1.Rehmanniae Radix Iridoid Glycosides Protect Kidneys of Diabetic Mice by Regulating TGF-β1/Smads Signaling Pathway
Hongwei ZHANG ; Ming LIU ; Huisen WANG ; Wenjing GE ; Xuexia ZHANG ; Qian ZHOU ; Huani LI ; Suqin TANG ; Gengsheng LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(2):56-66
ObjectiveTo investigate the protective effect of Rehmanniae Radix iridoid glycosides (RIG) on the kidney tissue of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice and explore the underlying mechanism. MethodsTwelve of 72 male C57BL/6J mice were randomly selected as the normal group, and the remaining 60 mice were fed with a high-fat diet for six weeks combined with injection of 60 mg·kg-1 STZ for 4 days to model type 2 diabetes mellitus. The successfully modeled mice were randomized into model, metformin (250 mg·kg-1), catalpol (100 mg·kg-1), low-dose RIG (RIG-L, 200 mg·kg-1) and high-dose RIG (RIG-H, 400 mg·kg-1) groups (n=11). Mice in each group were administrated with corresponding drugs, while those in the normal group and model group were administrated with the same dose of distilled water by gavage once a day. After 8 weeks of intervention, an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed, and the area under the curve (AUC) was calculated. After mice were sacrificed, both kidneys were collected. The body weight, kidney weight, and fasting blood glucose (FBG) were measured. Biochemical assays were performed to measure the serum levels of triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), serum creatinine (SCr), and blood urea nitrogen (BUN). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed to determine the serum level of fasting insulin (FINS), and the insulin sensitivity index (ISI) and homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were calculated. The pathological changes in kidneys of mice were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining and Masson staining. The immunohistochemical method (IHC) was employed to assess the expression of interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), and collagen-3 (ColⅢ) in the kidney tissue. The protein levels of TGF-β1, cell signal transduction molecule 3 (Smad3), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), and ColⅢ in kidneys of mice were determined by Western blot. ResultsCompared with the normal group, the model group showcased decreased body weight and ISI (P<0.01), increased kidney weight, FBG, AUC, FINS, HOMA-IR, TC, TG, SCr, and BUN (P<0.01), glomerular hypertrophy, capsular space narrowing, and collagen deposition in the kidney, up-regulated protein levels of IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α, TGF-β1, ColⅢ, and Smad3 (P<0.01), and down-regulated protein level of MMP-9 (P<0.01) in the kidney tissue. Compared with the model group, the treatment groups had no significant difference in the body weight and decreased kidney weight (P<0.05, P<0.01). The FBG level declined in the RIG-H group after treatment for 4-8 weeks and in the metformin, catalpol, and RIG-L groups after treatment for 6-8 weeks (P<0.01). The AUC in the RIG-L, RIG-H, and metformin groups decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01). The levels of TC, SCr, and BUN in the serum of mice in each treatment group became lowered (P<0.05, P<0.01). The level of TG declined in the RIG-L, RIG-H, and metformin groups (P<0.05, P<0.01). The serum level of FINS declined in the catalpol, RIG-L, and metformin groups (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the treatment groups showed decreased HOMA-IR (P<0.01), increased ISI (P<0.01), alleviated pathological changes in the kidney tissue, and down-regulated expression of IL-1 and TGF-β1. In addition, the protein levels of IL-6, TNF-α, and ColⅢ in the RIG-H and metformin groups and IL-6 and TNF-α in the RIG-L group were down-regulated (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the protein levels of IL-6, TNF-α, and ColⅢ in the catalpol group and ColⅢ in the RIG-L group showed a decreasing trend without statistical difference. The protein levels of TGF-β1, Smad3, and ColⅢ in the RIG-H and metformin groups were down-regulated (P<0.01). Compared with that in the model group, the protein level of MMP-9 was up-regulated in each treatment group (P<0.01). ConclusionRIG can improve the renal structure and function of diabetic mice by regulating the TGF-β1/Smads signaling pathway.
