Plasma factor D is cross-sectionally associated with low-grade inflammation, endothelial dysfunction and cardiovascular disease: The Maastricht study.

Background And Aims: The complement system, particularly the alternative complement pathway, may contribute to vascular damage and development of cardiovascular disease (CVD). We investigated the association of factor D, the rate-limiting protease in alternative pathway activation, with adverse cardiovascular outcomes.

Methods: In 2947 participants (50.

C3 and alternative pathway components are associated with an adverse lipoprotein subclass profile: The CODAM study.

Background: Plasma lipoproteins contain heterogeneous subclasses. Previous studies on the associations of the complement system with lipids and lipoproteins are mainly limited to the major lipid classes, and associations of complement with lipoprotein subclass characteristics remain unknown.

Objective: We investigated the associations of C3 and other components of the alternative complement pathway with plasma lipoprotein subclass profile.

Quantification of dicarbonyl compounds in commonly consumed foods and drinks; presentation of a food composition database for dicarbonyls.

Dicarbonyls are reactive precursors of advanced glycation endproducts. They are formed endogenously and during food processing. Currently, a comprehensive database on dicarbonyls in foods that covers the entire range of food groups is lacking, limiting knowledge about the amount of dicarbonyls that is ingested via food.

High-density lipoprotein cholesterol efflux capacity is not associated with atherosclerosis and prevalence of cardiovascular outcome: The CODAM study.

Background: Cholesterol Efflux Capacity (CEC) is considered to be a key atheroprotective property of high-density lipoproteins (HDL). However, the role of HDL-CEC in atherosclerosis and cardiovascular (CV) risk is still controversial, and data in individuals with diabetes are limited.

Objective: In this study, we have investigated the relationship of CEC and other HDL characteristics with clinical and subclinical atherosclerosis in subjects with elevated cardiovascular diseases (CVD) risk and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM).

Dietary intake of advanced glycation endproducts is associated with higher levels of advanced glycation endproducts in plasma and urine: The CODAM study.

Background & Aims: Advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) are formed by the reaction between reducing sugars and proteins. AGEs in the body have been associated with several age-related diseases. High-heat treated and most processed foods are rich in AGEs.

Longitudinal associations of the alternative and terminal pathways of complement activation with adiposity: The CODAM study.

Objective: To investigate longitudinal associations of components of the alternative (C3, C3a, Bb, factor D [FD], factor H [FH], and properdin) and the terminal complement pathway (C5a, sC5b-9) with adiposity.

Methods: A prospective human cohort study (n=574 at baseline, n=489 after 7 years follow-up) was analyzed. Generalized estimating equations were used to evaluate the longitudinal associations between complement components (standardized values) and adiposity (main outcome BMI [kg/m]).

The complement system in human cardiometabolic disease.

The complement system has been implicated in obesity, fatty liver, diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Complement factors are produced in adipose tissue and appear to be involved in adipose tissue metabolism and local inflammation. Thereby complement links adipose tissue inflammation to systemic metabolic derangements, such as low-grade inflammation, insulin resistance and dyslipidaemia.