Association between serum Vitamin E concentrations and the presence of Metabolic Syndrome: A population-based cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of clinical and metabolic features that include central obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension and impaired glucose tolerance. These features are accompanied by increased oxidative stress and impaired antioxidant defenses. Vitamin E is a major factor in the non-enzymatic antioxidant defenses. The aim of present study was to investigate the association between serum levels of vitamin E and the presence of MetS and its components in a sample population of Mashhad stroke and heart atherosclerotic disorder (MASHAD) cohort study. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was carried out in 128 subjects with MetS and 235 subjects without MetS. MetS was defined according to the International-Diabetes-Federation criteria. Serum levels of vitamin E were measured using the HPLC method. Anthropometric and biochemical parameters were measured using standard protocols.  Results. MetS patients had significantly lower serum levels of vitamin E (Vit E), Vit E/Total cholesterol (TC), and Vit E/ (TC+triglyceride(TG)) compared to the control group (P < 0.05).  Vit E/ (TG+TC) was also significantly lower in diabetics or those with elevated levels of high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP). Additionally, there was a significant association between Vit E/ (TG + Total Cho) and the number of components of the metabolic syndrome (p= 0.02) Conclusions. There is a significant inverse association between indices of Vit E status and the presence of MetS. Moreover, a significantly lower Vit E/ (TC+TG) was observed along with individuals with increasing numbers of components of the MetS.

Systolic and diastolic blood pressure percentiles by age and gender in Northeastern Iran.

Hypertension (HTN) is a major risk factor for coronary artery disease. Its frequency is increasing globally. The aim of our study was to evaluate the reference range of blood pressure (BP) in the Iranian population stratified for age and gender. A total of 1449 subjects without diabetes, CVD, dyslipidemia, HTN history and with a normal BMI (18.5 ≤ BMI<25) were recruited in the present study. Participants were enrolled from the Mashhad stroke and heart atherosclerotic disorder study. Anthropometric indices and demographic data were collected by two health care specialists. A quantile regression model was used to estimate the expected systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) at specific ages. A P-value of <.05 was considered significant for all analyses. All statistical analyses were performed using R (version 3.4.1) and SPSS software. The population included more men than women (51.6% vs. 48.4%). The mean and standard deviation of age in men (47.5 ± 8.4) was 2 years higher than women (45.63 ± 7.9; P < .001). SBP and DBP were higher in men than women (P < .001). By using a quantile regression model, we concluded that the 5th to 90th percentile of SBP in men, aged 30-69 years, ranged from 95 to 148.08 mm Hg and in women ranged from 86.66 to 140 mm Hg. The 5th to 90th percentile of DBP in men, aged 30-69 years, ranged from 60 to 91.66 mm Hg and in women ranged from 60 to 91.22 mm Hg. We have, for the first time, established the BP percentiles (1st, 5th, 10th, 50th, 90th, 95th, 99th) in an Iranian population stratified by age and gender. These data suggest that a local program for health promotion is necessary for the early identification of HTN in adults aged ≥30 years.