Serum alanine aminotransferase is associated with serum adiponectin, C-reactive protein and apolipoprotein B in young healthy men.

Several studies have reported an association between markers of liver injury, including elevated concentrations of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and prospective risk of type 2 diabetes. We therefore examined the relationship between ALT and AST on the one hand, and serum adiponectin and highly sensitive CRP on the other, both of which have been reported to be associated with prospective risk of type 2 diabetes; we also tested for variable components of metabolic syndrome in 198 male college students aged 18-20 years. ALT showed a positive relationship with percentage body fat (r = 0.19, p = 0.02), serum leptin (r = 0.21, p = 0.01), LDL cholesterol (r = 0.29, p = 0.0003), triglyceride (r = 0.28, p = 0.0004) and apolipoprotein B (r = 0.35, p < 0.0001) even after adjustment for body mass index (BMI). Although there was a significant relationship with serum insulin, adiponectin (inversely), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, HDL cholesterol (inversely) and LDL particle diameter in simple regression analysis, significance disappeared after adjustment for BMI. In contrast, CRP (r = 0.16, p = 0.04) was associated with ALT after adjustment for BMI, although simple regression analysis revealed no association between the two. Relationships were smaller for AST, and significance disappeared after adjustment for BMI. Multiple regression analysis excluding lipid variables revealed significant and independent associations of ALT with adiponectin and percentage body fat. In a model including lipid variables, apolipoprotein B emerged as an independent predictor of ALT in addition to adiponectin and percentage body fat. These variables explained 29 % of ALT variability. In conclusion, serum ALT levels were associated with leptin and CRP as well as many components of the insulin resistance syndrome in young healthy men. Adiponectin, apolipoprotein B and percentage body fat emerged as significant and independent predictors of ALT. Since adiponectin and chronic subclinical inflammation have been reported to predict the development of type 2 diabetes and since abnormalities in apolipoprotein B metabolism occur in the early course of insulin resistance, these findings may be compatible with the association between liver markers and risk of diabetes.

Prediction of functional outcome after stroke rehabilitation.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to identify predictors of functional outcome after acute stroke inpatient rehabilitation using raw Functional Independence Measure (FIM) total scores. DESIGN: Multivariate analysis was performed on data collected retrospectively from stroke rehabilitation patients. Six independent variables were obtained from patients' medical records. RESULTS: The FIM total scores at the time of discharge from the hospital correlated strongly with FIM total scores at the time of admission to the hospital and correlated negatively with age and OAI using the Spearman's rank correlation method. The FIM total scores at the time of hospital admission were the best predictor of FIM total scores at the time of discharge from the hospital. However, the nature of the stroke, gender, and LOHS did not correlate with FIM total scores at the time of discharge from the hospital. CONCLUSIONS: Because FIM total scores at the time of hospital admission and discharge are highly correlated, FIM total scores at the time of hospital admission can be used to establish a rehabilitation program, to inform the patient and family about the possibility of recovery, and to assess the amount and quality of care given in the home or discharge placement.

[Swallowing rehabilitation using balloon catheter treatment evaluated by videofluorography in an elderly patient with Wallenberg's syndrome].

A 65-year old man was admitted with severe dysphagia, ataxia and aspiration pneumonia. Dysphagia and ataxia were caused by lateral medullary infarction (Wallenberg's syndrome). The swallowing abnormality was assessed by videofluorography and we attempted the balloon dilatation method for cricopharyngeal dysphagia. Three months after initiation of swallowing training, videofluorography (VF) showed that the magnitude of aspiration to the trachea had decreased and the patient began taking food by mouth. The balloon dilatation method is successful for chronic stage cricopharyngeal dysphagia and the VF test is useful for quantitative assessment of dysphagia and for deciding when to start oral intake in elderly patients.

