Correlation of sex hormones with adipocytokines and bone metabolism biochemical indexes in women with menopausal osteoporosis

Objective:To investigate the correlation of sex hormones with adipocytokines and bone metabolism biochemical indexes in women with menopausal osteoporosis.Methods: A total of 118 female patients who were diagnosed with menopausal osteoporosis in the West China Second University Hospital of Sichuan University between September 2015 and October 2017 were selected as menopausal osteoporosis group, and 100 menopausal women with normal bone density who received medical examination in the West China Second University Hospital of Sichuan University during the same period were selected as normal control group. The contents of sex hormones, adipocytokines and bone metabolism biochemical indexes in peripheral blood were compared between two groups of women, and Pearson test was used to evaluate the correlation between sex hormones and disease severity in women with menopausal osteoporosis.Results: E2 content in the peripheral blood of menopausal osteoporosis group was significantly lower than that of control group whereas FSH and LH contents were not significantly different from those of control group;Resistin and chemerin contents in peripheral blood were higher than those of control group whereas LEP and Visfatin contents were lower than those of control group;OC, NBAP, TRACP and ICTP contents in peripheral blood were significantly higher than those of control group. Pearson test showed that the sex hormone E2 content in women with menopausal osteoporosis was directly correlated with the contents of adipocytokines and bone metabolism biochemical indexes.Conclusion: The sex hormone expression is abnormal in women with menopausal osteoporosis, and the specific abnormal level can objectively reflect the condition of osteoporosis.

Correlation of menopausal index with sex hormones, lipid metabolism and cytokines in perimenopausal women

Objective: To explore the correlation of menopausal index with sex hormones, lipid metabolism and cytokines in perimenopausal women. Methods: A total of 208 perimenopausal women who were treated in this hospital between September 2015 and March 2018 were selected as the perimenopausal group and 150 healthy young women (20-30 years old) who received physical examination in this hospital during the same period were selected as the control group. The differences in the levels of Kupperman menopausal index as well as the contents of sex hormones, lipid metabolism indexes and inflammatory factors were compared between the two groups. Results: Kupperman menopausal index of perimenopausal group was higher than that of control group;sex hormones E2, P and T contents were lower than those of control group whereas FSH content was higher than that of control group;lipid metabolism indexes TC and LDL-C contents were higher than those of control group whereas HDL-C content was lower than that of control group;inflammatory factors IL-1β, IL-2, IL-18 and IFN-γ contents were higher than those of control group;the Kupperman menopausal index of perimenopausal women was negatively correlated with E2, P, T and HDL-C contents, and positively correlated with FSH, TC, LDL-C, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-18 and IFN-γ contents. Conclusion: The Kupperman menopausal index in perimenopausal women abnormally increases, and the specific level is directly correlated with the female sex hormones, lipid metabolism disorder and systemic microinflammation.

Assessment of serum lipid metabolism index and cytokine levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus complicated by coronary heart disease after telmisartan combined with lipid-lowering drug treatment

Objective:To study the effect of telmisartan combined with lipid-lowering drug therapy on serum lipid metabolism index and cytokine levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus complicated by coronary heart disease.Methods:A total of106 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus complicated by coronary heart disease who were treated in our hospital between September 2013 and October 2016 were collected and then divided into the control group (n=55) who received conventional treatment + lipid-lowering drug treatment and the observation group (n=51) who received conventional treatment + lipid-lowering drug + telmisartan treatment after the therapies were reviewed. Before and after treatment, serum levels of lipid metabolism indexes, inflammatory mediators and oxidative stress indexes were compared between two groups of patients.Results:Before treatment, the differences in serum levels of lipid metabolism indexes, inflammatory mediators and oxidative stress indexes were not statistically significant between two groups of patients. After treatment, serum TG and LDL-C levels in observation group were lower than those in control group while HDL-C level was higher than that in control group;serum inflammatory mediators IL-6, IL-8, HMGB1 and TNF-α levels were lower than those in control group;serum oxidative stress indexes MDA and ROS levels were lower than those in control group while GSH-Px level was higher than that in control group.Conclusion:Telmisartan combined with lipid-lowering drug therapy can effectively optimize the lipid metabolism and reduce the systemic inflammatory response and oxidative stress response in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus complicated by coronary heart disease.

