Modulation of miR-29a and miR-29b Expression and Their Target Genes Related to Inflammation and Renal Fibrosis by an Oral Nutritional Supplement with Probiotics in Malnourished Hemodialysis Patients.

Malnutrition is prevalent in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), especially those on hemodialysis. Recently, our group described that a new oral nutritional supplement (ONS), specifically designed for malnourished (or at risk) hemodialysis patients with a "similar to the Mediterranean diet" pattern, improved caloric-protein intake, nutritional status and biomarkers of inflammation and oxidation. Our aim in this study was to evaluate whether the new ONS, associated with probiotics or not, may produce changes in miRNA's expression and its target genes in malnourished hemodialysis patients, compared to individualized diet recommendations. We performed a randomized, multicenter, parallel-group trial in malnourished hemodialysis patients with three groups (1: control (C) individualized diet (n = 11); 2: oral nutritional supplement (ONS) + placebo (ONS-PL) (n = 10); and 3: ONS + probiotics (ONS-PR) (n = 10)); the trial was open regarding the intake of ONS or individualized diet recommendations but double-blinded for the intake of probiotics. MiRNAs and gene expression levels were analyzed by RT-qPCR at baseline and after 3 and 6 months. We observed that the expression of miR-29a and miR-29b increased significantly in patients with ONS-PR at 3 months in comparison with baseline, stabilizing at the sixth month. Moreover, we observed differences between studied groups, where miR-29b expression levels were elevated in patients receiving ONS-PR compared to the control group in the third month. Regarding the gene expression levels, we observed a decrease in the ONS-PR group compared to the control group in the third month for RUNX2 and TNFα. TGFB1 expression was decreased in the ONS-PR group compared to baseline in the third month. PTEN gene expression was significantly elevated in the ONS-PR group at 3 months in comparison with baseline. LEPTIN expression was significantly increased in the ONS-PL group at the 3-month intervention compared to baseline. The new oral nutritional supplement associated with probiotics increases the expression levels of miR-29a and miR-29b after 3 months of intervention, modifying the expression of target genes with anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic actions. This study highlights the potential benefit of this oral nutritional supplement, especially associated with probiotics, in malnourished patients with chronic renal disease on hemodialysis.

Ambient air pollution and thyroid function in Spanish adults. A nationwide population-based study (Di@bet.es study).

BACKGROUND: Recent reports have suggested that air pollution may impact thyroid function, although the evidence is still scarce and inconclusive. In this study we evaluated the association of exposure to air pollutants to thyroid function parameters in a nationwide sample representative of the adult population of Spain. METHODS: The Di@bet.es study is a national, cross-sectional, population-based survey which was conducted in 2008-2010 using a random cluster sampling of the Spanish population. The present analyses included 3859 individuals, without a previous thyroid disease diagnosis, and with negative thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPO Abs) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels of 0.1-20 mIU/L. Participants were assigned air pollution concentrations for particulate matter <2.5µm (PM2.5) and Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2), corresponding to the health examination year, obtained by means of modeling combined with measurements taken at air quality stations (CHIMERE chemistry-transport model). TSH, free thyroxine (FT4), free triiodothyronine (FT3) and TPO Abs concentrations were analyzed using an electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (Modular Analytics E170 Roche). RESULTS: In multivariate linear regression models, there was a highly significant negative correlation between PM2.5 concentrations and both FT4 (p<0.001), and FT3 levels (p<0.001). In multivariate logistic regression, there was a significant association between PM2.5 concentrations and the odds of presenting high TSH [OR 1.24 (1.01-1.52) p=0.043], lower FT4 [OR 1.25 (1.02-1.54) p=0.032] and low FT3 levels [1.48 (1.19-1.84) p=<0.001] per each IQR increase in PM2.5 (4.86 µg/m3). There was no association between NO2 concentrations and thyroid hormone levels. No significant heterogeneity was seen in the results between groups of men, pre-menopausal and post-menopausal women. CONCLUSIONS: Exposures to PM2.5 in the general population were associated with mild alterations in thyroid function.