Fasting insulin and leptin serum levels are associated with systolic blood pressure independent of percentage body fat and body mass index.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between leptin and insulin serum levels and systolic and diastolic blood pressure in young men. SETTING: Kobe University of Mercantile Marine, Kobe, Japan. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred and ninety-eight male students aged 18-20 years (comprising 100% of those eligible). DESIGN AND MEASUREMENTS: A cross-sectional survey of a sample of male college students was performed, with measurements to include anthropometry, blood pressure and blood tests after overnight fasting. RESULTS: Compared with 90 men with an optimal blood pressure, 56 men with high-normal and high blood pressure had an increase in body mass index (23.7 +/- 5.2 versus 20.4 +/- 2.2 kg/m2), percentage body fat (21.7 +/- 8.0 versus 16.3 +/- 4.2%) and serum leptin (3.7 +/- 4.7 versus 1.5 +/- 0.8 ng/ml). In addition, they had greater serum insulin (59 +/- 31 versus 43 +/- 12 pmol/l) despite there being no differences in plasma glucose, resulting in a reduction of the ratio of glucose to insulin (x 10(6)) (107 +/- 43 versus 126 +/-, which is an estimate of insulin sensitivity in a nondiabetic population. Furthermore, the 56 men had higher serum triglyceride levels, although there was no difference in low density lipoprotein-cholesterol and high density lipoprotein-cholesterol between men with optimal and high-normal plus high blood pressure. Similar differences were found between men in a top versus low tertile of systolic and diastolic blood pressure. In multiple regression analysis, both log leptin and log insulin emerged as determinants for systolic blood pressure independent of body mass index and percentage body fat, but an association with diastolic blood pressure was only shown for log leptin. CONCLUSION: Hyperleptinemia and hyperinsulinemia may be regulators of arterial pressure, independent of body mass index or percentage body fat.

Increased urinary transferrin excretion predicts microalbuminuria in patients with type 2 diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: We studied whether increased urinary transferrin excretion rates (TERs) (urinary transferrin-to-urinary creatinine ratio > or = 107 micrograms/mmol, which is the sum of an average and 2 SDs in 431 healthy nondiabetic individuals) would predict the development of microalbuminuria (urinary albumin-to-urinary creatinine ratio > or = 2.8 mg/mmol) in patients with type 2 diabetes and normal urinary albumin excretion rates (AERs) (albumin-to-creatinine ratio < 2.8 mg/mmol). We also studied the influence of blood pressure, glycemic control, and serum levels of lipids and apolipoproteins on the later development of microalbuminuria. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: In 77 diabetic patients with normal AER, AER and TER were measured at baseline and after 24 months of follow-up. Blood pressure, glycemic control, and serum levels of lipids and apolipoproteins were measured at 1- to 2-month intervals during the follow-up period. RESULTS: Of the 16 patients who initially had increased TER, 5 (31%) developed microalbuminuria. In contrast, of the 61 who initially had normal TER, 4 (7%) developed microalbuminuria (P = 0.016). At baseline, no difference was found in age, sex, diabetes duration, diabetic medications, prevalence of hypertension, blood pressure, HbA1c levels, or serum lipid and apolipoprotein concentrations between the two group of patients with normal and increased TER. There was also no difference in duration of hypertension and prevalence of users of ACE inhibitors between two subgroups of hypertensive patients with normal and increased TER. During the 24 month follow-up period, those whose condition progressed to microalbuminuria had increased serum levels of triglycerides (1.87 +/- 0.49 vs. 1.29 +/- 0.64 mmol/l, P = 0.003) and apolipoprotein B (114 +/- 20 vs. 102 +/- 24 mg/dl, P = 0.05) and tended to have increased HbA1c levels (7.7 +/- 1.0 vs. 7.1 +/- 1.1%, P = 0.10) compared with those in whom microalbuminuria did not develop. Blood pressure, however, did not differ. In multivariate stepwise logistic regression analysis, the association between increased TER at baseline and subsequent development of microalbuminuria was significant (odds ratio 7.04 [95% CI 1.02-48.5], P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with type 2 diabetes and normal AER, increased TER may predict the development of microalbuminuria and abnormalities in triglyceride-rich lipoprotein metabolism, and poor glycemic control may be associated with this progression.