2.Effects of two intermittent fasting strategies on postprandial lipid metabolism in adults
Manman SHAO ; Xiaohui WEI ; Yuanchao LI ; Mingjing XU ; Tao YING ; Gengsheng HE ; Yuwei LIU
Shanghai Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(1):64-71
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects and potential mechanisms of morning and evening fasting on postprandial lipid responses, a post hoc analysis based on a crossover randomized controlled trial was conducted to assess the effects of different fasting strategies on postprandial lipid metabolism in community residents in Shanghai. MethodsA total of 23 participants took part in a randomized crossover trial involving two intervention days: morning fasting and evening fasting, with a washout period of 6 days between intervention days. Two-way analysis of variance was used to test the differences in total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and the relative expression of circadian clock genes before and after the next meal under fasting. Wilcoxon rank sum tests were used to analyze the different metabolites between the two groups. Principal component analysis and Orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis were conducted to evaluate the ability of metabolites to differentiate between morning fasting and evening fasting and identify the important differential metabolites. After adjusting for age, sex, and BMI, a partial correlation analysis was performed to identify metabolites associated with plasma lipids. In addition, important metabolites associated with plasma lipids were computed by pathway enrichment analysis. ResultsAfter evening fasting intervention, fasting TG level [(0.37±0.29) vs (0.27±0.18)] mmol·L-1, fasting and postprandial change values in TC [(2.74±0.47) vs (2.51±0.27)] mmol·L-1 and LDL-C [(1.32±0.38) vs (0.99±0.27)] mmol·L-1 were significantly lower than those after morning fasting (P<0.05). While, change values of fasting LDL-C [(0.89±0.37) vs (1.14±0.37)] mmol·L-1 and TG [(1.14±0.19) vs (1.28±0.17)] mmol·L-1 were significantly higher than those after morning fasting intervention (P<0.05). After fasting intervention, the relative expression of AMPK, CRY1, CLOCK, MTNR1B, AANAT, and ASMT was correlated with the amount of plasma lipid changes (P<0.05). Specifically, CLOCK and AANAT were upregulated following evening fasting and downregulated after morning fasting. Among the 217 important differential metabolites, 111 were correlated with plasma lipids, and which were primarily enriched in the cysteine and methionine metabolism pathways (P<0.05). ConclusionCompared to morning fasting, evening fasting was more effective in improving postprandial lipid responses, indicating that an evening fasting window during intermittent fasting could be conducive to cardiovascular disease prevention in adults. Meanwhile, it is suggested that morning and evening fasting may affect lipid responses through circadian rhythm oscillations and the cysteine and methionine metabolism pathways.
3.Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances exposure profiles and health risk assessment from dietary and drinking water sources among elderly populations in Songjiang District, Shanghai
Qing CHEN ; Tao YING ; Yuwei LIU ; Hua CAI ; Hong LIU ; Yonggen JIANG ; Gengsheng HE
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2025;42(11):1299-1306
Background Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a group of persistent organic pollutants associated with adverse health effects including hepatotoxicity, immunosuppression, and carcinogenicity, have undergone risk assessments by multiple international organizations, with dietary exposure being the primary pathway. Objective To characterize the exposure to PFAS from food and drinking water sources of elderly residents in Songjiang District of Shanghai and to evaluate associated health risk and health effects. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted from May to July 2024 in Songjiang District based on the Shanghai Suburban Adult Cohort and Biobank (SSACB) cohort. Dietary surveys were administered via face-to-face interviews among older adults aged 65 years and above, yielding 4 583 valid questionnaires. The estimated daily intake (EDI) of PFAS was calculated by integrating data from the Sixth National Dietary Survey and recent literature on PFAS concentrations in food and drinking water in Shanghai. Health risk assessment was performed using health-based guideline values (HBGV) proposed by various institutions and studies. Additionally, correlation analysis and linear regression modeling of EDI and biochemical indicators in the elderly were conducted to evaluate potential adverse health effects. Results The elderly population in Songjiang District exhibited dietary characteristics consistent with the Eastern Healthy Diet Pattern. Among PFAS compounds, PFOA showed the highest level of oral exposure [mean: 1.495 ng·(kg·d−1)], followed by PFOS [mean: 0.637 ng·(kg·d−1)], PFHxS [mean: 0.636 ng·(kg·d−1)], and PFBS [mean: 0.273 ng·(kg·d−1)]. Specifically, drinking water was the primary source of PFOA [1.415 ng·(kg·d−1), accounting for 94.60%], while aquatic products were the major source of PFOS [0.278 ng·(kg·d−1), accounting for 43.66%]. Using the HBGV derived by China's epidemiological studies, the mean hazard index (HI) for PFAS exposure was 1.39, indicating 54.35% of the population had potential health risks (HI>1). Following the 2024 standard established by the Food Safety Commission of Japan (FSCJ), the HI value dropped to 0.11, suggesting negligible risk. PFAS exposure was negatively associated with triglyceride levels and the indicators of liver and kidney function, but positively associated with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and lung cancer markers in the elderly residents. Conclusion PFAS exposure among the elderly residents in Songjiang District is predominantly attributed to PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, and PFBS, with drinking water and aquatic products identified as primary exposure sources. Current exposure levels demonstrate significant associations with biomarkers of lipid metabolism and lung cancer markers, suggesting potential population health risks. These findings underscore the urgent need to establish HBGV for PFAS compounds based on Chinese population-specific metabolic characteristics.