Serum vascular endothelial growth factor b and metabolic syndrome incidence in the population based cohort Di@bet.es study.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Although vascular endothelial growth factor b (VEGFb) might have an impact on the development of obesity, diabetes and related disorders, the possible relationship between VEGFb serum levels and the incidence of these metabolic complications in humans is still unknown. The aim of our study was to evaluate the association between VEGFb serum levels and the new-onset of metabolic syndrome (MS) and its components in the Spanish adult population after 7.5 years of follow-up. SUBJECTS/METHODS: A total of 908 subjects from the Di@bet.es cohort study without MS at cross-sectional stage according to International Diabetes Federation (IDF) or Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP-III) criteria were included. Additionally, five sub-populations were grouped according to the absence of each MS component at baseline. Socio-demographic, anthropometric and clinical data were recorded. The Short Form of International Physical Activity Questionnaire (SF-IPAQ) was used to estimate physical activity. A fasting blood extraction and an oral glucose tolerance test were performed. Serum determinations of glucose, lipids, hsCRP and insulin were made. VEGFb levels were determined and categorized according to the 75th percentile of the variable. New cases of MS and its components were defined according to ATPIII and IDF criteria. RESULTS: A total of 181 or 146 people developed MS defined by IDF or ATP-III criteria respectively. Serum triglyceride levels, hs-CRP and systolic blood pressure at the baseline study were significantly different according to the VEGFb categories. Adjusted logistic regression analysis showed that the likelihood of developing MS and abdominal obesity was statistically reduced in subjects included in the higher VEGFb category. CONCLUSION: Low serum levels of VEGFb may be considered as early indicators of incident MS and abdominal obesity in the Spanish adult population free of MS, independently of other important predictor variables.

Association between long term exposure to particulate matter and incident hypertension in Spain.

Exposure to air particulate matter has been linked with hypertension and blood pressure levels. The metabolic risks of air pollution could vary according to the specific characteristics of each area, and has not been sufficiently evaluated in Spain. We analyzed 1103 individuals, participants in a Spanish nationwide population based cohort study (di@bet.es), who were free of hypertension at baseline (2008-2010) and completed a follow-up exam of the cohort (2016-2017). Cohort participants were assigned air pollution concentrations for particulate matter < 10 µm (PM10) and < 2.5 µm (PM2.5) during follow-up (2008-2016) obtained through modeling combined with measurements taken at air quality stations (CHIMERE chemistry-transport model). Mean and SD concentrations of PM10 and PM2.5 were 20.17 ± 3.91 µg/m3 and 10.83 ± 2.08 µg/m3 respectively. During follow-up 282 cases of incident hypertension were recorded. In the fully adjusted model, compared with the lowest quartile of PM10, the multivariate weighted ORs (95% CIs) for developing hypertension with increasing PM10 exposures were 0.82 (0.59-1.14), 1.28 (0.93-1.78) and 1.45 (1.05-2.01) in quartile 2, 3 and 4 respectively (p for a trend of 0.003). The corresponding weighted ORs according to PM2.5 exposures were 0.80 (0.57-1.13), 1.11 (0.80-1.53) and 1.48 (1.09-2.00) (p for trend 0.004). For each 5-µg/m3 increment in PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations, the odds for incident hypertension increased 1.22 (1.06-1.41) p = 0.007 and 1.39 (1.07-1.81) p = 0.02 respectively. In conclusion, our study contributes to assessing the impact of particulate pollution on the incidence of hypertension in Spain, reinforcing the need for improving air quality as much as possible in order to decrease the risk of cardiometabolic disease in the population.

