Biomedical subjects

Serge Hercberg

Publications and source records attributed to Serge Hercberg.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed2005

Parental longevity and 7-year changes in blood pressures in adult offspring.

In this report, we examined the cross-sectional and the 7-year longitudinal changes in blood pressures in adult offspring according to parental longevity. A population of volunteers free of symptomatic cardiovascular diseases who participated to the Supplementation en Vitamines et en Minéraux Antioxydants (SUVIMAX) Vascular Study (mean age 52.3 years; 48.3% women) were examined at baseline and 7 years later. Paternal (n=994) and maternal (n=896) longevity were analyzed separately. The prevalence of hypertension at baseline in subjects whose father died at <65 years of age, in those whose fathers were alive by age 65 but died by 80 years of age, and in those whose fathers were alive by age 80 was respectively 34.9%, 28.5%, and 20.2% (P<0.001). The means of systolic blood pressure in the 3 groups of paternal longevity were respectively 128.4 (+/-16.0), 125.3 (+/-14.2), and 123.6 (+/-14.4) mm Hg (P<0.001). During the follow-up, the mean systolic blood pressure increases in the 3 groups of paternal longevity were respectively 5.3 (+/-17.0), 4.2 (+/-14.0), and 1.6 (+/-13.2) mm Hg (P<0.001). In subjects without hypertension at baseline, hypertension occurred during the follow-up in 26.6%, 17.7%, and 15.3% (P<0.009), respectively. Multivariate analyses adjusted for baseline or changes in cardiovascular risk factors did not modify these results. In contrast, there was no relationship between maternal longevity and blood pressure measurements in either cross-sectional or longitudinal analyses. This study suggests that paternal premature death was associated with accelerated progression of systolic blood pressure and higher occurrence of hypertension in offspring. These results indicate that there are dynamic and continuous processes linking paternal longevity to blood pressure in adults.

Adult Children↗

PubMed2005

Analysis of sequence variability in the CART gene in relation to obesity in a Caucasian population.

BACKGROUND: Cocaine and amphetamine regulated transcript (CART) is an anorectic neuropeptide located principally in hypothalamus. CART has been shown to be involved in control of feeding behavior, but a direct relationship with obesity has not been established. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of polymorphisms within the CART gene with regards to a possible association with obesity in a Caucasian population. RESULTS: Screening of the entire gene as well as a 3.7 kb region of 5' upstream sequence revealed 31 SNPs and 3 rare variants; 14 of which were subsequently genotyped in 292 French morbidly obese subjects and 368 controls. Haplotype analysis suggested an association with obesity which was found to be mainly due to SNP-3608T>C (rs7379701) (p = 0.009). Genotyping additional cases and controls also of European Caucasian origin supported further this possible association between the CART SNP -3608T>C T allele and obesity (global p-value = 0.0005). Functional studies also suggested that the SNP -3608T>C could modulate nuclear protein binding. CONCLUSION: CART SNP -3608T>C may possibly contribute to the genetic risk for obesity in the Caucasian population. However confirmation of the importance of the role of the CART gene in energy homeostasis and obesity will require investigation and replication in further populations.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed2005

Role of transcription factor KLF11 and its diabetes-associated gene variants in pancreatic beta cell function.

KLF11 (TIEG2) is a pancreas-enriched transcription factor that has elicited significant attention because of its role as negative regulator of exocrine cell growth in vitro and in vivo. However, its functional role in the endocrine pancreas remains to be established. Here, we report, for the first time, to our knowledge, the characterization of KLF11 as a glucose-inducible regulator of the insulin gene. A combination of random oligonucleotide binding, EMSA, luciferase reporter, and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays shows that KLF11 binds to the insulin promoter and regulates its activity in beta cells. Genetic analysis of the KLF11 gene revealed two rare variants (Ala347Ser and Thr220Met) that segregate with diabetes in families with early-onset type 2 diabetes, and significantly impair its transcriptional activity. In addition, analysis of 1,696 type 2 diabetes mellitus and 1,776 normoglycemic subjects show a frequent polymorphic Gln62Arg variant that significantly associates with type 2 diabetes mellitus in North European populations (OR = 1.29, P = 0.00033). Moreover, this variant alters the corepressor mSin3A-binding activity of KLF11, impairs the activation of the insulin promoter and shows lower levels of insulin expression in pancreatic beta cells. In addition, subjects carrying the Gln62Arg allele show decreased plasma insulin after an oral glucose challenge. Interestingly, all three nonsynonymous KLF11 variants show increased repression of the catalase 1 promoter, suggesting a role in free radical clearance that may render beta cells more sensitive to oxidative stress. Thus, both functional and genetic analyses reveal that KLF11 plays a role in the regulation of pancreatic beta cell physiology, and its variants may contribute to the development of diabetes.

Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins↗

PubMed2005

Alterations of the lipid profile after 7.5 years of low-dose antioxidant supplementation in the SU.VI.MAX Study.

Antioxidant micronutrients have been reported to be associated with an improvement in the blood profile, but the results are not consistent. The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of antioxidant supplementation on changes in the serum lipid profile of adult participants in the SU.VI.MAX study. French adults (n = 12,741: 7,713 females aged 35-60 yr, and 5,028 males aged 45-60 yr) received daily antioxidant supplementation (120 mg vitamin C, 30 mg vitamin E, 6 mg beta-carotene, 100 microg selenium, and 20 mg zinc) or a matching placebo. Median follow-up time was 7.5 yr. After 7.5 yr, no effect of supplementation on total cholesterol was observed in men or women after adjusting for baseline total cholesterol levels and lipid-lowering medications. The prevalence of hypercholesterolemia (> or =6.5 mmol/L) showed a trend toward being higher in women who received supplements compared with those who received the placebo (P= 0.06). In both sexes, the group receiving supplements exhibited higher mean serum TG concentrations than did the placebo group (P= 0.06 in men; P= 0.05 in women). The prevalence of hypertriglyceridemia (> or =2.3 mmol/L) was also significantly higher in men who received supplements (P= 0.03), but not in women. Our results suggest than long-term daily supplementation with low doses of beta-carotene, vitamins C and E, selenium, and zinc does not result in an improved lipid profile and could even adversely affect some blood lipids, possibly with a higher risk of hyperlipidemia in women.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Metabolic syndrome in relation to structure and function of large arteries: a predominant effect of blood pressure. A report from the SU.VI.MAX. Vascular Study.

BACKGROUND: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease. However, the contribution of MetS to intermediate cardiovascular endpoints such as structure and function alterations of large arteries is still unclear. METHODS: A total of 917 middle-aged French men and women participating to the SUpplémentation en VItamines et Minéraux AntioXydants (SU.VI.MAX) Vascular study were included. Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity was used to assess aortic stiffness. Carotid ultrasound examination included measurements (at sites free of plaques) of intima-media thickness (IMT) at the common carotid arteries (CCA) and assessment of atherosclerotic plaques in the extracranial carotid arteries. RESULTS: Prevalence of the MetS defined by the National Cholesterol Education Program was 8.7%. Compared with subjects without MetS, subjects with MetS had significant higher mean values of CCA-IMT (P = .02) and pulse wave velocity (P = .0001). We found that MetS was not significantly related to the presence of carotid plaques. Blood pressure was the only MetS component associated with all vascular parameters. Addition of other MetS components in the multivariate models contributed poorly to the explained variance of these parameters. CONCLUSIONS: The MetS is adversely associated with markers of early arterial dysfunction, such as CCA-IMT and arterial stiffness. Although the associations between MetS and these arterial parameters are related to insulin resistance, blood pressure was shown to be the most important MetS component in relation to structure and function of large arteries.

Blood Pressure↗

PubMed2005

Intake of added oils and fats among middle-aged French adults: relationships with educational level and region of residence.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the relative contribution of 10 created food groups to total fat intake in middle-aged subjects. The relationship of added oil and fat intake with region of residence and educational level was also assessed. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SUBJECTS/SETTING: Participants of the French Supplémentation en Vitamines et Minéraux Antioxydants study who completed at least six 24-hour dietary records after inclusion into the study (N=6,572). RESULTS: Added oils and fats were the main source of total fat intake. Animal fat and margarine intakes showed a significant inverse association with educational level, whereas oils with monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) were positively associated with education level. Animal fat intake was significantly higher in the western and northern parts of France (54.2% and 50.4%) and lower in the Mediterranean Coast (39.0%). A significant inverse gradient was found with oils with polyunsaturated fatty acids or MUFA in the southwest and the Mediterranean Coast compared with the northern part of France. CONCLUSIONS: We showed a north to south gradient for animal fat intake and the opposite for oils with MUFA and polyunsaturated fatty acid in France. This gradient parallels the known disparities for cardiovascular mortality in this country. This should contribute to adapting dietary guidelines for dietary change in a public health perspective.

