Leptin, soluble leptin receptor, lipid profiles, and LEPR gene polymorphisms in Thai children and adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationships between leptin, soluble leptin receptor, lipid profiles, and LEPR gene polymorphisms in child and adolescent Thai subjects. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study of Thai children and adolescents. SUBJECTS: 116 male and 65 female at risk for overweight/overweight child and adolescent Thai subjects, and 33 male and 62 female healthy child and adolescent Thai subjects (age: 5-19 years). MEASUREMENTS: Leptin levels, soluble leptin receptor levels, lipid profiles, LEPR gene polymorphisms. RESULTS: Significantly higher levels of cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and leptin levels were observed in at risk for overweight/overweight group. On the other hand, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and soluble leptin receptor levels were significantly lower in the same group. Serum soluble leptin receptor levels were significantly negatively correlated with leptin. The at risk for overweight/overweight subjects with the Lys656Lys homozygous wild type LEPR gene had significantly higher cholesterol and LDL-C levels than those with Lys656Asn heterozygous and Asn656Asn homozygous mutant type. In contrast, subjects with Lys656Lys homozygous wild type had significantly lower leptin levels than those with Lys656Asn heterozygous and Asn656Asn homozygous mutant type. There was a statistically significant association between body mass index (BMI) and hyperleptinemia (odds ratio; OR = 2.49, p = 0.000) and females had more increased risk of hyperleptinemia than males (OR = 15.74, p = 0.004) in adolescent Thai subjects. CONCLUSION: The present study is the first report of Lys656Asn polymorphism of the LEPR gene associated with cholesterol, LDL-C, and leptin levels in Thai children and adolescents. Serum leptin levels were significantly higher in the at risk for overweight/overweight. In contrast, there were significantly lower soluble leptin receptor levels in the same group. In addition, there was a statistically significant association between BMI, sex, and hyperleptinemia in adolescent Thai subjects.

The genetic association between alpha-2-macroglobulin (A2M) gene deletion polymorphism and low serum A2M concentration in overweight/obese Thais.

The study subjects were 192 overweight and obese Thais (BMI > 25.00 kg/m2), and 103 Thai controls (BMI = 18.50-24.99 kg/m2), whose ages ranged from 18-60 years. All subjects were evaluated for serum Alpha-2-macroglobulin (A2M), globulin, albumin concentration, and polymorphic variation in the A2M gene. Serum A2M and albumin were significantly lower in the overweight/obese group (P < 0.05). For the overweight/obese and control group, the median ages were 38 and 37 years, serum A2M 200.2; 252.0 (mg/L), albumin 4.4; 4.5 (g/dL), and globulin 3.0; 2.95 (g/dL), respectively. A2M deletion polymorphism genotyping showed no association between A2M deletion polymorphism and the two groupings. At serum A2M concentration < 250 mg/L, there was no relationship between A2M deletion polymorphism and age. Serum A2M had a significant negative correlation with age in all subjects (R = 0.09, P < 0.05). The results did not support the hypothesis that A2M deletion polymorphism is associated with a low A2M concentration in overweight/obese subjects. However, serum A2M had a significant negative correlation with age; serum A2M can possibly be used to indicate the aging of cells in vivo, including the brain. Further studies are needed to investigate other A2M genes located on chromosome 12 to prove A2M gene polymorphism's association with low serum A2M and aging.

Relationship between soluble leptin receptor, leptin, lipid profiles and anthropometric parameters in overweight and obese Thai subjects.

