Overweight and Obesity Associated With Increased Total Serum Calcium Level: Comparison of Cross-sectional Data in the Health Screening for Teaching Faculty

Obesity is a risk of cardiovascular diseases. Our previous studies revealed that serum calcium level may have influence in the blood pressure to older male subjects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between total serum calcium level and overweight and obesity subjects. In our study, overweight and obesity status and total serum calcium level were measured among 2,503 subjects, at age range of 22–94 years, who were recruited for the routine health screening in 2006. The estimated mean for age (p?<?0.001), white blood cell count (p?=?0.037), hemoglobin concentration (p?<?0.001), red blood cell count (p?<?0.001), total serum calcium level (p?<?0.001), total cholesterol weight (p?<?0.001), HDL-cholesterol (p?<?0.001), LDL-cholesterol (p?<?0.001), and triglyceride (p?<?0.001) of overweight and obesity subjects were significantly higher than those of non-overweight subjects. The prevalence of overweight/obesity in subjects according to the log-transformed total serum calcium level quartiles was 16.3–30.5 %. The prevalence of overweight/obesity subjects showed trends that were significant according to the total serum calcium level quartiles (p?<?0.001). The odds ratios (ORs) and 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) for overweight/obesity of the second, third, and fourth quartiles compared to the lowest quartile were 1.407 (1.050–1.883), 1.543 (1.136–2.095), and 1.360 (0.995–1.859), respectively, after adjusting for sex and age (p?<?0.001). These findings suggest that a higher prevalence of adult overweight/obesity is weakly associated with higher total serum calcium level in the Chinese population.     

The Relationship Between Serum Calcium Level, Blood Lipids, and Blood Pressure in Hypertensive and Normotensive Subjects who Come from a Normal University in East of China

Previous studies revealed that low calcium intake is related to high prevalence of cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension. However, the relationship between serum calcium and blood pressure was unclear. The prevalence of hypertension is high in China. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the serum calcium level between hypertensive and normotensive groups and to investigate the correlation between serum calcium, blood pressure, and blood lipid parameters. A total of 1,135 adult subjects participated in this study and were divide into two study groups: a hypertensive group (n?=?316) who had 140 mmHg or higher in systolic blood pressure (SBP) or 90 mmHg or higher in diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and an age- and sex-matched normotensive group (n?=?819, 120 mmHg or less SBP and 80 mmHg or less DBP). Our results indicate a significant trend for men (60 years old or older) in the direction of decreasing blood pressure with increasing serum calcium level, but no trend for women was indicated. In the normotensive group, a significant positive correlation was found between DBP and total cholesterol (P?<?0.01) and triglyceride (P?<?0.01), Likewise, triglyceride was positively correlated with SBP (P?<?0.01). Overall, these data suggest that serum calcium may have an influence in the blood pressure of older male subjects with hypertension and in blood lipid profiles of normotensive subjects.     

Serum Calcium Concentration as an Indicator of Intervertebral Disk Degeneration Prognosis

This study aims to investigate the relationship between serum macro- and trace element contents and the degree of disk degeneration in patients with intervertebral disk herniation (IDH). This study was carried out on 69 subjects (30 women and 39 men) diagnosed with IDH. Blood samples of the subjects were collected, and serum concentrations of the elements that include macroelements, such as calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, and magnesium, and trace elements, such as zinc, iron, copper, and selenium, were determined using inductively coupled plasma–atomic emission spectrometry. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination of the entire lumbar region of the vertebral column was conducted using a 1.5-T MRI scanner. The degree of disk degeneration was classified into three categories. Correlation analysis between the degree of disk degeneration and the serum element was performed using SPSS 16.0. In the correlation analysis between the degree of disk degeneration and the element contents, only calcium was found to be negatively correlated with the degree of disk degeneration (r?=??0.332, P?<?0.01). Comparison results between male and female groups showed no significant difference in the element content and in the degree of disk degeneration (P?>?0.05). Moreover, the serum calcium content showed a significant correlation with the degree of disk degeneration, suggesting that the serum calcium concentration can be used as an indicator of intervertebral disk degeneration prognosis.     

