet exhibited hyperglycemia, increased adiposity, and disrupted serum lipid profiles. Male offspring showed increased hepatic fat accumulation and miR-34a-5p expression. Shifting maternal dietary lipid content to normolipidic diets restored offspring's phenotype; however, decreased SIRT1, IRβ and IRS1 expression in offspring from dams exposed to HF diet before conception suggested early indicators of glucose metabolism damage. Our findings indicated a pronounced metabolic impact on males. In conclusion, glucose tolerance impairment in females before conception disturbed intrauterine environment, influencing in offspring's phenotype. Modifying maternal dietary lipid content mitigated effects of pre-gestational HF diet exposure on young offspring. Nevertheless, decreased hepatic levels of critical insulin signaling proteins indicated that independently of the maternal diet, pre-existing HF diet-induced glucose intolerance before conception may adversely program the offspring's phenotype.

Physiological Fitness of U.S. Army Aviators Compared to the U.S. General Population

INTRODUCTION: U.S. Army aviators are required to maintain a level of physiological fitness as part of their qualifying process, which suggests that they are generally physically healthy. However, it has not been statistically proven that they are more "physiologically fit" than the general population.METHODS: This retrospective study compares physiological measurements of U.S. Army aviators from the Aeromedical Electronic Resource Office database to the U.S. general population using the Center for Disease Control's National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data. To enable an accurate comparison of physiological metrics between U.S. Army aviators and the U.S. general population, aviators were categorized into the same age groups and biological genders used for segmentation of the national population data.RESULTS: On average, pulse rate was 4.85 bpm lower in male aviators and 6.84 bpm lower in female aviators. Fasting glucose levels were, on average, 10.6 mg · dL-1 lower in aviators compared to the general population. Key metrics like pulse rate and fasting glucose were lower in aviators, indicating cardiovascular and metabolic advantages. However, parameters like cholesterol showed less consistent differences.DISCUSSION: While aviation physical demands and administrative policies selecting for elite physiological metrics produce improvements on some dimensions, a nuanced view accounting for the multitude of factors influencing an aviator's physiological fitness is still warranted. Implementing targeted health monitoring and maintenance programs based on assessments conducted more frequently than the current annual flight physical may optimize aviator safety and performance over the course of a career.D'Alessandro M, Mackie R, Wolf S, McGhee JS, Curry I. Physiological fitness of U.S. Army aviators compared to the U.S. general population. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2024; 95(4):175-186.

Taking appreciation to heart: appreciation at work and cardiovascular risk in male employees

Introduction

While perceived appreciation at work has been associated with self-reported health and wellbeing, studies considering biological health markers are lacking. In this study, we investigated whether appreciation at work would relate to coronary heart disease (CHD) risk as well as the specificity of this proposed association.

Methods

Our study comprised a total of 103 male participants, including apparently healthy, medication-free, non-smoking men in the normotensive to hypertensive range (n = 70) as well as medicated hypertensive and CHD patients (n = 33). CHD risk was assessed by blood pressure [mean arterial pressure (MAP)], the diabetes marker glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), blood lipids [total cholesterol (TC)/high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) ratio], coagulation activity (D-dimer and fibrinogen), and inflammation [interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and C-reactive protein (CRP)]. Perceived appreciation at work, as well as potentially confounding psychological factors (social support, self-esteem, and work strain due to a lack of appreciation), were measured by self-report questionnaires.

Results

We found higher appreciation at work to relate to lower overall composite CHD risk (p's ≤ 0.011) and, in particular, to lower MAP (p's ≤ 0.007) and lower blood lipids (p's ≤ 0.031) in medication-free participants as well as all participants. This overall association was independent of confounding factors, including related psychological factors (p's ≤ 0.049).

Discussion

Our findings indicate that appreciation at work might be an independent health-promoting resource in terms of CHD risk. Implications include that encouraging appreciation at work may help reduce the development and progression of CHD.

