Lower prevalence of epsilon 4 allele of apolipoprotein E gene in healthy, longer-lived individuals of hellenic origin

Apolipoprotein E (ApoE), and especially its epsilon 4 isoform, is considered a risk factor predisposing to coronary heart disease. We hypothesized that the absence of epsilon 4 allele offers a better chance for longer life. So we compared the prevalence of ApoE genotypes in 80 healthy aged individuals (HAI) (> 80 years) and 391 Greek adults (median age 43 years) with ApoE genotype distribution consistent with the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (chi(2) = 5.93, p > .05). ApoE genotypes were comparable in both groups with the exception of E3/3 and E3/4, which were significantly higher (87.50% vs 75.99%, p = .025) and lower (5.00% vs 13.19%, p = .036), respectively, in HAI. The epsilon 2 and epsilon 3 allele frequencies were not different between the groups. The epsilon 4 allele was significantly less frequent in HAI compared to controls (3.1% vs 8.58%, p = .020). Our results indicate an unfavorable effect of 64 allele on longevity that may be attenuated by environmental and/or other genetic factors

Glucans Exhibit Weak Antioxidant Activity, but Stimulate Macrophage Free Radical Activity

Polymeric carbohydrates have been reported to modulate inflammatory responses in vitro and in vivo. Previous reports suggest that certain carbohydrate polymers, such as (1→3)-β-D-glucans, may possess free radical scavenging activity. If glucans are free radical scavengers then it might explain, in part, the ability of these ligands to modulate inflammatory responses. The present study examined the free radical scavenging activity of a variety of carbohydrate polymers and the effect of the polymers on free radical levels in a murine macrophage cell line. All of the carbohydrates exhibited concentration dependent antioxidant effects (EC50 range = 807 to 43 μg/ml). However, the antioxidant activity for the carbohydrates was modest in comparison with PDTC (EC50 = 0.13 μg/ml) and the carbohydrate concentration required for antioxidant activity was high (×̄ EC50 = 283 μg/ml). The antioxidant ability of the polymers was greater (p \u3c .05) than their monosaccharide constituents, i.e., dextrose EC50 = 807 vs. glucan sulfate EC50 = 43 μg/ml. Coincubation of glucans with murine J774a.1 cells increased free radical levels when compared to controls. Therefore, the weak free radical scavenging activity of glucan polymers cannot explain their modulatory effect on inflammatory responses in tissue culture and/or disease models of inflammation

High rates of obesity prevalence in adults living in Central Greece: Data from the ARGOS Study

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of obesity in adults of a large region of Central Greece. DESIGN: The target group was adults aged 18 to 79 years who were residents of the region of Thessaly for at least one year. A sample of 852 individuals stratified for sex and age were included. Each subject underwent a thorough physical examination and body mass index (BMI) was calculated from body weight and height. Waist and hip circumferences as well as body fat content were additionally measured. RESULTS: Mean (SD) BMI for the total population was 27.5 +/- 5.5 and was significantly higher in males than in females (28.2 +/- 4.4 vs. 26.9 +/- 6.2, p102cm for men, >88cm for women), was comparable in males (40.4%) and females (35.3%). There was a positive association between obesity, central obesity, and age. The prevalence of overweight (19.5%) and obesity (9.4%) in the age-range of 18-29 years almost doubled in the next decade of age and attained the highest value, respectively, in the age-range of 50 to 59 (48.2%), and of 60 to 70 years group (38.9%). CONCLUSIONS: The rates of overweight and obesity in the population of Thessaly are relatively high with overweight being more prominent in males than in females, whereas MO was higher in females compared to males