The effect of pioglitazone on the expression of genes relative to differentiation and function of primary brown adipose tissue cells was detected for the new treatment of obesity and type 2 diabetes.The results showed that pioglitazone promoted the differentiation and function of brown adipocytes( P＜0.05 ).

Objective To investigate the clinical significance of measuring resting energy expenditure (REE) for guiding an accurate nutritional support in elderly bedridden patients with nasal feeding.Methods The REE of 32 elderly bedridden patients with nasal feeding was assessed by using the Cosmed K4b2 portable telemetric gas analysis system.The waist-hip ratio, serum levels of albumin, transferrin, prealbumin and retinol-binding protein were determined to assess comprehensive nutrition status.The energy intakes were calculated, and the correlation of REE and the difference between the energy intakes and consumption with nutritional index were analyzed.Results The resting energy expendture was lower in the patients with waist-hip ratio≥0.95 than in patients with waist-hip ratio ＜0.95 (t=3.622, P＜0.01).The waist-hip ratio was reduced and serum albumin and transferrin levels were decreased along with the increase of REE in elderly patients (r=-0.55,-0.36 and-0.593, respectively, P=0.001, 0.043, ＜0.001).The difference between the energy intake and expenditure was higher in patients with waist-hip ratio≥0.95 than those with waist-hip ratio＜0.95 (t =5.643, P＜ 0.001).Serum albumin, prealbumin, transferrin and retinol-binding protein levels were increased along with the increase of the difference between the energy intake and expenditure, which showed the positive correlations (r=0.525, 0.409, 0.624, 0.414, respectively,P=0.002, 0.02, ＜0.001, 0.019).Conclusions Precise determination of REE and energy intake guided by REE are the important guarantees for the reasonable nutrition support in the elderly.

Objective To investigate the mechanism of BVT. 2733 on insulin resistance, by using diet-induced obese (DIO) mice model. Methods After having been balanced for 3 days, the C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into a normal diet group and a high-fat diet (HFD) group. After 20 weeks, the obese mice were further randomly divided into an obese control group, a BVT. 2733 group and a pioglltazone (PGZ) group and they were orally administered with placebo, BVT. 2733 and PGZ separately for two weeks.Adiponectin and leptin mRNA expression levels from adipose tissue were analyzed with real-time quantitative PCR. The levels of plasma glucose, serum insulin and adiponectin were measured with biochemical technology, radioimmunoassay and ELISA. Adipocyte sizes were observed with immunohistocbemistry.Results The body weight, plasma glucose and serum insulin levels raised(P<0.05)in the HFD group and the adipocyte sizes were bigger. Serum insulin levels significantly reduced (P<0.05) and adipocyte sizes reduced, while plasma adiponectin level raised (P<0.01)in the two treatment groups as compared with those in obese controls. Both the mRNA expressions of adiponectin and leptin upregulated(P<0.05)in the PGZ group, but their expressions in the BVT. 2733 group did not alter significantly. The body weight of the mice reduced significantly in the BVT. 2733 group. Conclusion BVT. 2733 can reduce body weight significantly and improve insulin resistance, but cannot influence the expression of adipocytokines.

