Serum cystatin C levels are associated with triglycerides/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio in adolescent girls ages between 16-19 years old.

OBJECTIVE: The pathophysiological role of cystatin C in cardiometabolic disorders is not completely explored in young population. On the other hand, together with the increase in obesity, dyslipidemia and insulin resistance (IR) are often observed even in youngsters. The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between cystatin C and triglycerides-to-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (TG/HDL-c), as an indicator of dyslipidemia and a surrogate marker of IR in the cohort of adolescent girls ages between 16-19 years. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 99 girls were included in the study. Anthropometric and biochemical parameters were provided. Associations of biochemical markers with TG/HDL-c ratio were tested using univariable and multivariable ordinal regression analysis for TG/HDL-c ratio tertiles as dependent variable. RESULTS: In univariate analysis, cystatin C levels were significantly associated with TG/HDL-c ratio (OR=1.813; 95% CI: 1.190-2.757, p=0.005). Furthermore, multivariate analysis revealed that cystatin C was an independent predictor of TG/HDL-c ratio when body mass index and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (i.e., markers that were significantly correlated with TG/HDL-c ratio in Spearman's correlation analysis) were included in the Model. Adjusted odds for cystatin C (OR=1.621; 95% CI: 1.028-2.552, p=0.037) demonstrated that rise in cystatin C by 0.1 mg/L increased the probability for higher TG/HDL-c tertile group by 1.621 times. CONCLUSIONS: Serum cystatin C levels are associated with TG/HDL-c ratio in adolescent girls. Longitudinal studies are needed to confirm the causal relationship between cystatin C and TG/HDL-c ratio and to further explore its diagnostic and therapeutic potential in dyslipidemia and insulin resistance in young population.

Total oxidant status and oxidative stress index as indicators of increased Reynolds risk score in postmenopausal women.

OBJECTIVE: Considering the knowledge gap between underlying pathophysiological mechanisms of oxidative stress and increased cardiovascular risk, the present study aimed to examine the potential relationship between total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant status (TAS) and oxidative stress index (OSI) and the Reynolds Risk Score (RRS) in the cohort of postmenopausal women. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 126 postmenopausal women participated in this cross-sectional study. Blood pressure, anthropometric and biochemical markers were determined. OSI was calculated as the TOS/TAS ratio. Associations of biochemical parameters with RRS were tested using univariable and multivariable logistic ordinal regression analysis. RESULTS: TOS and OSI were the highest in women in high RRS category compared to moderate and low risk ones (p<0.001, for both). There was no difference in TAS level across RRS categories (p=0.370). Multivariable ordinal regression analysis showed independent association of TOS and OSI with RRS when tested with other clinical variables [OR=2.45; 95% CI (1.08-5.53); p=0.031 and OR=2.84; 95% CI (1.27-6.36); p=0.011, respectively]. CONCLUSIONS: TOS and OSI are associated with the RRS in the cohort of postmenopausal women. Longitudinal studies are needed to confirm whether adding the TOS and OSI to the standard RRS algorithm could improve its potential to predict cardiovascular event.

Inverse association between serum endocan levels and small LDL and HDL particles in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVE: Determination of lipoprotein size and subclasses distribution can provide more significant information on cardiovascular disease risk than measurement of traditional lipid parameters alone. Accordingly, we aimed to examine their potential relationship with the novel biomarker of endothelial dysfunction, such as endocan in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D), since there are no studies concerning this issue. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This case-control study included a total of 42 individuals with T2D and 64 diabetes-free participants. Serum endocan, lipid parameters, and lipoprotein subclasses were measured. RESULTS: Patients with T2D exhibited higher proportion of the smallest high-density lipoprotein (HDL) particles HDL 3c, as compared with diabetes-free participants (p=0.047). Higher serum endocan levels in T2D patients with low small dense low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particles (sdLDL) %, as compared with corresponding group of diabetes-free subjects was shown (p<0.01). Univariate binary logistic analysis revealed significant positive association of endocan and LDL diameter (OR=1.686, p=0.004), and negative associations of endocan with proportions of sdLDL (OR=0.928, p=0.007) and HDL3b (OR=0.789, p=0.009) particles. In a multivariate analysis, LDL diameter and proportions of sdLDL and HDL3b subclasses remained independent predictors of endocan levels in tested population. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study showed that larger LDL diameters, but lower sdLDL and HDL3b proportions were associated with higher endocan levels in population with T2D. More studies in the future are needed to confirm the observed relationship and to examine its causal nature.

Endocan and advanced oxidation protein products in adult population with hypertension.

OBJECTIVE: Hypertension is closely related to oxidative stress and inflammation. Endocan is a new inflammation marker whose role is not completely elucidated in hypertension. The aim of this study was to explore the association between endocan and several oxidative stress markers [i.e., advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), total protein sulfhydryl (SH-) groups and prooxidant-antioxidant balance (PAB)] in adult population with hypertension. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 90 patients with hypertension were compared with 44 controls. Blood pressure, anthropometric and biochemical parameters were measured. Associations of clinical data with hypertension were tested with univariable and multivariable logistic ordinal regression analysis. RESULTS: Endocan and AOPP were significantly higher in hypertensive patients than in the controls (p=0.006 and p=0.046, respectively). In the multivariable logistic regression analysis, AOPP and endocan kept their independent positive associations with hypertension. As AOPP rose by 1 µmol/L and endocan rose by 1 pg/mL, the probability for hypertension presence rose by 4.2% and 32.2%, respectively and 39.9% of variation in hypertension could be explained with the Model. The area under the Receiver Operating Characteristic curve [(AUC) for AOPP=0.638 (0.550-0.719), p=0.01 and for endocan=0.679 (0.593-0.757), p<0.001] demonstrated sufficient clinical accuracy towards hypertension. On the contrary, the Model showed very good clinical accuracy [AUC= 0.825 (0.749-0.900), p<0.001]. CONCLUSIONS: Endocan and AOPP are independently correlated with hypertension in adult population and these tested markers together could be reliable parameters to discriminate patients with hypertension from normotensive ones.

Hypertension and correlates among Montenegrin schoolchildren-a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: In one of the few national studies of children in a former Eastern bloc country emerging as a Western democracy and the first such study ever in Montenegro, this study establishes the prevalence and correlates of childhood hypertension (CH). STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional national study. METHODS: The study was conducted with 3254 children aged 7-13 years (50.3% male) from 39 elementary schools. We used a structured questionnaire to gather sociodemographic information as well as data on factors potentially related to CH. Children's nutritional status was assessed using the criteria of the International Obesity Task Force. Waist circumference was also measured. Blood pressure was measured in schools using an oscillometric monitor. CH was defined as an average systolic blood pressure and/or diastolic blood pressure greater than or equal to the 95th percentile for sex, age, and height. RESULTS: The prevalence of CH was 10.4% with no differences between boys and girls. Multiple regression revealed that the odds for child hypertension were lowered by 10% for each year of age. On the other hand, rural environment and child obesity raised the odds of hypertension by 38% and 68%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: We found hypertension in one out of ten Montenegrin schoolchildren, with no gender differences. Obesity and rural areas may be unfriendly to children's blood pressure.