Low density lipoprotein particle diameter in young, nonobese, normolipidemic Japanese men.

BACKGROUND: prospective studies have demonstrated that a predominance of small, dense LDL particles (pattern B) precedes the clinical onset of coronary heart disease. Prevalence and characteristics of subjects with this LDL size abnormality were studied in young, nonobese, Japanese normolipidemic men. METHODS AND RESULTS: LDL peak particle diameter (PPD) was measured by continuous disc polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in 223 nonobese normolipidemic men aged 18-20 years (mean+/-S.D. body mass index: 21.9+/-3.7 kg/m2, total cholesterol: 180+/-29 mg/dl, triglyceride: 62+/-34 mg/dl, HDL cholesterol: 58+/-12 mg/dl). Men with small LDL (PPD < 25.8 nm) were found in only 5.4% (n=12) whereas 197 men (88.3%) had a preponderance of large LDL (PPD 26.3 nm). As compared with men in a top tertile (PPD 27.5 nm) those in a low tertile (PPD < 26.9 nm) had higher serum levels of LDL cholesterol (120+/-31 vs 104+/-24 mg/dl), triglyceride (72+/-39 vs 49+/-16 mg/dl) and apolipoprotein (apo) B (84+/-21 vs 68+/-14 mg/dl), and lower HDL cholesterol (54+/-10 vs 60+/-12 mg/dl). They also had greater body mass index (23.2+/-4.6 vs 20.9+/-3.1 kg/m2) and percent body fat (21.5+/-7.7 vs 17.5+/-4.9%). LDL-PPD was positively correlated with HDL cholesterol (R=0.20, P=0.002) and was negatively correlated with apoB (R=0.34, P < 0.001), triglyceride (R=0.32, P < 0.001). percent body fat (R=0.26, P < 0.001), body mass index (R=0.24, P < 0.001), fat mass (R=0.23, P=0.001), total cholesterol (R=0.20, P=0.002). In multiple regression analysis, apoB, triglyceride, HDL cholesterol, apoAI and percent body fat explained 18% of LDLPPD variability. CONCLUSION: even in young, nonobese, normolipidemic men, LDL size appears to be associated with triglyceride-rich lipoprotein metabolism and body fat.

[New clinical application of direct and chemical measurement of low density lipoprotein cholesterol-estimation of compositional changes in triglyceride-rich lipoprotein fraction].

Recently several new direct assay systems for chemical measurement of LDL-cholesterol (Ch) have been developed. These systems allow us to estimate LDL-Ch value even in samples under non-fasting condition as well as samples from prominent hypertriglyceridemics without ultracentrifugation. Since it is possible that the difference between LDL-Ch value measured using new direct method and that calculated using Friedewald's formula can indicate compositional abnormalities of triglyceride-rich lipoprotein (TGRL) fraction (if VLDL-Ch equal to 1/5 of plasma triglyceride, this difference must always be zero), this difference (estimated remnant-Ch) may represent the presence of remnant or intermediate density lipoprotein (IDL) fraction. LDL-Ch is not detected by means of this direct method (LDL-EX, Denka Seiken Co.) in the eluate of the affinity column, which contains anti-apoA1 and anti-B100 antibody, indicating that RLP fraction can be excluded from the assay system. Estimated remnant-Ch correlated well with RLP-Ch, IDL-Ch and apoE. Furthermore, there is no significant correlation between LDL-Ch measured by LDL-EX and Lp(a), indicating that this direct assay system does not include Lp(a) in plasma. Thus, this new direct assay method for LDL-Ch enables us to measure LDL-Ch value with ease and also to estimate compositional abnormalities of TGRL fraction and/or appearance of remnant or IDL fraction without ultracentrifugation.

[Antioxidants and cardiovascular disease].

Oxygen-free radical reactions have been implicated in many chronic diseases, including atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD). Epidemiologic studies have demonstrated an association between increased intake of naturally occurring antioxidant vitamins such as vitamin E and vitamin C and reduced morbidity and mortality from CVD. By contrast, most of the completed randomized trial did not show any clear reduction in CVD. However, the trials were not specifically designed to assess CVD, did not provide data on nonfatal CVD, may have had insufficient treatment durations, and used suboptimal vitamin E doses. Despite the lack of a general consensus, recent data reinforce the concept that the regular intake of antioxidants present in foods limits the progression of atherosclerotic CVD.

