Objective:To investigate the protective effects of Elabela(ELA) on the renal injury of db/db mice and its possible mechanism.Methods:Sixteen eight-week-old male db/db mice were intraperitoneally injected with ELA(5 mg·kg -1·day -1) or equivalent normal saline( n=8) for 8 weeks. Eight age-matched male db/m mice received equivalent normal saline injection as normal control. At the end of the experiment, blood and urine samples were obtained for HbA 1C and urinary albumin/creatinine(ACR) measurements. Immunohistochemistry was used to observe the expression of ELA. Histopathological changes in kidney tissue were observed by HE staining and Masson staining. The levels of collagen type Ⅳ(Col-Ⅳ) and transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1) as well as Yes-associated protein(YAP) phosphorylation in kidney tissue were examined by western blot. Results:Immunohistochemistry results showed that ELA expression was decreased in the renal tissue of db/db mice as compared with that of db/m mice( P<0.05). After ELA treatment, ACR and blood pressure were markedly decreased in db/db mice( P<0.05), but without significant changes in the body weight and HbA 1C. Renal tubular epithelial cells edema, basement membrane thickening, and increased collagen fiber in db/db were improved by ELA administration. Compared with db/m mice, the levels of TGF-β1 and Col-Ⅳ expression, as well as YAP phosphorylation were significantly increased in renal tissue of db/db mice(0.98±0.08 vs 0.68±0.10, 1.10±0.14 vs 0.51±0.08, 3.38±0.72 vs 0.81±0.13, all P<0.05), which were down-regulated after ELA administration(0.80±0.06, 0.51±0.05, 2.21±0.22, all P<0.05). Conclusion:ELA may improve the renal injury of db/db mice by regulating the signaling pathway of YAP, thereby delaying the development of diabetic nephropathy.

To evaluate several tests of physical performance for sarcopenia screening and assessment, by investigating physical performance and function in older women. 106 community-dwelling older women from a community in Shanghai were enrolled in this study. Physical function assessed by short physical performance battery (SPPB), timed get-up-and-go (TUG), handgrip strength, and usual gait speed were asked to perform. Total lean mass was determined by Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry, the relative appendicular skeletal muscle mass ( RASM) was defined as appendicular skeletal muscle mass/height2 . 13 individuals were diagnosed as sarcopenia according to a consensus diagnostic criteria for sarcopenia, as developed by the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia ( AWGS) in 2014. Body mass index and handgrip strength in the sarcopenia group were significantly lower than those in the non-sarcopenia group (P=0. 026, P=0. 004 respectively), and there was no significant differences in the age, SPPB score, TUG, and usual gait speed. Linear regression analysis showed RASM was significantly positively correlated with body mass index (r=0. 842, P<0. 01), time to rise from a chair and return to the seated position five times (r=0. 203, P=0. 036),TUG(r=0. 258, P=0. 008)and grip strength (r=0. 217, P=0. 025), meanwhile, both body mass index and grip strength entered Logistic regression analysis. Low weight and low handgrip strength are independent predictive factors of sarcopenia in older women. Sarcopenia screening for older women with low body-weight and weak handgrip strength is more urgently required