Amphetamine increases extracellular concentrations of glutamate in the prefrontal cortex of the awake rat: a microdialysis study

OBJECTIVE: To determine if motion automated perimetry can identify early glaucomatous visual field defects in patients with suspected glaucoma (by disc), those with ocular hypertension, and those with primary open-angle glaucoma. METHODS: Motion automated perimetry, a foveally centered motion test, and standard visual field tests were conducted on one randomly selected eye of normal patients (n = 38), patients with suspected glaucoma (by disc) (n = 28), patients with ocular hypertension (n = 18), and patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (n = 21). Subjects' performance on both motion tests were compared with their performance on standard perimetry. RESULTS: Perimetric motion thresholds significantly distinguished the groups (P< or =.001), while the foveally centered motion test was unable to separate them (P< or =.32). Of the total patients, 90.5% of those with glaucoma, 39.3% of those with suspected glaucoma, 27.8% of those with ocular hypertension, and 5.3% of the normal subjects had abnormal results on motion automated perimetry testing. Perimetric motion thresholds were significantly correlated with standard visual field thresholds (P< or =.001). CONCLUSION: Motion automated perimetry identifies visual field defects in patients who already show standard visual field loss as well as in a moderate percentage of those with suspected glaucoma and ocular hypertension, indicating that the testing of discrete locations might be necessary for increased diagnostic utility.     

Leisure, home, and occupational physical activity and cardiovascular risk factors in postmenopausal women. The Postmenopausal Estrogens/Progestins Intervention (PEPI) Study

OBJECTIVE: To examine the associations between self-reported leisure, home, and occupational physical activity and selected cardiovascular risk factors. METHODS: A cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from the Postmenopausal Estrogen/Progestins Intervention Trial was performed in 851 women aged 45 to 64 years. Outcomes were levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, insulin (2 hours after challenge), fibrinogen, systolic blood pressure. Race-stratified models were adjusted for age, smoking, alcohol, and previous noncontraceptive estrogen use. Models were also run with body mass index as an additional covariate. RESULTS: In white women, leisure physical activity was positively associated with levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P = .001) and inversely associated with levels of insulin (P = .04) and fibrinogen (P = .02). Compared with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in the inactive and light leisure physical activity groups, moderate (P < .001) and heavy (P = .004) leisure activities were associated with higher high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in the heavy leisure physical activity group were significantly higher than those in the moderate group (P = .01). Compared with lesser levels of leisure physical activity, significantly lower mean values of fibrinogen (P = .02) and insulin (P = .01) were associated with the highest-intensity leisure physical activity. Home physical activity was positively related to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level (P = .01); relative to lower levels of home physical activity, the heavy home physical activity group demonstrated significantly higher mean high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. The effects of leisure and home physical activities were independent of each other. systolic blood pressure did not vary by leisure, occupational, or home physical activity. CONCLUSION: The unique relationships between type of physical activity and cardiac risk factors underscore the necessity of including multiple domains of activity in epidemiologic studies of epidemiologic studies of physical activity in women.     

Metabolic and endocrine effects of the desogestrel-containing oral contraceptive Mircette

OBJECTIVE: The purpose was to evaluate the metabolic effects of Mircette (brand of desogestrel/ethinyl estradiol and ethinyl estradiol), a low-estrogen, desogestrel-containing oral contraceptive. STUDY DESIGN: Women taking Mircette were evaluated to determine its effects on lipid profiles (n = 74), carbohydrate metabolism (n = 25), and endocrine parameters (n = 53). RESULTS: During cycles 3 and 6 of Mircette treatment, changes from baseline included mean increases in serum triglycerides and very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ranging between 50% and 60%. Smaller mean increases were observed at these time points in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol subfraction 2 (range between 17% and 25%), total cholesterol (<10%), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (range between 10% and 15%), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol subfraction 3 (range between 9% and 13%), with only nominal changes (<6%) in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and lipoprotein. Patients receiving Mircette showed no mean changes in fasting plasma glucose or serum insulin levels but did have modest increases in glucose and insulin levels after a glucose challenge. Mircette treatment suppressed follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, 17beta-estradiol, and progesterone to levels consistent with inhibition of ovulation and increased concentrations of thyroid- and cortisol-binding globulins. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, Mircette treatment was associated with expected effects on the pituitary-ovarian axis, triglycerides, and serum binding proteins; a modest decline in glucose tolerance; and a favorable effect on lipid profiles as a result of increases in total high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol subfraction 2 in the absence of changes in total cholesterol or low-density lipoprotein cholesterol.     