Alcohol Drinking↗

PubMed2005

Leisure time physical activity and health-related quality of life.

BACKGROUND: There are few data on the relationship between health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and leisure time physical activity (LTPA) in the general population. We investigated the relationships of meeting public health recommendations (PHR) for moderate and vigorous physical activity with HRQoL in French adult subjects. METHODS: LTPA and HRQoL were assessed in 1998 in 2333 men and 3321 women from the SU.VI.MAX. cohort using the French versions of the Modifiable Activity Questionnaire (MAQ) and the SF-36 questionnaire, respectively. Relationship between LTPA and HRQoL was assessed using analysis of variance. RESULTS: Results from multivariate analysis showed that meeting physical activity recommended levels was associated with higher HRQoL scores (except in Bodily pain dimension for women): differences in mean HRQoL scores between subjects meeting or not PHR ranged from 2.4 (Mental health) to 4.5 (Vitality) and from 2.2 (Bodily pain) to 5.7 (Vitality) for women and men, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Subjects meeting PHR for physical activity had better HRQoL than those who did not. Our data suggest that 30' of moderate LTPA per day on a regular basis may be beneficial on HRQoL. Higher intensity LTPA is associated with greater HRQoL. This emphasizes the importance to promote at least moderate physical activity.

Cohort Studies↗

PubMed2005

Sedentary behaviors, physical activity, and metabolic syndrome in middle-aged French subjects.

OBJECTIVE: To study the relationships of time spent in sedentary occupations with the National Cholesterol Education Program-defined metabolic syndrome (MS), taking into account the habitual level of physical activity (PA). RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: This was a cross-sectional analysis in 1902 men and 1932 women 50 to 69 years of age participating in the French Supplementation with Antioxidant Vitamins and Minerals study. We assessed past-year PA, television watching or computer use, and reading during leisure with the Modifiable Activity Questionnaire. Subjects who performed at least 150 min/wk of moderate-intensity PA (3 to 6 metabolic equivalent tasks) or 60 min/wk of vigorous PA (>6 metabolic equivalent tasks) were considered as meeting recommended levels. RESULTS: The frequency of most MS components increased with time spent in front of a screen and decreased with increasing PA levels. The likelihood to have MS, adjusted for age, education, and smoking, was decreased by one-third in subjects meeting moderate PA guidelines and by two-thirds in subjects meeting vigorous PA recommendations [odds ratio (95% CI), 0.34 (0.17 to 0.66) in women, 0.44 (0.28 to 0.68) in men] compared with those with insufficient PA. Independently of PA levels, time spent in front of a screen was positively associated with the likelihood to have the MS in women [odds ratio (95% CI), 3.30 (2.04 to 5.34)], whereas in both sexes, no association was found with time spent reading. DISCUSSION: The relationship of the MS with a sedentary lifestyle differs according to sex and type of sedentary occupation. These results suggest the need to assess selected indicators of sedentary behavior in preventive programs.

Aged↗

PubMed2005

Case for folic acid and vitamin B12 fortification in Europe.

The number of pregnancies affected by neural tube defects has been estimated to be 4000/year in Europe, with a higher prevalence in Celtic populations and in women of low socioeconomic status. Since the 1980s, it has been shown that supplementation with folic acid during the periconceptual period reduces the risk of neural tube defects in the fetus. However, in view of the period during which supplementation should be taken (< 4 weeks before conception until 8-10 weeks after) and the fact that in some countries 30-50% of pregnancies are unplanned, a public health initiative based solely on increasing dietary folate intake or recommendations on use of folic acid supplements is likely to be insufficient. Mandatory fortification has been started in 38 countries throughout the world. Several European countries have advocated mandatory flour folic acid fortification over the last 6 years, but none has introduced it. A recent public health decision in Hungary stimulated flour fortification on a voluntary basis, but it remains the only European country to take this action. Many European countries have deferred a decision to introduce fortification because of concerns about possible masking of vitamin B (12) deficiency. This review advocates a proposal for combined fortification of folic acid and vitamin B (12) to address possible hazards of fortification with folic acid alone.

Europe↗

PubMed2005

Antioxidant status and risk of cancer in the SU.VI.MAX study: is the effect of supplementation dependent on baseline levels?

