Habitual intakes of sugar-sweetened beverages associated with gut microbiota-related metabolites and metabolic health outcomes in young Chinese adults

Background and aimsReducing consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) is a global public health priority because of their limited nutritional value and associations with increased risk of obesity and metabolic diseases. Gut microbiota-related metabolites emerged as quintessential effectors that may mediate impacts of dietary exposures on the modulation of host commensal microbiome and physiological status.Methods and resultsThis study assessed the associations among SSBs, circulating microbial metabolites, and gut microbiota–host co-metabolites, as well as metabolic health outcomes in young Chinese adults (n = 86), from the Carbohydrate Alternatives and Metabolic Phenotypes study in Shaanxi Province. Five principal component analysis-derived beverage drinking patterns were determined on self-reported SSB intakes, which were to a varying degree associated with 143 plasma levels of gut microbiota-related metabolites profiled by untargeted metabolomics. Moreover, carbonated beverages, fruit juice, energy drinks, and bubble tea exhibited positive associations with obesity-related markers and blood lipids, which were further validated in an independent cohort of 16,851 participants from the Regional Ethnic Cohort Study in Northwest China in Shaanxi Province. In contrast, presweetened coffee was negatively associated with the obesity-related traits. A total of 79 metabolites were associated with both SSBs and metabolic markers, particularly obesity markers. Pathway enrichment analysis identified the branched-chain amino acid catabolism and aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis as linking SSB intake with metabolic health outcomes.ConclusionOur findings demonstrate the associations between habitual intakes of SSBs and several metabolic markers relevant to noncommunicable diseases, and highlight the critical involvement of gut microbiota-related metabolites in mediating such associations.     

Cumulative burden of abnormal visceral adiposity index and its components on the risk of hyperuricemia

Background and aimsThe visceral adiposity index (VAI), a gender-specific surrogate maker of adipose tissue distribution and function, is associated with risk of hyperuricemia. However, the impact of time-burden of abnormal VAI and its components on the risk of hyperuricemia remains unknown.Methods and resultsWe included 56,537 participants without hyperuricemia and underwent two health examinations during 2006–2008 from the Kailuan study. Abnormal VAI burdens were evaluated as follows: (1) cumulative number of abnormal VAI presented at each examination (0–2 times); (2) cumulative number of each abnormal VAI component presented at each examination (0–2 times per component); (3) cumulative number of total abnormal VAI components presented at each examination (0–8 times).During a median follow-up of 8.81 years, 10,762 participants were diagnosed with hyperuricemia. The risk of hyperuricemia showed a positive association with cumulative number of abnormal VAI, the adjusted hazard ratio (HR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) of 2 times compared to 0 times was 1.69 (1.58–1.81). All four components of abnormal VAI, when diagnosed repeatedly, were independently associated with an increased risk of hyperuricemia, adjusted HR (95% CI) from 1.15 (1.02–1.28) for low high-density lipoprotein to 1.68 (1.58–1.79) for elevated triglyceride. The risk of hyperuricemia also gradually as abnormal components was accumulated from 0 to 8 counts, reaching an adjusted HR (95% CI) of 3.72 (2.64–5.23). Furthermore, the effect of cumulative abnormal VAI was more pronounced in females than males (P-interaction < 0.0001).ConclusionsCumulative abnormal VAI burdens were positively associated with the risk of hyperuricemia, especially in females.     

Changes in abdominal fat depots after bariatric surgery are associated with improved metabolic profile

Background and aimsObesity associated with a change in the quantity and quality of fat depots. Using computed tomography (CT), we analyzed abdominal fat depots in patients with obesity after bariatric surgery according to their metabolic health status.Methods and resultsWe recruited 79 individuals with metabolically unhealthy obesity before bariatric surgery and compared them with age-sex matched healthy controls. The volume and fat attenuation index (FAI) of fat depots were measured using CT scans that were conducted prior to and a year after bariatric surgery. ‘Metabolically healthy’ was defined as having no hypertension, normal fasting glucose and a waist-to-hip ratio of <1.05 for men and <0.95 for women. Individuals who achieved a metabolic health status conversion (MHC) (n = 29, 37%)—from unhealthy to healthy—were younger (p < 0.001) as compared to individuals without MHC. Pre-surgery BMI and reduction of BMI did not differ between the two groups (p = 0.099, p = 0.5730). Bariatric surgery reduced the volume and increased the FAI of fat depots. Baseline lower abdominal periaortic adipose tissue (AT) volume (p = 0.014) and great percent reduction in renal sinus AT volume after surgery (p = 0.019) were associated with MHC after surgery. Increased intraperitoneal AT FAI (p = 0.031) was also associated with MHC.ConclusionMHC was not associated with improvement in general obesity, based on indicators such as reduction of BMI after surgery. Weight reduction induced specific abdominal fat depot changes measured by CT are positively associated with MHC.     

