Soluble Transferrin Receptor, Antioxidant Status and Cardiometabolic Risk in Apparently Healthy Individuals.

Body iron excess appears to be related to insulin resistance and cardiometabolic risk and increased oxidative stress might be involved in this relationship. Very few studies have described the association between soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) levels and cardiometabolic risk in the general population or antioxidant status. There were 239 subjects (20−65 years old) included in this cross-sectional study. Linear regressions adjusting for BMI, menopausal status, insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), physical inactivity, alcohol intake and subclinical/chronic inflammation were used to describe the association between sTfR, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and measures of cardio-metabolic risk. sTfR levels were positively associated with TAC in men (ßeta [95% confidence interval ]: 0.31 [0.14 to 0.48]) and women (ßeta = 0.24 [0.07 to 0.40]) in non-adjusted and adjusted models (p < 0.05). In men, sTfR levels were inversely associated with waist circumference (ßeta [95% confidence interval]: −1.12 [−2.30 to −0.22]) and fasting glucose (−2.7 (−4.82 to −0.57), and positively with LDL cholesterol (12.41 (6.08 to 18.57) before and after adjustments for confounding variables. LDL cholesterol had a significant and positive association with TAC in non-adjusted and adjusted models in men (p < 0.05). sTfR levels are significantly associated with antioxidant status and a few specific cardio-metabolic risk variables, independently of covariates that included serum ferritin and hepcidin. This might imply that iron biomarkers in regard to cardiometabolic risk reflect physiological contexts other than iron metabolism.

Detección del virus del papiloma humano en mucosa oral de mujeres de Cali, Colombia / Human papilloma virus detection in oral mucosa of women from Cali, Colombia

Introducción: Poco se sabe acerca de la presencia del VPH en la mucosa oral en población sana y cuales son los factores de riesgo que pueden llevar al virus a una infección persistente que conduzca al desarrollo de un carcinoma. Objetivos: En el presente estudio la detección del VPH se realizó en muestras de ADN obtenidas de la mucosa oral de 76 mujeres sanas. Métodos: El VPH se detectó mediante la técnica de PCR anidada para el gen viral L1. La genotipificación se realizó mediante la secuenciación directa del fragmento del gen L1 amplificado por el método de Sanger, seguido de un análisis de porcentajes de identidad. Resultados: El porcentaje de detección de VPH fue de 6.6 por ciento. Los genotipos virales identificados fueron HPV-11, HPV-43 y HPV-72, todos clasificados de bajo riesgo oncológico. Además, se observó que el no uso del condón en este grupo de edad se asoció significativamente con la presencia de VPH en la mucosa oral (p = 0.037). Conclusión: En la presente investigación exploratoria se evidencio una mayor detección de VPH en la mucosa oral de mujeres sanas y su presencia se asocia con una vida sexual activa sin una protección adecuada contra su transmisión.

Introduction: Little is known about the presence of HPV in the oral mucosa in the healthy population and what risk factors can lead the virus to a persistent infection that leads to the development of a carcinoma. Objectives: In the present study, HPV detection was performed on DNA samples obtained from the oral mucosa of 76 healthy women, and the presence of the virus was associated with the sexual behavior of the participants. Methods: HPV was detected by the nested PCR technique for the viral gene L1. Genotyping was performed by direct sequencing of the L1 gene fragment amplified by the Sanger method, followed by an analysis of identity percentages. Results: The percentage of detection of HPV was 6.6 percent. The viral genotypes identified were HPV-11, HPV-43 and HPV-72, all classified as low oncological risk. In addition, it was observed that the lack of condom usage in this age group was significantly associated with the presence of HPV in the oral mucosa (p = 0.037). Conclusion: In the present exploratory research the detection of HPV in the oral mucosa of healthy women is evidenced, and its presence is associated with an active sexual life without adequate protection against its transmission.

Circulating hepcidin in type 2 diabetes: A multivariate analysis and double blind evaluation of metformin effects.

