High risk of cardiovascular disease in iron overload patients

Introduction: Iron overload (IO) is defined as an increase in storage iron, regardless of the presence or absence of tissue damage. Whether increased iron stores are involved in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease remains controversial.Objectives: To study insulin resistance markers, lipoprotein profile, activities of anti and prooxidant enzymes and cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) in patients with IO.Methods: Twenty patients with IO were compared with 20 sex and age-matched controls. General biochemical parameters, lipoprotein profile, and activities of paraoxonase 1, employing two substrates, paraoxon (PON) and phenylacetate (ARE), lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) and CETP were determined.Results: IO patients showed higher levels of HOMA-IR and triglycerides (median [Q1-Q3]) (128[93-193] vs. 79[51-91]mg/dl,p<0.0005) while lower HDL-cholesterol (mean±SD) (41±9 vs. 52±10mg/dl,p<0.0005) in comparison with controls. Moreover, the triglycerides/HDL-cholesterol (3.2[2.0-5.1] vs. 1.5[1.0-1.9],p<0.0005) ratio and oxidized LDL levels (94[64-103] vs. 68[59-70]IU/l,p<0.05) were increased in the patient group. Though no difference was observed in ARE activity, PON activity was decreased in IO patients (246[127-410] vs. 428[263-516]nmol.ml-1.min-1,p<0.05). In addition, CETP and Lp-PLA2 activities were also increased in the patients (189±31 vs. 155±36%.ml-1.h-1,p<0.005; and 10.1±2.9 vs. 8.2±2.4µmol.ml-1.h-1,p<0.05, respectively). Associations between ferritin concentration and the alterations in lipid metabolism were also found. Multiple regression analyses identified HOMA-IR as independent predictor of CETP activity (B=65.9,p<0.0001,r2=0.35), as well as ferritin concentration of Lp-PLA2 activity (B=3.7,p<0.0001,r2=0.40) after adjusting for confounding variables.Conclusions: IO patients presented not only insulin resistance, but also metabolic alterations which were related to elevated iron stores and are associated to high risk of cardiovascular disease.Fil: Meroño, Tomás. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Fisiopatología y Bioquímica Clínica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay; ArgentinaFil: Gomez Rosso, Leonardo Adrián. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Fisiopatología y Bioquímica Clínica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay; ArgentinaFil: Sorroche, Patricia. Hospital Italiano; ArgentinaFil: Boero, Laura. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Fisiopatología y Bioquímica Clínica; ArgentinaFil: Arbelbide, Jorge. Hospital Italiano; ArgentinaFil: Brites, Fernando Daniel. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Fisiopatología y Bioquímica Clínica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay; Argentin

Adiponectin: an adipocytokine with multiple protective functions

Actualmente, se considera que el tejido adiposo es un órgano dinámico involucrado en muchos procesos fisiológicos y metabólicos. Expresa y secreta una gran variedad de péptidos activos conocidos como adipocitoquinas que actúan en forma local y sistémica. Además, expresa numerosos receptores que le permiten responder a señales aferentes de diferentes órganos endocrinos y del sistema nervioso central. La adiponectina es una hormona de 30 kDa producida exclusivamente por el tejido adiposo. A diferencia de las demás adipocitoquinas conocidas, sus niveles se encuentran disminuídos en estados asociados con resistencia insulínica, tal como obesidad, diabetes tipo 2 y síndrome metabólico. A esta proteína se le ha atribuído un rol antidiabético, antiinflamatorio y antiaterogénico. El objetivo de este trabajo es realizar una revisión acerca de la estructura, las funciones biológicas, el o los posibles mecanismos de acción, las implicancias fisiopatológicas y las posibles aplicaciones de la evaluación de los niveles de esta adipocitoquina a nivel clínico.The adipose tissue is considered a dynamic organ, which is involved in a wide range of physiological and metabolic processes. This tissue expresses and secretes a variety of bioactive peptides, known as adipocytokines, which act both at the local and at the systemic levels. The adipose tissue also expresses several receptors that allow it to respond to afferent signals from different endocrine organs, as well as form the central nervous system. Adiponectin is a 30 kDa hormone exclusively secreted by adipocytes. Unlike the other known adipocytokines, its concentration is reduced in conditions associated to insulin resistance, like obesity, type2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Several studies suggest that adiponectin has antidiabetic, antiinflammatory and antiatherogenic actions. The aim of this work is to review the new advances in structure, biological functions, mechanisms of action and potential clinical applications of adiponectin evaluation.Fil: Elissondo, Natalia. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica; ArgentinaFil: Gomez Rosso, Leonardo Adrián. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay; ArgentinaFil: Maidana, Patricia. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica; ArgentinaFil: Brites, Fernando Daniel. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay; Argentin