A disulfidptosis-related lncRNA signature for predicting prognosis and evaluating the tumor immune microenvironment of lung adenocarcinoma

As a novel form of regulated cell death (RCD), disulfidptosis offering a significant opportunity in better understanding of tumor pathogenesis and therapeutic strategies. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) regulate the biology functions of tumor cells by engaging with a range of targets. However, the prognostic value of disulfidptosis-related lncRNAs (DRlncRNAs) in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) remains unclear. Therefore, our study aimed at establishing a prognostic model for LUAD patients based on DRlncRNAs. RNA-seq data and clinical information were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Subsequently, a prognostic model based on DRlncRNAs was constructed using LASSO and COX regression analysis. Patients were stratified into high- and low-risk groups based on their risk scores. Differences between the high-risk and low-risk groups were investigated in terms of overall survival (OS), functional enrichment, tumor immune microenvironment (TIME), somatic mutations, and drug sensitivity. Finally, the role of lncRNA GSEC in LUAD was validated through in vitro experiments. Using the prognostic model consists of 5 DRlncRNAs (AL365181.2, GSEC, AC093673.1, AC012615.1, AL606834.1), the low-risk group exhibited a markedly superior survival in comparison to the high-risk group. The significant differences were observed among patients from different risk groups in OS, immune cell infiltration, immune checkpoint expression, immunotherapy response, and mutation landscape. Experimental results from cellular studies demonstrate the knockdown of lncRNA GSEC leading to a significant reduction in the proliferation and migration abilities of LUAD cells. Our prognostic model, constructed using 5 DRlncRNAs, exhibited the capacity to independently predict the survival of LUAD patients, providing the potentially significant assistance in prognosis prediction, and treatment effects optimization. Moreover, our study established a foundation for further research on disulfidptosis in LUAD and proposed new perspectives for the treatment of LUAD.

Potential antihypertensive activity of novel peptides from green basil leaves

Hypertension is among the risk factors of death globally. Novel antihypertensive peptides are alternative choices of antihypertensive assistance. This study aimed to discover novel antihypertensive peptides from green basil leaves. Two bioactive peptides with high angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition (Asp-Leu-Ser-Ser-Ala-Pro; peptide 1) and antioxidant (Asp-Ser-Val-Ser-Ala-Ser-Pro; peptide 2) activities were gavaged to male Wistar rats induced with NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl-ester (L-NAME). L-NAME-treated rats (HT) had decreased body weights and levels of nitrite and nitrate, which are metabolites of nitric oxide. The levels of their glucose and liver function indicators increased as compared to normal rats. HT rats receiving antihypertensive drugs (HTD) showed higher low-density lipoprotein and low-density lipoprotein/high-density lipoprotein levels than HT rats. Peptide 1 seems to benefit the rat lipid profiles, liver functions, antioxidant, nitrite, nitrate, and angiotensin II peptide levels but not peptide 2. In conclusion, our findings indicate the antihypertensive potential related to vasodilation of peptides from green basil leaves.

Plant-Based Nutrition: Exploring Health Benefits for Atherosclerosis, Chronic Diseases, and Metabolic Syndrome-A Comprehensive Review

Atherosclerosis, chronic non-communicable diseases, and metabolic syndrome are highly interconnected and collectively contribute to global health concerns that reduce life expectancy and quality of life. These conditions arise from multiple risk factors, including inflammation, insulin resistance, impaired blood lipid profile, endothelial dysfunction, and increased cardiovascular risk. Adopting a plant-based diet has gained popularity as a viable alternative to promote health and mitigate the incidence of, and risk factors associated with, these three health conditions. Understanding the potential benefits of a plant-based diet for human health is crucial, particularly in the face of the rising prevalence of chronic diseases like diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, atherosclerosis, and cancer. Thus, this review focused on the plausible advantages of consuming a type of food pattern for the prevention and/or treatment of chronic diseases, emphasizing the dietary aspects that contribute to these conditions and the evidence supporting the benefits of a plant-based diet for human health. To facilitate a more in-depth analysis, we present separate evidence for each of these three concepts, acknowledging their intrinsic connection while providing a specific focus on each one. This review underscores the potential of a plant-based diet to target the underlying causes of these chronic diseases and enhance health outcomes for individuals and populations.

