Acute modification in plasma lipid levels in ultramarathon runners.

We aimed to evaluate the effects of a 24-h ultramarathon, an aerobic test of high physical load, on lipid profile and apolipoproteins B (ApoB) and A1 (ApoA1) levels, minimally modified low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and oxidised LDL. Prospective evaluation of 16 male athletes who participated in an ultramarathon run, where the objective was to run the greatest distance possible in 24 h. Fourteen participants completed the run. The mean distance achieved was 133.1 km (maximum of 169.6 km). There was a trend in reduction of triglycerides and total cholesterol (P = 0.06 and 0.05, respectively), without significant modifications in high-density lipoprotein, LDL and ApoA1 levels (P = 0.16; 0.55 and 0.67). There was a marked reduction in ApoB levels (P < 0.001), correlated directly to the distance covered (Pearson R = 0.68). Accordingly, an increase in the LDL/ApoB ratio was observed. The stress of this physical activity was not associated to an increase in minimally modified LDL or oxidised LDL. Lipid profile levels were not acutely altered by prolonged physical activity. Similarly, there was no evidence of greater oxidation of LDL over a 24-h period of physical activity. The reduction in ApoB was directly proportional to the distance covered, suggesting an acute positive change in phenotype of LDL molecules.

Avaliação da aterosclerose subclínica e de níveis plasmáticos de LDL minimamente modificada em pacientes com espondilite anquilosante e sua correlação com a atividade da doença / Evaluation of sub-clinical atherosclerosis and plasma levels of minimally modified LDL in patients with ankylosing spondylitis and its correlation with disease activity

INTRODUÇÃO: A aterosclerose acelerada foi demonstrada em algumas doenças autoimunes, principalmente lúpus eritematoso sistêmico e artrite reumatóide. Embora a alta prevalência do uso de corticosteróides possa ser um fator complicador, por causa de seus efeitos prejudiciais em diversos fatores de risco, acredita-se que, nesses pacientes, a inflamação sistêmica per se desempenhe papel importante na aterogênese. MÉTODOS: Avaliamos a aterosclerose subclínica e os níveis plasmáticos de LDL eletronegativa circulante em pacientes com espondilite anquilosante (EA). Catorze pacientes que atendiam aos critérios de Nova York modificados para EA foram comparados com 13 controles equiparados. Avaliamos a espessura da íntima-média (EIM) na carótida por ultrassonografia bilateral da artéria carótida comum, artéria carótida interna e na bifurcação. Os grupos foram homogêneos, no que tange a fatores de risco cardiovasculares. Apenas um paciente no grupo de EA estava sendo medicado com corticosteróide. RESULTADOS: A presença de inflamação ativa foi demonstrada por BASDAI elevado e níveis mais elevados de PCR em pacientes versus controles (12,36 vs. 3,45 mg/dl, P=0,002). Não observamos diferença na EIM da carótida entre os dois grupos, em qualquer local da artéria. A média de EIM (6 mensurações em 3 locais pré-especificados, bilateralmente) foi 0,72 ± 0,28 no grupo de EA e 0,70 ± 0,45 mm nos controles (P=0,91). Também não observamos diferença significativa na LDL minimamente modificada entre pacientes e controles (14,03 ± 17,40 vs. 13,21 ± 10,21; P=0,88). CONCLUSÕES: Pacientes com EA não demonstraram aumento na EIM da carótida, em comparação com controles. Do mesmo modo, os níveis plasmáticos circulantes de LDL(-) não diferiram significativamente nos dois grupos.

INTRODUCTION: Accelerated atherosclerosis has been shown in some autoimmune diseases, mainly in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Rheumatoid Arthritis. Although high prevalence of corticosteroids use may be a confounding factor due to their detrimental effects on several risk factors, systemic inflammation per se is supposed to play an important role in atherogenesis in these patients. METHODS: We have evaluated sub-clinical atherosclerosis and plasma levels of circulating electronegative LDL, which represents the fraction of LDL that is minimally modified, in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Fourteen patients who fulfilled the modified New York criteria for AS were compared with 13 paired controls. Carotid intimal-media thickness (IMT) was assessed by ultrasonography bilaterally in common carotid artery, internal carotid artery and in the bifurcation. Groups were homogeneous regarding cardiovascular risk factors. Only a single patient in AS group was in use of corticosteroid. RESULTS: The presence of active inflammation was demonstrated by elevated BASDAI and higher CRP levels and in patients versus controls (12.36 vs. 3.45 mg/dl, P = 0.002). No difference was found in carotid IMT between both groups, in any site of artery. Averaged IMT (6 measurements, at 3 pre-specified sites bilaterally) was 0.72 ± 0.28 in AS group and 0.70 ± 0.45 mm in controls (P = 0.91). Minimally modified LDL did not differ significantly either between patients and controls (14.03 ± 17.40 vs. 13.21 ± 10.21; P = 0.88). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with AS did not show increased carotid IMT in comparison to controls. In the same way, circulating plasma levels of LDL (-), did not differ significantly in both groups.

Evaluation of sub-clinical atherosclerosis and plasma levels of minimally modified LDL in patients with ankylosing spondylitis and its correlation with disease activity.