Objective To investigate the effects of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA)intravenous thrombolysis on blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability,the expressions and the activities of MMP-2 and MMP-9 after cerebral ischemia in rats.Methods A total of 40 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were allocated into 3 groups:Sham operation group (n =10),middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) group (n =18),and rt-PA thrombolysis group (n =18).A MCAO model was established by using autologous thromboembolism.The sham operation group did not inject any thromboembolus,the MCAO group only made MCAO,and the rt-PA thrombolysis group received intravenous thrombolysis with rt-PA at 3 hours after MCAO.Brain infarct volume was determined by 2,3,5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride staining BBB permeability was measured by Evans blue dye leakage.The activities and the expressions of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in brain tissue were detected by Gelatin zymography and Western blot,respectively.Results Compared to the MCAO group,the neurological function was improved significantly in the rt-PA thrombolysis group,and the infarct volume was also reduced significantly (t =7.365,P =0.005).However,the hemorrhage score (t =-3.286,P =0.017) and BBB permeability (t =-3.947,P =0.029) were increased significantly.The activities and the expressions of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in the sham operation group were lower.The activities and the expressions of MMP-2 (t =-45.121,P =0.000; t =-11.624,P=0.000) and MMP-9 (t=-71.849,P=0.000; t=-8.992,P=0.000) in the MCAO group were increased and upregulated significantly.Compared to the MCAO group,the activities and the expressions of MMP-2 (t =-28.792,P =0.000; t =-3.809,P =0.013) and MMP-9 (t =-53.506,P =0.000; t =-2.640,P =0.046) in the rt-PA thrombolysis group were increased and upregulated significantly.Conclusions After rt-PA intravenous thrombolytic therapy,the BBB permeability was increased.The activities and the expressions of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were increased and upregulated.MMP-2 and MMP-9 might participate in the increased BBB permeability,and thus inducing hemorrhagic transformation after rt-PA intravenous thrombolytic therapy in rats with cerebral ischemia.

Objective:To investigate the correlation of mitochondrial respiration function and oxidative phosphorylation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMCs)with grip strength and muscle mass in the elderly, and to identify potential biomarkers for the diagnosis of sarcopenia.Methods:A total of 65 patients admitted to our hospital from June 2019 to August 2020 were enrolled in this study.PBMCs were extracted from subjects.Mitochondrial oxidative respiration function was assessed via the Seahorse XF24 analyzer.Grip strength was measured using a hydraulic dynamometer, and appendicular skeletal muscle mass(ASM)was estimated by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry(DXA). Multivariate analysis was conducted by using partial correlation analysis and multiple linear regression, in order to evaluate the correlation of mitochondrial oxidative respiration function with grip strength and ASM.Results:After adjustment for gender and body mass index(BMI), partial correlation analysis showed that grip strength and ASM had a negative correlation with age( r=-0.537 and -0.390, both P<0.001); and basal respiration, maximal respiration, ATP production and spare respiratory capacity of mitochondria in PBMCs were negatively correlated with age( r=-0.558, -0.614, -0.526 and -0.582, all P<0.001), whereas grip strength and ASM were positively correlated with basal respiration, maximal respiration, ATP production, spare respiratory capacity and proton leak of mitochondria in PBMCs(grip strength: r=0.414, 0.451, 0.362, 0.420 and 0.425, P=0.002, 0.001, 0.008, 0.002 and 0.002; ASM: r=0.319, 0.368, 0.299, 0.352 and 0.279, P=0.019, 0.006, 0.028, 0.009 and 0.041). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that grip strength and ASM were positively correlated with basal respiration, maximal respiration, ATP production, spare respiratory capacity and proton leak of mitochondria in PBMCs(grip: β=0.503, 0.548, 0.452, 0.519 and 0.532, t=3.248, 3.604, 2.774, 3.301 and 3.350, P=0.002, 0.001, 0.008, 0.002 and 0.002; ASM: β=0.302, 0.355, 0.289, 0.346 and 0.271, t=2.427, 2.856, 2.263, 2.716 and 2.091, P=0.019, 0.006, 0.028, 0.009 and 0.041). Age was negatively correlated with basal respiration, maximal respiration, ATP production and spare respiratory capacity of mitochondria in PBMCs( β=-0.581, -0.654, -0.558 and -0.640, t=-4.285, -5.157, -3.938 and -4.863, all P<0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that ASM and grip strength had no significant correlation with basal respiration, maximal respiration, ATP production, spare respiratory capacity or proton leak of mitochondria in PBMCs. Conclusions:Age-related mitochondrial oxidative respiration in PBMCs can reflect changes in muscle strength and muscle mass and, combined with grip strength and ASM, may be considered as a biomarker for the evaluation of sarcopenia in the elderly.