Eggs: Healthy or Risky? A Review of Evidence from High Quality Studies on Hen's Eggs

Hen's eggs (from Gallus gallus domesticus) provide choline, folate, vitamin D, iodine, B vitamins and high-quality protein and are no longer viewed by national bodies as a risk factor for hypercholesterolaemia and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Yet, questions remain about the benefits and risks of eating eggs regularly. This review evaluates recent high-quality evidence from randomised controlled trials (RCT) and meta-analyses of observational studies and considers new areas of interest, such as weight management, protein metabolism, allergy risk and sustainability. In several RCT, eggs increased muscle protein synthesis and lowered fat mass, which could support optimal body composition. Eggs within a meal improved satiety, which could translate into lower energy intakes, although more RCT are needed. In observational studies, higher egg consumption was associated with a null effect or a modest reduced risk of CVD. For type 2 diabetes (T2D) incidence and risk of CVD in people with T2D, there were inconsistencies between observational and RCT data, with the former noting positive associations and the latter seeing no effect of higher egg intake on markers of T2D and CVD. Sustainability metrics suggest that eggs have the lowest planetary impact amongst animal proteins. To lower allergy risk, earlier introduction of eggs into weaning diets is warranted. In conclusion, the balance of evidence points to eggs being a nutritious food suggesting there are broad health benefits from including eggs in the diet at intakes higher than that currently consumed by European populations.

Earth Worming-An Evaluation of Earthworm (Eisenia andrei) as an Alternative Food Source

Aside from their bioremediation roles, little is known about the food and feed value of earthworms. In this study, a comprehensive evaluation of the nutritional composition (proximate analysis and profiles of fatty acids and minerals) and techno-functional properties (foaming and emulsion stability and capacity) of earthworm (Eisenia andrei, sourced in New Zealand) powder (EAP) were investigated. Lipid nutritional indices, ω6/ω3, atherogenicity index, thrombogenicity index, hypocholesterolemic/hypercholesterolemic acid ratio, and health-promoting index of EAP lipids are also reported. The protein, fat, and carbohydrate contents of EAP were found to be 53.75%, 19.30%, and 23.26% DW, respectively. The mineral profile obtained for the EAP consisted of 11 essential minerals, 23 non-essential minerals, and 4 heavy metals. The most abundant essential minerals were potassium (8220 mg·kg^-1 DW), phosphorus (8220 mg·kg^-1 DW), magnesium (744.7 mg·kg^-1 DW), calcium (2396.7 mg·kg^-1 DW), iron (244.7 mg·kg^-1 DW), and manganese (25.6 mg·kg^-1 DW). Toxic metals such as vanadium (0.2 mg·kg^-1 DW), lead (0.2 mg·kg^-1 DW), cadmium (2.2 mg·kg^-1 DW), and arsenic (2.3 mg·kg^-1 DW) were found in EAP, which pose safety considerations. Lauric acid (20.3% FA), myristoleic acid (11.20% FA), and linoleic acid (7.96% FA) were the most abundant saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fatty acids, respectively. The lipid nutritional indices, such as IT and ω-6/ω-3, of E. andrei were within limits considered to enhance human health. A protein extract derived from EAP (EAPPE), obtained by alkaline solubilisation and pH precipitation, exhibited an isoelectric pH of ~5. The total essential amino acid content and essential amino acid index of EAPPE were 373.3 mg·g^-1 and 1.36 mg·g^-1 protein, respectively. Techno-functional analysis of EAPPE indicated a high foaming capacity (83.3%) and emulsion stability (88.8% after 60 min). Heat coagulation of EAPPE was greater at pH 7.0 (12.6%) compared with pH 5.0 (4.83%), corroborating the pH-solubility profile and relatively high surface hydrophobicity (1061.0). These findings demonstrate the potential of EAP and EAPPE as nutrient-rich and functional ingredients suitable as alternative food and feed material. The presence of heavy metals, however, should be carefully considered.