Vascular reactivity and biomarkers of endothelial function in healthy subjects exposed to acute hypobaric hypoxia

Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of acute hypobaric hypoxia (HH) on vascular reactivity and biochemical markers associated with endothelial function (EF). Main methods: Ten healthy subjects were exposed to a simulated altitude of 4,000. meters above sea level for 4. hours in a hypobaric chamber. Vascular reactivity was measured by the flow-mediated vasodilatation (FMVD) test. Endothelin-1, high sensitive-C reactive protein (hsCRP), vascular cell adhesion molecule 1, interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), paraoxonase and adiponectin levels, and FMVD were evaluated before and after the exposure. Key findings: Subjects were young (age: 32±6years), lean [body mass index: 23.9±2.0kg/m2, waist circumference: 77(IQR: 72-80) cm], and presented normal clinical and biochemical parameters. No significant changes were evidenced in FMVD in response to HH (pre: 0.45 (0.20-0.70) vs. during: 0.50 (0.20-1.22) mm; p=0.594). On the other hand, endothelin-1 (+54%, p<0.05), hsCRP (+37%, p<0.001), IL-6 (+75%, p<0.05), TNF-α (+75%, p<0.05), and adiponectin (-39%, p<0.01) levels were significantly altered post-HH. FMVD was increased in 7 subjects, and it was decreased in 3 individuals during HH exposure. Interestingly, when EF biomarkers were compared between these two subgroups of subjects, only post exposure-adiponectin levels were significantly different (49±5 vs. 38±6μg/ml, respectively, p<0.05). Significance: HH exposure had an effect on endothelin-1, adiponectin, hsCRP, IL-6, and TNF-α concentration. However, adiponectin was the only biomarker associated with an altered vascular reactivity.Fil: Iglesias, Diego. Sociedad Argentina de Medicina de Montaña; Argentina. Hospital Italiano; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica; ArgentinaFil: Gomez Rosso, Leonardo Adrián. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Vainstein, Nora. Hospital Italiano; ArgentinaFil: Meroño, Tomás. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Lezón, Christian Esteban. Sociedad Argentina de Medicina de Montaña; ArgentinaFil: Brites, Fernando Daniel. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

Alterations in biomarkers of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in active acromegaly

