Determinants of carotid atherosclerosis in the general Mongolinan population using ultrasonography / Шинэ санаа Шинэ нээлт

Atherosclerotic risk factors contribute to carotid atherosclerosis. Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), as assessed using a non-invasive high-resolution ultrasound, can predict cardiovascular disease (CVD). Whereas the control of CVD is crucial for the Mongolian people, the studies on carotid atherosclerosis are lacking. The present population-based survey was a cross-sectional investigation of the determinants of carotid IMT in the general Mongolian population.A total of 344 Mongolian volunteers, aged 18-69 years, without CVD and on no medication, were recruited from a health screening setting. The current smoking habits, body mass index, mean blood pressure (MBP), blood total cholesterol (TC), glucose, insulin and carotid IMT (maximum level) were measured.Mongolian males had a significantly higher prevalence of current smoking and a higher level of IMT than females (average=0.58 mm in males vs 0.46 in females). Both a single and multiple regression analysis adjusted for all the regression analysis adjusted for all the measures revealed that IMT was significantly and positively correlated with age, male sex, MBP, TC and glucose among all of the participants. IMT was significantly and positively correlated with age, followed by MBP, TC and glucose among males, while among females, IMT was significantly and positively correlated with age, followed by MBP and TC.Age was the strongest determinant of carotid atherosclerosis, and the increases in blood pressure and cholesterol levels were also important measures in both sexes as well as glucose levels in males in particularly, thus suggesting a preventive strategy necessary for CVD in the general Mongolian population.

Determinants of carotid atherosclerosis in the general Mongolinan population using ultrasonography / Шинэ санаа Шинэ нээлт

Atherosclerotic risk factors contribute to carotid atherosclerosis. Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), as assessed using a non-invasive high-resolution ultrasound, can predict cardiovascular disease (CVD). Whereas the control of CVD is crucial for the Mongolian people, the studies on carotid atherosclerosis are lacking. The present population-based survey was a cross-sectional investigation of the determinants of carotid IMT in the general Mongolian population. A total of 344 Mongolian volunteers, aged 18-69 years, without CVD and on no medication, were recruited from a health screening setting. The current smoking habits, body mass index, mean blood pressure (MBP), blood total cholesterol (TC), glucose, insulin and carotid IMT (maximum level) were measured. Mongolian males had a significantly higher prevalence of current smoking and a higher level of IMT than females (average=0.58 mm in males vs 0.46 in females). Both a single and multiple regression analysis adjusted for all the regression analysis adjusted for all the measures revealed that IMT was significantly and positively correlated with age, male sex, MBP, TC and glucose among all of the participants. IMT was significantly and positively correlated with age, followed by MBP, TC and glucose among males, while among females, IMT was significantly and positively correlated with age, followed by MBP and TC. Age was the strongest determinant of carotid atherosclerosis, and the increases in blood pressure and cholesterol levels were also important measures in both sexes as well as glucose levels in males in particularly, thus suggesting a preventive strategy necessary for CVD in the general Mongolian population.

The correlation between serum amyloid A and reactive oxygen metabolites in a young Mongolian population.

OBJECTIVE: Chronic inflammation and oxidative stress are associated with lifestyle-related diseases. Research into the pathophysiology of lifestyle-related diseases is important for Mongolian people. Our study investigated the correlation among the d-ROMs test (a measure of the total oxidant capacity of blood), serum amyloid A (SAA) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels in a young Mongolian population. METHODS: The data, including anthropometric and biochemical markers, were collected from 78 Mongolian volunteers (male/female = 27/ 51, mean age 21 years). The correlation between the SAA and d-ROMs levels was examined, as well as the correlation between the hs-CRP and d-ROMs levels. RESULTS: The SAA levels were 3.2 microg/mL (median), hs-CRP .04 mg/dL (median) and d-ROMs 309 CARR U, respectively. There was a significant and positive correlation between the SAA and d-ROMs levels (r=.40, P<.01), in addition to a significant and positive correlation between the hs-CRP and d-ROMs levels (r = .32, P < .01). These significant correlations remained independent in a multiple linear regression analysis. A subgroup analysis by sex revealed the positive correlation between the SAA and d-ROMs levels to be greater, relative to that between the hs-CRP and d-ROMs levels, particularly in the female group. CONCLUSIONS: The coexistence of chronic inflammation and oxidative stress can be present even in young Mongolian people, suggesting that their coexistence may be a target of early prevention of lifestyle-related diseases. In addition, not only hs-CRP, but also SAA can be used to evaluate the relationship of oxidative stress in this population. Further studies are necessary to confirm the observed relationship.

