Changes in Body Composition Predict Homocysteine Changes and Hyperhomocysteinemia in Korea

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the primary cause of death in Korea. Hyperhomocysteinemia confers an independent risk for CVD comparable to the risk of smoking and hyperlipidemia. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of cardiovascular risk factors and body composition change on homocysteine (Hcy) levels in Korean men and women. The association between body composition and Hcy levels was investigated in a 2-yr prospective cohort study of 2,590 Koreans (mean age 45.5+/-9.6 yr). There were 293 cases of hyperhomocysteinemia (>14 microM/L) at follow-up. Increases in total body fat proportion and decreases in lean body mass (LBM) were significantly associated with increases in Hcy concentration after controlling for confounding factors. Further adjustments for behavioral factors showed that decreases in LBM were associated with Hcy increase. Decrease in LBM also predicted hyperhomocysteinemia at follow-up, after controlling for confounding factors. There was no significant association between change in body mass index (BMI) and Hcy concentrations over time. Hcy changes over time were related to change in LBM and body fat content, whereas BMI or weight change did not predict change in Hcy levels. Changes in ratio of LBM to total fat mass may contribute to hyperhomocysteinemia.

Association of Cortisol and the Metabolic Syndrome in Korean Men and Women

Obesity and the metabolic syndrome are closely related and have become increasingly prevalent in Korea. The cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors comprising the metabolic syndrome have previously been associated with increased hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPAA) activity, but the associations have not been extensively examined in non-Caucasian populations. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationships between cortisol, adiposity and the metabolic syndrome in a Korean population. A total of 1,881 adults participated in the study between January 2001 and February 2008. Sociodemographic data were assessed by questionnaires. Body composition, clinic blood pressures as well as metabolic variables including glucose, insulin, and lipid profile were assessed and analyzed in relation to cortisol levels. Mean age of the participants was 58.7 +/- 10.8 yr. Higher levels of cortisol was associated with elevated blood pressure, fasting glucose and total cholesterol in men, and between cortisol and systolic blood pressure, fasting glucose and total cholesterol in women. There was an increased risk for the metabolic syndrome associated with higher cortisol levels in both men (P < 0.001) and women (P = 0.040) adjusting for age and body mass index. Higher cortisol levels are associated with several CVD risk factors and the metabolic syndrome, independent of overall of adiposity level, in Korean men and women.