Objectives: In acromegalic patients, cardiovascular and metabolic comorbidities contribute to enhance mortality. Available data on the lipoprotein profile of these patients are controversial. Our aim was to characterize the lipoprotein profile and emergent biomarkers of cardiovascular disease in active acromegalic patients in comparison with sex- and age-matched healthy controls. Patients: Eighteen patients with active acromegaly and 18 controls were studied. Measurements: Glucose levels, hormonal status, lipoprotein profile and C reactive protein (CRP) were evaluated by standardized methods. Cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) and lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) were measured by radiometric techniques, endothelin-1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and leucocytes CD18, CD49d and CD54 by flow cytometry. Results: After adjusting for body mass index (BMI), acromegalic patients presented a more atherogenic lipoprotein profile, consisting of higher levels of triglycerides and apolipoprotein B and alterations in the ratios which estimate insulin resistance and atherogenic risk. CETP activity was significantly increased in acromegalic patients as compared to controls (168 ± 17 vs. 141 ± 30% per ml h, respectively; P < 0.05). Endothelin-1 levels evidenced an increase in the patients' group (0.9 ± 0.2 vs. 0.7 ± 0.2 ng/l, respectively; P < 0.01) and showed positive and significant correlations with GH, IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 (r = 0.45, 0.42 and 0.44, respectively; P < 0.01 for all of them; with BMI as a fixed variable). Lymphocytes from acromegalic patients showed increased CD49d content (282 ± 59 vs. 246 ± 48 arbitrary units, respectively; P < 0.05). Conclusions: Taken together, the alterations described seem to contribute to constituting a state of higher propensity for the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, which adds to the presence of specific cardiomyopathy.Fil: Boero, Laura Estela. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay; ArgentinaFil: Manavela, M.. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Hospital de Clínicas General San Martín; ArgentinaFil: Gomez Rosso, Leonardo Adrián. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay; ArgentinaFil: Insua, C.. Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Hospital General de Niños Pedro Elizalde (ex Casa Cuna); ArgentinaFil: Berardi, V.. No especifíca;Fil: Fornari, M.C.. No especifíca;Fil: Brites, Fernando Daniel. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay; Argentin

Low plasma triiodothyronine levels in heart failure are associated with a reduced anabolic state and membrane damage

BACKGROUND: Low plasma triiodothyronine (T(3)) levels are considered a prognostic predictor of death in heart failure (HF) patients. AIM: To study an association between plasma T(3) levels and several cardiac, neurohormonal, and metabolic markers of HF. METHODS: A total of 133 ambulatory HF patients (114 males; mean age 63.2 years) with left ventricular ejection fraction <40% were enrolled. TSH, total tetraiodothyronine (T(4)) and T(3), N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), and other cardiac and metabolic parameters were measured. The lowest tertile of T(3) (group 1) was compared against the two upper ones (group 2). RESULTS: In simple logistic regression, the lowest T(3) tertile was associated with more advanced HF disease status: older (age: odds ratio (OR)=1.05; confidence interval (CI) 95% 1.01-1.09, P=0.004), lower functional capacity (walking test: OR=0.996; CI 95% 0.993-0.999, P=0.008), higher NT-proBNP (OR=1.64; CI 95% 1.19-2.27, P=0.003) and adiponectin levels (OR=1.07; CI 95% 1.02-1.11, P=0.004), lower DHEAS log-transformed (OR=0.50; CI 95% 0.31-0.80, P=0.004), and the presence of lower phase angle values as measured by body bioelectrical impedance analysis (OR=3.18; CI 95% 1.50-6.71, P=0.04) and worse renal function (OR=0.96; CI 95% 0.94-0.98, P=0.003). T(3) levels in the lowest tertile were independently associated with low phase angle values (OR=2.95, CI 95% 1.16-7.50, P=0.02) and the log transformation of DHEAS (OR=0.56; CI 95% 0.32-0.97, P=0.04). CONCLUSION: We have demonstrated an association between plasma T(3) levels in the lower range and other deranged hormonal and metabolic parameters in HF patients.Fil: Brenta, Gabriela. Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Hospital César Milstein; ArgentinaFil: Thierer, Jorge. Instituto Cardiovascular de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Sutton, Marcela. Instituto Cardiovascular de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Acosta, Adriana. Instituto Cardiovascular de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Vainstein, Nora. Instituto Cardiovascular de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Brites, Fernando Daniel. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Boero, Laura. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica; ArgentinaFil: Gomez Rosso, Leonardo Adrián. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Anker, Stefan. Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico; Italia. Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin; Alemani

Aumento del riesgo de enfermedad cardiovascular en pacientes con enfermedad celíaca