SCOPE: Very few studies have evaluated serum hepcidin in patients with type 2 diabetes and they have reported conflicting results. In addition, the effect of antidiabetic drugs on circulating hepcidin has not been explored so far. The aims of the study were to evaluate hepcidin concentrations and hepcidin/ferritin ratio in type 2 diabetes subjects and healthy non-diabetic controls and to evaluate the effect of metformin on hepcidin concentrations. METHODS AND RESULTS: Study 1: Cross-sectional multivariate study of 239 non-diabetic individuals and 65 people with type 2 diabetes. The multivariate analysis included covariates of chronic inflammation, BMI, pharmacological treatment, menopausal status and insulin resistance. Study 2: Randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled 4-month trial metformin compared to placebo among 36 type 2 diabetic patients. In both groups diet was controlled by maintaining a hypocaloric intake across the trial. Hepcidin levels were significantly lower in patients with type 2 diabetes than in non-diabetic individuals either in crude or adjusted regression models (P<0.05). Hepcidin decreased in both arms of the trial (Placebo, p = 0.004; metformin, p = 0.022). CONCLUSION: Circulating hepcidin was significantly and independently lower in type 2 diabetes. Metformin treatment is not associated with reductions in hepcidin but hypocaloric diet could be involved.

Circulating hepcidin is independently associated with systolic blood pressure in apparently healthy individuals.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Few studies have described the association between hepcidin levels and cardiometabolic risk in the general population and more so by considering robust adjustment for confounding factors. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the associations between circulating hepcidin and anthropometric, biochemical and vascular variables related to cardiometabolic risk in healthy individuals adjusting for relevant covariates. METHODS: Two-hundred thirty nine individuals (20-65 years old) were included in this cross-sectional study. Outcome variables were fasting glucose, triglycerides, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, total cholesterol, waist circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, and the Framingham risk score. Multivariate linear regression and ANCOVA analyses including covariates of body mass index (BMI), menopausal status, physical inactivity, alcohol intake, insulin resistance, subclinical/chronic inflammation, ferritin and soluble transferrin receptors were used to describe the associations between hepcidin and cardiometabolic risk markers. RESULTS: In adjusted linear regression analyses, there was no significant association in men. In women, a relationship between hepcidin and triglycerides became significant after adjustments (p <0.05). By comparing quartiles of hepcidin levels, systolic blood pressure values in men were significantly higher in the upper quartile of hepcidin vs. the rest of quartiles independently of BMI, chronic inflammation, insulin resistance and other iron markers (ANCOVA, p <0.05). There were no significant independent associations with the Framingham risk score (total points). CONCLUSION: We found a threshold effect of hepcidin levels on systolic blood pressure specifically in men. Further larger studies and experimental research are required to investigate possible mechanisms for the relationship between hepcidin metabolism and vascular function.

Evaluation of the relationship between self-reported physical activity and metabolic syndrome and its components in apparently healthy women.

INTRODUCTION: The metabolic syndrome, a set of metabolic anomalies that include insulin resistance, central obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension and inflammation, is an important tool to explore factors associated to cardiometabolic disease. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship of the levels of self-reported physical activity and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire items and the metabolic syndrome and the variables related to cardiovascular risk in 89 women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The short version of International Physical Activity Questionnaire was applied to classify participating subjects into three categories: insufficient, sufficient and very active physical activity. The metabolic syndrome was assessed according to the International Diabetes Federation criteria. Biochemical and anthropometrical parameters were measured . RESULTS: Twenty-two participants (23%) presented metabolic syndrome and 66 women (74.2%) were classified in the insufficient physical activity category. No association was found between insufficient physical activity and metabolic syndrome . Inverse correlations were found among the days and minutes per week of physical activity of moderate-intensity, waist circumference ( r =-0.327, and r =-0.313, p<0.005, respectively), and body mass index ( r =-0.262, and r =-0.218, p<0.05, respectively). CONCLUSION: A high prevalence of insufficient physical activity was found in the study participants, but this was not associated with metabolic syndrome . Moderate but not vigorous physical activity items from the International Physical Activity Questionnaire correlated inversely with anthropometrical markers related to cardiovascular risk.

Evaluation of the relationship between self-reported physical activity and metabolic syndrome and its components in apparently healthy women / Evaluación de la relación de actividad física autorreportada con el síndrome metabólico y sus componentes en mujeres aparentemente sanas