The SUpplementation en VItamines et Mineraux AntioXydants (SU.VI.MAX) study, a randomised double-blind, primary-prevention trial showed that after 7.5 years, low-dose antioxidant supplementation lowered the total cancer incidence in men, but not in women. To explain this difference in the impact of antioxidant supplementation in men and women, we hypothesised that the effect of supplementation is dependent on initial antioxidant status; 12 741 French adults (7713 females aged 35--60 years; 5028 males aged 45--60 years) received daily antioxidant supplementation (120 mg vitamin C, 30 mg vitamin E, 6 mg beta-carotene, 100 microg Se, 20 mg Zn daily) or a matching placebo. Cut-off limits for baseline serum concentrations of the different antioxidant vitamins and minerals were defined as follows for both men and women: 0.3 micromol/l for beta-carotene, 11.4 micromol/l for vitamin C, 15 micromol/l for vitamin E, 0.75 micromol/l for Se and 10.7 micromol/l for Zn. The percentage of men with serum concentrations under cut-off limits was higher for vitamins C and E and beta-carotene in those who developed a cancer than in those who did not. The risk of cancer was higher in men with baseline concentrations of serum vitamin C or vitamin E under cut-off limits, but not in women. The effect of supplementation was greater in men with baseline serum concentrations of vitamin C, vitamin E and beta-carotene below the cut-off limits compared with those above it. This effect was maintained only for vitamin E after adjustment for age, tobacco, and alcohol consumption and BMI. No effect of supplementation could be seen in women. Baseline antioxidant status is related to the risk of cancer in men but not in women and therefore does not entirely explain the differences observed in the effect of antioxidant supplementation on cancer risk between sexes in the SU.VI.MAX study.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Alcohol intake in relation to body mass index and waist-to-hip ratio: the importance of type of alcoholic beverage.

OBJECTIVE: Alcohol consumption may play a role in the development of obesity but the relationship between alcohol and weight is still unclear. The aim of our study was to assess the cross-sectional association of intakes of total alcohol and of specific alcoholic beverages (wine, beer and spirits) with waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and body mass index (BMI) in a large sample of adults from all over France. DESIGN: Cross-sectional. SETTING: Participants were free-living healthy volunteers of the SU.VI.MAX study (an intervention study on the effects of antioxidant supplementation on chronic diseases). SUBJECTS: For 1481 women aged 35-60 years and 1210 men aged 45-60 years, intakes of total alcohol and specific alcoholic beverages were assessed by six 24-hour dietary records. BMI and WHR were measured during a clinical examination the year after. RESULTS: A J-shaped relationship was found between total alcohol consumption and WHR in both sexes and between total alcohol consumption and BMI in men only (P<0.05). The same relationships were observed with wine (P<0.05); men and women consuming less than 100 g day(-1) had a lower BMI (men only) and WHR than non-drinkers or those consuming more. Spirits consumption was positively associated with BMI (linear regression coefficient beta=0.21, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.09-0.34 and beta=0.22, 95% CI: 0.06-0.39 for men and women, respectively) and WHR (beta=0.003, 95% CI: 0.001-0.005 and beta=0.003, 95%CI: 0.0002-0.006) in both sexes in a linear fashion. No relationship between beer consumption and BMI or WHR was found. CONCLUSION: If confirmed in longitudinal studies, our results indicate that consumption of alcoholic beverages may be a risk factor for obesity.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

The history of beta-carotene and cancers: from observational to intervention studies. What lessons can be drawn for future research on polyphenols?

An important question being raised by nutritionists today is whether available scientific data support an important role for polyphenols in the prevention of pathologic conditions that represent an important public health burden, such as cardiovascular diseases, cancers, and osteoporosis. More broadly, when can we consider scientific knowledge sufficient to allow specific public health implications and recommendations? The history of the relationship between beta-carotene and cancer illustrates the complexity of the research process leading to the demonstration of a causal relationship between nutritional factors and the prevention of disease. The beta-carotene story, which has developed in the past 30 y, is particularly significant and illustrative because of apparent controversies that are far from resolved. This is an extremely interesting example from which many lessons can be learned. For beta-carotene, we need to collect sufficient information from experimental, clinical, and epidemiologic research before we support any specific public health recommendations. The same principles must be applied to recommendations regarding polyphenols (in particular, which polyphenols, at which doses, to achieve which benefits for which populations). If these questions are not answered, then we run the risk of needing to renounce recommendations regarding polyphenols in the future, damaging the credibility of nutritional recommendations for public health.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Dietary fiber intake and risk factors for cardiovascular disease in French adults.