4.Plant foods intake and risk of type 2 diabetes: Findings from a registry-based prospective cohort study
Mingjing XU ; Tao YING ; Yang ZHU ; Gengsheng HE ; Yuwei LIU
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2024;41(5):497-504
Background Lifestyle intervention or dietary modification has been the cornerstone of primary prevention and management of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Objective To investigate the associations of plant foods intake with the risk of incident T2D. Methods Based on a general population cohort, the Shanghai Suburban Adult Cohort and Biobank (SSACB), dietary data were collected for each participant in Songjiang District of Shanghai at enrollment with a validated Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ), and plant-based diet index (PDI), healthful plant-based diet index (hPDI), and unhealthful plant-based diet index (uPDI) were calculated. Incident T2D cases were identified according to physician diagnosis (fasting blood glucose ≥7.0 mmol·L−1, or 2 h value during a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test ≥11.1 mmol·L−1, or glycosylated hemoglobin ≥6.5%, or with typical symptoms of hyperglycemia or hyperglycemic crisis, accompanied by a random plasma glucose ≥11.1 mmol·L−1) or medication records, obtained from the electronic information system for residents' medical insurance. Multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazards models and restricted cubic splines were used to evaluate the associations of foods from different sources with the risk of incident T2D. Results A total of 29016 participants [age at baseline (55.3±11.6) years] with a median follow-up duration of 5.688 years until 21 September 2022 were included. Plant foods (unprocessed) intake was associated with a decreased risk of incident T2D [HR (95%CI): 0.983 (0.969, 0.998)]. In comparison with participants in the highest quartile (≥859.3 g) of plant foods daily intake, the risk of incident T2D for those in the lowest quartile (<500.9 g) was higher [HR (95%CI): 1.250 (1.012, 1.544)]. No significant associations of animal foods [HR (95%CI): 1.006 (0.987, 1.026)] and processed foods [HR (95%CI): 0.978 (0.944, 1.014)] intakes were found with the risk of incident T2D. Replacing 50 g animal foods [HR (95%CI): 0.982 (0.968, 0.996)] or processed foods [HR (95%CI): 0.983 (0.969, 0.998)] with 50 g plant foods was associated with significantly decreased risks of incident T2D. Additionally, non-linear associations of PDI (Pnonlinear=0.023) and hPDI (Pnonlinear=0.016) with the risk of incident T2D were found in the SSACB. Conclusion Plant foods intake, especially healthful plant foods intake, is significantly associated with a decreased risk of incident T2D.
