1.Implication of newborn Short-chain Acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency screening and follow-up in Hainan Province for newborn screening strategies.
Peizhen ZHAO ; Zhendong ZHAO ; Haizhu XU
Chinese Journal of Medical Genetics 2026;43(4):248-252
OBJECTIVE:
To elucidate the epidemiological characteristics and genetic variant profile of Short-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (SCADD) among newborns from Hainan Province and evaluate its significance within the local neonatal disease screening panel.
METHODS:
A total of 84 184 newborns born in Hainan Province from February to December 2024 were included. Tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) was employed to detect butyrylcarnitine (C4) and propionylcarnitine (C3) levels in dried blood spots. Screening thresholds were set at C4 > 0.43 μ mol/L and C4/C3 ratio > 0.28. Suspected cases underwent confirmatory testing via urinary ethylmalonic acid analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and whole-exome sequencing for ACADS gene variants. This study was approved by the Medial Ethics Committee of the hospital (Ethics No.: HNWCMC-2024-55).
RESULTS:
Six SCADD cases (male-to-female ratio = 1:1) were diagnosed, with all carrying compound heterozygous variants at two loci, yielding a prevalence of 7.13 per 100,000 live births. Four known ACADS gene variants were identified, with both c.322G>A and c.625G>A detected at a frequency of 41.7%. Regular follow-up (as of January 2026) revealed that all diagnosed cases have remained asymptomatic with normal growth and development.
CONCLUSION
The prevalence of SCADD among newborns in Hainan Province is relatively high, with c.322G>A and c.625G>A as the hotspot variants in the region. Given the absence of clinical phenotypes in all screen-detected cases during long-term follow-up, it is recommended to remove this condition from the routine neonatal screening program for this region to reduce unnecessary anxiety and medical cost.
Humans
;
Infant, Newborn
;
Neonatal Screening/methods*
;
Female
;
Male
;
Lipid Metabolism, Inborn Errors/epidemiology*
;
Acyl-CoA Dehydrogenase/genetics*
;
China/epidemiology*
;
Follow-Up Studies
2.TMAO promotes disorders of lipid metabolism in psoriasis.
Rao LI ; Boyan HU ; Manyun MAO ; Wangqing CHEN ; Wu ZHU
Journal of Central South University(Medical Sciences) 2025;50(3):331-343
OBJECTIVES:
Psoriasis is associated with lipid metabolism disorders, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This study aims to investigate the role of trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) in lipid metabolism dysregulation in psoriasis.
METHODS:
An imiquimod (IMQ)-induced psoriasis-like mouse model was used to assess lipid metabolism parameters, TMAO levels, and liver flavin monooxygenase 3 (FMO3) mRNA expression. Blood samples from healthy individuals and psoriatic patients were collected to measure serum TMAO levels and lipid profiles. To clarify the role of TMAO in the lipid metabolism disorder of mice with psoriasis model, exogenous TMAO, choline, or 3,3-dimethyl-1-butanol (DMB) were administered via intraperitoneal injections or diet in IMQ-treated mice. Liver tissues from the mouse models were subjected to RNA sequencing to identify TMAO-regulated signaling pathways.
RESULTS:
IMQ-induced psoriatic mice exhibited abnormal glucose, insulin, and lipid levels. IMQ treatment also downregulated the hepatic mRNA expression of glucose transporter 2 (Glut2) and silence information regulator 1 (Sirt1), while upregulating glucose transporter 4 (Glut4) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ). Elevated serum TMAO levels were observed in both psoriatic patients and IMQ-treated mice. Additionally, liver FMO3 mRNA expression was increased in the psoriatic mouse model. In patients, TMAO levels positively correlated with Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) scores, serum triglyceride (TG), and total cholesterol (TC) levels. The intraperitoneal injection of TMAO exacerbated lipid dysregulation in IMQ-treated mice. A choline-rich diet further aggravated lipid abnormalities and liver injury in psoriatic mice, whereas DMB treatment alleviated these effects. RNA-Seq analysis demonstrated that TMAO upregulated hepatic microRNA-122 (miR-122), which may suppress the expression of gremlin 2 (GREM2), thus contributing to lipid metabolism disorder.