The relationship between serum C-reactive protein and daily physical activity in Japanese hypertensive patients.

Hypertension (HT) and C-reactive protein (CRP) are risk factors of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). The current study's purpose was to investigate the relationship between serum CRP levels and daily lifestyles, including physical activity, in Japanese HT patients. Lifestyle factors, blood pressure (BP), blood cholesterol, glucose, and CRP were measured in a total of 312 HT patients (153 men/159 women, mean age: 62.6 y). Women with physical activity of ≥ 1 time/week showed significantly lower CRP levels than those without it (p < 0.05). The data suggest that regular physical activity could reduce the CRP levels in HT patients, thereby maybe preventing CVD.

Determinants of carotid atherosclerosis in the general Mongolian population.

OBJECTIVE: Atherosclerotic risk factors contribute to carotid atherosclerosis. Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), as assessed using a non-invasive high-resolution ultrasound, can predict cardiovascular disease (CVD). Whereas the control of CVD is crucial for the Mongolian people, the studies on carotid atherosclerosis are lacking. The present population-based survey was a cross-sectional investigation of the determinants of carotid IMT in the general Mongolian population. METHODS: A total of 344 Mongolian volunteers, aged 18 to 69 years, without CVD and on no medication, were recruited from a health screening setting. The current smoking habits, body mass index, mean blood pressure (MBP), blood total cholesterol (TC), glucose, insulin and carotid IMT (maximum level) were measured. RESULTS: Mongolian males had a significantly higher prevalence of current smoking and a higher level of IMT than females (average = .58 mm in males vs .46 in females). Both a single and multiple regression analysis adjusted for all the measures revealed that IMT was significantly and positively correlated with age, male sex, MBP, TC and glucose among all of the participants. IMT was significantly and positively correlated with age, followed by MBP, TC and glucose among males, while among females, IMT was significantly and positively correlated with age, followed by MBP and TC. CONCLUSIONS: Age was the strongest determinant of carotid atherosclerosis, and the increases in blood pressure and cholesterol levels were also important measures in both sexes as well as glucose levels in males in particular, thus suggesting a preventive strategy for CVD in the general Mongolian population.

The association between blood glucose and oxidized lipoprotein(a) in healthy young women.

BACKGROUND: Oxidized lipoproteins play important roles in the atherosclerotic processes. Oxidized lipoprotein(a) (oxLp(a)) may be more potent in atherosclerotic pathophysiology than native Lp(a), a cardiovascular disease-relevant lipoprotein. Increased blood glucose concentrations can induce oxidative modification of lipoproteins. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between circulating oxLp(a) and cardiometabolic variables including blood glucose in healthy volunteers within the normal range of blood glucose. METHODS: Several cardiometabolic variables and serum oxLp(a) (using an ELISA system) were measured among 70 healthy females (mean age, 22 years). RESULTS: Lp(a) and glucose were significantly and positively correlated with oxLp(a) in simple correlation test. Furthermore, a multiple linear regression analysis showed oxLp(a) to have a weakly, but significantly positive and independent correlation with only blood glucose (ß = 0.269, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that increased glucose may enhance the oxidization of Lp(a) even at normal glucose levels.

Comparative study of atherosclerotic parameters in Mongolian and Japanese patients with hypertension and diabetes mellitus.

