Physical activity, high density lipoprotein cholesterol and other lipids levels, in men and women from the ATTICA study

Background: Physical activity has long been associated with reduced risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). In this work we evaluated the effect of physical activity on lipid levels, in a sample of cardiovascular disease free people. Methods: The ATTICA study is a population - based cohort that has randomly enrolled 2772 individuals, stratified by age - gender (according to the census 2001), from the greater area of Athens, during 2001-2002. Of them, 1376 were men (45 ± 12 years old, range: 18-86) and 1396 women (45 ± 13 years old, range: 18-88). We assessed the relationship between physical activity status (measured in kcal/min expended per day) and several lipids, after taking into account the effect of several characteristics of the participants. Results: 578 (42%) men and 584 (40%) women were classified as physically active. Compared to sedentary physically active women had significantly lower levels of total serum cholesterol (p < 0.05), LDL (p < 0.05) and oxidized LDL cholesterol (p < 0.05), triglycerides (p < 0.05), apolipoprotein B (p < 0.05), and higher levels of HDL cholesterol (p < 0.05) and apolipoprotein A1 (p < 0.05). Similar associations were observed in men, but the benefits did not reach statistical significance. However, when we adjusted for age, smoking habits and body mass index, physical activity was only significantly associated with higher HDL-cholesterol (p < 0.05) and apolipoprotein A1 (p < 0.05) levels, in women, but not in men. Conclusions: Substantial independent increases in HDL-cholesterol and apolipoprotein A1 concentrations were observed in women, but not in men, in a Mediterranean cohort

Vitamin D in cardiovascular disease

Cardiovascular disease is the prevalent cause of morbidity and mortality in the world, affecting many millions of individuals every year. Atherosclerosis, a chronic inflammatory condition that involves different cell types, several cytokines and adhesion molecules, is the underlying cause of cardiovascular disease. Vitamin D is known to control skeletal patho/physiology, regulating calcium and phosphorus and bone remodeling along with other calciumregulating hormones. However, several active metabolites of Vitamin D can exert both direct action, mainly via Vitamin D3 receptor trans-activation and indirect actions on several other tissues by an endocrine, autocrine and paracrine manners. With regard to cardiovascular disease, Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with activation of the proinflammatory mechanism, promoting atherogenesis. There are several large-scale clinical studies, as well as metaanalyses that support this finding. However, it is still unclear whether the plasma 25-hydroxyVitamin D level can be used as a biomarker for future cardiovascular disease. Herein we review the studies reporting a causative role for Vitamin D in cardiovascular disease. © 2018 Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc. All rights reserved

Neosartorya hiratsukae peritonitis through continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis

Fungal peritonitis is a rare, potentially lethal, complication of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). We report what we believe to be the first confirmed Neosartorya hiratsukae CAPD-related peritonitis case in Europe. The patient died, despite early removal of the peritoneal catheter and antifungal therapy. This report highlights the impact of emerging fungal pathogens and the importance of early diagnosis on the outcome in CAPD-related fungal peritonitis. © 2010 SGM

Acute systemic inflammation increases arterial stiffness and decreases wave reflections in healthy individuals

Background-Aortic stiffness is a marker of cardiovascular disease and an independent predictor of cardiovascular risk. Although an association between inflammatory markers and increased arterial stiffness has been suggested, the causative relationship between inflammation and arterial stiffness has not been investigated. Methods and Results-One hundred healthy individuals were studied according to a randomized, double-blind, sham procedure-controlled design. Each substudy consisted of 2 treatment arms, 1 with Salmonella typhi vaccination and 1 with sham vaccination. Vaccination produced a significant ( P < 0.01) increase in pulse wave velocity ( at 8 hours by 0.43 m/s), denoting an increase in aortic stiffness. Wave reflections were reduced significantly ( P < 0.01) by vaccination ( decrease in augmentation index of 5.0% at 8 hours and 2.5% at 32 hours) as a result of peripheral vasodilatation. These effects were associated with significant increases in inflammatory markers such as high-sensitivity C-reactive protein ( P < 0.001), high-sensitivity interleukin- 6 ( P < 0.001), and matrix metalloproteinase-9 ( P < 0.01). With aspirin pretreatment ( 1200 mg PO), neither pulse wave velocity nor augmentation index changed significantly after vaccination ( increase of 0.11 m/s and 0.4%, respectively; P = NS for both). Conclusions-This is the first study to show through a cause-and-effect relationship that acute systemic inflammation leads to deterioration of large-artery stiffness and to a decrease in wave reflections. These findings have important implications, given the importance of aortic stiffness for cardiovascular function and risk and the potential of therapeutic interventions with antiinflammatory properties

Unsaturated fatty acids are inversely associated and n-6/n-3 ratios are positively related to inflammation and coagulation markers in plasma of apparently healthy adults

Background: Blood lipids and inflammatory markers levels have been associated with the development and progression of atherosclerosis. As the association of inflammatory markers with plasma fatty acids has not been extensively evaluated and understood, we sought to investigate the associations between dietary and plasma fatty acids with various inflammation and coagulation markers. Methods: High sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), fibrinogen, and homocysteine were measured in serum of 374 free-living, healthy men and women, randomly selected from the ATTICA's study database. Total plasma fatty acids were determined by gas chromatography. Dietary fatty acids were assessed through a semi-quantitative FFQ. Results: Multi-adjusted regression analyses revealed that plasma n-3 fatty acids were inversely associated with CRP, IL-6 and TNF-α; plasma n-6 fatty acids were inversely associated with CRP, IL-6 and fibrinogen; monounsaturated fatty acids were inversely associated with CRP and IL-6 (all p-values<0.05). Interestingly, the n-6/. n-3 ratios exhibited the strongest positive correlations with all the markers studied. No associations were observed between dietary fatty acids and the investigated markers. Conclusions: Measurements of total plasma fatty acids could provide insights into the relationships between diet and atherosclerotic disease. Moreover, the n-6/. n-3 ratio may constitute a predictor of low-grade inflammation and coagulation. © 2010 Elsevier B.V