Psychological correlates of blood lipid levels have been previously evaluated mostly in cross sectional studies. However, prospectively measured psychological factors might also predict favorable blood lipid profiles, thereby indicating a healthy mind/body interplay that is associated with less disease, better health and longer lives. This paper examined whether longitudinal profiles of psychological well-being over 9–10 years are predictors of blood lipid profiles. Using the MIDUS (Midlife in the U.S.) biological subsample (n = 1054, aged 34 to 84, 55% female), cross-time trajectories of well-being were linked with three lipid outcomes (i.e., HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL cholesterol), measured for the first time at the 2nd wave of the study. Most adults showed largely stable profiles of well-being, albeit at different levels. Some showed persistently high well-being over time, while others revealed persistently low or moderate well-being. After adjusting for the effect of demographics, health behaviors, medications, and insulin resistance, adults with persistently high levels of environmental mastery and self-acceptance—two components of psychological well-being—had significantly higher levels of HDL as well as significantly lower levels of triglycerides compared to adults with persistently low levels of well-being. Converging with prior findings, no association was found between well-being and LDL cholesterol. Over 9–10 years, persistently high levels of psychological well-being measures predicted high HDL cholesterol and low triglycerides. These findings add longitudinal evidence to the growing body of research showing that positive psychological factors are linked with better lipoprotein profiles. A better blood lipid profile, particularly higher HDL-C, may be key in mediating how psychological well-being positively impacts health and length of life. Additional research is required to further validate this hypothesis as well as to establish potential underlying mechanisms.

Despite the physiologic importance of vitamin E, in particular its α-tocopherol (α-T) isoform, the molecular mechanisms involved in the cellular uptake of this antioxidant from plasma lipoproteins have not been well-defined. Recent studies have suggested that selective lipid uptake, rather than endocytosis, is important for α-T delivery to cells. Here we show that the scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-BI), which mediates cellular selective cholesteryl ester uptake from lipoproteins, facilitates efficient transfer of α-T from HDL to cultured cells. In SR-BI-deficient mutant mice, relative to wild-type control animals, there was a significant increase in plasma α-T levels (1.1- to 1.4-fold higher) that was mostly due to the elevated α-T content of their abnormally large plasma HDL-like particles. This increase in plasma α-T in SR-BI knockout mice was accompanied by a significant decrease (65–80%) in the α-T concentrations in bile and several tissues including ovary, testis, lung and brain. SR-BI deficiency did not alter the α-T concentrations of the liver, spleen, kidney or white fat. These data show that SR-BI plays an important role in transferring α-T from plasma lipoproteins to specific tissues. Also, in the case of the liver as was previously shown for SR-BI-dependent hepatic cholesterol transport, SR-BI-mediated uptake of α-T was primarily coupled to biliary excretion rather than to tissue accumulation. Defective tissue uptake of lipoprotein α-T in SR-BI-deficient mice may contribute to the reproductive and cardiovascular pathologies exhibited by these animals.

Obesity is growing at an alarming rate in Latin America. Lifestyle behaviours such as physical activity and dietary intake have been largely associated with obesity in many countries; however studies that combine nutrition and physical activity assessment in representative samples of Latin American countries are lacking. The aim of this study is to present the design rationale of the Latin American Study of Nutrition and Health/Estudio Latinoamericano de Nutrición y Salud (ELANS) with a particular focus on its quality control procedures and recruitment processes. The ELANS is a multicenter cross-sectional nutrition and health surveillance study of a nationally representative sample of urban populations from eight Latin American countries (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Perú and Venezuela). A standard study protocol was designed to evaluate the nutritional intakes, physical activity levels, and anthropometric measurements of 9000 enrolled participants. The study was based on a complex, multistage sample design and the sample was stratified by gender, age (15 to 65 years old) and socioeconomic level. A small-scale pilot study was performed in each country to test the procedures and tools. This study will provide valuable information and a unique dataset regarding Latin America that will enable cross-country comparisons of nutritional statuses that focus on energy and macro- and micronutrient intakes, food patterns, and energy expenditure. Clinical Trials NCT02226627

Background— The cell-associated proteoglycan syndecan-1 (Synd1) closely regulates inflammation and cell-matrix interactions during wound healing and tumorigenesis. The present study investigated whether Synd1 may also regulate cardiac inflammation, matrix remodeling, and function after myocardial infarction (MI). Methods and Results— First, we showed increased protein and mRNA expression of Synd1 from 24 hours on, reaching its maximum at 7 days after MI and declining thereafter. Targeted deletion of Synd1 resulted in increased inflammation and accelerated, yet functionally adverse, infarct healing after MI. In concordance, adenoviral gene expression of Synd1 protected against exaggerated inflammation after MI, mainly by reducing transendothelial adhesion and migration of leukocytes, as shown in vitro. Increased inflammation in the absence of Synd1 resulted in increased monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 expression, increased activity of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and -9, and decreased activity of tissue transglutaminase, associated with increased collagen fragmentation and disorganization. Exaggerated inflammation and adverse matrix remodeling in the absence of Synd1 increased cardiac dilatation and impaired systolic function, whereas gene overexpression of Synd1 reduced inflammation and protected against cardiac dilatation and failure. Conclusions— Increased expression of Synd1 in the infarct protects against exaggerated inflammation and adverse infarct healing, thereby reducing cardiac dilatation and dysfunction after MI in mice.

The Mediterranean diet is a healthy diet with positive scientific evidence of preventing chronic diseases. Bioactive components support the healthy properties of the Mediterranean diet. Antioxidants and fiber, two components of the Mediterranean diet, are key functional nutrients for healthy eating and nutrition. Wine grape pomace is a rich source of these dietary constituents and may be beneficial for human health. Our hypothesis was that the intake of red wine grape pomace flour (WGPF) prepared from red wine grapes (Cabernet Sauvignon variety) reduced the metabolic syndrome in humans. To evaluate the effect of WGPF on components of metabolic syndrome we design a 16-week longitudinal intervention study. Thirty-eight males, 30–65 years of age, with at least one component of metabolic syndrome, were randomly assigned to either the intervention group (n = 25) or the control group (n = 13). At lunch, the intervention group was given 20 g of WGPF per day, which contained 10 g of dietary fiber, 822 mg of polyphenols and an antioxidant capacity of 7258 ORAC units. Both groups were asked to maintain their regular eating habits and lifestyles. Clinical evaluation, anthropometric measurements and biochemical blood analyses were done at the beginning and the end of the study. WGPF intake significantly decreased systolic and diastolic blood pressure as well as fasting glucose levels. Plasma γ-tocopherol and δ-tocopherol increased and carbonyl group in plasma protein decreased in WGPT group, significantly. No significant effect was observed for waist circumference, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, total antioxidant capacity and vitamin C in and between groups. The group-dependent magnitude of the differences between the baseline and final postprandial insulin values and γ-tocopherol concentrations was statistically significant. The consumption of WGPF-rich in fiber and polyphenol antioxidants, as a food supplement in a regular diet improves blood pressure, glycaemia and postprandial insulin. In addition, increased antioxidant defenses and decreased oxidative protein damage indicating attenuation of oxidative stress. WGPF might be a useful food ingredient for health promotion and chronic disease prevention.