Introduction: The metabolic syndrome, a set of metabolic anomalies that include insulin resistance, central obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension and inflammation, is an important tool to explore factors associated to cardiometabolic disease. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship of the levels of self-reported physical activity and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire items and the metabolic syndrome and the variables related to cardiovascular risk in 89 women . Materials and methods: The short version of International Physical Activity Questionnaire was applied to classify participating subjects into three categories: insufficient, sufficient and very active physical activity. The metabolic syndrome was assessed according to the International Diabetes Federation criteria. Biochemical and anthropometrical parameters were measured . Results: Twenty-two participants (23%) presented metabolic syndrome and 66 women (74.2%) were classified in the insufficient physical activity category. No association was found between insufficient physical activity and metabolic syndrome . Inverse correlations were found among the days and minutes per week of physical activity of moderate-intensity, waist circumference ( r =-0.327, and r =-0.313, p<0.005, respectively), and body mass index ( r =-0.262, and r =-0.218, p<0.05, respectively). Conclusion: A high prevalence of insufficient physical activity was found in the study participants, but this was not associated with metabolic syndrome . Moderate but not vigorous physical activity items from the International Physical Activity Questionnaire correlated inversely with anthropometrical markers related to cardiovascular risk .

Introducción. El síndrome metabólico, conjunto de anomalías metabólicas que incluyen resistencia a la insulina, obesidad central, dislipidemia, hipertensión e inflamación, es una herramienta importante para explorar los factores asociados a enfermedades cardiovasculares. Objetivo. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la relación de los niveles autorreportados de actividad física y los elementos del Cuestionario Internacional de Actividad Física ( International Physical Activity Questionnaire ), con el síndrome metabólico y las variables relacionadas con el riesgo cardiovascular en 89 mujeres. Materiales y métodos. La versión corta del Cuestionario Internacional de Actividad Física se aplicó para clasificar a los sujetos en tres categorías: actividad física insuficiente, suficiente y muy activa. El síndrome metabólico se evaluó según los criterios de la Federación Internacional de Diabetes y se midieron los parámetros bioquímicos y antropométricos. Resultados. Veintidós participantes (23 %) presentaron síndrome metabólico y 66 mujeres (74,2 %) fueron clasificadas en la categoría de actividad física insuficiente. No se encontró asociación entre la actividad física insuficiente y el síndrome metabólico. Se encontraron correlaciones inversas entre los días y minutos de actividad física de moderada intensidad por semana con la circunferencia de cintura ( r =-0,327, y r =-0,313, p<0,005, respectivamente) y el índice de masa corporal ( r =-0,262, y r =-0,218, p<0,05, respectivamente). Conclusión. Una alta prevalencia de actividad física insuficiente se encontró en las participantes en el estudio, pero esto no se asoció con el síndrome metabólico. Los elementos de la actividad física moderada del Cuestionario Internacional de Actividad Física, pero no así los de actividad vigorosa, se correlacionan inversamente con marcadores antropométricos relacionados con riesgo cardiovascular.

Association of self-reported familial history of cardiometabolic disease with metabolic syndrome in apparently healthy urban Colombian men.

OBJECTIVES: Evidence about the relationship between familial history (FH) of cardiometabolic disease (CMD) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) in Latin American populations is scarce. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship of FH of CMD and of dyslipidemia and obesity with MetS in healthy men. METHODS: One-hundred-twenty one individuals were recruited. Waist circumference and blood pressure were measured by a trained researcher using standard techniques. Glycemia and lipid profile were determined by colorimetric assays. A survey to record personal data and family antecedents in siblings, aunts/uncles, parents, and grandparents was conducted by trained interviewers. RESULTS: Individuals having three or more familial antecedents were associated with high triglycerides level even after adjusting by age, sedentarism, fat and carbohydrates intake, and alcohol consumption. After adjusting for the same variables, FH of dyslipidemia and hypertension was also associated with high triglycerides levels and elevated waist circumference, respectively. The FH of stroke was associated with high blood pressure after adjusting for the rest of familial antecedents, and with MetS in all adjustment models. DISCUSSION: the findings of association of this study together with the previous reports are evidence of the importance of hereditary component as independent predictor of cardiovascular risk factors and its clustering, as well as of possible specific association patterns between FH of CMD and MetS depending on evaluated population in terms of ethnic groups and geographic region. Further studies are required in other populations, as well as exploration of genetic markers of CMD regarding to MetS.