BACKGROUND: Increased consumption of dietary fiber is widely recommended to maintain or improve health, but knowledge of the relation between dietary fiber sources and cardiovascular disease risk factors is limited. OBJECTIVE: We examined the relation between the source or type of dietary fiber intake and cardiovascular disease risk factors in a cohort of adult men and women. DESIGN: In a cross-sectional study, quintiles of fiber intake were determined from dietary records, separately for 2532 men and 3429 women. Age- and multivariate-controlled logistic models investigated the odds ratios of abnormal markers for quintiles 2-5 of fiber intake compared with the lowest quintile. RESULTS: The highest total dietary fiber and nonsoluble dietary fiber intakes were associated with a significantly (P < 0.05) lower risk of overweight and elevated waist-to-hip ratio, blood pressure, plasma apolipoprotein (apo) B, apo B:apo A-I, cholesterol, triacylglycerols, and homocysteine. Soluble dietary fiber was less effective. Fiber from cereals was associated with a lower body mass index, blood pressure, and homocysteine concentration; fiber from vegetables with a lower blood pressure and homocysteine concentration; and fiber from fruit with a lower waist-to-hip ratio and blood pressure. Fiber from dried fruit or nuts and seeds was associated with a lower body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio, and fasting apo B and glucose concentrations. Fiber from pulses had no specific effect. CONCLUSION: Dietary fiber intake is inversely correlated with several cardiovascular disease risk factors in both sexes, which supports its protective role against cardiovascular disease and recommendations for its increased consumption.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Iron status and risk of cancers in the SU.VI.MAX cohort.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relation between iron status and cancer in a population of middle-aged adults living in France where iron supplementation and iron-fortified foods are rarely used. The SU.VI.MAX study is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled primary prevention trial evaluating the effect of antioxidant supplementation on chronic diseases in women aged 35-60 and men aged 45-60 y. At baseline, concentrations of hemoglobin, serum transferrin and serum ferritin were measured in 10,197 subjects. Data on dietary intake were estimated from six 24-h dietary records completed during the first 2 study years and available for 5287 subjects. All cancer cases that occurred during the 7.5-y follow-up were validated. In men, baseline serum transferrin and serum ferritin concentrations did not differ between subjects with cancers (n = 467) and those without. In women, serum ferritin was higher (P < 0.0001) and serum transferrin tended to be lower (P < 0.08) in cancer cases. Iron status was not related to cancer risk in men, but women with serum ferritin concentrations > 160 microg/L had an increased risk of cancer (odds ratio = 1.88, 95% CI: 1.05,3.35). No relation was found between dietary iron intake and risk of all cancer sites combined for either men or women. Our results suggest that iron status is not a predictor of cancer risk in men, whereas a serum ferritin concentration > 160 microg/L may be associated with an increase in cancer risk in women.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Alcohol and atherosclerotic vascular disease risk factors in French men: relationships are linear, J-shaped, and U-shaped.

BACKGROUND: Although it is well admitted that alcohol displays a U-shaped relationship with atherosclerotic vascular disease, individual relationships between alcohol and atherosclerosis risk factors may be different and have not been determined precisely for several of them. METHODS: A cross-sectional study within the SU.VI.MAX French cohort study was performed to assess the curve of potential relationships between alcohol and atherosclerosis risk factors in 2126 healthy men. Mean daily alcohol intake was derived from 37 alcoholic beverages in twelve 24-hr dietary recalls. Logistic models were adjusted for age. RESULTS: Apolipoprotein B (ApoB), fasting glucose, body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio, and waist circumference displayed a linear relationship with alcohol. The odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals associated with abnormal values of the markers for the highest quintile of alcohol intake were 1.45 (1.06-1.97) for ApoB, 1.98 (1.40-2.80) for fasting glucose, and 1.74 (1.30-2.34) for body mass index. An inverse J-shaped relationship was assumed for ApoA1 and ApoB/ApoA1 ratio, whereas a U-shaped relationship was observed for serum triglycerides and mixed hyperlipidemia. Only the highest quintile of alcohol was associated with hypertension, although the test for linearity was also significant. No association was observed for Lp(a) or homocysteine. Associations were unmodified by further adjustment for carbohydrates, fiber, lipids, tobacco, or exercise. CONCLUSIONS: The aggregate of the disparate alcohol risk factor relationships suggests probable net benefit at 15 to 25 g of alcohol/day.