Source of Copper May Have Regressive Effects on Serum Cholesterol and Urea Nitrogen Among Male Fattening Lambs

An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of dietary copper (Cu) on mineral profile, hematological parameters, and lipid metabolism in lambs. Eighteen Zandi male lambs (approximately 3 months of age; 17.53?±?1.6 kg of body weight) were housed in individual pens and were assigned randomly to one of three treatments. Treatments consisted of (1) control (no supplemental Cu), (2) 10 mg Cu/kg dry matter (DM) from copper sulfate (CuS), and (3) 10 mg Cu/kg DM from Cu proteinate (CuP). The Cu concentration was 8.2 mg/kg DM in the basal diet. Blood was sampled from the jugular vein at the beginning of the study (enrollment, before feeding Cu supplement) and at days 25, 50, and 70 of experiment. The amounts of total serum glucose, urea nitrogen, calcium, phosphorus, iron, copper, zinc, and lipids and hematological parameters were measured. Average daily gain and feed efficiency were improved (P?<?0.05) with Cu supplementation and were better for the lambs fed diet supplemented with CuP. The concentrations of serum Ca, P, and Zn were not affected by source of Cu in the diet. However, Fe concentration was lower (P?<?0.01) in the Cu-supplemented groups. Experimental treatment had no significant effects on the hematological parameters. The serum glucose concentration was not affected by treatments. However, the urea nitrogen concentrations were significantly affected (P?<?0.05) by added Cu and was lower for CuP group as compared to the lambs in the CuS and control groups. Addition of Cu had no influence (P?>?0.05) on the serum triglyceride concentration, but lambs fed with CuP supplement had lower (P?<?0.05) serum cholesterol than the CuS and control animals. These results indicated that CuP supplemented at 10 mg/kg DM improved gain and enhanced the efficiency of nitrogen in male lambs.     

9758 例健康体检者血糖与血脂的关系分析

目的:探讨健康体检人群血糖与血脂现况及两者之间的相关性。方法:采集我院9758例健康体检者的空腹静脉血,检测其空腹血糖(FPG)、总胆固醇(TC)、甘油三酯(TG)、高密度脂蛋白(HDL-C)和低密度脂蛋白(LDL-C)水平,比较不同FPG水平组间各血脂水平,分析FPG水平与血脂的相关性。结果:各年龄组FPG、TC、TG、HDL-C和LDL-C水平差异均具有统计学意义(P0.05);FPG均与TC、TG和LDL-C水平呈现正相关(r=0.127,0.189,0.141,P0.005),而与HDL-C呈现负相关(r=-0.112,P0.005);根据FPG水平由高到低分为糖尿病(DM)组,血糖调节受损(IFG)组及血糖正常组,其中对TC和LDL-C水平异常率而言,IFG组DM组血糖正常组;对TG、HDL-C水平异常率而言,DM组IFG组血糖正常组。结论:健康人群中血糖和血脂水平呈现一定的相关性,两者的水平异常会增加慢性疾病的发生风险。     

The Effect of Enriched Milk with Selenium and Vitamin E on Growth Rate, Hematology, Some Blood Biochemical Factors, and Immunoglobulins of Newborn Goat Kids