Median, range and 95% confidence interval (CI) for median of age, anthropometric variables, soluble leptin receptor, serum leptin and lipid profile levels of 48 overweight (Body mass index (BMI) = 25.00-29.99 kg/m2) and obese (BMI > or = 30. 00 kg/m2) Thai males and 166 overweight and obese Thai females, compared with 26 males and 81 females in a control group (BMI = 18.50-24.99 kg/m2), were determined The study subjects were persons who turned up regularly for physical check-ups at the Out-patient Department, General Practice Section, Ratchawithi Hospital, Bangkok, aged between 18-60 years. Serum leptin, triglyceride and low density lipoprotein cholesterol/high density lipoprotein cholesterol ratios (LDL-C/ HDL-C ratio) were significantly higher in the overweight and obese males and females. Soluble leptin receptor and HDL-C were significantly lower in the overweight and obese males and females. Cholesterol and LDL-C were significantly higher in the overweight and obese females, but there was no significant difference in the overweight and obese males when compared with the control males. Low soluble leptin receptor levels were found in 38.1% (8/21) of the overweight and obese males, while 31.5% (29/92) were found in the overweight and obese females. Elevated leptin levels were found in 66.7% (32/48) and 89.8% (149/166) of the overweight and obese males and females, respectively. Both low soluble leptin receptor levels and elevated leptin levels were found in 9.5% (2/21) and 29.4% (27/92) of the overweight and obese males and females, respectively. A significant positive correlation was found between soluble leptin receptor and cholesterol, and between weight, BMI, waist, hip and HDL-C, with leptin. Serum soluble leptin receptor levels were significantly negatively correlated with leptin and BMI. The results can elucidate the causes and consequences of obesity, and are expected to aid the provision of care for overweight and obese Thai people.

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) polymorphism (C677T) in relation to homocysteine concentration in overweight and obese Thais.

We analyzed the association between MTHFR (C677T) gene polymorphism with serum concentrations of homocysteine, folate, and vitamin B12 in 37 male and 112 female overweight/ obese Thai volunteers (BMI > or = 25.00 kg/m2), and compared them with 23 male and 90 female control subjects (BMI = 18.5-24.99 kg/m2). Statistically significant higher levels of serum homocysteine were found in the overweight/obese subjects than the control subjects (p < 0.05). Serum folic acid levels in the overweight/obese subjects were significantly lower than the control subjects (p < 0.05). When the data were grouped according to homocysteine concentration and MTHFR gene polymorphism, there were significantly higher homocysteine concentrations in the overweight/obese subjects than the control subjects in wild type gene polymorphism (CC) in the hyperhomocysteine group (homocysteine >10.0 mmol/l) (p < 0.05), but in genotype polymorphism (CC, CT, TT) there were lower folic acid and vitamin B12 concentrations in the overweight/obese subjects than in the control subjects. In the hyperhomocysteine groups, there was no significant difference in the frequencies of MTHFR (C677T) gene polymorphism between the overweight/obese subjects and the control subjects. Folic acid and gene polymorphism were found to be significantly related to the overweight/ obese and control groups in logistic regression analysis (p < 0.05). The results support the supposition that folic acid is more important than vitamin B12.

Relationship of tobacco smoking with serum vitamin B12, folic acid and haematological indices in healthy adults.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effects of tobacco smoking on serum vitamin B12, folic acid and haematological parameters in healthy Thai smokers and non-smokers. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study of smokers and non-smokers in a military unit in Bangkok, Thailand. SETTING: A military unit in Thailand. SUBJECTS: One hundred and twenty-three male smokers from a military unit in Bangkok, who participated voluntarily in the study, were investigated. Sixty-six male non-smokers from the same unit were selected as controls. Fasting blood samples were collected for investigation of vitamin B12, folic acid and haematological variables. RESULTS: The serum folic acid concentration of smokers was lower than that of non-smokers, but was not statistically significantly different. Haemoglobin was lower in smokers than in non-smokers; 16.3% of smokers were anaemic compared with only 3.0% of non-smokers. Anaemia was not related to folate deficiency. The white blood cell count was found to be higher in smokers than in non-smokers. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that there were low serum folic acid concentrations in smokers compared with non-smokers, which might contribute to the development of vascular and cardiovascular diseases. The higher white blood cell count might be indicative alterations in the immune functions of smokers.

Serum copper, zinc, ceruloplasmin and superoxide dismutase in Thai overweight and obese.

