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Summary Background & aims The triglycerides-to-high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (TG/HDL-C) ratio has been identified as a biomarker of insulin resistance and a predictor for atherosclerosis. The objectives of this study were to investigate which the TG/HDL-C ratio is useful to detect metabolic syndrome (MS) risk factors and subclinical chronic kidney disease (CKD) in general population without known CKD or renal impairment and to compare predictive accuracy of MS risk factors. Methods This was a cross-sectional study. A total 46,255 subjects aged ≥18 years undergoing health examination during 2010–2011 in Taiwan. The independent associations between TG/HDL-C ratio quartiles, waist circumstance (WC) waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), mean atrial pressure (MAP), and CKD prevalence was analyzed by using logistic regression models. Analyses of the areas under receiver operating characteristic (ROC) were performed to determine the accuracy of MS risk factors in predicting CKD. Results A dose-response manner was observed for the prevalence of CKD and measurements of MS risk factors, showing increases from the lowest to the highest quartile of the TG/HDL-C ratio. Males and females in the highest TG/HDL-C ratio quartile (>2.76) had a 1.4-fold and 1.74-fold greater risk of CKD than those in the lowest quartile (≤1.04), independent of confounding factors. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) had the highest AUC for predicting CKD among MS risk factors. The TG/HDL-C ratio was an independent risk factor for CKD, but it showed no superiority over MAP in predicting CKD. A TG/HDL-C ratio ≥2.76 may be useful in clinical practice to detect subjects with worsened cardiometabolic profile who need monitoring to prevent CKD. Conclusions TG/HDL-C ratio is an independent risk factor for CKD in adults aged 18–50 years. MAP was the most powerful predictor over other MS risk factors in predicting CKD. However, longitudinal and comparative studies are required to demonstrate the predictive value of TG/HDL-C on the onset and progression of CKD over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Background & aims Higher levels of leptin and homocysteine (Hcy) have been evaluated as risk factors of chronic kidney disease in patients and general population. The aim of this study was to examine gender differences in the associations of leptin and Hcy levels and renal function a representative healthy young population in Taiwan. Methods The participants aged ≥18 years who underwent health examinations were included and categorized into three groups by gender-specific tertiles of leptin and Hcy levels. Estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFR) were estimated according to the modified equation of Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD). Results A higher mean Hcy level was found in male subjects than females. Mean values of metabolic syndrome risk factors significantly elevated with increasing leptin levels in both genders. Both male and female subjects with higher plasma Hcy levels were more likely to have a lower eGFR. Plasma Hcy levels were significantly negatively correlated with eGFR in linear regression models adjusted for age and smoking. The associations persisted even after mean arterial pressure and fasting plasma glucose were included for adjustments both genders. Plasma Hcy level was negatively associated eGFR and the association was more profound for females. Conclusions Leptin levels did not reveal strong or consistent evidence to support a significant association with eGFR. Hcy had a more decisive effect on renal function impairment than leptin and may be considered a more sensitive biomarker for Taiwanese adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]