Specific Dietary Protein Sources Are Associated with Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in the Boston Puerto Rican Health Study

BackgroundPuerto Rican adults residing in the US mainland experience a high prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS). A diet containing healthy protein-rich sources may help control risk factors for MetS.ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate 2-year longitudinal associations between intake of various protein-rich foods and changes in the six MetS components.DesignThis is a secondary analysis of a longitudinal cohort study using data from the baseline (2004–2007) and 2-year follow-up visits (2006–2011) in the Boston Puerto Rican Health Study.Participants/settingParticipants were self-identified Puerto Ricans, aged 45 to 75 years, residing in Boston, Massachusetts, or the surrounding area (n = 1,126).Main outcome measuresMetS components were fasting glucose, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, triglycerides, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, and waist circumference.Statistical analysisBaseline intake of foods reported in a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire were expressed as servings/day, and protein-rich foods were categorized as unprocessed white meat, unprocessed red meat, processed meat, milk and yogurt, cheese, fish and seafood, beans, nuts, and eggs. Associations between each continuous protein food group and continuous 2-year change in MetS components were assessed using linear mixed models adjusted for socioeconomic and behavioral factors, and other dietary sources.ResultsThe top contributors to total protein intake were unprocessed red meat (13.3%) and unprocessed poultry (13.0%), and the lowest were eggs (2.92%) and nuts (0.91%). Higher intake of processed meats was associated with an increase in waist circumference over 2 years (β = 1.28; standard error [SE] = 0.63), whereas higher intake of fish and seafood was associated with a decrease in waist circumference (β = ?3.47; SE = 1.39). Intake of unprocessed poultry was associated with a decrease in triglycerides (β = ?24.5; SE = 9.13). No other significant associations were observed between protein sources and 2-year changes in MetS components.ConclusionsConsuming less processed meat and more fish and seafood and unprocessed poultry was associated with decreases in waist circumference and triglycerides among US mainland Puerto Ricans. Other dietary protein sources were not related to cardiometabolic health.     

上海市华阳社区糖尿病、高血压、血脂紊乱及代谢综合征基线调查

目的 调查上海市区40岁以上自然人群代谢综合征及有关疾病的患病情况。方法 采用多级分层随机抽样的流行病学调查方法进行问卷调查,并进行75g葡萄糖耐量试验、空腹血脂谱、BMI、血压及心电图测定。结果 上海华阳社区40岁以上中老年人中糖尿病、糖耐量减退/空腹血糖减损、高血压、血脂紊乱、超重/肥胖及代谢综合征患病率分别为13.06%、12.91%、47.04%、84.29%、38.67%、及13.06%。结论 上海城市社区40岁以上中老年人中代谢综合征及相关疾病的患病率很高。     

Scientific connotation of “treating different diseases with the same method” from the perspective of metabolic–immune dysregulation in inflammation-mediated carcinogenesis of digestive organs

Inflammation-mediated carcinogenesis develops in the context of chronic inflammation and is a significant cause of cancer within the digestive system. In the chronic inflammation microenvironment, the metabolic activity of tissue cells undergoes extensive changes, which interfere with the normal function of immune cells. Dysregulation of cell metabolism and immune function has been identified as a key factor contributing to inflammation-mediated carcinogenesis within the major digestive organs, such as the stomach, liver, and colorectum. This metabolic–immune imbalance also corresponds to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theories of “yin-yang disharmony” and “disharmony between Ying-nutrients and Wei-defense.” The metabolic–immune imbalance has also been regarded as the key factor supporting “treatment of different diseases with the same method,” in which the same approach is adopted in the treatment of different conditions. In the TCM treatment process, it is necessary to first identify TCM patterns and then apply the corresponding TCM to correct the dysregulated metabolic and immune function, thereby blocking the progression from inflammation to malignancy. Our study findings deepen the TCM understanding of metabolic–immune dysregulation and the relationship between metabolic–immune dysregulation, pattern identification, and treatment method. They also provide new insights for the treatment of inflammation-mediated carcinogenesis in major digestive organs and help us further explore the scientific connotation of the TCM strategy of “treating different diseases with the same method.     

