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Biomedical subjects

Annie Lapointe

Publications and source records attributed to Annie Lapointe.

10 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Circulating oxidized LDL is associated with parameters of the metabolic syndrome in postmenopausal women.

UNLABELLED: Oxidized low-density lipoproteins (ox-LDL) play a significant role in the development of atherosclerosis. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relation between circulating ox-LDL and components of the metabolic syndrome (MS) in a sample of 124 postmenopausal women with varying glucose tolerance status. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included postmenopausal women not using hormone therapy. Ox-LDL concentrations were measured in plasma by a monoclonal antibody (mAb-4E6) based competition ELISA. LDL peak particle diameter (LDL-PPD) was measured by non-denaturating polyacrylamide gradient gel electrophoresis (PAGGE). Presence of the MS was determined according to the definition of the NCEP-ATPIII. RESULTS: Circulating ox-LDL concentrations were significantly associated with some factors of the MS such as triglyceride (r=0.48; p<0.0001), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (r=-0.34; p=0.0001) and fasting plasma glucose concentrations (r=0.21; p=0.02). Ox-LDL concentrations were also associated with LDL cholesterol (r=0.54; p<0.0001), total cholesterol (r=0.48; p<0.0001), LDL apolipoprotein B (r=0.62; p<0.0001) and LDL-PPD (r=-0.18; p<0.05). Moreover, women with the MS had significantly higher ox-LDL concentrations (79.5+/-28.3 U/l) compared to women without the MS (64.2+/-19.9 U/l) (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Ox-LDL concentrations are associated with individual components of the MS and are significantly higher in postmenopausal women with MS compared to healthy postmenopausal women.

Apolipoproteins↗
PubMed2006

Effects of dietary factors on oxidation of low-density lipoprotein particles.

Oxidized low-density lipoproteins (ox-LDLs) appear to play a significant role in atherogenesis. In fact, circulating ox-LDL concentrations have been recognized as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). A higher intake of some nutrients and specific food compounds such as monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and flavonoids have also been associated with a lower risk of CVD. These dietary factors could be associated to a lower risk of CVD through a reduction of the atherogenicity of LDL particles through limited oxidation. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to review human clinical studies that evaluated effects of dietary antioxidant vitamins, fatty acids (MUFA, PUFA) and specific flavonoid-rich foods on LDL particle oxidation and describe potential mechanisms by which dietary factors may prevent oxidation of LDL particles. Antioxidant vitamin supplements such as alpha-tocopherol and ascorbic acid as well as beta-carotene and fish-oil supplements have not been clearly demonstrated to prevent oxidation of LDL particles. Moreover, inconsistent documented effects of flavonoid-rich food such as olive oil, tea, red wine and soy on LDL particle oxidizability may be explained by difference in variety and quantity of flavonoid compounds used among studies. However, a healthy food pattern such as the Mediterranean diet, which includes a combination of antioxidant compounds and flavonoid-rich foods, appears effective to decrease LDL particle oxidizability, which may give some insight of the cardiovascular benefits associated with the Mediterranean diet.

Antioxidants↗
PubMed2006

Gender differences in plasma lipid response to dietary fat.

The relationship between type of dietary fat, cardiovascular disease risk, and lipid/lipoprotein profiles has been studied since the early 1900s. For the most part, observational data from international comparisons, migration studies, and prospective studies have identified a positive relationship between saturated fatty acid (SFA) intake and coronary heart disease (CHD) risk, although in the latter case these observations were attenuated and in some cases became non-significant after adjusting for other dietary factors. Data from large-scale primary and secondary intervention studies support a positive relationship between CHD and SFA. The majority of data available were derived from male subjects, and if female subjects were included, few studies assessed the effect of gender on responsiveness. Recent evidence has emerged suggesting that females respond differently to diet with respect to CHD progression. This review discusses controlled clinical intervention studies that included data for both genders and their responses to dietary fat perturbations and lipoprotein profiles. The scope was limited for the most part to reports that included identifiers in the title or abstract that indicated data for female and male subjects were reported separately, although a statistical comparison between the genders may not have been reported. Overall, whether the studies assessed the effect of the ratio of SFA to monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), SFA to polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), MUFA to PUFA, individual SFA, or SFA to trans fatty acids, female and male subjects responded similarly, and when differences were identified there was no consistent pattern.

Cardiovascular Diseases↗
PubMed2006

3-year impact of a provincial choking prevention program.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the impact of a provincial choking prevention program (CPP) on the incidence of aerodigestive foreign body cases among children. METHODS: The CPP, including posters, pamphlets, an informative video, and annual participation in the Parents & Kids Fair, was launched throughout Quebec in October 1999. The incidence rates of aerodigestive foreign body cases prior to implementation (during 1997-1998) and subsequently (2000-2002) within the province and our tertiary care centre (Sainte-Justine Hospital) were compared by estimating incidence rate ratios (IRRs) and associated 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). RESULTS: No significant changes in the incidence of aerodigestive foreign body cases after program implementation were observed in our hospital (age-adjusted IRR 0.92, 95% CI 0.79-1.07). The provincial rates were higher after program implementation (age-adjusted IRR 1.15, 95% CI 1.05-1.25). CONCLUSIONS: To influence choking prevention habits, modifications to the campaign are required. Strategies are discussed.

Airway Obstruction↗
PubMed2005

Central nervous system findings by magnetic resonance in children with profound sensorineural hearing loss.