Expanding role of alpha adrenoceptor blockade in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of timolol hemihydrate once daily versus timolol maleate gel forming solution once daily in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. METHODS: We prospectively randomized patients with primary open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension to receive either timolol hemihydrate 0.5% solution or timolol maleate gel forming solution 0.5% every morning. The primary efficacy variable was the 8:00 AM trough intraocular pressure (IOP) 24 hours after administration. RESULTS: Three months after initiation of therapy, baseline IOP had decreased from 23.6 +/- 1.9 mmHg to 18.3 +/- 2.8 mmHg in the group taking timolol hemihydrate (n = 22) and from 23.7 +/- 2.2 mmHg to 18.4 +/- 3.1 mmHg in the group receiving timolol maleate gel (n = 21) at the 24-hour trough level. This was not a significant difference between groups at 3 months. Also, no difference was observed between groups in the 2-hour post instillation IOP. Visual acuity was decreased in the group receiving timolol maleate gel compared with those receiving timolol hemihydrate one minute after instillation of study medicine at month 3. Otherwise, ocular and systemic safety were similar between groups. No differences between groups in cardiac pulse or systolic and diastolic blood pressure were observed. CONCLUSION: Timolol hemihydrate 0.5% solution given once a day appears to be as efficacious and safe in decreasing IOP as timolol maleate gel 0.5% given once a day.     

Family history in primary open-angle glaucoma

A family history of glaucoma was found in 50% of patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and 43% of patients with ocular hypertension (OH). Positive family history was twice as prevalent in those with OH and either HLA-B7 or B12 antigens than in OH with neither antigen (P less than .01). Although POAG occurred equally in men and women, the prevalence of a positive family history of glaucoma on the maternal side of the family in POAG patients was six to seven times greater than on the paternal side (P less than .0005). However, in patients with OH, but no glaucomatous field loss, there was no difference in prevalence of maternal and paternal family history. Even in OH with HLA-B7 or B12 antigens, there was no predominance of maternal family history. The implication that offspring were more likely to develop POAG when their mother's side of the family rather than their father's side had the disease has provided an additional potentially useful risk factor in patients with OH. In addition, it has raised interesting questions as to possible maternal cytoplasmic factors in the transmission and pathogenesis of POAG.     

Insulin resistance as an independent risk factor for carotid wall thickening

It has been reported that insulin resistance is associated with essential hypertension and that an aggregation of risk factors-hypertension, dyslipidemia, and glucose intolerance-together with insulin resistance leads to the more frequent appearance of coronary artery disease. We examined the relation between early asymptomatic atherosclerosis and these risk factors in 72 nondiabetic subjects with essential hypertension (41 men, 31 women) aged 50 to 59 years. Intima-media thickness and plaque formation of the carotid artery were assessed by B-mode ultrasonography, and insulin sensitivity was measured by the steady-state plasma glucose method. Lipoprotein profile was analyzed by ultracentrifugation. The intima-media thickness of the common carotid artery significantly correlated with systolic pressure; mean blood pressure; steady-state plasma glucose, indicating insulin resistance; fasting insulin; area under the curve of plasma insulin and glucose; body mass index; apolipoprotein B; apolipoprotein B in low-density lipoprotein; lower ratio of cholesterol to apolipoprotein B of low-density lipoprotein; and decreased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. By multiple regression analysis, steady-state plasma glucose was the strongest risk, followed by lower high-density lipoprotein and systolic pressure. These three factors accounted for 54.9% of all the risk for increased intima-media thickness of the common carotid artery. In conclusion, insulin resistance was the strongest risk factor for carotid intima-media thickness, followed by lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and hypertension. An effort to maintain normal insulin sensitivity is essential for the prevention of early atheromatous lesions in essential hypertension.     