Predictive Value of Cardiovascular Health Score for Health Outcomes in Patients with PCI: Comparison between Life's Simple 7 and Life's Essential 8

The American Heart Association recently published an updated algorithm for quantitative assessments of cardiovascular health (CVH) metrics, namely Life's Essential 8 (LE8). This study aimed to compare the predictive value between Life's Simple 7 (LS7) and LE8 and predict the likelihood of major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) to determine the utility of the LE8 in predicting CVH outcomes. A total of 339 patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) who had undergone PCI were enrolled to assess the CVH scores using the LS7 and LE8. Multivariable Cox regression analysis was employed to evaluate the predictive value of the two different CVH scoring systems at 2 years for MACEs. Multivariable Cox regression analysis revealed that both the LS7 and LE8 scores were protective factors for MACEs (HR = 0.857, [95%CI: 0.78-0.94], HR = 0.964, [95%CI: 0.95-0.98]; p < 0.05, respectively). Receiver operator characteristic analysis indicated that the area under the curve (AUC) of LE8 was higher than that of LS7 (AUC: 0.662 vs. 0.615, p < 0.05). Lastly, in the LE8 score, diet, sleep health, serum glucose levels, nicotine exposure, and physical activity were found to be correlated with MACEs (HR = 0.985, 0.988, 0.993, 0.994, 0.994, respectively). Our study established that LE8 is a more reliable assessment system for CVH. This population-based prospective study reports that an unfavorable cardiovascular health profile is associated with MACEs. Future research is warranted to evaluate the effectiveness of optimizing diet, sleep health, serum glucose levels, nicotine exposure, and physical activity in reducing the risk of MACEs. In conclusion, our findings corroborated the predictive value of Life's Essential 8 and provided further evidence for the association between CVH and the risk of MACEs.

The lipid-lowering effects of fenugreek gum, hawthorn pectin, and burdock inulin

Objective

The present study aimed to investigate the lipid-lowering effects and mechanisms of fenugreek gum (FG), hawthorn pectin (HP), and burdock inulin (BI) on high-fat diet (HFD)-induced hyperlipidemic rats.

Methods

In this study, high-fat diet (HFD) together with fat emulsion administration were used to establish hyperlipidemia model. The biochemical indices were assayed after administration of FG, HP, and BI. Their effects were evaluated by factor analysis. Alterations of gut microbiota and short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in the cecal were assessed to illustrate the mechanism of lipid lowering.

Results

The supplementation of FG, HP, and BI on HFD-fed rats decreased the levels of serum lipid and reduced the HFD-related liver and testicle damage. In the scatter plot of factor analysis, HP and BI were closer to normal fat diet (NFD) group in restoring the severity of hyperlipidemia, while FG and HP enhanced the excretion of cholesterol and bile acids (BAs). The levels of total SCFAs, especially butyric acid reduced by HFD were increased by HP. The ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes increased by HFD was reduced by HP and BI. FG, HP, and BI enriched intestinal probiotics, which were related to bile acid excretion or lipid-lowering.

Conclusions

FG inhibited the absorption of cholesterol and enhanced the excretion of it, as well as increased the abundance of beneficial bacteria. While BI restored the imbalance of intestinal microbiota. HP enhanced the excretion of cholesterol and BAs, and restored the imbalance of intestinal microbiota. It was also utilized by intestinal microorganisms to yield SCFAs. This study suggested that FG, HP, and BI possessed the potential to be utilized as dietary supplements for obesity management.

Specificity of the Associations between Indices of Cardiovascular Health with Health Literacy and Physical Literacy; A Cross-Sectional Study in Older Adolescents

Background and Objectives: Cardiovascular health status (CVHS) is an important determinant of health, while it is theorized that health literacy (HL) and physical literacy (PL) could be directly related to CVHS. The aim of this study was to evaluate gender-specific associations between PL and HL and indices of CVHS in adolescence. Materials and Methods: The participants were 247 adolescents (177 females) from Split-Dalmatia county in Croatia who were tested on HL, PL, and CVHS (physical activity level (PAL) and lipid profile). The lipid profile included total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoproteins, non-high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and low-density lipoproteins. Gender-stratified multivariate cluster analysis (K-means clustering) was used to group participants into three homogenous groups on the basis of their HL and PL, while differences between clusters in CVHS were evidenced by analysis of the variance and consecutive post-hoc tests. Results: The lipid profile was better in girls with higher HL scores. Additionally, clusters consisting of participants with a better PL were characterized by higher PAL. We have found no evidence that HL is associated with PAL, while PL was not associated with the lipid profile. Conclusions: HL was specifically associated with direct indicators of health status (lipid profile) in girls, while PL was associated with PAL as a particular behavioral health indicator in both genders. The study highlights the necessity of including education of HL and PL in schools.

