BACKGROUND: It is crucial to understand the seasonal variation of Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) for the detection and management of MetS. Previous studies have demonstrated the seasonal variations in MetS prevalence and its markers, but their methods are not robust. To clarify the concrete seasonal variations in the MetS prevalence and its markers, we utilized a powerful method called Seasonal Trend Decomposition Procedure based on LOESS (STL) and a big dataset of health checkups. METHODS: A total of 1,819,214 records of health checkups (759,839 records for men and 1,059,375 records for women) between April 2012 and December 2017 were included in this study. We examined the seasonal variations in the MetS prevalence and its markers using 5 years and 9 months health checkup data and STL analysis. MetS markers consisted of waist circumference (WC), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), fasting plasma glucose (FPG). RESULTS: We found that the MetS prevalence was high in winter and somewhat high in August. Among men, MetS prevalence was 2.64 ± 0.42 (mean ± SD) % higher in the highest month (January) than in the lowest month (June). Among women, MetS prevalence was 0.53 ± 0.24% higher in the highest month (January) than in the lowest month (June). Additionally, SBP, DBP, and HDL-C exhibited simple variations, being higher in winter and lower in summer, while WC, TG, and FPG displayed more complex variations. CONCLUSIONS This finding, complex seasonal variations of MetS prevalence, WC, TG, and FPG, could not be derived from previous studies using just the mean values in spring, summer, autumn and winter or the cosinor analysis. More attention should be paid to factors affecting seasonal variations of central obesity, dyslipidemia and insulin resistance.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Metabolic Syndrome/epidemiology* ; Seasons ; Prevalence ; Climate ; Insulin Resistance ; Triglycerides

Objective: To investigate the relationship between serum lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) level and the health index of the elderly. Methods: A total of 251 subjects were selected from the 2016 baseline survey of the Yongfu Longevity Cohort in Guangxi Province among whom 66, 63 and 122 were in the young and middle-aged group (≤59 years old), the young group (60-89 years old) and the longevity group (≥90 years old), respectively. Demographic data were collected and related indicators of height, weight, blood pressure and lipid metabolism were measured. The cognitive and physical functions of the elderly were assessed by the results of the simple mental state scale and the daily living activity scale to construct the health index of the elderly. The serum levels of LPC16∶0, LPC18∶0, LPC18∶1 and LPC18∶2 were determined by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, and the differences among different ages and health status groups were compared. The logistic regression model was used to analyze the relationship between the serum LPC level and the health index of the elderly. Results: With the increase in age, the proportion of female subjects increased, and the rate of smoking and drinking decreased. BMI, TC, TG, LDL-C, diastolic blood pressure, and the four LPCs levels decreased with the increase of age, and systolic blood pressure levels increased with the increase of age (all P values<0.05). There was no significant difference in HDL-C levels among age groups (P>0.05). With the decline of health status in the elderly, serum levels of LPC16∶0, LPC18∶0, LPC18∶1 and LPC18∶2 showed a downward trend (all P values<0.001). After adjusting for age and gender, only LPC18∶0 was associated with the health status in old age [OR (95%CI): 0.48 (0.25-0.92)]. For every 1 standard deviation (16.87 nmol/L) increase in serum LPC18∶0 concentration, the risk of poor health status in old age decreased by 52%. Conclusion: Serum LPC18∶0 was associated with the health status in old age independent of age and sex.
Aged ; Middle Aged ; Humans ; Female ; Aged, 80 and over ; Lysophosphatidylcholines ; Risk Factors ; China ; Longevity ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Triglycerides

