Prevalence of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes in two non-random populations aged 44-77 years in the Faroe Islands.

Aims: The prevalence of type 2 diabetes is increasing worldwide but little known about the status in the Faroe Islands. The aim was therefore to determine the prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus and prediabetes in two non-random populations aged 44-77 years.

Methods: This cross-sectional survey was conducted between 2011 and 2012 and included two sub-populations, namely 518 Septuagenarians aged 74-77 years (84% of the invited) and 401 Mark aged 44-73 years (87% of the invited).

Reproductive Function in a Population of Young Faroese Men with Elevated Exposure to Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) and Perfluorinated Alkylate Substances (PFAS).

Semen quality may be adversely affected by exposure to environmental chemicals such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and perfluorinated alkylate substances (PFASs) that are persistent and may act as endocrine disrupting compounds. The aim of this study was to explore whether PCBs or PFASs exposure were associated with abnormalities in semen quality or reproductive hormones in Faroese men. This population based cross-sectional study includes 263 Faroese men (24⁻26 years) who delivered a semen sample for assessment of sperm concentration, total sperm count, semen volume, morphology and motility.

Carnitine levels and mutations in the SLC22A5 gene in Faroes patients with Parkinson's disease.

Introduction: Mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress and energy production have been implicated in the etiology of Parkinson's disease (PD). Several agents are under investigation for potential neuroprotective effects including acetyl-l-carnitine (ALC).

Objective: To investigate whether low carnitine levels and mutations in the SLC22A5 gene encoding the carnitine transporter are associates with PD risk in the Faroe Islands where the prevalence of both PD and carnitine transporter deficiency (CTD) is high.

Prevalence of type 2 diabetes and prediabetes in the Faroe Islands.

Aims: To determine the prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus and prediabetes among the population aged 40-74 years in the Faroe Islands.

Methods: This population-based cross-sectional survey, conducted between 2011 and 2012, invited 2186 randomly selected individuals (corresponding to 11.1% of the entire population aged 40-74 years).

Health effects associated with measured levels of contaminants in the Arctic.

The Human Health Assessment Group has over the past decade recommended that effect studies be conducted in the circumpolar area. Such studies examine the association between contaminant exposure in the Arctic populations and health effects. Because foetuses and young children are the most vulnerable, effect studies are often prospective child cohort studies.

Overview of ongoing cohort and dietary studies in the Arctic.

This article gives an overview of the ongoing cohort and dietary studies underlying the assessment of population health in the Arctic. The emphasis here is on a description of the material, methods and results or preliminary results for each study. Detailed exposure information is available in an article in this journal, whereas another paper describes the effects associated with contaminant exposure in the Arctic.

Sperm Aneuploidy in Faroese Men with Lifetime Exposure to Dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (p,p´-DDE) and Polychlorinated Biphenyl (PCB) Pollutants.

Background: Although it is known that sperm aneuploidy contributes to early pregnancy losses and congenital abnormalities, the causes are unknown and environmental contaminants are suspected.

Objectives: Our goal was to evaluate associations between lifetime exposure to organochlorines, specifically dichlorodiphenyldicholorethylene (p,p´-DDE) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and sperm aneuploidy in men from the general population of the Faroe Islands, a population with a known history of organochlorine exposures.

Methods: Serum and semen samples from men (n = 90) 22-44 years old who participated in Faroe Islands health studies were analyzed for p,p´-DDE and PCBs 118, 138, 153, and 180 and adjusted for total lipids.

Vitamin d in the general population of young adults with autism in the faroe islands.

Vitamin D deficiency has been proposed as a possible risk factor for developing autism spectrum disorder (ASD). 25-Hydroxyvitamin D3 (25(OH)D3) levels were examined in a cross-sectional population-based study in the Faroe Islands. The case group consisting of a total population cohort of 40 individuals with ASD (aged 15-24 years) had significantly lower 25(OH)D3 than their 62 typically-developing siblings and their 77 parents, and also significantly lower than 40 healthy age and gender matched comparisons.

The role of vitamin D levels and vitamin D receptor polymorphism on Parkinson's disease in the Faroe Islands.

The role of vitamin D in Parkinson's disease (PD) has been proposed and both low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels (25(OH)D) and vitamin D receptor polymorphisms (VDR) have been linked to PD. The aim of this study is to investigate the associations among 25(OH)D and three VDR polymorphisms and PD in the Faroese population where the prevalence of PD is high. We conducted a case-control study where 121 cases were studied for 25(OH)D levels and VDR polymorphisms against 235 randomly selected controls, matched by gender and age.

Semen quality and reproductive hormones in Faroese men: a cross-sectional population-based study of 481 men.

Objectives: To determine semen quality and reproductive hormone levels in young Faroese men.