The Impact of Lipid-metabolizing Genetic Polymorphisms on Body Mass Index and Their Interactions with Soybean Food Intake: A Study in a Chinese Population

Objective To evaluate the association of known polymorphisms in the lipid metabolic pathway with body mass index （BMI）, and estimate their interactions with soybean food intake. Methods A community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted in a Chinese Han population. BMI, soybean food intake, and single nucleotide polymorphisms of rs599839, rs3846662, rs3846663, rs12916, rs174547, rs174570, rs4938303, and rs1558861 were measured in 944 subjects. A multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the association of the studied polymorphisms with BMIs. The expectation-maximization algorithm was employed to evaluate the extent of linkage disequilibrium between pairwise polymorphisms. The gene-environment interaction was assessed in the general multifactor dimensionality reduction model. Results The polymorphisms of rs3846662 and rs3846663 were associated with 10% highest BMIs when comparing to the 10% lowest values both in individuals and haplotype-based association tests. Although no statistically significant gene-environment interactions were found, people with the haplotype composed of C allele in rs3846662 and T allele in rs3846663 and low frequency of soybean intake had significantly hisher risk to overweight and obesity as compared with those with the haplotype consisting of T allele in rs3846662 and C allele in rs3846663 and highly frequent soybean food intake, with an odds ratio of 1.64 （95% confidence interval： 1.15-2.34, P〈0.01） after adjusting for the common confounders. Conclusion Our study has sugsested that rs3846662 and rs3846663 may be the potential candidate polymorphisms for obesity, and their effect on the pathogenesis could be mediated by the frequency of soybean food intake.

Prevalence and Incidence of Metabolic Syndrome in a Cohort of Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Correlation between Body Mass Index and Disease Activity

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory disease associated with high morbidity and increased cardiovascular disease, and Metabolic Syndrome (MS) is understood as a set of metabolic disorders that correlates with obesity and sedentary lifestyle. The aim of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of MS in a cohort of patients with RA and its correlation to specific factors of the disease. A retrospective cohort study was conducted with 283 patients with RA, followed at the Rheumatology Outpatient Clinic of the Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA) between 2008 and 2016;187 continued to be followed and agreed to be reevaluated between January and November 2016. MS was defined according to the National Cholesterol Education Program and disease activity was assessed using the Disease Activity Score (DAS28). Clinical, biochemical, and anthropometric evaluations were conducted. The prevalence of MS in the first evaluation was 43.9% and, after 8 years, 59.4%. Increased waist circumference and blood pressures, elevated triglycerides and low High-Density Lipoprotein were the most frequent features of MS. The DAS28 was significantly lower in the reevaluation (p = 0.006). The prevalence of MS was higher at the end of 8 years;disease activity, as well as blood pressure, decreased during this period. Steroid use had also decreased at the end of follow-up. There was an increase of 15% of cases with MS in an 8-year follow-up cohort of patients, which was in agreement with the current literature and showed how the inflammatory process in RA is correlated to MS. The parameters of MS that varied the most were blood pressure, cholesterol and triglycerides. Ultimately, these parameters and disease activity must be observed closely in order to improve the prognosis of patients with RA.

Predictive value of angiopoietin-like protein 8 in metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease and its progression:A case-control study

