Opposite Association of Adropin Concentrations with Obesity in Prepubertal Children Compared with Adolescents.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between obesity and plasma adropin levels in two cohorts of children at two different ages.

Methods: Adropin concentrations were measured in 71 prepubertal and 41 pubertal children with obesity and their age- and sex-matched normal weight counterparts (69 prepubertal and 42 pubertal children). Information was available in these children on insulin levels, lipid profile, and leptin levels.

Differentially conserved transcriptomic response to adversity related to self-rated health in the multi-ethnic study of atherosclerosis.

Self-rated health (SRH) is considered a strong indicator of well-being and clinical health status and has been linked to inflammatory markers. The objective of this work was to examine how self-rated physical health (SRPH) and mental health (SRMH) influence the immune system through the regulation of a stress-related gene expression profile known as the 'conserved transcriptional response to adversity' (CTRA), which involves the up-regulation of pro-inflammatory genes and down-regulation of genes involved in type I interferon (IFN) response and antibody synthesis. CTRA expression data were derived from genome-wide transcriptional data on purified monocytes in 1264 adult participants from the multi-ethnic study of atherosclerosis.

Circadian CLOCK gene polymorphisms in relation to sleep patterns and obesity in African Americans: findings from the Jackson heart study.

Background: Circadian rhythms regulate key biological processes and the dysregulation of the intrinsic clock mechanism affects sleep patterns and obesity onset. The CLOCK (circadian locomotor output cycles protein kaput) gene encodes a core transcription factor of the molecular circadian clock influencing diverse metabolic pathways, including glucose and lipid homeostasis. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the associations between CLOCK single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and body mass index (BMI).

Less Than Ideal Cardiovascular Health Is Associated With Shorter Leukocyte Telomere Length: The National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys, 1999-2002.

Background: The associations between individual cardiovascular disease risk factors and leukocyte telomere length (LTL) have been inconclusive. We investigated the association between LTL and overall cardiovascular health (CVH) as defined by the American Heart Association and whether the association is modified by sex and race/ethnicity.

Methods And Results: We included 5194 adults (aged ≥20) from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2002.

Obstructive sleep apnea risk and leukocyte telomere length in African Americans from the MH-GRID study.

Purpose: Shorter telomere length and obstructive sleep apnea are associated with increased oxidative stress and chronic inflammation, which are both considered leading causes of age-related diseases. Different forms of sleep disordered breathing have been linked to telomere length although their relationship remains uncertain. The purpose of this study was to explore the associations between the risk of obstructive sleep apnea and telomere length in African Americans.

Associations between Vitamin D and Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in African Americans Are Partly Explained by Circulating Adipokines and C-Reactive Protein: The Jackson Heart Study.

Background: Although it is recognized that vitamin D deficiency is associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors, and is more common in African Americans (AAs), the pathologic mechanisms by which vitamin D may influence these risk factors are poorly understood.

Objectives: We explored the association between vitamin D status, as reflected by serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations, and CVD risk factors including mean arterial pressure (MAP), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), plasma HDL cholesterol, and waist circumference (WC) in adult AAs. We also tested whether plasma C-reactive protein (CRP), adipokines (adiponectin and leptin), and aldosterone mediated the associations between 25(OH)D and these risk factors.

Vitamin D Receptor Gene Polymorphisms Are Associated with Abdominal Visceral Adipose Tissue Volume and Serum Adipokine Concentrations but Not with Body Mass Index or Waist Circumference in African Americans: The Jackson Heart Study.

Background: The biological actions of vitamin D are mediated through the vitamin D receptor (VDR). Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the VDR gene have been previously associated with adiposity traits. However, to our knowledge, few studies have included direct measures of adiposity and adipokine concentrations.

Association of adiponectin and socioeconomic status in African American men and women: the Jackson heart study.

