Search

Digera muricata L., commonly known as Tartara, is an edible herb used as traditional medicine in many countries of Africa and Asia. This study aimed to elucidate the effect of a phytosterol-rich extract of D. muricata on 7-ketocholesterol-mediated atherosclerosis in macrophages. The extract was examined by phytochemical analyses, GC–MS, TLC, DPPH scavenging and hRBC membrane stabilization assays. Macrophage polarization was studied with experimental groups framed based on alamar blue cell viability and griess assays. Regulations of arginase enzyme activity, ROS generation, mitochondrial membrane potential, cell membrane integrity, pinocytosis, lipid uptake and peroxidation, as well as, intracellular calcium deposition were determined. In addition, expressions of atherogenic mediators were analysed using PCR, ELISA and immunocytochemistry techniques. Diverse phytochemicals with higher free radical scavenging activity and anti-inflammatory potential have been detected in the D. muricata. Co-treatment with D. muricata markedly reduced the atherogenic responses induced by 7KCh in the presence of LPS such as ROS, especially, NO and O2− along with lipid peroxidation. Furthermore, D. muricata significantly normalized mitochondrial membrane potential, cell membrane integrity, pinocytic activity, intracellular lipid accumulation and calcium deposition. These results provided us with the potentiality of D. muricata in ameliorating atherogenesis. Additionally, it decreased the expression of pro-atherogenic mediators (iNOS, COX-2, MMP9, IL-6, IL-1β, CD36, CD163 and TGFβ1) and increased anti-atherogenic mediators (MRC1 and PPARγ) with high cellular expressions of NF-κB and iNOS. Results showed the potential of sitosterol-rich D. muricata as a versatile biomedical therapeutic agent against abnormal macrophage polarization and its associated pathologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The triglyceride/high‐density cholesterol‐lipoprotein (TG/HDL‐c) is a biomarker of cardiovascular events and mortality. In hemodialysis patients, the evidence is controversial. A systematic review was carried out in the Medline, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, and Pubmed databases to identify the relevant cohort studies on cardiovascular events and mortality in hemodialysis patients the role of TG/HDL‐c as a risk factor. Four cohort‐type studies were evaluated, with a total of 52,579 hemodialysis patients. Three studies conducted in Asian populations and one study in the United States had the highest percentage of the sample (50,673 patients). The elevated TG/HDL‐c ratio is associated with better survival, and there is a consistent gradual inverse association between TG/HDL‐c and mortality in all analysis subgroups. In the decile categorization of the exposure variable, a 21% decrease in the risk of cardiovascular mortality and a 15% decrease in all‐cause mortality in the highest decile compared to the reference group (D10 aHR = 0.79; 95% CI: 0.69–0.91 and D10 aHR = 0.85; 95%CI: 0.78–0.92). Our results show that the TG/HDL‐c ratio is a protective factor for cardiovascular outcomes and mortality in the American population and a risk factor for them in the population from Asia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) is still a public health issue in many low-income and middle-income countries. Its management has changed with the development of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Foods (RUTF) that are energy-dense, lipid-based, micronutrient-enriched foods. The purpose of the present study was to define some aspects of the nutritional profile (in particular, lipid content, fatty acids profile, lipophilic vitamin content), oxidative status, and mycotoxin content of three RUTF products (of which two manufactured in Asia and one in Europe), at different time points during their storage. All RUTF displayed good lipid stability, with peroxide values < 10 meqO2/kg lipids, acidity index < 0.6 g/100 g lipids, and very low amounts of secondary oxidation volatile compounds. Only the one produced in Europe complied with the international recommendations on vitamin A and E contents. Lipid content ranged from 28.7 ± 0.5 to 41.2 ± 2.4 g/100 g. Oleic acid, palmitic acid, and linoleic acid (47.2 ± 7.4%, 26.8 ± 2.1%, and 12.4 ± 3.9% of total lipids, respectively) were the main fatty acids. Only one of the samples made in Asia exceeded the regulatory limit of mycotoxins. The RUTF lipid phase was rather stable at ambient temperature from 9 to 12 months, and appropriate packaging may have contributed to a major stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Research on dyslipidemia during pregnancy in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) has rarely been conducted in Asia. The present study aimed to evaluate maternal mid-trimester lipid profile in relation to GDM and clinical outcomes in these high-risk populations. Methods: The medical records of 632 pregnant women in the second trimester were retrospectively analyzed. Maternal fasting serum lipids were assayed for total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), apolipoprotein A1 (Apo A1) and Apo B concentrations during the second trimester. The atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) was calculated as log (TG/HDL). The clinical outcomes were collected by evaluating delivery mode, postpartum hemorrhage, prematurity, macrosomia, birth