BACKGROUND: Previous studies have demonstrated that modified or oxidized lipoproteins play a key role in the process of atherogenesis, particularly in hyperlipidemic individuals. Low density lipoprotein(LDL) is modified by oxygen free radical from damaged tissue or inflammatory cells. Further changes in the LDL molecule lead to an oxidized form (oxidized LDL), which is recognized by the macrophage scavenger receptor. Scavenger receptors on macrophages recognize and bind oxidized LDL. As uptake continues, the macrophages change to lipid-laden foam cells, the components of the fatty streak, which is the precursor atherosclerotic lesion. Antioxidants are known to prevent modification of LDL by free radicals and possibly also atheroma formation. This study was designed to compare the total antioxidant status and other lipid profiles in vegetarian and non-vegetarian groups in Korean adults to see the effect of diet modification on antioxidant status. METHODS: 174 vegetarian and 150 non-vegetarian male adults were recruited for lipid test including total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, lipoprotein(a), and total antioxidant status during annual routine physical examination. RESULT: 1) Total antioxidant status was significantly high in vegetarian group(1.390+/-0.288 mmol/L) compared to non-vegetarian group(1.155+/-0.290 mmol/L)(p< 0.001). 2) In non-vegetarian group, total antioxidant status was significantly low in smokers(1.041+/-0.288 mmol/L) compared to non-smokers(1.227+/-0.328 mmol/L)(p< 0.001). 3) Correaltions between lipid profiles and total antioxidant status in vegetarian and combined groups were not significant. CONCLUSION: Total antioxidant status in vegetarian group was significantly higher compared to non-vegetarian group. Among non-vegetarian group, smoker group showed lower total antioxidant status compared to non-smoker group. And there was no significant correlations between lipid profiles and total antioxidant status.
Adult ; Antioxidants ; Atherosclerosis ; Cholesterol ; Foam Cells ; Food Habits ; Free Radicals ; Humans ; Lipoprotein(a) ; Lipoproteins ; Macrophages ; Male ; Oxygen ; Physical Examination ; Plaque, Atherosclerotic ; Receptors, Scavenger ; Triglycerides

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The clinical implications of echocardiography findings for long-term outcomes in atrial fibrillation (AF)-related stroke patients are unknown. METHODS: This was a substudy of the Korean ATrial fibrillaTion EvaluatioN regisTry in Ischemic strOke patieNts (K-ATTENTION), which is a multicenter-based cohort comprising prospective stroke registries from 11 tertiary centers. Stroke survivors who underwent two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography during hospitalization were enrolled. Echocardiography markers included the left-ventricle (LV) ejection fraction (LVEF), the left atrium diameter, and the ratio of the peak transmitral filling velocity to the mean mitral annular velocity during early diastole (E/e′ ratio). LVEF was categorized into normal (≥55%), mildly decreased (>40% and <55%), and severely decreased (≤40%). The E/e′ ratio associated with the LV filling pressure was categorized into normal (<8), borderline (≥8 and <15), and elevated (≥15). Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses were performed for recurrent stroke, major adverse cardiac events, and all-cause death. RESULTS: This study finally included 1,947 patients. Over a median follow-up of 1.65 years (interquartile range, 0.42–2.87 years), the rates of recurrent stroke, major adverse cardiac events, and all-cause death were 35.1, 10.8, and 69.6 cases per 1,000 person-years, respectively. Multivariable analyses demonstrated that severely decreased LVEF was associated with a higher risks of major adverse cardiac events [hazard ratio (HR), 3.91; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.58–9.69] and all-cause death (HR, 1.95; 95% CI, 1.23–3.10). The multivariable fractional polynomial plot indicated that recurrent stroke might be associated with a lower LVEF. CONCLUSIONS: Severe LV systolic dysfunction could be a determinant of long-term outcomes in AF-related stroke.
Atrial Fibrillation ; Cohort Studies ; Diastole ; Echocardiography ; Follow-Up Studies ; Heart Atria ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Prospective Studies ; Registries ; Stroke ; Survivors