Effect of diabetes status and hyperglycemia on global DNA methylation and hydroxymethylation.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is characterized by oxidative stress that could lead to chronic micro- and macrovascular complications. We hypothesized that some of the target organ damage is mediated by oxidative alterations in epigenetic mechanisms involving DNA methylation (5mC) and DNA hydroxymethylation (5hmC). We analyzed global DNA methylation and hydroxymethylation in peripheral blood cells in well-controlled and poorly controlled patients with T2DM and compared them with healthy controls. We also analyzed microarrays of DNA methylation and gene expression of other important tissues in the context of diabetes from the GEO database repository and then compared these results with our experimental gene expression data. DNA methylation and, more importantly, DNA hydroxymethylation levels were increased in poorly controlled patients compared to well-controlled and healthy individuals. Both 5mC and 5hmC measurements were correlated with the percentage of glycated hemoglobin, indicating a direct impact of hyperglycemia on changes over the epigenome. The analysis of methylation microarrays was concordant, and 5mC levels were increased in the peripheral blood of T2DM patients. However, the DNA methylation levels were the opposite of those in other tissues, such as the pancreas, adipose tissue and skeletal muscle. We hypothesize that a process of DNA oxidation associated with hyperglycemia may explain the DNA demethylation in which the activity of ten-eleven translocation (TET) proteins is not sufficient to complete the process. High levels of glucose lead to cellular oxidation, which triggers the process of DNA demethylation aided by TET enzymes, resulting in epigenetic dysregulation of the damaged tissues.

Cardiovascular risk factors and metabolic syndrome in a population of young students from the National University of Colombia.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate prevalence and distribution of cardiovascular risk factors and Metabolic Syndrome (MS) in young individuals admitted to the National University of Colombia in Bogotá. METHODS: An analytic cross-sectional study was conducted in a sample of 249 individuals of both genders aged 15 to 20 years. A questionnaire was personally administered to collect demographic, socioeconomic, smoking, perinatal, and women's health data. Anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, and a fasting blood sample were taken. Prevalence of MS was determined and compared using criteria from several qualified institutions. RESULTS: We found a high prevalence of smoking (18.9%), arterial prehypertension (14.1%) and overweight (11.2%), 9.2% of study participants had prediabetes, and the most frequent dyslipidemia was low HDL cholesterol (13.3%). Alcoholic beverage consumption was declared by 60.6% of study terol and plasma triglyceride levels. Gestational age at birth was inversely associated with presence of low HDL cholesterol levels and high blood pressure. Prevalence of the MS varied markedly according to the definition employed: 9.2% using REGODCI (Research Group on Diabetes and Chronic Illnesses) criteria, 2% using IDF (International Diabetes Federation) criteria, and 2.4% using AHA (American Heart Association) criteria. CONCLUSION: The encountered prevalence of modifiable cardiovascular risk factors justifies promotion of therapeutic lifestyle changes among this age group in Colombia. Further harmonization of MS criteria in young individuals is needed.

Cardiovascular risk factors and metabolic syndrome in a population of young students from the National University of Colombia / Fatores de risco cardiovascular e síndrome metabólica em uma população de estudantes jovens da Universidade Nacional de Colômbia

OBJECTIVE: To estimate prevalence and distribution of cardiovascular risk factors and Metabolic Syndrome (MS) in young individuals admitted to the National University of Colombia in Bogotá. METHODS: An analytic cross-sectional study was conducted in a sample of 249 individuals of both genders aged 15 to 20 years. A questionnaire was personally administered to collect demographic, socioeconomic, smoking, perinatal, and women's health data. Anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, and a fasting blood sample were taken. Prevalence of MS was determined and compared using criteria from several qualified institutions. RESULTS: We found a high prevalence of smoking (18.9 percent), arterial prehypertension (14.1 percent) and overweight (11.2 percent), 9.2 percent of study participants had prediabetes, and the most frequent dyslipidemia was low HDL cholesterol (13.3 percent). Alcoholic beverage consumption was declared by 60.6 percent of study terol and plasma triglyceride levels. Gestational age at birth was inversely associated with presence of low HDL cholesterol levels and high blood pressure. Prevalence of the MS varied markedly according to the definition employed: 9.2 percent using REGODCI (Research Group on Diabetes and Chronic Illnesses) criteria, 2 percent using IDF (International Diabetes Federation) criteria, and 2.4 percent using AHA (American Heart Association) criteria. CONCLUSION: The encountered prevalence of modifiable cardiovascular risk factors justifies promotion of therapeutic lifestyle changes among this age group in Colombia. Further harmonization of MS criteria in young individuals is needed.

OBJETIVO: Estimar a prevalência e distribuição de fatores de risco cardiovasculares e da síndrome X metabólica (SM) em indivíduos jovens admitidos na Universidade Nacional da Colômbia, em Bogotá. MÉTODOS: Foi realizado um estudo analítico transversal em uma amostra de 249 indivíduos de ambos os sexos, com idades entre 15 e 20 anos. Um questionário foi administrado pessoalmente para recolher dados demográficos e socioeconômicos, presença ou ausência de tabagismo, características perinatais e sobre saúde da mulher. Medidas antropométricas e de pressão arterial foram realizadas, e uma amostra de sangue em jejum foi coletada. A prevalência da SM foi determinada e comparada utilizando-se os critérios de diferentes instituções especializadas. RESULTADOS: Encontramos uma alta prevalência de tabagismo (18,9 por cento), pré-hipertensão arterial (14,1 por cento) e sobrepeso (11,2 por cento); 9,2 por cento dos participantes tinham pré-diabetes, e a mais frequente dislipidemia foi baixo HDL-colesterol (13,3 por cento). Um total de 66,6 por cento dos participantes declarou consumir bebidas alcoólicas. O índice de massa corporal foi positivamente associado a aumento na pressão arterial, colesterol LDL e triglicérides plasmáticos. A idade gestacional ao nascimento foi inversamente associada a baixo HDL colesterol e à pressão arterial elevada. A prevalência de SM variou acentuadamente, de acordo com a definição empregada: 9,2 por cento segundo REGODCI (Grupo de Pesquisa em Diabetes e Doenças Crônicas), 2 por cento segundo IDF (International Diabetes Federation), e 2,4 por cento segundo AHA (American Heart Association). CONClUSÃO: A prevalência encontrada de fatores de risco cardiovasculares justifica o incentivo a mudanças de estilo de vida neste grupo etário na Colômbia. Uma maior padronização dos critérios definidores de SM em indivíduos jovens é necessária.