CONCLUSIONS
TMAO may promote lipid metabolism dysregulation in psoriasis by modulating the hepatic miR-122/GREM2 pathway.
Animals
;
Methylamines/blood*
;
Mice
;
Psoriasis/chemically induced*
;
Lipid Metabolism/drug effects*
;
Humans
;
Male
;
Liver/metabolism*
;
Female
;
Oxygenases/genetics*
;
Disease Models, Animal
;
Lipid Metabolism Disorders/etiology*
;
Adult
;
Mice, Inbred C57BL
3.Role of acitretin in regulating glucose and lipid homeostasis in an imiquimod-induced psoriasis model mouse.
Kexin LONG ; Wangqing CHEN ; Manyun MAO ; Wu ZHU
Journal of Central South University(Medical Sciences) 2025;50(3):344-357
OBJECTIVES:
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease often accompanied by comorbidities such as hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, and obesity. Acitretin, as a second-generation retinoid, is used in the treatment of psoriasis. This study aims to explore the role of acitretin on glucose and lipid metabolism in psoriasis.
METHODS:
HepG2 cells were treated with acitretin under high- or low-glucose conditions. mRNA and protein expression levels of glucose transport-related genes were evaluated using real-time reverse transcription PCR (real-time RT-PCR) and Western blotting. Glucose uptake was analyzed by flow cytometry, and intracellular lipid droplet formation was assessed via Oil Red O staining. Healthy adult female BALB/C mice were randomly divided into 3 groups: a control group, an imiquimod (IMQ)-induced psoriasis model group (IMQ group), and an acitretin treatment group. Skin lesions and inflammatory markers were examined, along with changes in body weight, plasma glucose/lipid levels, and transcription of metabolic genes. Islets were isolated from normal and psoriasis-induced mice, and the effect of acitretin on insulin secretion was evaluated in vitro.
RESULTS:
Acitretin treatment increased glucose uptake and lipid droplet synthesis of HepG2 in high-glucose environment, with elevated transcription levels of glucose transport-related genes GLUT1 and GLUT4. Transcription of gluconeogenesis-related gene G6pase decreased, while transcription levels of glycogen synthesis-related genes AKT1 and GSY2 increased (all P<0.05), while acitretin inhibits glucose uptake and promotes gluconeogenesis in low-glucose environment. In vivo experiments revealed that compared with the control group, the blood glucose level in the IMQ group was significantly decreased (P<0.05), while acitretin treatment partially restored glucose homeostasis and alleviated weight loss. Ex vivo culture of islets from psoriatic mice revealed that acitretin reduced elevated insulin secretion and downregulated PDX-1 expression, while upregulating glucose homeostasis gene SIRT1 and insulin sensitivity gene PPARγ (all P<0.05). These findings suggest that acitretin plays a critical role in improving islet function and restoring islet homeostasis.
CONCLUSIONS
Acitretin helps maintain the balance between hepatic glycogenesis and gluconeogenesis, enhances insulin sensitivity, and improves pancreatic islet function, thereby promoting systemic and cellular glucose homeostasis.
Acitretin/therapeutic use*
;
Psoriasis/drug therapy*
;
Animals
;
Imiquimod
;
Humans
;
Glucose/metabolism*
;
Homeostasis/drug effects*
;
Mice
;
Lipid Metabolism/drug effects*
;
Mice, Inbred BALB C
;
Female
;
Hep G2 Cells
;
Disease Models, Animal
4.A prognostic model for multiple myeloma based on lipid metabolism related genes.
