ASSESSMENT OF LIPID PROFILE AND ATHEROGENIC INDICES FOR CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE RISK BASED ON DIFFERENT FISH CONSUMPTION HABITS

Objective: Habitual consumption of moderate amounts of fish is associated with reduced mortality from cardiovascular disease (CVD). However,the beneficial effects of fish-enriched diet seem contradictory due to the oxidation susceptibility of the polyunsaturated fatty acids in them. Theatherogenic index is an important tool to identify people with CVD risk. Lipid profile levels are favorably affected by certain fish consumption habits,thereby decreasing the risk of coronary heart diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the plasma lipid profile of healthy people with differentfish consumption habits and to assess CVD risk using atherogenic indices.Methods: Fasting blood samples were collected from healthy people for lipid profile estimations with an automated analyzer. Detailed informationregarding physical and atherogenic parameters was collected from each participant.Results: The CVD risk profiles showed varying level with the type of fish consumption. Total cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), and non-high-densitylipoprotein (Non-HDL-C) varied significantly among the types of consumers (p<0.05), whereas the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol showedvariation (p<0.001). TG/HDL showed the greater level in inland fish consumers. However, atherogenic coefficient and Castelli risk index-2 did notshow significant variation among type of fish eating. Atherogenic indices were borderline high risk†among all fish eaters including beef eating habits.Conclusion: Fish and beef eaters had high risk among other inland and sea fish eaters. Non-HDL-cholesterol could be a marker for a serum lipidpattern associated with increased risk of heart diseases.Keywords: Cardiovascular diseases, Lipid profile, Fish consumption, Atherogenic indices

Is the staple diet eaten in Medawachchiya, Sri Lanka, a predisposing factor in the development of chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology? - A comparison based on urinary β2-microglobulin measurements

BACKGROUND: Exact mechanism of causation of chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology (CKDu) in Sri Lanka is not described to date, despite the identification of possible multiple risk factors. Questions have been raised as to why only some are affected while others remain intact, though they are inhabitants of the same locality. METHODS: Comparative studies were carried out, assessing urinary β(2) microglobulin (β(2)m) and the dietary patterns of CKDu patients and age sex matched non-CKDu subjects. Urinary β2m levels of spot urine samples were analyzed using the Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and dietary patterns were studied using twenty four hour dietary recalls and frequency consumption of foods of animal origin performed on three occasions at six months intervals within a period of one and half years. RESULTS: The mean urinary β(2)m level of CKDu patients from Medawachchiya was significantly (p < 0.05) higher when compared with that of the non-CKDu subjects. The mean urinary β(2)m level of the non-CKDu subjects was within the reference limits for spot urine samples (0 – 0.3 μg/mL). White raw rice was the staple diet of both CKDu patients and non-CKDu subjects and the level of consumption was almost the same. The consumption of fresh water fish products of CKDu patients under high (14, 14%), moderate (36, 36%), low (26, 26%) and less (20, 20%) categories did not show significant variations (p > 0.05) compared to non-CKDu subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Staple food in diet and the consumption pattern of CKDu patients from Medawachchiya were similar to that of non-CKDu subjects from the same area despite their urinary β(2)m concentration being significantly higher

Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Normolipidemic Acute Myocardial Infarct Patients on Admission – Do Dietary Fruits and Vegetables Offer Any Benefits?

Background: Myocardial Infarction (MI) is a leading cause of death in India. Whether dietary vitamins could reduce risk of cardiovascular disease among Indians is still not clear and very few studies have addressed the association between dietary vitamin acting as an antioxidant or pro-oxidant and its effect on risk reduction or aggravation in normolipidemic AMI patients. Objective: The goal of the current study was to address the association between dietary vitamin and cardiovascular risk in normolipidemic acute myocardial infarct patients compared with healthy controls. Design: Dietary intake of vitamins was assessed by 131 food frequency questionnaire items in both AMI patients and age/sex-matched controls. The associated changes in risk factors due to antioxidant vitamins intake was also assessed in normolipidemic acute myocardial patients and was compared with controls. Results: Dietary intake of vitamin A, B1, B2, B3 was significantly higher in AMI patients compared to healthy controls but the intake of vitamin C was significantly higher in controls compared to AMI patients. Even though the vitamins intake was higher in patients, the associated cardiovascular risk factors were not reduced compared to controls. The total cholesterol, LDL-c, TAG were significantly higher (p<0.001) in AMI patients except HDL-c which was significantly higher (p<0.001) in controls. The endogenous antioxidants were found to be significantly lowered in patients compared to controls in spite of higher vitamin intake. Similarly the enzymatic antioxidants were also significantly lowered in patients. The mean serum Lipoprotein (a) malondialdehyde (MDA) and conjugated diene (CD) levels in patients were significantly elevated compared with controls. The levels of caeruloplasmin, C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, ischemia-modified albumin were significantly higher but arylesterase activities were lowered in patients. Conclusion: Diets rich in vegetables and fruits do not seem to reduce the cardiovascular risk in normolipidemic AMI patients among Indians and Sri Lankans