Usefulness of combining serum uric acid and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein for risk stratification of patients with metabolic syndrome in community-dwelling women.

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is associated with an increased risk of major cardiovascular events. In women, increased uric acid (UA) levels are associated with MetS and its components. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels are also associated with MetS, and hsCRP levels could be modulated by UA.

Uric acid is an independent risk factor for carotid atherosclerosis in a Japanese elderly population without metabolic syndrome.

Background: Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) is an useful surrogate marker of cardiovascular disease. Associations between uric acid (UA), metabolic syndrome (MetS) and carotid IMT have been reported, but findings regarding the relationship have been inconsistent.

Methods: A total of 1,579 Japanese elderly subjects aged ≥65 years {663 men aged, 78 ± 8 (mean ± standard deviation) years and 916 women aged 79 ± 8 years} were divided into 4 groups according to UA quartiles.

A slightly low hemoglobin level is beneficially associated with arterial stiffness in Japanese community-dwelling women.

Pulse wave velocity (PWV) is a simple and noninvasive method of measuring arterial stiffness for the assessment of cardiovascular disease in high-risk populations. This association may be further confounded by hemoglobin status, which is involved in the development of atherosclerosis. We randomly recruited 120 men and 223 women aged 69 ± 9 and 68 ± 7 years, respectively, during their annual health examination in a single community.

Association between fasting plasma glucose and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein: gender differences in a Japanese community-dwelling population.

Background: High sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) is an acute phase reactant and a sensitive marker of inflammation. Hyperglycemia can potentially promote the production of CRP. The aim of this study was to determine whether increased fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels are associated with elevated hsCRP concentrations by gender.

Relationships between lipid profiles and metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance and serum high molecular adiponectin in Japanese community-dwelling adults.

Background: There are few studies to demonstrate the associations between newly addressed lipid profiles and metabolic syndrome (MetS)-associated variables.

Methods: Study participants without medications for hypertension, diabetes, or dyslipidemia {614 men aged 58 ± 14 (mean ± standard deviation; range, 20-89) years and 779 women aged 60 ± 12 (range, 21-88) years} were randomly recruited from a single community at the time of their annual health examination. The association between lipid profiles (total cholesterol (T-C), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), non-HDL-C, T-C/HDL-C, TG/HDL-C, LDL-C/HDL-C ratio and MetS, Insulin resistance by homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and serum HMW adiponectin were analyzed.

Hemoglobin is associated with serum high molecular weight adiponectin in Japanese community-dwelling persons.

Aim: Serum high molecular weight (HMW) adiponectin improves insulin sensitivity, and a decreased level of serum HMW adiponectin has been reported as a risk factor for the development of diabetes and coronary heart disease. This association may be further confounded by the hemoglobin status, which is involved in the development of atherosclerosis.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in 2002.

High-sensitivity C-reactive protein and gamma-glutamyl transferase levels are synergistically associated with metabolic syndrome in community-dwelling persons.

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is associated with an increased risk of major cardiovascular events. Increased high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels are associated with MetS and its components. Changes in gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) levels in response to oxidative stress are also associated with MetS, and the levels could be modulated by hsCRP.

Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio is the best surrogate marker for insulin resistance in non-obese Japanese adults.

Background: The aim of the present study was to examine how lipid profiles are associated with insulin resistance in Japanese community-dwelling adults.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 614 men aged 58 ± 14 (mean ± standard deviation; range, 20-89) years and 779 women aged 60 ± 12 (range, 21-88) years. The study sample were 1,042 (74.

Drug-induced hepatitis with autoimmune features during minocycline therapy.

A 25-year-old woman with no history of liver disease developed liver dysfunction associated with severe jaundice and general malaise following a prolonged therapy with minocycline for acne vulgaris. Serum anti-nuclear antibody was detected and immunoglobulin G level was elevated. Symptoms resolved and liver function normalized following minocycline discontinuation and corticosteroid administration.