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The interactive effects of obesity and physical inactivity on lipid metabolism and prevalent dyslipidemia are scarcely reported in rural regions. 39029 subjects were obtained from the Henan Rural Cohort, and their metabolic equivalents (METs) of physical activity (PA) were computed. Independent associations of the obesity indices and PA with either lipid indices or prevalent dyslipidemia were analyzed by generalized linear models, and additive effects of obesity and PA on prevalent dyslipidemia were further quantified. Each obesity index was positively associated with total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein or prevalent dyslipidemia but negatively associated with high-density lipoprotein, whereas the opposite association of PA with either each lipid index or prevalent dyslipidemia was observed. Joint association of PA and each obesity index with each lipid index and prevalent dyslipidemia was observed. Furthermore, the association of each obesity index in association with each lipid index was attenuated by increased PA levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In the literature, scarce data investigate the link between 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) and blood lipids in the osteoporosis (OP) population. 25(OH)D, as a calcium-regulating hormone, can inhibit the rise of parathyroid hormone, increase bone mineralization to prevent bone loss, enhance muscle strength, improve balance, and prevent falls in the elderly. This retrospective cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the association between serum 25(OH)D levels and lipid profiles in patients with osteoporosis, with the objective of providing insight for appropriate vitamin D supplementation in clinical settings to potentially reduce the incidence of cardiovascular disease, which is known to be a major health concern for individuals with osteoporosis. Methods: This is a retrospective cross-sectional study from the Affiliated Kunshan Hospital of Jiangsu University, including 2063 OP patients who received biochemical blood analysis of lipids during hospitalization from January 2015 to March 2022. The associations between serum lipids and 25(OH)D levels were examined by multiple linear regression. The dependent variables in the analysis were the concentrations of serum lipoprotein, total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TGs), apolipoprotein-A, lipoprotein A, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). The independent variable was the concentration of blood serum 25(OH)D. At the same time, age, body mass index, sex, time and year of serum analysis, primary diagnosis, hypertension, diabetes, statins usage, beta-C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen, procollagen type I N-terminal propeptide were covariates. Blood samples were collected in the early morning after the overnight fasting and were analyzed using an automated electrochemiluminescence immunoassay on the LABOSPECT 008AS platform (Hitachi Hi-Tech Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan). The generalized additive model was further applied for nonlinear associations. The inception result for smoothing the curve was evaluated by two-piecewise linear regression exemplary. Results: Our results proved that in the OP patients, the serum 25(OH)D levels were inversely connected with blood TGs concentration, whereas they were positively associated with the HDL, apolipoprotein-A, and lipoprotein A levels. In the meantime, this research also found a nonlinear relationship and threshold effect between serum 25(OH)D and TC, LDL-C. Furthermore, there were positive correlations between the blood serum 25(OH)D levels and the levels of TC and LDL-C when 25(OH)D concentrations ranged from 0 to 10.04 ng/mL. However, this relationship was not present when 25(OH)D levels were higher than 10.04 ng/mL. Conclusions: Our results demonstrated an independent relationship between blood lipids and vitamin D levels in osteoporosis patients. While we cannot establish a causal relationship between the two, our findings suggest that vitamin D may have beneficial effects on both bone health and blood lipid levels, providing a reference for improved protection against cardiovascular disease in this population. Further research, particularly interventional studies, is needed to confirm these associations and investigate their underlying mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Liver fibrosis is thought to have a close relationship with lipid profile. The possible association between lipids and liver fibrosis of different etiologies has been widely explored. However, the association between lipids and liver fibrosis in patients infected with Schistosoma japonicum remains unclear. In the present study we undertook a preliminary exploration of the association between lipid profile and liver fibrosis, and developed a new predictive index for liver fibrosis in S. japonicum-infected patients. Methods: A total of 1503 patients diagnosed with S. japonicum at Xiangyue Hospital, China were enrolled in this retrospective study. The patients were divided into two groups, i.e., those with and those without liver fibrosis, by two experienced schistosomiasis specialists, according to the results of liver ultrasound examination. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were collected. Multivariable logistic models were used to estimate the independent associations between lipid profile and liver fibrosis. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to assess the discriminative ability of the new index in predicting liver fibrosis in patients with schistosomiasis. Results: Logistic regression analysis showed that high-density lipoprotein (HDL) [adjusted odds ratio (aOR), 95% confidence interval (CI) 7.334, 5.051–10.649; P < 0.001], low-density lipoprotein (LDL) (aOR, 95% CI 0.434, 0.370–0.509; P < 0.001), hemoglobin (HB) (aOR, 95% CI 0.979, 0.971–0.987; P < 0.001) and platelets (PLT) (aOR, 95% CI 0.996, 0.994–0.999; P < 0.001) were independently associated with liver fibrosis in patients with schistosomiasis. ROC analysis indicated that the combination of HDL, LDL and HB levels [(HDL × 100)/(LDL × HB)] had a higher area under the ROC curve (AUC = 0.773), and thus may better predict liver fibrosis than the aspartate transaminase-to-platelet ratio index (AUC = 0.608) and fibrosis index based on four factors (AUC = 0.624). Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to report that HDL, LDL, HB and PLT levels are independently associated with liver fibrosis in patients with schistosomiasis. (HDL × 100)/(LDL × HB) outperformed the aspartate transaminase-to-platelet ratio index and fibrosis index based on four factors in terms of ROC, and thus could be a new predictive index for liver fibrosis. These findings may help clinicians to more easily and effectively diagnose liver fibrosis in patients with schistosomiasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. This study aims to evaluate the clinical effects of Ling Gui Zhu Gan formula (LGZG), a famous TCM formula, for the management of serum lipids and obesity and preliminarily elucidates the bioactive components and the potential mechanism. Methods. Cluster analysis was adopted to investigate the TCM herbs and their frequency of occurrence for treating hyperlipidemia and obesity in an academic experience database of Chinese famous TCM doctors (http://www.gjmlzy.com:83). Then, relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) about LGZG supplementation in improving lipid levels and obesity were retrieved and analyzed. Lastly, the integration of network pharmacology, as well as greedy algorithms, which are theoretically well founded for the set cover in computer science, was exploited to identify the bioactive components of LGZG and to reveal potential mechanisms for attenuation or reversal of hyperlipidemia and obesity. Results. Based on the cluster analysis of 104 cases in TCM academic experience database, four TCM herbs in LGZG showed high-use frequency for treating hyperlipidemia and obesity. Meta-analysis on 19 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with 1716 participants indicated that LGZG supplementation significantly decreased the serum levels of total triglycerides, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, BMI, and body weight and increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, compared with clinical control groups. No serious adverse effect was detected in all studies. Twenty-one bioactive components of LGZG, mainly flavonoids (i.e., naringenin, kaempferol, and kumatakenin), saponins (i.e., hederagenin), and fatty acids (i.e., eicosenoic acid), had the potential benefits possibly by regulating multiple targets such as PTPN1, CYP19A1, and ESR2, as well as a few complex pathways including the TNF signaling pathway, PPAR signaling pathway, arachidonic acid metabolism, fat digestion, and absorption. Conclusion. The present study has proved the clinical value of LGZG as a complementary treatment for attenuation or reversal of hyperlipidemia and obesity. More high-quality clinical and experimental studies in the future are demanded to verify its effects and the precise mechanism of action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Huo-Xue-Qu-Yu formula (HXQYF) is a prescription consisting of Ginkgo biloba leaf and Paeonia lactiflora Pall. for treating hyperlipidemia and NAFLD in China. Here, we investigated the hepatic and renal function, oxidative stress and lipid metabolism, and potential mechanisms of HXQYF on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) rat models. NAFLD rat models were induced with high-fat diet (HFD) and 10% fructose water for 18 weeks and orally administered with or without HXQYF simultaneously. The results showed that HXQYF (22.5, 45, 90 mg/kg) significantly improved blood lipid levels via reducing serum TC, TG, LDL-C, and APOB values and elevating HDL-C and APOA1 levels in NAFLD rats. The higher levels of ALT, AST, CR, and BUN in serum induced by HFD were reduced by HXQYF. HE staining showed that HXQYF (90 mg/kg) reduced the accumulation of fat droplets and alleviated inflammatory response in liver cells. Three doses of HXQYF exhibited notable antioxidant effects by elevating SOD, GSH, and CAT activities and decreasing MDA and OH-1 levels in the liver. Furthermore, abnormal lipid metabolism caused by HFD was alleviated by HXQYF, which was associated with the upregulation of PPAR-α, AdipoR2, and CPT1 mRNAs as well as the downregulation of CYP2E1 and SREBP-1c mRNAs in liver tissue. In conclusion, our work verified that HXQYF could reduce the degree of hepatic steatosis, suppress oxidative stress, and attenuate lipid metabolism, thus preventing NAFLD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background the association between cholesterol profiles and risk of cognitive decline among older adults was inconclusive. Objective to examine the association between cholesterol profiles and risk of cognitive decline in older adults with or without vascular risk factors (VRFs) in the prospective phase of the Shanghai Aging Study. Design a prospective community-based cohort study. Setting Shanghai, China. Participants we prospectively followed 1,556 dementia-free participants aged ≥60 years with a baseline cholesterol profile for 5.2 years on average. Participants with at least one of obesity, diabetes, hypertension, stroke, and coronary artery disease were categorised to the VRFs group, and those free of any VRFs were categorised to the non-VRFs group. Methods total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in serum were measured at baseline. At follow-up, consensus diagnosis of incident dementia and Alzheimer's disease (AD) were established based on medical, neurological, and neuropsychological examinations. Cox regression was used to assess the association between cholesterol and incident