BACKGROUND The prevalence of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease(MAFLD)is rapidly increasing,currently affecting approximately 25%of the global population.Liver fibrosis represents a crucial stage in the development of MAFLD,with advanced liver fibrosis elevating the risks of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.Simple serum markers are less effective in diagnosing liver fibrosis compared to more complex markers.However,imaging techniques like transient elastography face limitations in clinical application due to equipment and technical constraints.Consequently,it is imperative to identify a straightforward yet effective method for assessing MAFLD-associated liver fibrosis.AIM To investigate the predictive value of angiopoietin-like protein 8(ANGPTL8)in MAFLD and its progression.METHODS We analyzed 160 patients who underwent abdominal ultrasonography in the Endocrinology Department,Xiaogan Central Hospital affiliated to Wuhan University of Science and Technology,during September 2021-July 2022.Using abdominal ultrasonography and MAFLD diagnostic criteria,among the 160 patients,80 patients(50%)were diagnosed with MAFLD.The MAFLD group was divided into the liver fibrosis group(n=23)and non-liver fibrosis group(n=57)by using a cut-off fibrosis-4 index≥1.45.Logistical regression was used to analyze the risk of MAFLD and the risk factors for its progression.Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to evaluate the predictive value of serum ANGPTL8 in MAFLD and its progression.RESULTS Compared with non-MAFLD patients,MAFLD patients had higher serum ANGPTL8 and triglyceride-glucose(TyG)index(both P<0.05).Serum ANGPTL8(r=0.576,P<0.001)and TyG index(r=0.473,P<0.001)were positively correlated with MAFLD.Serum ANGPTL8 was a risk factor for MAFLD[odds ratio(OR):1.123,95%confidence interval(CI):1.066-1.184,P<0.001).Serum ANGPTL8 and ANGPTL8+TyG index predicted MAFLD[area under the curve(AUC):0.832 and 0.886,respectively;both P<0.05].Compared with MAFLD patients without fibrosis,those with fibrosis had higher serum ANGPTL8 and TyG index(both P<0.05),and both parameters were positively correlated with MAFLD-associated fibrosis.Elevated serum ANGPTL8(OR:1.093,95%CI:1.044-1.144,P<0.001)and TyG index(OR:2.383,95%CI:1.199-4.736,P<0.013)were risk factors for MAFLD-associated fibrosis.Serum ANGPTL8 and ANGPTL8+TyG index predicted MAFLD-associated fibrosis(AUC:0.812 and 0.835,respectively;both P<0.05).CONCLUSION The serum levels of ANGPTL8 are elevated and positively correlated with MAFLD.They can serve as predictors for the risk of MAFLD and liver fibrosis,with the ANGPTL8+TyG index potentially exhibiting even higher predictive value.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease and low muscle strength: A comment

The diagnosis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)and metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease only on the basis of laboratory parameter score such as Hepatic Steatosis Index which includes liver enzymes,gender,basal metabolic index,and presence of diabetic mellitus is not sufficient to exclude other causes of deranged liver enzymes especially medications and autoimmune related liver diseases.As the guideline suggests ultrasound is the preferred first-line diagnostic procedure for imaging of NAFLD,as it provides additional diagnostic information and the combination of biomarkers/scores and transient elastography might confer additional diagnostic accuracy and evident from previous similar studies too.

VEGF, HIF-1α, and Metabolic Indicators in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Objective:To explore and analyze the expression and clinical significance of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF),hypoxia-inducible factor 1α(HIF-1α),and metabolic indicators in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC).Methods:Sixty ESCC patients admitted to the hospital from October 2021 to October 2023 were selected as the ESCC group.Sixty normal healthy patients from the same period were chosen as the control group.Their serum samples and tissue samples were collected.Metabolic indicators of all study subjects were obtained based on the basic biochemical results upon admission.RT-PCR was utilized to detect the expression of VEGF and HIF-1αin ESCC tissues.Results:The expression of VEGF and HIF-1αin the ESCC T3+T4 group was significantly higher than that of the carcinoma in situ(Tis)group,T1+T2 group,and control group.Furthermore,the expression of HIF-1αwas found to be related to the expression of VEGF,showing a significant correlation between the quantities.Significant differences in the levels of metabolic indicators were observed between the ESCC group and the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion:Metabolic indicators are associated with the onset of ESCC in patients.Abnormal lipid metabolism plays a crucial role in the occurrence and development of tumors.The expression of VEGF and HIF-1αin ESCC tissues significantly correlates with the tumor stage,providing a new reference for the diagnosis and treatment of ESCC.

