Genetic predisposition to coronary heart disease and stroke using an additive genetic risk score: a population-based study in Greece.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the extent to which the risk for incident coronary heart disease (CHD) increases in relation to a genetic risk score (GRS) that additively integrates the influence of high-risk alleles in nine documented single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for CHD, and to examine whether this GRS also predicts incident stroke. METHODS: Genotypes at nine CHD-relevant SNPs were determined in 494 cases of incident CHD, 320 cases of incident stroke and 1345 unaffected controls drawn from the population-based Greek component of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and nutrition (EPIC) cohort. An additive GRS was calculated for each study participant by adding one unit for the presence of each high-risk allele multiplied by the estimated effect size of that allele in the discovery samples. Statistical analysis was performed using logistic regression. RESULTS: The GRS was significantly associated with the incidence of CHD where the odds of CHD incidence in the highest quintile of the GRS were 1.74 times higher (95% confidence interval [CI]=1.25-2.43, p for trend=0.0004), compared to the lowest quintile. With respect to stroke, a weaker and non-significant positive association with GRS was apparent as the odds of stroke incidence in the highest quintile of the GRS were 1.36 times higher (95% CI=0.90-2.06, p for trend=0.188), compared to the lowest quintile. CONCLUSION: A GRS relying on nine documented "CHD-specific" SNPs is significantly predictive of CHD but it was not found to be statistically significantly associated with incident stroke.

Association between circulating levels of adiponectin and indices of bone mass and bone metabolism in middle-aged post-menopausal women.

BACKGROUND: Adiponectin, a fat derived cytokine, is a potential independent contributor to bone mineral density (BMD); however, its action on bone metabolism in humans is still unclear. AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship of adiponectin with bone mass indices and bone metabolic markers in middle-aged post-menopausal women without diabetes. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A random sample consisted of 81 post-menopausal women (age range 45-61 yr, osteopenic/osteoporotic no.=43) was studied. Lumbar-spine BMD (BMD(L2-L4)) and total-body bone mineral content (TBBMC) were measured with dual X-ray absorptiometry. Plasma levels of total and high-molecular weight (HMW) adiponectin, osteoprotegerin (OPG), soluble receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (sRANKL) and IGF-I were determined. RESULTS: No association was observed between total or HMW adiponectin and BMD(L2-L4) or TBBMC. On the contrary, adiponectin levels were positively associated with OPG levels (partial r=0.276, p=0.015) and negatively with IGF-I (partial r=-0.438, p<0.001), in multiple regression models after adjustment for potential confounders. HMW adiponectin showed a negative association with IGF-I (partial r=-0.266, p=0.049) in the multiple regression models but not with OPG, TBBMC or BMD(L2-L4). CONCLUSIONS: Although we failed to show statistically significant association between circulating adiponectin levels and indices of bone mass in women during the postmenopausal period, we showed significant associations with OPG and IGF-I levels, suggesting an anabolic role of adiponectin, which may contribute in the understanding of the interplay between adipose tissue-derived hormones and bone metabolism.

Olive oil and health: summary of the II international conference on olive oil and health consensus report, Jaén and Córdoba (Spain) 2008.

Olive oil (OO) is the most representative food of the traditional Mediterranean Diet (MedDiet). Increasing evidence suggests that monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) as a nutrient, OO as a food, and the MedDiet as a food pattern are associated with a decreased risk of cardiovascular disease, obesity, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes and hypertension. A MedDiet rich in OO and OO per se has been shown to improve cardiovascular risk factors, such as lipid profiles, blood pressure, postprandial hyperlipidemia, endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and antithrombotic profiles. Some of these beneficial effects can be attributed to the OO minor components. Therefore, the definition of the MedDiet should include OO. Phenolic compounds in OO have shown antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, prevent lipoperoxidation, induce favorable changes of lipid profile, improve endothelial function, and disclose antithrombotic properties. Observational studies from Mediterranean cohorts have suggested that dietary MUFA may be protective against age-related cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease. Recent studies consistently support the concept that the OO-rich MedDiet is compatible with healthier aging and increased longevity. In countries where the population adheres to the MedDiet, such as Spain, Greece and Italy, and OO is the principal source of fat, rates of cancer incidence are lower than in northern European countries. Experimental and human cellular studies have provided new evidence on the potential protective effect of OO on cancer. Furthermore, results of case-control and cohort studies suggest that MUFA intake including OO is associated with a reduction in cancer risk (mainly breast, colorectal and prostate cancers).

Diet, blood lipid profile and physical activity patterns in primary school children from a semi-rural area of Greece.

BACKGROUND: Risk factors for heart disease are becoming increasingly prevalent among young populations. The aim of this study was to assess the cardiovascular risk profile of young adolescents living in a semi-rural area of mainland Greece, Volos. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 198 children (106 females and 92 males) aged 11.6 +/- 0.4 years were randomly recruited. RESULTS: Mean body mass index was 20.4 +/- 3.5 kg m(-2), while 30.3% of children were overweight and 6.7% were obese; no differences were observed between boys and girls. Mean plasma cholesterol (4.93 +/- 0.75 mmol L(-1)), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (3.29 +/- 0.64 mmol L(-1)) and triglyceride (0.97 +/- 0.31 mmol L(-1)) concentrations were above age-specific recommended values. On the other hand, mean high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol was acceptable for 92.3% of the children. Self-reported daily energy intake (8.37 +/- 3.06 MJ) was adequate for age, but intake of fat was high (42.0 +/- 9.2% of energy) and that of carbohydrate was relatively low (44.5 +/- 10.0% of energy). Saturated fat consumption was elevated (15.6 +/- 4.3% of energy), while polyunsaturated fat intake fell short (4.8 +/- 1.6% of energy). The study participants spent 9.60 +/- 6.44 h week(-1) on moderate to vigorous physical activities, while they devoted 16.60 +/- 8.81 h week(-1) to sedentary activities. Boys spent significantly more time than girls on both physical (P < 0.001) and sedentary (P = 0.001) activities. No major gender differences were observed in anthropometric, dietary and plasma lipid parameters. CONCLUSION: The findings from the present study support the worrisome trends that have been documented in Greek youngsters elsewhere, and predict an unfavourable cardiovascular risk profile for the Greek population in the foreseeable future.