weight, body length and neonatal Apgar 5 min score. Results: Levels of TG and AIP were elevated while decreased HDL-C was observed in women with GDM compared with that of the control group. Significant differences were observed in gestational weeks at birth, cesarean section, postpartum hemorrhage, birth weight, body length, prematurity and macrosomia between the two groups. Compared with women with hyperlipidemia, the incidence of GDM and cesarean section was lower in normal lipid group. Women in the hyperlipidemia group had smaller gestational weeks at birth than those in the control group. According to the logistic regression analysis, each unit elevation in AIP increased the risk of GDM by 18.48 times (OR = 18.48, CI: 2.38–143.22). Besides, age (OR = 1.11, CI: 1.06–1.16) and pre-pregnancy BMI (OR = 1.15, CI: 1.07–1.24) were the risk factors of GDM. Conclusions: These findings suggested that reasonable lipid control in the second trimester might reduce the incidence of GDM and be a potential strategy for improving clinical outcomes in these high-risk women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: South Asians are at higher risk for diabetes (DM) than many other racial/ethnic groups. Circulating metabolites are measurable products of metabolic processes that may explain the aetiology of elevated risk. We characterized metabolites associated with prevalent DM and glycaemic measures in South Asians. Methods: We included 717 participants from the Mediators of Atherosclerosis in South Asians Living in America (MASALA) study, aged 40–84 years. We used baseline fasting serum for metabolomics and demographic, behavioural, glycaemic data from baseline and at 5 years. We performed LC‐MS untargeted metabolomic and lipidomic analysis with targeted integration of known signals. Individual linear and ordinal logistic regression models were adjusted for age, sex, BMI, diet, exercise, alcohol, smoking and family history of DM followed by elastic net regression to identify metabolites most associated with the outcome. Results: There were 258 metabolites with detectable signal in >98% of samples. Thirty‐four metabolites were associated with prevalent DM in an elastic net model. Predominant metabolites associated with DM were sphingomyelins, proline (OR 15.86; 95% CI 4.72, 53.31) and betaine (OR 0.03; 0.004, 0.14). Baseline tri‐ and di‐acylglycerols [DG (18:0/16:0) (18.36; 11.79, 24.92)] were positively associated with fasting glucose and long‐chain acylcarnitines [CAR 26:1 (−0.40; −0.54, −0.27)] were inversely associated with prevalent DM and HbA1c at follow‐up. Discussion: A metabolomic signature in South Asians may help determine the unique aetiology of diabetes in this high‐risk ethnic group. Future work will externally validate our findings and determine the effects of modifiable risk factors for DM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Pediatric obesity is associated with clustered cardiometabolic risk and the future incidence of cardiovascular disease. However, few studies have determined the effect of pediatric obesity in Asia, where obesity is less common than in Western countries. We aimed to clarify whether weight status including underweight and slightly overweight is associated with metabolic risk factors in Japanese adolescents.Methods and Study Design: We performed a cross-sectional analysis of 2241 adolescents aged 13-14 years. Participants were classified as underweight, normal weight, slightly overweight, overweight, or obese according to the International Obesity Task Force. The clustered cardiometabolic risk (Z-CMR) was estimated by summing standardized sex-specific Z scores of mean arterial pressure (MAP), non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDLC), and HbA1c.Results: Linear regression analysis showed that MAP, non-HDL-C, and Z-CMR were higher in the slightly overweight, overweight, and obese groups than in the normal weight group after adjusting for confounders. Compared with the normal weight group, the slightly overweight, overweight, and obese groups had higher prevalence of high BP [odds ratios (ORs): 1.38 (95% CI, 1.03, 1.85); 2.63 (1.77, 3.91); and 2.39 (1.57, 3.64), respectively]. Compared with the normal weight group, underweight boys, but not girls, had a lower prevalence of high Z-CMR [OR=0.20 (0.05, 0.84)].Conclusions: Adolescents classified as slightly overweight had higher levels of BP, serum lipids, and clustered cardiometabolic risk than those classified as normal weight. This observation showed significant associations between weight status and cardiometabolic risk factors during adolescence even in East Asians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and non-HDL cholesterol have opposite associations with coronary heart disease, multi-country reports of lipid trends only use total cholesterol (TC). Our aim was to compare trends in total, HDL and non-HDL cholesterol and the total-to-HDL cholesterol ratio in Asian and Western countries.Methods: We pooled 458 population-based studies with 82.1 million participants in 23 Asian and Western countries. We estimated changes in mean total, HDL and non-HDL cholesterol and mean total-to-HDL cholesterol ratio by country, sex and age group.Results: Since ∼1980, mean TC increased in Asian countries. In Japan and South Korea, the TC rise was due to rising HDL cholesterol, which increased by up to 0.17 mmol/L per decade in Japanese