Zhengjiang LI ; Liang ZHAO ; Fangming SHI ; Jiaojiao GUO ; Wen ZHOU
Journal of Central South University(Medical Sciences) 2025;50(4):517-530
OBJECTIVES:
Multiple myeloma (MM) is a highly heterogeneous hematologic malignancy, with disease progression driven by cytogenetic abnormalities and a complex bone marrow microenvironment. This study aims to construct a prognostic model for MM based on transcriptomic data and lipid metabolism related genes (LRGs), and to identify potential drug targets for high-risk patients to support clinical decision-making.
METHODS:
In this study, 2 transcriptomic datasets covering 985 newly diagnosed MM patients were retrieved from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Univariate Cox regression and 101 machine learning algorithms were used for gene selection. An LRG-based prognostic model was constructed using Stepwise Cox (both directions) and random survival forest (RSF) algorithms. The association between the prognostic score and clinical events was evaluated, and model performance was assessed using time-dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and the C-index. The added predictive value of combining prognostic scores with clinical variables and staging systems was also analyzed. Differentially expressed genes between high- and low-risk groups were identified using limma and clusterProfiler and subjected to pathway enrichment analysis. Drug sensitivity analysis was conducted using the Genomics of Drug Sensitivity in Cancer (GDSC) database and oncoPredict to identify potential therapeutic targets for high-risk patients. The functional role of key LRGs in the model was validated via in vitro cell experiments.
RESULTS:
An LRG-based prognostic model (LRG17) was successfully developed using transcriptomic data and machine learning. The model demonstrated robust predictive performance, with area under the curve (AUC) values of 0.962, 0.912, and 0.842 for 3-, 5-, and 7-year survival, respectively. Patients were stratified into high- and low-risk groups, with high-risk patients showing significantly shorter overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) (both P<0.001) and worse clinical profiles (e.g., lower albumin, higher β2-microglobulin and lactate dehydrogenase levels). Enrichment analysis revealed that high-risk patients were significantly enriched for pathways related to chromosome segregation and mitosis, whereas low-risk patients were enriched for immune response and immune cell activation pathways. Drug screening suggested that AURKA inhibitor BMS-754807 and FGFR3 inhibitor I-BET-762 may be more effective in high-risk patients. Functional assays demonstrated that silencing of key LRG PLA2G4A significantly inhibited cell viability and induced apoptosis.
CONCLUSIONS
LRGs serve as promising biomarkers for prognosis prediction and risk stratification in MM. The overexpression of chromosomal instability-related and high-risk genetic event-associated genes in high-risk patients may explain their poorer outcomes. Given the observed resistance to bortezomib and lenalidomide in high-risk patients, combination therapies involving BMS-754807 or I-BET-762 may represent effective alternatives.
Humans
;
Multiple Myeloma/mortality*
;
Prognosis
;
Lipid Metabolism/genetics*
;
Transcriptome
;
Machine Learning
;
Male
;
Female
;
Gene Expression Profiling
;
Algorithms
5.Effects of Citrus on oxidative stress and lipid metabolism modulation: its potential for improving female reproductive health.
Journal of Zhejiang University. Science. B 2025;26(8):763-777
Citrus, which has been consumed internationally for a long time, is widely used as a health food. Citrus and its active components exert significant effects on oxidative stress and lipid metabolism, which are closely associated with female reproductive health. Studies suggest that citrus-derived compounds may alleviate oxidative stress by activating signaling pathways such as nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), and improve lipid metabolism through the activation of pathways such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα). This review focuses on the effects of Citrus on oxidative stress and lipid metabolism, aiming to provide new insights for promoting female reproductive health; however, further work is needed to elucidate the mechanisms involved and validate the therapeutic potential of Citrus's bioactive components in clinical settings.
Citrus/chemistry*
;
Oxidative Stress/drug effects*
;
Female
;
Humans
;
Lipid Metabolism/drug effects*
;
Reproductive Health
;
Animals
;
Sirtuin 1/metabolism*
;
NF-E2-Related Factor 2/metabolism*
;
Signal Transduction/drug effects*
;
PPAR alpha/metabolism*
6.Interplay between gut microbiota and intestinal lipid metabolism:mechanisms and implications.