En pacientes con enfermedad celíaca (EC), se ha observado mayor incidencia de eventos cardiovasculares que en controles, sin la presencia de factores de riesgo aterogénico clásicos. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar los factores de riesgo nóveles y biomarcadores de inflamación y enfermedad cardiovascular en pacientes con EC, con presentación típica y atípica. Fueron seleccionados 14 pacientes con EC sin tratamiento y controles pareados por sexo y edad. Se determinaron parámetros hematológicos, indicadores del metabolismo de los hidratos de carbono, proteína C reactiva ultrasensible (PCRus), per- fil lipoproteico y actividades de proteína transportadora de colesterol esterificado (CETP) y fosfolipasa A2 asociada a lipoproteínas (Lp-PLA2). Los pacientes con EC presentaron niveles plasmáticos mayores de insulina (7,2 mU/l vs. 4,4 mU/l; p<0,05) y mayor índice HOMA-IR (1,45 vs. 0,98; p<0,05) que los controles. Por otro lado, se observó menor concentración de colesterol-HDL (50 vs. 62 mg/dl; p<0,05), mayor cociente triglicéridos/colesterol-HDL y niveles de PCRus más altos (4,56 vs. 1,17 mg/l; p<0,05) en los pacientes que en los controles. Al comparar a los pacientes con presentación típica (n=8) y atí- pica (n=6), aquellos con presentación típica mostraron menores niveles de apo A-I (128 vs. 178 mg/dl; p<0,01) y aumento del cociente apo B/apo A-I (0,72 vs. 0,43; p<0,05), así como mayor actividad de LpPLA2 (7,9 umol/ml.h vs. 6,15 umol/ml.h; p<0,05). La interacción de las alteraciones descriptas durante períodos de tiempo prolongados en una condición patológica crónica como la EC constituirían un mayor riesgo de desarrollo de enfermedad cardiovascular aterosclerótica.In patients with celiac disease (CD), it has been reported higher incidence of cardiovascular events than in controls, without the presence of classical atherogenic risk factors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the novel risk factors and biomarkers of inflammation and cardiovascular disease in patients with CD, with typical and atypical presentation. We selected 14 patients with CD without treatment and 14 healthy sex and age-matched controls. Haematological parameters, indicators of carbohydrates metabolism, high sensitive C reactive protein (hsCRP), lipoprotein profile and the activities of cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) and lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) were determined. CD patients presented higher insulin plasma levels (7.2 mU/l vs. 4.4 mU/l, p <0.05) and increased HOMA-IR index (1.45 vs. 0.98, p <0.05) than controls. On the other hand, lower HDLcholesterol concentration (50 vs. 62 mg/dl, p<0.05), higher TG/HDL-cholesterol ratio and increased hsCRP levels (4.56 vs. 1.17 mg / l, P <0.05) were observed in comparison with control subjects. When comparing patients with typical (n=8) and atypical (n=6) presentation, the former showed lower apo A-I levels (128 vs. 178 mg/dl, p<0.01), and higher apo B/apo A-I ratio (0.72 vs. 0.43, p<0.05) and LpPLA2 activity (7.9 umol/ml.h vs. 6.15 umol/ml.h, p<0.05). The interaction among the alterations above described during long periods of time in a chronic pathological condition such as CD could constitute higher risk of development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.Fil: Menafra, Martín. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Meroño, Tomás. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Matoso, María Dolores. Hospital Italiano; ArgentinaFil: Boero, Laura Estela. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Gomez Rosso, Leonardo Adrián. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Saez, María Soledad. Hospital Italiano; ArgentinaFil: Sorroche, Patricia Beatriz. Hospital Italiano; ArgentinaFil: de Paula, P.. Hospital Italiano; ArgentinaFil: Brites, Fernando Daniel. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

Conditioning Factors for High Cardiovascular Risk in Patients with Cushing's Syndrome