Oleic acid restores the rhythmicity of the disrupted circadian rhythm found in gastrointestinal explants from patients with morbid obesity.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: We investigated whether oleic acid (OA), one of the main components of the Mediterranean diet, participates in the regulation of the intestinal circadian rhythm in patients with morbid obesity. METHODS: Stomach and jejunum explants from patients with morbid obesity were incubated with oleic acid to analyze the regulation of clock genes. RESULTS: Stomach explants showed an altered circadian rhythm in CLOCK, BMAL1, REVERBα, CRY1, and CRY2, and an absence in PER1, PER2, PER3 and ghrelin (p > 0.05). OA led to the emergence of rhythmicity in PER1, PER2, PER3 and ghrelin (p < 0.05). Jejunum explants showed an altered circadian rhythm in CLOCK, BMAL1, PER1 and PER3, and an absence in PER2, REVERBα, CRY1, CRY2 and GLP1 (p > 0.05). OA led to the emergence of rhythmicity in PER2, REVERBα, CRY1 and GLP1 (p < 0.05), but not in CRY2 (p > 0.05). OA restored the rhythmicity of acrophase and increased the amplitude for most of the genes studied in stomach and jejunum explants. OA placed PER1, PER2, PER3, REVERBα, CRY1 and CRY2 in antiphase with regard to CLOCK and BMAL1. CONCLUSIONS: There is an alteration in circadian rhythm in stomach and jejunum explants in morbid obesity. OA restored the rhythmicity of the genes related with circadian rhythm, ghrelin and GLP1, although with slight differences between tissues, which could determine a different behaviour of the explants from jejunum and stomach in obesity.

Association between the Mediterranean Diet and Metabolic Syndrome with Serum Levels of miRNA in Morbid Obesity.

BACKGROUND: The Mediterranean diet (MD) could be involved in the regulation of different miRNAs related to metabolic syndrome (MS). METHODS: We analyzed the serum level of mir-let7a-5p, mir-21, mir-590, mir-107 and mir-192 in patients with morbid obesity and its association with the MD and MS. RESULTS: There is an association between the adherence to MD and higher serum levels of mir-590. Mir-590 was lower in those patients who consumed >2 commercial pastries/week. Mir-let7a was lower in those who consumed ≥1 sweetened drinks, in those who consumed ≥3 pieces of fruit/day and in those who consumed less red than white meat. A lower mir-590 and mir-let7a, and a higher mir-192 level, were found in patients who met the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) criterion of MS. A higher mir-192 was found in those patients who met the triglyceride criterion of MS and in those with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). CONCLUSIONS: There is an association between specific serum levels of miRNAs and the amount and kind of food intake related to MD. Mir-590 was positively associated with a healthy metabolic profile and type of diet, while mir-192 was positively associated with a worse metabolic profile. These associations could be suggestive of a possible modulation of these miRNAs by food.

Iodine Deficiency and Mortality in Spanish Adults: Di@bet.es Study.

Background: Longitudinal data assessing the impact of iodine deficiency (ID) on mortality are scarce. We aimed to study the association between the state of iodine nutrition and the risk of total and cause-specific mortality in a representative sample of the Spanish adult population. Methods: We performed a longitudinal observational study to estimate mortality risk according to urinary iodine (UI) concentrations using a sample of 4370 subjects >18 years representative of the Spanish adult population participating in the nationwide study Di@bet.es (2008-2010). We used Cox regression to assess the association between UI at the start of the study (<50, 50-99, 100-199, 200-299, and ≥300 µg/L) and mortality during follow-up (National death registry-end of follow-up December 2016) in raw models, and adjusted for possible confounding variables: age, sex, educational level, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, chronic kidney disease, smoking, hypercholesterolemia, thyroid dysfunction, diagnosis of cardiovascular disease or cancer, area of residence, physical activity, adherence to Mediterranean diet, dairy and iodinated salt intake. Results: A total of 254 deaths were recorded during an average follow-up period of 7.3 years. The causes of death were cardiovascular 71 (28%); cancer 85 (33.5%); and other causes 98 (38.5%). Compared with the reference category with adequate iodine nutrition (UI 100-300 µg/L), the hazard ratios (HRs) of all-cause mortality in the category with UI ≥300 µg/L were 1.04 (95% confidence interval [CI 0.54-1.98]); however, in the categories with 50-99 UI and <50 µg/L, the HRs were 1.29 [CI 0.97-1.70] and 1.71 [1.18-2.48], respectively (p for trend 0.004). Multivariate adjustment did not significantly modify the results. Conclusions: Our data indicate an excess mortality in individuals with moderate-severe ID adjusted for other possible confounding factors.