Total cholesterol and high density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio is associated with metabolic syndrome in a very elderly Chinese population

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is currently a major public health challenge in young, middle aged and elderly population worldwide, but it is still not clear in very elderly population. This study was to investigate the potential association between total cholesterol and high density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (THR) and MetS in a very elderly population in Chengdu. Totally, 1056 very elderly (aged ≥ 80 years) in Chengdu community were enrolled in this study. Geographic characteristics of participants were collected and laboratory measurement was performed. Metabolic syndrome (MetS) was defined according to the Chinese and the international diabetes federation (IDF) criteria, respectively. Logistic analysis was used to investigate the potential association between the THR and MetS. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis was used to evaluate the efficiency of THR in MetS predicting. Finally, 1038 participants were included in statistical analysis. The mean age was 83.6 ± 3.4 years and 52.6% participants were men and 21.6% suffered from MetS. Participants with MetS had relatively higher waist circumference, body weight, blood pressure, fast plasma glucose level, non-high density lipoprotein cholesterol level and THR. The logistic analysis revealed that the THR was associated with MetS according to both the Chinese (odds ratio (OR): 3.053, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.464–3.782, P < 0.001) and the IDF criteria (OR: 2.458, 95% CI 2.016–2.995, P < 0.001). ROC analysis found that the area under curve of the THR was 0.800 (95% CI 0.749–0.852, P < 0.001) and 0.727 (95% CI 0.669–0.786, P < 0.001) for predicting MetS according to the Chinese and the IDF criteria, respectively. The THR is associated with MetS in this community very elderly population in Chengdu.

Do obesity, hypertension and dyslipidemia pose significant risks for coronary artery disease among Bangladeshi diabetics?

Background and objectives: For decades the global population has been experiencing diabetic epidemic. The risks related to obesity, diabetes mellitus (DM) and coronary artery diseases (CAD) are well known. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of coronary artery disease (CAD) and its related risks in Bangladeshi diabetics. Materials and methods: The study was conducted at Bangladesh Institute of Research and Rehabilitation in Diabetes, Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders (BIRDEM), a largest referral center for diabetes in Bangladesh. Socio-demographic and clinical history including biochemical investigation report were collected from the BIRDEM registry. The eligible criteria of study participants were: age 30 – 60 year, having DM, non-smoker, free from retinopathy, nephropathy and neuropathy. The prevalence of CAD, systolic hypertension (SHTN) and diastolic hypertension (DHTN) in the registered diabetic patients were estimated. Additionally, the study addressed the risk and predictors of CAD among those with DM. Investigations included – anthropometry, blood pressure, blood glucose, serum lipids and electrocardiogram (ECG). CAD was diagnosed on: (a) history of angina plus positive ECG - either on rest or on stress, post-myocardial infarction (MI) with Q-wave MI or non-Q-MI or echocardiographic evidences. Lipids namely triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (T-Chol), high density lipoproteins (HDL) and low-density lipoproteins (LDL) were estimated by Hitachi-704 auto-analyzer using enzymatic method. Results: A total of 693 (M /W =295/398) participants volunteered. The prevalence of CAD, SHTN, DHTN and mean arterial hypertension (MAH) were 18.6%, 23.2%, 13.6% and 17.7%, respectively. Their mean (±SD) values of age, body mass index (BMI - kg/m2), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were 47 (8.6) years, 24.6 (3.5), 0.98(0.05), 0.56(0.06) and 101(11.3) mmHg, respectively. The mean (±SD) of FBG (mmol/L), T-Chol, TG and HDL (mg/dl) were 10.2 ± 4.0, 206 ± 44, 218 ± 86 and 47.5 ± 9.3 respectively. The women had significantly higher BMI (p<0.001), WHtR (p<0.001), SBP (<0.001), MAP (p<0.001), T-Chol (p<0.001) and TG (p=0.043) than men. The risk variables were categorized into quartiles and Chi-sq trend determined whether the increasing prevalence of CAD were significant. Higher quartile of age was found consistently significant (p<0.001). Of the obesity indices, only higher quartile of WHtR was significant (p< 0.05). For BP measures, higher MAP quartiles showed the trend significant (p<0.001). Likewise, for lipids, higher quartiles of TG (p<0.001) and lower quartile of HDL (p<0.001) were significant. Finally, logistic regression estimated the risk related to CAD. The highest age-quintile (>55y: 95% CI: 1.09 - 43.7) and highest TG-quintile (281mg/dl: 95% CI: 1.45-59.7) were proved to be significant predictor of CAD and HDL highest quintile (>54mg/dl) was proved to be significant protecting factor for CAD (95% CI: 0.005-0.583). Conclusion: The study observed the importance of MAP, TG, HDL, T-Chol/HDLR (T-Chol -to HDL ratio) and TG/HDLR (triglycerides-to HDL ratio) as risks for CAD among diabetics. Further study with investigations of echocardiogram, ETT, coronary angiogram and coronary calcium scoring would be helpful in confirming these findings related to CAD risks. IMC J Med Sci. 2023; 17(1): 002. DOI: https://doi.org/10.55010/imcjms.17.002 *Correspondence: M Abu Sayeed, Department of Community Medicine, Ibrahim Medical College, 1/A, Ibrahim Sarani, Segunbagicha, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh. Email: sayeed1950@gmail.com

