Effects of Hunter-Gatherer Subsistence Mode on Arterial Distensibility in Cameroonian Pygmies

Abstract

Abstract-We aimed to assess whether arterial distensibility estimated by pulse wave velocity (PWV) and augmentation index (AI) differs between Cameroon traditional pygmies (TPs) on hunter-gather subsistence mode, contemporary pygmies who migrated to semiurban area, and the Bantou farmers (BFs) sharing the same environment. For that purpose, we recorded carotid-femoral PWV (ComplioR) in age and sex carefully matched 20 TPs, 20 contemporary pygmies, and 22 BFs. Aortic AI corrected for heart rate and blood pressures were generated from pressure wave analysis (SphygmoCor). Lipid profile was determined in TP and BF participants. TPs were shorter (Pϭ0.02) with lower body weight (PϽ0.01) in comparison with contemporary pygmies and BFs. TPs had lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol but higher high-density lipoprotein cholesterol than BFs (PϽ0.01). Their PWV (5.81Ϯ0.21 m/s) was slower (Pϭ0.006) than that of contemporary pygmies (6.82Ϯ0.36 m/s) or BFs (6.93Ϯ0.29 m/s); however, after its adjustment for age, mean arterial pressure, and heart rate, the difference was slightly attenuated (Pϭ0.051). PWV adjusted for weight did not differ between groups (Pϭ0.10). In the whole study population but not in TPs taken separately, multivariate regression analysis revealed that PWV was independently associated with mean arterial pressure, age, and TP status (PϽ0.001), whereas age, mean arterial pressure, and height emerged as independent determinants of aortic AI corrected for heart rate (PϽ0.001). Aortic AI corrected for heart rate did not differ in the 3 groups. In conclusion, hunter-gather lifestyle is associated with low atherosclerosis risk translated by lower aortic stiffness attributed at least partly to low weight and blunted effects of aging and blood pressures on TP arterial structure and function. 1-3 CVDs have been reported to be more frequent and severe in blacks.3,4 The underlying mechanisms remain unclear. The contributing role of genetics 4 and lifestyle 3,5 has been evoked. Although the genetic patterns remain poorly explored, available evidence points out the contributing role of changing living conditions and dietary patterns. 5,6 The influence of lifestyle on the global burden of CVD has been well established, 6,7 as well as the impact of dietary intervention on the reduction of cardiovascular (CV) risk. 8In Sub-Saharan Africa, hunter-gatherers have begun to shift toward an agriculture-based lifestyle over the last 5000 years. Only a few populations still base their mode of subsistence on hunting and gathering. The Pygmies are considered to be the largest group of mobile hunter-gatherers of Africa. They dwell in equatorial forests and are characterized by their short mean stature. However, little is known about their CV status.Few available studies indicated that, in Sub-Saharan Africa, communities like the Kalahari Bushmen and traditional pygmies (TPs) living with ancient lifestyle are relatively free of CVD, 9-11 partly attributed either to low level of blood pressure (BP) 9,10 and to their hunter-gatherer su...

Therapeutic Options: Lifestyle Measures and Pharmacological Approaches

“…This study found that those individuals in rural communities have less age-related arterial stiffening, likely due to differences in salt consumption between the two groups, with the rural group consuming less sodium than the urban group, resulting in a lower blood pressure [ 85 ]. Similar results were seen in studies comparing urban and rural pygmies, showing the impact of environment vs. genetics on arterial stiffness [ 86 ].…”

Arteriosclerosis

“…However, the sample size was very modest, and much smaller than that of Avolio et al, 3 so some degree of the age-related stiffening could not be robustly excluded. Nevertheless, the observations of Lemogoum et al 4 do appear to substantiate those of Avolio et al, 3 although both were cross-sectional, and longitudinal studies in indigenous populations have not been undertaken.…”

“…Lemogoum et al 4 assessed aPWV in 2 groups of Cameroonian pygmies, one living a traditional hunter-gatherer existence in a rural setting and one in a more Westernized, semiurban environment. On average, aortic stiffness was Ϸ20% lower in the rural individuals but did not differ between the semiurban pygmies and other ethnically unrelated individuals in the same environment.…”

“…These cross-links increase with aging and correlate with aPWV 10 and, thus, may partly underlie arteriosclerosis. Before we can attribute arteriosclerosis to any of these mechanisms, it would be helpful to understand the extent to which they are altered or, indeed, absent in indigenous populations like those studied by Avolio et al 3 and Lemogoum et al 4 Clearly, further mechanistic studies in ethnic populations will provide important insights in this regard.…”

Le niveau d’oxydation maximale des lipides (LIPOXmax), un niveau d’exercice adapté par ses propriétés énergétiques et comportementales au « génotype économe » du syndrome métabolique : l’hypothèse du « healthy primitive lifestyle »

“…À côté de la littérature de plus en plus abondante qui démontre que l'exercice régulier, d'une part, et l'alimentation restreignant les sucres rapides et les lipides, d'autre part, ont des effets bénéfiques, une démonstration plus directe peut être trouvée dans des études portant sur des populations pratiquant encore des modes de vie comparables. On observe ainsi chez les pygmées du Cameroun que le « hunter-gather lifestyle » est associé à une moindre rigidité artérielle et une réduction de la prévalence de lésions athéroscléreuses, que la faible adiposité explique en partie, ainsi qu'une diminution de l'effet de l'âge et de la pression artérielle sur la structure des parois artérielles [18].…”