21-Hydroxylase deficiency presenting as massive bilateral adrenal masses in the seventh decade of life.

A 72-year-old woman was found to have massive bilateral adrenal masses on computed tomography and was diagnosed with 21-hydroxylase deficiency (21-OHD) based on endocrinological findings. Physical examination revealed no abnormalities except markedly short stature. She was diagnosed with 21-OHD because she had an elevated serum 17alpha-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP) level which significantly decreased in response to dexamethasone. Percutaneous CT-guided biopsy and later autopsy confirmed that the adrenal masses were due to adrenocortical hyperplasia. Analysis of the CYP21 gene revealed that the patient was a compound heterozygote for the Ile-172-->Asn mutation in exon 4 and the 8-bp deletion in exon 3. Simple virilizing 21-OHD (SV) would be predicted from this genotype. She had few symptoms associated with 21-OHD except for markedly short stature, but the serum 17-OHP level was higher than that of typical nonclassical form of 21-OHD and near to that of typical SV. This finding was confirmed by analysis of the CYP21 gene. From these results, we report that when adrenal masses are incidentally detected, 21-OHD should be ruled out to avoid excessive examination and surgery on the suspicion of adrenal carcinoma.

Triglyceride metabolism in heterozygote of Watanabe heritable hyperlipidemic rabbit.

The present study was conducted in order to examine the role of low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-receptor activity in very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) triglyceride metabolism in vivo. Fructose-feeding (10% in drinking water) for 2 weeks resulted in elevated plasma triglyceride in heterozygote of Watanabe heritable hyperlipidemic (WHHL) rabbit (WHHLH) associated with suppressed fractional catabolic rate (FCR) of plasma triglyceride, whereas Japanese white (JW) rabbit with normal LDL receptor activity showed no remarkable change in plasma triglyceride turnover after fructose-feeding, suggesting an involvement of LDL receptor activity on triglyceride metabolism. Thereafter, in order to stimulate cellular LDL receptor activity, fluvastatin, a new 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme-A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitor, was administered orally (1.52 +/- 0.26 mg/kg) to fructose-fed WHHLH. Significant suppression of triglyceride secretion rate (TGSR) was observed after treatment. However, since plasma triglyceride level was markedly suppressed, FCR of plasma triglyceride was significantly elevated by fluvastatin. Thus, it is speculated from the present data that LDL receptor activity is significantly involved in VLDL triglyceride metabolism in rabbits.

Effects of dietary fructose or glucose on triglyceride production and lipogenic enzyme activities in the liver of Wistar fatty rats, an animal model of NIDDM.

Effects of dietary carbohydrates on triglyceride production and hepatic lipogenic enzyme activities were examined in Wistar fatty rats, an animal model of noninsulin dependent diabetes mellitus, fed fructose or glucose and were compared with those of Wistar lean rats. Carbohydrates were supplied in 10% drinking solutions for 21 days. As compared with lean rats, Wistar fatty rats were characterized by hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia and hypertriglyceridemia, the last of which was associated with an increased hepatic activity of fatty acid synthetase and an increased rate of triglyceride secretion from the liver to the circulation. Feeding fructose to genetically obese diabetic rats produced a threefold increase in the hepatic activity of fatty acid synthetase, a twofold increase in NADPH-generating enzymes (malic enzyme and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase) and a 56% increase in the rate of triglyceride secretion, with a resultant 86% increase in plasma triglyceride concentrations. Feeding glucose produced a similar increase in the activity of NADPH-generating enzymes and triglyceride production in the fatty liver but it differed in producing no change in plasma triglyceride concentrations or hepatic fatty acid synthetase activity. Neither dietary fructose nor glucose changed glycemia or insulinemia. These results show that in genetically obese, diabetic rats feeding fructose and glucose is associated with an increase in hepatic lipogenic enzyme activities and triglyceride production, and suggest that fructose stimulates triglyceride production but impairs triglyceride removal, whereas glucose stimulates both of them.

