The SAfrEIC study

SAfrEIC study (South African study on the effect of Sex, Age and Ethnicity on Insulin sensitivity and Cardiovascular Function) was a cross-sectional study conducted during 2007, which included a black and white bi-ethnic population of 750 participants with a wide age range.

With this study we investigated the cardiometabolic determinants for the development of hypertension and cardiometabolic diseases in South African individuals from different ethnicities, genders and ages.

Published papers:

1. Dimethylarginines: their vascular and metabolic roles in Africans and Caucasians.
2. Exploring soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor and its relationship with arterial stiffness in a bi-ethnic population: the SAfrEIC-study.
3. Arterial stiffness profiles: investigating various sections of the arterial tree of African and Caucasian people.
4. A significant decline in IGF-I may predispose young Africans to subsequent cardiometabolic vulnerability.
5. NT-proBNP, C-reactive protein and soluble uPAR in a bi-ethnic male population: the SAfrEIC study.
6. NT-proBNP is associated with fibulin-1 in Africans: the SAfrEIC study.

POWIRS study

The POWIRS study (Profiles of Obese Women with the Insulin Resistance Syndrome) was a cross-sectional study conducted during 2003 and 2004 in Potchefstroom, South Africa.

As the name of study suggests, the project included lean, overweight and obese black and white South African women (approximately 100 of each ethnicity). With this study we aimed to gain a better understanding on the development of obesity-related cardiovascular and cardiometabolic diseases, and whether ethnic-specific risk factors are involved. A range of assessments were done including an oral glucose tolerance test and various cardio-hemodynamic measurements. Significant knowledge was gained on the role of adipocytokines and cardiovascular disease development.

Published papers:

1. Leptin is independently associated with systolic blood pressure, pulse pressure and arterial compliance in hypertensive African women with increased adiposity: the POWIRS study.
2. Leptin is favourably associated with vascular function in obese Caucasians, but not in obese Africans.
3. Inflammation, obesity and cardiovascular function in African and Caucasian women from South Africa: the POWIRS study.
4. Aging influences the level and functions of fasting plasma ghrelin levels: the POWIRS-Study.
5. Differences and similarities regarding adiponectin investigated in African and Caucasian women.
6. Metabolic syndrome risk in black South African women compared to Caucasian women.
7. Should obesity be blamed for the high prevalence rates of hypertension in black South African women?