Objective: To characterize the alterations in carbohydrate and lipoprotein metabolism, to evaluate markers of lipoprotein functionality, and to identify the presence of novel atherogenic risk factors in patients with Cushing syndrome (CS) in comparison with sex- and age-matched controls. Methods: In an open, cross-sectional study, 32 nontreated patients with active CS were consecutively recruited from the Endocrinology Service at “José de San Martín” Clinical Hospital, University of Buenos Aires, Argentina, between April 11, 2010 and December 11, 2012. The patients were compared with sex- and age-matched controls. Results: Versus controls, patients with CS presented with excess weight, central obesity, and hypercortisolism. They also exhibited an insulin-resistant state, with high resistin levels (median [interquartile range], 16 [10 to 22] ng/mL versus 6 [5 to 9] ng/mL; P<.0001), a more atherogenic lipoprotein profile, high oxidized low-density lipoprotein levels (oxLDL; mean ± SD, 100 ± 31 U/L versus 75 ± 32 U/L; P<.05) and high sensitive C-reactive protein levels (median [interquartile range], 1.2 [0.6 to 3.1] mg/L versus 0.6 [0.3 to 1.1] mg/L; P<.05), and increased leukocyte count (mean ± SD, 9.5 ± 2.6 × 103 cells/μL versus 6.5 ± 1.4 × 103 cells/μL; P<.0001). Multivariate analyses showed that the increase in waist circumference was associated with both the diagnosis of CS and the degree of insulin resistance. Resistin concentration was related to a greater extent to the diagnosis of CS than to homeostasis model assessment–insulin resistance. Triglyceride and oxLDL levels were only significantly associated with the diagnosis of CS. Conclusion: Hypercortisolism is related to the increase observed in triglycerides and oxLDL levels, and, in combination with insulin resistance, acts to increase waist circumference and amplify the inflammatory process, key factors for the development of cardiovascular disease.Fil: Boero, Laura. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica; ArgentinaFil: Manavela, Marcos. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Hospital de Clínicas General San Martín; ArgentinaFil: Botta, Eliana Elizabeth. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Mallea Gil, Maria Susana. Ministerio de Defensa. Ejército Argentino. Hospital Militar Central Cirujano Mayor ; ArgentinaFil: Katz, Débora. Fundación para la Lucha contra las Enfermedades Neurológicas de la Infancia; ArgentinaFil: Meroño, Tomás. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Tetzlaff, Walter Francisco. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica; ArgentinaFil: Martin, Maximiliano Emanuel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica; ArgentinaFil: Gomez Rosso, Leonardo Adrián. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica; ArgentinaFil: Danilowicz, Karina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Hospital de Clínicas General San Martín; ArgentinaFil: Brites, Fernando Daniel. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

Relation between paraoxonase activity, other HDL components and inflammatory conditions in hemodialyzed patients

