Sex differences in the impact of the Mediterranean diet on cardiovascular risk profile

The traditional Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) is now widely recommended in the prevention of CVD. However, it is not known whether the MedDiet has the same beneficial cardiovascular effects in women and in men. The objective of the present study was to investigate sex-related differences with regard to changes in cardiometabolic variables in response to a 4-week isoenergetic MedDiet. Participants were thirty-eight men and thirty-two premenopausal women aged between 25 and 50 years who had slightly elevated LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) concentrations (3·4–4·9 mmol/l) or total cholesterol:HDL-cholesterol ratio ≥ 5·0. A 4-week run-in period preceded the MedDiet in order to control the inter- and intra-individual variability. Cardiometabolic variables were measured before and after the MedDiet. Total cholesterol, LDL-C, apoB and apoA-1 plasma concentrations as well as diastolic blood pressure decreased (P < 0·05) in both men and women (respectively, 10, 10, 10, 6 and 5 % for men and 6, 7, 9, 4 and 4 % for women). ApoA-2 concentrations and insulin concentrations 2 h after the oral administration of 75 g of glucose demonstrated sex × time interactions (respectively, P = 0·05 and P = 0·03) and only men experienced a decrease for these variables (respectively, 8 and 25 %). In conclusion, consuming a MedDiet led to significant changes in plasma lipid profile in both men and women, while only men had significant improvements in insulin homeostasis. These results support the importance of investigating sex-related differences in response to diet in order to perhaps further individualise dietary guidelines in the prevention of CVD and type 2 diabetes.

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Sex differences in the association of sphingolipids with age in Dutch and South-Asian Surinamese living in Amsterdam, the Netherlands

Biology of Sex Differences ◽

10.1186/s13293-020-00353-0 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Mirthe Muilwijk ◽

Nardie Callender ◽

Susan Goorden ◽

Frédéric M. Vaz ◽

Irene G. M. van Valkengoed

Keyword(s):

Sex Differences ◽

Waist Circumference ◽

South Asian ◽

Plasma Concentrations ◽

Plasma Lipid ◽

Ethnic Origin ◽

Sphingolipid Metabolism ◽

Cvd Risk ◽

Men And Women ◽

Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass

Abstract Background Men have a higher risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) early in life, while women have a higher risk later in life. The sex-related differences in CVD risk, especially by age, could be related to sphingolipid metabolism. We compared plasma sphingolipid concentrations and its increase by age in men and women. Methods Plasma concentrations of 13 types of sphingolipids were measured by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry in a random subsample of 328 men and 372 women of Dutch and South-Asian Surinamese ethnic origin, participating in the HELIUS study. Sphingolipid concentrations were compared between men and women by age group (18–39, 40–55, and 56–70 years). Multiple linear regression was used to determine sex differences in age trends in sphingolipids stratified by ethnicity. Analyses were performed without adjustment and adjusted for body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference. Results At age 18–39 years, sphingolipid concentrations were lower in women than those in men, but at age 56–70 years this was reversed. At higher age, women showed higher concentrations than men. In line, we observed a more rapid increase of sphingolipid concentrations by age in women than in men. The observed sex differences were not explained by BMI or waist circumference. Patterns of sex differences were similar across ethnic groups, although the strength of associations differed. Conclusions Mean sphingolipid concentrations increase more rapidly with age in women than in men. Therefore, plasma lipid concentrations of sphingolipids, although lower in women than in men at younger age, are higher in women than in men at older age.

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Sex-Related Differences in the Effects of the Mediterranean Diet on Glucose and Insulin Homeostasis

Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism ◽

10.1155/2014/424130 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2014 ◽

pp. 1-9 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Alexandra Bédard ◽

Louise Corneau ◽

Benoît Lamarche ◽

Sylvie Dodin ◽

Simone Lemieux

Keyword(s):