Journal of Zhejiang University. Science. B 2025;26(10):961-971
The gut microbiota is an indispensable symbiotic entity within the human holobiont, serving as a critical regulator of host lipid metabolism homeostasis. Therefore, it has emerged as a central subject of research in the pathophysiology of metabolic disorders. This microbial consortium orchestrates key aspects of host lipid dynamics-including absorption, metabolism, and storage-through multifaceted mechanisms such as the enzymatic processing of dietary polysaccharides, the facilitation of long-chain fatty acid uptake by intestinal epithelial cells (IECs), and the bidirectional modulation of adipose tissue functionality. Mounting evidence underscores that gut microbiota-derived metabolites not only directly mediate canonical lipid metabolic pathways but also interface with host immune pathways, epigenetic machinery, and circadian regulatory systems, thereby establishing an intricate crosstalk that coordinates systemic metabolic outputs. Perturbations in microbial composition (dysbiosis) drive pathological disruptions to lipid homeostasis, serving as a pathogenic driver for conditions such as obesity, hyperlipidemia, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This review systematically examines the emerging mechanistic insights into the gut microbiota-mediated regulation of intestinal lipid metabolism, while it elucidates its translational implications for understanding metabolic disease pathogenesis and developing targeted therapies.
Humans
;
Gastrointestinal Microbiome/physiology*
;
Lipid Metabolism
;
Animals
;
Intestinal Mucosa/metabolism*
;
Homeostasis
;
Dysbiosis
;
Obesity/metabolism*
;
Intestines/microbiology*
;
Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease/metabolism*
;
Metabolic Diseases/metabolism*
7.NLRP6 overexpression improves nonalcoholic fatty liver disease by promoting lipid oxidation and decomposition in hepatocytes through the AMPK/CPT1A/PGC1A pathway.
Qing SHI ; Suye RAN ; Lingyu SONG ; Hong YANG ; Wenjuan WANG ; Hanlin LIU ; Qi LIU
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(1):118-125
OBJECTIVES:
To investigate the regulatory role of nucleotide-bound oligomerized domain-like receptor containing pyrin-domain protein 6 (NLRP6) in liver lipid metabolism and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
METHODS:
Mouse models with high-fat diet (HFD) feeding for 16 weeks (n=6) or with methionine choline-deficient diet (MCD) feeding for 8 weeks (n=6) were examined for the development of NAFLD using HE and oil red O staining, and hepatic expressions of NLRP6 were detected with RT-qPCR, Western blotting, and immunohistochemical staining. Cultured human hepatocytes (LO2 cells) with adenovirus-mediated NLRP6 overexpression or knock-down were treated with palmitic acid (PA) in the presence or absence of compound C (an AMPK inhibitor), and the changes in cellular lipid metabolism were examined by measuring triglyceride, ATP and β-hydroxybutyrate levels and using oil red staining, RT-qPCR, and Western blotting.
RESULTS:
HFD and MCD feeding both resulted in the development of NAFLD in mice, which showed significantly decreased NLRP6 expression in the liver. In PA-treated LO2 cells, NLRP6 overexpression significantly decreased cellular TG content and lipid deposition, while NLRP6 knockdown caused the opposite effects. NLRP6 overexpression in PA-treated LO2 cells also increased mRNA and protein expressions of PGC1A and CPT1A, levels of ATP and β-hydroxybutyrate, and the phosphorylation level of AMPK pathway; the oxidative decomposition of lipids induced by Ad-NLRP6 was inhibited by the use of AMPK inhibitors.
CONCLUSIONS
NLRP6 overexpression promotes lipid oxidation and decomposition through AMPK/CPT1A/PGC1A to alleviate lipid deposition in hepatocytes.
Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease/metabolism*
;
Animals
;
Hepatocytes/metabolism*
;
Lipid Metabolism
;
Mice
;
Humans
;
Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma Coactivator 1-alpha
;
AMP-Activated Protein Kinases/metabolism*
;
Carnitine O-Palmitoyltransferase/metabolism*
;
Diet, High-Fat
;
Male
;
Mice, Inbred C57BL
;
Signal Transduction
8.Curcumin inhibits lipid metabolism in non-small cell lung cancer by downregulating the HIF-1α pathway.
Dandan LI ; Jiaxin CHU ; Yan YAN ; Wenjun XU ; Xingchun ZHU ; Yun SUN ; Haofeng DING ; Li REN ; Bo ZHU
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(5):1039-1046
OBJECTIVES:
To investigate the effect of curcumin on lipid metabolism in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and its molecular mechanism.
METHODS:
The inhibitory effect of curcumin (0-70 μmol/L) on proliferation of A549 and H1299 cells was assessed using MTT assay, and 20 and 40 μmol/L curcumin was used in the subsequent experiments. The effect of curcumin on lipid metabolism was evaluated using cellular uptake assay, wound healing assay, triglyceride (TG)/free fatty acid (NEFA) measurements, and Oil Red O staining. Western blotting was performed to detect the expressions of PGC-1α, PPAR-α, and HIF-1α in curcumin-treated cells. Network pharmacology was used to predict the metabolic pathways, and the results were validated by Western blotting. In a nude mouse model bearing A549 cell xenograft, the effects of curcumin (20 mg/kg) on tumor growth and lipid metabolism were assessed by measuring tumor weight and observing the changes in intracellular lipid droplets.
RESULTS:
Curcumin concentration-dependently inhibited the proliferation of A549 and H1299 cells and significantly reduced TG and NEFA levels and intracellular lipid droplets. Western blotting revealed that curcumin significantly upregulated PGC-1α and PPAR‑α expressions in the cells. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis predicted significant involvement of the HIF-1 signaling pathway in curcumin-treated NSCLC, suggesting a potential interaction between HIF-1α and PPAR‑α. Western blotting confirmed that curcumin downregulated the expression of HIF-1α. In the tumor-bearing mice, curcumin treatment caused significant reduction of the tumor weight and the number of lipid droplets in the tumor cells.
CONCLUSIONS
Curcumin inhibits NSCLC cell proliferation and lipid metabolism by downregulating the HIF-1α pathway.
Curcumin/pharmacology*
;
Humans
;
Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit/metabolism*
;
Animals
;
Lipid Metabolism/drug effects*
;
Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/pathology*
;
Lung Neoplasms/pathology*
;
Mice, Nude
;
Down-Regulation
;
Mice
;
Cell Proliferation/drug effects*
;
Cell Line, Tumor
;
Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma Coactivator 1-alpha
;
PPAR alpha/metabolism*
;
Signal Transduction/drug effects*
;
A549 Cells
9.Live combined Bacillus subtilis and Enterococcus faecium improves glucose and lipid metabolism in type 2 diabetic mice with circadian rhythm disruption via the SCFAs/GPR43/GLP-1 pathway.
Ruimin HAN ; Manke ZHAO ; Junfang YUAN ; Zhenhong SHI ; Zhen WANG ; Defeng WANG
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(7):1490-1497
OBJECTIVES:
To investigate the effects of live combined Bacillus subtilis and Enterococcus faecium (LCBE) on glucose and lipid metabolism in mice with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and circadian rhythm disorder (CRD) and explore the possible mechanisms.
METHODS:
KM mice were randomized into normal diet (ND) group (n=8), high-fat diet (HFD) group (n=8), and rhythm-intervention with HFD group (n=16). After 8 weeks of feeding, the mice were given an intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (100 mg/kg) to induce T2DM. The mice in CRD-T2DM group were further randomized into two equal groups for treatment with LCBE (225 mg/kg) or saline by gavage; the mice in ND and HFD groups also received saline gavage for 8 weeks. Blood glucose level of the mice was measured using a glucometer, and serum levels of Bmal1, PER2, insulin, C-peptide and lipids were determined with ELISA. Colon morphology and hepatic lipid metabolism of the mice were examined using HE staining and Oil Red O staining, respectively, and fecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) was detected using LC-MS; GPR43 and GLP-1 expression levels were analyzed using RT-qPCR and Western blotting.