Diabetes in primary open-angle glaucoma patients with inferior visual field defects

We reviewed the charts of 144 randomly selected patients with primary open-angle glaucoma who had Aulhorn's stage 1, 2, or 3 visual field defects to investigate whether primary open-angle glaucoma patients with predominantly inferior visual field defects had a higher prevalence of diabetes mellitus than primary open-angle glaucoma patients without such visual field defects. Of the 59 patients with mainly inferior visual field defects in one or both eyes, 19 (32%) had diabetes mellitus, while 11 of 85 (13%) patients without such defects had diabetes mellitus. This difference was statistically significant (P = 0.0096). These results suggest that primary open-angle glaucoma patients with predominantly inferior visual field defects in one or both eyes are more likely to have diabetes and that such patients with no known history of diabetes may benefit from glucose tolerance testing to detect occult impaired glucose tolerance or diabetes mellitus.     

Cardiovascular risk factors for early carotid atherosclerosis in the general population: the Edinburgh Artery Study

BACKGROUND: Recent attempts to identify cardiovascular risk factors affecting early-stage carotid atherosclerosis, measured by ultrasonographically assessed intima-media thickness, have been inconclusive. OBJECTIVE: To study the relationship between traditional cardiovascular risk factors and intima-media thickness. METHODS: Ultrasonic evaluation of the intima-media thickness of the common carotid artery was included in the 5-year follow-up examination of participants of the Edinburgh Artery Study. We had valid readings of intima-media thickness for 1106 men and women aged 60-80 years. Information on a range of cardiovascular risk factors had been collected during the baseline examination. RESULTS: For men, in addition to age, lifetime smoking (measured in terms of pack years) was the only cardiovascular risk factor associated with increased intima-media thickness (P< or = 0.01) in the univariate analysis. Both systolic blood pressure (P < or = 0.001) and the high-density lipoprotein (HDL: total cholesterol ratio (P < or = 0.01) were correlated with intima-media thickness for women. When all the variables had been included in a multivariate analysis, pack years of smoking and the HDL:total cholesterol ratio were associated with early atherosclerotic development in men. In an equivalent analysis for women, alcohol consumption, systolic blood pressure and the HDL:total cholesterol ratio were associated with intima-media thickness. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that risk factors affecting intima-media thickness differ for men and women. Further sex-specific analyses of prospective population studies are required in order to clarify the role of 'traditional' cardiovascular risk factors in the early stages of carotid atherosclerosis.     

Unilateral testing of utricular function

PURPOSE: To examine acquired pit of the optic nerve as a risk factor for progression of glaucoma. METHODS: In a retrospective longitudinal study, 25 open-angle glaucoma patients with acquired pit of the optic nerve were compared with a group of 24 open-angle glaucoma patients without acquired pit of the optic nerve. The patients were matched for age, mean intraocular pressure, baseline ratio of neuroretinal rim area to disk area, visual field damage, and duration of follow-up. Serial optic disk photographs and visual fields of both groups were evaluated by three independent observers for glaucomatous progression. RESULTS: Of 46 acquired pits of the optic nerve in 37 eyes of 25 patients, 36 pits were located inferiorly (76%) and 11 superiorly (24%; P < .001). Progression of optic disk damage occurred in 16 patients (64%) in the group with acquired pit and in three patients (12.5%) in the group without acquired pit (P < .001). Progression of visual field loss occurred in 14 patients (56%) in the group with acquired pit and in six (25%) in the group without pit (P=.04). Bilateral acquired pit of the optic nerve was present in 12 patients (48%). Disk hemorrhages were observed more frequently in the group with acquired pit (10 eyes, 40%) compared with the group without pit (two eyes, 8%; P=.02). CONCLUSION: Among patients with glaucoma, patients with acquired pit of the optic nerve represent a subgroup who are at increased risk for progressive optic disk damage and visual field loss.     