women; in China, it was due to rising non-HDL cholesterol. TC declined in Western countries, except in Polish men. The decline was largest in Finland and Norway, at ∼0.4 mmol/L per decade. The decline in TC in most Western countries was the net effect of an increase in HDL cholesterol and a decline in non-HDL cholesterol, with the HDL cholesterol increase largest in New Zealand and Switzerland. Mean total-to-HDL cholesterol ratio declined in Japan, South Korea and most Western countries, by as much as ∼0.7 per decade in Swiss men (equivalent to ∼26% decline in coronary heart disease risk per decade). The ratio increased in China.Conclusions: HDL cholesterol has risen and the total-to-HDL cholesterol ratio has declined in many Western countries, Japan and South Korea, with only a weak correlation with changes in TC or non-HDL cholesterol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brown adipose tissue (BAT) is responsible for non-shivering thermogenesis and is an attractive therapeutic target for combating obesity and related diseases. Human BAT activity has been evaluated by 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18FDG-PET/CT) under acute cold exposure, but the method has some serious limitations, including radiation exposure. Infrared thermography (IRT) may be a simple and less-invasive alternative to evaluate BAT activity. In the present study, to establish an optimal condition for IRT, using a thermal imaging camera, skin temperature was measured in the supraclavicular region close to BAT depots (Tscv) and the control chest region (Tc) in 24 young healthy volunteers. Their BAT activity was assessed as the maximal standardized uptake value (SUVmax) by 18FDG-PET/CT. Under a warm condition at 24–27°C, no significant correlation was found between the IRT parameters (Tscv, Tc,, and the difference between Tscv and Tc,, Δtemp) and SUVmax, but 30–120 min after cold exposure at 19°C, Tscv and Δtemp were significantly correlated with SUVmax (r = 0.40–0.48 and r = 0.68–0.76). Δtemp after cold exposure was not affected by mean body temperature, body fatness, and skin blood flow. A lower correlation (r = 0.43) of Δtemp with SUVmax was also obtained when the participant’s hands were immersed in water at 18°C for 5 min. Receiver operating characteristic analysis revealed that Δtemp after 30–60 min cold exposure can be used as an index for BAT evaluation with 74% sensitivity, 92% specificity, and 79% diagnostic accuracy. Thus, IRT may be useful as a simple and less-invasive method for evaluating BAT, particularly for large-scale screening and longitudinal repeat studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper combines a Granger causality test and a VAR model to investigate the relationships among oil price shocks, global economic policy uncertainty (GEPU), and China’s industrial economic growth. Based on monthly data from 2000 to 2017, we reveal that GEPU and world oil prices jointly Granger cause China's industrial economic growth; world oil prices have a positive effect on China's industrial economic growth, while GEPU has a negative effect. Further analyses investigate the asymmetry effect of oil prices and find that the negative component shows a more significant impact on China's industrial economic growth. The results are robust to different oil price and EPU proxies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In the current meta-analysis, we aimed to systematically review and summarize the eligible studies evaluating the association between dietary acid load in terms of potential renal acid load (PRAL) and net-endogenous acid production (NEAP) with anthropometric parameters and serum lipids in adult population. Methods: In a systematic search from PubMed, Scopus, Web of Sciences and Cochrane electronic databases up to December 2018, relevant studies were included. Cross-sectional, case control or cohort studies evaluating the association between PRAL and NEAP with the mean values of body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), low and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL, HDL), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC) and the prevalence of obesity were included. Results: According to our results, having higher dietary acid load content in terms of high PRAL scores was associated with higher triglyceride concentrations (weighted mean difference (WMD): 3.468; confidence interval (CI): -0.231, 7.166, P = 0.04) and higher obesity prevalence (30% and 27% in highest versus lowest categories). Accordingly, being in the highest category of NEAP was associated with higher prevalence of obesity (25% and 22% in highest versus lowest category). In subgroup analysis, higher PRAL scores was associated with higher BMI in women (WMD: 0.122; CI: -0.001, 0.245; P = 0.049) and higher NEAP in men (WMD: 0.890; CI: 0.430, 1.350; P < 0.001). There was no association between dietary acid load and other studied parameters. Conclusions: In the current meta-analysis, high dietary acid load content was associated with higher serum triglyceride concentrations and higher obesity prevalence. Reducing dietary acid load content might be a useful preventive strategy against obesity and metabolic disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mandatory fortification of edible oil (soybean and palm) with vitamin A was decreed in Bangladesh in 2013. Yet, there is a dearth of data on the availability