The serum copper, selenium, ceruloplasmin, superoxide dismutase (SOD) (specific activities of antioxidant enzymes), anthropometric measurements, including waist/hip ratio 51 male and 190 female overweight subjects (body mass index (BMI) > or = 25.0 kg/m2) compared with a 26 male and 83 female control group (BMI = 18.5-24.9 kg/m2) Thai volunteers who attended the Out-patient Department, General Practice Section, Rajvithi Hospital, Bangkok, for a physical check-up from March to October, 1998, were investigated. There was no age difference between the overweight group and the controls. All of the anthropometric variables, except the height of the overweight group, were significantly higher than those of the normal subjects. The medians of weight and waist/hip ratio of overweight and obese males were significantly higher than those of overweight and obese females. Serum ceruloplasmin, copper were statistically significantly higher in overweight subjects than in the controls. However, serum zinc and superoxide dismutase activity in the overweight group were found to be lower than in the control group. Higher serum ceruloplasmin, copper, zinc and superoxide dismutase activity were shown in the female overweight group than in the male overweight group. Ceruloplasmin was found to correlate positively with copper concentration but negatively related with superoxide dismutase enzyme activity. A negative correlation was found between serum copper and zinc concentrations in both sexes of the overweight and obese subjects. Low SOD activity found in the overweight and obese subjects might be caused by low zinc intake.

The relationships between anthropometric measurements, serum vitamin A and E concentrations and lipid profiles in overweight and obese subjects.

The weight, height, body mass index (BMI), waist/hip ratio, serum retinol and alpha-tocopherol and lipid profiles of 16 overweight (BMI > or = 25.0 kg/m2) Thai males and 56 overweight females, compared with 14 males and 58 females in a control group (BMI 18.5-24.9 kg/m2), were investigated. Subjects for the study were those persons who turned up regularly for physical check-up at the Outpatient Department, General Practice Section of Rajvithi Hospital, Bangkok. The study was conducted between December 2000-March 2001. Higher levels of cholesterol, LDL-C, LDL-C/HDL-C ratio were found in the overweight compared with the control subjects. Statistically significant higher triglyceride levels were found in the overweight compared with the control subjects. The median serum retinol concentration in overweight subjects was 2.80 mumol/L (range 0.53-4.62 mumol/L) compared with 2.97 mumol/L (range 1.21-4.12 mumol/L) in control subjects (p = 0.0736). The median serum alpha-tocopherol concentration in overweight subjects was 17.30 mumol/L (range 6.29-28.65 mumol/L) compared with 18.75 mumol/L (range 5.30-30.28 mumol/L) in control subjects (P < 0.05). The median values of retinol and alpha-tocopherol serum concentrations in the overweight and obese males were lower than those of the overweight and obese females. A total of 6.3% (1 out of 16) and 12.5% (2 out of 16) of the overweight/obese males had decreased retinol and alpha-tocopherol levels, while the overweight/obese females had decreased retinol and alpha-tocopherol level of 1.8% (1 out of 56) and 10.7% (6 out of 56), respectively. A total of 12.5% and 39.3% of the overweight/obese males and females had cholesterol concentrations of > or = 6.48 mmol/l. However, the prevalence of low HDL-C (HDL-C < or = 0.91 mmol/l) was found to be 50% in the overweight and obese males and 10.7% in the overweight and obese females. Statistically significant associations were found between age, cholesterol, LDL-C, and serum alpha-tocopherol in the overweight and obese male and female subjects. A negative correlation was found between weight, BMI, AC, MAMC, hip circumference and serum retinol in both the overweight and obese subjects. A negative correlation was found between weight, BMI, MAMC, waist, hip circumferences and serum alpha-tocopherol in both the overweight and obese subjects.

Serum homocysteine, B12 and folic acid concentration in Thai overweight and obese subjects.

This study investigated levels of serum homocysteine, vitamin B12, folic acid, vitamin B6 and vitamin C, in 37 male and 112 female overweight and obese Thai volunteers (body mass index; BMI > or = 25.00), and 23 male and 90 female normal-weight Thai volunteers, who came for a physical check-up at the Out-patient Department, General Practice Section, Rajvithi Hospital, Bangkok from March to October of 2000. Data included anthropometric measurements and waist/hip ratios. All anthropometric variables, except height, were significantly higher for the overweight subjects than for the normal subjects. Statistically significantly higher levels of serum homocysteine were found in the overweight subjects. Serum homocysteine concentrations in overweight and obese males were significantly higher than in overweight and obese females. Serum folic acid and vitamin C in the overweight and obese were found to be statistically significantly lower than in the control subjects. No statistically significant difference in vitamin B12 was found in the overweight and obese subjects compared with the normal control subjects. The medians of serum folic acid and vitamin C concentrations for the overweight and obese males were significantly lower than those of the overweight and obese females. A negative correlation was found between serum folic acid and homocysteine concentrations in all overweight and obese subjects. A significant negative correlation between serum folic acid and vitamin B6 was observed in both male and female overweight and obese subjects. The results of the investigation suggest that homocysteine levels in overweight and obese subjects seem to be caused by insufficient dietary folic acid intake and probably not by B12 deficiency.