La enfermedad renal crónica (ERC) se asocia estrechamente con un estado pro-inflamatorio, aumento de lipoproteínas ricas en triglicéridos y disminución de HDL. La HDL contiene enzimas antioxidantes asociadas como la paraoxonasa (PON), cuya actividad en ERC se encuentra disminuida. Nuestro objetivo fue evaluar la relación entre la actividad de PON, apoA1, colesterol(col)-HDL y Proteína C reactiva-altamente sensible (PCR-as) como marcador de inflamación en pacientes en hemodiálisis. Se estudiaron n = 42 pacientes; edad, mediana (rango) = 50 (25-67) años; sexo M/F = 22/20; antigüedad de hemodiálisis = 4.4 ± 0.5 años; índice de masa corporal (IMC) = 23 ± 0.5 kg/m2. Se obtuvo una muestra de sangre después de 12 h de ayuno y se determinaron los parámetros clásicos del perfil lipídico, se midieron los valores de apoproteínas A1 y B, PON a través de su actividad arilesterasa y PCR-as, la cual permitió dividir a los pacientes con PCR-as ≤ 1 (bajo riesgo, rango: 0.1 a 1.0 mg/l) y > 1 mg/l (moderado y alto riesgo, 1.1 a 10.7 mg/l). Los niveles de triglicéridos, col-LDL y apoB no fueron diferentes entre los grupos. Los pacientes con PCR-as > 1 presentaron menor col-HDL (40 ± 2 mg/dl) y apoA1 (118 ± 4 mg/dl) que los pacientes con PCR-as ≤ 1 (50 ± 4 y 133 ± 5, respectivamente); p 1: 90.5 ± 24.0 μmol/ml.min que en PCR-as ≤ 1: 105.2 ± 18.0. Consecuentemente, se obtuvieron correlaciones inversas entre apoA1 y PCR-as, r = -0.381 p = 0.013 y entre PON y PCR-as, r = -0.32, p = 0.042. Además, el aumento de PCR-as correlacionó positivamente con el IMC, r = 0.318, p = 0.042. La disminución de col-HDL, apoA1 y PON en los individuos con mayor estado inflamatorio explicaría, en parte, el aumento de riesgo cardiovascular de estos pacientes, dado los efectos antiinflamatorios de la apoA1 y antioxidantes de la PON.Advanced Chronic Renal Disease (CKD) is closely associated with a proinflammatory condition, with an increase in triglyceride-rich lipoproteins and decrease in HDL level. HDL contains antioxidant enzymes such as paraoxonase (PON), whose activity is diminished in CKD. The aim of our study was to evaluate the relationship between PON activity with HDL cholesterol, apo A1 and hs-CRP levels, which are known to be inflammatory markers in hemodialyzed patients. Forty-two patients were studied; age, median (range) = 50 (25-67) years old, gender M/F = 22/20, duration of hemodialysis = 4.4 ± 0.5 years, BMI: 23 ± 0.5 kg/m2 . After a 12 h fast, a blood sample was obtained and classic components of lipid profile were determined, as well as apoproteins A1 and B, PON by means of its arylsterase activity and hs-CRP levels. On the basis of the latter, patients were divided into two groups: hs-CRP ≤ 1 (low risk, range: 0.1 to 1.0 mg/l) and >1 mg/l (moderate and high risk, 1.1 to 10.7 mg/l). No difference was found in triglycerides, LDL cholesterol and apo B in the groups. Patients with hs-CRP > 1 showed lower HDL cholesterol (40 ± 2 mg/dl) and apo A1 (118 ± 4 mg/dl) than patients with hs-CRP ≤ 1 (50 ± 4 and 133 ± 5, respectively); p 1 = 90.5 ± 24.0 µmol/ml.min than in hs-CRP ≤ 1 = 105.2 ± 18.0. Consequently, inverse correlations were obtained between apo A1 and hs-CRP, r = -0.381, p = 0.013 and between PON and hs-CRP, r = -0.32, p = 0.042. Furthermore, increase in hs-CRP correlated positively with BMI r = 0.318, p = 0.042. Since apo A1 has an anti-inflammatory role and PON an antioxidant activity, the decrease in HDL and its components, cholesterol, apo A1 and PON, in subjects with higher chronic inflammatory condition might explain, in part, the increased cardiovascular risk in these patients.Fil: González, Ana Ines. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica; ArgentinaFil: Brites, Fernando Daniel. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay; ArgentinaFil: Elbert, Alicia. (Centro de Enfermedades Renales e Hipertensión Arterial; ArgentinaFil: Gomez Rosso, Leonardo Adrián. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica; ArgentinaFil: Berg, Gabriela Alicia. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay; ArgentinaFil: Wigdorovitz de Wikinski, Regina Luisa. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica; ArgentinaFil: Schreier, Laura Ester. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica; Argentin

Association of Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 activity with components of the metabolic syndrome in apparently healthy boys