Incidence and regression of metabolic syndrome in a representative sample of the Spanish population: results of the cohort di@bet.es study.

INTRODUCTION: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is an important predictor of cardiovascular mortality. Identification of occurrence and regression trends of MetS could permit elaboration of preventive strategies with new targets. The objective of this study was to analyze the occurrence and regression rates of MetS and its associated factors in the representative cohort of Spain of the di@bet.es study. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: The di@bet.es study is a prospective cohort where 5072 people representative of the Spanish population over 18 years of age were randomly selected between 2009 and 2010. Follow-up was a median of 7.5 (IQR 7.2-7.9) years, with 2408 (47%) participating subjects. A total of 1881 (78%) subjects had all the pertinent data available and were included in this study. RESULTS: Of the 1146 subjects without baseline criteria for MetS, 294 (25.7%) developed MetS during follow-up, while of the 735 patients with prior MetS, 148 (20.1%) presented regression. Adjusted MetS incidence per 1000 person-years was 38 (95% CI 32 to 44), while regression incidence was 36 (95% CI 31 to 41). Regression rate was independently higher than incidence rate in the following: women, subjects aged 18-45, university-degree holders, patients without central obesity, without hypertension, as well as those with body mass index of <25 kg/m2. Lower progression and higher regression rates were observed with an adapted 14-point Mediterranean Diet adherence screener questionnaire score of >11 in both groups and with >500 and>2000 MET-min/week of physical activity, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides MetS incidence and regression rates, and identifies the target population for intervention strategies in Spain and possibly in other countries.

Respiratory chain polymorphisms and obesity in the Spanish population, a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: To study the association of genes involved in the mitochondrial respiratory chain (MRC) pathway with body mass index (BMI) and obesity risk. DESIGN: This work studies three cross-sectional populations from Spain, representing three provinces: HORTEGA (Valladolid, Northwest/Centre), SEGOVIA (Segovia, Northwest/centre) and PIZARRA (Malaga,South). SETTING: Forty-eight single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from MRC genes were selected and genotyped by SNPlex method. Association studies with BMI and obesity risk were performed for each population. These associations were then verified by analysis of the studied population as a whole (3731 samples). PARTICIPANTS: A total of 3731 Caucasian individuals: 1502 samples from HORTEGA, 988 from PIZARRA and 1241 from SEGOVIA. RESULTS: rs4600063 (SDHC), rs11205591 (NDUFS5) and rs10891319 (SDHD) SNPs were associated with BMI and obesity risk (p values for BMI were 0.04, 0.0011 and 0.0004, respectively, and for obesity risk, 0.0072, 0.039 and 0.0038). However, associations between rs4600063 and BMI and between these three SNPs and obesity risk are not significant if Bonferroni correction is considered. In addition, rs11205591 and rs10891319 polymorphisms showed an additive interaction with BMI and obesity risk. CONCLUSIONS: Several polymorphisms from genes coding MRC proteins may be involved in BMI variability and could be related to the risk to become obese in the Spanish general population.

Dairy Product Consumption and Metabolic Diseases in the Di@bet.es Study.