Thirty male and female (n?=?15 for each one) Markhoz newborn goat kids (aged 7?±?3 days) were distributed in a randomized block design in a 2?×?2?+?1 factorial arrangement: two levels of sodium selenite as a source of selenium (0.2 or 0.3 ppm Se), two levels of α-tocopherol acetate as a source of vitamin E (150 or 200 IU Vit E), and one control treatment with six repetitions per treatment (each replicate included three male and three female kids). Animals were fed daily by Se-Vit E-enriched milk (Se-Vit E treatments) or non-enriched milk (control treatment). Growth rate, hematology, and serum biological parameters were measured. The levels of serum albumin (P?<?0.01), serum globulin (P?<?0.05), total serum protein levels (P?<?0.01), erythrocyte counts (RBC) (P?<?0.001), hemoglobin (P?<?0.001), hematocrit (P?<?0.001), leukocyte counts (WBC) (P?<?0.001), IgA (P?<?0.05), IgG (P?<?0.01), and IgM (P?<?0.01) significantly differed among treatments, while no significant differences were observed for calcium, lymphocyte, neutrophil average daily gain and body weight among treatments. Kids feeding by enriched milk with 0.3 ppm Se and 200 IU Vit E had significantly higher serum total protein, globulin, RBC, IgA, IgG, and IgM compared to control and those fed by enriched milk to 0.2 ppm Se and 200 IU Vit E had significantly higher WBC counts.     

Serum cholesterol and expression of ApoAI, LXRβ and SREBP2 in vitamin D receptor knock-out mice

Vitamin D insufficiency has been reported to be associated with increased blood cholesterol concentrations. Here we used two strains of VDR knock-out (VDR-KO) mice to study whether a lack of vitamin D action has any effect on cholesterol metabolism. In 129S1 mice, both in male and female VDR-KO mice serum total cholesterol levels were significantly higher than those in wild type (WT) mice (20.7% (P = 0.05) and 22.2% (P = 0.03), respectively). In addition, the serum high-density lipoprotein-bound cholesterol (HDL-C) level was 22% (P = 0.03), respectively higher in male VDR-KO mice than in WT mice. The mRNA expression levels of five cholesterol metabolism related genes in livers of 129S1 mice were studied using quantitative real-time PCR (QRT-PCR): ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1), regulatory element binding protein (SREBP2), apolipoprotein A-I (ApoAI), low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) and liver X receptor beta (LXRβ). In the mutant male mice, the mRNA level of ApoAI and LXRβ were 49.2% (P = 0.005) and 38.8% (P = 0.034) higher than in the WT mice. These changes were not observed in mutant female mice, but the female mutant mice showed 52.5% (P = 0.006) decrease of SREBP2 mRNA expression compared to WT mice. Because the mutant mice were fed with a special rescue diet, we wanted to test whether the increased cholesterol levels in mutant mice were due to the diet. Both the WT and mutant NMRI mice were given the same diet for 3 weeks before the blood sampling. No difference in cholesterol or in HDL-C between WT and mutant mice was found. The results suggest that the food, gender and genetic background have an effect on the cholesterol metabolism. Although VDR seems to regulate some of the genes involved in cholesterol metabolism, its role in the regulation of serum cholesterol seems to be minimal.     

Relationship between Lipids Levels of Serum and Seminal Plasma and Semen Parameters in 631 Chinese Subfertile Men

Objective

This prospective study was designed to investigate the relationship between lipids levels in both serum and seminal plasma and semen parameters.

Methods

631 subfertile men were enrolled. Their obesity-associated markers were measured, and semen parameters were analyzed. Also, seminal plasma and serum TC, TG, HDL and LDL and serum FFA, FSH, LH, total testosterone (TT), estradiol (E2) and SHBG levels were detected.

Results

Seminal plasma and serum TG, TC and LDL levels were positively related to age. Serum TC, TG and LDL were positively related to obesity-associated markers (P < 0.001), while only seminal plasma TG was positively related to them (P < 0.05). For lipids levels in serum and seminal plasma, only TG level had slightly positive correlation between them (r = 0.081, P = 0.042). There was no significant correlation between serum lipids levels and semen parameters. However, seminal plasma TG, TC, LDL and HDL levels were negatively related to one or several semen parameters, including semen volume (SV), sperm concentration (SC), total sperm count (TSC), sperm motility, progressive motility (PR) and total normal-progressively motile sperm counts (TNPMS). Moreover, seminal plasma TG, TC, LDL and HDL levels in patients with oligospermatism, asthenospermia and teratozoospermia were higher than those with normal sperm concentration, motility or morphology. After adjusting age and serum LH, FSH, TT, E2 and SHBG levels, linear regression analysis showed that SV was still significantly correlated with seminal plasma LDL (P = 0.012), both of SC and TSC with seminal plasma HDL (P = 0.028 and 0.002), and both of PR and sperm motility with seminal plasma TC (P = 0.012 and 0.051).

