Fine particulate matter and intima media thickness: Role of endothelial function biomarkers.

Background: Ambient fine particulate matter (PM) is a risk factor for atherosclerosis disease. We aimed to assess whether nitric oxide stable metabolites (NOx) and l-arginine mediate the association between PM and carotid intima media thickness (cIMT) increase.

Methods: We selected 251 participants from the control group of GEA (Genetics of Atheroslerosis Disease Mexican) study (2008-2013) in Mexico City.

Cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase () gene polymorphisms are associated with increased LDL-cholesterol levels and the incidence of subclinical atherosclerosis.

The cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase (CYP7A1) enzyme plays an important role in the conversion of cholesterol to bile acid, contributing to the reduction of cholesterol plasma levels in normal conditions. Nonetheless, recent studies have shown that some genetic variants in the enhancer and promoter regions of the CYP7A1 gene reduce the expression of the CYP7A1 enzyme, increasing plasma lipid levels, as well as the risk of developing coronary heart disease. The aim of this work was to explore whether the genetic variants (rs2081687, rs9297994, rs10107182, rs10504255, rs1457043, rs8192870, and rs3808607) of the CYP7A1 gene are involved in subclinical atherosclerosis and plasma lipid levels.

Selection scan in Native Americans of Mexico identifies rs174616: Evidence of gene-diet interactions affecting lipid levels and Delta-6-desaturase activity.

Searching for positive selection signals across genomes has identified functional genetic variants responding to environmental change. In Native Americans of Mexico, we used the fixation index (F) and population branch statistic (PBS) to identify SNPs suggesting positive selection. The 103 most differentiated SNPs were tested for associations with metabolic traits, the most significant association was /rs174616 with body mass index (BMI).

The gene rs11362 genetic variant is associated with risk of developing CAD: a case-control study.

Background: In the present study, we evaluated whether gene polymorphisms are associated with the presence of coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods: Two rs11362 , and rs1800972 gene polymorphisms of gene were genotyped by 5'exonuclease TaqMan assays in 219 patients with CAD and 522 control individuals.

Results: The distribution of rs1800972 polymorphisms was similar in patients with CAD and healthy controls.

rs1024611 Polymorphism, MCP-1 Concentrations, and Premature Coronary Artery Disease: Results of the Genetics of Atherosclerotic Disease (GEA) Mexican Study.

Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) participates in the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis. In vitro studies have reported that the rs1024611 polymorphism is associated with increased MCP-1 concentrations. The study aimed to define whether MCP-1 concentrations are associated with premature coronary artery disease (pCAD) and to establish whether variations in the rs1024611 polymorphism increase MCP-1 concentrations.

Association of TLR8 Variants in Sex-Based Clinical Differences in Patients with COVID-19.

The host immune response might confer differential vulnerability to SARS-CoV-2 infection. The Toll-like receptor 8 (TLR8), could participated for severe COVID-19 outcomes. To investigated the relationship of TLR8 rs3764879-C/G, rs3764880-A/G, and rs3761624-A/G with COVID-19 outcomes and with biochemical parameters.

The dysfunctional adiposity index is a clinical surrogate of pericardial fat in adults without premature CVD: A sub-analysis of the GEA Mexican study control group.

Background And Aim: The Dysfunctional Adiposity Index (DAI) is a clinical surrogate for evaluating adipose tissue functionality and cardiometabolic health. However, its association with Pericardial Fat Volume (PFV) has not been tested. The aim of this study was to evaluate DAI- PFV association, stratified by type 2 diabetes (T2D) status, and identify DAI thresholds for detecting increased PFV among patients without premature CVD.

The fatal contribution of serine protease-related genetic variants to COVID-19 outcomes.

Introduction: Serine proteases play a critical role during SARS-CoV-2 infection. Therefore, polymorphisms of transmembrane protease serine 2 () and serpine family E member 1 () could help to elucidate the contribution of variability to COVID-19 outcomes.

Methods: To evaluate the genetic variants of the genes previously associated with COVID-19 outcomes, we performed a cross-sectional study in which 1536 SARS-CoV-2-positive participants were enrolled.

Associations of the Gene Polymorphisms Located in the Promoter and Enhancer Regions with the Risk of Acute Coronary Syndrome, Plasma Cholesterol, and the Incidence of Diabetes.

Cholesterol-7-alpha hydroxylase (CYP7A1) is a key enzyme in the synthesis of bile salts, and its activity can contribute to determining cholesterol levels and, consequently, the risk of developing coronary atherosclerotic disease. We evaluated whether seven (rs3808607 , rs9297994 , rs10504255 , rs8192870 , rs2081687 , rs1457043 and rs10107182 polymorphisms located in the promoter and enhancer regions of the gene, which have not been sufficiently explored, are candidates of risk markers of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in the Mexican population. These polymorphisms were determined in a group of 1317 patients with ACS and 1046 control subjects.