dementia/AD; multivariate linear regression was used to examine the relationship between cholesterol and an annual rate of Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) score decline in participants with or without VRFs. Results among VRFs-free participants, TC (HR 0.62, 95%CI 0.40–0.95) and LDL-C (HR 0.47, 95%CI 0.28–0.80) were inversely associated with incident dementia, LDL-C was inversely associated with incident AD (HR 0.50, 95%CI 0.28–0.90). A significant correlation was found between incremental TC (β = 0.08), LDL-C (β = 0.09), and a slower annual decline of MMSE score. Conclusions effect of cholesterol on cognitive decline may be modified by VRFs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The current research was to assess the relationship of the solute carrier family 44 member 4 (SLC44A4) rs577272, notch receptor 4 (NOTCH4) rs3134931 SNPs and serum lipid levels in the Han and Maonan ethnic groups. Methods: The genetic makeup of the SLC44A4 rs577272 and NOTCH4 rs3134931 SNPs in 2467 unrelated subjects (Han, 1254; Maonan,1213) was obtained by using polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism technique, combined with gel electrophoresis, and confirmed by direct sequencing. Results: The genotype frequencies of SLC44A4 rs577272 and NOTCH4 rs3134931 SNPs were different between Han and Maonan populations (P < 0.05); respectively. The SLC44A4 rs577272 SNP was associated with total cholesterol (TC) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels in Maonan group. The NOTCH4 rs3134931 SNP was associated with triglyceride (TG) in Han; and TG and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels in Maonan groups (P < 0.025–0.001). Stratified analysis according to gender showed that the SLC44A4 rs577272 SNP was associated with TC and HDL-C in Han and Maonan females; TC in Maonan males, meanwhile, the NOTCH4 rs3134931 SNP was associated with TG and HDL-C in Han males; TG in Han females; TG and LDL-C in Maonan males; and TG, HDL-C and LDL-C in Maonan females. Linkage disequilibrium analysis showed that the most common haplotype was rs577272G-rs3134931A (> 50%) in both Han and Maonan groups. The haplotype of rs577272G-rs3134931A was associated with TG and HDL-C in Han; and TC, TG and HDL-C in Maonan ethnic groups. Conclusions: These results suggest that the relationship among SLC44A4 rs577272, NOTCH4 rs3134931 SNPs and serum lipid parameters may vary depending on the gender and/or ethnicity/race in some populations. Haplotypes could explain more changes in serum lipid parameters than any single SNP alone particularly for TC, TG and HDL-C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our aim was to study whether radial pulse wave signals can improve the risk prediction of incident hypertension and are associated with its concomitant metabolic risk factors beyond the traditional cardiovascular risk factor Ba-PWV. By enrolling 523 Chinese subjects in this study, linear and stepwise regression analysis was performed to assess the association of radial artery pulse wave signals and Ba-PWV with blood pressure and its related metabolic risk factors such as fasting plasma glucose (FPG), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and uric acid (UA). The area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC), net reclassification improvement (NRI), and integrated discrimination improvement (IDI) were calculated by risk assessment plot to compare the discriminative ability among models with and without radial artery pulse wave signals. After adjusting related confounding factors, radial artery pulse wave variable h3/h1 was selected as the sensitive influential factor for blood pressure. Moreover, a new model with h3/h1 had a higher AUC than the reference model without it (0.86 vs 0.84; P = 0.030). And the NRI and IDI for the new model was 50.0% (P = 0.017) and 3.16% (P = 0.044), respectively. In addition to Ba-PWV, we found that the decrease of t4, t5, and h5 might be associated with higher FPG, TC, LDL-C, and UA and lower HDL-C. This research might provide a valuable additional tool for remote wearable monitoring of radial artery pulse wave signals in hypertension risk evaluation and management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Gene polymorphism has an important influence on RETN gene expression level, and the increased level of resistin encoded in RETN will lead to metabolic disorder, especially lipid metabolism. Moreover, steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head (steroid-induced ONFH) is closely related to lipid metabolism level, so this study is intended to explore the relationship of RETN polymorphisms with susceptibility to steroid-induced ONFH in the Chinese Han population. Methods: In this case-control study, eight single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of RETN were genotyped by the Agena MassARRAY system in 199 steroid-induced ONFH patients and 200 healthy controls. The relationship between RETN polymorphisms and steroid-induced ONFH risk was assessed using genetic models and haplotype analyses. Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were obtained by logistic regression adjusted for age. Results: We found significant differences in the distribution of HDL-C, TG/HDL-C, and LDL-C/HDL-C between the patients and the control group (p < 0.05). In allele model and genotype model analysis, rs34861192, rs3219175, rs3745368, and rs1477341 could reduce the risk of steroid-induced ONFH. Further stratified analysis showed that rs3745367 was related to the clinical stage of patients, and rs1477341 was significantly correlated with an increased TG level and a decreased TC/HDL-C level. The linkage analysis showed that two SNPs (rs34861192 and rs3219175) in RETN even significant linkage disequilibrium. Conclusions: Our results provide the firstly evidence that RETN gene polymorphisms were associated with a reduced risk of steroid-induced ONFH in Chinese Han population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Few studies have been conducted to investigate the underlying mechanisms of the effect of temperature on cardiovascular disease at population level, especially among Chinese population. A total of 56,039 participants were recruited from Kailuan cohort study, China. The lipoprotein profile indicators, including triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and high-density lipoprotein, were collected. Non-linear associations between temperature and the lipoprotein profile indicators were examined using a nonlinear function for temperature. Stratified analyses were performed in groups by individual characteristics (age, gender, and body mass index) and individual behaviors (physical activities and smoking habits). Generally, a non-linear relationship was found between cholesterol levels and temperature. A 1 °C decrease in temperature below the threshold was related with 0.004 mmol/L (95% CI 0.0004, 0.008), 0.022 mmol/L (95% CI 0.020, 0.025), and 0.009 mmol/L (95% CI 0.008, 0.011) increase in TG, LDL, and HDL, respectively; a 1 °C increase in temperature above the threshold was associated with 0.005 mmol/L (95% CI 0.003, 0.007), 0.012 mmol/L (95% CI 0.009, 0.015), and 0.002 mmol/L (95% CI 0.001, 0.004) increase in TG, LDL, and HDL, respectively. Stratified analyses showed that effect estimates on TG and LDL were larger among females, subjects with higher BMI, and those with smoking habits, while effect estimates on HDL were smaller among these subjects (expect for female). Our results suggest both cold and hot effect of temperature on cholesterol. Furthermore, females, and people with higher BMI or smoking habit may be more susceptible to outdoor temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Evidence regarding the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and 1-year unplanned readmission was limited. Therefore, the objective of this research is to investigate whether BMI was independently related to 1-year unplanned readmission in Chinese patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) after percutaneous transluminal coronary intervention (PCI) after adjusting for other covariates. Methods. The present study was a cohort study. A total of 214 participants with AMI after PCI were involved in a hospital in China from 1st January 2017 to 1st January 2018. The target independent variable and the dependent variable were BMI measured at baseline and 1-year unplanned readmission, respectively. Covariates involved in this study included age, gender, TC, triglyceride, HDL-C, LDL-C, PT, APTT, INR, creatinine, HGB, LVEF, discharge medication, marital status, educational level, COPD, diabetes mellitus, heart failure, history of ischemic stroke, history of hemorrhagic stroke, arrhythmia, and hypertension. Results. The average age of 172 selected participants was 60.2 ± 10.8 years old, and about 68.6% of them was male. The rate of readmission in patients with AMI was 26.14%. The result of fully adjusted binary logistic regression showed BMI was negatively associated with risk of readmission after adjusting confounders (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.1, 95% CI 0.93–1.29). Nonlinear relationship was detected between BMI and 1-year unplanned readmission, whose point was 29.3. The effect sizes and the confidence intervals of the left and right sides of inflection point were 0.9 (0.7–1.2, P for nonlinearity = 0.530) and 2.8 (1.3–5.8, P for nonlinearity = 0.008), respectively. Conclusion. BMI has a nonlinear relationship with 1-year unplanned readmission in patients with myocardial infarction. The 1-year unplanned readmission rate of overweight patients (BMI > 29.3 kg/m2) has increased significantly. Obesity paradox does not exist in terms of readmission of Chinese patients with myocardial infarction after PCI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Premature thelarche (PT) is a benevolent ailment affecting young girls. Multiple factors are reported to correlate with this condition, but the mechanisms responsible for the onset of PT have not yet been fully investigated. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship of nutrient intake, insulin resistance and lipid profile with PT. Methods: Two hundred sixty-three girls with PT, and 222 healthy girls of similar age were enrolled into this study. Their demographics, Tanner stage of breast development, nutrient intake, insulin resistance and lipid profiles were compared. Results: Daily protein and fat intakes, insulin resistance parameters including serum insulin-like growth factor 1, fasting glucose to insulin ratio, quantitative insulin check index and homeostasis model of assessment of insulin resistance, as well as serum levels of triacylglycerol, total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein, were all significantly altered in PT patients. Daily intake of energy and carbohydrate, and serum level of high-density lipoprotein protein were statistically indistinguishable between PT patients and healthy controls. Conclusion: Chinese girls with PT are potentially insulin resistant, which warrants more clinical attention and further investigation to address the underlying etiology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. To investigate the epidemiological features of obesity in rural Northeast China. Design. This was a 2017–2018 cross-sectional study of 10,891 participants aged ≥40 years that was designed to investigate the prevalence of obesity in rural areas of Liaoning Province. Demographic data, biochemical parameters, and physical examinations were completed by well-trained personnel. Logistic regression analyses were then carried out to investigate independent risk factors and associated cardiometabolic comorbidities of obesity. Results. The proportions of general obesity only, central obesity only, and combined obesity were 1.0%, 31.3%, and 17.4%, respectively. Overall, 49.8% of our subjects were obese. Female gender, being married, being separated/divorced/widowed, or