INTRODUCTION: High-resolution magnetic resonance studies are an important tool in the investigation of the etiology of childhood sensorineural hearing loss. An added benefit with magnetic resonance is the ability to screen the central nervous system for findings which may adversely affect the neurodevelopmental outcome of these children. OBJECTIVE: To determine the proportion of cases and significance of associated intracranial abnormalities as detected by central nervous system high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging in children with profound sensorineural hearing loss. METHODS: Retrospective chart review of children undergoing evaluation for cochlear implantation in a tertiary care academic children's hospital with high-resolution magnetic resonance of the temporal bone and brain during a 21 month period. Magnetic resonance studies were interpreted by an experienced senior neuroradiologist blinded to the identity and clinical data of the patients. RESULTS: Forty patients were identified. All had the same magnetic resonance study consisting of a 3D high-resolution sequence through the temporal bone as well as a T1 sagittal and T2 axial screening sequence of the brain. Eight patients (20%) showed significant brain abnormalities by magnetic resonance imaging ranging from myelination delays to migrational anomalies. Temporal bone abnormalities were not seen. Three patients with Connexin-26 mutations had no associated brain abnormalities by magnetic resonance. CONCLUSIONS: A significant proportion of our patients being investigated by magnetic resonance imaging for profound sensorineural hearing loss show migrational abnormalities of the central nervous system, suggesting a central origin to their hearing loss. Some of these findings may result in neurodevelopmental delay and hence, negatively impact the success of cochlear implantation. We propose that magnetic resonance imaging of the temporal bone as part of the evaluation protocol for cochlear implantation in children should include central nervous system screening.

Brain↗
PubMed2005

A nutritional intervention promoting the Mediterranean food pattern is associated with a decrease in circulating oxidized LDL particles in healthy women from the Québec City metropolitan area.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of a nutritional intervention promoting the Mediterranean food pattern under free-living conditions on circulating oxidized LDL (ox-LDL) in a group of 71 healthy women from the Quebec City metropolitan area. The 12-wk nutritional intervention consisted of 2 courses on nutrition and 7 individual sessions with a dietitian. A score based on the 11 components of the Mediterranean pyramid was established to determine the women's adherence to the Mediterranean food pattern. Plasma ox-LDL concentrations were measured by a monoclonal antibody mAb-4E6-based competition ELISA. Among all women, plasma ox-LDL decreased by 11.3% after 12 wk of nutritional intervention (P < 0.0001) despite a lack of change in plasma LDL cholesterol (LDL-C). Also, an increase in the Mediterranean dietary score was significantly correlated with a decrease in ox-LDL concentrations (r = -0.30; P = 0.01). More specifically, increases in servings of fruits (r = -0.25; P < 0.05) and vegetables (r = -0.24; P < 0.05) were associated with decreases in ox-LDL concentrations. Changes in the food pattern in response to a nutritional intervention promoting the Mediterranean food pattern were accompanied by beneficial effects in circulating ox-LDL concentrations in healthy women.

Body Mass Index↗
PubMed2004

Validity and reproducibility of an interviewer-administered food frequency questionnaire for healthy French-Canadian men and women.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the validity (study 1) and the reproducibility (study 2) of an interviewer-administered food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). METHOD: The FFQ was designed at Laval University and contains 91 items and 33 subquestions. STUDY 1: The FFQ was compared against a 3-day food record (2 week-days and 1 weekend-day), at week 0, 6 and 12 of a nutritional intervention. STUDY 2: In order to evaluate the reproducibility of the FFQ, 2 registered dietitians administered the FFQ 4-weeks apart among subjects who were not part of the nutritional intervention. RESULTS: STUDY 1: Mean values for intake of most nutrients assessed by the FFQ and by the 3-day food record were not statistically different. Energy-adjusted correlation coefficients for major macronutrients ranged from 0.36 for proteins to 0.60 for carbohydrates (p < or = 0.01). Agreement analysis revealed that on average, 35% of the subjects were classified in the same quartile when nutrients were assessed by either the 3-day food record or the FFQ. STUDY 2: Significant associations were observed between dietary measurements derived from the two FFQs administered 4 weeks apart. Correlation coefficients for the reproducibility of macronutrients ranged from 0.66 for carbohydrates to 0.83 for lipids after energy adjustment. On average, 46% of the subjects were classified in the same quartile when nutrient intakes were assessed by either FFQ. CONCLUSION: These data indicated that the FFQ developed has a good validity and is reproducible.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2004

Effect of a nutritional intervention promoting the Mediterranean food pattern on electrophoretic characteristics of low-density lipoprotein particles in healthy women from the Québec City metropolitan area.

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of a nutritional intervention promoting the Mediterranean food pattern in free-living conditions on LDL electrophoretic characteristics in a group of seventy-one healthy women, aged between 30 and 65 years. The 12-week nutritional intervention consisted of two courses on nutrition and seven individual sessions with a dietitian. The first course provided information on the Mediterranean food pattern and the second was a cooking lesson. LDL peak particle diameter (LDL-PPD) and cholesterol levels in small (LDL-cholesterol<255 A) and large LDL fractions (LDL-cholesterol>260 A) were obtained by 2-16 % polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of whole plasma. The sample was divided on the basis of baseline LDL-PPD using tertiles of the distribution (258.4 A and 260.0 A). Among the total sample of women, no significant change in LDL-PPD was observed in response to the nutritional intervention. However, subjects who at baseline were in the first tertile of the LDL-PPD distribution (<258.4 A) showed a significant increase in LDL-PPD and in the proportion of LDL %>260 A in response to the 12-week nutritional intervention (P<0.05). In contrast, LDL-PPD decreased significantly (P=0.007) among women with large LDL particles at baseline (LDL-PPD >260 A) while the proportion of LDL %<255 A and of LDL %>260 A remained unchanged. To conclude, changes in the food pattern, in response to a nutritional intervention promoting the Mediterranean food pattern, were accompanied by beneficial modifications in LDL electrophoretic characteristics in women who were characterised at baseline by smaller LDL particles.

Adult↗