Sex Differences ◽

Insulin Sensitivity ◽

Mediterranean Diet ◽

Sex Difference ◽

Premenopausal Women ◽

Nonesterified Fatty Acids ◽

Time Interaction ◽

Insulin Homeostasis ◽

The Mediterranean ◽

The Impact

Objective. To document sex differences in the impact of the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) on glucose/insulin homeostasis and to verify whether these sex-related effects were associated with changes in nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA).Methods. All foods were provided to 38 men and 32 premenopausal women (24–53 y) during 4 weeks. Variables were measured during a 180 min OGTT before and after the MedDiet.Results. A sex-by-time interaction for plasma insulin iAUC was found (men: −17.8%,P=0.02; women: +9.4%,P=0.63;Pfor sex-by-time interaction = 0.005). A sex-by-time interaction was also observed for insulin sensitivity (Cederholm index,P=0.03), for which only men experienced improvements (men: +8.1%,P=0.047; women: −5.9%,P=0.94). No sex difference was observed for glucose and C-peptide responses. Trends toward a decrease in NEFA AUC (P=0.06) and an increase in NEFA suppression rate (P=0.06) were noted, with no sex difference. Changes in NEFA were not associated with change in insulin sensitivity.Conclusions. Results suggest that the more favorable changes in glucose/insulin homeostasis observed in men compared to women in response to the MedDiet are not explained by sex differences in NEFA response. This clinical trial is registered with clinicaltrials.govNCT01293344.

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The impact of a Mediterranean diet and healthy lifestyle on premature mortality in men and women

American Journal of Clinical Nutrition ◽

10.3945/ajcn.110.008250 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 94 (3) ◽

pp. 913-920 ◽

Cited By ~ 82

Author(s):

P. A. van den Brandt

Keyword(s):

Mediterranean Diet ◽

Healthy Lifestyle ◽

Premature Mortality ◽

Men And Women ◽

The Impact

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Lactation and appetite-regulating hormones: increased maternal plasma peptide YY concentrations 3–6 months postpartum

British Journal Of Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s0007114515002536 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 114 (8) ◽

pp. 1203-1208 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Greisa Vila ◽

Judith Hopfgartner ◽

Gabriele Grimm ◽

Sabina M. Baumgartner-Parzer ◽

Alexandra Kautzky-Willer ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Milk Production ◽

Breast Feeding ◽

Peptide Yy ◽

Plasma Concentrations ◽

Maternal Blood ◽

Control Group ◽

Lactating Women ◽

Cholesterol Ratio ◽

Lactating Mothers ◽

The Impact

AbstractBreast-feeding is associated with maternal hormonal and metabolic changes ensuring adequate milk production. In this study, we investigate the impact of breast-feeding on the profile of changes in maternal appetite-regulating hormones 3–6 months postpartum. Study participants were age- and BMI-matched lactating mothers (n 10), non-lactating mothers (n 9) and women without any history of pregnancy or breast-feeding in the previous 12 months (control group, n 10). During study sessions, young mothers breast-fed or bottle-fed their babies, and maternal blood samples were collected at five time points during 90 min: before, during and after feeding the babies. Outcome parameters were plasma concentrations of ghrelin, peptide YY (PYY), leptin, adiponectin, prolactin, cortisol, insulin, glucose and lipid values. At baseline, circulating PYY concentrations were significantly increased in lactating mothers (100·3 (se 6·7) pg/ml) v. non-lactating mothers (73·6 (se 4·9) pg/ml, P=0·008) and v. the control group (70·2 (se 9) pg/ml, P=0·021). We found no differences in ghrelin, leptin and adiponectin values. Baseline prolactin concentrations were over 4-fold higher in lactating mothers (P<0·001). Lactating women had reduced TAG levels and LDL-cholesterol:HDL-cholesterol ratio, but increased waist circumference, when compared with non-lactating women. Breast-feeding sessions further elevated circulating prolactin (P<0·001), but induced no acute effects on appetite-regulating hormones. In summary, one single breast-feeding session did not acutely modulate circulating appetite-regulating hormones, but increased baseline PYY concentrations are associated with prolonged lactation. PYY might play a role in the coordination of energy balance during lactation, increasing fat mobilisation from maternal depots and ensuring adequate milk production for the demands of the growing infant.

