Apolipoprotein E gene polymorphism and bone loss: estrogen status modifies the influence of apolipoprotein E on bone loss.

The identification of genes that contribute to bone mineral density (BMD) and bone loss has widespread implications for the understanding and prevention of osteoporosis. The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between the presence and absence of the apolipoprotein E*4 (APOE*4) allele and both BMD and annualized percentage rate of change in BMD at the lumbar spine and hip in a population of 392 healthy, pre-, peri-, and postmenopausal white women participating in the Women's Healthy Lifestyle Project. APOE genotype was analyzed by restriction enzyme analysis from genomic DNA.

Correlates of lipoprotein(a) levels in a biracial cohort of young girls: the NHLBI Growth and Health Study.

Elevated levels of lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] are associated with increased risk for coronary heart disease (CHD). However, racial differences in both Lp(a) levels and their associated CHD risk are observed, with African Americans having, on average, higher Lp(a) levels than US whites but not the expected increase in CHD risk. We determined Lp(a) levels and their correlates in a large cohort (n = 2379) of black and white girls, ages 9 to 10 years, at the baseline visit of a longitudinal study of obesity development, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Growth and Health Study.

A dietary and behavioral intervention designed to lower coronary heart disease. Risk factors are unaffected by variation at the APOE gene locus.

Variation at the apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene locus has demonstrated a consistent impact on lipoprotein levels. APOE typing was performed for 488 healthy, caucasian, premenopausal women participating in the Women's Healthy Lifestyle Project (WHLP) aimed at reducing total fat, saturated fat and cholesterol intake and promoting physical activity. Women in both the intervention and control groups were included in the trial.

Ophthalmic knowledge and beliefs among women with diabetes.

Many patients with diabetes do not obtain the recommended annual dilated eye exam that is necessary for early detection of diabetic retinopathy. In this study, 150 suburban, low-income women with diabetes were interviewed using a structured telephone questionnaire that included subscales of ophthalmic knowledge and beliefs regarding barriers, benefits, concerns, and self-efficacy related to receiving recommended ophthalmic screening. The data revealed significant gaps in knowledge about diabetes-related eye complications.

Urinary markers of estrogen metabolism 2- and 16 alpha-hydroxylation in premenopausal women.

There is considerable scientific interest in whether measurement of the major estrogen metabolites 2- and 16 alpha-hydroxyestrone will shed light on the role of estrogen in the risk of breast cancer. These have been difficult to measure in large numbers because of the need for radiolabeled tracers, but a new assay is able to utilize spot urine samples. The main objective of this study was to assess the reliability of a newly developed enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for the measurement of 2- and 16 alpha-hydroxyestrone in urine samples collected from a large group of healthy premenopausal women enrolled in a clinical trial A secondary objective was to assess the impact of several factors such as body weight on the urinary estrogen metabolite ratios.