Los niveles de ferritina y los marcadores de riesgo cardiovascular se correlacionan con mayor tiempo sedentario auto-reportado en hombres aparentemente sanos / Ferritin levels and cardiovascular risk markers correlate with higher self-reported sedentary time in apparently healthy men

Objetivo: evaluar la correlación entre las concentraciones séricas de ferritina y los marcadores de riesgo cardiovascular con el tiempo de actividad física y sedentarismo auto-reportados en hombres aparentemente sanos. Métodos: se incluyeron 69 hombres pertenecientes a tres empresas de servicio privado y público del área metropolitana de Cali, Colombia, con edades entre 25 y 64 años. Se aplicó la versión corta del International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) y se agruparon cuatro categorías de actividad física: 1. Minutos actividad física intensa (AFI)/semana. 2. Minutos actividad física moderada (AFM)/semana. 3. Minutos caminata/semana. 4. Minutos sentado/día. Los marcadores de riesgo cardiovascular se definieron con base en los criterios del ATP-III y la Federación Internacional de Diabetes. Resultados: se encontraron correlaciones positivas en los sujetos que auto-reportaban mayor tiempo en actividades sedentarias según la categoría del IPAQ (minutos promedio sentado/día) en los indicadores antropométricos: porcentaje de grasa corporal (rho=0,249, p<0,05), índice de masa (rho=0,268, p<0,05) y circunferencia de cintura (rho=0,266, p<0,05). Este mismo comportamiento se observó en las variables bioquímicas: ferritina (rho=0,247, p<0,05), triglicéridos (rho=0,258, p<0,05), insulina (rho=0,284, p<0,05) e índice HOMA (rho=0,261). Asimismo, se evidenciaron menores niveles de c-HDL a menores niveles de actividad física (rho=-0,279; p<0,05). Conclusiones: el tiempo sedentario (minutos sentado/semana) reportado por los sujetos, se correlacionó de manera positiva con los niveles de ferritina así como con la resistencia a la insulina y los marcadores de riesgo cardiovascular. Los depósitos de hierro corporales estimados como ferritina sérica, al relacionarse con parámetros de sedentarismo, se comportan como un potencial marcador de riesgo cardiovascular.

Objective: to evaluate the correlation between serum ferritin and cardiovascular risk markers with the time of self-reported physical activity and sedentary life style in apparently healthy men. Methods: we included 69 men from three private and public companies in the metropolitan area of Cali, Colombia, aged between 25 and 64. The short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) was applied, and were grouped in four categories of physical activity: 1. Minutes of intense physical activity (IFA)/week.2. Minutes of moderate physical activity (MFA)/week. 3. Minutes of walk/week. 4. Minutes of sitting/day. Cardiovascular risk markers were defined based on the criteria of the ATP-III and the International Diabetes Federation. Results: positive correlations were found in subjects who self-reported more time in sedentary activities according to the IPAQ category (average minutes sitting/day) in anthropometric indicators: percentage of body fat (rho = 0.249, p <0.05), mass index (rho = 0.268, p <0.05) and waist circumference (rho = 0.266, p <0.05). This same behavior was observed in biochemical variables: ferritin (rho = 0.247, p <0.05), triglycerides (rho = 0.258, p <0.05), insulin (rho = 0.284, p <0.05) and HOMA index (rho = 0.261). Also, lower levels of HDL-C were evidenced with lower levels of physical activity (rho =- 0.279, P <0.05). Conclusions: sedentary time (minutes sitting/week) reported by the subjects correlated positively with ferritin levels as well as with insulin resistance and cardiovascular risk markers. The body iron deposits estimated as serum ferritin, when related to sedentary lifestyle parameters, behave as a potential marker of cardiovascular risk.

Body iron stores as predictors of insulin resistance in apparently healthy urban Colombian men.

The aim of this study was to evaluate body iron stores as predictors of insulin resistance. We developed a cross-sectional study among 123 men, 25-64 years of age and determined fasting plasma glucose, insulin, serum ferritin, and C-reactive protein levels. A survey was performed to record personal antecedents and family history of non-transmissible chronic diseases. Log-transformed ferritin levels was an independent predictor for log-transformed insulin resistance index assessed by homeostatic model assessment when body mass index or waist circumference were not included in multiple linear regression models. Sedentarism, heart attack family history, and log-C reactive protein levels were also significant predictors for insulin resistance. In conclusion, documented anthropometric predictors affect the significance of ferritin as a potential prediction variable for insulin resistance. Mechanisms of how body fat could influence ferritin levels should be evaluated. To our knowledge, this is the first evaluation of the relationship between body iron stores and insulin resistance in a Latin American population.

[Lack of relationship of physical activity level with cardiovascular risk factors and metabolic syndrome in apparently healthy men]. / Falta de relación entre el nivel de actividad física con marcadores de riesgo cardiovascular y síndrome metabólico en hombres aparentemente sanos.

