Cameroonian professional soccer players and risk of atherosclerosis

Background

Elevated titers of antibodies against oxidized low-density lipoproteins-cholesterol (ox-LDL-Ab) have been reported among professional athletes, paradoxically reflecting an increased risk of developing atherogenic and/or cardiovascular events. This study aimed to determine titers of ox-LDL-Ab in a group of Cameroonian professional soccer players, and evaluate their evolution during part of a competition season as well as the plasmatic antioxidant status to find out if this latter correlates with ox-LDL-Ab .

Methods

We conducted a descriptive cohort study in 2012 including 18 healthy male soccer players. Three samplings were performed in March (T1), May (T2), and July 2012 (T3) to assess the lipid profile, titers of ox-LDL-Ab, and plasmatic concentrations of four antioxidants: the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and uric acid.

Results

Ages ranged from 16 to 28 years with a median (interquartile range) of 19.5 (19–23) years. Total cholesterol, high-density lipoproteins-cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoproteins-cholesterol (LDL-C) and triglycerides varied within normal ranges throughout the three samplings. While total cholesterol and LDL-C titers increased significantly (p = 0.003 and p = 0.006, respectively), triglycerides and HDL-C values varied non-significantly throughout the measurements (p = 0.061 and p = 0.192, respectively). The median ox-LDL-Ab titers were respectively: 653.3 (468.2–838.8) mIU/ml at T1, 777.7 (553.7–1150.7) mIU/ml at T2, and 1037.7 (901.7–1481.5) mIU/ml at T3. Overall, ox-LDL-Ab titers increased significantly from T1 to T3 (p = 0.006). Concomitantly, uric acid and FRAP concentrations decreased significantly (p = 0.001 and p = 0.003, respectively); on the contrary, GSH and SOD values increased, but insignificantly (p = 0.115 and p = 0.110, respectively). There was a positive and significant correlation between ox-LDL-Ab and HDL-C (ρ = 0.519, p = 0.027), and between ox-LDL-Ab and SOD (ρ = 0.504, p = 0.033) at T2. Ox-LDL-Ab values were expected to increase with each new visit (β = 201.1; p = 0.041) and each IU/ml of SOD titers (β = 23.6; p = 0.019).

Conclusion

These Cameroonian professional soccer players exhibited high levels of ox-LDL-Ab reflecting elevated levels of oxidatively-modified LDL-C particles with an increment over time, this being insufficiently counterbalanced by the antioxidant defense mechanisms. As a consequence, they may be at increased atherogenic and cardiovascular risks.

Determinants of fructosamine levels in a multi-ethnic Sub-Saharan African population

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Fructosamine provides an estimate of diabetes control over a shorter period than HbA1c, and has been proposed as a suitable parameter to monitor glycemic control in low-income countries. The aim of this study was to investigate determinants of fructosamine levels in an urban non-diabetic population of Cameroon.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study including 437 healthy adults with no known history of diabetes mellitus, aged 40 years and above, recruited from the ten administrative regions, representing major ethnic groups in the country. Plasma glucose and fructosamine were measured after an overnight fasting. Univariable and multivariable analyses were used to investigate the factors associated with fructosamine measurements.

RESULTS

Fructosamine levels ranged from 68.2 to 940.8 μmol/l with a mean (standard deviation) of 294.4 (131.3) μmol/l. These levels varied significantly across regions and were higher in men than in women (p=0.001) and in those with screen-detected diabetes than in those with normoglycemia (p<0.0001). There was a negative correlation between fructosamine and body mass index (r=-0.15, p=0.009), and a positive correlation with fasting plasma glucose (FPG) (r=0.37, p<0.0001) and total bilirubinemia (r=0.21, p<0.0001). In multivariable model, sex, BMI, FPG, total bilirubine and screen-detected diabetes were no longer associated with fructosamine levels.

CONCLUSION

Fructosamine was not independently associated with age, sex, ethnicity, and the glycemic status. Further studies need to be carried out to better elucidate all the factors determining the measurement of fructosamine in order to accurately interpret its values in diabetic populations.