INTRODUCTION: Accelerated atherosclerosis has been shown in some autoimmune diseases, mainly in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Rheumatoid Arthritis. Although high prevalence of corticosteroids use may be a confounding factor due to their detrimental effects on several risk factors, systemic inflammation per se is supposed to play an important role in atherogenesis in these patients. METHODS: We have evaluated sub-clinical atherosclerosis and plasma levels of circulating electronegative LDL, which represents the fraction of LDL that is minimally modified, in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Fourteen patients who fulfilled the modified New York criteria for AS were compared with 13 paired controls. Carotid intimal-media thickness (IMT) was assessed by ultrasonography bilaterally in common carotid artery, internal carotid artery and in the bifurcation. Groups were homogeneous regarding cardiovascular risk factors. Only a single patient in AS group was in use of corticosteroid. RESULTS: The presence of active inflammation was demonstrated by elevated BASDAI and higher CRP levels and in patients versus controls (12.36 vs. 3.45 mg/dl, P = 0.002). No difference was found in carotid IMT between both groups, in any site of artery. Averaged IMT (6 measurements, at 3 pre-specified sites bilaterally) was 0.72 ± 0.28 in AS group and 0.70 ± 0.45 mm in controls (P = 0.91). Minimally modified LDL did not differ significantly either between patients and controls (14.03 ± 17.40 vs. 13.21 ± 10.21; P = 0.88). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with AS did not show increased carotid IMT in comparison to controls. In the same way, circulating plasma levels of LDL (-), did not differ significantly in both groups.

[Arterial pressure monitoring in offspring of hypertensive individuals at a day-care center]. / Monitorização ambulatorial da pressão arterial em filhos de hipertensos.

OBJECTIVE: This study intended to evaluate blood pressure monitoring (BPM) data in young hypertensive offspring. METHODS: We evaluated 31 students, of ages ranging from 17 to 25 years, whose parents (one or both) were being treated for hypertension (group I) and 30 normotensive subjects, whose parents were not hypertensive (group II). Epidemiological data were collected from all participants and the blood pressure (BP) measurements obtained by BPM were compared. RESULTS: There were no statistical differences between both groups when mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) (p=0.195) and mean diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (p=0.958); SBP decrease (p=0.61) and DBP decrease (p=0.289); SBP variability (p=0.24) and DBP variability (p=0.497) were compared. There were statistical differences, when pulse pressures (42.74 mmHg in group I and 45.53 in group II) and in the minimum SBP during the awake period (85.00 mmHg in group I and 90.27 mmHg in group II, p=0.048) were compared. Both parameters were higher in the group whose parents were not hypertensive individuals. CONCLUSION: In this population, there were statistical differences in pulse pressure and in minimum SBP during the awake period, being higher in the group whose parents were not hypertensive. There were no differences between the two groups in the other parameters analyzed.

Monitorização ambulatorial da pressão arterial em filhos de hipertensos / Arterial pressure monitoring in offspring of hypertensive individuals at a day-care center

OBJETIVO: O objetivo deste trabalho é estudar o comportamento da pressão arterial através da monitorização ambulatorial da pressão arterial (MAPA) em jovens normotensos que possuam história familiar de hipertensão. MÉTODOS: Foram avaliados pela MAPA 31 universitários normotensos, com idade entre 17 e 25 anos, cujos pais (ambos ou um deles) estivessem sendo tratados por hipertensão arterial (grupo I) e 30 indivíduos, também normotensos, cujos pais não apresentavam diagnóstico de HAS - hipertensão arterial sistêmica (grupo II). Todos os participantes tiveram dados epidemiológicos coletados e os valores de pressão arterial (PA) obtidos pela MAPA foram comparados. RESULTADOS: Não houve diferença estatística entre os grupos estudados quanto à análise das médias de PA sistólica (PAS) (p=0,195) e diastólica (PAD) (p=0,958), descenso noturno da PAS (p=0,61) e da PAD (p=0,289) e variabilidade da PAS (p=0,24) e da PAD (p=0,497). Houve significância estatística na comparação da pressão de pulso (42,74 mmHg no grupo I e 45,53 mmHg no grupo II, p=0,032) e da PAS mínima na vigília (85,00 mmHg no grupo I e 90,27 mmHg no grupo II, p=0,048). Ambos os parâmetros mencionados foram maiores nos filhos de normotensos. CONCLUSÃO: Na população estudada, houve diferença estatística significativa na pressão de pulso e PAS mínima na vigília, sendo maior nos filhos de normotensos. Os demais parâmetros da MAPA não apresentaram diferença significativa entre os grupos.

OBJECTIVE: This study intended to evaluate blood pressure monitoring (BPM) data in young hypertensive offspring. METHODS: We evaluated 31 students, of ages ranging from 17 to 25 years, whose parents (one or both) were being treated for hypertension (group I) and 30 normotensive subjects, whose parents were not hypertensive (group II). Epidemiological data were collected from all participants and the blood pressure (BP) measurements obtained by BPM were compared. RESULTS: There were no statistical differences between both groups when mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) (p=0.195) and mean diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (p=0.958); SBP decrease (p=0.61) and DBP decrease (p=0.289); SBP variability (p=0.24) and DBP variability (p=0.497) were compared. There were statistical differences, when pulse pressures (42.74 mmHg in group I and 45.53 in group II) and in the minimum SBP during the awake period (85.00 mmHg in group I and 90.27 mmHg in group II, p=0.048) were compared. Both parameters were higher in the group whose parents were not hypertensive individuals. CONCLUSION: In this population, there were statistical differences in pulse pressure and in minimum SBP during the awake period, being higher in the group whose parents were not hypertensive. There were no differences between the two groups in the other parameters analyzed.