Background: Recent emphasis has been placed on elucidating the biologic mechanism linking socioeconomic status (SES) to cardiovascular disease (CVD). Positive associations of inflammatory biomarkers provide evidence suggestive of a biologic pathway by which SES may predispose to CVD. African Americans have disproportionately lower SES and have a higher prevalence of CVD risk factors compared to most ethnic/racial groups.

Perceived neighborhood problems are associated with shorter telomere length in African American women.

Objectives: African Americans (AA) experience higher levels of stress related to living in racially segregated and poor neighborhoods. However, little is known about the associations between perceived neighborhood environments and cellular aging among adult AA. This study examined whether perceived neighborhood environments were associated with telomere length (TL) in AA after adjustment for individual-level risk factors.

Association of ADIPOQ gene with type 2 diabetes and related phenotypes in African American men and women: the Jackson Heart Study.

Background: African Americans experience disproportionately higher prevalence of type 2 diabetes and related risk factors. Little research has been done on the association of ADIPOQ gene on type 2 diabetes, plasma adiponectin, blood glucose, HOMA-IR and body mass index (BMI) in African Americans. The objective of our research was to assess such associations with selected SNPs.

Sex-related differences in the association of ghrelin levels with obesity in adolescents.

Background: The utility of ghrelin as a biomarker may be different depending on gender. The aim of this study was to assess ghrelin levels in a population-based sample of adolescents, and to evaluate their association with obesity and obesity-related parameters depending on sex.

Methods: The studied population included 601 randomly selected 14-to 16-year-old children.

Prevalence, associated factors and heritabilities of metabolic syndrome and its individual components in African Americans: the Jackson Heart Study.

Objective: Both environmental and genetic factors play important roles in the development of metabolic syndrome (MetS). Studies about its associated factors and genetic contribution in African Americans (AA) are sparse. Our aim was to report the prevalence, associated factors and heritability estimates of MetS and its components in AA men and women.

Gender-specific associations between ADIPOQ gene polymorphisms and adiponectin levels and obesity in the Jackson Heart Study cohort.

Background: Despite the important role of adiponectin in regulating general metabolic homeostasis, analysis of genetic determinants of adiponectin and the related cardio-metabolic traits in African American population has been limited and inconsistent. Considering the high genetic admixture of African Americans and thus the important population stratification that may confound the genetic-trait associations, the objective of this work was to perform a comprehensive analysis of the associations between ADIPOQ variants and adiponectin levels and obesity phenotypes in a large African American population from the Jackson Heart Study (JHS) cohort.

Methods: Genotype data was available for 2968 JHS participants (1131men; 1837women).

Association of adiponectin with type 2 diabetes and hypertension in African American men and women: the Jackson Heart Study.

Background: Adiponectin is a biomarker that is associated with type 2 diabetes and hypertension. Lower circulating level is a risk factor. Higher levels are protective.

Genetic ancestry is associated with measures of subclinical atherosclerosis in African Americans: the Jackson Heart Study.

Objective: To determine whether genetic ancestry was associated with subclinical atherosclerosis measures after adjustment for traditional cardiovascular disease risk factors, inflammatory marker, socioeconomic status, and psychosocial factors in a large admixed African American population.

Approach And Results: Participants were drawn from the Jackson Heart Study. Participant's percent of European ancestry (PEA) was estimated based on 1747 genetic markers using HAPMIX.

Parent-offspring association of metabolic syndrome in the Framingham Heart Study.

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a clustering of five metabolic risk factors including abdominal obesity, elevated blood pressure, hypertriglyceridemia, low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and impaired fasting glucose. Few studies have fully reported the strength of clustering of these risk factors in a parent-offspring relationship. This analysis describes the associations between parents and their adult offspring in regard to MetS.

Association of resistin polymorphisms with resistin levels and lipid profile in children.

Previous research has found a correlation between resistin and lipid level variations. Polymorphisms in the resistin gene (RETN) could be involved in this relationship, but the results of the different studies are contradictory. The aim of this study was to examine the association between resistin and lipid levels, and to determine whether resistin polymorphisms are associated with resistin levels and lipid profile in prepubertal children and adolescents.

Plasma non-esterified fatty acid levels in children and their relationship with sex steroids.

Objective: Puberty is associated with decreased insulin sensitivity. Sexual hormones have been related with the onset of insulin resistance, but their relationship with non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) remains unexplored. The aim of this study was to evaluate circulating NEFA levels in population-based samples of prepubertal children and adolescents and to analyze the association of NEFA with obesity, insulin resistance, and sexual hormones in adolescents.

Resistin levels are related to fat mass, but not to body mass index in children.

The relationship of resistin levels with obesity remains unclear. The aim of this study was to determine resistin levels in prepubertal children and adolescents and evaluate their association with anthropometric parameters and body composition. The study population included 420 randomly selected 6-8-year-old children and 712 children aged 12-16 years.

Metastatic lesions with and without interleukin-18-dependent genes in advanced-stage melanoma patients.

IL-18 is an immune-stimulating cytokine that promotes experimental melanoma metastasis via vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-induced very late antigen (VLA)-4. We studied genes associated with the ability of melanoma cells to allow metastasis under IL-18 effects, and we verified their expression in metastatic lesions from patients with melanoma. Human melanoma cell lines with and without the IL-18 receptor (IL-18R)/VEGF/VLA-4-expressing phenotype were identified, and their metastatic potential was studied in nude mice.

Relationship of adiponectin with sex hormone levels in adolescents.

Background/aims: Adiponectin is an adipose tissue-derived adipocytokine which, starting at puberty, is present in lower levels in males than in females. In adults, a relationship between adiponectin levels and sexual hormones has been suggested, but this association remains unclear in children. Our study aimed to analyze the relationship of adiponectin with dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, testosterone, estradiol, and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) in adolescents.

Influence of the interaction between the adiponectin G276T polymorphism and body mass index on lipid levels in healthy children.

Adiponectin is an adipose tissue-specific hormone which is inversely associated with metabolic alterations related to atherosclerosis. Polymorphisms in the adiponectin gene (AdipoQ) have been related to low adiponectin levels as well as several cardiovascular risk factors, but this association remains controversial. In our study we investigated the relationship between the AdipoQ T45G (rs: 2241766) and G276T (rs: 1501299) polymorphisms and adiponectin concentrations, blood pressure, and lipid and insulin levels, in a population-based sample of 12- to 16-year-old children.

Relationship of adiponectin with metabolic syndrome components in pubertal children.

Objective: Adiponectin is an adipose tissue-derived adipocytokine which appears in decreased concentrations in obese patients and in several processes related to cardiovascular disease, such as type 2 diabetes or metabolic syndrome. The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between adiponectin and components of metabolic syndrome (lipid profile, blood pressure, insulin and insulin resistance) in pubertal Spanish children.

Methods: The population-based sample included 810 healthy children (382 boys and 428 girls) 12-16 years of age.

Influence of the leptin G-2548A polymorphism on leptin levels and anthropometric measurements in healthy Spanish adolescents.

Polymorphisms in the leptin gene (LEP) have been associated with leptin levels and obesity in some studies in adults though this link has scarcely been investigated in children. In our study, we examined the relationship of the LEP G-2548A polymorphism with leptin levels, anthropometric variables and body composition in a population-based sample of pubescent children. Our study included 880 healthy schoolchildren (419 males and 461 females), 12-16 years of age.

Leptin and adiponectin levels in pubertal children: relationship with anthropometric variables and body composition.

Background: Adipocytokines play an important role in controlling energy homeostasis, and in various metabolic processes related to obesity. The aim of this study was to describe serum leptin and adiponectin concentrations in a sample of pubertal Spanish children and to evaluate their association with anthropometric parameters and body composition.

Methods: The study included 833 pubertal boys and girls.