A Review on Metabolic Syndrome and Nutrition
Pages 20-23
Banu Mesçi, Ayşe Erbakan and Özge Telci Çaklili

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.6000/1929-5634.2015.04.01.4

Published: 13 April 2015

Abstract: Metabolic syndrome can be defined as a disorder with occurrence of at least three out of five medical conditions including hyperglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia, high blood pressure, central obesity and low HDL cholesterol levels. In this review we will discuss how to improve poor eating habits which further escalates the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. To treat and moreover to prevent metabolic syndrome, we should make healthy life style changes as our priority goal. Macro and micronutrient composition and metabolically favorable food components have a profound influence on health outcomes. Though Mediterranean and DASH diets are referred as the healthiest diets, there are numerous diets that are as well successful. Positive effects of low carbohydrate diets on glycemic regulation have been shown. Nonetheless, personalized nutrition applications with persistent implementation of these changes are foundations for success. A successful approach also needs regular exercise and behavioral changes.

Perspective: Nutrient Intake Chronophysiology: A Rising Public Health Concern
Pages 156-157
Akbar Nikkhah

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.6000/1929-5634.2014.03.04.1

Published: 22 December 2014

Editorial: Camel Milk as a Therapeutic Food: A Postmodern SciTech
Pages 158-159
Akbar Nikkhah

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.6000/1929-5634.2014.03.04.2

Published: 22 December 2014

Association and Interaction Effect between VEGF Receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) Gene Polymorphisms and Dietary Pattern on Blood Lipids in Malaysian Adults
Pages 160-167
Roseline Wai Kuan Yap, Motofumi Masaki, Yoshihiro Shidoji and Wei Min Hon

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.6000/1929-5634.2014.03.04.3

Published: 22 December 2014

Abstract: Background: Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) and diet are related to blood lipid health. Gene-diet interaction studies can identify the risks. The objectives are to determine associations, and interaction effects between VEGFR-2 gene polymorphisms (rs1870377 and rs2071559) and dietary patterns on blood lipids in multi-ethnic Malaysian adults.

Methods: Dietary intakes of 509 (153 Malay, 179 Chinese, and 177 Indian) Malaysians were obtained from food frequency questionnaire for the construction of dietary patterns using factor analysis. Anthropometric measurements: body mass index and blood pressure; and biomarkers: glycated hemoglobin, total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and total cholesterol/HDL-C ratio were determined. Genotyping of rs1870377 and rs2071559 was performed by real-time PCR using Taqman probes.

Results: Two major dietary patterns were extracted from all subjects: ‘Vegetables, fruits, and soy diet’ (VFSD), and ‘Rice, egg, and fish diet’ (REFD). There were significant genetic associations for rs2071559 with TG (p=0.048) in Malays, and in Chinese for rs1870377 with TC (p=0.001) and LDL-C (p=0.007), and rs2071559 on LDL-C (p=0.048). The interaction effects of VEGFR-2 gene polymorphisms and dietary patterns were significant in Malays between rs2071559 and REFD on TG (p=0.005); and in Chinese between VFSD and rs1870377 on LDL-C (p=0.028) after adjusting for potential confounders. There were no significant genetic or dietary associations on blood lipids in Indians (p>0.05).

Conclusion: The significant associations and gene-diet interaction effects between VEGFR-2 gene polymorphisms and dietary patterns on blood lipids may pose hyperlipidemia and hypercholesterolemia risks in Malay and Chinese Malaysians.

Factors Related to Body Mass Index in Women with Rheumatoid Arthritis – TOMORROW study
Pages 168-174
Yoshinari Matsumoto, Yuko Sugioka, Masahiro Tada, Tadashi Okano, Kenji Mamoto, Kentaro Inui, Daiki Habu and Tatsuya Koike

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.6000/1929-5634.2014.03.04.4

Published: 22 December 2014

Abstract: Objectives: This study aimed to clarify the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and patient characteristics, lifestyle factors, and cardiovascular disease (CVD)-related clinical data in women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: A total of 171 female outpatients with RA and 170 age-matched females without RA (controls) from the TOMORROW study (UMIN: 000003876) were included in this cross-sectional study. We divided subjects into 3 groups based on BMI: underweight (BMI < 18.5 kg/m²), normal weight (BMI ≥ 18.5 kg/m² and < 25 kg/m²), and overweight (BMI ≥25 kg/m²), and compared RA disease activity, activities of daily living (ADL) assessed by modified health assessment questionnaire (mHAQ) score, energy and nutrient intake, and CVD risk-related clinical data.

Results: In patients with RA, mHAQ scores were lower in the normal weight group compared with the underweight and overweight groups (p < 0.05). Disease activity showed a similar trend. Energy, protein, and carbohydrate intake showed a positive correlation with BMI (p < 0.05). Blood pressure, C-reactive protein, uric acid, triglyceride, fasting plasma glucose, immune reactive insulin, HbA1c, and leptin showed a positive correlation with BMI, and adiponectin showed a negative correlation with BMI (p < 0.05). Control subjects showed similar trends.

Conclusions: BMI is related to ADL, disease activity, energy, protein and carbohydrate intake, and CVD risk-related clinical data, and might be an indicator of total health status in female patients with RA.