5. An analysis on incidence of HIV-1 epidemics among men who have sex with men in Sichuan Province during 2011-2015
Hong YANG ; Li YE ; Ling SU ; Yang LIU ; Lin XIAO ; Ying HU ; Dongbing WEI ; Dan YUAN ; Gengsheng ZHOU ; Honglu LIU ; Jia YU ; Shu LIANG
Chinese Journal of Preventive Medicine 2019;53(3):327-329
The assay was used in HIV/AIDS surveillance sentinel sites to identify recent HIV-1 infection, to estimate HIV-1 incidence and understand the epidemic trends among men who have sex with men during 2011-2015. During 2011-2015, the HIV-1 incidence of men who have sex with men was 5.16%(95
6.An analysis on incidence of HIV?1 epidemics among men who have sex with men in Sichuan Province during 2011-2015
Hong YANG ; Li YE ; Ling SU ; Yang LIU ; Lin XIAO ; Ying HU ; Dongbing WEI ; Dan YUAN ; Gengsheng ZHOU ; Honglu LIU ; Jia YU ; Shu LIANG
Chinese Journal of Preventive Medicine 2019;53(3):327-329
The assay was used in HIV/AIDS surveillance sentinel sites to identify recent HIV?1 infection, to estimate HIV?1 incidence and understand the epidemic trends among men who have sex with men during 2011-2015.During 2011-2015, the HIV?1 incidence of men who have sex with men was 5.16%(95%CI: 4.65%-5.66%) in Sichuan Province. According to
7.An analysis on incidence of HIV?1 epidemics among men who have sex with men in Sichuan Province during 2011-2015
Hong YANG ; Li YE ; Ling SU ; Yang LIU ; Lin XIAO ; Ying HU ; Dongbing WEI ; Dan YUAN ; Gengsheng ZHOU ; Honglu LIU ; Jia YU ; Shu LIANG
Chinese Journal of Preventive Medicine 2019;53(3):327-329
The assay was used in HIV/AIDS surveillance sentinel sites to identify recent HIV?1 infection, to estimate HIV?1 incidence and understand the epidemic trends among men who have sex with men during 2011-2015.During 2011-2015, the HIV?1 incidence of men who have sex with men was 5.16%(95%CI: 4.65%-5.66%) in Sichuan Province. According to
8. Management and safety assessment of nanomaterials in food: status and prospects
Ziqi LI ; Weiwei ZHENG ; Ying LIU ; Ying ZHOU ; Gengsheng HE ; Yuxin ZHENG ; Weidong QU
Chinese Journal of Preventive Medicine 2018;52(10):1082-1088
The safety assessment of nanomaterials in food is essential for safeguarding supervision and maintaining public health. However, there are still no safety assessment procedures for nanomaterials established in national-level in China and no specific toxicology and safety assessment procedures about nanomaterials for food, too. These factors lead to restriction on food safety protection and supervision. Current methods of evaluating the safety of nanomaterials mainly rely on traditional toxicological assessment that are extrapolated based on animal experiment from high doses to low doses and from animals to humans. These uncertainties restrict the accuracy of safety assessment for nanomaterials and also limit the development of scientific and effective evaluation procedures and regulatory measures. Currently, the key issues need to be solved including exposure assessment and evaluation methods of nanomaterials in food and the established methods of the toxicity test for nanomaterials that are consistent with the objectives of toxicity test in the 21st century vision and strategy. In this article, we reviewed current administrative regulatory, situations, and existing issues of food nanomaterials either in China or some developed countries in order to provide a scientific basis in establishing safety assessment procedures for nanomaterials in food in the future.