Conclusion

The abnormal metabolism of lipids in male reproductive system may contribute to male factor infertility.     

Performance,Egg Quality Traits,and Serum Metabolite Concentrations of Laying Hens Affected by Dietary Supplemental Chromium Picolinate and Vitamin C Under a Heat-Stress Condition

A 3?×?2 factorial experiment consisting three levels (0, 200, and 400 μg/kg) of chromium (chromium picolinate) and two levels (0 and 250 mg/kg) of vitamin C was employed to evaluate the effects of these dietary supplements on performance, egg quality traits, and serum biochemical parameters of heat-stressed laying hens (Lohmann LSL-Lite) from 66 to 74 weeks of age. Feed intake increased when birds were given either 400 μg/kg chromium or 250 mg/kg vitamin C (P?<?0.05), but the birds that received both chromium and vitamin C consumed feed similar to those that received only chromium. Dietary treatments had no effect on egg production, egg mass, egg volume, feed conversion ratio, and body mass (P?>?0.05). The birds that fed on diet with chromium or vitamin C produced eggs with higher shell mass and thickness compared to the control. Both eggshell mass and thickness decreased when vitamin C and chromium were supplemented simultaneously, and birds given the diet supplemented with 400 μg/kg chromium and 250 mg/kg vitamin C had eggshell mass and thickness similar to those of the control group. The serum concentration of chromium increased due to increasing level of dietary chromium (P?<?0.05). The birds that received diet with chromium and vitamin C had higher serum concentrations of chromium compared to those that received only chromium (P?<?0.05). Similarly, the hens that received chromium and vitamin C had higher serum concentrations of calcium and phosphorus compared to the hens fed with other treatments (P?<?0.05). The birds given with supplemental chromium exhibited lower serum glucose, total cholesterol, and triglycerides concentrations but higher serum albumin and total protein concentrations compared to the other groups (P?<?0.05).     

Soluble TRAIL Concentration in Serum Is Elevated in People with Hypercholesterolemia

Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is a multi-functional cytokine, which is involved in the pathophysiological processes of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Previously, we demonstrated that TRAIL stimulated lipid uptake and foam cell formation in macrophages in vitro. Several clinical studies have suggested that the serum concentration of TRAIL may be increased in humans with elevated blood cholesterol; however, the current data appear to be inconclusive in this regard. In the present study, we examined the relationships between the serum TRAIL concentration and cholesterol levels in 352 generally healthy subjects undergoing the routine annual health check. We showed that there were significant correlations between TRAIL concentration and levels of total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterols. The level of TRAIL was significantly elevated in subjects with hypercholesterolemia, although this relationship might be also associated with changes of other metabolic factors. Moreover, we showed that the level of blood cholesterol was significantly higher in subjects in the upper quartile of serum TRAIL. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that the serum TRAIL concentration is elevated in people with hypercholesterolemia.     

Lack of Effect of Dietary Chromium Supplementation on Growth Performance and Serum Insulin, Glucose, and Lipoprotein Levels in Broilers Reared Under Heat Stress Condition