eating more meat were significantly associated with obesity. Smoking, higher family income, or regular physical exercise were negatively associated with obesity. General obesity only was significantly correlated with hypertension, diabetes, and high triglycerides (OR = 2.79, OR = 2.79, and OR = 3.37, resp.). General obesity only was irrelevant to high total cholesterol, low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, although central obesity only, or combined obesity, was relevant to these factors. Prehypertension and prediabetes showed a positive association with different types of obesity. Conclusions. We identified a high prevalence of general and central obesity in rural Northeast China, with similar independent risk factors. Participants with combined obesity had the highest risk of cardiometabolic comorbidities, indicating that the combined use of both waist circumference and body mass index is useful in practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arterial stiffness plays a key role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease. However, the relationship between lipid levels and arterial stiffness is controversial. We aimed to investigate the association between lipid parameters and brachial–ankle pulse-wave velocity (baPWV) in Chinese patients with hypertension. A total of 14 071 participants with hypertension in the China Stroke Primary Prevention Trial (CSPPT) were enrolled in the present study. Patients were assigned to 4 equal groups according to their baPWV. Participants in the highest baPWV group were older with a higher prevalence of stroke and diabetes mellitus as well as higher body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose, uric acid, total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), homocysteine (Hcy), and vitamin B12 levels (P <.001). After adjusting for age, sex, BMI, and other cardiovascular risks, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) was negatively related to baPWV (β = −0.22, P =.012), TC (β = 0.08, P = 0.001), TG (β = 0.14, P =.001); non-HDL-C (β = 0.12, P =.001) and positively related to baPWV. The effect was not observed for low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C; β = 0.12, P =.335).These results suggested that non-HDL-C, TG, and TC were associated with arterial stiffness in a Chinese population with hypertension. HDL-C was inversely associated with arterial stiffness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. Previous studies have shown that some metabolic risk factors are related to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This retrospective study was performed to investigate the associations between physical examinations and blood biochemistry parameters and NAFLD status and to identify possible risk factors of NAFLD. Methods. Study participants underwent general physical examinations, blood biochemistry, and abdominal ultrasound evaluations. In addition, data regarding sex, age, ethnicity, medical history, and alcohol consumption of participants were recorded. Among the study participants (N=1994), 57.8% were male, 41.2% over the age of 50, and 52.6% with BMI≥24. 986 patients had NAFLD and 1008 had no NAFLD. We used effect size analysis and logistic regression to determine which physical examinations and blood biochemistry parameters were significant for the association between these parameters and NAFLD status. Results. Both the effect size and logistic regression indicated that BMI, diastolic blood pressure (DBP), triglycerides (TG), and serum uric acid (SUA) show a significant association with NAFLD. Females are overall at a higher risk of NAFLD, but factors such as high BMI, DBP, TG, and SUA increase the associated risk for both sexes. Compared with males, females have a higher risk of NAFLD given that they are over 50, overweight and obese (BMI at or over 24), or have high SUA. In terms of age, people older than 50 with high SUA, and people younger than 50 with high DBP and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) all increase the risk of NAFLD. For BMI, high DBP and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) are risk factors for NAFLD in overweight and obese people (BMI at or over 24), whereas in normal weight and underweight people (BMI under 24), elevated LDL-C increases the risk of NAFLD. Conclusions. Our results revealed sex, age, and BMI modulate the association of physical examinations and blood biochemistry parameters and NAFLD, which may facilitate the development of personalized early warning and prevention strategies of NAFLD for at-risk populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To examine the association between blood cholesterol concentrations and Alzheimer's disease (AD) in the Chinese elderly. A case-control study was implemented between November 2011 and November 2017. Elderly patients aged ≥ 55 years with (n = 117) and without AD (control participants; n = 117) were recruited from the Neurology Central Hospital of Tianjin, China. The associations between AD and blood parameters were assessed using multiple binary logistic regression analyses adjusted for multiple covariates. Higher serum total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels and lower serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels associated with AD risk in the models adjusted for (1) age, sex and education; and (2) further adjusted for body mass index, smoking status, stroke, hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus and heart disease. Increased serum TC and LDL-C levels and lower HDL-C levels were independently associated with the risk of AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The GC haplotype of the vitamin D binding protein (encoded by the GC gene) might be a risk factor to the vitamin D (VD) nutritional status for many populations, while evidences from the Chinese Han population are sparse. We test the association between vitamin D binding protein genotypes and VD status as well as the metabolic parameters of glucose and lipids in a Han Chinese population. Methods: In a cross-sectional study conducted at a health examination centre (registered in ClinicalTrials.gov as QLS2013), 2641 adults were included and grouped according to their plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) concentrations as VD deficient (VDD), insufficient (VDI), or sufficient (VDS). The rs7041 and rs4588 genotypes were analysed with a molecular beacon-based qPCR method using blood samples. Results: Plasma 25OHD concentrations were lower in the GC2/2, rs7041T/T, and rs4588A/A genotypes than the GC1f/1s, rs7041G/T, and rs4588C/C genotypes (P < 0.05). After adjusting for confounders, the GC2 haplotype increased the risk of low VD status (P < 0.05) in both genders. More genotypic models revealed the negative contributions of rs4588A than rs7041T to low VD status (P < 0.05). The combined rates of VDD and VDI were 80.2% in males and 86.1% in females. Compared with VDI, VDS, or both, VDD showed higher plasma concentrations of fasting blood glucose, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides in males (P < 0.05); however, no significant differences were found with regard to these parameters between the subgroups defined by the GC genotypes (P > 0.05). Conclusions: In a Han Chinese population, the GC2 haplotype or more exactly rs4588A is a risk factor for low VD status but is not associated with glucose and lipid metabolic disorders, which are inversely correlated with the circulating 25OHD concentration in males. Trial registration: The study was retrospectively registered in January 2018 as NCT03406234 in the ClinicalTrials.gov online system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: As we previously reported, the presence of preoperative metabolic syndrome can predict the significant risk of gastric cancer mortality. As a further extension, we evaluated the prediction of three lipid derivatives generated from triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high- and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC and LDLC) at baseline for postoperative gastric cancer mortality by prospectively analysing 3012 patients. The three lipid derivatives included the ratio of TC minus HDLC to HDLC known as atherogenic index (AI), the ratio of TG to HDLC abbreviated as THR and the ratio of LDLC to HDLC abbreviated as LHR.Methods: Gastric cancer patients who received gastrectomy between January 2000 and December 2010 were consecutively recruited from Fujian Cancer Hospital. Follow-up assessment was implemented annually before December 2015.Results: Finally, there were 1331 deaths from gastric cancer and 1681 survivors, with a median follow-up time of 44.05 months. 3012 patients were evenly randomized into the derivation group and the validation group, and both groups were well balanced at baseline. Overall adjusted estimates in the derivation group were statistically significant for three lipid derivatives (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.20, 1.17 and 1.19 for AI, THR and LHR, respectively, all P < 0.001), and were reproducible in the validation group. The risk prediction of three lipid derivatives was more obvious in males than females, in patients with tumor-node-metastasis stage I-II than stage III-IV, in patients with intestinal-type than diffuse-type gastric cancer, in patients with normal weight than obesity, and in patients without hypertension than with hypertension, especially for AI and LHR, and all results were reproducible. Calibration and discrimination statistics showed good reclassification performance and predictive accuracy when separately adding three lipid derivatives to baseline risk model. A prognostic nomogram was accordingly built based on significant attributes to facilitate risk assessment, with a good prediction capability.Conclusions: Our results indicate that preoperative lipid derivatives, especially AI and LHR, are powerful predictors of postoperative gastric cancer mortality, with more obvious prediction in patients of male gender or with tumor-node-metastasis stage I-II or intestinal-type gastric cancer, and in the absence of obesity or hypertension before gastrectomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clinicians have attempted to find early preclinical physical diagnosis signs to detect vascular diseases at the preclinical stage and to prevent clinical deterioration in time. An interesting example of such signs is the Frank sign, which was first described by Dr Sonders T. Frank in 1973. Our goal was to summarize the clinical trials and observational studies that had examined the association between the Frank sign and cardiovascular diseases. Summarizing the 57 studies we found showed that this association could be used for early diagnosis of coronary and vascular diseases in the preclinical stage and that they were found in different populations around the world. Autopsy studies also found a strong association between the Frank sign and cardiovascular causes of death in both sexes. Cardiovascular causes of death included ischemic and hypertensive heart disease, calcific valvular stenosis, ruptured dissecting aneurysm of the thoracic aorta, and ruptured atheromatous aneurysm of the abdominal aorta. The Frank sign was correlated with increased intima-media thickness and stroke and was found in patients with peripheral vascular disease and with cardiovascular risk factors. The Frank sign could serve as a physical sign to help clinicians diagnose cardiovascular diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To determine the individual and combined influences of smoking and alcohol consumption on lipid profile in male adults in northwest rural China. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: In total, 4614 subjects were enrolled in the cross-sectional study, performed between 2008 and 2012. The present study examined males aged ≥18 years from northwest rural China (n = 707). Data on current smoking and drinking status were collected. Logistic regression was used to estimate the individual and combined influences of smoking and alcohol consumption on lipid profile. Age, ethnic group, educational background, smoking (or alcohol consumption), waist circumference, body mass index, blood pressure and fasting blood glucose were adjusted as confounders. Results: Total cholesterol (TC)/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) ratio, triglycerides (TG)/HDL-C ratio, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)/HDL-C ratio and visceral adiposity index (VAI) were significantly higher in smokers than in non-smokers, whereas HDL-C was lower in smokers. TG/HDL-C ratio, LDL-C/HDL-C ratio, TG, lipid accumulation product and VAI were significantly higher in drinkers than non-drinkers. After adjustment for confounders, significant relationships were observed between smoking status and any dyslipidemia, low HDL-C and high VAI (odds ratios [ORs]: 2.53 [95% confidence interval {CI}: 1.25-5.15], 6.13 [95% CI: 2.84-13.25] and 4.39 [95% CI: 2.02-9.54], respectively). The OR for any dyslipidaemia was 1.94 (95% CI: 1.09-3.48) for subjects who smoke and drank alcohol compared with subjects who did not smoke or drink alcohol. Conclusions: Abnormalities in lipid profile are correlated with smoking and alcohol consumption, which calls for intervention strategies to prevent dyslipidaemia and control risk factors for cardiovascular disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to investigate the effect of Chinese diet pattern of fat content (30% or 36.06%), n-6/n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) ratio (5 : 1 or 9 : 1), and cholesterol content (0.04 or 0.057 g/kg total diet) on lipid profile using a rat model. Results showed that rats’ body weights (BWs) were controlled by the simultaneous intakes of cholesterol level of 0.04 g/kg total diet and n-6/n-3 ratio of 5 : 1. In addition, under high-fat diet, increased cholesterol feeding led to increased total cholesterol (TC) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels and decreased triacylglycerols (TG) in rats’ plasma. However, high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) level and the ratios of HDL-C/LDL-C and HDL-C/TC in rats’ plasma increased in response to simultaneous intakes of low n-6/n-3 ratio (5 : 1) and cholesterol (0.04 g/kg total diet) even under high-fat diet. Moreover, as the n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio in the diet decreased, the proportion of n-3 PUFAs increased in plasma, liver, and muscle and resulted in the decrease of n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Aim: To explore the genetic and environmental influences on cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) and cognitive function in the world's largest and rapidly aging Chinese population. Methods: Cognitive function and CVRF, including body mass index, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, pulse pressure, glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC) and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol were measured in 379 complete twin pairs. Univariate and bivariate twin models were fitted to estimate the genetic and environmental components in the variance and covariance of CVRF and cognition. Results: Mild‐to‐high heritability was estimated for CVRF and cognition (0.27–0.74). Unique environmental factors showed low‐to‐moderate contributions (0.23–0.56). Only HDLC presented significant common environmental contribution (0.50). Bivariate analysis showed significantly negative genetic correlations (rG) between cognition and systolic blood pressure (rG = −0.56), diastolic blood pressure (rG = −0.42), pulse pressure (rG = −0.45), and positive genetic correlations between cognition and total cholesterol (rG = 0.33), triglyceride (rG = 0.23) and HDLC (rG = 0.41). HDLC and cognition presented a unique environmental correlation (rE = −0.13), but in the opposite direction. Conclusions: Cognitive function was genetically related to systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, pulse pressure, total cholesterol, triglyceride and HDLC with a negative or positive direction. Cognition and HDLC might share part of a similar unique environmental factor. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2018; 18: 352–359. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Acupuncture and moxibustion has been widely applied to hyperlipidemia treatment in clinical practice in China, serving as an alternative treatment to statins. Warm-needling acupuncture and medicinal cake-separated moxibustion have been separately reported with potential therapeutic effects on hyperlipidemia treatment in several studies but with limitations in study methodology. Combining these two modalities may provide a more advantageous strategy in treating hyperlipidemia. Therefore, a strict evaluation through well-designed randomized controlled trials (RCT) is necessary to determine their efficacy and safety on hyperlipidemia.Methods: The study a multicenter, open-label, randomized, stratified, active-controlled, noninferiority trial with two parallel groups. Subjects with hyperlipidemia will be stratified into different groups by risk levels of heart diseases. They then will be instructed to the Therapeutic Lifestyle Change (TLC) diet. Those who have not reached the target lipid level will be randomly assigned to the treatments of either acupuncture and moxibustion or simvastatin with a 1:1 allocation. One hundred and thirty subjects are aimed to be recruited. The duration of intervention for this study will be 12 weeks, followed by another 4 weeks for post-treatment assessment. The primary outcome is percentage change from baseline to the end of the study in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Other indicators in lipid change, safety and adherence will also be assessed secondarily. The repeated measures, linear mixed-effects model will be applied to the analysis.Discussion: Acupuncture and moxibustion could be a potentially effective treatment alternative for hyperlipidemia. A study with careful design is developed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of combined acupuncture and moxibustion, by integrating the traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) regimens with the standardized Western medicine appraisal approach.Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02269046 . Registered on 26 September 2014. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To explore the associations between the Chinese famine exposure in early life and the dyslipidemia in adulthood.Methods: We selected 2752 participants from the baseline survey of China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) 2011-2012 to evaluate the associations of early life the Chinese famine exposure with risk of dyslipidemia in adulthood. Dyslipidemia was defined as TC (Total Cholesterol): HDL-C (High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol) ratio ≥ 5.0 or use cholesterol lowering drugs. Famine exposure cohorts were categorized by birthdates of participants. Binary logistics regression model was used to examine the associations of early-life famine exposure with the risk of dyslipidemia.Results: The dyslipidemia prevalence of the non-exposed cohort, fetal stage-, infant stage-, and preschool stage-exposed cohorts in adulthood was 15.7%, 23.1%, 22.0%, and 18.6%, respectively. Early-life exposure to the Chinese famine significantly increased LDL cholesterol concentrations in adulthood after adjusted for age. The risks of dyslipidemia in fetal (OR = 1.58; 95% CI: 1.23-2.03; P < 0.001) and infant (OR = 1.52; 95% CI: 1.15-2.00; P = 0.003) stage-exposed cohorts were significantly higher than the non-exposed cohort after adjusted for gender and current family economic status. Following gender stratification, we found that fetal (OR = 1.80; 95% CI: 1.26-2.57; P = 0.001), infant (OR = 1.75; 95% CI: 1.17-2.62; P = 0.006), and preschool (OR = 1.63; 95% CI: 1.10-2.42; P = 0.015) -stage exposure to severe famine aggravated the risk of dyslipidemia in female adults. However, the similar association was not observed for male adults.Conclusions: Early-life exposure to severe Chinese famine could link with the higher dyslipidemia risk in female adulthood, but not in male adulthood. This gender-specific effect might be associated with the hypothesis that parents in China prefer boys to girls traditionally or survivors' bias. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ObjectiveThe present study aimed to identify dietary patterns and explore their associations with blood lipid profiles among Chinese women.DesignIn a cross-sectional study, we identified dietary patterns using principal component analysis of data from three consecutive 24 h dietary recalls. The China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS) collected blood samples in the morning after an overnight fast and measured total cholesterol (TC), HDL cholesterol (HDL-C), LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) and TAG.SettingData were from the 2009 wave of the CHNS.SubjectsWe studied 2468 women aged 18–80 years from the CHNS.ResultsWe identified three dietary patterns: traditional southern (high intakes of rice, pork and vegetables), snack (high intakes of fruits, eggs and cakes) and Western (high intakes of poultry, fast foods and milk). The traditional southern pattern was inversely associated with HDL-C (β=−0·68; 95 % CI −1·22, −0·14; P<0·05). The snack pattern was significantly associated with higher TAG (β=4·14; 95 % CI 0·44, 7·84; P<0·05). The Western pattern was positively associated with TC (β=2·52; 95 % CI 1·03, 4·02; P<0·01) and LDL-C (β=2·26; 95 % CI 0·86, 3·66; P<0·01).ConclusionsWe identified three dietary patterns that are significantly associated with blood lipid profiles. This information is important for developing interventions and policies addressing dyslipidaemia prevention among Chinese women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ObjectiveTo investigate changes in levels of lipids and lipoproteins in Chinese women during perimenopause and postmenopause as primary study endpoints, for the first time including lipoprotein(a). MethodsThe retrospective study was performed in 1015 women without hormone therapy aged 34–76 years from 20 provinces of China who visited the Beijing Obstetrics & Gynecology hospital. Menopausal status was defined by the criteria of the 2011 Stages of Reproductive Aging Workshop. ResultsLevels of total cholesterol, triglycerides and low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol increased and that of high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol decreased in the postmenopausal compared to the perimenopausal group. In the women with body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25 kg/m2, total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol increased, HDL cholesterol decreased and changes in triglyceride levels were not significant. In the women with BMI < 25 kg/m2, the increase in triglyceride levels during the transition was significant. Changes in lipoprotein(a), apolipoprotein A1 and apolipoprotein B were not significant. Comparing the groups with BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2vs. BMI < 25 kg/m2, only the differences for apolipoprotein A1 and for triglycerides were significant. Triglycerides correlated positively with follicle stimulating hormone and BMI, and total cholesterol correlated positively with follicle stimulating hormone and age (allp < 0.05). ConclusionsSome changes in lipids can be related to menopausal status, some to increasing age, some to both; especially triglycerides and apolipoprotein A1 were found also to be related to BMI. Surprisingly lipoprotein(a) did not change either with increasing age or during the transition despite known possible interference with estrogenic status. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Objective: The present study aimed to investigate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in 7- to 17-year-old children and adolescents in China and to examine the relationship between MetS and its associated early-life factors.Design: Data were collected using a standard parent/guardian questionnaire in a face-to-face interview. Each participant underwent a complete anthropometric evaluation. MetS was defined according to the criteria of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF; 2007) for children and adolescents.Setting: Guangzhou, a large city in South China, September 2013.Subjects: A total of 1770 children and adolescents were enrolled in the study, including 913 girls (51·6%) and 857 boys (48·4%).Results: The overall prevalence of MetS in children and adolescents was 1·1% (n 19), which was higher in boys (1·4%) than in girls (0·8%). Multivariate analysis indicated that high birth weight was significantly associated with abdominal obesity (OR=2·86; 95% CI 1·62, 5·06) and MetS (OR=3·61; 95% CI 1·33, 9·82). Furthermore, >6 months of maternal breast-feeding was inversely associated with MetS (OR=0·39; 95% CI 0·16, 0·98).Conclusion: Based on IDF criteria, the prevalence of MetS among southern Chinese children was significantly lower than that in other populations. High birth weight was significantly associated with abdominal obesity and MetS, and breast-feeding for longer than 6 months was inversely associated with MetS in South China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims To investigate whether serum complement C3 is related to the prevalence and incidence of prediabetes in an adult population. Methods A cross-sectional ( n = 10 206) and prospective cohort study ( n = 3333), with a mean (range; 95% CI) follow-up of 2.63 (1-6; 2.58-2.68) years, was conducted in people recruited from the Health Management Centre of Tianjin Medical University General Hospital in Tianjin, China. Measurement of serum C3 concentration, blood fasting glucose, oral glucose tolerance, HbA1c and other potential confounding factors was performed at baseline and each year during the follow-up. Prediabetes was defined according to the criteria of the American Diabetes Association. Adjusted logistic and Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to assess the relationships between C3 quintiles and prediabetes. Results The prevalence and incidence of prediabetes were 38.5% and 119 per 1000 person-years, respectively. In cross-sectional analysis, after adjustment for potential confounders, the odds ratios of prediabetes for increasing quintiles of C3 were 1.00 (reference), 1.32 (95% CI 1.14-1.53), 1.37 (95% CI 1.18-1.59), 1.75 (95% CI 1.51-2.03), 2.25 (95% CI 1.93-2.62; P for trend < 0.0001). In the cohort analysis, the multiple-adjusted hazard ratio of prediabetes in the highest quintile of baseline C3 was 1.43 (95% CI 1.15, 1.78; P for trend < 0.001), when compared with the lowest quintile. Conclusions These findings indicate that elevated serum C3 levels are significantly related to an increased risk of developing prediabetes in an adult population, suggesting that C3 can be used as a biomarker in high-risk individuals to improve primary prevention of prediabetes and diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Dyslipidemia in pregnancy are associated with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), preeclampsia, preterm birth and other adverse outcomes, which has been extensively studied in western countries. However, similar studies have rarely been conducted in Asian countries. Our study was aimed at investigating the associations between maternal dyslipidemia and adverse pregnancy outcomes among Chinese population.Methods: Data were derived from 934 pairs of non-diabetic mothers and neonates between 2010 and 2011. Serum blood samples were assayed for fasting total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) concentrations during the first, second and third trimesters. The present study explored the associations between maternal lipid profile and pregnancy complications and perinatal outcomes. The pregnancy complications included GDM, preeclampsia and intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP); the perinatal outcomes included preterm birth, small/large for gestational age (SGA/LGA) infants and macrosomia. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated and adjusted via stepwise logistic regression analysis. Optimal cut-off points were determined by ROC curve analysis.Results: After adjustments for confounders, every unit elevation in third-trimester TG concentration was associated with increased risk for GDM (OR = 1.37, 95% CI: 1.18-1.58), preeclampsia (OR = 1.50, 95% CI: 1.16-1.93), ICP (OR = 1.28, 95% CI: 1.09-1.51), LGA (OR = 1.13, 95% CI: 1.02-1.26), macrosomia (OR = 1.19, 95% CI: 1.02-1.39) and decreased risk for SGA (OR = 0.63, 95% CI: 0.40-0.99); every unit increase in HDL-C concentration was associated with decreased risk for GDM and macrosomia, especially during the second trimester (GDM: OR = 0.10, 95% CI: 0.03-0.31; macrosomia: OR = 0.25, 95% CI: 0.09-0.73). The optimal cut-off points for third-trimester TG predicting GDM, preeclampsia, ICP, LGA and SGA were separately ≥ 3.871, 3.528, 3.177, 3.534 and ≤ 2.530 mmol/L. The optimal cut-off points for third-trimester HDL-C identifying GDM, macrosomia and SGA were respectively ≤ 1.712, 1.817 and ≥ 2.238 mmol/L.Conclusions: Among Chinese population, maternal high TG in late pregnancy was independently associated with increased risk of GDM, preeclampsia, ICP, LGA, macrosomia and decreased risk of SGA. Relative low maternal HDL-C during pregnancy was significantly associated with increased risk of GDM and macrosomia; whereas relative high HDL-C was a protective factor for both of them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Previous studies suggested that magnesium (Mg) might protect against atherosclerosis, but data were scarce in an Asian population. We examined the association of Mg levels in serum and urine with carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) and serum lipids in Chinese adults. Methods: This community-based cross-sectional study recruited 2,837 participants aged 40-75 years in Guangzhou, China. General information, lifestyle factors, serum and urinary concentrations of Mg and cardiometabolic factors were determined. The cIMTs of the common carotid artery (CCA) and the carotid bifurcation (BIF) were measured ultrasonographically. Results: The mean (SD) concentration of serum Mg was 0.85 (0.07) mmol/L and median (IQR) for urinary Mg excretion was 2.29 (1.56-3.51) mmol/L. After adjustment for potential covariates, both serum and the urinary concentrations of Mg were inversely associated with CCA-IMT, but not with BIF-IMT. The regression coefficients (standard errors) were −100 (29) µm (total), −86 (34) µm (women) and −117 (52) µm (men) CCA-IMT per 1 mmol/L of serum Mg, and −41 (8) µm (total), −41 (10) µm (women) and −44 (15) µm (men) CCA-IMT per 1 unit of urinary Mg/creatinine (log mmol/mmol) (all p < 0.05), respectively. Higher serum Mg levels were associated with higher total cholesterol, HDLc, LDLc and triglyceride, but lower non-HDLc/HDLc in total population (all p < 0.05). Similar relationships of urinary Mg with lipoproteins were also found in total population (all p < 0.05). Conclusion: Higher levels of serum and urinary Mg are associated with lower CCA-IMTs, and the role of Mg in lipid metabolism needs further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cystatin C, a marker for early stage chronic kidney dysfunction, mediates the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases. Objective: To investigate whether serum cystatin C is an independent predictor of coronary heart disease (CHD) for patients without chronic kidney disease (CKD). Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we included 525 patients with CHD and 142 apparently healthy control individuals and acquired their demographic characteristics, medical histories, and listings of the concurrent medications they were taking. All patients with CHD underwent coronary angiography and other routine laboratory examinations. We quantified serum concentrations of cystatin Cvia particle-enhanced immunonephelometric assay. Results: Compared with controls, the patients with CHD had higher serum cystatin C levels (median: 1.17mg/L, interquartile range [IQR]: 1.01 to 1.46 mg/L vs median: 0.98 mg/L, IQR: 0.80 to 1.06 mg/L, P 5.001), lower levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P5.001), higher levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P5.001), triglyceride (P5.001), total cholesterol (P= .007) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (P5.001). No differences occurred in serum concentrations of creatinine or estimated glomerular filtration rate between CHD patients and healthy controls. Multivariate logistic regression indicated that levels of cystatin C (OR, 1.648; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.454 to 1.868; P5.001) were most strongly correlated with CHD prevalence. Conclusions: Elevated serum cystatin C is a potential biochemical marker for the prediction of CHD, which suggests that mild preclinical renal dysfunction may be associated with the pathogenesis of CHD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethnopharmacological relevance Tongue coating diagnosis is a useful tool to examine the changes of a human body in Chinese Medicine. Tongue coating varies in thickness in kidney disease. However, little information exists regarding the association between clinical characters and tongue coating thickness in CKD patients. Aim of the study This study was carried out to determine whether there is an association between tongue coating thickness and laboratory, histological variables in idiopathic membranous nephropathy patients: one group with thin tongue coating, the other with thick tongue coating. Materials and methods During July 2012–March 2014, idiopathic membranous nephropathy patients(CKD 1–2 stage) with tongue coating thickness Score ≤7, or ≥11, were enrolled as thin tongue coating group or thick tongue coating group, from Hangzhou Hospital of TCM. Laboratory variables (Hemoglobin (Hb), albumin (Alb); eGFR; alanine transferase (ALT); aspartate aminotransferase (AST); triglyceride (TG); total cholesterone (TC); high density lipoprotein (HDL); low density lipoprotein (LDL); immunoglobin A, G, M; Complement 3, 4) and renal histological data (glomerular lesions; tubular-interstitial damage) were compared, between these two groups. Results 12 idiopathic MN patients (CKD 1–2 stage) with thin tongue coating (tongue coating thickness score ≤7) and 11 with thick tongue coating (tongue coating thickness score ≥11) were enrolled in our study. We found a significant lower level of TC and LDL, a significant lower level of AST, ALT in those thick tongue coating patients, compared with thin. No significant difference was observed in pathological lesion between thick and thin tongue coating patients. Conclusion Tongue coating thickness is associated with lipid metabolism in idiopathic MN patients (CKD 1–2 stages). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethnopharmacological relevance Cyclocarya paliurus (CP) Batal., the sole species in its genus, is a native plant to China. As a traditional Chinese folk medicine, the tree leaves have been widely used for the treatment of metabolic disorders, including hyperlipidemia, obesity, diabetes and hypertension. Aim of the study The study aimed to evaluate the antihyperlipidemic effect of CP ethanol extract, as well as its inhibitory activity on apolipoproteinB48 (apoB48), in normal and hyperlipidemic mice. Materials and methods The antihyperlipidemic effect of CP was evaluated in hyperlipidemic mice induced by high-fat diet for 4 weeks. CP ethanol extract (0.37, 0.75 and 1.5 g/kg/day) was orally administrated once daily. Lipids and antioxidant profiles, including total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), together with the indices of hepatic and renal functions were examined. RT-qPCR and western blotting were used to analysis the expression levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), total- and triglyceride-rich apoB48 (TRL-apoB48), as well as the phosphorylation of the mitogen-activatein kinase (MAPK). Results CP as well as simvastatin remarkably lowered the levels of TC, TG, LDL-C and MDA, and at the same time, elevated the HDL-C, SOD and GSH-Px in high-fat diet mice. It also decreased the serum concentration of total- and TRL-apoB48 in the fasting state. CP inhibited TNF-α expression and phosphorylation level of MAPK. Furthermore, the HE staining of liver and kidney, together with hepatic and renal function analysis showed hepato- and renoprotective activities of CP. Conclusions These results suggested that CP possesses beneficial potentials for use in treating hyperlipidemia and the underlying lipid-lowering mechanism might associate with a down-regulation of the intestinal-associated lipoprotein apoB48, which may provide evidence about its practical application for treating hyperlipidemia and its complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethnopharmacological relevance Whole herb of Lysimachia christinae has long been used as a remedy for cholelithiasis extensively in China. This study was aimed to validate the effect of L. christinae on eliminating preestablished cholesterol gallstone (CGS) in model animals. Materials and methods Acute toxicity of aqueous extract of L. christinae (LCAE) was estimated in male C57BL/6 mice, so was the efficiency of LCAE on preformed CGS induced by lithogenic diet. The effects of LCAE were also examined on bile secretion rate, the lipid profiles of bile and serum, body weight, main visceral organ indexes, and histomorphology of main visceral organs. Results Single dose of LCAE did not lead to death and changes on body weight gain, main visceral organ indexes, histomorphology of main visceral organs, and blood hemogram and biochemical indexes, even at dose of 50 g material/kg body weight. Preestablished CGSs were almost entirely eliminated after administration of LCAE for 2 wk at high dose or for 4 wk at low dose. LCAE promoted bile secretion and lowered cholesterol levels in either cystic bile or hepatic bile. LCAE also decreased serum cholesterol content, especially LDL-C content, tremendously, reduced the levels of serum HDL-C, phospholipid, and triglycerine a little, and lowered body weight and liver index significantly. After medication of LCAE for 8 wk , neither visceral indexes nor histomorphology of heart, kidney, and spleen were influenced, but fatty degeneration of liver induced by high fat and high cholesterol diet was reverted. Conclusion L. christinae can be considered as non-toxic. It showed prominent efficiency of eliminating preexisted CGS in mice and indicated a hypolipidaemic effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The main objective of this study was to estimate the blood glucose and blood lipid profile of students in a university in China. Methods: This descriptive study was based on the health screening data for university students in 2013. The blood glucose (GLU), lipid profiles (total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG, and high density lipoprotein (HDL-C)) was measured by using Hitachi model 747 automatic analyzer. The LDL cholesterol values were calculated according to the formula: LDL-C = TC-HDLC- TG/5. Results: The mean of HDL was 51.31 and 56.30 mg/dL for male and female, respectively (p<0.05). The majority of students have normal level of GLU (65-110mgl/dL). Elevated TC and LDL were observed in 6.92% and 5.82 % of male, similarly, 5.91 %and 3.57% of female. High levels of TC, LDL and TG in male university students werel.02%,0.71% and 1.41%, respectively; in female university students were 1.26%, 1.04 and 0.68%, respectively. Reduced levels of HDL were observed in5.59% of male and 2.62% of female. Conclusion: The study shows that the prevalence of blood glucose and blood lipid in university students, especially reduced levels of HDL and elevated TC and LDL in university students has become a critical health issue. Relevant department of school and government should pay more attention to students' physical health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethnopharmacological relevance Berberine, extracted from Coptis Root and Phellodendron Chinese, has been frequently used for the adjuvant treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension in China. Safety and efficacy studies in terms of evidence-based medical practice have become more prevalent in application to Chinese Herbal Medicine. It is necessary to assess the efficacy and safety of berberine in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia and hypertension by conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis of available clinical data. Materials and methods We searched the English databases PubMed, ScienceDirect, Cochrane library, EMbase, etc., and Chinese databases including China biomedical literature database (CBM), Chinese Technology Journal Full-text Database, Chinese journal full text database (CNKI), and Wanfang digital periodical full text database. Relevant studies were selected based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Meta-analysis was performed with RevMan5.0 software after data extraction and the quality of studies assessment. Results Twenty-seven randomized controlled clinical trials were included with 2569 patients. There are seven subgroups in our meta-analysis: berberine versus placebo or berberine with intensive lifestyle intervention versus intensive lifestyle intervention alone; berberine combined with oral hypoglycemic versus hypoglycemic alone; berberine versus oral hypoglycemic; berberine combined with oral lipid lowering drugs versus lipid lowering drugs alone; berberine versus oral lipid lowering drugs; berberine combined with oral hypotensor versus hypotensive medications; berberine versus oral hypotensive medications. In the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus, we found that berberine with lifestyle intervention tended to lower the level of FPG, PPG and HbA 1c than lifestyle intervention alone or placebo; the same as berberine combined with oral hypoglycaemics to the same hypoglycaemics; but there was no statistical significance between berberine and oral hypoglycaemics. As for the treatment of hyperlipidemia, berberine with lifestyle intervention was better than lifestyle intervention, berberine with oral lipid lowering drugs was better than lipid lowering drugs alone in reducing the level of TC and LDL-C, and raising the level of HDL-C. In the comparative study between berberine and oral lipid lowering drugs, there was no statistical significance in reducing the level of TC and LDL-C, but berberine shows better effect in lowering the level of TG and raising the level of HDL-C. In the treatment of hypertension, berberine with lifestyle intervention tended to lower the level of blood pressure more than the lifestyle intervention alone or placebo did; The same occurred when berberine combined with oral hypotensor was compared to the same hypotensor. Notably, no serious adverse reaction was reported in the 27 experiments. Conclusion This study indicates that berberine has comparable therapeutic effect on type 2 DM, hyperlipidemia and hypertension with no serious side effect. Considering the relatively low cost compared with other first-line medicine and treatment, berberine might be a good alternative for low socioeconomic status patients to treat type 2 DM, hyperlipidemia, hypertension over long time period. Due to overall limited quality of the included studies, the therapeutic benefit of berberine can be substantiated to a limited degree. Better methodological quality, large controlled trials using standardized preparation are expected to further quantify the therapeutic effect of berberine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Maternal obesity is a risk factor for metabolic diseases in offspring. The aim of this study was to investigate whether quercetin administration during gestation and lactation could have any protective effect against the impact of maternal obesity on increased sensitivity to obesity and metabolic disorders in offspring. Methods: Female Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a high-fat diet to induce obesity. Obese dams were administered 0, 50, 100 or 200 mg/kg body weight (BW) quercetin intragastrically during gestation and lactation. Normal weight dams were used as controls. The F1 generation was fed with a standard diet after weaning, and blood glucose, lipids and inflammatory factors were assessed. Expression of biomarkers involved endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, and related inflammatory pathways in liver and adipose tissues were analyzed at postnatal day 100. Results: Maternal obesity resulted in increased birth weight, postnatal BW gain, hyperglycemia, hyperlipemia, hyperinsulinemia, increased serum levels of inflammatory factors, and up-regulated biomarkers involved in ER stress and related inflammatory pathways in the offspring. Maternal quercetin intervention (QI) had significant ameliorating effects on maternal blood lipids, especially cholesterol, which resulted in improved glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity and alleviated ER stress and related inflammation in the grown offspring of obese dams. Conclusions: Maternal QI in obese dams during gestation and lactation reduced birth weight and postnatal BW gain in the offspring, and helped to improve insulin sensitivity and lipid metabolism of the mature offspring via reducing ER stress and related inflammation in the liver and adipose tissue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims To study the cardiovascular disease risk profiles in newly diagnosed diabetes diagnosed by either glucose or/and HbA1c criteria in Chinese adults. Methods Two population-based cross-sectional studies were conducted in 2006 and 2009, respectively. Data from 1987 men and 2815 women aged 35-74 years were analysed. Newly diagnosed diabetes was defined according to either glucose (fasting and/or 2-h glucose), HbA1c or both criteria . Results Ageing, positive family history of diabetes, elevated levels of waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, triglycerides and γ-glutamyl transferase were independently associated with newly diagnosed diabetes defined by glucose criterion alone, but not for diabetes defined by HbA1c criterion alone. Only waist circumference, total cholesterol and smoking were significantly associated with the presence of diabetes defined by HbA1c criterion alone. Conclusions Cardiovascular disease risk profiles were different in patients with newly diagnosed diabetes defined by the two diagnostic criteria for diabetes. This may have certain clinical implications on diabetes management and research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Although recent evidence has implicated that 5-lipoxygenase activating protein (ALOX5AP) gene is associated with ischemic stroke (IS) risk, the underlying molecular mechanism remains to be defined. This study aimed to investigate the role of ALOX5AP rs4073259 in ischemic stroke in a Northeastern Chinese Han population. Methods: A total of 501 IS patients and 497 healthy controls were enrolled for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and ligase detection reaction (LDR) analysis of ALOX5AP r s407 3259 single nucleo tide polymorphism (SNP). Results: There were no statistically significant differences in ALOX5AP rs4073259 allele and genotype frequencies between IS or subtypes of IS and controls. There was no significant difference in genotype and allele frequencies of atherosclerosis degree between ischemic subjects with carotid artery plaque or