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Objective:Visceral adipose tissue-derived serine protease inhibitor (vaspin) is an adipokine potentially linking obesity, insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Here, we searched for genetic determinants that could explain the variability in serum vaspin concentrations.Research Design and Methods:First, we conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) for serum vaspin in the Sorbs cohort (N=826). Subsequently, 26 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) covering genetic variation in the vaspin locus were genotyped in the Sorbs. In addition, we measured serum vaspin concentrations in 1806 samples from Augsburg/the Cooperative Health Research in the Region of Augsburg (KORA) for replication of the association signals. Finally, we conducted association analyses of vaspin SNPs with metabolic traits in the Sorbs (N=1013), KORA (N=1813) and a further cohort from Germany (Leipzig: N=1857).Results:Six SNPs mapping between serpinA1 and serpinA4, including the vaspin locus, on chromosome 14 reached P-values 10−8 in the GWAS in the Sorbs. The fine mapping of variants within the vaspin locus in the Sorbs and subsequent replication in the KORA sample revealed several SNPs significantly associated with serum vaspin concentrations reaching P-values of up to 10−35. However, no significant association with type 2 diabetes or related traits was found in either cohort after the Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons.Conclusion:Our data show that the variability in serum vaspin concentrations might be explained by its genetic variants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims To determine the incidence of Type 2 diabetes in an elderly population in Germany and its association with clinical and lifestyle factors. Methods Oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT, World Health Organization criteria) were carried out in a random sample of 1353 subjects (age group 55–74 years; 62% response) in Augsburg (Southern Germany) (1999–2001). The cohort was re-investigated in 2006–2008. Of those individuals without diabetes (baseline), 887 (74%) participated in the follow-up. Results Ninety-three (10.5%) developed diabetes during the 7-year follow-up period {standardized incidence rates [95% confidence interval (CI)] per 1000 person-years: total 15.5; 12.6, 19.1; men 20.2; 15.6, 26.1; women 11.3; 7.9, 16.1}. In both sexes, those who developed diabetes were slightly older, were more obese, had a more adverse metabolic profile (higher glucose values, HbA1c, fasting insulin, uric acid, and triglycerides) and were more likely to have hypertension at baseline than were participants remaining free of diabetes ( P < 0.05). On stepwise logistic regression, age, parental diabetes, body mass index, uric acid, current smoking, HbA1c and fasting and 2-h glucose (OGTT) were strong predictors of diabetes incidence. The risk of diabetes was higher in subjects with isolated impaired glucose tolerance (odds ratio 8.8; 95% CI 5.0, 15.6) than in isolated impaired fasting glucose (4.7; 2.2, 10.0), although the difference did not reach statistical significance. Conclusions For the first time, we have estimated the incidence of Type 2 diabetes in an elderly German cohort and demonstrated that it is among the highest in Europe. The OGTT appears to be useful in identifying individuals with high Type 2 diabetes risk. Our results support a role of smoking in the progression to diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE -- The purpose of this study is to determine the optimal duration and intensity of exercise for elderly people for the prevention of the metabolic syndrome. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS -- The population-based Cooperative Research in the Region of Augsburg (KORA) S4 Survey with 1,653 participants aged 55-74 years was used to investigate the relationship between the metabolic syndrome and physical activity. RESULTS -- Fifty-seven percent of men and 48% of women showed clinical symptoms of the metabolic syndrome. Leisure activities were common (>80% walked >30 min/day). Sports activities performed regularly for ≤1 h per week reduced the odds of having the metabolic syndrome (odds ratio 0.70 [95% CI 0.49-1.02] for men and 0.74 [0.53-1.04] for women), and sports activities >2 h per week were even more effective (0.62 [0.42-0.92] for men and 0.59 [0.39-0.89] for women). In contrast, activities such as walking and cycling did not have an additional influence. CONCLUSIONS -- Intense physical activity by the elderly should be promoted in addition to leisure physical activity for the prevention of the metabolic syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]