This study evaluated the effects of supplemental dietary chromium (Cr) on the performance, carcass traits, and some serum parameters of broilers under a heat stress (23.9 to 37 °C cycling) condition. A total of 150 1-day-old broiler chicks (Cobb 500) according to a completely randomized design were assigned into five treatment groups. Each treatment consisted of three replicates and each replicate contained ten chicks. Treatments were supplemented with 0 (control), 600, and 1,200 μg kg^?1 Cr in the form of Cr chloride (CrCl₃) and Cr L-methionine from 1 to 49 days of age. Blood samples were collected from two birds in each replicate to determine serum parameters at 35 and 49 days of age. The body mass, feed intake, and conversion ratio were not influenced by dietary Cr (P?>?0.05). Dietary supplementation of Cr from either CrCl₃ or Cr L-methionine caused increased serum concentrations of Cr (P?<?0.05), but had no effect on serum insulin and glucose concentrations at both sampling times (P?>?0.05). Serum triglycerides, very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were also not significantly affected (P?>?0.05) by dietary treatments, whereas total cholesterol concentration decreased in chicks fed Cr L-methionine compared to the control (P?<?0.05).     

Association of Serum Calcium and Hypertension Among Adolescents Aged 12–17 Years in the Rural Area of Northeast China

Calcium plays an important role in regulating body homeostasis. Several studies have reported the association between serum calcium and cardiovascular disease in adults. However, studies assessing the relationship between serum calcium and hypertension were limited, especially in subject populations of adolescents. The aim of the present study was to examine the association of serum calcium levels and blood pressure levels among adolescents in the rural area of Northeast China. A total of 2,023 students participated in this study, including 894 boys and 1,129 girls, aged from 12 to 17 years old. We measured the body weight, height, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and serum calcium concentrations of all eligible subjects, and the body mass index (BMI) was calculated from body weight and height. Childhood hypertension was defined as SBP and/or DBP ≥95th percentile for age and gender. According to the results of multivariable linear and logistic regression analysis, we found that higher serum calcium levels were positively associated with childhood hypertension. In comparison with serum calcium levels ≤2.37 mmol/L, the multivariable odds ratio (95 % confidence interval) of hypertension among adolescents with serum calcium levels ≥2.53 mmol/L was 1.89 (1.41–2.53; P trend?<?0.001). In addition, higher serum calcium levels were also positively associated with average difference in SBP and DBP; the average differences (95 % confidence interval) were 4.22 (2.74–5.83; P trend?<?0.001) and 2.23(1.00–3.46; P trend?<?0.001), respectively. In conclusion, higher serum calcium concentrations were found to have an association with higher blood pressure levels and higher prevalence of hypertension in the young population.     

The Relationship between Serum Lipids and Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background

Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) is a relatively common condition that is usually of unknown etiology. A number of individual studies have investigated the association between various serum lipids and SSNHL; however, the findings have been inconsistent. In an attempt to obtain more definitive information on the relationship between serum lipids and SSNHL, we carried out a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Methods

Medline, the Cochrane Library, and EMBASE were searched using the following key words: lipid, cholesterol, triglyceride, fat, serum, blood, sudden hearing loss, hearing loss, hearing disorders. Randomized controlled trials, prospective cohort studies, and retrospective case-control studies involving patients with SSNHL and healthy controls that examined the relationship (reported as odds ratios [OR]) between lipid profiles and SSNHL were included. Primary outcomes were total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) concentrations. Secondary outcomes were triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and lipoprotein(a) concentrations.

Results

A total of 6 case-control studies were included in this systematic review/meta-analysis. The total number of participants ranged from 30 to 250 in the case group and from 43 to 271 in the control group. Meta-analysis revealed no significant difference in total cholesterol levels between the case and control groups (pooled OR = 1.79, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.98 to 3.26, P = 0.057). Likewise, meta-analysis revealed no significant difference in LDL-C concentrations between the case and control groups (pooled OR = 1.15, 95% CI = 0.64 to 2.07, P = 0.639). Since there were an insufficient number of studies reporting data for the secondary outcomes, meta-analysis was not possible.

Conclusions

Our results do not provide evidence for serum lipids being associated with SSNHL, nor do they definitively rule out such an association. Additional studies are needed to ascertain the relationship, or lack thereof, between serum lipids and SSNHL.     

The baseline levels and risk factors for high-sensitive C-reactive protein in Chinese healthy population

Background

Recent studies show that C-reactive protein (CRP) is not only a biomarker but also a pathogenic mediator contributing to the development of inflammation and ageing-related diseases. However, serum levels of CRP in the healthy ageing population remained unclear, which was investigated in the present study.