To date it is not clear what the role of dairy products is in metabolic diseases like diabetes, obesity, and hypertension. Therefore, the aim of this study is to test the association between dairy product consumption and those pathologies. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 5081 adults included in the di@bet.es study, from 100 health centers around Spain. Food frequency questionnaires were carried out concerning consumption habits, which included dairy product consumption. Logistic regression models were used for the association analyses between the variables controlling confounding variables. Women had a higher consumption of milk, cheese, or yogurt than men (p < 0.0001), but men consumed more sugar dairy products (p < 0.001). People who live in the North of Spain consume more dairy products than those who live in the East. Dairy product consumption was inversely associated with the presence of hypertension regardless of age, sex, geographical region, and body mass index (BMI) (Odds Ratio (OR) 0.743; p = 0.022). The presence of obesity was inversely associated with dairy consumption regardless of age, sex, and geographical region (OR 0.61; p < 0.001). Milk consumption was not associated with diabetes. Our results show that consuming dairy products is associated with a better metabolic profile in the Spanish population.

Iron deficiency is associated with Hypothyroxinemia and Hypotriiodothyroninemia in the Spanish general adult population: Di@bet.es study.

Previous studies have suggested that iron deficiency (ID) may impair thyroid hormone metabolism, however replication in wide samples of the general adult population has not been performed. We studied 3846 individuals free of thyroid disease, participants in a national, cross sectional, population based study representative of the Spanish adult population. Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxin (FT4) and free triiodothyronine (FT3) were analyzed by electrochemiluminescence (E170, Roche Diagnostics). Serum ferritin was analyzed by immunochemiluminescence (Architect I2000, Abbott Laboratories). As ferritin levels decreased (>100, 30-100, 15-30, <15 µg/L) the adjusted mean concentrations of FT4 (p < 0.001) and FT3 (p < 0.001) descended, whereas TSH levels remained unchanged (p = 0.451). In multivariate logistic regression models adjusted for age, sex, UI, BMI and smoking status, subjects with ferritin levels <30 µg/L were more likely to present hypothyroxinemia (FT4 < 12.0 pmol/L p5): OR 1.5 [1.1-2.2] p = 0.024, and hypotriiodothyroninemia (FT3 < 3.9 pmol/L p5): OR 1.8 [1.3-2.6] p = 0.001 than the reference category with ferritin ≥30 µg/L. There was no significant heterogeneity of the results between men, pre-menopausal and post-menopausal women or according to the iodine nutrition status. Our results confirm an association between ID and hypothyroxinemia and hypotriiodothyroninemia in the general adult population without changes in TSH.

Dietary fatty acids modulate adipocyte TNFa production via regulation of its DNA promoter methylation levels.

The factors regulating TNF alpha (TNFa) levels could be considered therapeutic targets against metabolic syndrome development. DNA methylation is a potent regulator of gene expression and may be associated with protein levels. In this study we investigate whether the effect of dietary fatty acids on TNFa released from adipocytes might be associated with modifications of the TNFa promoter DNA methylation status. A group of rats was assigned to three diets with a different composition of saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids. Samples of visceral adipose tissues were taken for adipocyte isolation, in which released TNFa levels were measured, and for methylation and expression studies. In addition, 3 T3-L1 cells were treated with palmitic, oleic and linoleic acids, with and without 5-Azacitydine (5-AZA). After treatments, cells and supernatants were included in the same analyses as rat samples. TNFa promoter methylation levels, gene expression and secretion were different according to the diets and fatty acid treatments associated with them. Cells treated with 5-AZA displayed higher TNFa levels than in the absence of 5-AZA, without differences between fatty acids. According to our results, dietary fatty acid regulation of adipocyte TNFa levels may be mediated by epigenetic modifications of the TNFa promoter DNA methylation levels.