Dyslipidemia Increases the Risk of Incident Hypertension in a Large Taiwanese Population Follow-Up Study

Dyslipidemia is an important risk factor for hypertension and is strongly associated with an elevated risk of cardiovascular diseases including atherosclerosis and stroke. In this study, we investigated correlations between lipid profiles, including triglycerides, total cholesterol (Chol), high-and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C/LDL-C), and Chol/HDL-C, and baseline and incident hypertension. A total of 26,965 subjects with 4 years of follow-up data were enrolled from the Taiwan Biobank. In the cross-sectional cohort, associations between the prevalence of hypertension and lipid profiles were examined in all study participants (n = 26,965). In the longitudinal cohort, these associations were further assessed in the participants without baseline hypertension (n = 21,454). Multivariable analysis revealed that those in the second quartile (Q2) of triglycerides (compared to Q1; odds ratio (OR), 1.402; p < 0.001); Q3 of triglycerides (compared to Q1; OR, 1.365; p < 0.001); Q4 of triglycerides (compared to Q1; OR, 1.617; p < 0.001); Q3 of HDL-C (compared to Q1; OR, 0.886; p = 0.042); Q4 of HDL-C (compared to Q1; OR, 0.819; p = 0.002); Q2 of Chol/HDL-C (compared to Q1; OR, 1.144; p = 0.042); Q3 of Chol/HDL-C (compared to Q1; OR, 1.149; p = 0.034); and Q4 of Chol/HDL-C (compared to Q1; OR, 1.225; p = 0.002) were significantly associated with incident hypertension. In summary, high Chol/HDL-C, low HDL-C, and high triglycerides were associated with a higher risk of incident hypertension in the enrolled Taiwanese participants.

Combined superposition effect of hypertension and dyslipidemia on left ventricular hypertrophy

BACKGROUND

Hypertension and dyslipidemia are considered reversible risk factors for cardiovascular disease. The purpose of this study was to explore the impact of traditional and nontraditional blood lipid profiles on the risk of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and to explore the superposition effect of dyslipidemia combined with hypertension.

METHODS

Data on 9134 participants (53.5 ± 10.3 years old) from the Northeast China Rural Cardiovascular Health Study (NCRCHS) were statistically analyzed. The blood lipid profile was measured by total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), total glyceride (TG), and calculated nontraditional blood lipid indices including non-HDL-C, atherosclerosis index (AI), TC/HDL-C, and residual cholesterol (RC).