Prevalence of hyperapobetalipoproteinemia and other lipoprotein phenotypes in men (aged < or = 50 years) and women (< or = 60 years) with coronary artery disease

The prevalence and clinical characteristics of hyperapobetalipoproteinemia (hyperapoB) and other phenotypes of dyslipoproteinemia were examined in 99 men (aged < or = 50 years) and 104 women (< or = 60 years) undergoing elective diagnostic coronary arteriography. HyperapoB was the most common phenotype (34%) associated with premature coronary artery disease (CAD). Only 20.2% of patients with CAD had a normal lipoprotein phenotype. The significant odds ratios for CAD were as follows: hypertriglyceridemic hyperapoB 17.45 (p < 0.0001), type IV 6.54 (p = 0.0001), type IIa 4.73 (p = 0.008), normotriglyceridemic hyperapoB 2.54 (p = 0.03) and type IIb 8.73 (p = 0.05). The strong association of hypertriglyceridemic hyperapoB with CAD reflected the multiplicative effect of increased low-density lipoprotein apolipoprotein B and endogenous hypertriglyceridemia, and was independent of the effects of age, sex, diabetes mellitus, systemic hypertension, body mass index and cigarette smoking. The ratio of apolipoprotein B to A-1 was better than those of low-density to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and total to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol at discriminating dyslipidemic phenotypes from normal. Obesity was increased approximately 1.5 to two-fold in the hypertriglyceridemic phenotypes, diabetes was more prevalent in hypertriglyceridemic hyperapoB (6.8-fold; p < 0.001) and type IV (4.4-fold; p = 0.02), and hypertension was increased 1.5- to twofold in most dyslipidemic groups. The data indicate that hyperapoB and endogenous hypertriglyceridemia both contribute to the risk of premature CAD.     

Acute renal failure complicating nonfulminant hepatitis A

PURPOSE: To compare the orbital blood flow velocities of patients with long-standing ocular hypertension and patients with primary open-angle glaucoma. METHODS: Twenty patients with ocular hypertension were recruited from our clinic and underwent color Doppler imaging evaluation of their retrobulbar vessels. The blood flow velocities and resistance index of their central retinal artery, temporal short posterior ciliary artery, and ophthalmic artery were compared with those of 20 glaucoma patients individually matched for age and level of the highest untreated intraocular pressure ever recorded. RESULTS: Glaucoma patients had significantly lower peak systolic velocity and end-diastolic velocity than did patients with ocular hypertension in their central retinal artery (p < 0.001). No significant difference between the groups was observed in the other vessels studied. CONCLUSIONS: Glaucoma patients had lower blood flow velocity in the central retinal artery compared with that of ocular hypertension patients of similar age and level of untreated intraocular pressure. This might be important in the development of glaucomatous damage in those patients.     

Risk factors for new coronary events in older African-American men and women

Independent risk factors for new coronary events in older African-American men were (1) age (risk ratio = 1.037), (2) cigarette smoking (risk ratio = 2.231), (3) hypertension (risk ratio = 2.531), (4) serum total cholesterol (risk ratio = 1.012), (5) serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (inverse association) (risk ratio = 0.948), and (6) prior coronary artery disease (CAD) (risk ratio = 2.288). Independent risk factors for new coronary events in older African-American women were (1) cigarette smoking (risk ratio = 2.202), (2) hypertension (risk ratio = 2.344), (3) diabetes mellitus (risk ratio = 1.632), (4) serum total cholesterol (risk ratio = 1.008), (5) serum HDL cholesterol (inverse association) (risk ratio = 0.936), (6) age (risk ratio = 1.026), and (7) prior CAD (risk ratio = 2.368).     