Methods

Serum levels of high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), glucose (Glu), triglyceride (TG), cholesterol (CHOL), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), superoxide dismutase (SOD), serum creatinine (SCr), serum uric acid (SUA) were measured in 6060healthy subjects (3672 male and 2388 female, mean age:45.9 years) who received routine physical examination at Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Guangzhou, China.

Results

In total of 6060 healthy people, serum levels of hs-CRP were significantly increased with ageing (P?<?0.05), particularly in those with age over 45-year-old (1.31[0.69–2.75] vs 1.05[0.53–2.16]mg/L, P?<?0.001). Interestingly, levels of serum hs-CRP were significantly higher in male than female population (1.24[0.65–2.57] vs 1.07[0.53–2.29]mg/L, P?<?0.001). Correlation analysis also revealed that serum levels of hs-CRP positively correlated with age and SUA, but inversely correlated with serum levels of HDL-c and SOD (all P?<?0.05).

Conclusions

Baseline levels of serum hs-CRP are increased with ageing and are significantly higher in male than female healthy population. In addition, elevated serum levels of hs-CRP are also associated with increased SUA but decreased HDL-c and SOD. Thus, serum levels of hs-CRP may be an indicator associated with ageing in healthy Chinese population.

     

The Effects of Dietary Supplementation with Chromium Picolinate throughout Gestation on Productive Performance, Cr Concentration, Serum Parameters, and Colostrum Composition in Sows

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of supplemental chromium as chromium picolinate (CrPic) on productive performance, chromium (Cr) concentration, serum parameters, and colostrum composition in sows. Thirty Yorkshire sows were bred with semen from a pool of Landrace boars. The sows were equally grouped and treated with either a diet containing 0 (control) or 400 ppb dietary Cr supplementation throughout gestation. The sows received the same basal diet based on corn-DDGS meal. Supplemental CrPic increased (P?<?0.05) the sow body mass gain from the insemination to the day 110 of gestation in sows. No differences (P?>?0.50) were observed in the gestation interval, sow mass, and backfat at insemination, after farrowing, at weaning and lactation loss. The number of piglets born alive, piglets per litter at weaning, and litter weaned mass were increased (P?<?0.05) for those supplemented with CrPic compared with the control. However, the total number of piglets born, total born litter mass, average piglet birth body mass, born alive litter mass, and average born alive piglet mass did not differ among the treatments (P?>?0.05). The placental masses of sows were similar among treatments (P?>?0.05). Dietary supplementation with CrPic throughout gestation in sows showed increased (P?<?0.01) concentration of Cr in the colostrum or serum at days 70 and 110. Compared with the control group, dietary supplementation with CrPic throughout gestation in sows decreased (P?<?0.05) the serum insulin concentration, the glucose or serum urea nitrogen concentration at days 70 and 110. However, no differences (P?>?0.05) were observed in total protein concentration among treatments. No differences (P?>?0.05) were observed in total solids, protein, fat or lactose among sows fed the diets supplemented with CrPic compared with the control. This exciting finding provides evidence for an increase in mass gain and live-born piglets in sows supplemented with CrPic throughout gestation.     

Blood Serum and Seminal Plasma Selenium,Total Antioxidant Capacity and Coenzyme Q10 Levels in Relation to Semen Parameters in Men with Idiopathic Infertility