青少年双相障碍患者高尿酸血症的相关因素

目的:了解青少年双相障碍患者高尿酸血症(HUA)的相关因素。方法:选取青少年双相障碍患者59名及健康对照60名。收集一般人口学资料和临床资料,检测血清尿酸(UA)、甘油三酯(TG)、总胆固醇(TC)、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)、空腹血糖(FPG)、果糖胺(FA)水平等生理指标。采用汉密顿抑郁量表-17 (HAMD-17)、Bech-Rafaelsen躁狂量表(BRMS)评估患者的情绪症状。结果:青少年双相障碍患者的HUA检出率高于健康对照组(30.5%vs.18.3%,P<0.05),青少年双相障碍躁狂发作期HUA的检出率高于抑郁发作期(48.2%vs.20.8%,P<0.05)。非条件logistic回归分析显示,高TG和高体质指数是青少年双相障碍患者HUA的危险因素(OR=2.51、1.34)。结论:本研究发现,青少年双相障碍患者较健康对照可能有更高的高尿酸血症风险,其发生与高甘油三酯和高体质指数相关。

A nutraceutical combination improves insulin sensitivity in patients with metabolic syndrome

AIM:To test the efficacy of a proprietary nutraceutical combination in reducing insulin resistance associated with the metabolic syndrome(MetS).METHODS:Sixty-four patients with MetS followed at a tertiary outpatient clinic were randomly assigned to receive either placebo or a proprietary nutraceutical combination(AP)consisting of berberine,policosanol and red yeast rice,in a prospective,double-blind,placebo-controlled study.Evaluations were performed at baseline and after 18 wk of treatment.The homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance(HOMAIR)index was the primary outcome measure.Secondary endpoints included lipid panel,blood glucose and insulin fasting,after a standard mixed meal and after an oral glucose tolerance test(OGTT),ow-mediated dilation(FMD),and waist circumference.RESULTS:Fifty nine patients completed the study,2 withdrew because of adverse effects.After 18 wk there was a signif icant reduction in the HOMA-IR index in the AP group compared with placebo(ΔHOMA respectively-0.6 ± 1.2 vs 0.4 ± 1.9;P < 0.05).Total and low density lipoprotein cholesterol also significantly decreased in the treatment arm compared with placebo(Δlow density lipoprotein cholesterol-0.82 ± 0.68 vs-0.13 ± 0.55 mmol/L;P < 0.001),while triglycerides,high density lipoprotein cholesterol,and the OGTT were not affected.In addition,there were significant reductions in blood glucose and insulin after the standard mixed meal,as well as an increase in FMD(ΔFMD 1.9 ± 4.2 vs 0 ± 1.9 %;P < 0.05)and a significant reduction in arterial systolic blood pressure in the AP arm.CONCLUSION:This short-term study shows that AP has relevant beneficial effects on insulin resistance and many other components of MetS.

Joint Association of Metabolic Health and Obesity with Ten-Year Risk of Cardiovascular Disease among Chinese Adults

Objective This study aims to investigate the association of metabolic phenotypes that are jointly determined by body mass index(BMI)or fat mass percentage and metabolic health status with the tenyear risk of cardiovascular disease(CVD)among Chinese adults.Methods Data were obtained from a cross-sectional study.BMI and body fat mass percentage(FMP)combined with the metabolic status were used to define metabolic phenotypes.Multiple linear regression and logistic regression were used to examine the effects of metabolic phenotypes on CVD risk.Results A total of 13,239 adults aged 34-75 years were included in this study.Compared with the metabolically healthy non-obese(MHNO)phenotype,the metabolically unhealthy non-obese(MUNO)and metabolically unhealthy obese(MUO)phenotypes defined by BMI showed a higher CVD risk[odds ratio,OR(95% confidence interval,CI):2.34(1.89-2.89),3.45(2.50-4.75),respectively],after adjusting for the covariates.The MUNO and MUO phenotypes defined by FMP showed a higher CVD risk[OR(95%CI):2.31(1.85-2.88),2.63(1.98-3.48),respectively]than the MHNO phenotype.The metabolically healthy obese phenotype,regardless of being defined by BMI or FMP,showed no CVD risk compared with the MHNO phenotype.Conclusion General obesity without central obesity does not increase CVD risk in metabolically healthy individuals.FMP might be a more meaningful factor for the evaluation of the association of obesity with CVD risk.Obesity and metabolic status have a synergistic effect on CVD risk.