Transient global amnesia after general anesthesia

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of coronary artery disease (CAD), atherothrombotic brain infarction (ABI), and peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in older Hispanics and the association with risk factors in this population. DESIGN: A retrospective analysis of charts from all Hispanics seen during January 1996 through July 1997 at an academic hospital-based geriatrics practice. SETTING: An academic, hospital-based, primary care geriatrics practice staffed by fellows in a geriatrics training program and by full-time faculty geriatricians. PATIENTS: One hundred sixty women and 53 men, mean age 80 +/- 8 years (range 64 to 100), were included in the study. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Of 213 Hispanics in the study, 59 (28%) had documented CAD, 43 (20%) had ABI, 34 (16%) had PAD, and 90 (42%) had either CAD, ABI, or PAD. Serum total cholesterol and triglycerides were measured in 202 of 213 subjects (95%). Serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was measured in 137 of 213 patients (64%). Other risk factor data were documented in all patients. Multiple logistic regression analysis performed in 202 patients using the variables age, gender, cigarette smoking, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, obesity, serum total cholesterol, and serum triglycerides showed statistically significant associations between prevalent CAD, ABI, or PAD and age (P = .002, odds ratio (OR) = 1.083), cigarette smoking (P = .002, (OR) = 3.865), hypertension (P = .007, (OR) = 2.749), diabetes mellitus (P = .028, (OR) = 2.386), obesity (P = .014, (OR) = 2.608), serum total cholesterol (P < 0.001, (OR) = 1.025), and serum triglycerides (P = .017, (OR) = .993). CONCLUSIONS: Either CAD, ABI, or PAD was present in 42% of 213 older Hispanics. There were statistically significant associations between prevalent CAD, ABI, or PAD in older Hispanics and risk factors, including age, cigarette smoking, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, obesity, and serum total cholesterol.     

Effect of cilazapril therapy on glucose and lipid metabolism in patients with hypertension

The effects of long-term monotherapy with cilazapril, an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, on blood pressure, glucose tolerance, and serum lipid profiles were prospectively investigated in 66 patients with hypertension: 23 with normal glucose tolerance and 43 with glucose intolerance (including 9 patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus). The levels of plasma glucose, serum insulin, serum lipids, glycated hemoglobin A(lc) (Hb A(lc)), and fructosamine were determined before and during long-term (mean +/- SD, 26.2 +/- 1.2 weeks) therapy with cilazapril. A 75-g oral glucose tolerance test was performed before and during treatment. Significant reductions in both systolic and diastolic blood pressures in both patient groups were maintained during the study. Neither fasting nor post-glucose load venous plasma glucose levels were altered in either group of patients, and no patient with normal glucose tolerance developed diabetes mellitus during the study. There was no significant change in the insulinogenic index (delta serum insulin/delta venous plasma glucose at 30 minutes post-glucose load) in either group, and glucose intolerance was slightly improved with significant reductions (P < 0.01) in Hb A(lc) and fructosamine in the patient group with impaired glucose tolerance. Serum total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglyceride levels were significantly (P < 0.01) decreased and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels increased in patients with hypercholesterolemia (TC levels > or = 5.69 mmol/L). These results suggest that long-term cilazapril therapy may improve glucose and lipid metabolism in hypertensive patients with impaired glucose tolerance. Cilazapril also appears to be useful as an antihypertensive agent for hypertensive patients with either impaired glucose tolerance or hypercholesterolemia.     

Serum lipoproteins in African Americans and whites with non-insulin-dependent diabetes in the US population

