Prevalence of metabolic syndrome among elderly Mexicans.

BACKGROUND: One of the most prevalent chronic diseases among elderly population is the Metabolic Syndrome (MetS). The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of MetS and associated factors among Mexican elderly people. SUBJECTS: Cross-sectional survey carried out in Mexico (2007). A random sample (n=516) of the elderly population (≥65years; 277 female, 239 male) was interviewed. Anthropometric and analytical measurements, and a general questionnaire incorporating questions related to socio-demographic and life-style factors were used. MetS definition AHA/NHLBI/IDF was applied. RESULTS: The prevalence of MetS in the elderly (≥65years) was of 72.9% (75.7% men; 70.4% women). Participants with values above MetS cut-off points were 92.4% (hypertension), 77.8% (hypertriglyceridemia), 77.1% (low HDL-cholesterol), 71.1% (hyperglycaemia), and 65.4% (central obesity). People with MetS showed higher values of anthropometric and biochemical variables than those without MetS, except for the height, cholesterol and creatinine. Mid-high education level (9-12 years), no smokers and former smokers, and Central-Western inhabitants of Mexico were associated with MetS components. BMI status was the main determinant of MetS prevalence and MetS components. CONCLUSION: The reported prevalence of MetS among the elderly Mexican population was higher than those previously obtained in the geographical area, showing a major public health problem in Mexican elders.

CD3+ICOS+ T cells show differences in the synthesis of nitric oxide, IFN-γ, and IL-10 in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis or in healthy household contacts.

Evidence indicates that more than 90 % of infected individuals never develop active tuberculosis. This fact highlights the relevance of the immune response in tuberculosis control. The inducible co-stimulator (ICOS) is a regulator of the function, differentiation, proliferation, and activation of T cells. Moreover, T cells synthesise nitric oxide (NO), interferon gamma (IFN-γ), and interleukin (IL)-10, which help regulate the immune response to tuberculosis. Therefore, we assessed the synthesis of NO, IFN-γ, and IL-10 in CD3+ICOS+ T cells from healthy individuals, household contacts (HHC), and patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB), previously stimulated with the antigen H37Rv. Our results indicated a significant increase in both the percentage of ICOS+ cells and CD3+ICOS+ T cells producing NO, IFN-γ, and IL-10 in cells obtained from patients with PTB (p < 0.01). In addition, a high mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨ m) in CD3+ICOS+ T cells was observed in the cells from HHC and from PTB patients, and is associated with the activation of T cells. In conclusion, results show that the CD3+ICOS+ T cells obtained from PTB patients are the main producers of NO, IFN-γ, and IL-10. In addition, our results imply that NO is a modulator of ICOS expression of T cells from PTB patients.