Low vitamin D levels are linked with increased cardiovascular disease risk in young adults: a sub-study and secondary analyses from the ACTIBATE randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: Vitamin D deficiency is related to metabolic disturbances. Indeed, a poor vitamin D status has been usually detected in patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, the relationship between vitamin D and CVD risk factors in young adults remains controversial at present. This study aimed to examine the association between circulating 25-hydroxivitamin D (25(OH)D) and CVD risk factors in young adults. METHODS: The present cross-sectional study included a cohort of 177 young adults aged 18-25 years old (65% women). 25(OH)D serum concentrations were assessed using a competitive chemiluminescence immunoassay. Fasting CVD risk factors (i.e., body composition, blood pressure, glucose metabolism, lipid profile, liver, and inflammatory markers) were determined by routine methods. A panel of 63 oxylipins and endocannabinoids (eCBs) was also analyzed by targeted metabolomics. RESULTS: Circulating 25(OH)D concentrations were inversely associated with a wide range of CVD risk factors including anthropometrical (all P ≤ 0.005), body composition (all P ≤ 0.038), glucose metabolism (all P ≤ 0.029), lipid profile (all P < 0.035), liver (all P ≤ 0.011), and pro-inflammatory biomarkers (all P ≤ 0.030). No associations of serum 25(OH)D concentrations were found with pro-inflammatory markers (all P ≥ 0.104), omega-6 and omega-3 oxylipins, nor eCBs concentrations or their analogs (all P ≥ 0.05). CONCLUSION: The present findings support the idea that 25(OH)D could be a useful predictor of CVD risk in young individuals.

Need of nutritional assessment and monitoring in a population with acquired brain injury: an analytical cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with acquired brain injury (ABI) may be at an increased risk of malnutrition due to the pathophysiology of their condition, which can affect their anthropometrical profile and therefore their quality of life. The present study analyzes the anthropometrical profile of these individuals, describes their dietary habits and nutrients intake and identifies the related risk factors influencing health status and quality of life. METHODS: Twenty-three volunteers with ABI from the province of Granada (Spain) were recruited for this cross-sectional study. Nutritional assessment was quantitatively and qualitatively performed using a 72-h dietary record and a food frequency questionnaire, respectively. Body composition parameters were evaluated by bioelectrical impedance. RESULTS: Low intakes of minerals related to bone health, extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) and fruits were reported. Moreover, women presented a poorer anthropometrical profile compared to men. With reference to age, a significant inverse correlation was observed with sarcopenic obesity, appendicular muscle mass index and Vitamin B6 intake [(r = -0.617, p < 0.01), (r = -0.475, p < 0.05) and (r = -0.498, p < 0.05), respectively]. Intake of EVOO was inversely correlated to body mass index (r = -0.767, p < 0.001). Lastly, a direct correlation was observed between the consumption of alcohol and sweets and snacks (r = 0.608, p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The main findings support the existence of poor dietary quality and anthropometrical profile. Interdisciplinary team assessment would be beneficial to enhance the quality of life and attenuate the development of comorbidities in subjects with ABI.

Imbalanced dietary patterns, anthropometric, and body composition profiles amongst adults with Down syndrome.

Introduction: We aimed to analyze the anthropometric and body composition profiles of Down syndrome (DS) adults; to describe their dietary habits, nutrient intake, and physical activity patterns; and to identify the related risk factors which may influence their health status and quality of life.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on a cohort of 23 DS adults (45% women) aged 21-44 years. Anthropometry and body composition were assessed by bioelectrical impedance. Dietary nutrient intake was assessed quantitatively using a 72-h recall. A food frequency questionnaire and the prevention with Mediterranean diet-PREDIMED questionnaire were used for qualitative rating.Results: Higher fat mass (FM) and lower lean mass (LM), bone mass (BM), and waist to hip ratio (WHR) were observed in women compared to men. LM and BM decreased, and body mass index (BMI), FM, and WHR increased with aging (all P < 0.05). Vitamin D and iodine intakes were not met by 70% and 60% of the studied participants, respectively. A total of 82% of the participants consumed less than 5 portions of fruits and vegetables per day and overconsumed food groups such as sweets and snacks and red meat (> 2 times per week). Protein intake showed a significant positive correlation with height (r = 0.489, P < 0.05), whereas fat intake was positively correlated with sweets and snacks (r = 0.521, P < 0.05).Conclusion: The present findings support the existence of poor anthropometric and body composition profiles, and diet quality, underscoring the need for an interdisciplinary team assessment to enhance health and quality of life in DS adults.