RESULTS

After the adjustment of age and gender, the odds ratios (ORs) of LVH in patients with hypertension, high LDL-C, high non-HDL-C, high AI, and high TC/HDL-C were 3.97 (3.31-4.76), 1.27 (1.02-1.59), 1.21 (1.04-1.39), 1.33 (1.15-1.53), and 1.42 (1.22-1.65), respectively. After full adjustment of potential confounding factors, high AI and TC/HDL-C were associated with LVH rather than traditional blood lipid indices. The combination of hypertension and nontraditional dyslipidemia (defined by high AI and TC/HDL-C) was associated with the highest risk of LVH, especially in participants under 45 years of age. The risk was more significant in men, 5.09-fold and 6.24-fold, respectively, compared with 3.66-fold and 4.01-fold in women.

CONCLUSIONS

People with dyslipidemia defined by nontraditional blood lipid indices (high AI and high TC/HDL-C) and hypertension were more likely to develop LVH.

Investigating the Impact of Extruded Dehulled Adlay with Specific In Vitro Digestion Properties on Blood Lipids in Subjects with Mild to Moderate Dyslipidemia

Dyslipidemia, a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), is modifiable by diet and lifestyle changes. A large population with mild to moderate dyslipidemia is at risk of developing CVDs, and early initiation of preventive measures can avert advancing into severe medical conditions. Studies suggest increasing slowly digestible starch (SDS) in diets can help lower blood lipids. We processed dehulled adlay, a cereal rich in bioactive compounds, such as polyphenols and phytosterols, into an instant meal by extrusion and milling and then assessed its starch composition and in vitro digestibility. The dehulled adlay was found to consist of 32% SDS and resistant starch combined. Then, eligible subjects with dyslipidemia were recruited to explore the adlay’s hypolipidemic potential, safety, and acceptability. Subjects consumed the dehulled adlay as the sole carbohydrate source in their breakfast, without changing other components in the diet or lifestyle, for 12 weeks. After intervention, serum total cholesterol (TC) decreased significantly in subjects with hypercholesterolemia. In addition, both TC and triglyceride levels decreased significantly in those above 50 years old. In conclusion, the extruded dehulled adlay displays potential for favorably modulating blood lipids, and the effect is more pronounced in the middle-aged population.

Dyslipidemia, Diabetes and Atherosclerosis: Role of Inflammation and ROS-Redox-Sensitive Factors

The prevalence of diabetes is growing at an alarming rate with increased disability, morbidity, and often premature mortality because of the various complications of this disorder. Chronic hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, and other metabolic alterations lead to the development and progression of macro- and microvascular complications of diabetes including cardiovascular, retinal and kidney disease. Despite advances in glucose and lipid lowering treatments, a large number of diabetic individuals develop one or more types of these complications, ultimately leading to end-organ damage over the time. Atherosclerosis is the major macro-vascular complications of diabetes and the primary underlying cause of cardiovascular disease (CVD) posing heavy burden on the health care system. In this review, we discuss the involvement of dyslipidemia in the progression of atherosclerosis by activating the pro-inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress-related factors. In addition, we also provide information on various pharmacological agents that provides protection against diabetic atherosclerosis by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress.

Identification of seven novel ferroptosis-related long non-coding RNA signatures as a diagnostic biomarker for acute myeloid leukemia

Background

Ferroptosis is a newly discovered type of programmed cell death that participates in the biological processes of various cancers. However, the mechanism by which ferroptosis modulates acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the role of ferroptosis-related long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in AML and establish a corresponding prognostic model.

Methods

RNA-sequencing data and clinicopathological characteristics were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas database, and ferroptosis-related genes were obtained from the FerrDb database. The “limma” R package, Cox regression, and the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator were used to determine the ferroptosis-related lncRNA signature with the lowest Akaike information criteria (AIC). The risk score of ferroptosis-related lncRNAs was calculated and patients with AML were divided into high- and low-risk groups based on the median risk score. The Kaplan–Meier curve and Cox regression were used to evaluate the prognostic value of the risk score. Finally, gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) and single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) were performed to explore the biological functions of the ferroptosis-related lncRNAs.