BACKGROUND: Despite the significant role that dyslipidemia is believed to play in the development of cardiovascular disease in diabetes, most studies examining diabetic dyslipidemia in the United States have not been population based, and very little data are available for African Americans with diabetes. We used data from a national survey to compare the effect of diabetes on lipid concentrations in African-American and white men and women. In addition, we examined other factors related to lipid concentrations and controlled for these factors in our analyses. METHODS AND RESULTS: The Second National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey included a representative sample of 4177 African Americans and whites in the US civilian noninstitutionalized population 20 to 74 years old. These persons were classified as having non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) (n = 720) or as being nondiabetic (n = 3457) based on an oral glucose tolerance test and a medical history of diabetes. Subjects were given an interview and physical examination that included measurement of serum lipoproteins, body mass index, body fat distribution, dietary fat intake, alcohol consumption, frequency of smoking, and use of medications. By univariate analysis, a worse profile of mean cholesterol, triglycerides, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels was generally apparent in NIDDM than in nondiabetic subjects, regardless of race or sex; a similar pattern was found for the prevalence of abnormal concentrations of these lipids. Lipid profiles appeared to be worse in whites with NIDDM than in African Americans. For mean total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, concentrations tended to be worse in women with NIDDM than in men. When other factors significantly affecting lipid levels were adjusted by multivariate analysis, we found that in all race/sex groups, total cholesterol was higher in NIDDM than in nondiabetic subjects but differences were not significant (P = 54), triglyceride concentrations were significantly higher in NIDDM subjects (P < .0001), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations were lower in NIDDM subjects (P = .003). An interaction of diabetes with race was found for low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P = .0001), where concentrations were substantially lower in NIDDM than in nondiabetic subjects among African Americans (P < .01) but slightly higher in NIDDM subjects among whites (P = .33). For other lipids, no differential effect of NIDDM was found by race or sex. CONCLUSIONS: In African-American and white men and women in the United States, NIDDM is associated with a pattern of dyslipidemia that may potentiate the atherosclerotic process. Diabetic treatment should include aggressive treatment of dyslipidemia to reduce this increased risk.     

Blood pressure, lipids, lipoproteins, body fat and physical activity of Singapore children

OBJECTIVE: To determine body composition, coronary risk factors and physical activity and the inter-relationships of these variables in Singaporean school children. METHODOLOGY: This study examined 1681 children (784 boys and 897 girls) from eight primary and seven secondary schools to determine percentiles for body stature and composition, blood pressure, lipids/lipoproteins and blood glucose by gender for three age divisions. An exercise and leisure pursuit questionnaire was administered to ascertain self-reported physical activity patterns. Anthropometric data and blood pressure readings were taken. Capillary blood was drawn from each child via finger prick sampling following an overnight fast. The concentrations of total cholesterol (TCHOL), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and glucose (GLU) were determined from plasma using a dry chemistry analyser. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL) and the TCHOL/HDL-C ratio were determined by calculation. RESULTS: While 47.7% of boys and 22.0% of girls disclosed active lifestyles, differences between the active and non-active children were found in coronary risk factors TCHOL, LDL-C, TG, TCHOL/HDL-C and per cent body fat. No differences were shown between the two groups in HDL-C, GLU and blood pressure. There was a high correlation between the various measures of body composition with the highest correlation (r = 0.806, P < 0.001) found between body mass index (BMI) and waist measurements. CONCLUSIONS: Children in this study who reported no activity or relatively little activity were found to have TCHOL, LDL-C, TG, TCHOL/HDL-C and per cent body fat that were higher than those who reported moderately high or vigorous physical activity patterns.     

Analysis of the systemic corticosteroid sensitivity of patients with primary open-angle glaucoma

Patients with primary open-angle glaucoma have an ocular and systemic sensitivity to corticosteroids. We adapted a cellular assay that used peripheral blood lymphocytes to detect this corticosteroid sensitivity in vitro in a microtiter assay. It reduced the time, cost, and amount of blood required to examine a patient. We examined ten subjects on three separate days and demonstrated that the reliability of one 50% inhibitory concentration was about 76%. We then studied 25 patients with primary open-angle glaucoma and 25 control subjects using this in vitro assay. The patients with primary open-angle glaucoma were significantly more sensitive to corticosteroids than the control subjects (P less than .001).     

