Browsing by Author "Johnson, Olga"

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    Association between the metabolic syndrome and cancer risk : the potential role of fatty acids on body composition
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2016-12) Johnson, Olga; Nell, Theo A.; Kruger, Maritza; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Science. Dept. of Physiological Sciences.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Background: Sub-Sahara Africa is experiencing an epidemiological transition with an increasing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) including obesity, hypertension, insulin resistance (IR) and dyslipidaemia. These NCD are collectively labelled the metabolic syndrome (MetS). The MetS is characterised by dyslipidaemia, and in particular, distorted fatty acid (FA) metabolism. Additionally, the MetS and its components are also associated with different FA classes. Furthermore, several lifestyle-cancers have also been associated with the MetS and its components. Aim: To determine the association and interaction between the MetS and cancer risk and the likely influence of FAs on body composition in a female population residing in the Western Cape, South Africa. Methods: Female farm workers in the Cape Winelands region (n=80) aged 20-60 years were randomly selected and categorised as having the MetS (n=34 MetS and n=46 non-MetS) using the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria. All participants were additionally classified according to their body mass index (BMI). Blood pressure was measured, followed by blood sampling to determine blood glucose and insulin levels, as well as a full lipid profile. Selected red blood cell (RBC) membrane FAs and FA ratios were analysed, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) were used to quantify serum insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and leptin concentrations. Anthropometric measurements and bioelectric impedance analyses (BIA) were also performed. Results: The prevalence of the MetS was 42.5 % with abdominal obesity (100.0 % for the MetS, and 39.1 % for the non-MetS), hypertension (82.4 % for the MetS, and 47.8 % for the non-MetS), and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) (76.5 % for the MetS, and 34.8 % for the non-MetS) being the most prevalent MetS risk factors. Several statistically significant differences were observed between the MetS and non-MetS groups for blood parameters, including insulin and HDL-c levels (p<0.001), and glucose, IGF-1, and leptin levels (p<0.05). The MetS group also presented with significantly higher anthropometric measurements, including BMI (p<0.05), waist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip ratio (W:H), and the sagittal abdominal diameter (SAD) (all p<0.001). Furthermore, BIA (including visceral adipose tissue (VAT) area, percentage VAT (VAT %) and -subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT %), and VAT to SAT ratio (VAT:SAT) (p<0.001 for all) also differed between the MetS and non-MetS groups. No significant differences were noted for any of the individual FAs or FA ratios. Categorisation according to metabolic status and BMI was shown to influence several metabolic-associated blood parameters, anthropometric measurements, BIA. However, metabolic status and BMI did not influence individual FA levels or FA ratios. The obese MetS group presented with significantly higher IGF-1 levels compared to their normal weight non-MetS counterparts. Correlation analyses indicated several significant associations between anthropometric measurements, BIA, FAs and metabolic-associated blood parameters. Conclusion: The results from this study suggest that metabolic status alone, and the combined effect of metabolic status and BMI, may predict alterations in metabolic-associated blood parameters, anthropometric measurements, and BIA in women, possibly linking obesity and the MetS to an increased risk of developing lifestyle-associated cancer. Keywords Metabolic syndrome, fatty acid profile, body composition, leptin, cancer risk