Evaluating the Environmental Health Effect of Bamboo-Derived Volatile Organic Compounds through Analysis the Metabolic Indices of the Disorder Animal Model

Objective To identify the bamboo VOCs (volatile organic compounds) effect on animal physiological indices, which associated with human health. Methods GC/MS was used to analyze the volatile organic compounds from Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys heterocyla cv. pubescens). The effect of VOCs on environmental health was evaluated by analyzing the metabolic indices of the type 2 diabetic mouse model. Results Spectra of VOC generated by GC/MS were blasted against an in-house MS library confirming the identification of 33 major components that were manually validated. The relative constituent compounds as a percentage of total VOCs determined were alcohols (34.63%), followed by ether (22.02%), aldehyde (15.84%), ketone (11.47%), ester (4.98%), terpenoid (4.38%), and acids (3.83%). Further experimentation established that the metabolic incidence of the disease can be improved if treated with vanillin, leaf alcohol,β-ionone and methyl salicylate. The effects of these VOCs on type 2 diabetes were evident in the blood lipid and blood glucose levels. Conclusion Our model suggests that VOCs can potentially control the metabolic indices in type 2 diabetes mice. This experiment data also provides the scientific basis for the comprehensive utilization of ornamental bamboos and some reference for other similar study of environmental plants.

Relationship between metabolic syndrome and erectile dysfunction

Aim: To determine the relationship between metabolic syndrome (MS) and erectile dysfunction (ED) and to see which risk factors correlated the best with ED. Methods: Seventy-nine cardiology clinic outpatients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and lipid metabolism disorder were recruited. They were categorized as having MS, hypertension (blood pressure greater than 130/85 mmHg) and dyslipidemia. ED was classified based on International Index of Erectile Function scores. Patients were grouped into quartiles based on body mass index (BMI). Chi-square, Pearson's correlation and regression tests were used for statistical analysis. Results: The mean age of the patients was 56.6 years. ED was diagnosed in 59 (74.7 %) of the 79 patients. In the 38 patients with MS, all had ED. ED was not significantly correlated with cholesterol levels (P > 0.05), but was found often in patients who had both hyperc-holesterolemia and HT (P<0.01). Nineteen(76 %) of the 25 patients who had dyslipidemia had ED. However, ED was not significantly correlated with dyslipidemia (P > 0.05). Tweenty-two of the 23 patients who had BMI greater than 30 had ED, which was significantly more prevalent than that in those who had normal BMI (P<0.01). ED was seen in 38 of 53 smoker patients. Although ED was more prevalent in cigarette smokers, it was not significantly different from non-smokers (P>0.5). Conclusion: ED is present in a high percentage of patients with MS. Among multiple risk factors for ED, MS correlates the most highly. The next most important risk group is the patients with hypertension +hypercholestrolemia and obesity (BMI > 30).

Metabolic surgery: A paradigm shift in type 2 diabetes management

Obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM) are major public health issues globally over the past few decades. Despite dietary interventions, lifestyle modifications and the availability of several pharmaceutical agents, management of T2 DM with obesity is a major challenge to clinicians. Metabolic surgery is emerging as a promising treatment option for the management of T2 DM in the obese population in recent years. Several observational studies and a few randomised controlled trials have shown clear benefits of various bariatric procedures in obese individuals in terms of improvement or remission of T2 DM and multiple other health benefits such as improvement of hypertension, obstructive sleep apnoea, osteoarthritis and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Uncertainties about the long-term implications of metabolic surgery such as relapse of T2 DM after initial remission, nutritional and psychosocial complications and the optimal body mass index for different ethnic groups exist. The article discusses the major paradigm shift in recent years in the management of T2 DM after the introduction of metabolic surgery.

