Low bone mineral density may be associated with long-term risk of cancer in the middle-aged population: A retrospective observational study from a single center.

BACKGROUND: It is generally understood that cancer patients are at an increased risk for osteoporosis. Additionally, recent studies have suggested a shared pathophysiological mechanism between the development of cancer and osteoporosis. The purpose of this investigation was to investigate whether low bone mineral density is associated with cancer risk. METHODS: We enrolled 8780 subjects who underwent dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and cancer screening from January 1, 2008-December 31, 2012 from a cohort selected from Chang Gung Health Care Center in Taiwan. The study end point was a definite pathological diagnosis of cancer or admission for cancer treatment. RESULTS: During a mean follow-up of 6.6 ± 1.5 years, 110 incident cases of cancer occurred. The overall incidence of cancer was significantly higher in those patients with a low BMD (1.3%) than in those with a normal BMD (1.0%). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that older age, smoking, and low BMD (hazard ratio: 1.5; 95% confidence interval: 1.0-2.3) were significant independent risk factors for cancer. CONCLUSION: Our investigation suggested that subjects with a low BMD may have a higher long-term risk of cancer compared with subjects with a normal BMD.

Vital roles of age and metabolic syndrome-associated risk factors in sex-specific arterial stiffness across nearly lifelong ages: Possible implication of menopause and andropause.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Postmenopausal status is correlated with increased metabolic syndrome (MetS) and cardiovascular risks. However, the vital roles of age and MetS-associated risk factors in sex-specific arterial stiffness remain unclear. METHODS: In this population-based cross-sectional study of the general population, we enrolled in our Health Examination Program 9812 adult participants who were measured for brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) to assess arterial stiffness. Piecewise linear regression models were used to survey pre-defined ages associated with menopause and andropause in relation to arterial stiffness. Multivariate linear regression analyses were used to evaluate independent determinants. RESULTS: Across gender, stepwise increases in baPWV corresponded to increased MetS-associated risk scores (MetSRS) and aging (all p for trend < 0.001), while a turning point was found at 50 years of age (50age). The incremental ratios of baPWV presented inverse U curves with aging, whereas the highest R2 values and incremental ratios of baPWV were found at 50age across gender. Comparing men with women, a 1.4-fold higher incremental ratio of baPWV was observed before 50age, compared to a 1.3-fold after 50age, respectively. MetS risk group and over 50age were associated with stepwise increased baPWV across gender (both p for trend < 0.001). Before 50age, the determinants did not include hs-CRP for women compared with men, while MetSRS was lost as a determinant across gender. In contrast with men, in women after 50age, HDL-C was an additional determinant and triglyceride was not, while MetSRS remained a determinant across gender. CONCLUSIONS: Arterial stiffness increased with aging across nearly lifelong ages more in women than in men. While menopause and andropause may both play a role, 50age was the most critical factor across gender. The sex-specific differences in determinants of arterial stiffness may remind us of sex-specific targets for further interventional studies associated with arterial stiffness.

The add-on effects of Gynostemma pentaphyllum on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

CONTEXT: Other than weight reduction by dieting or physical activity, there are no well-documented medical treatments for fatty liver disease. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of the add-on Gynostemma pentaphyllum (GP) in research subjects with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. DESIGN: A randomized, single-blind, controlled clinical trial. SETTING: Hospital-based clinic. PATIENTS: Fifty-six research subjects who were diagnosed with nonalcoholic fatty liver by abdominal ultrasound scanning. INTERVENTIONS: The treatment group and the control group followed a controlled diet for 2 months. After 2 months, the treatment group continued to diet and received 80 mL GP extraction for 4 months; the control group continued to diet and received a placebo capsule for 4 months. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Body mass index (BMI), biochemistry data, and fatty liver score were measured at baseline, at 2 months, and at 6 months. RESULTS: After 2 months of dieting, BMI and most biochemistry data decreased in both study groups. There were no significant differences in BMI or biochemistry data at month 2 between the 2 study groups. At month 6, BMI, triglyceride, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, insulin (ALP), insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR), and fatty liver score were reduced in both groups. The treatment group saw significant reductions in BMI, AST, ALP, insulin, and HOMA-IR, however. Changes in uric acid levels in the 2 groups from month 2 to month 6 were statistically significant (P = .028) CONCLUSION: GP is an effective adjunct treatment to diet therapy for patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.