Antioxidant enzyme levels in the erythrocytes of riboflavin-deficient and Trichinella spiralis-infected rats.

The erythrocyte antioxidant enzyme levels of catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) of riboflavin-deficient and Trichinella spiralis-infected rats were investigated. The rats were deprived of riboflavin at the 8th week of the experiment. At that time, the erythrocyte glutathione reductase activity coefficient (EGR AC), as an indicator of riboflavin status, was > or = 1.30 in rats fed a riboflavin-deficient diet and T. spiralis-infected rats fed a riboflavin-deficient diet showed no biochemical sign of riboflavin deficiency. At the 12th week of the experiment, the levels of catalase, SOD and GSH-Px were significantly lower in the riboflavin-deficient, T. spiralis-infected, and combined riboflavin-deficient and T. spiralis-infected, rats, compared to the control group. This may have been due to an increase in free oxygen radicals caused by riboflavin deficiency and parasitic infection.

The effect of cigarette smoking on ceruloplasmin and C3 complement: risk of cardiovascular disease (atherosclerosis).

Serum ceruloplasmin, C3 complement and albumin in 119 male smokers and 65 male non-smoker; from a military unit in Bangkok were investigated in this study. The serum ceruloplasmin concentration was found to be significantly higher in smokers than in non-smokers. However, the serum albumin concentration in smokers was statistically significantly lower than in non-smokers. Significant associations were also found between ages, albumin levels and the quantity of cigarettes smoked. There was a significant positive correlation between serum ceruloplasmin and C3 complement concentrations. An association between the quantity of cigarettes smoked and albumin was also found, as well as a significant relationship between smoking and the quantities of cigarettes smoked to serum ceruloplasmin levels when smoking and the quantity of cigarettes smoked were taken as independent variables, and the serum ceruloplasmin levels as a dependent variable. This might suggest that high concentrations of the acute-phase protein, i.e. ceruloplasmin, might constitute a risk of developing atherosclerosis or cardiovascular disease in smokers.

B vitamins, vitamin C and hematological measurements in overweight and obese Thais in Bangkok.

The dynamic changes of socio-economics leading to the industrialisation of countries are known to affect lifestyle and nutritional behaviours of the population. Review of the literature on the prevalence of obesity showed increasing numbers of the overweight and obese during the past decade. However, information on health and nutritional status of the obese in Thailand has not been widely publicized. This study reveals the vitamin status and hematological picture in 270 overweight and obese Thais in Bangkok, Thailand, compared with 175 normal subjects. No statistically significant differences in haemoglobin and hematocrit were observed in the overweight compared with the control subjects. The prevalence of anaemia was 9.8 per cent among male and 17.2 per cent among female overweight and obese subjects compared with 2.6 per cent and 21.2 per cent in male and female normal controls using the cut-off point of haemoglobin concentration as an indicator of anaemia. Prevalence of hypertension was exhibited in both male and female overweight and obese subjects. Even if there were no statistically significant differences in vitamin B1, B2 and B6 in overweight and obese subjects compared with the controls, high percentages of vitamin C and vitamin B2 deficiencies were observed. Vitamin B2 deficiency was detected in 19.7 per cent of overweight and obese males as well as in 28.7 per cent of overweight and obese females using glutathione reductase activity coefficient (alpha EGR) < 1.5 as the cut-off point. However, clinical signs of vitamin B2 deficiencies were rare. There was also a high percentage of vitamin C (antioxidant vitamin) deficiency in 51.5 per cent of the overweight and obese subjects and 41.7 per cent of the controls, respectively. The results suggest more attention should be paid to health study and nutritional problems for the overweight and obese population, especially concerning vitamins and oxidative stress. Further research is still needed in these aspects.