In this case–control study, we aimed to evaluate the serum and seminal plasma levels of Selenium (Se), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ-10) and determine their relationship with sperm concentration, motility, and morphology in men with idiopathic infertility. A total of 59 subjects were enrolled in the study. Forty four patients were diagnosed with idiopathic male infertility and had abnormal sperm parameters, and 15 subjects had normal sperm parameters with proven fertility. Serum Se, semen Se, and semen TAC levels were significantly different in the fertile and infertile groups (p?<?0.01, p?<?0.001, and p?<?0.001, respectively). However, serum TAC, serum, and seminal plasma CoQ-10 levels did not differ between fertile and infertile groups. When the levels of the measured parameters were compared in serum and seminal plasma, serum levels of Se were found to be correlated positively with the semen levels in all subjects included into the study (N?=?59) (r?=?0.46, p?<?0.01). A relationship was found between neither serum and semen levels of TAC nor between serum and semen levels of CoQ-10. Correlations among measured serum and semen parameters with sperm parameters demonstrated that both the serum and semen levels of Se were correlated positively with spermatozoa concentration, motility, and morphology. Additionally, seminal plasma levels of TAC correlated positively with all these sperm parameters. On the other hand, seminal plasma levels of CoQ-10 correlated only with sperm morphology but not with concentration or motility. No relationship was observed between serum levels of TAC or serum levels of CoQ-10 and sperm parameters. In conclusion, serum and seminal plasma Se deficiency may be a prominent determinant of abnormal sperm parameters and idiopathic male infertility. Measurement of serum Se levels may help determine nutritional status and antioxidant capacity in infertile patients, which may help distinguish those patients who will benefit from supplementation therapy.     

血清超敏C反应蛋白水平与慢性肾脏病患者心血管并发症发生风险关系的探讨

目的:探讨血清超敏C反应蛋白(hs-CRP)水平与慢性肾脏病(CKD)患者心血管并发症发生风险关系。方法:选择82例CKD患者与21例健康体检者为研究对象,根据肾小球滤过率(e GFR)将CKD患者分成CKDl~2期组、CKD3~4期组和CKD5期组。检测和比较各组hs-CRP、B型钠尿肽前体(pro-BNP)、尿素氮(BUN)、尿酸(UA)、肌酐(Cr)、前白蛋白(PA)、白蛋白(Alb)、同型半胱氨酸(Hcy)、甘油三酯(TG)、总胆固醇(TC)、高密度脂蛋白(HDL)、低密度脂蛋白(LDL)、钙(Ca)、磷(P)、血红蛋白(Hb)的水平,同时评估患者是否有心肌缺血及心室肥厚、心脏瓣膜钙化表现。结果:随着e GFR下降,CKD患者血清hs-CRP水平呈上升趋势,不同CKD分期患者血清hs-CRP水平之间差异具有统计学意义(P0.01),CKD患者血清hs-CRP水平与BUN、Cr、UA、P、TG、Hcy、pro-BNP水平之间均存在明显的正相关(P0.05);血清hs-CRP水平与白蛋白、Hb、Ca、HDL之间均存在明显的负相关(P0.05);血清hs-CRP水平与前白蛋白、胆固醇、LDL之间无显著相关性(P0.05)。以hs-CRP为因变量,其他相关指标为自变量进行多元逐步回归分析,结果显示尿酸、Hb、Hcy进入多元逐步回归方程。以心肌缺血是否阳性和瓣膜钙化是否阳性为因变量,hs-CRP为自变量做logistic回归分析,结果显示血清hs-CRP水平为心肌缺血和瓣膜钙化的危险因素(OR1)。结论:CKD患者血清hs-CRP水平升高与其肾功能降低密切相关,且为其发生心肌缺血、心脏瓣膜钙化的危险因素。     

Dietary Intake and Serum and Hair Concentrations of Minerals and their Relationship with Serum Lipids and Glucose Levels in Hypertensive and Obese Patients with Insulin Resistance