BACKGROUND: The World Health Report 2002 estimated that sedentary is one of the main 10 causes of morbidity and mortality and the proportion of people whose health is at risk due to sedentary life is approximately 60%. OBJECTIVE: To assess the relationship of the physical activity level with cardiovascular risk factors and metabolic syndrome in 61 healthy men. METHODS: The short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) recommended by the World Health Organization was used as a valid measure to estimate two categories of physical activity, such as: low level (insufficient and sedentary) and vigorous level (moderate and very active). Cardiovascular risk factors and metabolic syndrome were defined according to criteria of the National Cholesterol Education Program of the United States and International Diabetes Federation respectively. Serum levels of C-reactive protein and ferritin were also measured, and insulin sensitivity was estimated by the Homeostatic Model Assessment-Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR). RESULTS: Mean age of study population was 47.1 ± 6.9 years. 17 participants (28%) had metabolic syndrome. There were no differences between the categories of low and vigorous level physical activity, or relationship with total physical activity (MET × week). No association was seen between low levels of physical activity and metabolic syndrome criteria. CONCLUSIONS: The high prevalence of physical inactivity found in study participants using the IPAQ questionnaire was not associated to cardiovascular risk factors and metabolic syndrome.

Falta de relación entre el nivel de actividad física con marcadores de riesgo cardiovascular y síndrome metabólico en hombres aparentemente sanos / Lack of relationship of physical activity level with cardiovascular risk factors and metabolic syndrome in apparently healthy men

Antecedentes El Informe Mundial de la Salud de 2002 estimó que el sedentarismo es una de las principales diez causas de morbilidad y mortalidad y la proporción de las personas cuya salud está en riesgo debido a la vida sedentaria es de aproximadamente 60%.ObjetivoEvaluar la relación de el nivel de actividad física con factores de riesgo cardiovascular y el síndrome metabólico en 61 hombres sanos. Métodos La versión corta del cuestionario de la International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), recomendado por la Organización Mundial de la Salud, fue utilizado como una medida válida para estimar dos categorías de actividad física, como son: nivel bajo (insuficiente y sedentarios) y nivel vigoroso (moderado y muy activa). Factores de riesgo cardiovascular y síndrome metabólico se definió de acuerdo con los criterios del National Cholesterol Education Program de los Estados Unidos y el International Diabetes Federation, respectivamente. Los niveles séricos de proteína C-reactiva y la ferritina también fueron medidos, y la sensibilidad a la insulina se calculó mediante la evaluación del modelo de la resistencia a la insulina (HOMA-IR).Resultados La media de edad de la población de estudio fue de 47.1±6.9 años. 17 participantes (28%) tuvieron síndrome metabólico. No hubo diferencias entre las categorías de actividad física nivel bajo y nivel vigoroso, o la relación con la actividad física total (MET×semana). No se observó asociación entre los niveles bajos de actividad física y los criterios de síndrome metabólico. Conclusiones La alta prevalencia de inactividad física en los participantes del estudio con el cuestionario IPAQ no se asoció a factores de riesgo cardiovascular y síndrome metabólico (AU)

Background: The World Health Report 2002 estimated that sedentary is one of the main 10causes of morbidity and mortality and the proportion of people whose health is at risk due to sedentary life is approximately 60%.Objective: To assess the relationship of the physical activity level with cardiovascular riskfactors and metabolic syndrome in 61 healthy men. Methods: The short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) recommended by the World Health Organization was used as a valid measure to estimate two categories of physical activity, such as: low level (insufficient and sedentary) and vigorous level (moderate and very active). Cardiovascular risk factors and metabolic syndrome we redefined according to criteria of the National Cholesterol Education Program of the United States and International Diabetes Federation respectively. Serum levels of C-reactive protein and ferritin were also measured, and insulin sensitivity was estimated by the Homeostatic ModelAssessment-Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR).Results: Mean age of study population was 47.1±6.9 years. 17 participants (28%) had metabolic syndrome. There were no differences between the categories of low and vigorous level physical activity, or relationship with total physical activity (MET week). No association was seen between low levels of physical activity and metabolic syndrome criteria. Conclusions: The high prevalence of physical inactivity found in study participants using the IPAQ questionnaire was not associated to cardiovascular risk factors and metabolic syndrome (AU)