and consumption of vitamin A fortifiable oil at household level across population sub-groups. To fill this gap, our study used a nationally representative survey in Bangladesh to assess the purchase of fortifiable edible oil among households and project potential vitamin A intake across population sub-groups. Data is presented by strata, age range and poverty–the factors that potentially influence oil coverage. Across 1,512 households, purchase of commercially produced fortifiable edible oil was high (87.5%). Urban households were more likely to purchase fortifiable oil (94.0%) than households in rural low performing (79.7%) and rural other strata (88.1%) (p value: 0.01). Households in poverty were less likely to purchase fortifiable oil (82.1%) than households not in poverty (91.4%) (p <0.001). Projected estimates suggested that vitamin A fortified edible oil would at least partially meet daily vitamin A estimated average requirement (EAR) for the majority of the population. However, certain population sub-groups may still have vitamin A intake below the EAR and alternative strategies may be applied to address the vitamin A needs of these vulnerable sub-groups. This study concludes that a high percentage of Bangladeshi population across different sub-groups have access to fortifiable edible oil and further provides evidence to support mandatory edible oil fortification with vitamin A in Bangladesh. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Evidence of the effectiveness of dietetic consultation for the management of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors has not been previously synthesised. A systematic review and four meta‐analyses evaluated the effectiveness of dietetic consultation for lowering blood lipid levels in high‐risk individuals in primary health‐care settings. Methods: Of the 4860 records identified, 10 eligible randomised controlled trials (RCTs, n = 1530) were evaluated for reporting blood lipid outcomes following dietetic consultation (DN)—defined as at least one exclusive individual face‐to‐face consultation with a dietitian and comparators (C)—defined as no nutrition intervention or usual or minimal care provided by physicians and/or nurses. Results: DN groups were effective for lowering blood lipid levels across nine studies reporting total cholesterol (TC) and LDL; and across five of six studies reporting triglycerides (TG). Between‐group differences were not consistently assessed, with significance levels reported in four studies all in favour of DN, P < 0.05. Meta‐analyses for TC and LDL (seven studies) confirmed DN and C groups were equally effective, P > 0.05; and for TG (six studies) DN groups were significantly more effective than C groups, P < 0.05). Conclusions: This review provides RCT evidence that dietetic counselling is effective for lowering TG levels and at least as effective as usual and minimal care for improving cholesterol levels in high‐risk individuals in primary health care. However, more adequate reporting of methods and greater consistency in timing interventions and data collection will enhance the quality of the evidence and increase confidence in the health benefits of dietetic counselling for the management of CVD risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elucidating the cold tolerance mechanism of Paeonia lactiflora, which is one of the most valuable ornamental and medicinal plants in Asia, fundamentally impacts its breeding and production. The glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase (GPAT) gene plays a pivotal role in cold resistance in a variety of plant species. Here, we cloned the P. lactiflora GPAT gene, determined its expression pattern, and tested its role in cold resistance. We obtained the full-length P. lactiflora GPAT gene using tissue-cultured seedlings and real-time polymerase chain reaction and rapid amplification of cDNA ends analyses. We named this gene PlGPAT in P. lactiflora. Phylogenetic analysis indicates that the PlGPAT gene is closely related with the GPAT genes in core eudicots. The phylogenetic tree containing 31 angiosperm species based on GPAT protein sequences is largely consistent with the known phylogeny in flowering plants. We conducted a time-course PlGPAT expression analysis and demonstrated that PlGPAT expression is correlated with low-temperature stress. Our results suggest that the PlGPAT gene plays an important role in regulating cold resistance in P. lactiflora. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Typical chloroplasts are present only in subsidiary cells of stomatal complexes. • Large lipid droplets are specific organelles of guard cells in Fagraea ceilanica. • The volume of lipid droplets can change in the stomata during stomatal movements. • When water supply to a leaf ceases, the stomatal conductance lowers slowly. • The formation of mucilage from wall components of spongy tissue cells takes place. Fagraea ceilanica is an evergreen epiphyte, a large shrub or a small tree. Its native range is tropical and subtropical Asia. Light, scanning and transmission electron microscopy were used to study the development and structure of its stomatal complexes. They are anisocytic or helicocytic. The absence of typical chloroplasts, the presence of complex-shaped mitochondria, the diurnal formation and destruction of large lipid droplets (LDs) are structural features of F. ceilanica guard cells. The