AIM: Cardiovascular disease is becoming increasingly more problematic in Mongolia. The cardioankle vascular index (CAVI) and circulating C-reactive protein (CRP) are new atherosclerosis-related parameters, but no comparative studies of atherosclerotic parameters including CAVI and CRP are available between Mongolian and Japanese populations, such as disease populations of hypertension (HT) and diabetes mellitus (DM). Our study objective was to examine atherosclerotic profiles in HT and DM patients in both countries. METHODS: From a hospital-based population, 156 Mongolian outpatients with HT and DM (men: 46%, mean age: 57.1 years) and 156 age- and sex-matched Japanese outpatients with HT and DM (men: 46%, age: 57.7) were recruited. Body mass index (BMI), heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), pulse pressure (PP), ankle-brachial index (ABI), ultrasonographic carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), blood total cholesterol (T-Cho), glucose, insulin and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were measured, in addition to CAVI and CRP. RESULTS: The levels of BMI, HR, BP, PP, insulin and IMT were significantly higher and T-Cho and glucose were significantly lower in the Mongolian patients in comparison to the Japanese patients. Particularly, the levels of CAVI (mean+/-SD) (8.1+/-1.1 vs. 8.8+/-1.2) and CRP(median[interquartile range])(0.05[0.03-0.12]vs. 0.19[0.09-0.42]mg/dL)were significantly higher in Mongolian than Japanese patients. These significant differences remained unchanged, even after taking into account multiple variables, including BP and HOMA-IR. In addition, except for CAVI in the subgroup of DM, generally similar trends regarding atherosclerotic parameters were seen in the subgroup by sex and disease (HT, DM and HT plus DM). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that Mongolian patients with HT and DM may be at higher risk for cardiovascular disease than Japanese patients.

Comparative study of the cardio-ankle vascular index and ankle-brachial index between young Japanese and Mongolian subjects.

Mongolian people have higher mortality and morbidity rates due to cardiovascular disease (CVD) than Japanese people. The cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) and ankle-brachial index (ABI) are both atherosclerosis-related indexes. Presently, there is no comparative information on CAVI and ABI among young subjects between Mongolian and Japanese people. A total of one hundred Mongolian (men: 39%, mean age: 20.9+/-2.2 years) and 115 Japanese volunteers (men: 39%, mean age: 22.0+/-1.8 years) were recruited from among university students. The body mass index (BMI), heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), CAVI, ABI, carotid intima-media thickness, blood total cholesterol (TC), glucose and C reactive protein levels were measured. The levels of BMI, HR and diastolic BP were significantly higher, and TC and glucose were significantly lower in the Mongolian subjects than in the Japanese subjects. The CAVI values (median (interquartile range): 6.5 (5.8-7.0) vs. 5.6 (5.2-6.0)) and ABI (1.11 (1.05-1.17) vs. 1.09 (1.05-1.15)) were significantly higher in the Mongolian subjects than in the Japanese subjects. The patterns of correlation between CAVI, ABI and other atherosclerotic parameters were different: in age-, gender- and BMI-adjustment correlation tests for CAVI and ABI, HR (r=-0.25 for CAVI and ABI) showed a correlation in the Mongolian subjects, and for ABI systolic BP (r=-0.28) showed a correlation in the Japanese subjects. These results suggest that Mongolian subjects may be at higher risk of CVD, even among younger individuals, than Japanese subjects.

Relationship between upper limb peripheral artery stiffness using the radial artery and atherosclerotic parameters.

PURPOSE: A new method has been developed for evaluating arterial stiffness using transcutaneous and high-frequency ultrasound. There may be a difference in the clinical significance of peripheral arteries, such as the radial artery (a muscular property), and other medium/large-sized arteries (an elastic property). The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between upper limb peripheral arterial stiffness (ULPAS) using the new method for the radial artery and atherosclerotic parameters in comparison with carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) in a healthy population and a diseased population with hypertension (HT) and diabetes mellitus (DM). METHODS: Forty-four apparently healthy individuals (mean age = 26.3 years, men/women = 14/30), 45 patients with drug-treated HT (mean age = 55.3 years, men/women = 17/28), and 37 patients with drug-treated DM (mean age = 55.2 years, men/women = 21/16) were investigated. Body mass index, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), CAVI, IMT, ultrasonographically measured ULPAS, blood lipid/glucose-related parameters, and C-reactive protein (CRP) were all determined. RESULTS: Among the healthy subjects, ULPAS showed a significantly positive correlation with SBP and CRP. ULPAS showed a different correlation pattern with atherosclerotic parameters from that of IMT and CAVI. The HT subjects had significantly higher ULPAS levels than those with DM. In this diseased population, ULPAS showed a significant positive correlation with SBP and DBP, as well as a significant negative correlation with glucose. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that ULPAS may provide new information in association with some atherosclerotic conditions as a unique index different from IMT and CAVI.