RESULTS:
Compared with those in CRD-T2DM group, the LCBE-treated mice exhibited significant body weight loss, lowered levels of PER2, insulin, C-peptide, total cholesterol (TC) and LDL-C, and increased levels of Bmal1 and HDL-C levels. LCBE treatment significantly increased SCFAs, upregulated GPR43 and GLP-1 expressions at both the mRNA and protein levels, and improved hepatic steatosis and colon histology.
CONCLUSIONS
LCBE ameliorates lipid metabolism disorder in CRD-T2DM mice by reducing body weight and improving lipid profiles and circadian regulators possibly via the SCFAs/GPR43/GLP-1 pathway.
Animals
;
Mice
;
Lipid Metabolism
;
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/metabolism*
;
Enterococcus faecium
;
Glucagon-Like Peptide 1/metabolism*
;
Bacillus subtilis
;
Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental/metabolism*
;
Circadian Rhythm
;
Blood Glucose/metabolism*
;
Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled/metabolism*
;
Fatty Acids, Volatile/metabolism*
;
Male
;
Chronobiology Disorders/metabolism*
10.Ching Shum Pills alleviates non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in mice by ameliorating lipid metabolism disorders.
Biyun LUO ; Xin YI ; Yijing CAI ; Shiqing ZHANG ; Peng WANG ; Tong LI ; Ken Kin Lam YUNG ; Pingzheng ZHOU
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(9):1840-1849
OBJECTIVES:
To investigate the effect of Ching Shum Pills (CSP) for alleviating non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and the underlying mechanism.
METHODS:
In a mouse model of NAFLD, the therapeutic effect of CSP was evaluated by measuring serum glucose, lipid profiles (TC, TG, LDL-C, HDL-C), and hepatic function markers. Network pharmacology was employed to identify active compounds in CSP and their targets using TCMSP, HERB, SwissTargetPrediction, GeneCards, OMIM, and DisGeNET. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks, Gene Ontology (GO), and KEGG pathway analyses were conducted. Molecular docking (AutoDock Vina) was used to assess the compound-target binding affinities. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to validate the mRNA expressions of the core genes in the liver tissue of the mouse models.
RESULTS:
In the mouse model of NAFLD, treatment with CSP significantly reduced body weight gain and serum TG levels of the mice, and high-dose CSP treatment resulted in obvious reduction of ALT levels and hepatic fat accumulation. Network pharmacology analysis identified quercetin and 2-monolinolenin as the key bioactives in CSP, which target TNF, AKT1, IL6, TP53, and ALB. Docking simulations suggested strong binding between the two core compounds and their target proteins. The results of qRT-PCR showed that high-fat diet induced significant downregulation of Tp53, Cpt1, and Ppara expressions in mice, which was effectively reversed by CSP treatment.
CONCLUSIONS
CSP can improve lipid metabolism disorders in NAFLD mice through a regulatory mechanism involving multiple targets and pathways to reduce liver fat accumulation and protect liver function. The key components in CSP such as quercetin and linolenic acid monoacylglycerol may participate in the regulation of such metabolic processes as fatty acid oxidation by targeting TP53.
Animals
;
Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease/drug therapy*
;
Mice
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology*
;
Lipid Metabolism/drug effects*
;
Molecular Docking Simulation
;
Disease Models, Animal
;
Liver/metabolism*
;
Male
;
Lipid Metabolism Disorders/drug therapy*
;
PPAR alpha/metabolism*
;
Mice, Inbred C57BL
;
Network Pharmacology

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail