Are the levels of uric acid associated with biometeorological conditions?

Hyperuricemia is an independent risk factor for renal and cardiovascular diseases and is closely associated with gout episodes. It is caused, inter alia, by nutritional habits and genetic factors, and also displays seasonal variability conditioned by meteorological factors. The impact of meteorological factors, including both cold and heat stress, on the human physiology is presented based on the Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI) - a biometeorological index derived from an analysis of human thermal balance. The aim of our study was to establish whether seasonal variations significantly affect routinely measured urine acid (UA) levels and could eventually support the clinical decision making process, as well as assessing whether UTCI values are correlated with UA levels in blood serum. This work presents a retrospective epidemiological study of data collected in Olsztyn (Poland). Study material comprised 54,536 results of ambulatory tests measuring UA levels, performed during the period 2016-2019. The analysis concerned correlations between UA and the ages of female and male subjects as well as existing biometeorological conditions as represented by UTCI values in an annual cycle. UA levels in females were found to be lower (4.94 ± 1.37 SD) as compared to those of males (6.13 ± 1.43 SD) and demonstrated a strong positive correlation with age. UA values differed significantly (p < 0.05) on days characterized by cold stress and heat stress, for the oldest age group. UA levels were found to differ depending on the season, but these relationships were not statistically significant, except for significantly higher UA levels in females in autumn (p < 0.001). However, there was an evident difference in population UA levels under cold stress conditions (lower) and heat stress conditions (higher) in the elderly. The UTCI is an adequate predictor of population variations in UA levels since it takes into account the variability of local meteorological conditions.

Hybrid Dietary-Blood Inflammatory Profiles and Postmenopausal Breast Cancer: A Case-Control Study.

The carcinogenesis process is associated with inflammation, which can be modified by diet. There is limited evidence regarding the inflammatory status and diet in association with breast cancer (BC). The aim of this study was to investigate the association of hybrid dietary-blood inflammatory profiles (HD-BIPs) with postmenopausal breast cancer occurrence. The case-control study was conducted among 420 women (230 controls, 190 primary BC cases) aged 40-79 years from north-eastern Poland. Blood levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and leukocyte count were marked in 129 postmenopausal women (82 controls, 47 cases). The 62-item food frequency questionnaire (FFQ-6) was used to the dietary data collection. Two HD-BIPs were found using the Principal Component Analysis (PCA). The "Pro-healthy/Neutral-inflammatory" profile was characterized by the frequent consumption of wholemeal cereals/coarse groats, legumes, vegetables, fruits, nuts/seeds and fish. The "Unhealthy/Pro-inflammatory" profile was characterized by the frequent consumption of red/processed meats, animal fats, sugar/honey/sweets, refined cereals/fine groats, and an increased concentration of CRP, IL-6 and granulocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio. The lower odds ratio (OR) of breast cancer was associated with the higher adherence to the "Pro-healthy/Neutral-inflammatory" profile (OR = 0.38; 95% Cl: 0.18-0.80; p < 0.01 for the higher level vs. lower level, crude model; OR for one-point score increment: 0.61; 95% Cl: 0.42-0.87; p < 0.01, adjusted model). The higher OR of breast cancer was associated with the higher adherence to the "Unhealthy/Pro-inflammatory" profile (OR = 3.07; 95%Cl: 1.27-7.44; p < 0.05 for the higher level v.s. lower level, adjusted model; OR for one-point score increment: 1.18; 95%Cl: 1.02-1.36; p < 0.05, adjusted model). This study revealed that the consumption of highly processed, high in sugar and animal fat foods should be avoided because this unhealthy diet was positively associated with postmenopausal breast cancer occurrence through its pro-inflammatory potential. Instead, the frequent consumption of low-processed plant foods and fish should be recommended since this pro-healthy diet was inversely associated with the cancer occurrence even though its anti-inflammatory potential has not been confirmed in this study sample.

Are the Levels of Lipid Parameters Associated with Biometeorological Conditions?

Lipid disorders, especially hypercholesterolemia, are one of the most thoroughly investigated cardiovascular risk factors. Their correlation with biometeorological conditions has been reported, with authors stressing seasonal increases of total cholesterol (TC) levels, mostly occurring in winter. This study aims at determining the correlation between the level of lipid parameters (LP) and meteorological conditions, analyzing seasonal variations in LP levels, and attempting to answer the following questions: do changes in LP levels result from the organism's response to cold or heat stress, or are they secondary to seasonal dietary variations? An observational study comprised ambulatory patients from the city of Olsztyn (Poland), for whom laboratory test were performed in 2016-2018, with 106,325 records of TC, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and triglycerides (TG). LP levels were matched with atmospheric conditions on the day when the test was conducted and expressed by the universal thermal climate index (UTCI). We demonstrated seasonal increases of TC in cold stress (in wintertime) and of TG in heat stress (summer). The analysis of LP levels in specific periods revealed the increase of TC levels after holidays (i.e., Christmas and Easter) in men by 4.56%, and the increase of TG levels in women by 13.46% in the same period. Our results suggest the secondary, diet-dependent underlying cause of the observed changes. This work contributes to the discussion concerning the impact of biometeorological factors on LP levels and may be of significance when planning population-dedicated preventive activities.

Serum 'Vitamin-Mineral' Profiles: Associations with Postmenopausal Breast Cancer Risk Including Dietary Patterns and Supplementation. A Case-Control Study.

Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer in females worldwide. Studies evaluating the blood vitamins and minerals status in the breast cancer etiology are limited, and the results are inconclusive. This study analyzed the association between serum vitamin-mineral profiles (V-MPs) and breast cancer (BC) risk with including dietary patterns (DPs) and the use of supplements. This case-control study involved 420 women aged 40-79 years from north-eastern Poland, including 190 newly diagnosed breast cancer cases. The fasting serum concentrations of vitamins (folate, cobalamin, 25(OH) vitamin D) and minerals (iron, calcium, magnesium) were measured in 129 post-menopausal women, including 82 controls and 47 cases. Three V-MPs were derived with a Principal Component Analysis (PCA). A logistic regression analysis was performed to estimate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) of the breast cancer risk associated with serum V-MPs and serum levels of single biomarkers. The risk of BC was lower by 88% (OR: 0.12; 95% Cl: 0.02-0.88; p < 0.05) in the upper tertile of the serum 'Iron-Calcium' profile compared to the bottom tertile, lower by 67% (OR: 0.33; 95% Cl: 0.11-0.97; p < 0.05) at the level of serum 25(OH) vitamin D ≥24.6 ng/mL and lower by 68% (OR: 0.32; 95% Cl: 0.11-0.91; p < 0.05) at the level of serum calcium ≥9.6 mg/dL. There was an inverse association of the serum 'Magnesium' profile or serum level of iron with the risk of BC, which disappeared after adjustment for the set of confounders accounted for: age, body mass index (BMI), socioeconomic status, overall physical activity, smoking status, age at menarche, number of full-term pregnancies, oral contraceptive use, hormone-replacement therapy use, family history of breast cancer, vitamin/mineral supplement use, the molecular subtype of breast cancer, and dietary patterns. No significant association was found between BC risk and the serum 'Folate-Cobalamin-Vitamin D' profile or serum folate, cobalamin or magnesium considered separately. These findings highlight that a higher-normal serum level of both iron and calcium, considered together as the serum profile, as well as a higher-normal serum level of calcium, considered separately, and a slightly below the normal range of serum vitamin D level may protect against breast cancer among postmenopausal women, independent of dietary patterns or the use of vitamin/mineral supplements. Therefore, the maintenance of the adequate status of vitamins and minerals and the regular monitoring of their blood markers should be included in breast cancer prevention.

Associations of Dietary Patterns and Metabolic-Hormone Profiles with Breast Cancer Risk: A Case-Control Study.

Breast cancer is the most diagnosed cancer in women worldwide. Studies regarding complex breast cancer aetiology are limited and the results are inconclusive. We investigated the associations between dietary patterns (DPs), metabolic-hormone profiles (M-HPs), and breast cancer risk. This case-control study involved 420 women aged 40⁻79 years from north-eastern Poland, including 190 newly-diagnosed breast cancer cases. The serum concentration of lipid components, glucose, and hormones (oestradiol, progesterone, testosterone, prolactin, cortisol, insulin) was marked in 129 post-menopausal women (82 controls, 47 cases). The food frequency consumption was collected using a validated 62-item food frequency questionnaire. A posteriori DPs or M-HPs were derived with a Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Three DPs: 'Non-Healthy', 'Prudent', and 'Margarine and Sweetened Dairy' and two M-HPs: 'Metabolic-Syndrome' and 'High-Hormone' were identified. The 'Polish-adapted Mediterranean Diet' ('Polish-aMED') score was calculated. The risk of breast cancer risk was three-times higher (odds ratio (OR): 2.90; 95% confidence interval (95% Cl): 1.62⁻5.21; p < 0.001) in the upper tertile of the 'Non-Healthy' pattern (reference: bottom tertile) and five-times higher (OR: 5.34; 95% Cl: 1.84⁻15.48; p < 0.01) in the upper tertile of the 'High-Hormone' profile (reference: bottom tertile). There was a positive association of 'Metabolic-Syndrome' profile and an inverse association of 'Polish-aMED' score with the risk of breast cancer, which disappeared after adjustment for confounders. No significant association between 'Prudent' or 'Margarine and Sweetened Dairy' DPs and cancer risk was revealed. Concluding, a pro-healthy diet is insufficient to reduce the risk of breast cancer in peri- and postmenopausal women. The findings highlight the harmful effect of the 'High-Hormone' profile and the 'Non-Healthy' dietary pattern on breast cancer risk. In breast cancer prevention, special attention should be paid to decreasing the adherence to the 'Non-Healthy' pattern by reducing the consumption of highly processed food and foods with a high content of sugar and animal fat. There is also a need to monitor the concentration of multiple sex hormones in the context of breast cancer risk.

The effect of subcutaneous methotrexate on markers of metabolic syndrome in psoriatic patients - preliminary report.

INTRODUCTION: Methotrexate (MTX) has anti-proliferative and anti-inflammatory effects in psoriasis. Moreover, low doses can reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. It turns out that psoriasis and atherosclerosis have a similar pathogenetic mechanism: the same pro-inflammatory cytokines, Th1 and Th17, are involved in both diseases. AIM: To evaluate the effects of metabolic markers, protective cytokines (interleukin 10 (IL-10), transforming growth factor ß (TGF-ß)) and a marker of endothelial damage (endocan) in patients with plaque psoriasis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 24 patients aged 27-69 years (9 female, 15 male) with plaque psoriasis. The metabolic syndrome according to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) was evaluated. The laboratory tests were performed under fasting conditions: C-reactive protein (CRP), glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), uric acid, endocan, IL-10, and TGF-ß. After 12 weeks of treatment with MTX injections 15 mg/week, every patient was assessed with the same laboratory tests. RESULTS: After treatment we observed a statistically significant increase of endocan and IL-10, but no significant differences in the titer of TGF-ß. C-reactive protein was reduced by approximately 54.7%. No improvement of lipid profile was observed, and even a significant increase in triglycerides was noted. Similarly, no significant difference was seen in the case of glucose and uric acid prior to and after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Methotrexate in low doses in short-term treatment decreases CRP (anti-inflammatory effect) and increases endocan and IL-10 (potential protective role). Methotrexate is characterized by good efficacy and tolerability in therapy of patients with psoriasis.