Reduction of global cardiovascular risk with nutritional versus nutritional plus physical activity intervention in Colombian adults.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease is a major cause of morbidity/mortality in non-developed countries. Reports of the effects of non-pharmacological interventions on global cardiovascular risk in Latin American adults, however, are scarce. OBJECTIVE: To compare the change in global cardiovascular risk induced by a tailored, Adult Treatment Panel-III compliant nutrition program versus the same program with addition of supervised, regular physical activity in Colombian adults. DESIGN: The study was a randomized, controlled trial. METHODS: Seventy-five Colombian patients aged 40-70 years and with Framingham-estimated global cardiovascular risk of 1% or higher were randomly assigned to a nutritional intervention program or a combined nutritional intervention-physical exercise program for 16 weeks. Patients underwent medical and anthropometric evaluation, bioelectrical impedance, lipid profile and Framingham global cardiovascular risk determination at baseline and at the end of follow-up. RESULTS: The groups were comparable at baseline; 21 persons in the nutritional intervention program group and 27 in the nutritional intervention-physical exercise program group completed the follow-up. Global cardiovascular risk modification (mean+/-SE) was -2.04+/-1.1 absolute percentage points (relative reduction 19.6%) in the nutritional intervention-physical exercise program group, compared with 0.23+/-0.9 (relative increase 2.8%) in the nutritional intervention program group. Mean difference in global cardiovascular risk modification between groups reached borderline statistical significance in ANCOVA (P=0.054). Reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, waist circumference and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were similar, but the nutritional intervention-physical exercise program group achieved significantly greater improvements in body weight, body mass index, percentage body fat and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that a structured nutritional intervention-physical exercise program is more efficacious than a nutritional intervention program in the reduction of global cardiovascular risk and cardiovascular risk factors, in only 16 weeks.

Obesidad y síndrome metabólico / Obesity and metabolis syndrome

El síndrome metabólico es un conjunto de alteraciones que se asocian a la resistencia a la insulina. El tejido adiposo, como órgano endocrino activo, produce varios mediadores que afectan directa e indirectamente la sensibilidad a la insulina en varios tejidos. En la presente revisión se examinan los mecanismos fisiológicos de la acción insulínica, y la forma como se pueden ver afectados por la acción de varias hormonas de origen adipocitario, incluyendo leptina, factor de necrosis tumoral alfa y adiponectina.

Orlistat y Sibutramina en el manejo del síndrome metabólico / Orlistat and Sibutramine in the management of metabolic syndrome

El incremento en la masa adipocitaria corporal se acompaña de deterioro en la sensibilidad a la insulina, y desarrollo de la constelación de alteraciones propias del síndrome metabólico. Por otra parte, la reducción en el grado de adiposidad corporal mejora notablemente estas alteraciones. Existen dos medicamentos actualmente aprobados para el manejo del sobrepeso y la obesidad: orlistat y sibutramina. En el presente artículo se revisan las principales propiedades farmacológicas y clínicas de ambas moléculas, con énfasis en su impacto sobre los componentes del síndrome metabólico.

Estado actual de los inhibidores de la enzima convertidora de angiotensina (IECA) como fármacos antihipertensivos / Present status of the converting enzyme inhibitors (Ace Inhibitors) as anti-hypertensive medications

En los últimos años se ha presentado una proliferación sin precedentes de evidencia científica acerca de la eficacia y efectividad de los fármacos antihipertensivos. Sin embargo, las publicaciones que abordan de manera global la efectividad de una familia de fármacos antihipertensivos y trazan conclusiones aplicables en la práctica clínica son escasas. En la presente revisión se hace una documentación concisa y objetiva de la efectividad y la utilidad clínica de los inhibidores de enzima convertidora de angiotensina (IECA) en el tratamiento de la hipertensión arterial, tanto en el grupo de pacientes sin circunstancias dominantes como en aquellos con circunstancias dominantes u obligantes.

Prevencion o retraso de la Diabetes tipo 2 / Prevention or delay of Diabetes type 2

La incidencia de Diabetes tipo 2 (DM2) viene aumentando a un ritmo vertiginoso, constituyendo una auténtica epidemia especialmente en población joven y en países en vía de desarrollo. Sin embargo la historia natural de la progresión a DM2 puede ser modificada mediante diferentes intervenciones, siempre y cuando se apliquen masivamente métodos de tamizaje poblacional que permitan detectar las personas con mas riesgo de desarrollar DM2. En el presente artículo se revisan los tres principales estudios de prevención de DM2 con intervención no farmacológica: El estudio de DaQing, el estudio Finlandés de Prevención de Diabetes y el Diabetes Prevention Program. Asimismo se revisan los estudios que hasta la fecha han valorado el impacto en prevención de DM2 de la intervención farmacológica con antidiabéticos orales, fármacos antiobesidad, antihipertensivos y estatinas en individuos en alto riesgo. Por último se proponen una serie de pautas sobre detección de individuos en riesgo y prevención de DM2 en la práctica clínica.