Are age, anthropometry and components of metabolic syndrome-risk factors interrelated with lower urinary tract symptoms in patients with erectile dysfunction？ A prospective study

Aim： To evaluate the effects of metabolic profiles on lower urinary tract symptoms （LUTS） in men with erectile dysfunction （ED）. Methods： A total of 75 impotent men aged 25-75 years old （mean 58.1 years） were included in the study on a prospective basis. Patients were evaluated with a complete history, physical examination, anthropometry and metabolic profiles. LUTS were assessed using the International Prostate Symptom Score （IPSS）. Results： Overall, there was no correlation between the IPSS and continuous parameters. However, when continuous variables were categorized, some parameters were significantly associated with LUTS. Patients with triglyceride level of 150 mg/dL or higher had more severe symptoms than those with tiglyceride levels less than 150 mg/dL （19.4±2.4 vs. 14.3±1.1, P = 0.033）. When 40 mg/dL was chosen as the high-density lipoprotein （HDL）-cholesterol cut-off level, the IPSS was significantly different between the two groups divided by 40 mg/dL （19.4±2.6 for HDL-cholesterol 〈 40 mg/dL vs. 14.4±1.0 for HDL-cholesterol 2 40 mg/dL, P = 0.042）. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve （AUROCC） of triglyceride was 65.7% （95% confidence interval [CI], 52.6%-82.3%; P = 0.034） for severe LUTS. However, the AUROCC for ＇HDL-cholesterol＇ was not significant （area, 65.4%; 95% CI, 48.2%-82.7%; P = 0.062）. No other factors were determined to be significant in this regard. Conclusion： The results of the present study indicate that some metabolic profiles might influence LUTS in men with ED.

Validation of conventional non-invasive fibrosis scoring systems in patients with metabolic associated fatty liver disease

BACKGROUND Non-invasive fibrosis scores are not yet validated in the newly defined metabolic associated fatty liver disease(MAFLD).AIM To evaluate the diagnostic performance of four non-invasive scores including aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio index(APRI),fibrosis-4 index(FIB-4),body mass index,aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase ratio,diabetes score(BARD),and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease fibrosis score(NFS)in patients with MAFLD.METHODS Consecutive patients with histologically confirmed MAFLD were included.The discrimination ability of different non-invasive scores was compared.RESULTS A total of 417 patients were included;156(37.4%)of them had advanced fibrosis(Metavir≥F3).The area under receiver operating characteristic curve of FIB-4,NFS,APRI,and BARD for predicting advanced fibrosis was 0.736,0.724,0.671,and 0.609,respectively.The area under receiver operating characteristic curve of FIB-4 and NFS was similar(P=0.523),while the difference between FIB-4 and APRI(P=0.001)and FIB-4 and BARD(P<0.001)was statistically significant.The best thresholds of FIB-4,NFS,APRI,and BARD for diagnosis of advanced fibrosis in MAFLD were 1.05,-2.1,0.42,and 2.A subgroup analysis showed that FIB-4,APRI,and NFS performed worse in the pure MAFLD group than in the hepatitis B virus-MAFLD group.CONCLUSION APRI and BARD scores do not perform well in MAFLD.The FIB-4 and NFS could be more useful,but a new threshold is needed.Novel non-invasive scoring systems for fibrosis are required for MAFLD.

Metabolic syndrome, lifestyle risk factors, and distal colon adenoma: A retrospective cohort study

AIM: To investigate relationships between colorectal adenoma incidence, metabolic syndrome (MS) components and lifestyle factors. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using data from individuals who had multiple sigmoidoscopies for colon cancer at the Health Promotion Center of Ulsan University Hospital in Korea from 1998 to 2007. RESULTS: By multivariate analysis, the incidence of distal colon adenoma was increased by more than 1.76 times in individuals with at least one component of MS compared to those without a component of MS. After adjustment for age, gender, smoking, drinking, and physical exercise, only high body mass index (BMI) was significantly associated with the incidence of distal colon adenoma (Hazard ratio 1.66, 95% confidence interval 1.05-2.62). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that high BMI may increase the risk of colorectal adenoma in Korean adults.