9.Evaluation of the analytical performance of AccuTnI+3 assay and establishment of the regional 99th percentile from an apparently healthy Chinese population
Zejin LIU ; Jinsuo KANG ; Xin SHU ; Jia DU ; Jie YANG ; Gengsheng ZHAO ; Yahui LIN ; Kaijuan WANG ; Zhenlu ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2017;40(12):959-964
Objective To validate the analytical performance of a cardiac troponin I(cTnI)assay AccuTnI+3 on chemiluminescnet analyzer DXI800 and Access2;and to establish the 99th percentile of cTnI in an apparently healthy Chinese population.Methods The subjects are composed of 1 369 apparently healthy people and 20 acute myocardial infarction(AMI)patients from Wuhan Asian Heart Hospital and Fuwai Hospital from October 2014 to June 2015.The healthy people include 680 males and 689 females;with 340 subjects aged 18-30,674 subjects aged 31-64, and 355 subjects aged ≥65.The detection limits and imprecision of AccuTnI +3 assays were validated according to CLSI EP 15-A2 and EP17-A2 documents;the same samples were analyzed on DXI800 and Access2 to assess the consistency between the two analyzers using Bland Altman plot and Passing-Bablok regression.The correlation between different sample types (lithium heparin plasma, EDTA plasma & serum)were assessed using linear regression analysis.The lithium heparin plasmasamples from 1 369 apparently healthy people were analyzed to calculate the 99th percentile of cTnI.The cTnI concentrations were compared among age and sex groups.The 99th percentile of cTnI were also calculated for each group.The detection rate of cTnI in apparently healthy people was calculated using SPSS23.0.Results The limit of blank(LoB), limit of detection(LoD), and limit of quantification(LoQ)where CV%=10% were 0.007 ng/ml,0.010 ng/ml and 0.016 ng/ml on DXI800;0.008 ng/ml,0.012 ng/ml and 0.026 ng/ml on Access2,respectively.The cTnI measurements on DXI800 and Access2 were consistent and comparable.The cTnI concentrations of lithium heparin plasma, EDTA plasma and serum samples were linearly correlated pairwise: EDTA plasma measuremen t =0.76 heparin plasma measurement, R2=0.999(n=40, P<0.001); serum measuremen t =1.05 heparin plasma measurement,R2=0.996(n=40,P<0.001); serum measuremen t=1.38 EDTA plasma measurement, R2=0.993(n=40,P<0.001).The 99th percentiles were 0.030 ng/ml and 0.035 ng/ml on DXI800 and Access2,respectively,from 1 369 apparently healthy Chinese people.cTnI is significantly higher in elder group than in younger group.The 99th percentiles in 18-30 years old group,31-64 years old group,and≥65 years old group are:0.011 ng/ml,0.029 ng/ml,and 0.035 ng/ml respectively for DXI800;0.023 ng/ml,0.034 ng/ml, and 0.045 ng/ml respectively for Access2.cTnI is significantly higher in men than in women.The 99th percentiles in men and women are: 0.034 ng/ml and 0.032 ng/ml respectively for DXI800;0.043 ng/ml and 0.031 ng/ml respectively for Access2.cTnI was measurable in 62%and 87%of healthy subjects on DXI800 and Access2 systems,respectively.Conclusions The analytical performance of AccuTnI+3 assay fulfills the need of clinical use and the criteria of high-sensitive cardiac troponin assay.
10.Incidence rates of HIV-1 epidemics among 4 high risk groups in Sichuan province during 2011-2015
Hong YANG ; Ling SU ; Li YE ; Lin XIAO ; Ying HU ; Maogang SHEN ; Dongbing WEI ; Dan YUAN ; Gengsheng ZHOU ; Honglu LIU ; Jia YU ; Shu LIANG
Chinese Journal of Epidemiology 2017;38(12):1649-1654
Objective Data from the HIV/AIDS surveillance sentinel sites was used to identify the recent HIV-1 infections and to estimate the HIV-1 incidence and epidemic trends among intravenous drug users (IDU),MSM,female sex workers and men attending the sexually transmitted disease clinics in Sichuan province.Methods Specimens collected from IDUs,MSM,female sex workers and men attending the sexually transmitted disease clinics sentinel sites were confirmed as HIV-I positive and tested with BED-CEIA.Annual HIV-1 prevalence and incidence rates were calculated and the incidence was adjusted by McNermar method.Results A total number of 194 223 serum specimens were collected and HIV antibody tested,with 5 297 HIV-1 positive.4 640 of the positives underwent BED-CEIA,with 749 identified as recent infections.During 2011-2015,HIV-1 incidence rates of the four types of population appeared as 5.16% (95%CI:4.65-5.66),0.22% (95%CI:0.16-0.28),0.57%(95%CI:0.45-0.69),7.53% (95%CI:6.06-9.01) and 0.44% (95%CI:0.36-0.53) respectively.Significant differences were seen in the HIV-1 incidence rates.Conclusions The HIV-1 incidence rates of IDUs from other sentinel sites in Sichuan province,female sex workers and men attending the sexually transmitted disease clinics appeared low,showing that the AIDS prevention and control activities worked effectively.However,the HIV-1 incidence of MSM was still at high level and even rising,suggesting that HIV-1 transmission between MSM and IDUs was possible.

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