Folic acid and vitamin B12 as biomarkers of morbidity and mortality in patients with septic shock / El ácido fólico y la vitamina B12 como biomarcadores de morbilidad y mortalidad en pacientes con shock séptico

Introduction and objective: a study was made of the folic acid (Fol) and vitamin B12 (B12) serum concentrations in critical patients with septic shock upon admission and after three days of stay in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), with an analysis of their association to inflammatory parameters and patient morbidity-mortality. Methods: a prospective analytical study was made of 30 critically ill patients with septic shock. Demographic data, comorbidities, clinical information and severity scores were recorded. Data collected included serum Fol and B12 levels using the DxI® Autoanalyzer (Beckman Coulter) based on a competitive electrochemoluminescence immunoassay. Results: mean serum Fol was within the reference range stipulated by the laboratory on the first day. Nevertheless, a total of 21.4 % of the patients had high Fol levels, with 14.2 % being Fol deficient. An association was observed between Fol (p < 0.012) status and 28-day mortality, and the number of days of mechanical ventilation, fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) and fibrinogen increased in patients with higher Fol levels (p < 0.05). In addition, 85.7 % of cases had B12 levels above the reference values, with a correlation being observed between B12 and Fol. Conclusions: this study proposes Fol as a novel morbidity-mortality biomarker in critical septic patients, and reinforces the usefulness of B12 as a morbidity biomarker. It is thus suggested that the measurement of Fol upon admission and over the first 72 hours of hospital stay could provide prognostic information about the clinical course and outcome of septic shock patients (AU)

Introducción y objetivo: se realizó un estudio de las concentraciones séricas de ácido fólico (Fol) y vitamina B12 (B12) en pacientes críticos con shock séptico al ingreso y después de tres días de estancia en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos (UCI), con un análisis de su asociación con los parámetros inflamatorios y la morbimortalidad de los pacientes. Método: se realizó un estudio analítico prospectivo de 30 pacientes críticos con shock séptico. Se registraron datos demográficos, comorbilidades, información clínica y puntuaciones de gravedad. Los datos recopilados incluyeron los niveles séricos de Fol y B12 utilizando el autoanalizador DxI® (Beckman Coulter) basado en un inmunoensayo de electroquimioluminiscencia competitivo. Resultados: la media de Fol sérico estuvo dentro del rango de referencia estipulado por el laboratorio el primer día. Sin embargo, el 21,4 % de los pacientes presentaban niveles altos de Fol y el 14,2 % presentaban deficiencia de Fol. Se observó una asociación entre el estado de Fol (p < 0,012) con la mortalidad a los 28 días, con el número de días de ventilación mecánica, con la fracción de oxígeno inspirado (FiO2) y con el fibrinógeno, que aumentaron en los pacientes con niveles de Fol más altos (p < 0,05). Además, el 85,7 % de los casos tenían niveles de B12 por encima de los valores de referencia, observándose una correlación entre B12 y Fol. Conclusiones: este estudio propone al Fol como nuevo biomarcador de morbimortalidad en los pacientes críticos con sepsis y refuerza la utilidad de la B12 como biomarcador de morbilidad. Por tanto, se sugiere que la medición de Fol al ingreso y durante las primeras 72 horas de estancia hospitalaria podría proporcionar información pronóstica sobre el curso clínico y el resultado de los pacientes con shock séptico (AU)