Abstract: Background: Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) has been proposed as a biomarker of risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Objective: To determine the association between Lp-PLA2 activity and BMI, insulin-resistance, components of the metabolic syndrome (MS), and lifestyle behaviors in healthy adolescent boys. Methods: Data were collected cross-sectionally from 164 adolescents from an amateur rugby club. BMI, blood pressure (BP), Tanner stages, glucose, insulin, lipids, and Lp-PLA2 activity were measured. Questionnaires for lifestyle behaviors were completed. Results: Approximately 26% of the adolescents were obese and 23% overweight. There was a univariate association between Lp-PLA2 and BMI (r=0.16;p=0.042), triglycerides (r=0.26;p=0.001), LDL-C (r=0.46;p<0.001), apo B (r=0.55;p<0.001), whereas waist circumference, BP, glucose, HOMA-IR, and HDL-C were not correlated. None of the lifestyle behaviors were significantly correlated with Lp-PLA2. In order to analyze Lp-PLA2 association with known CVD risk conditions, adolescents were categorized according to overweight/obesity and to the presence of metabolic syndrome. Conversely, as it was for LDL-C and apo B concentration, Lp-PLA2 activity was not higher in adolescents with obesity. Multiple regression analysis showed that apo B was significantly associated with Lp-PLA2 adjusted for age, BMI, triglyc-erides and LDL-C (R2=0.32). Conclusion: Lp-PLA2 activity was only associated with apo B adjusted for several confounding variables, suggesting that its clinical utility to identify individuals at risk for CVD does not surpass LDL-C and apo B in healthy adolescents. As plaque morphology may change with age, associations of Lp-PLA2 with CVD may likewise vary with age.Fil: Hirschler, Valeria. Gobierno de la Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires. Hospital General de Agudos Carlos Durand; ArgentinaFil: Meroño, Tomás. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Fisiopatología y Bioquímica Clínica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Maccallini, Gustavo. Gobierno de la Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires. Hospital General de Agudos Carlos Durand; ArgentinaFil: Gomez Rosso, Leonardo Adrián. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Fisiopatología y Bioquímica Clínica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Aranda, Claudio. Gobierno de la Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires. Hospital General de Agudos Carlos Durand; ArgentinaFil: Brites, Fernando Daniel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Fisiopatología y Bioquímica Clínica; Argentin

Impact of unhealthy lifestyle behaviors and obesity on CETP among adolescent boys

Background and Aims Cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) has been proposed to be associated with high risk of cardiovascular disease. Increased CETP activity was previously reported in obese adults, although its association with lifestyle behaviors has not been assessed in healthy adolescents. We undertook this study to determine the association between CETP activity and overweight/obesity, insulin resistance markers, components of the metabolic syndrome and lifestyle behaviors in healthy adolescent males. Methods Data were collected from 164 adolescents from an amateur rugby club. Body mass index (BMI), blood pressure (BP), Tanner stages, lipids, glucose, insulin and CETP activity were measured. Questionnaires for daily intake of breakfast, sweet drinks, milk, and hours of TV watching were completed. Results About 26% of the adolescents were obese and 23% overweight. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 6.7%. CETP activity was higher in obese than in normal and overweight adolescents (174 ± 35, 141 ± 30, and 149 ± 38%/ml/min, respectively; p 2 h/day (r = 0.17; p 0.02), and milk intake >3 glasses/day (r = 0.16; p = 0.03). Multivariate analysis showed that triglycerides, LDL-C, HDL-C, TV watching >2 h/day, milk intake >3 glasses/day and BMI were significant independent predictors for CETP (R2 = 0.41). Conclusions Unhealthy lifestyle habits such as TV watching >2 h daily and milk intake higher than three glasses per day and the increase in BMI were shown to be closely associated with high CETP activity in apparently healthy adolescent males. Future longitudinal studies should be performed to confirm these findings.Fil: Hirschler, Valeria. Hospital General de Agudos "Carlos G. Durand"; ArgentinaFil: Meroño, Tomás. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay; ArgentinaFil: Maccallini, Gustavo. Hospital General de Agudos "Carlos G. Durand"; ArgentinaFil: Gomez Rosso, Leonardo Adrián. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay; ArgentinaFil: Aranda, Claudio. Hospital General de Agudos "Carlos G. Durand"; ArgentinaFil: Brites, Fernando Daniel. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay; Argentin