Objective To explore the potential impact of low concentration of metformin on the morphology and function of mitochondria of HepG2 cells. Methods HepG2 cells in experimental group and control group were treated with or without low concentration of metformin (1mM/L), respectively. The cells were incubated for 12h in the incubator with constant temperature and humidity as well as 1% oxygen. Orange Mitoview was used to stain the mitochondria to detect the effects of the drug on its morphology and quantity. Transmission electron microscope was utilized to observe the effect of metformin on the ultrastructure of mitochondria. The mitochondrial respiratory chain complex I activity in HepG2 cell was detected by Complex I Enzyme Activity Dipstick Assay Kit (DAK). Results Orange Mitoview staining showed that low concentration of metformin had little effect on the morphology and number of mitochondria of cells in experimental group , and the difference between control and experimental group was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). In addition, the result was further determined by transmission electron microscopy. However, DAK analysis showed that complex I activity of cells in experimental group was significantly lower than that in control group. Conclusion Under Hypoxia conditions, low concentration of metformin had no significant effect on the morphology and number of mitochondria of HepG2 cells, but it significantly reduces the activity of mitochondria of HepG2 cells.

To analyze the changes of coagulation function in severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) and its relationship with thrombocytopenia, and to explore its value as an early predictor of the severity of SFTS. The clinical data of 428 SFTS patients (70 deaths and 358 survivors) admitted to the Department of Infectious Disease at Wuhan Union Hospital from January 2014 to July 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. The differences of coagulation parameters and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) scores between the two groups were compared. The results showed that abnormal coagulation function was commonly presented in SFTS patients. Bleeding was more frequent in mortality group (41.4% vs. 26.5%). The D-dimer levels in mortality patients were significantly higher above normal range. Activated partial thrombin time (APTT) and thrombin time (TT) were significantly prolonged. The levels of prothrombin time (PT), TT, APTT, international standardized ratio (INR) and D-dimer between mortality group and survival group started to separate from day 5-6. The difference of fibrinogen (FIB) level developed on day 7-8, while platelet counts between the two groups were significant different from day 9-10. The mortality rate increased according to the increase of baseline DIC score. When DIC score reached 6, the mortality rate surged to 66.67%. Excessive platelet consumption is mediated by significant coagulation abnormalities during disease course, and coagulation parameters are more sensitive than platelet count as an early predictor of severe SFTS.

Objective:To retrospectively analyze the characteristics and influencing factors of liver function changes in 111 elderly patients with COVID-19 pneumonia.Methods:111 elderly patients with COVID-19 admitted to the Department of Infectious Diseases, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology from February 5 to March 3, 2020 were enrolled. According to the severity of disease and liver function condition, they were divided into severe group ( n=40), normal group ( n=71), abnormal liver function group ( n=86) and normal liver function group ( n=25). The indexes related to liver function changes [total bilirubin (TBil), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and γ-glutamyl transferase (GGT)] and related influencing factors were analyzed. Results:Among 111 cases, 86 (77.5%) had abnormal liver function of varying degrees, and 28 (25.2%) had liver injury. The abnormal rates of TBil, AST, ALP and GGT were significantly higher in the severe group than normal group ( P<0.05). There were no significant differences in age, ribavirin, glucocorticoid and the application of lopinavir-ritonavir tablets between the abnormal liver function and the normal group ( P>0.05). The proportion of male was significantly higher in the abnormal liver function than normal liver function group ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Elderly COVID-19 patients have a higher proportion of abnormal liver function, and patients in the severe group are more likely to have higher level of TB, AST, ALP and GGT. The abnormal liver function may be related to the direct viral infection of the liver and the inflammatory immune response of the body after infection in elderly patients.