Serum HDL cholesterol values are associated with apoB-containing lipoprotein metabolism and triglyceride-body fat interrelation in young Japanese men.

Serum levels of total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, triglyceride, apolipoprotein (apo) AI, ApoB, ApoE and body fat were measured in 226 fasting male Japanese college students aged 18 to 20 years. They were normolipidemic (total cholesterol: 169 +/- 31 mg/dl, triglyceride: 56 +/- 25 mg/dl) and their HDL cholesterol concentrations were high (61 +/- 13 mg/dl). An HDL cholesterol value < 35 mg/dl was observed in only one student (0.4%). In contrast, 112 men (49.6%) had an HDL cholesterol level > or = 60 mg/dl. Even in this normolipidemic group, as compared with students in a top HDL cholesterol tertile (HDL cholesterol; 75 +/- 9 mg/dl), students in a lower HDL cholesterol tertile (HDL cholesterol; 48 +/- 5 mg/dl) had significantly increased serum levels of LDL cholesterol (103 +/- 30 vs. 91 +/- 26 mg/dl), triglyceride (68 +/- 30 vs. 45 +/- 16 mg/dl) and apoB (83 +/- 20 vs 73 +/- 17 mg/dl). In addition, they had greater body mass index (23.2 +/- 3.6 vs. 20.6 +/- 2.5 kg/m2) and greater percent body fat (20.2 +/- 6.2 vs. 16.2 +/- 4.2%) determined using a bioelectrical impedance analyzer. HDL cholesterol levels were much more strongly related to triglyceride (r = -0.37) than was apoAI (r = -0.13). In stepwise multiple regression analysis in 184 nonsmokers, apoE, apoB and fat mass explained 21% of apoAI variability. Triglyceride in addition to these three parameters explained 41% of HDL cholesterol variability. These results suggest that serum levels of HDL cholesterol are associated with metabolism of apoB-containing lipoproteins as well as triglyceride-body fat interrelationship.

Effect of long-term exogenous hyperinsulinemia and fructose or glucose supplementation on triglyceride turnover in rats.

We examined the effect of long-term (6 months) hyperinsulinemia on VLDL-triglyceride turnover in male Wistar rats. Hyperinsulinemia was induced in rats by daily s.c. injection of Ultralente insulin (6 U/day at 19:00). Fructose (F) or glucose (G) was supplied in the drinking water (10%) in order to prevent hypoglycemia. The rats were divided into 5 groups: (1) hyperinsulinemia with F water: group F + I; (2) hyperinsulinemia with G water: group G + I; (3) F water alone: group F; (4) G water alone: group G; and (5) control rats without sugar water group C. After 6 months of daily insulin injection triglyceride secretion rate (TGSR) was estimated using Triton WR1339 in all the rats. Groups F + I and G + I were obese and hypoglycemic compared to the other groups. Fasting plasma glucose level of group F was higher than any other group value. TGSR of group F + I was significantly higher than that of the control group, while that of group G + I was not, indicating that long-term hyperinsulinemia can stimulate hepatic triglyceride production when the rats were supplemented only with fructose. On the other hand, the rats in group G + I showed the lowest plasma free fatty acid level of all and their postheparin lipolytic activity was significantly elevated compared to that of the control rats. Moreover, they had suppressed plasma triglyceride levels and its fractional catabolic rate was significantly increased, suggesting that hyperinsulinemia can still stimulate triglyceride removal from the circulation of glucose supplemented rats even at month 6. In conclusion, exogenous hyperinsulinemia can stimulate hepatic triglyceride secretion even after 6 months duration when supplemented with fructose, while its stimulating effect on triglyceride removal from the circulation can be seen only with glucose supplementation. Thus, the effect of long-term hyperinsulinemia on plasma triglyceride turnover differs depending on the supplemented monosaccharides.