This study aimed to investigate the recovery effect of Zuogui Jiangtang Qinggan Prescription on intestinal flora homeostasis control and intestinal mucosal barrier in type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM) with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD) induced by a high-fat diet. NAFLD was established in MKR transgenic mice(T2DM mice) by a high-fat diet(HFD), and subsequently treated for 8 weeks with Zuogui Jiangtang Qinggan Prescription(7.5, 15 g·kg~(-1)) and metformin(0.067 g·kg~(-1)). Triglyceride and liver function were assessed using serum. The hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining and Masson staining were used to stain the liver tissue, while HE staining and AB-PAS staining were used to stain the intestine tissue. 16S rRNA sequencing was utilized to track the changes in the intestinal flora of the mice in each group. Polymerase chain reaction(PCR) and immunofluorescence were used to determine the protein and mRNA expression levels of ZO-1, Occludin, and Claudin-1. The results demonstrated that Zuogui Jiangtang Qinggan Prescription increased the body mass of T2DM mice with NAFLD and decreased the hepatic index. It down-regulated the serum biomarkers of liver function and dyslipidemia such as alanine aminotransferase(ALT), aspartate transaminase(AST), and triglycerides(TG), increased insulin sensitivity, and improved glucose tolerance. According to the results of 16S rRNA sequencing, the Zuogui Jiangtang Qinggan Prescription altered the composition and abundance of the intestinal flora, increasing the relative abundances of Muribaculaceae, Lactobacillaceae, Lactobacillus, Akkermansia, and Bacteroidota and decreasing the relative abundances of Lachnospiraceae, Firmicutes, Deslfobacteria, Proteobacteria, and Desulfovibrionaceae. According to the pathological examination of the intestinal mucosa, Zuogui Jiangtang Qinggan Prescritpion increased the expression levels of the tight junction proteins ZO-1, Occludin, and Claudin-1, promoted intestinal mucosa repair, protected intestinal villi, and increased the height of intestinal mucosa villi and the number of goblet cells. By enhancing intestinal mucosal barrier repair and controlling intestinal microbiota homeostasis, Zuogui Jiangtang Qinggan Prescription reduces intestinal mucosal damage induced by T2DM and NAFLD.
Mice ; Animals ; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease/metabolism* ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/metabolism* ; Occludin/pharmacology* ; Claudin-1/metabolism* ; Intestinal Mucosa ; Liver ; Triglycerides/metabolism* ; Diet, High-Fat ; Homeostasis ; Mice, Inbred C57BL

Alcoholic liver disease(ALD), with its increasing morbidity and mortality, has seriously and extensively affected the health of people worldwide. Methyl ferulic acid(MFA) has been proven to significantly inhibit alcohol-induced lipid production in L02 cells through the AMP-activated protein kinase(AMPK) pathway, but its in-depth mechanism remains unclear. This study aimed to further clarify the mechanism of MFA in improving lipid accumulation in L02 cells through the microRNA-378b(miR-378b)-mediated calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase kinase 2(CaMKK2)-AMPK signaling pathway based on existing researches. L02 cells were induced by 100 mmol·L~(-1) ethanol for 48 h to establish the model of ALD in vitro, and 100, 50, and 25 μmol·L~(-1) concentration of MFA was treated. MiR-378b plasmids(containing the overexpression plasmid-miR-378b mimics, silence plasmid-miR-378b inhibitor, and their respective negative control-miR-378b NCs) were transfected into L02 cells by electroporation to up-regulate or down-regulate the levels of miR-378b in L02 cells. The levels of total cholesterol(TC) and triglyceride(TG) in cells were detected by commercial diagnostic kits and automatic biochemical analyzers. The expression levels of miR-378b in L02 cells were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR). CaMKK2 mRNA levels were detected by PCR, and protein expressions of related factors involved in lipid synthesis, decomposition, and transport in lipid metabolism were detected by Western blot. The results displayed that ethanol significantly increased TG and TC levels in L02 cells, while MFA decreased TG and TC levels. Ethanol up-regulated the miR-378b level, while MFA effectively inhibited the miR-378b level. The overexpression of miR-378b led to lipid accumulation in ethanol-induced L02 cells, while the silence of miR-378b improved the lipid deposition induced by ethanol. MFA activated the CaMKK2-AMPK signaling pathway by lowering miR-378b, thus improving lipid synthesis, decomposition, and transport, which improved lipid deposition in L02 cells. This study shows that MFA improves lipid deposition in L02 cells by regulating the CaMKK2-AMPK pathway through miR-378b.
Humans ; Ethanol/toxicity* ; AMP-Activated Protein Kinases/metabolism* ; Fatty Liver ; Triglycerides ; MicroRNAs/genetics* ; Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Kinase/genetics*

Lipophagy, the selective engulfment of lipid droplets (LDs) by autophagosomes for lysosomal degradation, is critical to lipid and energy homeostasis. Here we show that the lipid transfer protein ORP8 is located on LDs and mediates the encapsulation of LDs by autophagosomal membranes. This function of ORP8 is independent of its lipid transporter activity and is achieved through direct interaction with phagophore-anchored LC3/GABARAPs. Upon lipophagy induction, ORP8 has increased localization on LDs and is phosphorylated by AMPK, thereby enhancing its affinity for LC3/GABARAPs. Deletion of ORP8 or interruption of ORP8-LC3/GABARAP interaction results in accumulation of LDs and increased intracellular triglyceride. Overexpression of ORP8 alleviates LD and triglyceride deposition in the liver of ob/ob mice, and Osbpl8-/- mice exhibit liver lipid clearance defects. Our results suggest that ORP8 is a lipophagy receptor that plays a key role in cellular lipid metabolism.
Animals ; Mice ; Lipid Droplets ; Autophagy ; Autophagosomes ; Homeostasis ; Triglycerides