Reference values for TSH may be inadequate to define hypothyroidism in persons with morbid obesity: Di@bet.es study.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the reference range of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in different BMI categories and its impact on the classification of hypothyroidism. METHODS: The study included 3,928 individuals free of thyroid disease (without previous thyroid disease, no interfering medications, TSH <10 µUI/mL and thyroid peroxidase antibodies [TPO Abs] <50 IU/mL) who participated in a national, cross-sectional, population-based study and were representative of the adult population of Spain. Data gathered included clinical and demographic characteristics, physical examination, and blood and urine sampling. TSH, free thyroxine, free triiodothyronine, and TPO Ab were analyzed by electrochemiluminescence (E170, Roche Diagnostics, Basel, Switzerland). RESULTS: The reference range (p2.5-97.5) for TSH was estimated as 0.6 to 4.8 µUI/mL in the underweight category (BMI<20 kg/m2 ), 0.6 to 5.5 µUI/mL in the normal-weight category (BMI 20-24.9 kg/m2 ), 0.6 to 5.5 µUI/mL in the overweight category (BMI 25-29.9 kg/m2 ), 0.5 to 5.9 µUI/mL in the obesity category (BMI 30-39.9 kg/m2 ), and 0.7 to 7.5 µUI/mL in the morbid obesity category (BMI ≥40). By using the reference criteria for the normal-weight population, the prevalence of high TSH levels increased threefold in the morbid obesity category (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Persons with morbid obesity might be inappropriately classified if the standard ranges of normality of TSH for the normal-weight population are applied to them.

Population-Based National Prevalence of Thyroid Dysfunction in Spain and Associated Factors: Di@bet.es Study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the national prevalence of thyroid dysfunction in Spain and its association with various clinical, environmental, and demographic variables. METHODS: The study included 4554 subjects (42.4% men) with a mean age of 50 years (range 18-93 years), who were participants in a national, cross-sectional, population-based survey conducted in 2009-2010. Data gathered included clinical and demographic characteristics, physical examination, and blood sampling. Thyrotropin, free thyroxine, free triiodothyronine, and thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb) concentrations were analyzed by electrochemiluminescence. Urinary iodine (UI) levels were measured in an isolated urine sample. RESULTS: The prevalence of treated hypothyroidism, untreated subclinical hypothyroidism, and untreated clinical hypothyroidism was 4.2% [confidence interval (CI) 3.6-4.9%], 4.6% [CI 4.0-5.2%], and 0.3% [CI 0.1-0.5%], respectively. The prevalence of total hypothyroidism (including all fractions) was 9.1% [CI 8.2-10.0%]. The prevalence of total hyperthyroidism was 0.8% [CI 0.6-1.1]. A total of 7.5% [CI 6.7-8.3%] of the population tested positive for TPOAbs (≥50 IU/mL). In multivariate logistic regression models, TPOAbs were strongly associated with both hypothyroidism (p < 0.001) and hyperthyroidism (p = 0.005), whereas high UI levels (>200 µg/g creatinine) were associated with hypothyroidism (p < 0.001). The positive association between UI and hypothyroidism remained for both treated (p < 0.001) and untreated (p < 0.05) hypothyroidism, whereas it was especially significant for non-autoimmune (TPOAbs negative) forms (p < 0.001). At UI levels ≥200 µg/g, there was a positive correlation between UI and thyrotropin levels (ß = 0.152, p < 0.001) and a negative correlation between UI and free triiodothyronine levels (ß = -0.134, p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: According to the data, a large proportion (10%) of the Spanish population has some evidence of thyroid dysfunction. High TPOAb concentrations were associated with both hypo- and hyperthyroidism, whereas high UI concentrations were associated with hypothyroidism.

Methylation patterns of Vegfb promoter are associated with gene and protein expression levels: the effects of dietary fatty acids.

