Low HDL-C/ApoA-I index is associated with cardiometabolic risk factors and coronary artery calcium: a sub-analysis of the genetics of atherosclerotic disease (GEA) study.

BACKGROUND: The high-density lipoprotein cholesterol to apolipoprotein A-I index (HDL-C/ApoA-I) may be practical and useful in clinical practice as a marker of atherosclerosis. This study aimed to investigate the association between the HDL-C/ApoA-I index with cardiometabolic risk factors and subclinical atherosclerosis. METHODS: In this cross-sectional sub-analysis of the GEA study, 1,363 individuals, women (51.3%) and men (48.7%) between 20 and 75 years old, without coronary heart disease or diabetes mellitus were included. We defined an adverse cardiometabolic profile as excess adipose tissue metrics, non-alcoholic liver fat measured by non-contrasted tomography, metabolic syndrome, dyslipidemias, and insulin resistance. The population was stratified by quartiles of the HDL-C/Apo-AI index, and its dose-relationship associations were analysed using Tobit regression, binomial, and multinomial logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Body mass index, visceral and pericardial fat, metabolic syndrome, fatty liver, high blood pressure, and CAC were inversely associated with the HDL-C/ApoA-I index. The CAC > 0 prevalence was higher in quartile 1 (29.2%) than in the last quartile (22%) of HDL-C/ApoA-I index (p = 0.035). The probability of having CAC > 0 was higher when the HDL-C/ApoA-I index was less than 0.28 (p < 0.001). This association was independent of classical coronary risk factors, visceral and pericardial fat measurements. CONCLUSION: The HDL-C/ApoA-I index is inversely associated with an adverse cardiometabolic profile and CAC score, making it a potentially useful and practical biomarker of coronary atherosclerosis. Overall, these findings suggest that the HDL-C/ApoA-I index could be useful for evaluating the probability of having higher cardiometabolic risk factors and subclinical atherosclerosis in adults without CAD.

Association of fatty liver with cardiovascular risk factors and subclinical atherosclerosis in a Mexican population.

INTRODUCTION: Individuals with fatty liver (FL) have an increased risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) probably due to its association with cardiometabolic risk factors (CMRF). OBJECTIVE: To know the prevalence of FL and analyze its association with CMRF and subclinical atherosclerosis, in a sample of Mexican Mestizo population. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study included 846 subjects from the Genetic of Atherosclerosis Disease (GEA) study (53 ± 9 years, 50.7% women) without diabetes and no personal or family history of premature CAD. Blood samples were taken for measurements of lipids profile, uric acid, and insulin. The presence of FL was identified by computed tomography. Carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) was measured by B mode ultrasound, using the > 75 percentile as cutoff value to define subclinical atherosclerosis. RESULTS: The general prevalence of FL was 32.4%. In men, FL was associated with hyperuricemia, whereas in women, hyperuricemia, low level of high density lipoprotein cholesterol, and metabolic syndrome were the factors associated with this hepatic alteration. In women, FL was associated with a 66% higher probability of having high CIMT, independently of age, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and waist circumference, but not of HOMA-IR. CONCLUSIONS: In women, FL was associated with the presence of subclinical atherosclerosis independently of traditional CMRF. Our study suggests that, in women, insulin resistance could be a mediator of metabolic abnormalities and of subclinical atherosclerosis.

[Dietary patterns and physical activity in the mexican population: association with fatty liver]. / Patrones dietarios y de actividad física en población mexicana: asociación con hígado graso.

INTRODUCTION: Non-alcoholic fatty liver (FL) has a high prevalence and is associated with clinical conditions such as dyslipidemia, arterial hypertension, diabetes, and coronary artery disease. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association of physical activity (PA) and nutritional factors on the presence of FL, and to analyze the association of the energy intake/energy expenditure (EI/EE) index with FL. METHODS: We studied 786 nondiabetic subjects without a history of hepatic or cardiovascular disease, and alcohol consumption < 20 g/d. Diet and PA were assessed using standardized questionnaires, and visceral abdominal fat (VAF) and liver fat by tomography. The energy intake/energy expenditure (EI/EE) index effect on the presence on FL was analyzed. RESULTS: No macronutrient was associated with FL. After adjusting for age, gender, VAF, and total kilocalories, PA significantly reduced the risk of FL (OR: 0.86; 95% CI: 0.74-0.99; p = 0.03). In logistic regression analysis adjusted for confounding factors, the EI/EE index was associated with the presence of FL (OR: 1.69; 95% CI: 1.02-2.82; p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that independent of macronutrient composition, a high hypercaloric diet with physical inactivity favours the development of fatty liver.

Association of Adiponectin with Subclinical Atherosclerosis in a Mexican-Mestizo Population.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Adiponectin (ADPN) is a cardioprotective adipocytokine, and its association with atherosclerosis development is controversial. The aim of the present study was to assess the association of low ADPN plasma levels with the presence of subclinical atherosclerosis in a Mexican-Mestizo population without history of diabetes or coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS: In 818 subjects (53.4 ± 9 years; 49.9% women) anthropometry, subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue, lipids, glucose, C-reactive protein (CRP), insulin, and ADPN levels were determined. Carotid artery intima-media thickness (CIMT) was measured with ultrasound in B mode and the sex-age specific value higher than 75th percentile defined the presence of subclinical atherosclerosis. Low ADPN was considered when plasma concentrations were lower than 25th percentile (8.67 µg/mL in women, 5.30 µg/mL in men). RESULTS: Prevalence of low ADPN was 43.6% (42.9% in women and 44.4% in men; p = 0.66) and elevated CIMT (eCIMT) was 23.8% (25.8% in women and 21.9% in men; p = 0.184). In addition to their higher prevalence of low ADPN, subjects with eCIMT had higher values of body mass index, blood pressure, total cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, insulin, and CRP. Multivariate analysis revealed that independent of these factors, low ADPN was associated with eCIMT (OR [95% CI]: 1.505 [1.051-2.153]). CONCLUSIONS: In the studied population, low adiponectin concentrations are associated with a higher prevalence of subclinical atherosclerosis, independent of traditional cardiovascular risk factors.

Eficacia y seguridad de la niacina de liberación inmediata en pacientes con cardiopatía isquémica: experiencia del Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez / Immediate release niacin in the treatment of ischemic heart disease

Los estudios de prevención primaria y secundaria han demostrado que la niacina mejora el perfil de lípidos y reduce la morbimortalidad coronaria. Objetivo: Investigar la eficacia y seguridad de la niacina en dosis de 1.5 y 3.0 g al día en pacientes con cardiopatía isquémica y dislipidemia. Material y métodos: Se incluyeron 61 pacientes de ambos sexos y con edades de 30 a 70 años. Se eliminaron 32 pacientes: 18 por reacciones adversas y 14 por motivos no relacionados con el fármaco. Resultados: En los 29 pacientes que terminaron el estudio, la niacina produjo reducciones significativas, dependientes de dosis, en las concentraciones de colesterol total, C-LDL, triglicéridos, apolipoproteína B y la relación C-LDL/CHDL y aumentó de manera significativa el nivel de C-HDL. La lipoproteína(a) disminuyó con ambas dosis, pero sólo alcanzó significado estadístico con la dosis de 3.0 g. En once pacientes (38 por ciento), las variables del perfil lipoproteico alcanzaron los valores ideales, y en 15 pacientes (52 por ciento), la relación C-LDL/C-HDL fue menor o igual a 3.5 al final del tratamiento. Conclusiones: Los resultados indican que la niacina es tolerada por el 62 por ciento de los pacientes; por tanto, constituye una alternativa terapéutica efectiva y de bajo costo.