Metabolic syndrome: a risk factor for high intraocular pressure in the Israeli population

AIM: To evaluate the association among elevated intraocular pressure(IOP), the metabolic syndrome(Met S), body mass index(BMI), and some of their components in the Israeli population.METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the charts of12 747 soldiers of the Israeli Defense Forces, aged 35 y or older, who underwent a routine periodical medical examination between 1991 and 2004. None of the subjects received medical treatment for either glaucoma or ocular hypertension. High IOP(】21 mm Hg) was correlated with age, sex, arterial blood pressure, total blood cholesterol levels, triglyceride levels, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, smoking, BMI and Met S.RESULTS: A statistically significant difference was found between the IOP of subjects with a low risk and higher risk for the development of Met S(P 【0.0001 for males, P =0.0026 for females). A statistically significant positive correlation was found in male subjects between high BMI and elevated IOP(r =0.11677, P 【0.0001).CONCLUSION: Met S and BMI were significantly more prevalent in subjects with increased IOP levels. We suggest that both should be taken into consideration in the assessment of glaucoma suspects.

Associations between y-glutamyl transferase, metabolic abnormalities and inflammation in healthy subjects from a population-based cohort: A possible implication for oxidative stress

AIM: To examine the relationships between γ -glutamyltransferase (GGT), alanine-aminotransferase (ALT),aspartate-aminotransferase (AST) and various metabolic parameters, C-reactive protein (CRP) and an oxidative stress marker (nitrotyrosine, NT) in subjects without any metabolic abnormalities from a population-based sample.METHODS: Two hundred and five subjects with normal body mass index (BMI), glucose tolerance, and without any metabolic abnormality were studied out of 1339subjects, without known liver diseases, alcohol abuse or use of hepatotoxic drugs, who are representative of the 45-64 aged population of Asti (north-western Italy).RESULTS: In all patients metabolic parameters and hs-CRP levels linearly increase from the lowest to the highest ALT and GGT tertiles, while in subjects without metabolic abnormalities, there is a significant association between fasting glucose, uric acid, waist circumference,hs-CRP, triglyceride values, and GGT levels. In these subjects, male sex, higher hs-CRP and glucose levels are associated with GGT levels in a multiple regression model, after adjustments for multiple confounders.In the same model, median NT levels are significantly associated with the increasing GGT tertile (β = 1.06;95%CI 0.67-1.45), but not with the AST and ALT tertiles.In a multiple regression model, after adjusting for age,sex, BMI, waist, smoking, and alcohol consumption, both NT (β = 0.05; 95%CI 0.02-0.08) and hs-CRP levels (β =0.09; 95%CI 0.03-0.15) are significantly associated with fasting glycemia.CONCLUSION: GGT, an easy, universally standardized and available measurement, could represent an early marker of sub-clinical inflammation and oxidative stress in otherwise healthy individuals. Prospective studies are needed to establish if GGT could predict future diabetes in these subjects.

Total Antioxidant Status and Other Markers to Distinguish Severely Obese Volunteers with and without Metabolic Syndrome

Obesity (Ob) is an accepted major risk factor for the metabolic syndrome (MetS), a combination of at least three of five risk factors, which predispose to high oxidative stress (OS), but all obese do not show symptoms of MetS. There is dearth of data comparing OS homeostasis of severely obese adults with and without MetS, and need for biomarkers to help in differential diagnosis. Erythrocytic lipid and protein damage markers, malondialdehyde (MDA) and protein carbonyl (PCO), antioxidant enzymes erythrocytic superoxide dismutase(SOD), catalase (CAT), plasma glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) as ferric-reducing-ability-of-plasma (FRAP) were compared to understand OS homeostasis among 102 severely Ob (body mass index > 30), 102 Ob with severe (z-score > 2) MetS as per National Cholesterol Education Program-Adult Treatment Panel III guidelines and 100 healthy non-obese Controls. MDA/PCO and all antioxidant enzymes were lowest for ObMetS, followed by Ob, indicating greater damage to protein moieties of the erythrocytic membrane. Multiple regression analysis confirmed z-scores > 2 as significant predictor of lowered enzymes and TAC. Receiver Operator Curve analysis predicted that TAC was the most potential biomarker for the diagnosis and prognosis of MetS with an Odds Ratio of 88.5 indicating the high probability that FRAP would be low for ObMetS (z-score > 2) than for Ob with BMI > 30, but z-scores < 1. TAC is qualified as the most effective biomarker to distinguish between severely obese respondents with and without metabolic syndrome, and as a useful candidate for study of homeostatic breakdown in metabolic syndrome and the importance of z-score in assessment of MetS in obese respondents.