absence. However, total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) in women patients were significantly higher than those in men (p = 0.015, 0.000, and 0.008, respectively). Total homocysteine (tHcy) was higher in men patients than that in women (p = 0.021). Conclusion: There was no statistically significant association of ALOX5AP rs4073259 SNP with ischemic stroke in this northeastern Chinese Han population living in Heilongjiang province, China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of abdominal acupuncture at the endocrine and metabolic level in patients with obesity-type polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Methods: Eighty-six women from the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical College with a diagnosis of PCOS (body-mass index [BMI] ≥25 kg/m2) were randomly assigned to receive 6 months of abdominal acupuncture (once a day) or oral metformin (250 mg three times daily in the first week, followed by 500 mg three times daily thereafter). BMI, waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), ovarian volume, menstrual frequency, homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and Ferriman-Gallwey score were measured at the beginning of the study and after 6 months of treatment. Luteotrophic hormone (LH), testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), fasting blood glucose, 2-hour Postprandial blood glucose, fasting insulin, 2-hour postprandial blood insulin, total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were also assessed. Results: According to the results at baseline and 6 months, BMI, WHR, Ferriman-Gallwey score, ovarian volume, luteotrophic hormone, ratio of luteotrophic hormone to follicle-stimulating hormone, testosterone, LDL-C, triglycerides, total cholesterol, fasting blood glucose, 2-hour postprandial blood glucose, fasting insulin, 2-hour postprandial blood insulin, and HOMA-IR were reduced significantly in the two groups ( p<0.05). Menstrual frequency and HDL-C ( p<0.05) increased significantly in both groups; follicle-stimulating hormone also increased in both groups, but the change was not significant ( p>0.05). The acupuncture group showed considerable advantages over the metformin group in terms of reduced BMI and WHR and increases in menstrual frequency ( p<0.05). Conclusion: Abdominal acupuncture and metformin improved the endocrine and metabolic function of patients with obesity-type PCOS. Abdominal acupuncture may be more effective in improving menstrual frequency, BMI, and WHR, with few adverse effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The scientific evidence for the association of daily flavonoid and stilbene intakes with cardiovascular risk factors in Chinese adults has not been reported previously. Objective: The aim of the study was to assess daily flavonoid and stilbene intakes and evaluate these compounds'' association with cardiovascular risk factors such as serum lipids and carotid intima–media thickness in Chinese adults. Design: A total of 1,393 subjects participated in this cross-sectional study from July 2008 to January 2010 in China. Dietary flavonoid and stilbene intakes as well as overall dietary intakes from foods and beverages were assessed with a quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Anthropometric measurements and cardiovascular risk factors including serum lipids, uric acid, and carotid intima–media thickness were examined. The relationship between flavonoids and stilbene intakes and these cardiovascular risk factors was examined using either partial correlation coefficients or analysis of covariance. Results: The richest sources of flavonoids and stilbenes were the fruit group including apple, plum, pear, and peach, followed by the vegetable group containing lotus root and taro. The daily intake of total flavonoids, anthocyanidins, flavonols, flavones, isoflavones, and stilbene were 165.6 mg/day, 27.6 mg/day, 123.7 mg/day, 10.7 mg/day, 3.7 mg/day, and 0.3 mg/day, respectively. Higher daily consumption of anthocyanidins was associated with elevated serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) concentrations (P trend=0.001), and higher total flavonoid and flavonol intakes were associated with lower serum triglycerides (TG) concentrations (P trend=0.020 and P trend=0.035, respectively) and TG/HDL-C ratios (P trend=0.040 and P trend=0.045, respectively) in female subjects. These significant relationships were not found in male subjects. Conclusions: The daily intakes of flavonoid and stilbene were estimated in the present study, and higher dietary flavonoid intake was associated with improving lipid profile in Chinese women. The results indicate that dietary flavonoids may have beneficial effect on preventing cardiovascular diseases. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background Previous studies demonstrated that high fruit consumption was associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular events in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, the relationship between fruit intake and carotid atherosclerosis in these patients is unknown. We studied the relationship between dietary fruit intake and carotid intima-media thickness in patients with Type 2 diabetes. Methods A total of 255 Chinese patients with Type 2 diabetes were recruited. Dietary fruit intake was assessed by a validated food-frequency questionnaire, and carotid intima-media thickness was measured by high-resolution ultrasonography. Results Among patients with three different tertiles of fruit intake (14.5 ± 8.6 vs. 41.5 ± 7.1 vs. 92.6 ± 39.7 g/day), there was no difference in their clinical characteristics (all P > 0.05). Patients with the highest tertile of fruit intake had a significantly higher BMI and diastolic blood pressure than those with the lowest tertile intake. Furthermore, serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, 8-isoprostane and superoxide dismutase were similar among the three tertiles of patients (all P > 0.05). However, patients with the highest tertile of fruit intake had lower carotid intima-media thickness (0.97 ± 0.02 vs. 1.08 ± 0.03 mm, P = 0.046) and prevalence of carotid plaque (11.76 vs. 1.18%, P = 0.022) than those with the lowest tertile of fruit intake. Multivariate regression analysis revealed the highest tertile of fruit intake (β = −0.086, P = 0.049) was independently associated with carotid intima-media thickness. Conclusions Our results demonstrated that, in Chinese patients with Type 2 diabetes, higher dietary fruit intake was associated with a lower burden of carotid atherosclerosis as reflected by lower carotid intima-media thickness and prevalence of carotid plaque. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Ethnopharmacological relevance: Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has a history of thousands of years and has made great contributions to the health and well-being of the people. Integrative medicine (IM) treatment, combing TCM and conventional medicine, has been the most representative characteristic for coronary artery disease (CAD) patients in China, especially those in IM hospitals. However, the secondary prevention status of CAD and the potential benefit of IM therapy in improving CAD prognosis remains unclear. Materials and methods: By means of a unified clinical and research information platform, we collected clinical information of hospitalized patients with CAD in cardiovascular department of 9 IM hospitals in Beijing and Tianjin from January 2003 to September 2006. The primary endpoints were major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) which include all-cause death in hospital and during one-year follow-up, acute myocardial infarction (AMI), percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). The diagnostic and therapeutic status of CAD patients was evaluated based on the latest available clinical guidelines. Meanwhile, a logistic stepwise regression analysis was also used to identify independent prognostic factors. Results: 5284 hospitalized patients with CAD were registered. The top five TCM patterns were in turn blood stasis 79.3%, Qi deficiency 56.5%, phlegm-turbidness 41.1%, Yin deficiency 24.8%, Yang deficiency 11.3%. The standard-reaching rate of CAD patients with hyperlipidemia was 85.6% for total cholesterol, 31.2% for triglyceride, 21.4% for low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, 52.5% for high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, while it was 61.9% and 80.9% in systolic and diastolic blood pressure of CAD with hypertension respectively. The top five commonly used herbs by functions were Qi-tonifying agents 89.25%, blood-activating agents 86.04%, Qi-regulating agents 77.60%, heat-clearing agents 67.50%, dampness-draining agents 65.95%. The herbs commonly used were Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge 63.10%, Poria 59.99%, Raidx Astragali 49.67%, Radix Paeoniae Rubra 48.71%, peach seed 47.32%, angelica 46.82%, Radix Ligustici Chuanxiong 46.36%, safflower 45.40%, Pinellia 45.30%, glycyrrhiza 41.36%. 90 patients (1.7%) died in hospital, and the overall incidence of endpoints was 6.1% (322/5284). The logistic stepwise regress analysis showed that AMI (OR, 5.62, 95% CI=2.56–12.33), heart failure (OR, 2.68, 95% CI=1.67–4.29), age≥60 years (OR, 2.01, 95% CI=1.22–3.30), and medication of phosphodiesterase inhibitors (OR, 1.67, 95% CI=1.15–2.42) were independent risk factors for in-hospital mortality and one-year follow-up MACEs, while statins (OR, 0.23, 95% CI=0.06–0.91) and IM therapy (OR, 0.69, 95% CI=0.49–0.97) were protective factors. Conclusion: There was still certain gap between the usage of conventional medicine and clinical guideline in IM hospitals of China. Integrative Medicine might have potential benefit for CAD patients in reducing MACEs. However, the scheme of IM intervention and the mechanism of action are still needed to be further determined. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Cynanchum wilfordii is used in traditional Chinese medicine with almost all parts of this plant considered beneficial for various vascular diseases. This study was performed to evaluate the effect of an ethanol extract of C. wilfordii (ECW) on vascular dysfunction in apolipoprotein E ( apoE)−/− mice fed with high fat/cholesterol diets (HFCDs). The apoE−/− mice were fed HFCD consisting of 7.5% cocoa butter and 1.25% cholesterol, with or without 100 or 200 mg/day/kg ECW. Chronic ECW treatment significantly lessened the level of low-density lipoprotein ( P<.05) and elevated that of high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol ( P<.01). Chronic ECW treatment normalized the HFCD-induced increase in systolic blood pressure, maintained smooth and soft intimal endothelial layers, and decreased intima-media thickness in aortic sections of HFCD-fed apoE−/− mice. ECW significantly restored the diet-induced decrease in vasorelaxation response to acetylcholine; however, the response to sodium nitroprusside did not change. ECW clearly restored the HFCD-induced reduction in endothelial nitric oxide synthase expression levels in aortic tissue, leading to decreased vascular inflammation through an inhibition of cellular adhesion molecules such as E-selectin, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, and intracellular adhesion molecule-1 as well as endothelin-1 (ET-1) expression. In conclusion, ECW ameliorates endothelial dysfunction via improvement of the nitric oxide/cyclic GMP signaling pathway in a diet/genetic model of hyperlipidemia. ECW also substantially inhibited the development of atherosclerosis, possibly by inhibiting ET-1, cell adhesion molecules, and lesion formation, suggesting a vascular protective role for this herb in the treatment and prevention of atherosclerotic vascular disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: Several researchers have reported that Chinese adults may have a greater chronic disease burden than Whites, especially at lower body mass index (BMI) levels. Objectives: To compare the incidence of lipid abnormalities in Chinese (n =5303), White (n =10,752) and Black (n =3408) middle-aged adults and the effect of BMI on these incidences. Methods: Data were from the People''s Republic of China (PRC) and the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) studies. In each ethnic group, we calculated the adjusted cumulative incidence for high total cholesterol (≥240mg/dL), LDL-cholesterol (≥160mg/dL), and triglycerides (≥200mg/dL) and low HDL-cholesterol (≤40 in men and ≤50mg/dL in women) adjusted for age, gender, education, field site, smoking and drinking status. Risk differences associated with BMI (referent=18.5–22.9kg/m2) were calculated using weighted linear regression and slopes compared using the Wald test. Results: Chinese had lower incidence of abnormal total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and triglycerides than Whites in most BMI groups and had lower incidence of abnormal HDL-cholesterol and triglycerides than Blacks. Across the range of 18.5 to <30, BMI was more strongly associated with the incidence of having high total cholesterol in Chinese and Whites than in Blacks. Similar trends were seen for LDL-cholesterol and triglycerides, but were not always statistically significant. In contrast, BMI was more highly associated with incidence of low HDL-cholesterol in Whites than in Chinese or Blacks. Conclusion: Although differences in the incidence of lipid abnormalities and the impact of BMI were identified, results varied by lipid type indicating no consistent ethnic/national pattern. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Ethnopharmacological relevance: Total glucosides of paeony (TGP), compounds extracted from the roots of Paeonia lactiflora Pall, have been used as an anti-inflammatory drug for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in China. Inflammation plays a critical role in the development of atherosclerotic vascular disease. Risk of cardiovascular diseases is significantly higher in patients with RA than in normal population. It has a great significance to study the effects of TGP on atherosclerosis. Aim of the study: To investigate the effects of TGP on atherosclerosis induced by excessive administration of vitamin D and cholesterol in rats and study the mechanisms involved. Materials and methods: Atherosclerosis was induced by excessive administration of vitamin D and cholesterol in rats. TGP was intragastrically administered for 15 weeks. The serum concentrations of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) and high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) were measured by automatic biochemistry analyzer. Apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1) and apolipoprotein B (ApoB) were determined by immunoturbidimetry method, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. The morphological changes of aorta were observed with optical microscopy. Results: Compared to controls, TGP significantly lowered the serum level of TC, TG, LDL-C, ApoB, TNF-alpha, IL-6 and CRP, increased the ratios of HDL-C/LDL-C and ApoA1/ApoB, decreased the intima-media thickness (IMT) of abdominal aortal wall and improved the morphological change of the aorta. Conclusions: TGP may attenuate the development of atherosclerotic disease. The beneficial effects are associated with its lowering blood lipids and inhibiting the expression of inflammatory cytokines. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This study was aimed at examining the therapeutic effects of marine collagen peptides (MCPs) from fish hydrolysate in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). A total of 100 diabetic patients and 50 healthy controls were recruited. Diabetic patients were randomized into treatment and control groups. The patients in the treatment group received an additional 13 g of MCPs daily for 3 months. Their blood samples were collected before, and 1.5 and 3 months after, treatment to evaluate glucose and lipid metabolism. The levels of serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), nitric oxide (NO), bradykinin, prostacyclin (PGI2), and adipokines were determined. Significantly reduced levels of fasting blood glucose, human glycated hemoglobin A1c (GHbA1c), fasting blood insulin, total triglycerides, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, and free-fatty acids, but increased levels of insulin sensitivity index and HDL were observed in T2DM patients following treatment with MCPs for 1.5 and 3 months. The values of these measures were significantly lower or higher than those of patient controls (p < 0.01), respectively. Interestingly, significantly decreased levels of hs-CRP and NO, but increased levels of bradykinin, PGI2, and adiponectin were detected in MCP-treated T2DM patients (p < 0.01), as compared with their basal values or the levels in patient controls. MCP treatment improved glucose and lipid metabolism in diabetic patients. Cette étude se propose d'analyser chez des Chinois aux prises avec le diabète de type 2 (T2DM) les effets thérapeutiques des peptides de collagène marin issus d'un hydrolysat de poisson (MCPs). Au total, on sollicite 100 diabétiques et 50 personnes en bonne santé. On divise aléatoirement les diabétiques en deux groupes, l'un expérimental et l'autre, de contrôle. Les diabétiques du groupe expérimental reçoivent en plus 13 g de MCPs tous les jours, et ce, durant 3 mois. On prélève des échantillons sanguins avant et 1,5 mois puis 3 mois après le début du traitement pour évaluer le métabolisme du glucose et des lipides. On évalue les concentrations sériques de la protéine C-réactive à haute sensibilité (hs-CRP), de l'oxyde nitrique (NO), de la bradykinine, de la prostacycline (PGI2) et des adipokines. Après 1,5 et 3 mois d'apport de MCPs chez des T2DM du groupe expérimental, on observe une diminution significative de la concentration sanguine de glucose et d'insuline à jeun, de GHbA1c, totales des triglycérides, totale de cholestérol, des lipoprotéines à faible densité, des acides gras libres et une augmentation de l'index de sensibilité à l'insuline et de la concentration des HDL. Les valeurs des mesures sont significativement plus faibles ou plus fortes respectivement que celles des diabétiques de contrôle (p < 0,01). Curieusement, on observe une diminution significative de la concentration de hs-CRP, de NO, mais une augmentation de la concentration de bradykinine, de PGI2 et d'adiponectine chez les diabétiques traités au MCP (p < 0,01) comparativement aux valeurs de référence et aux valeurs des diabétiques de contrôle. Le traitement au MCP améliore le métabolisme du glucose et des lipides chez les diabétiques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Smoking has been shown to be associated with carotid atherosclerosis in cross-sectional and prospective studies in Western populations. However, few studies have examined the reversal of risk resulting from quitting smoking, and the results are conflicting. Methods 959 men aged 50-85 years were randomly selected from phase III (2006-2007) of the Guangzhou Biobank Cohort Study into this cross-sectional study. Common carotid artery intima-media thickness (CCA-IMT) was measured by B-mode ultrasonography, and carotid artery plaques were identified. Major cardiovascular risk factors, including fasting triglyceride, low-density and high-density lipoprotein (LDL and HDL) cholesterol and glucose, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure, were assessed. Results CCA-IMT and the number of carotid plaque increased from never to former to current smokers (both p≤0.001). Among former smokers compared to current smokers, after adjustment for cigarette pack-years and other potential confounders, the adjusted ORs (95% CI) for quitting for 1-9, 10-19 and 20+ years were 0.77 (0.47 to 1.26), 0.45 (0.26 to 0.79) and 0.37 (0.17 to 0.77) for the presence of CCA atherosclerosis, and 0.69 (0.43 to 1.12), 0.47 (0.27 to 0.82) and 0.45 (0.23 to 0.96) for the presence of carotid plaques, respectively. Longer duration of quitting smoking was also significantly associated with decreasing risk of the severity of CCA atherosclerosis and carotid plaques (all p≤0.001). Conclusion Smoking cessation was beneficial in attenuating the risk of carotid atherosclerosis associated with cigarette smoking. The short duration of cessation in earlier studies is a likely explanation for the inconsistent results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The present study was designed to explore the reference values of serum lipids in children in Beijing. Methods: A total of 1071 healthy children from Beijing between 3 and 18 years of age were enrolled and divided into four groups: A, 3–5-year-old group; B, 6–9-year-old group; C, 10–14-year-old group; and D, 15–18-year-old group. Blood samples were obtained from the cubital veins of the participants under a fasting condition. A Hitachi 7600 Automatic Biochemistry Analyzer was used to determine the serum levels. The cut-off points of reference values were the 75th and 95th percentiles for total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) while the 25th and 5th percentiles were used for high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) concentrations. Results: The highest 95th percentiles of TC among the four groups were 5.34 mmol/L for boys and 5.11 mmol/L for girls. Compared with those of boys, female TG levels were obviously higher in the 10–14-year-old group ( P < 0.05) and HDL-C levels were significantly higher in the 15–18-year-old group ( P < 0.05). The serum TC, HDL-C, and LDL-C all peaked during the 6–9-year-old period and then declined during the adolescent stage. Also, the serum TG continuously increased with a relative plateau during the 6–14-year-old period. Obese and overweight children had higher TG and LDL-C levels but lower HDL-C levels. Conclusion: This study showed a picture of the serum lipids distribution in Chinese children and found that their TC levels were lower than those of children in Japan, Iran, and France, but were higher than those of Italian children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Though large epidemiological studies have not established associations between blood lipids and ischemic stroke, increasing evidences have suggested that lipidmodifying agents may reduce cerebrovascular events. Aims: To determine whether blood lipids are risk factors for ischemic stroke among hypertensive rural adults in China. Settings and Design: A cross-sectional survey was conducted during 2004-2006, which underwent cluster multistage sampling to a hypertensive resident group in the countryside of China. Materials and Methods: A total of 6,412 individuals (2,805 men, 3,607 women) with age = 35 years were included. At baseline, lifestyle and other factors were obtained and blood lipids were assessed at a central study laboratory. Ischemic stroke was defined according to the criteria established by the National Survey of Stroke and all cases were further classified into lacunar infarction and other ischemic strokes. Statistical Analysis: Univariable and multivariable logistic regression were used. Results: In the univariable logistic regression model, LDL cholesterol (LDLc) in men and total cholesterol (TC), LDLc and TC-to-HDL cholesterol (TC: HDLc ratio) in women were risk factors for other ischemic strokes, with OR 1.42 (95% CI, 1.16-1.75), 1.31 (95% CI, 1.11-1.55), 1.47 (95% CI, 1.16-1.88) and 1.67 (95% CI, 1.28-2.14), respectively. After adjusting for independent variables, an increase in non-HDL cholesterol (non-HDLc) was associated with a significant increased risk of other ischemic strokes in women, with adjusted OR 1.45 (95% CI, 1.08-1.93). Conclusions: LDLc was the common risk factor for ischemic stroke in men and women, whereas Non-HDLc, TC and TC: HDLc ratio levels were related to ischemic stroke as risk factors only in women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]