Observational study of the status of coronary risk biomarkers among Negritos with metabolic syndrome in the east coast of Malaysia.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS), ascertain the status of coronary risk biomarkers and establish the independent predictors of these biomarkers among the Negritos.

Settings: Health screening programme conducted in three inland settlements in the east coast of Malaysia and Peninsular Malaysia.

Subjects: 150 Negritos who were still living in three inland settlements in the east coast of Malaysia and 1227 Malays in Peninsular Malaysia.

Enhanced status of inflammation and endothelial activation in subjects with familial hypercholesterolaemia and their related unaffected family members: a case control study.

Background: Familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) leads to premature coronary artery diseases (CAD) which pathophysiologically can be measured by inflammation, endothelial activation and oxidative stress status. However, the status of these biomarkers among related unaffected relatives of FH cases and whether FH is an independent predictor of these biomarkers have not been well established. Thus, this study aims to (1) compare the biomarkers of inflammation, endothelial activation and oxidative stress between patients with FH, their related unaffected relatives (RUC) and normolipaemic subjects (NC) (2)determine whether FH is an independent predictor of these biomarkers.

Low serum high density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration is an independent predictor for enhanced inflammation and endothelial activation.

Background: Inflammation, endothelial activation and oxidative stress have been established as key events in the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) is protective against atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease, but its association with inflammation, endothelial activation and oxidative stress is not well established.

Objectives: (1) To compare the concentrations of biomarkers of inflammation, endothelial activation and oxidative stress in subjects with low HDL-c compared to normal HDL-c; (2) To examine the association and correlation between HDL-c and these biomarkers and (3) To determine whether HDL-c is an independent predictor of these biomarkers.