Design: Descriptive cross-sectional study of Faroese men compared with Danish men.

Setting: Faroese one-centre study.

Linkage disequilibrium between the CYP2C19*17 allele and wildtype CYP2C8 and CYP2C9 alleles: identification of CYP2C haplotypes in healthy Nordic populations.

Purpose: To determine the distribution of clinically important CYP2C genotypes and allele frequencies in healthy Nordic populations with special focus on linkage disequilibrium.

Methods: A total of 896 healthy subjects from three Nordic populations (Danish, Faroese, and Norwegian) were genotyped for five frequent and clinically important CYP2C allelic variants: the defective CYP2C8*3, CYP2C9*2, CYP2C9*3, and CYP2C19*2 alleles, and the CYP2C19*17 allele that causes rapid drug metabolism. Linkage disequilibrium was evaluated and CYP2C haplotypes were inferred in the entire population.

CYP2D6 polymorphism in relation to tramadol metabolism: a study of faroese patients.

Several studies have demonstrated the impact of CYP2D6 polymorphism on the pharmacokinetics of tramadol. However, the relationship between the O-demethylation of tramadol and O-desmethyltramadol (M1) and CYP2D6 activity has not previously been investigated with tramadol in multimedicated outpatients under steady-state conditions. Hence, the aim of this study was to determine if the well documented pharmacokinetics of tramadol regarding CYP2D6 could be verified in a study including 88 multimedicated Faroese patients, treated with tramadol at steady-state conditions.

Impact of dietary exposure to food contaminants on the risk of Parkinson's disease.

This study aimed to investigate the association of Parkinson's disease (PD) with dietary exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and methylmercury (MeHg) in a community with increased exposure levels. A total of 79 clinically verified idiopathic PD cases and 154 controls matched by sex and age were examined in this case-control study in the Faroe Islands. Blood and hair samples were collected and a questionnaire recorded lifetime information on residence, dietary habits, smoking history, and occupational exposure to solvents, pesticides, and metals.

Genetic predisposition to Parkinson's disease: CYP2D6 and HFE in the Faroe Islands.

Objective: To investigate whether the genetic variants of CYP2D6 and HFE are more frequent in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients compared with controls in a population where the prevalence of these variants and PD are increased.

Methods: Blood samples were collected from 79 PD patients and 154 controls in the Faroe Islands. Genotyping for the 'CYP2D6*3, *4, *6 and *9' alleles and for the C282Y and H63D mutations were performed by real-time polymerase chain reaction before Taqman assessment.

The CYP2D6 polymorphism in relation to the metabolism of amitriptyline and nortriptyline in the Faroese population.

Aim: To determine the frequency of CYP2D6 poor metabolizers (PMs) in a Faroese patient group medicated with amitriptyline (AT) and to investigate plasma concentrations of AT and metabolites in relation to CYP2D6.

Methods: CYP2D6 phenotype and genotype were determined in 23 Faroese patients treated with AT. Plasma concentrations of AT and metabolites were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography and investigated in relation to CYP2D6 activity.

Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) induction of CYP3A4 enzyme activity in healthy Faroese adults.

The CYP3A4 enzyme is, along with other cytochrome P450 enzymes, involved in the metabolism of environmental pollutants and is highly inducible by these substances. A commercial polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) mixture, 1,1,1,-trichloro-2-(o-chlorophenyl), 2-(p'-chlorophenyl)ethane (o,p'-DDT) and 1,1,-dichloro-2,2-bis (p-chlorophenyl)ethene (p,p'-DDE) are known to induce CYP3A4 activity through activation of nuclear receptors, such as the pregnane X receptor. However, this induction of CYP3A4 has not yet been investigated in humans.

Caffeine N3-demethylation (CYP1A2) in a population with an increased exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls.

Objective: To investigate the CYP1A2 phenotype distribution in a population with an increased exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) that would likely induce an increased activity of this enzyme. Further, to investigate the effect of sex, smoking, and oral contraceptive use on the CYP1A2 activity.

Methods: In 305 randomly selected Faroese residents aged 18-60 years, the CYP1A2 activity was determined following oral intake of a caffeine dose and subsequent determination of the urinary metabolites and calculation of the caffeine metabolic ratio (CMR).

Polymorphism of CYP2D6, CYP2C19, CYP2C9 and CYP2C8 in the Faroese population.

Objective: The purpose of the study was to study the distribution of poor and extensive metabolizers of CYP2C19 and CYP2D6 and to genotype for CYP2C8 and CYP2C9 among 312 randomly selected Faroese.

Methods And Results: The participants were phenotyped for CYP2D6 with the use of sparteine. The distribution of the sparteine metabolic ratio (sparteine/didehydrosparteines) was bimodal, and 14.