Inadequate minerals intake, as well as disruption of some metabolic processes in which microelements are cofactors, are suggested to lead to the development of hypertension. The role of minerals in the pathogenesis of hypertension still remains to be explained. In the present study, we sought to determine associations between serum and hair mineral concentrations and serum lipids and glucose levels. Forty obese hypertensive subjects with insulin resistance and 40 healthy volunteers were recruited in the study. Blood pressure, BMI, and insulin resistance were recorded in all subjects. Levels of lipids, glucose, sodium and potassium, iron, copper, zinc, magnesium, and calcium were assessed in serum. Iron, copper, zinc, magnesium, and calcium were assessed in hair. Dietary intake of the analyzed minerals was estimated. We found distinctly higher concentrations of serum iron and serum and hair calcium as well as markedly lower levels of hair zinc in the hypertensive subjects. The study group manifested also significantly lower daily intake of calcium, magnesium, and iron. We observed a relationship between the concentrations of iron, zinc, and copper in serum and hair and high and low range of cholesterol, triglycerides, and glucose serum levels in the studied patients. Moreover, this study demonstrated significant correlation between serum and hair concentrations of selected minerals and their dietary intake and levels of serum lipids and glucose and blood pressure in the study and the control groups. The obtained results seem to indicate the association between lipid and glucose metabolism and iron, copper, zinc, and calcium concentrations in blood and hair of hypertensive and obese patients with insulin resistance.     

Positive Relationship between Serum Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Levels and Visceral Fat in a Chinese Nondiabetic Population

Background

It has been reported that obesity and serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) are important risk factors of cardiovascular disease (CVD). It is recognized that regionalized adiposity has different cardiovascular risk, visceral versus subcutaneous, is a better predictor of CVD. However, the relationship between regionalized adiposity and LDL-c is unclear. The present study was designed to investigate the relationship between visceral fat accumulation and serum LDL-c levels in a Chinese cohort.

Methods

A total of 1 538 subjects (539 men, 999 women; 20–75 years old) with normal glucose tolerance and blood pressure were recruited. All subjects underwent magnetic resonance imaging to quantify visceral fat area (VFA) and subcutaneous fat area. Serum LDL-c levels were detected by direct assay method.

Results

Overweight/obese subjects (body mass index (BMI) ≥25 kg/m²) had significantly higher serum LDL-c levels than the lean subjects (BMI <25 kg/m²) (P<0.01). An increasing trend in serum LDL-c levels was found to accompany the increase in VFA (P for trend <0.01). Within the same BMI category, subjects with abdominal obesity (VFA ≥80 cm²) had significantly higher LDL-c levels than those without abdominal obesity (VFA <80 cm²) (P<0.05). Multiple stepwise regression analysis showed that increased VFA was an independent risk factor for elevated LDL-c levels, not only in the entire study population (Standard β = 0.138; P<0.01), but also when the study population was subdivided into men, premenopausal and postmenopausal women (Standard β = 0.117, 0.145, 0.090 respectively for men, premenopausal women, postmenopausal women; all P<0.01).

Conclusions

VFA was positively correlated with serum LDL-c levels in a nondiabetic Chinese population with normal blood pressure.     

Serum vitamin D receptor (VDR) levels as a potential diagnostic marker for colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide, and there has been a significant increase in the incidence of CRC in recent decades. Therefore, there is an urgent need to identify blood biomarkers that can be used for early diagnosis. It is not yet clear whether the level of vitamin D and its receptor, vitamin D receptor (VDR), in the blood are helpful factors in the diagnosis of CRC. Therefore, the study focuses on determining the VDR serum level’s contribution and other chemical parameters to the risk of CRC. A total of 189 Saudi participants (66 CRC patients and 123 control patients) aged 20–80 years old were enrolled in this case-control study. A serum sample was collected from each participant, and the levels of VDR and other bone profile tests were determined using ELISA or chemiluminescent assays. P values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. The results showed a highly significant reduction in the levels of total vitamin D (P < 0.0001), VDR (P < 0.0001), vitamin D₃ (P < 0.05), and calcium (P < 0.0001) in the serum of CRC patients compared to the controls. However, the alkaline phosphatase level was higher in CRC patients compared to the controls (P < 0.0001). None of the blood markers showed a significant correlation to the progression of CRC (P > 0.05). More investigation is needed to elucidate different physiological processes that can be affected by these blood biomarkers, therefore changing the carcinogenesis of CRC.