The body mass index (BMI) as a public health tool to predict metabolic syndrome

Objective: To analyze the body mass index (BMI) as an indicator of metabolic alterations, including the metabolic syndrome (MetS), at both individual level and public health level. Method: We recruited 3683 undergraduate students (17 - 24 years old) from México City identifying metabolic alterations, including the MetS, and comparing its prevalence by BMI ranges. We applied a sensitivity analysis to define BMI optimal cut-off point values. Results: We found 14.6% of MetS prevalence with a BMI average of 24.2%, and 34.5% of overweight prevalence (BMI ≥ 25). A BMI cut-off point value of 22.5 is suggested as an upper limit of a normal weight condition, only for public health purpose;while at individual level the BMI cut-off point of 25 was corroborated as the upper limit for a normal weight condition. A public health tool to estimate the MetS prevalence based on BMI percentages is proposed, and a study case is presented. Conclusion: BMI fails predicting at individual level both, healthy condition or metabolic alterations, when values are lower than 25. At population level, the BMI is a valuable public health tool to estimate MetS prevalence: based on the prevalence of MetS by BMI ranges of a sample of the population.

Metabolic syndrome occurrence in university students from México City: The binomium HDL/waist circumference is the major prevalence factor

Objective: Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) is the leading cause to develop type 2 diabetes worldwide. We examined associations of MetS components early in life, and their use as risk factors of acquiring MetS. Method: We used an international definition of MetS. Subjects were categorized into “Healthy”/“Not Healthy”, altered parameters are low HDL-cholesterol, large waist circumference (WC), hypertriacylglycerolemia, hypertension, and hyperglycemia, in 32 combinations (2^5) with two values (altered/not altered). MetS was identified with three or more altered parameters. Results: A total of 3424 students (ages 17 - 24 years) participated in the survey, and 2475 were “Not Healthy” showing at least 1 parameter altered;from them 49.6% showed low blood HDL either alone or combined, 38.2% had altered waist circumference either alone or combined;while 18.1% showed hypertriacylglycero-lemia either alone or combined. Hypertension and hyperglycemia were the lowest in frequency. Conclusion: We propose that the binomium HDL/ Waist Circumference is the main prevalence factor to develop MetS in the asymptomatic young population, followed by hypertriacylglycerolemia which together define MetS;while hypertension and hyperglycemia seem to occur later in MetS.

Identification of life habits factors as risk for gastritis and colitis occurrence in a mestizo population of Chabeklumil, Chiapas, México

Aim: Gastric diseases are a recent trend in morbidity in México. We aimed to identify most frequent life habits factors as risk for gastritis and colitis occurrence, in a Mexican mestizo population in Chabeklumil, Chiapas. Population: This study was observational, descriptive, transversal and prospective;346 questionnaires were applied to individuals of both genders from 11 years of age, with low income and socio-economic status, after they signed the informed consent. An individual file was created by the nurses in Chabeklumil. The predominant gender in the population was female (56.1%), with a distribution of 166 among adulthood (19 - 59 years of age);among males (43.9%), 133 included adults. Results: We identified the following environmental risk factors to develop gastritis and colitis: long periods of daily fasting > consumption of irritant food and drink > stress, in females;in contrast, males reported alcohol and tobacco consumption > irritant food and drink > long periods of daily fasting > stress. We found statistical differences (P < 0.05) in risk factors between females and males, in drugs and alcohol consumption, fasting, and stress, but not in consumption of irritant foods, nor in colitis and gastritis prevalence. Conclusions: Females are most affected by life habits risk factors for gastritis/colitis, which occurs mainly due to lifestyle and “macho” culture, since women are precluded of a better living standard, they work hard in the field, and start early in the day without consuming a meal, which they eat late in the day once arriving home. People in Chabeklumil eat/drink a lot of irritant food like hot pepper and coffee, which damage the gastrointestinal system leading to gastritis and colitis. Furthermore, men started to consume drugs at early ages, a condition also involved in developing gastritis.

Endogenous Norepinephrine Desensitizes α1D-Adrenoceptors in Cultured Rat Aorta

Desensitization is a process characterized by the loss of cellular response to an agonist when this is present for a long time. α1D-adrenergic receptor (α1D-AR) desensitization is important since this receptor is involved in the contraction of large caliber arteries, such as the aorta. The aim of this research was to evaluate the desensitization of α1D-AR due to the endogenous release of norepinephrine in cultured rat aorta. Wistar rat aorta was incubated for 2 h or 24 h in DMEM at 37°C, and then subjected to isometric tension and the action of added norepinephrine, in concentration-response curve (CRC). In some experiments, BMY-7378 (α1D-AR antagonist) or 5-methylurapidil (α1A-AR antagonist) was used to identify the α1-AR involved in the response, or BMY-7378 to protect the α1D-AR from desensitization. Results showed that α1D-AR was desensitized when the aorta was incubated for 24 h, since the CRC to exogenous norepinephrine showed lower maximal contraction and the curve was displaced to the right, indicating that the receptor involved in contraction was not the α1D-AR, as compared to the aorta incubated 2 h. The receptor stimulated by norepinephrine at 24 h was neither the α1A-AR, as shown by the lack of displacement of the curve by 5-methylurapidil, but rather it seems that α1B-AR is inducing contraction. When the aorta was incubated with BMY-7378 for 24 h, the α1D-AR antagonist protected the receptor from desensitization. Endogenous norepinephrine desensitizes α1D-AR in the cultured aorta, and the α1D-AR is protected by BMY-7378.