Background: An excess of thyroid hormones in Graves’ disease (GD) has profound effects on systemic energy metabolism that are currently partially understood. In this study, we aimed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the metabolite changes that occur when patients with GD transition from hyperthyroidism to euthyroidism with methimazole treatment. Methods: Eighteen patients (mean age, 38.6±14.7 years; 66.7% female) with newly diagnosed or relapsed GD attending the endocrinology outpatient clinics in a single institution were recruited between January 2019 and July 2020. All subjects were treated with methimazole to achieve euthyroidism. We explored metabolomics by performing liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of plasma samples of these patients and then performed multivariate statistical analysis of the metabolomics data. Results: Two hundred metabolites were measured before and after 12 weeks of methimazole treatment in patients with GD. The levels of 61 metabolites, including palmitic acid (C16:0) and oleic acid (C18:1), were elevated in methimazole-naïve patients with GD, and these levels were decreased by methimazole treatment. The levels of another 15 metabolites, including glycine and creatinine, were increased after recovery of euthyroidism upon methimazole treatment in patients with GD. Pathway analysis of metabolomics data showed that hyperthyroidism was closely related to aminoacyl-transfer ribonucleic acid biosynthesis and branched-chain amino acid biosynthesis pathways. Conclusion In this study, significant variations of plasma metabolomic patterns that occur during the transition from hyperthyroidism to euthyroidism were detected in patients with GD via untargeted metabolomics analysis.

Background: Aging leads to sarcopenia, which is characterized by reduced muscle mass and strength. Many factors, including altered muscle protein turnover, diminished neuromuscular function, hormonal changes, systemic inflammation, and the structure and composition of muscle fibers, play a crucial role in age-related muscle decline. This study explored differences in muscle fiber types contributing to overall muscle function decline in aging, focusing on individuals with hip fractures from falls. Methods: A pilot study at Chungnam National University Hospital collected muscle biopsies from hip fracture patients aged 20 to 80 undergoing surgical treatment. Muscle biopsies from the vastus lateralis and gluteus maximus were obtained during hip arthroplasty or internal fixation. Handgrip strength, calf and thigh circumference, and bone mineral density were evaluated in individuals with hip fractures from falls. We analyzed the relationships between each clinical characteristic and muscle fiber type. Results: In total, 26 participants (mean age 67.9 years, 69.2% male) were included in this study. The prevalence of sarcopenia was 53.8%, and that of femoral and lumbar osteoporosis was 19.2% and 11.5%, respectively. Vastus lateralis analysis revealed an age-related decrease in type IIx fibers, a higher proportion of type IIa fibers in women, and an association between handgrip strength and type IIx fibers in men. The gluteus maximus showed no significant correlations with clinical parameters. Conclusion This study identified complex associations between age, sex, handgrip strength, and muscle fiber composition in hip fracture patients, offering insights crucial for targeted interventions combating age-related muscle decline and improving musculoskeletal health.

OBJECTIVE To study the improvement effect and mechanism of Shuhou tongqi formula on intestinal injury in mice with postoperative ileus （POI）. METHODS Mice were randomly divided into sham operation group， model group， positive control group （Mosapride citrate tablets， 1.95 mg/kg）， and Shuhou tongqi formula group （1.88 g/kg）， with 6 mice in each group. Except for the sham operation group， POI model was induced in other groups by typical small intestinal interference. Each group was given relevant drug liquid/water， once a day， for consecutive 2 days. After the last medication， the percentage of carbon powder propulsion in small intestine was detected， and pathomorphological changes in ileum tissue of mice were observed. The serum levels of interleukin-6 （IL-6）， IL-10， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， motilin （MTL） and somatostatin （SS） were all detected； the expression levels of Toll-like receptor 4 （TLR4）， nuclear factor κB （NF-κB p65） and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase （p38 MAPK） were determined in ileal tissue of mice； the gut microbiota of colon contents was analyzed in each group of mice. RESULTS After the intervention of Shuhou tongqi formula， pathological damage such as intestinal wall atrophy and mucosal capillary congestion in ileum tissue were improved significantly； the percentage of carbon powder propulsion and the serum level of IL-10 and MTL were increased significantly （P＜0.05）； however， serum levels of TNF-α， IL-6 and SS， the expressions of TLR4， NF-κB p65 and p38 MAPK were decreased significantly （P＜0.05）. The analysis of gut microbiota showed that Shuhou tongqi formula could significantly increase ACE， Chao1， Shannon and PD indexes， and relative abundance of Akkermansia （P＜0.05）， but decreased relative abundance of Proteobacteria， Ligilactobacillus and Escherichia-Shigella significantly （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS Shuhou tongqi formula can improve intestinal injury and inflammatory reaction of POI mice， the mechanism of which may be associated with inhibiting the activity of TLR4/ NF-κB/MAPK signaling pathway， regulating the levels of gastrointestinal hormones and improving the disturbance of intestinal flora in mice. E-mail：1643589936@qq.com