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Detection of the Low Density Lipoprotein Receptor Gene Pvuii Intron 15 Polymorphism Using the Polymerase Chain Reaction: Association With Plasma Lipid Traits in Healthy Men and Women

Disease Markers ◽

10.1155/1998/842051 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 13 (4) ◽

pp. 209-220 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

V. Gudnason ◽

T. Zhou ◽

K. Thormar ◽

S. Baehring ◽

J. Cooper ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Receptor Gene ◽

Low Density Lipoprotein ◽

Ldl Receptor ◽

Plasma Lipid ◽

Density Lipoprotein ◽

Splice Acceptor Site ◽

Low Density ◽

Lipid Levels ◽

Men And Women ◽

The Impact

We have used anchored PCR to amplify and sequence 1400bp of the 15th intron of the Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) receptor gene, and have determined oligonucleotides and conditions for the genotyping of the previously reported Pvull polymorphism. The cutting site (CAGCTG) is created by the transition of a CpG to a TpG within the sequence CAGCCG at a position roughly 600bp 5' from the splice acceptor site of exon 16. Genotype was determined in three populationbased samples of healthy individuals. In a group of 318 men and women from Iceland the frequencies of the Intron-15 T (cutting) allele was 0.23 (95% CI, 0.19-0.28) and was similar in men and women. In two groups of men from England (n=385) and Scotland (n=320), the frequency was similar, being 0.23 (0.19-0.27) and 0.25 (0.22-0.28) respectively. Individuals who were homozygous for the T allele had lower levels oftotal-cholesterol triglycerides and apolipoprotein B, than those with other genotypes, and in the combined group of UK men this effect reached statistical significance; compared to the CIC group, the TIT group had 6% lower cholesterol (p=0.02) and 15% lower triglycerides (p=0.03). The lowering effect associated with the TIT genotype was greater in men who were in the lowest terti Ie of body mass index (<25kg/m2) and for the trait of apoB levels, this genotype x obesity interaction was statistically significant (p=0.01). We thus confirm the association between this allele and lower levels of plasma lipid levels previously reported. The availability of a PCR-based method to detect this polymorphism will facilitate further investigation of the impact of LDL-receptor gene variation in determining lipid levels.

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Associations of Diet and Plasma BCAA Concentrations in Healthy Men and Women – Results from the KarMeN Study

Proceedings of The Nutrition Society ◽

10.1017/s0029665120005388 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 79 (OCE2) ◽

Author(s):

Benedikt Merz ◽

Manuela Rist ◽

Achim Bub ◽

Bernhard Watzl

Keyword(s):

Amino Acids ◽

Dietary Intake ◽

Dietary Pattern ◽

Plasma Concentrations ◽

Healthy Population ◽

Reduced Rank Regression ◽

Isoleucine Leucine ◽

Men And Women ◽

Healthy Men ◽

The Impact

AbstractDiet is the only source of the essential branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) isoleucine, leucine and valine. High plasma concentrations of these amino acids are discussed as risk factors for the onset of several diseases such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) or cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Information about the contribution of the overall diet to plasma levels of these amino acids is controversial. Our objective was to investigate which dietary pattern is associated with plasma BCAA concentrations in a healthy population and which other additional nutrients besides isoleucine, leucine and valine, such as other amino acids, may contribute to the diseases risk.The Karlsruhe Metabolomics and Nutrition (KarMeN) study is a cross-sectional study aiming to determine the impact of a number of factors on the human metabolome in healthy men and women aged 18 and 80 years. In our study, fasting plasma amino acid concentrations as well as current and habitual dietary intake were assessed in 298 apparently healthy individuals, 171 men (57.4%) and 127 women (42.6%) with a mean age of 44.5 and 51.6 years, respectively. All reported foods were summarized into 35 food groups. Dietary patterns were derived that explain as much variation as possible in plasma BCAA concentrations using reduced rank regression. The first derived current dietary pattern covering the diet of the past 24 hours, showed 19.2% of explained variance for BCAA plasma concentrations, whereas the first habitual dietary pattern, covering a period of more than 4 weeks, explained 32.5%. For further analysis, we focused on the first derived habitual dietary pattern. This pattern was high in meat, sausages, sauces, eggs, and ice cream but low in nuts, cereals, mushrooms, and pulses. The age, sex, and energy intake adjusted dietary pattern score was associated with an increase in animal-based protein and at the same a decrease in plant-based protein, dietary fibre and an unfavorable fatty acid composition. Amino acids alanine, lysine and the aromatic amino acids phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan were positively associated with the dietary pattern score as well. All of these factors were reported to be associated with risk of T2D and CVD.Our data suggest that rather than the dietary intake of BCAA, the overall dietary pattern contributing to high BCAA plasma concentrations may modulate the chronic diseases risk.