PURPOSE: We have investigated the epigenetic regulation by dietary fatty acids of Vegfb levels in rats' white adipose tissue and 3T3-L1 cells. METHODS: A group of rats were assigned to three diets, each one with a different composition of saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids. Samples of white adipose tissues were taken for the methylation and expression studies. Additionally, 3T3-L1 cells were treated with palmitic, oleic, and linoleic fatty acids. After treatment, cells were harvested and genetic material was extracted for the analysis of Vegfb levels. RESULTS: We report evidence of changes in the methylation levels of the CpG island at the Vegfb promoter and in the Vegfb expression levels in vivo and in vitro by dietary fatty acid, with the main contribution of the linoleic fatty acid. Vegfb promoter methylation levels were closely related to the Vegfb gene expression. CONCLUSION: According to our results, the regulation of Vegfb gene expression by dietary fatty acids may be mediated, at least in part, by epigenetic modifications on Vegfb promoter methylation. Considering the deep association between angiogenesis and tissue growth, we suggest the nutriepigenetic regulation of Vegfb as a key target in the control of the adipose tissue expansion.

Evolution of urinary iodine excretion over eleven years in an adult population.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Few prospective cohort studies have evaluated dietary iodine intake and urinary iodine concentrations in the general adult population. We assess the evolution of urinary iodine excretion and factors that may influence it in an adult population followed for 11 years. METHODS: A population-based cohort study was undertaken in Pizarra (Spain). In the three study phases (baseline (n = 886), and 6 (n = 788) and 11 years later (n = 501)), participants underwent an interview and a standardized clinical examination that included a food questionnaire, and thyroid hormone and urinary iodine determinations. Subjects with thyroid dysfunction, palpable goiter or urinary iodine excretion >400 µg/L were excluded. RESULTS: Urinary iodine increased over the years (100.6 ± 70.0 µg/L at baseline vs. 125.4 ± 95.2 µg/L at 6 years and 141.6 ± 81.4 µg/L at 11 years; p < 0.0001). Urinary iodine was significantly higher in subjects who reported iodized salt consumption and in subjects with a higher intake of dairy products (p < 0.05). Consumption of iodized salt (Risk ratio (RR) = 1.23, 95% CI [1.01-2.05]) and dairy products (RR = 2.07, 95% CI [1.01-4.23]), and a baseline urinary iodine concentration ≥100 µg/L (RR = 1.26, 95% CI [1.04-1.53]) were significantly associated with urinary iodine concentrations ≥100 µg/L at 11 years. There is no correlation between thyroid function (TSH, free triiodothyronine or free thyroxine levels) and urinary iodine concentrations in conditions of iodine sufficiency. CONCLUSIONS: The increase in urinary iodine concentrations over eleven years is associated with an increase in iodized salt intake and with the dairy products intake, and possibly with a higher iodine content of dairy products. However, individual variability in urinary iodine excretion was not fully explained by dietary iodine intake alone; previous urinary iodine concentrations were also important.

Night-time sleep duration and the incidence of obesity and type 2 diabetes. Findings from the prospective Pizarra study.

BACKGROUND: Several recent studies have related short sleep duration with different health problems, though the results related with the risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D) are far from conclusive. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between night-time sleep duration and the incidence of obesity and T2D in a prospective study with a follow-up of 11 years. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study comprised 1145 people evaluated in 1997-1998 and re-evaluated after 6 years and 11 years. At the three study points, subjects without known diabetes mellitus (KDM) were given an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Anthropometric and biochemical variables were measured. The subjects were asked about their number of hours of night-time sleep. RESULTS: After adjustment, the OR of becoming obese was significantly higher in subjects who slept ≤ 7 hours per night, at both the 6-year follow-up (OR = 1.99; 95% CI = 1.12-3.55) and the 11-year follow-up (OR = 2.73; 95% CI = 1.47-5.04). The incidence of T2D at the 6-year follow-up in subjects without T2D at baseline was higher in those who slept ≤ 7 hours per night (OR = 1.96; 95% CI = 1.10-3.50). However, this association was not independent of obesity, weight gain or abnormal glucose regulation at baseline. At the 11-year follow-up however there was no association between night-time sleep duration and the incidence of T2D. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of obesity over the 11-year follow-up increased in subjects with fewer hours of night-time sleep. The incidence of T2D according to the hours of night-time sleep depended on obesity and the carbohydrate metabolism phenotype.