体质指数正常人群中的代谢综合征患病情况

目的 了解体质指数（BMI）正常人群多代谢异常与代谢综合征（MS）的患病情况。方法 选取2016年1月—2017年12月健康体检人群为研究对象,以2004年中华医学会糖尿病学分会制订的MS诊断标准,符合纳入标准的正常BMI对象共5 781名（男3 069名,女2 712名）。根据BMI的四分位数将调查对象分成Q1～Q4组计算性别、年龄别MS的患病率。结果 5 781名对象的MS患病率为12.71％（男性9.22％,女性16.67％,χ2 = 71.92,P＜0.001）。专业技术人员的MS患病率较其它职业人群显著增高（χ2 = 19.76,P = 0.001）,低学历人群的MS患病率较高学历人群显著增高（χ2 = 10.79,P = 0.005）。男性随BMI升高（Q1～Q4）MS患病率由3.21％增至17.54％（χ2 = 87.11,P＜0.001）;女性（Q1～Q4）MS患病率由7.32％增至29.78％（χ2 = 147.66,P＜0.001）。男性各个BMI组MS患病率均低于女性（Q1:3.21% vs 7.32%,χ2 = 10.31,P＜0.001;Q2:6.35% vs 10.26%,χ2 = 8.64, P＜0.001;Q3:9.72% vs 19.27%,χ2 = 27.39, P＜0.001;Q4:17.54% vs 29.79%,χ2 = 28.11,P＜0.001）。男性随年龄升高（≤40岁～≥60岁）MS患病率由3.43％增至13.15％（χ2 = 67.09,P＜0.001）、女性（≤40岁～≥60岁）MS患病率由10.72％增至24.25％（χ2 = 54.43,P＜0.001）;随BMI升高（Q1～Q4）,伴有MS组分异常的患病率由28.51％增至40.56％（χ2 = 77.39,P＜0.001）。结论 BMI正常人群仍有一定多代谢异常和MS患病率,要注意BMI正常人群的代谢性健康风险管理。     

Synthesis of merozoite proteins and glycoproteins during the schizogony of Plasmodium falciparum

We have investigated the protein and glycoprotein content of Plasmodium falciparum merozoites by metabolically labeling cultures of schizont-stage parasites with [³⁵S]methionine or with [³H]glucosamine followed by incubation in nonradioactive medium to allow the schizonts to mature into merozoites, infect new erythrocytes, and develop into ring-stage parasites. The ring stages were separated from schizonts by sedimentation through Percoll. Labeled proteins were resolved by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and visualized by fluorography. Using [³⁵S]methionine, four major proteins (p) with apparent relative molecular weights (M_r) = 202k, 136k, 82k, and 46k and two proteins of intermediate labeling (M_r = 185k and 142k) were observed in the schizont-labeled ring-stage parasites. Because corresponding proteins were also observed in the schizont stage, we conclude that they had been present in the invading merozoite. In contrast, prominent proteins which were generally labeled during the ring stage and some major schizont-stage proteins were virtually absent in the schizont-labeled ring-stage. By labeling the parasite proteins with [³H]glucosamine followed by separation by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, five major glycoproteins (gp) of apparent M_r = 185k, 88k, 56k, 46k, and 34k were identified. Their presence in both the schizont and the schizont-labeled ring stage demonstrated that the merozoite contains glycoproteins. Immune owl monkey serum recognized all five glycoproteins. A comparison of proteins by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (isoelectric focusing and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis) suggested that p185 and gp185 were identical, as were p46 and gp46.     

Glomerular function and microalbuminuria in children with insulin-dependent diabetes

Renal function has been evaluated in 45 diabetic children (age 12.5±4 years) with a mean diabetes duration of 4.9±3.5 years. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR; inulin and creatinine clearances), renal plasma flow (RPF; PAH clearance), resting urinary albumin excretion (UAE) were measured and compared with indexes of metabolic control: Hb A₁C and blood glucose values (mean, post-prandial and maximal excursion) on the same day. GFR (inulin clearance) and RPF were significantly increased in the diabetic group (171±31 and 778±172 ml/min per 1.73 m²) compared with controls (124±18 and 631±128 ml/min per 1.73 m²). Both parameters were strongly correlated (r=0.73;P<0.001). Creatinine clearance was not correlated to inulin clearance. Hyperfiltration (inulin clearance above 160 ml/min per 1.73 m²) was noted in 61% of the patients and was independent of diabetes duration. Five diabetic children had a UAE level above 15 g/min. No relationship could be established between UAE and any of the metabolic indexes; GFR was weakly correlated to HbA₁C (r=0.35;P<0.05), to mean (r=0.35;P<0.05) and post-prandial blood glucose (r=0.37;P<0.05). In contrast, there was a strong correlation between GFR and the maximal blood excursion (r=0.62;P<0.001). The study shows that renal abnormalities can be detected with a high frequency in diabetic subjects characterized by both an early onset and a short duration of diabetes and suggests the need for a more systematic evaluation of renal parameters in this population.