Oxidized Low-Density Lipoprotein (Ox-LDL) and Triggering Receptor-Expressed Myeloid Cell (TREM-1) Levels Are Associated with Cardiometabolic Risk in Nonobese, Clinically Healthy, and Young Adults.

Oxidative and inflammatory substances play an important role in the genesis of processes related to cardiometabolic risk. High levels of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (Ox-LDL) and of triggering receptor-expressed myeloid cells (TREM-1) are associated with cardiovascular and inflammatory diseases. In this study, we evaluate the association of the plasma concentrations of Ox-LDL and serum levels of circulating TREM-1 (sTREM-1) with the components of cardiometabolic risk (CMR) and other associated risk parameters. Although the individuals in this study were young, nonobese, and did not have signs, symptoms, and diagnosis of diseases, they already presented components of CMR. Ox-LDL lipid fraction correlated positively with CMR-related markers: body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), body fat percentage, total cholesterol, LDL-c, VLDL-c, triglycerides, atherogenic cholesterol, and atherogenic index. Among these parameters, atherogenic cholesterol had a greater predictive effect for Ox-LDL alterations. Individuals with higher serum concentrations of sTREM-1 presented higher values for BMI, WC, triglycerides, VLDL-c, and atherogenic cholesterol. WC showed an effect on the association between the sTREM-1's inflammatory response and the components of CMR. The association of oxidative and inflammatory markers with anthropometric parameters and atherogenic cholesterol in nonobese, clinically healthy, and young individuals suggests the importance of early evaluation of these markers in order to prevent future cardiac events.

Comparação entre o Índice de Massa Corporal e o percentual de gordura como indicadores do risco cardiometabólico / Body Mass Index as cardiometabolic risk indicator compared to body fat percentage

Objetivo ­ Avaliar a manifestação dos componentes do risco cardiometabólico (RCM) em adultos jovens saudáveis de acordo com o IMC e a gordura corporal. Métodos ­ Analisou-se as concentrações de glicemia de jejum, triglicérides, HDL-c, pressão arterial, circunferência da cintura, IMC, percentual de gordura corporal, além de informações sobre tabagismo e atividade física. Resultados ­ A população estudada foi composta por 163 jovens adultos com idade média de 21,5 ± 2,03 anos; sendo 74,2% mulheres. Os componentes do risco cardiometabólico mais frequentes na população estudada foram a redução da concentração de HDL-c (20,6%) e a obesidade abdominal (13,1%). O IMC apresentou melhor associação aos componentes do RCM, estando associado à obesidade abdominal (p<0,001), hiperglicemia (p=0,047), hipertrigliceridemia (p=0,001) e PAS (p<0,001). A gordura corporal associou-se a obesidade abdominal (p<0,001), hipertrigliceridemia (p=0,003) e PAS (p=0,028). Conclusão ­ Pode-se observar que apesar de clinicamente saudáveis e, predominantemente eutróficos, os adultos jovens já apresentavam alterações antropométricas, clínicas e/ou bioquímicas relativas aos componentes do RCM, e que o IMC foi o instrumento mais eficaz na detecção dos componentes do risco quando comparado a gordura corporal total.

Objective ­ To evaluate the expression of the components of cardiometabolic risk (CMR) in healthy young adults according to BMI and body fat. Methods ­ We analyzed the fasting glucose concentrations, triglycerides, HDL-c, blood pressure, waist circumference, BMI, body fat percentage, and information on smoking and physical activity. Results ­ The study population consisted of 163 young adults with an average age of 21.5 ± 2.03, from which 74.2% were women. Low HDL-c concentration (20.6%) and abdominal obesity (13.1%) were the most prevalent risk components in the studied population. BMI showed a better association with the components of CMR, being associated with abdominal obesity (p<0.001), hyperglycemia (p=0.047), hypertriglyceridemia (p=0.001) and systolic blood pressure (p<0.001). Body fat was associated to abdominal obesity (p<0.001), hypertriglyceridemia (p=0.003) and systolic blood pressure (p=0.028). Conclusion ­ Although the young adults are clinically healthy and predominantly normal weight, they already show anthropometric, clinical and/or biochemical alterations related to the components of CMR. In addition, BMI was the most effective measure in the detection of risk components when compared to total body fat

Micronutrients influencing the immune response in leprosy / Micronutrientes que influyen en la respuesta immune en la lepra

La lepra es una enfermedad infecciosa crónica causada por el Mycobacterium leprae, un bacilo intracelular de transmisión aérea. La enfermedad afecta la piel y los nervios periféricos y causa secuelas neurológicas. El bacilo se multiplica lentamente en el hospedador y posiblemente la enfermedad ocurre por el mal funcionamiento de la respuesta inmunitaria del hospedador. Esta revisión aborda el papel de algunos micronutrientes específicos en la respuesta inmunitaria, tales como las vitaminas A, D, E, C, el cinc y el selenio, detallando sus mecanismos de acción en las enfermedades infecciosas y en la lepra. La respuesta inmunitaria a los patógenos libera sustancias nocivas que producen lesión tisular. Esta revisión también aborda cómo una menor cantidad de antioxidantes puede contribuir a un aumento del estrés oxidativo y a complicaciones de las enfermedades infecciosas y la lepra. Puesto que los micronutrientes poseen un efecto regulador de la respuesta inmunitaria innata y adaptativa, es importante un equilibrio perfecto de sus concentraciones para mejorar la respuesta inmunitaria frente a los patógenos (AU)

Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae, an intracellular bacillus of airborne transmission. The disease affects the skin and peripheral nerves and can cause neurological sequelae. The bacillusmultiplies slowly in the host and the disease probably occurs due to malfunctioning in host immune response. This review addresses the role of some specific micronutrients in the immune response, such as Vitamins A, D, E, C, Zinc and Selenium, detailing their mechanisms of actions in infectious diseases, and in leprosy. The immune response to pathogens releases harmful substances, which lead to tissue damage. This review discusses how a decreased level of antioxidants may contribute to an increased oxidative stress and complications of infectious diseases and leprosy. As the nutrients have a regulatory effect in the innate and adaptative immune responses, a perfect balance in their concentrations is important to improve the immune response against the pathogens (AU)