METHODS: We used data from an ongoing individual participant meta-analysis involving 17 population-based cohorts worldwide. We selected 60,211 participants without cardiovascular disease at baseline with available data on ethnicity (White, Black, Asian or Hispanic). We generated a multivariable linear regression model containing risk factors and ethnicity predicting mean common carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and a multivariable Cox regression model predicting myocardial infarction or stroke. For each risk factor we assessed how the association with the preclinical and clinical measures of cardiovascular atherosclerotic disease was affected by ethnicity.

RESULTS: Ethnicity appeared to significantly modify the associations between risk factors and CIMT and cardiovascular events. The association between age and CIMT was weaker in Blacks and Hispanics. Systolic blood pressure associated more strongly with CIMT in Asians. HDL cholesterol and smoking associated less with CIMT in Blacks. Furthermore, the association of age and total cholesterol levels with the occurrence of cardiovascular events differed between Blacks and Whites.

METHODS: Individual participant data from 14 cohorts, involving 59,025 individuals were used in this cross-sectional analysis. We made 15 clusters of four risk factors (current smoking, overweight, elevated blood pressure, elevated total cholesterol). Multilevel age and sex adjusted linear regression models were applied to estimate mean differences in common carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) between clusters using those without any of the four risk factors as reference group.

RESULTS: Compared to the reference, those with 1, 2, 3 or 4 risk factors had a significantly higher common CIMT: mean difference of 0.026 mm, 0.052 mm, 0.074 mm and 0.114 mm, respectively. These findings were the same in men and in women, and across ethnic groups. Within each risk factor cluster (1, 2, 3 risk factors), groups with elevated blood pressure had the largest CIMT and those with elevated cholesterol the lowest CIMT, a pattern similar for men and women.

OBJECTIVE: This study sought to determine whether Gynura procumbens (GP) could improve vascular reactivity by suppressing inflammation in postmenopausal rats fed with five-times heated palm oil (5HPO) diet.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-eight female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham [non-ovariectomized; grouped as control, GP extracts (250 and 500 mg/kg), atorvastatin (ATV, 10 mg/kg)] and postmenopausal (PM) groups [ovariectomized rats fed with 5HPO; grouped as PM, GP extracts (250 and 500 mg/kg) and ATV (10 mg/kg)]. Each group (n = 6) was either supplemented with GP extract or ATV orally once daily for 6 months.

RESULTS: In comparison with the untreated PM group, 250 and 500 mg/kg GP supplementation to PM groups reduced the systolic blood pressure (103 ± 2.7, 86 ± 2.4 vs. 156 ± 7.83 mmHg, p intima-media thickness (101.28 ± 3.4, 93.91 ± 2.93 vs. 143.78 ± 3.31 µM), vasoconstriction percentage induced by phenylephrine (102.5%, 88.3%, vs. 51.8%), sICAM-1 (0.49, 0.26 vs. 0.56 pg/mL) and sVCAM-1 (0.39, 0.25 vs. 0.45 pg/mL). GP extract supplementation increased vasorelaxation percentage induced by acetylcholine (78.4% vs. 47.3%) and sodium nitroprusside (84.2% vs. 53.7%), increased changes in plasma nitric oxide level (1.25%, 1.31% vs. 1.9%), and suppressed the elevation of TNF-α (0.39 vs. 1.02 pg/mL), IL-6 (0.43 vs. 0.77 pg/mL) and CRP (0.29 vs. 0.69 ng/mL) in the PM groups.

METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed on 125 patients at the Cardiology Department, the Emergency Interventional Cardiology Department, and the Internal Cardiology Clinic of Thong Nhat Hospital.

RESULTS: Among the 125 patients in our study population, NAFLD was diagnosed in 56%, and the mean CIMT was 0.89 ± 0.48 mm. Normal CIMT was measured in 21% of patients, whereas 79% had an elevated CIMT. The NAFLD rates were significantly different between patients with normal and increased CIMT, at 26.9% and 69.6%, respectively (p = 0.001).

Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study involving patients aged between 18 and 65 years diagnosed with T2DM with IHD (n = 150). Ultrasonography of the abdomen to determine NAFLD severity category and CIMT measurements was performed by two independent radiologists. NAFLD was graded according to the severity of steatosis (NAFLD-3, NAFLD-2, NAFLD-1, and NAFLD-0). Comparison between different stages of NAFLD (NAFLD-3, NAFLD-2, NAFLD-1, and NAFLD-0) was analyzed using Chi-square and analysis of variance tests for categorical and continuous variables, respectively.

Results: The prevalence of NAFLD was 71% (n = 107). NAFLD-1 was detected in 39% of the patients, 32% had NAFLD-2, no patients with NAFLD-3, and 29% had non-NAFLD. There were no patients with NAFLD-2 having higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure, weight, body mass index, waist circumference, total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) concentration was highest within the NAFLD-2. NAFLD-2 showed higher mean CIMT. Every 1% rise in HbA1c for patients with NAFLD significantly increases the CIMT by 0.03 mm (95% CI: 0.009, 0.052, P = 0.006).

Methods: A cross-sectional study of government officers and their family members attending a health screening at a public healthcare facility was conducted. All subjects underwent clinical evaluation, biochemical testing, anthropometry, ultrasound carotid Doppler, and Fibroscan examination.

Results: Data for 251 subjects were analyzed (mean age 47.1 ± 12.4 years, 74.1% male). Prevalence of NAFLD and advanced fibrosis were 57.4 and 17.5%, respectively. Independent factors associated with NAFLD were waist circumference (odds ratio [OR] = 1.077, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.038-1.118, P < 0.001) and serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (OR = 1.039, 95% CI 1.005-1.074, P = 0.024). Independent factors associated with advanced fibrosis were male gender (OR = 4.847, 95% CI 1.369-17.155, P = 0.014) and serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (OR = 1.057, 95% CI 1.003-1.113, P = 0.036). Prevalence of increased CIMT was 29.0%. Independent factor associated with increased CIMT was older age (OR = 1.146, 95% CI 1.067-1.231, P < 0.001). Of the subjects, 34.5% with NAFLD had increased CIMT compared to 19.1% of the subjects without NAFLD (P = 0.063). Advanced fibrosis was not associated with increased CIMT.

METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study on 140 hypertensive patients attending outpatient follow-up in two primary care clinics in Sungai Buloh, Malaysia, using a convenient sampling method. SUA levels were measured and divided into four quartiles. Two radiologist specialists performed B mode ultrasonography to assess the thickness of the right and left carotid intima media in all participants.