plastids of these cells have few peripheral thylakoids and contain large starch grains. The plastids of subsidiary cells are typical chloroplasts with large grana. Stomata are functional. The data obtained indicate the relation between the filling of the guard cells with LDs and the opening of stomata. The measuring of stomatal conductance revealed its slow lowering in the cut-off leaves. The leaves of F. ceilanica are protected from rapid water loss by the formation of mucilage from wall components of spongy tissue cells. Their walls facing the substomatal chamber are covered with a mucilaginous layer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) were changed in Polygonatum cyrtonema rhizome process. • FOS increased following by a decrease over P. cyrtonema repeated steam-sun drying. • Four cycles of steam-heated air drying was found to be an optimal processing. • Heated air or infrared drying was not suitable to replace the traditional process. The rhizome of Polygonatum cyrtonema (Polygonati Rhizoma) is widely consumed as medicine-homology-food in Asia for its tonic effect, which can be enhanced by traditional steam-sun drying for nine cycles. However, the multi-constituents variation in this process was unclear, and the necessity of nine cycles should be further discussed. In this study, the multiple constituents, including saccharides, amino acids, nucleosides and bases, lipids, saponins, homoisoflavones and cinnamamides, in P. cyrtonema treated with sun drying, heated air drying, each cycle of steam-heated air drying, infrared drying and microwave drying were compared. The results showed that the content of total saccharides increased in samples from one to four cycles of steam-heated air drying (365.0–945.6 mg/g) and decreased from four to nine (945.6–288.0 mg/g). The content of fructose increased in samples from one to six cycles (29.9–234.7 mg/g) and decreased from six to nine (234.7–177.7 mg/g). The abundance of most phospholipids and free fatty acids increased continuously from one to nine cycles while most of the amino acids, nucleosides and bases showed continuous declining trend. Principal component analysis showed that the samples treated with one to four cycles were wider in distance than four to nine, indicating the chemical composition tending to be stable after fourth steaming. If taking total saccharides, fructose, and phospholipids as the major quality indicator, four cycles of steam-heated air drying processing should be the ideal postharvest processing method to obtain better taste, flavor and functionality. Samples treated with heated-air drying and infrared drying were far in distance from steaming ones by hierarchical cluster analysis, which means these processing methods were not suitable to replace the traditional steam-sun drying process. Collectively, the above results will not only provide novel processing methods that will obtain the high active ingredients for P. cyrtonema , but also shed light on the optimization of processing technology for the industrial production of medicinal crops which need nine cycles of steam-sun drying processing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We explored the mean differences in routinely measured lipids (total cholesterol, triglycerides, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol) according to exposure to different combination antiretroviral regimens in Asian (n = 2051) and Australian (predominantly Caucasian, n = 794) cohorts. The regimen was defined as at least 3 antiretroviral drugs with at least 2 nucleosidereverse transcriptases (NRTIs) and either of at least one protease inhibitor (PI) or non-nucleoside-reverse transcriptases (NNRTIs). We categorised cART regimens as: NRTIs as tenofovir based or not; NNRTIs as nevirapine or efavirenz (but not both); and PI as atazanavir based or not. We found that the impact of various antiretroviral regimens on lipids in Asian and Australian cohorts was only different by cohort for total cholesterol (P for interaction between regimen and cohort: <0.001) but not in case of other lipids (P for interaction: >0.05). The differences in total cholesterol were however small and unlikely to be of clinical significance. Overall, tenofovir with nevirapine or atazanavir was associated with the most favorable lipids, while the PI regimens without tenofovir and atazanavir were associated with least favorable lipids. We conclude that the impact of various ART regimens on lipids is largely similar in Asian and Australian cohorts and that the newer drugs such as tenofovir and atazanavir are likely to provide similar benefit in terms of lipid profiles in both populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objective: The hypolipidemic effect of two structured lipids prepared from mustard oil was studied: one was medium chain fatty acid (MCFA) rich mustard oil and the other was polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) rich mustard oil. Methods: Thirty-six rats were involved in the study with six rats in each group. Three groups were normal, whereas the others were hypercholesterolemic. Hypolipidemic effects were investigated in both plasma and tissues. Results: Both structured lipids with similar content of functional fatty acids (about 19%) were fed (20% of diet weight) to normal and hypercholesterolemic male albino rats. After 28 d of feeding, the fat and protein digestibility increased by administration of the two structured lipids in comparison with the control group fed with normal mustard oil. In both normal and hypercholesterolemic condition plasma cholesterol, non-high-density lipoprotein, and triacylglycerols were reduced by feeding the rats with experimental oils, but the reduction was in lesser amount in rats fed with MCFA-rich mustard oil than in rats fed with PUFA-rich mustard oil and same findings were also seen in hypercholesterolemia. However the HDL levels increased with the administration of both experimental oils. Conclusion: Mustard oil can be enriched with MCFA and n-3 PUFA and these modified lipids exhibited hypocholesterolemic and hypolipidemic effects in rats when compared to unmodified mustard oil. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The purpose of the present substudy of the Lipid Treatment Assessment Project 2 was to assess dual C-reactive protein (CRP) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol goal attainment across a spectrum of low-, moderate-, and high-risk patients with dyslipidemia in 8 countries in North America, Latin America, Europe, and Asia. Of the 9,518 patients studied overall, 45% were women, 64% had hypertension, 31% had diabetes, 14% were current smokers, 60% were high risk, and 79% were taking a statin. The median CRP level was 1.5 mg/L (interquartile range 0.2 to 2.8). On multivariate analysis, higher CRP levels were associated with older age, female gender, hypertension, current smoking, greater body mass index, larger waist circumference, LDL cholesterol level, and triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio. In contrast, being from Asia or taking a statin was associated with lower levels. Across all risk groups, 59% of patients attained the CRP target of <2 mg/L, and 33% had <1 mg/L. Overall, 44% of patients attained both their National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III LDL cholesterol target and a CRP level of <2 mg/L, but only 26% attained their LDL cholesterol target and a CRP level of <1 mg/L. In the very high-risk group with coronary heart disease and ≥2 risk factors, only 19% attained both their LDL cholesterol goal and a CRP level of <2 mg/L and 12% their LDL cholesterol goal and a CRP level of <1 mg/L. In conclusion, with current treatment, most dyslipidemic patients do not reach the dual CRP and LDL cholesterol goals. Smoking cessation, weight reduction, and the greater use of more potent statins at higher doses might be able to improve these outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Behçet’s disease (BD) is an inflammatory vasculitis, most common in the Mediterranean area and Asia. Evidence for accelerated atherosclerosis in BD has been observed. The relationship between cardiovascular risk factors and accelerated atherosclerosis in patients with BD is still controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the lipid profile and to investigate the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) size and the distribution of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) subpopulations in BD patients. Methods: Thirty six BD patients were compared to 36 healthy controls. Total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG) and HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) levels were measured using standard techniques. HDL subclasses and LDL-C size were estimated using polyacrylamide linear gradient gel electrophoresis. The LDL-C/HDL-C ratio was also calculated. High-sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP) level was measured by a turbidimetric method. Homocysteine (Hcy) level was determined using a liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS). Results: In BD patients, HDL-C levels as well as its subfraction levels were decreased (respectively, p <10−6 and p <10−3). Percentage of HDL2 subpopulation was also decreased (p = 0.02). HDL3 subfraction was significantly higher (p = 0.02). The LDL-C/HDL-C ratio and CRP level were increased (respectively, p = 10−4 and p = 0.003). TC was correlated with CRP. HDL-C and its subfractions were correlated with CRP and TG levels. HDL subparticle percentages were also correlated with age. Conclusions: Our findings of a reduction of HDL-C and HDL2 subpopulation and an increase HDL3 subclass and a higher LDL-C/HDL-C ratio may be considered as important predictors of cardiovascular events in BD patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stroke is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in Asia, and its pattern is changing. The incidence of haemorrhagic stroke is declining while the incidence of ischaemic stroke caused by large artery atherothromboembolism is increasing secondary to an increase in the prevalence of hypercholesterolaemia. The Working Group on Stroke and Lipids Management in Asia Consensus Panel assembled leading experts from the region to reach a consensus on how to address this challenge. The group discussed the observational epidemiology of the relationship between cholesterol and risk of stroke, the clinical trial evidence base for cholesterol-lowering for stroke prevention, and issues specific to stroke and lipid management for Asian doctors and patients. Stroke guidelines from many of the Asian countries have recently recommended consideration of statins for recurrent stroke prevention in patients with previous ischaemic stroke or transient ischaemic attack. However, because