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical efficacy of moxibustion combined with coptis chinensis ointment sealing on plaque psoriasis complicated with obesity. METHODS: A total of 52 patients of plaque psoriasis complicated with obesity were randomized into an observation group (26 cases) and a control group (26 cases, 2 cases dropped off). Coptis chinensis ointment sealing was adopted in the control group. On the basis of the treatment in the control group, moxibustion was applied at ashi point (area of local target lesions), Zhongwan (CV 12) and bilateral Zusanli (ST 36), Fenglong (ST 40), Quchi (LI 11), Tianshu (ST 25), Shangjuxu (ST 37) in the observation group. The treatment was given 30 min each time, once a day for 4 weeks in both groups. The psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) score, obesity related indexes (body mass, waist circumference, body mass index [BMI]), triglyceride, cholesterol, uric acid and plasma glucose were compared before and after treatment, and the clinical efficacy was evaluated in the two groups. RESULTS: After treatment, the PASI scores were decreased compared with those before treatment in the two groups (P<0.01), and the PASI score in the observation group was lower than that in the control group (P<0.05); the body mass, waist circumference, BMI, triglyceride, cholesterol, uric acid and plasma glucose were decreased compared with those before treatment in the observation group (P<0.01, P<0.05), the triglyceride and cholesterol in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). The total effective rate was 53.8% (14/26) in the observation group, which was superior to 20.8% (5/24) in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Moxibustion combined with coptis chinensis ointment sealing can effectively improve the clinical symptoms in patients of plaque psoriasis complicated with obesity.
Humans ; Moxibustion ; Blood Glucose ; Ointments ; Uric Acid ; Psoriasis/therapy* ; Triglycerides ; Obesity/therapy*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the spatial patterns of the prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control rates of dyslipidemia at the provincial level in China. METHODS: A national and provincial representative cross-sectional survey was conducted among 178,558 Chinese adults in 31 provinces in mainland China in 2018-2019, using a multi-stage, stratified, cluster-randomized sampling design. Subjects, as households, were selected, followed by a home visit to collect information. Both descriptive and linear regression procedures were applied in the analyses. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of dyslipidemia was 35.6%, and wide geographic variations of prevalence, treatment, and control rates of dyslipidemia were identified among 178,558 eligible participants with a mean age of 55.1 ± 13.8 years. The highest-lowest difference regarding the provincial level prevalence rates were 19.7% vs. 2.1% for high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, 16.7% vs. 2.5% for high total cholesterol, 35.9% vs. 5.4% for high triglycerides, and 31.4% vs. 10.5% for low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. The treatment rate of dyslipidemia was correlated with the socio-demographic index ( P < 0.001), urbanization rate ( P = 0.01), and affordable basic technologies and essential medicines ( P < 0.001). CONCLUSION Prevailing dyslipidemia among the Chinese population and its wide geographic variations in prevalence, treatment, and control suggest that China needs both integrated and localized public health strategies across provinces to improve lipid management.
Humans ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Prevalence ; East Asian People ; Dyslipidemias/prevention & control* ; China/epidemiology* ; Cholesterol, HDL ; Risk Factors ; Triglycerides

Objective To explore the roles of different insulin resistance indexes[triglyceride-glucose (TyG),triglyceride (TG)/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C),and metabolic score for insulin resistance (METS-IR)]and combinations of two indexes in predicting diabetes risk in hypertensive population. Methods The survey of hypertension was conducted for the residents in Wuyuan county,Jiangxi province from March to August in 2018.The basic information of hypertensive residents was collected by interview.Blood was drawn on an empty stomach in the morning and physical measurements were carried out.Logistic regression model was employed to analyze the relationship between different insulin resistance indexes and diabetes,and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was used for evaluating the predictive effects of each index on diabetes risk. Results A total of 14 222 hypertensive patients with an average age of (63.8±9.4) years old were included in this study,including 2616 diabetic patients.The diabetic hypertensive population had higher TyG (t=50.323,P<0.001),TG/HDL-C (Z=17.325,P<0.001),and METS-IR (t=28.839,P<0.001) than the non-diabetic hypertensive population.Multivariate analysis showed that each insulin resistance index was positively correlated with diabetes risk.The area under curve of each insulin index was in a descending order of TyG (0.770)> METS-IR (0.673)> TG/HDL-C (0.620).The difference in the area under curve between two indexes was statistically significant[TyG vs.TG/HDL-C (Z=42.325,P<0.001);TyG vs.METS-IR(Z=17.517,P<0.001);METS-IR vs.TG/HDL-C (Z=10.502,P<0.001)]. Conclusions Elevated insulin resistance indexes can increase the risk of diabetes.TyG and the combination of indexes outperform TG/HDL-C and METS-IR in the prediction of diabetes.
Humans ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Insulin Resistance ; Blood Glucose/metabolism* ; Biomarkers ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Hypertension ; Glucose ; Triglycerides ; Cholesterol, HDL

