[Association between resistin serum levels and dimension and body composition variables in children and adolescents].

Background: Resistin is an adipokine secreted in adipose tissue that may be associated with the metabolic and endocrine disorders of obesity.

Aim: To assess the association between serum resistin levels and body composition variables, in children and adolescents.

Material And Methods: Cross-sectional assessment of 302 subjects, aged 10-16 years.

Lipoprotein(a): from molecules to therapeutics.

Lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] was discovered by Kare Berg in 1963 from the study of low-density lipoprotein genetic variants. Lp(a) contains a unique protein, apolipoprotein(a), which is linked to the Apo B-100 through a disulfide bond that gives it a great structural homology with plasminogen, and confers it atherogenic and atherothrombotic properties. Interest in Lp(a) has increased because an important association between high plasma levels of Lp(a) and coronary artery disease and cerebral vascular disorders has been demonstrated.

The Maracaibo city metabolic syndrome prevalence study: design and scope.

The metabolic syndrome (MS) is a conglomerate of interrelated risk factors-including obesity, atherogenic dyslipidemia, arterial hypertension, and insulin resistance-which exponentially increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of MS according to the criteria published by the International Diabetes Federation, in individuals of both sexes over 18 years of age. This is a cross-sectional study based on MS prevalence in a representative sample from the Maracaibo district, Zulia State.

Pharmacologic management of isolated low high-density lipoprotein syndrome.

High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol is a heterogeneous group of lipoproteins exhibiting a variety of properties like prostacyclin production stimulation, decrease in platelet aggregation, endothelial cell apoptosis inhibition, and low-density lipoprotein oxidation blockade. Epidemiologic studies have shown an inverse relation between HDL cholesterol levels and cardiovascular risk. Low HDL cholesterol is associated with increased risk for myocardial infarction, stroke, sudden death, peripheral artery disease, and postangioplasty restenosis.

Effect of cigarette smoking on the oxidant/antioxidant balance in healthy subjects.

Background And Purpose: Cigarette smoking has been associated with the development of cardiovascular disease and cancer. Even though the molecular mechanism(s) are not clear, the pathology has been related to oxygen free radicals present in cigarette smoke. Thus, the main objective of this study was to establish the changes in the oxidation/antioxidation balance induced by cigarette smoking.

Increased serum malondialdehyde and decreased nitric oxide within 24 hours of thrombotic stroke onset.

Background And Purpose: Ischemia/reperfusion generates free oxygen radicals, which react with the unsaturated lipids of biomembranes resulting in the generation products such as malondialdehyde. Malondialdehyde could be a sensor for tissue damage and reperfusion. Nitric oxide, released due to the early arrival of leukocytes in the brain parenchyma, could be a sensor for nonflow phenomenon.