Objective To investigate the effect of statin on trabecular bone microstructure by using trabecular bone score (TBS), a new type of bone microstructure evaluation index. Methods A total of 253 middle and aged patients hospitalized in the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University between January 2014 and March 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. According to whether statin was used or not, patients were divided into two groups: 90 patients in the statin use group (statin was use for more than 1 year) and 163 in the control group (not taken any statin). Serum biochemical indicators, such as triacylglycerol, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, alkaline phosphatase, fasting blood glucose and 25 hydroxy vitamin D, were compared between the two groups. Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) was used to measure the bone mineral density (BMD) of lumbar spine and femoral neck. TBS was calculated with TBS iNsight? software, and the DXA image of lumbar spine were analyzed. Results Values of total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol were significantly lower in statin group compared with those of control group (P<0.001), while no significant differences in other biochemical indicators between two groups (P>0.05). There was higher lumbar spine BMD statin group compared to that of control group (g/cm2:1.04 ± 0.19 vs. 0.96 ± 0.14, P<0.01). There was higher lumbar spine BMD and higher TBS (1.31±0.09 vs. 1.26±0.09, P<0.01) in statin group than that of control group. There was no difference in the femoral neck BMD between the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusion Statin increases lumbar spine BMD and improves trabecular bone microstructure in middle and aged people.

Objective: To determine the change of gene expressions in human perirenal adipose tissue (PAT) and oblique abdomen subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) of overweight and obese subjects. Methods: Ninety-seven patients, including 35 overweight/obese patients and 62 non-obese patients, who underwent renal surgery were included. The clinical data and various gene expressions in PAT and SAT of two groups were analyzed. Results: Body mass index, waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, resting heart rate, fasting blood glucose, and serum creatinine were significantly higher in overweight/obese patients than those in non-obese patients(P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared with non-obese patients, PAT adipocytes showed bigger, and the expressions of uncoupling protein-1 (UCP1) mRNA and protein were markedly lower in overweight/obese patients. The mRNA expressions of CIDEA and adiponectin in PAT of overweight/obese patients were significantly lower, while leptin, monocyte chemotactic protein 1, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-10 mRNA expressions were significantly higher. There were no significant differences in the related gene expressions of SAT between the two groups. Conclusions Different parts of adipose tissue reveal various characteristics, and play different roles in the occurrence and development of obesity. UCP1 expression is decreased in PAT of overweight/obese patients, with the changes of adipocytokine expressions. (Chin J Endocrinol Metab, 2018, 34: 567-572)

Objective:To investigate the correlation between depression risk and the test time for dual-task timed up-and-go(TUG)test in the elderly.Methods:A total of 193 elderly volunteers aged 60 years and over who lived in the Nanjing community of Jiangsu Province were recruited.The Geriatric Depression Scale(GDS)was used to screen for geriatric depression.The single-task TUG(TUG-single), TUG with additional operational tasks(TUG-manual)and TUG with additional cognitive tasks(TUG-cognitive)were tested in all subjects.The differences in test times taken to complete TUG-single, TUG-manual and TUG-cognitive tests were analyzed by ANOVA.The correlation of GDS scores with test time for TUG-single, TUG-manual, TUG-cognitive was analyzed by using Pearson's correlation.Results:The average test times for TUG-cognitive and TUG-manual tests were longer than that for TUG-single test( P<0.0001). The higher the GDS score, the longer the TUG-single test time, with a significantly positive correlation between GDS and the test time for TUG-single( r=0.2261, P=0.0016). Similarly, GDS score showed significantly positive correlations with the test time for TUG-manual( r=0.2359, P=0.0010)and the TUG-cognitive test time( r=0.1946, P=0.0067). Conclusions:The increase of depression risk is significantly and positively correlated with the prolongation of the TUG test time in the elderly.The TUG test can be used to assess the functional mobility in elderly patients with depression.

Mitochondrial dynamics regulates mitochondrial morphology and functions.Imbalance in mitochondrial dynamics with aging leads to mitochondrial dysfunction, accelerates the aging process and is closely related to the occurrence and progression of age-related diseases.However, the specifics of the relationship between aging and altered mitochondrial dynamics are still not fully understood.Here, we review the link between mitochondrial dynamics and aging, and discuss mechanisms underlying age-related diseases associated with altered mitochondrial dynamics, aiming to identify novel therapeutic targets and strategies for the management of age-related diseases.