Objective To explore the relationship between insulin resistance (IR) indexes and hyperuricemia (HUA) among the people with hypertension. Methods From July to August in 2018,hypertension screening was carried out in Wuyuan county,Jiangxi province,and the data were collected through questionnaire survey,physical measurement,and biochemical test.Logistic regression was performed to analyze the relationship between HUA and IR indexes including metabolic score for IR (METS-IR),triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index,TyG-body mass index (BMI),TyG-waist circumference (WC),visceral adiposity index (VAI),triglyceride (TG)/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C),and lipid accumulation product (LAP).The penalty spline method was used for the curve fitting between IR indexes and HUA.The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was employed to reveal the correlation between each index and HUA. Results The 14 220 hypertension patients included 6 713 males and 7 507 females,with the average age of (63.8±9.4) years old,the average uric acid level of (418.9±120.6) mmol/L,and the HUA detection rate of 44.4%.The HUA group had higher proportions of males,current drinking,current smoking,diabetes,and using antihypertensive drugs,older age,higher diastolic blood pressure,WC,BMI,homocysteine,total cholesterol,TG,low-density lipoprotein cholesterol,blood urea nitrogen,creatinine,aspartate aminotransferase,alanine aminotransferase,total protein,albumin,total bilirubin,direct bilirubin, METS-IR, TyG, TyG-BMI, TyG-WC, VAI, TG/HDL-C, and LAP, and lower systolic blood pressure and HDL-C than the normal uric acid group (all P<0.05).Multivariate Logistic regression showed that METS-IR (OR=1.049,95%CI=1.038-1.060, P<0.001), TyG (OR=1.639,95%CI=1.496-1.797, P<0.001), TyG-BMI (OR=1.008,95%CI=1.006-1.010, P<0.001), TyG-WC (OR=1.003,95%CI=1.002-1.004, P<0.001), lnVAI (OR=1.850, 95%CI=1.735-1.973, P<0.001), ln(TG/HDL-C) (OR=1.862,95%CI=1.692-2.048, P<0.001),and lnLAP (OR=1.503,95%CI=1.401-1.613,P<0.001) were associated with the risk of HUA.Curve fitting indicated that METS-IR,TyG,TYG-BMI,TYG-WC,lnVAI,ln(TG/HDL-C),and lnLAP were positively correlated with HUA (all P<0.001),and the AUC of TyG index was higher than that of other IR indexes (all P<0.05). Conclusion Increased IR indexes,especially TyG,were associated with the risk of HUA among people with hypertension.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Insulin Resistance ; Hyperuricemia ; Uric Acid ; Hypertension/complications* ; Glucose ; Obesity, Abdominal/epidemiology* ; Triglycerides ; Bilirubin ; Cholesterol ; Blood Glucose/metabolism*

OBJECTIVES: To explore the relationship between atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) and childhood asthma. METHODS: This retrospective study included 86 children with asthma admitted to the Changzhou Second People's Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University from July 2020 to August 2022 as the asthma group and 149 healthy children undergoing physical examination during the same period as the control group. Metabolic parameters including total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and blood glucose, as well as general information of the children such as height, weight, body mass index, presence of specific dermatitis, history of inhalant allergen hypersensitivity, family history of asthma, and feeding history, were collected. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to study the relationship between AIP, triglycerides, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and asthma. The value of AIP, triglycerides, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol for predicting asthma was assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. RESULTS: The AIP and triglyceride levels in the asthma group were significantly higher than those in the control group, while high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was significantly lower (P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol between the two groups (P>0.05). Before and after adjusting for height, weight, presence of specific dermatitis, history of inhalant allergen hypersensitivity, family history of asthma, feeding method, and blood glucose, multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that AIP, triglycerides, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were associated with asthma (P<0.05). ROC curve analysis showed that the optimal cutoff value for predicting asthma with AIP was -0.333, with a sensitivity of 80.2%, specificity of 55.0%, positive predictive value of 50.71%, and negative predictive value of 82.85%. The area under the curve (AUC) for AIP in predicting asthma was significantly higher than that for triglycerides (P=0.009), but there was no significant difference in AUC between AIP and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P=0.686). CONCLUSIONS AIP, triglycerides, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol are all associated with asthma. AIP has a higher value for predicting asthma than triglycerides and comparable value to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol.
Humans ; Child ; Retrospective Studies ; Blood Glucose ; Triglycerides ; Cholesterol, HDL ; Cholesterol, LDL ; Asthma/etiology* ; Dermatitis ; Risk Factors