title: Acylation stimulating protein is higher in Inuit from Nunavik compared to a southern Quebec population.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The Inuit of Nunavik in northern Quebec have a lower risk for ischemic heart disease (IHD) compared to Caucasian populations. Acylation stimulating protein (ASP), which is involved in the storage of dietary fat, may play a role. The objective of the study was to determine plasma concentration of ASP in an Inuit and a southern Quebec Caucasian population.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a cross-sectional study evaluating the relationship between ASP and dietary factors, such as retinol, whose intake is higher in the Inuit. As well, concentrations of ASP were evaluated in relationship to components of the metabolic syndrome.
  
  
  METHODS
  Medical history was collected via a questionnaire and anthropometric measurements and blood samples were collected.
  
  
  RESULTS
  ASP was significantly higher in both the Inuit men and women compared to Caucasian men (66.1 +/- 4.1 nM vs 27.5 +/- 2.5 nM, p < 0.0001) and women (71.8 +/- 3.8 nM vs 29.4 +/- 1.3 nM, p < 0.0001). In addition, ASP significantly correlated with total retinol (r = 0.17, p = 0.02) and free retinol (r = 0.15, p = 0.04) in Inuit men but not with other distinctive dietary markers such as omega-3 fatty acids.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Inuit men and women have higher ASP which was unrelated to the number of risk factors for IHD that were present.
authors.affiliation: Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec, Y2186, 2725 Chemin Ste-foy, Ste-Foy G1V 4G5, Canada.
authors.forename: Jessica D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Katherine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Cianflone
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dewailly
authors.forename: Marie-Ludivine
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Château-Degat
authors.forename: Marie-Claude
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Vohl
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Julien
mesh_terms: D000215:Acylation; D054392:Adipokines / Q000097:blood*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001837:Body Weights and Measures; D003176:Complement C3; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D004930:Inuit; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000208:ethnology; D008875:Middle Aged; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000097:blood* / Q000208:ethnology*; D011792:Quebec / Q000453:epidemiology; D012737:Sex Factors; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000097:blood*; D044465:White People
chemical_list: D054392:Adipokines; C038245:C3 protein, human; D003176:Complement C3; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D014801:Vitamin A