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Cysteine—Homocysteine Mixed Disulphide: Differing Plasma Concentrations in Normal Men and Women

Clinical Science ◽

10.1042/cs0570211 ◽

1979 ◽

Vol 57 (2) ◽

pp. 211-215 ◽

Cited By ~ 42

Author(s):

D. E. L. Wilcken ◽

V. J. Gupta

Keyword(s):

Plasma Concentrations ◽

Premenopausal Women ◽

Mean Value ◽

Methionine Metabolism ◽

Men And Women ◽

Mean Values ◽

Branched Chain Amino Acid ◽

Branched Chain ◽

Normal Men ◽

Amino Acid Concentrations

1. The mixed disulphide of cysteine and homocysteine is known always to be present in the plasma of patients with homocystinuria, an abnormality of methionine metabolism. Recently we have shown that it is also detectable in low concentration in the plasma of normal fasting man. In the present study we measured mixed disulphide concentrations after an overnight fast in 24 normal men and compared the findings with those obtained in 24 normal premenopausal women of similar age. 2. The mean value for men (± sd) of 3·3 ± 0·8 μmol/l was significantly higher than that for women (2·4 ± 0·7 μmol/l; P < 0·001). Of the other neutral and acidic amino acids measured mean values for leucine, isoleucine and valine (P < 0·001) and cystine (P < 0·01) were also higher in the men but methionine concentrations were not significantly different. 3. The higher branched-chain amino acid concentrations in men could be related to larger muscle bulk and protein intake, but the higher cysteine—homocysteine mixed disulphide concentrations are consistent with differences in methionine metabolism between men and women under the age of 50 years.

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Concentrations of nine endogenous steroid hormones in 70-year old men and women

Endocrine Connections ◽

10.1530/ec-21-0045 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Johanna Christina Penell ◽

Mark M. Kushnir ◽

Lars Lind ◽

Jonatan Bergquist ◽

Jonas Bergquist ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Plasma Concentrations ◽

Population Based ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Obese Women ◽

Men And Women ◽

Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass ◽

Median Plasma ◽

Old Men ◽

The Impact ◽

Apparently Healthy

Objectives: Circulating concentrations of endogenous steroids have systemic implications for health in elderly. However, population-based age- and ethnicity-specific data are scarce. The aim was to report sex-specific plasma concentrations of endogenous sex- and adrenal steroids in elderly Swedish Caucasians, to examine the impact of BMI, and to present concentrations in apparently healthy subjects. Methods: A population-based observational study of 70-year olds, including 684 community-dwelling men and women enrolled in the PIVUS study, Sweden. Median plasma concentrations were determined using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) for pregnenolone, 17-OH-pregnenolone, 17-OH-progesterone, 11-deoxycortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone, androstenedione, testosterone, estrone and estradiol. Results: Plasma concentrations were significantly higher in men (n=452) than in women (n=232) for estradiol: median 61.3 pmol/L (95% CI, 11.4, 142.7) vs. 18.4 (4.0, 127.3), for estrone: 92.8 (33.3, 206) vs 71.6 (17.8, 209) pmol/L, and for testosterone 13.8 (5.7, 28.0) vs. 0.7 (0.2, 2.0) nmol/L. Higher concentrations of estrone and estradiol were observed in obese than non-obese women. Compared to non-obese men, obese men had lower concentrations of testosterone and its precursors: 17-OH-pregnenolone, 17-OH-progesterone, androstenedione and dehydroepiandrosterone. The subgroup of apparently healthy individuals had median values >20% lower for estrone and estradiol in women but slightly higher for testosterone in both sexes. Conclusions: Concentrations of estradiol, estrone and testosterone were higher in 70-year old men than in women. BMI associated positively to estradiol and estrone in women and negatively to testosterone in men. Apparently healthy women had lower median concentrations of estradiol and estrone and men higher median testosterone compared to all individuals.

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