DNA Methylation of the IL-17A Gene Promoter Is Associated with Subclinical Atherosclerosis and Coronary Artery Disease: The Genetics of Atherosclerotic Disease Mexican Study.

The interleukin-17 (IL-17) has a crucial role during inflammation and has been associated with cardiovascular diseases, but its role in epigenetics is still poorly understood. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the DNA methylation status of the gene promoter to establish whether it may represent a risk factor for subclinical atherosclerosis (SA) or clinical coronary artery disease (CAD). We included 38 patients with premature CAD (pCAD), 48 individuals with SA, and 43 healthy controls.

Increased carotid intima-media thickness and cardiometabolic risk factors are associated with IL-6 gene polymorphisms in Mexican individuals: The Genetics of Atherosclerotic Disease Mexican study.

Interleukin 6 (IL-6) is a cytokine implicated in the development of atherosclerosis. This study aimed to determine the association of three IL-6 gene polymorphisms with increased carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and cardiometabolic risk factors. Three IL-6 polymorphisms (rs1800795, rs2069827, and rs1800796) were analyzed in 178 individuals with increased CIMT (CIMT ≥ 75th percentile) and 906 individuals without increased CIMT (CIMT < 75th percentile).

Long-term exposure to ambient fine particulate matter and carotid intima media thickness at bilateral, left and right in adults from Mexico City: Results from GEA study.

Background: PM exposure has been associated with intima-media thickness (cIMT) increase. However, very few studies distinguished between left and right cIMT in relation to PM exposure.

Aim: To evaluate associations between chronic exposure to PM and cIMT at bilateral, left, and right in adults from Mexico City.

Possible implication of estrogenic compounds on heart disease in menopausal women.

Epidemiological studies imply there is a higher risk of cardiovascular disease in menopausal women. Some explanations suggest a lack of estrogens as the cause, but estrogens do not disappear completely and are just transformed into different products called estrogenic degradation metabolites (EDMs). When estrogens are metabolized, reactive oxygen species (ROS) increase, causing DNA damage and increasing oxidative stress.

Visceral adipose tissue is an independent predictor and mediator of the progression of coronary calcification: a prospective sub-analysis of the GEA study.

Background: Coronary artery calcium (CAC) improves cardiovascular event prediction. Visceral adipose tissue (VAT) is a cardiometabolic risk factor that may directly or through its related comorbidities determine the obesity-related risk. A clinical VAT estimator could allow an efficient evaluation of obesity-related risk.

Effect of the Melanocortin 4-Receptor Ile269Asn Mutation on Weight Loss Response to Dietary, Phentermine and Bariatric Surgery Interventions.

The loss of function melanocortin 4-receptor () Ile269Asn mutation has been proposed as one of the most important genetic contributors to obesity in the Mexican population. However, whether patients bearing this mutation respond differently to weight loss treatments is unknown. We tested the association of this mutation with obesity in 1683 Mexican adults, and compared the response of mutation carriers and non-carriers to three different weight loss interventions: dietary restriction intervention, phentermine 30 mg/day treatment, and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery.

Metabolic Reprogramming in SARS-CoV-2 Infection Impacts the Outcome of COVID-19 Patients.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection triggers inflammatory clinical stages that affect the outcome of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Disease severity may be associated with a metabolic imbalance related to amino acids, lipids, and energy-generating pathways. The aim of this study was to characterize the profile of amino acids and acylcarnitines in COVID-19 patients.

Increased Carotid Intima-Media Thickness in Asymptomatic Individuals Is Associated with the (rs2149041) Gene Polymorphism in the Mexican Mestizo Population: Results of the GEA Cohort.

The increase in carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and coronary artery calcification (CAC) are features of subclinical atherosclerosis that might be determined by the genetic background of patients. Among the multiple risk factors, the proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin type 9 (PCSK9) has a great impact on atheroma development. Then, we focused on the potential association of the gene polymorphism (rs2149041) with the risk of an increased CIMT.

Association of the Transmembrane Serine Protease-2 (TMPRSS2) Polymorphisms with COVID-19.

SARS-CoV-2 uses the ACE2 receptor and the cellular protease TMPRSS2 for entry into target cells. The present study aimed to establish if the TMPRSS2 polymorphisms are associated with COVID-19 disease. The study included 609 patients with COVID-19 confirmed by RT-PCR test and 291 individuals negative for the SARS-CoV-2 infection confirmed by RT-PCR test and without antibodies anti-SARS-CoV-2.

Helicobacter pylori infection and DNMT3a polymorphism are associated with the presence of premature coronary artery disease and subclinical atherosclerosis. Data from the GEA Mexican Study.

Background: The association between H. pylori infection and coronary artery disease (CAD) is well-known. Alterations in DNA methylation in CAD have been reported, which can be induced by H.