these recommendations have yet to be implemented widely, there is a need to educate Asian physicians and patients about the importance of adequate control of hypercholesterolaemia. Further trials of statins in Asian patients are also needed, particularly in those with intracranial stenosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dyslipidaemia is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease and is only detectable through blood testing, which may not be feasible in resource-poor settings. As dyslipidaemia is commonly associated with excess weight, it may be possible to identify individuals with adverse lipid profiles using simple anthropometric measures. A total of 222 975 individuals from 18 studies were included as part of the Obesity in Asia Collaboration. Linear and logistic regression models were used to assess the association between measures of body size and dyslipidaemia. Body mass index, waist circumference, waist : hip ratio (WHR) and waist : height ratio were continuously associated with the lipid variables studied, but the relationships were consistently stronger for triglycerides and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. The associations were similar between Asians and non-Asians, and no single anthropometric measure was superior at discriminating those individuals at increased risk of dyslipidaemia. WHR cut-points of 0.8 in women and 0.9 in men were applicable across both Asians and non-Asians for the discrimination of individuals with any form of dyslipidaemia. Measurement of central obesity may help to identify those individuals at increased risk of dyslipidaemia. WHR cut-points of 0.8 for women and 0.9 for men are optimal for discriminating those individuals likely to have adverse lipid profiles and in need of further clinical assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Effect of growth hormone (GH), injected either at the morning or evening, on the somatic and ovarian development of the Asian catfish, Clarias batrachus was studied during the late quiescence and early recrudescence phase of the reproductive cycle. GH treatment during the late quiescence phase (December–January; 11L: 13D, average water temperature 16.2±1°C) failed to exert any impact on the somatic or ovarian development, except that it increased plasma testosterone marginally, and decreased hepatic level of triglycerides (TG); while during the early recrudescence phase (March–April; 12.4L: 11.20D; average water temperature—28.4±2°C), GH had significant circadian time-dependent effect on somatic and ovarian development. GH injection at morning stimulated ovarian growth and development, as was evident from the dose-dependent significant increase in ovarian weight, gonadosomatic index, plasma levels of testosterone and estradiol-17β following GH treatment. The ovarian morphology also revealed the advancement in follicular development in GH treated fish. GH also induced remarkable increase in ovarian levels of TG, free cholesterol (CF) and phospholipids (PL) with concomitant declines in their hepatic levels. However, evening hour GH injection provoked appreciable increase in body weight without having any significant impact on ovarian weight and GSI. Few oocytes in the ovary of evening hour GH treated fish exhibited advanced stages of development, but number of such advanced stage oocytes was significantly much less than the morning hour GH injected fish. Ovarian TG and PL remained unchanged, while their hepatic levels were increased. The temporal synergism between GH and other intrinsic factors regulating body growth and gonadal development may be suggested herewith to be considered prior to administration of GH in fishes. This study has immense practical use in aquaculture. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Most studies investigating the benefits of statins have focused on North American and European populations. This study focuses on evaluating the lipid-lowering effects of rosuvastatin and atorvastatin in Asian patients.Objectives: The DIrect Statin COmparison of LDL-C Values: an Evaluation of Rosuvastatin therapY (DISCOVERY)-Asia study is one of nine independently powered studies assessing the efficacy of starting doses of statins in achieving target lipid levels in different countries worldwide. DISCOVERY-Asia was a 12-week, randomised, open-label, parallel-group study conducted in China, Hong Kong, Korea, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Thailand.Results: A total of 1482 adults with primary hypercholesterolaemia and high cardiovascular risk (> 20%/10 years, type 2 diabetes, or a history of coronary heart disease) were randomised in a 2 : 1 ratio to receive rosuvastatin 10 mg once daily (o.d.) or atorvastatin 10 mg o.d. The percentage of patients achieving the 1998 European Joint Task Force low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) goal of < 3.0 mmol/L at 12 weeks was significantly higher in the rosuvastatin group (n = 950) compared with the atorvastatin group (n = 471) (79.5 vs. 69.4%, respectively; p < 0.0001). Similar results were observed for 1998 European goals for total cholesterol (TC), and the 2003 European goals for LDL-C and TC. LDL-C and TC levels were reduced significantly more with rosuvastatin compared with atorvastatin. Both drugs were well-tolerated and the incidence and type of adverse events were similar in each group.Trials registration: The trial