Acylation stimulating protein is higher in Inuit from Nunavik compared to a southern Quebec population.
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.
Smith
Jessica D
JD
Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec, Y2186, 2725 Chemin Ste-foy, Ste-Foy G1V 4G5, Canada.
Cianflone
Katherine
K
Dewailly
Eric
E
Château-Degat
Marie-Ludivine
ML
Vohl
Marie-Claude
MC
Julien
Pierre
P
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
D054392:Adipokines; C038245:C3 protein, human; D003176:Complement C3; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D014801:Vitamin A