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Background: Population-wide reductions in cardiovascular disease (CVD) have not been equally shared in the African American community due to a higher burden of CVD risk factors such as metabolic disorders and obesity. Differential concentrations of sphingolipids such as ceramide, sphingosine, and sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) has been associated with the development of CVD, metabolic disorders (MetD), and obesity. Whether African Americans have disparate expression levels of sphingolipids that explain higher burdens of CVD remains unknown. Methods: A cross sectional analysis of plasma concentrations of ceramides, sphingosine, and S1P were measured from 8 whites and 7 African Americans without metabolic disorders and 7 whites and 8 African Americans with metabolic disorders using high performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry methodology (HPLC/MS-MS). Subjects were stratified by both race and metabolic status. Subjects with one or more of the following physician confirmed diagnosis: diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, or dyslipidemia were classified as having metabolic disease (MetD). Data was analyzed using a Two-Way ANOVA and Tukey’s post hoc test. Results: Total ceramide levels were increased in African Americans compared to African Americans with MetD. Ceramide C16 levels were higher in whites with MetD compared to African Americans with MetD (p<0.05). Ceramide C20 levels were higher in whites with MetD compared to whites. Ceramide C20 levels were higher in African Americans compared to African Americans with MetD. Furthermore, whites with MetD had higher levels of C20 compared to African Americans with MetD (p<0.0001). Ceramide C24:0 and C24:1 in African Americans was higher compared to African Americans with MetD (p<0.05). The plasma concentration of Sph-1P ceramide was higher in African Americans vs whites (p = 0.01). Lastly, ceramide C20 negatively correlated with hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels in our study cohort. Conclusions: Plasma ceramide concentration patterns are distinct in African Americans with MetD. Further research with larger samples sizes are needed to confirm these findings and to understand whether racial disparities in sphingolipid concentrations have potential therapeutic implications for CVD-related health outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Few studies have investigated the relationship between physical activity (PA) of low intensity and duration with quality of life (QoL) among individuals at risk or with cardiovascular disease (CVD). Objectives: To investigate whether PA of different intensity and duration moderates the relationship between CVD and its risk factors (obesity, hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidaemia) and QoL in adults. Methods: Population-based cross-sectional studies using data from the EpiFloripa Cohort Study (Southern Brazil; n = 1,220, 38.8±12.0 years, 48.2% males) and the North West Adelaide Health Study (NWAHS, South Australia; n = 1,661, 43.7±11.1 years, 49.7% males). The physical and psychological domains of QoL were assessed using the WHOQOL-Bref (EpiFloripa) or the SF-36 (NWAHS) questionnaires. The diagnosis of CVD and its risk factors were self-reported. PA was self-reported and quantified by its intensity [“walking” or moderate/vigorous (MVPA)] and duration (none, 1–150, ≥150 min/week). Both studies were analysed separately, and results were adjusted for sociodemographic variables. Results: Participants at risk or with CVD from both studies showed a lower QoL than ‘healthy’ individuals with a stronger relationship for the physical domain. PA duration showed a direct-trend relationship with QoL, but the associations were stronger for MVPA in both studies. However, when stratified by health status, the magnitude of the association between “walking” duration and a higher physical QoL was greater among those at risk or with CVD compared to ‘healthy’ individuals. Conversely, among Australians with CVD, MVPA was associated with a better physical QoL only when its duration was ≥150 min/week. All associations were stronger in the NWAHS than in the Brazilian study. Conclusions: “Walking” was more prevalent than MVPA and was consistently associated with a better physical QoL among those at risk or with CVD. These findings should be considered in the design of public health interventions designed to increase PA and improve QoL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]