The effect of attention on phenomenal length

Family history of atherosclerosis has been recognised as an nonmodifiable cardiovascular risk factor. Lipid levels, together with hypertension and diabetes, appear to have an inheritable component. The aim of the study was to ascertain whether lipoprotein abnormalities of 169 adult patients with non-coronary atherosclerosis were associated with a family history of atherosclerosis. Besides intermediate density lipopoprotein composition and Lp(a) levels, we focused on apo(a) and apo E phenotypes, LDL cholesterol/apo B ratio, VLDL triglyceride/HDL cholesterol ratio, and environmental factors. We found that patients with a family history of atherosclerosis had a higher prevalence of VLDL triglyceride/HDL cholesterol ratio above 1.8 (51.3% vs 34.7%) than patients without. Similarly, there was a significant inverse correlation between both considered ratios (r = -0.24, p < 0.05). The odds ratio of the presence of both abnormal ratios (4.60, 95% CI, 1.41-15.00) and low molecular weight apo(a) isoforms (3.30, 95% CI, 1.05-10.30 and family history of atherosclerosis was independent of smoking and hypertension. Apo(a) isoform size seems to be more important than Lp(a) concentrations in the family history of atherosclerosis risk determination. Subsequent analysis showed that patients with a family history of atherosclerosis had a greater-than-fourfold increased risk of having one or both abnormal ratios reflecting metabolic disturbances which probably constitute a combined trait. Family history of atherosclerosis may constitute a specific lipoprotein-related marker of atherosclerosis. Such a marker often precedes the onset of overt disease and may contribute to identifying patients with an atherogenic lipoprotein profile even in the absence of classical lipid risk factors.     

Persistence of multiple cardiovascular risk clustering related to syndrome X from childhood to young adulthood. The Bogalusa Heart Study

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular risk factors are known to persist over time and to cluster both in childhood and adulthood. Less is known about the persistence of clustering of multiple cardiovascular risk factors comprising adverse levels of systolic blood pressure, the ratio of total cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and plasma insulin from childhood to young adulthood. METHODS: In a community study of cardiovascular risk, 1176 individuals (52% female, 44% black) aged 5 through 17 years at baseline were followed up for 8 years. RESULTS: Calculated as sum of the race-, sex-, and age-specific rankings of systolic blood pressure, insulin level, and total to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio, the multiple risk index was shown to track in all four race-sex groups (year 1 vs year 8 correlations, .54 to .67). The magnitude of the overall multiple risk index tracking correlation (r = .64) was significantly stronger than that noted for individual risk factors (r = .34 to .57). Among subjects who were initially in the highest quintile of the multiple risk index, 61% remained there 8 years later. Tracking of the multiple risk index increased progressively with age and ponderal index (weight/[height3]). In a step-wise regression analysis, baseline multiple risk index score, baseline ponderal index, change in ponderal index, and change in height were predictive of the multiple risk index score on follow-up. These predictors explained 45% to 60% of the variability in multiple risk index scores among the race-sex groups. CONCLUSIONS: The persistence of multiple cardiovascular risk clustering from childhood to adulthood and the impact of obesity in this regard point to the need for preventive measures aimed at developing healthy lifestyles early in life.     

A comparison of fish oil or corn oil supplements in hyperlipidemic subjects with NIDDM

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects on blood lipids and glycemic control of fish oil and corn oil supplementation at two levels in subjects with hyperlipidemia and non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Forty subjects (18 men and 22 women; aged 53.9 +/- 7.0 years) with NIDDM and hyperlipidemia were randomly assigned to one of four treatment groups: 9 g of fish oil, 18 g of fish oil, 9 g of corn oil, or 18 g of corn oil daily supplementation for 12 weeks. RESULTS: The level of oil supplements (9 g compared with 18 g) did not have a significant effect within each oil group on glycemic control and lipids. Significant differences (P < 0.05) in lipids were found when the 9-g and 18-g groups were combined. In subjects consuming fish oil, plasma very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol (P = 0.0001), plasma triglyceride (TG) (P = 0.0001), and plasma VLDL TGs (P = 0.02 at 6 weeks and P = 0.0001 at 12 weeks) were significantly lowered compared with subjects consuming corn oil. Plasma VLDL cholesterol increased across time in the corn oil group (P = 0.04). Plasma low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol was temporarily increased (P = 0.008) in the fish oil group at 6 weeks, but the effect was no longer present at 12 weeks. No significant differences between fish oil- or corn oil-supplemented diets were found in total plasma cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, fasting plasma glucose, glycosylated HbA1c, weight, and blood pressure. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, fish oil supplementation improved plasma VLDL cholesterol, VLDL TGs, and total TGs while having a transient deterioration in LDL cholesterol in subjects with NIDDM. Furthermore, fish oil supplementation had no significant deleterious effect on glycemic control.