registry summary is available at http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/; ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00241488Conclusions: This 12-week study showed that the starting dose of rosuvastatin 10 mg o.d. was significantly more effective than the starting dose of natorvastatin 10 mg o.d. at enabling patients with primary hypercholesterolaemia to achieve European goals for LDL-C and TC in a largely Asian population in real-life clinical practice. The safety profile of rosuvastatin 10 mg is similar to that of atorvastatin 10 mg in the Asian population studied here, and is consistent with the known safety profile of rosuvastatin in the white population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on Momordica charantia (MC) also known as bitter melon. The plant grows in tropical areas of the Amazon, East Africa and Asia and is used traditionally as both food and medicine. It states that the most well researched MC mechanism is its blood sugar lowering effect. It cites the effect of bitter melon extracts on abnormal lipid parameters.

Cross-cultural and intervention studies increasingly point the way to seeds like nuts, soy and lentils, and products of them like tempe being cardioprotective. Soy and its products (like tofu, tempe, soy drinks and soy desserts) are historically and currently some of the most important foods in the Asian region where diets remain predominantly plant-based. The mechanisms by which these seeds may protect populations against cardiovascular disease are several. They include the minimisation of classical risk factors like positive energy balance leading to obesity, hypertension. dyslipidemia and insulin resistance with hyperglycaemia. However, in addition, they provide compounds like n-3 fatty acids, isoflavones and arginine which are only now recognised for their ability to optimise other pathways which connect lifestyle to cardiovascular disease--like oxidant status, vascular reactivity and myocardial electrical stability and proneness to dysrhythmia. Thus, once an Asian food culture changes on its emphasis on these plant foods, it may place its consumers at cardiovascular risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obesity results from an imbalance between energy intake and energy expenditure, in which excess fat is stored as triglycerides (TGs) in white adipocytes. Recent studies have explored the anti-obesity effects of certain edible phytochemicals, which suppress TG accumulation and stimulate a brown adipocyte-like phenotype in white adipocytes. Gomisin N (GN) is an important bioactive component of Schisandra chinensis, a woody plant endemic to Asia. GN has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective effects in vivo and in vitro. However, the anti-obesity effects of GN in lipid metabolism and adipocyte browning have not yet been investigated. In the present study, we aimed to determine whether GN suppresses lipid accumulation and regulates energy metabolism, potentially via AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Our findings demonstrate that GN inhibited adipogenesis and lipogenesis in adipocyte differentiation. Also, GN not only increased the expression of thermogenic factors, including uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1), but also enhanced fatty acid oxidation (FAO) in 3T3-L1 cells. Therefore, GN may have a therapeutic benefit as a promising natural agent to combat obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food fortification is widely used to address the public health problem of nutrient deficiencies. This study's purpose is to assess the lipid profile and nutritional quality of 13 fortified infant flours (FI) collected "in the field" in Africa and Asia after different periods of storage. The lipid content, fatty acid profiles, lipophilic vitamin content, and lipid oxidation state (peroxide values, secondary oxidation products) are determined. Mycotoxins and packaging materials are also characterized. The lipid content averages 9.1 ± 3.5 g/100 g. Fatty acid profiles are dominated by linoleic (43.3 ± 8.8%), oleic (29.5 ± 7.4%), and palmitic acid (17.8 ± 6.7%) and result in an average ω6/ω3 ratio of 12.2 ± 5.9 but with high values for some FI. Very high overages in vitamins A, D, and E are observed in products stored for short periods (1–6 months), whereas FI stored for more than 12 months has insufficient vitamin content. Lipid oxidation is acceptable but for six products presenting excessive peroxide values. Most products are contaminated by low amounts of mycotoxins but only two FI do not abide by the regulation. A strong correlation between peroxide values, hexanal content, and time of storage is observed. Practical Applications: The expiration dates for FI commercialized in low‐income countries should be shortened from 36 to 12 months so as to guarantee their nutritional quality of these functional foods and to abide by the fortified infant flour legislation. Indeed, FI quality significantly decreases over time of storage. The use of high barrier packaging materials must be generalized, although it is a necessary criterion but not sufficient to ensure the long‐term stability of FI. Special attention should be given to reduce lipophilic vitamin overages and to improve their lipid profile, especially the ω6/ω3 ratio, which has to be lower than 15. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]