Results

Seven ferroptosis-related lncRNA signatures were identified in the training group, and Kaplan–Meier and Cox regression analyses confirmed that risk scores were independent prognostic predictors of AML in both the training and validation groups (All P < 0.05). In addition, the area under the curve (AUC) analysis confirmed that the signatures had a good predictive ability for the prognosis of AML. GSEA and ssGSEA showed that the seven ferroptosis-related lncRNAs were related to glutathione metabolism and tumor immunity.

Conclusions

In this study, seven novel ferroptosis-related lncRNA signatures (AP001266.2, AC133961.1, AF064858.3, AC007383.2, AC008906.1, AC026771.1, and KIF26B-AS1) were established. These signatures were shown to accurately predict the prognosis of AML, which would provide new insights into strategies for the development of new AML therapies.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12920-021-01085-9.

Acute Stress-Induced Blood Lipid Reactivity in Hypertensive and Normotensive Men and Prospective Associations with Future Cardiovascular Risk

Hyperreactivity to stress may be one explanation for the increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in individuals with essential hypertension. We investigated blood lipid reactivity to the Montreal Imaging Stress Task (MIST), a psychosocial stressor, in hypertensive and normotensive men and tested for prospective associations with biological risk factors. Fifty-six otherwise healthy and medication-free hypertensive and normotensive men underwent the MIST. We repeatedly measured cortisol and blood lipid profiles (total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and triglycerides (TG)) immediately before and up to 1 h after stress. Lipid levels were corrected for stress hemoconcentration. Thirty-five participants completed follow-up assessment 2.9 ± 0.12 (SEM) years later. CVD risk was assessed by prospective changes in TC/HDL-C ratio, IL-6, D-dimer, and HbA1c from baseline to follow-up. The MIST induced significant changes in all parameters except TC (p-values ≤ 0.043). Compared with normotensives, hypertensives had higher TC/HDL-C-ratio and TG (p-values ≤ 0.049) stress responses. Blood lipid stress reactivity predicted future cardiovascular risk (p = 0.036) with increases in HbA1c (ß = 0.34, p = 0.046), IL-6 (ß = 0.31, p = 0.075), and D-dimer (ß = 0.33, p = 0.050). Our results suggest that the greater blood lipid reactivity to psychosocial stress in hypertensives, the greater their future biological CVD risk. This points to lipid stress reactivity as a potential mechanism through which stress might increase CVD risk in essential hypertension.

Elucidating causal effects of type 2 diabetes on ischemic heart disease from observational data on middle-aged Swedish women: a triangular analytical approach

The association between type 2 diabetes (T2D) and ischemic heart disease (IHD) is well established but the potential causal association needs further studying. In an attempt to elucidate the causal effect of T2D on IHD, we used three different analytical approaches in two different datasets. A well-defined cohort of 6047 women aged 50–59 years were included at baseline (1995 to 2000) and followed until 2015 for IHD. The median follow-up was 16.3 years. We used a Marginal Structural Cox model (MSM Cox) to account for time-varying exposure (time at onset of T2D) and for ten confounders (using inverse probability weighting, IPW). We also compared the MSM-Cox models with traditional Cox regression modelling in the cohort. Finally, we analyzed information on individuals from Swedish population-based registers with national coverage in a comprehensive co-relative design and extrapolated the results to MZ twins. The Hazard Ratio (HR) for IHD in relation to T2D at baseline and T2D occurring during the follow-up in the MSM Cox model weighted by IPW (based on the ten included confounders) was 1.43 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.07–1.92). The corresponding HR from the traditional Cox regression model was of similar effect size. The average extrapolated MZ twin estimate from our co-relative model was 1.61 (95% CI 1.48–1.86). Our findings, based on a triangular approach, support the existence of a causal association between T2D and IHD and that preventive long-term measures in order to avoid or postpone IHD should include monitoring and treatment of both the T2D itself as well as other cardiovascular risk factors.