Reversal of Diabetes in Mice by Intrahepatic Injection of Bone-derived GFP-murine Mesenchymal Stem Cells Infected with the Recombinant Retrovirus-carrying Human Insulin Gene

Background The objective of this study was to assess the effect of intrahepatic injection of bone-derived green fluorescent protein (GFP)-transgenic murine mesenchymal stem cells (GFP-mMSCs) containing the human insulin(ins) gene in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. Methods GFP-mMSCs were isolated from the bone marrow of GFP transgenic mice, expanded, and transfected with a recombinant retrovirus MSCV carrying the human insulin gene. C57BL/6J mice were made diabetic by an intraperitoneal administration of 160 mg/kg streptozotocin (STZ), followed by intrahepatic injection of transfected GFP-mMSCs. The variations in body weight and the blood glucose and serum insulin levels were determined after cell transplantation. GFP-mMSCs survival and human insulin expression in liver tissues were examined by fluorescent microscopy and immunohistochemistry. Results The body weight in diabetic mice that received GFP-mMSCs harboring the human insulin gene was increased by 6% within 6 weeks after treatment, and the average blood glucose levels in these animals were 10.40 ± 2.80 mmol/l (day 7) and 6.50 ± 0.89 mmol/l (day 42), respectively, while the average values of blood glucose in diabetic animals without treatment were 26.80 ± 2.49 mmol/l (day 7) and 25.40 ± 4.10 mmol/l (day 42), showing a significant difference (p < 0.05). Moreover, secretion of human insulin of GFP-mMSCs in serum and animal liver was detected by radioimmunoassay (RIA) and immunohistochemistry (IHC). Conclusions Experimental diabetes could be relieved effectively for up to 6 weeks by intrahepatic transplantation of murine mesenchymal stem cells expressing human insulin. This study implies a novel approach of gene therapy for type I diabetes.     

Synthesis and antitumor activity of novel aroylthiourea derivatives of podophyllotoxin

A novel series of 4β-[(4-substituted) aroylthiourea] derivatives of podophyllotoxin were synthesized and their abilities to inhibit the growth of cancer cells were investigated by MTT assay. Compound 4a possessed the highest cytotoxicity on HepG2, A549 and HCT-116 cancer cell lines with the IC₅₀ values of 0.1 μM. Apoptosis in HCT-116 cells induced by compound 4a was observed by Hoechst33342-Propidium iodide (PI) and acridine orange (AO)-ethidium bromide (EB) double staining assays. DNA flow cytometric analysis revealed that 4a induced cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase and kDNA decatenation assay indicated that 4a inhibited topoisomerase IIα-mediated kDNA decatenation. Our results indicated that compound 4a possessed promising antitumor activity, which need to be studied further.     

The effect of prenatal exposure to 900-MHz electromagnetic field on the 21-old-day rat testicle

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of exposure to a 900-MHz electromagnetic field (EMF) in the prenatal term on the 21-old-day rat testicle. Pregnant rats were divided into control (CG) and EMF (EMFG) groups. EMFG was exposed to 900-MHz EMF during days 13–21 of pregnancy. Newborn CG rats were obtained from the CG and newborn EMFG (NEMFG) rats from the EMFG. Testicles were extracted at postnatal day 21. Lipid peroxidation and DNA oxidation levels, apoptotic index and histopathological damage scores were compared. NEMFG rats exhibited irregularities in seminiferous tubule basal membrane and epithelium, immature germ cells in the lumen, and a decreased diameter in seminiferous tubules and thickness of epithelium. Apoptotic index, lipid peroxidation and DNA oxidation were higher in NEMFG rats than in NCG. 21-day-old rat testicles exposed to 900-MHz EMF in the prenatal term may be adversely affected, and this effect persists after birth.     

TRAIL重组蛋白诱导肝癌细胞HepG2凋亡的研究

目的研究重组人肿瘤坏死因子相关的凋亡诱导配体（TRAIL）蛋白诱导肝癌细胞HepG2的凋亡作用和意义。方法HepG2细胞经重组人可溶性TRAIL蛋白处理后,以MTT法测定细胞存活率、流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡指数。结果TRAIL蛋白对HepG2的作用存在较好的量效和时效关系,其最佳作用剂量和最佳作用时间分别为1 000 ng/ml和24h;1 000 ng/ml的TRAIL蛋白作用24 h后,HepG2肝癌细胞的存活率降至45%,凋亡指数达51%。结论TRAIL重组蛋白能通过诱导细胞凋亡的方式杀伤一定量的HepG2肝癌细胞,有可能成为潜在的抗肝癌新药。     

颗粒状壳聚糖乳酸盐的制备及其抑菌性能

目的研究并制备颗粒状壳聚糖乳酸盐,检测其抑菌效果。方法通过溶解和醇沉淀工艺制备壳聚糖乳酸盐颗粒,用稀释法测定其抑菌效果。结果利用乳酸溶解和醇沉淀工艺可制备出壳聚糖乳酸盐颗粒,在红外光谱中具有特征性吸收峰。该壳聚糖乳酸盐颗粒具有很强的吸水能力,其吸水比达到1∶60~1∶80。壳聚糖乳酸盐形成的凝胶液对金黄色葡萄球菌的MIC为0.6 g/L。结论该方法生产壳聚糖乳酸盐合成工艺简单、过程易于控制、操作成本低、易于工业化生产;所制备出的壳聚糖乳酸盐颗粒具有很强的吸水性,可望将其用于纺织卫生用品产品生产中。