Alcohol Drinking↗

PubMed2005

Effect of supplementation with antioxidants upon long-term risk of hypertension in the SU.VI.MAX study: association with plasma antioxidant levels.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of supplementation with a combination of antioxidant vitamins and trace elements, at nutritional doses, upon the 6.5-year risk of hypertension in the SU.VI.MAX trial. To describe the association between baseline plasma antioxidant levels and the same long-term risk using observational data from the study. SETTING: A total of 5086 adults from the SU.VI.MAX trial, a randomized primary prevention trial. RESULTS: Compared with the placebo group, no effect of supplementation upon the 6.5-year risk of hypertension could be detected (odds ratio, 1.04 and 95% confidence interval, 0.87-1.23 in men; and odds ratio, 1.10 and 95% confidence interval, 0.95-1.29 in women). Furthermore, compared with men in the first tertile, those in the second and third tertiles of serum baseline levels of beta-carotene presented a lower risk of hypertension in both the placebo and supplementation groups. Multivariate-adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence interval) were 0.70 (0.44-1.12) and 0.53 (0.33-0.86) in the placebo group, and were 0.59 (0.37-0.94) and 0.67 (0.42-1.07) in the supplementation group. In women, a decreasing trend was observed with vitamin C levels and risk of hypertension in the intervention group. No association could be shown between vitamin E and trace element plasma levels and the risk of hypertension. CONCLUSIONS: Despite an inverse association between baseline plasma levels of beta-carotene in men and the risk of developing hypertension, we could not demonstrate any beneficial effect of low-dose antioxidant supplementation upon the 6.5-year risk of hypertension in the randomized analysis.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Epidemiology of genital herpes simplex virus infections in a community-based sample in France: results of the HERPIMAX study.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to provide information on the prevalence of herpes simplex infections in the general population in Europe. GOALS: The goals of this study were to determine the prevalence of clinically probable genital herpes and the relationship between serotype and clinical expression in a French community-based sample. STUDY: A total of 4410 subjects chosen at random were serotyped for herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). Data on symptoms were obtained by questionnaire allowing retrospective diagnosis of clinically probable genital herpes. RESULTS: Questionnaire data and serotype were available for 3192 subjects. Seroprevalences of HSV-1 and HSV-2 were 65.6% and 15.5%, respectively. Prevalence of clinically probable genital herpes was 11.8%, identified in 11.1% of HSV-1-positive subjects and 26.8% of HSV-2-positive subjects, with a lower prevalence in those coinfected with both virus types. CONCLUSIONS: Clinically probable genital herpes was observed in one fourth of subjects with HSV-2 infections and in some subjects with HSV-1 infection. Coinfection with HSV-1 appeared to protect against symptom expression in subjects infected with HSV-2.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

A prospective study of the insulin-like growth factor axis in relation with prostate cancer in the SU.VI.MAX trial.

Several epidemiologic studies have examined with diverging results the relationships between circulating levels of insulin-like growth factors (IGF) and of IGF-binding proteins (IGFBP) and prostate cancer risk. We assessed the association of prediagnostic plasma levels of IGF-I, IGF-II, IGFBP-2, and IGFBP-3 and subsequent occurrence of prostate cancer in a case-control study nested in the SU.VI.MAX trial. The SU.VI.MAX study was a primary prevention trial testing a daily supplementation with low-dose antioxidant vitamins and minerals in male and female middle-aged volunteers in France. One hundred prostate cancer cases were diagnosed among 4,855 SU.VI.MAX participants over a 9-year follow-up period. For each case, four age-matched controls were selected randomly. Frozen baseline plasma samples were used to measure IGF-I, IGF-II, IGFBP-2, and IGFBP-3. Conditional logistic regression was used to assess the association between these four biochemical markers and prostate cancer risk. After controlling for the intervention group in the trial and the other IGF axis variables, the odds ratios and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) comparing the upper quartile to the baseline quartile were 1.83 (95% CI, 0.85-3.95), 1.05 (95% CI, 0.35-3.18), 0.79 (95% CI, 0.39-1.58), and 0.42 (95% CI, 0.12-1.52) for IGF-I, IGF-II, IGFBP-2, and IGFBP-3, respectively. More suggestive associations for IGF-I and IGFBP-3 were observed with advanced and aggressive cancers. Our results are consistent with those of some previous prospective studies and suggest that IGF axis variables are not long-term predictors of the occurrence of prostate cancer.

Antioxidants↗