1.Mechanisms of Gut Microbiota Influencing Reproductive Function via The Gut-Gonadal Axis
Ya-Qi ZHAO ; Li-Li QI ; Jin-Bo WANG ; Xu-Qi HU ; Meng-Ting WANG ; Hai-Guang MAO ; Qiu-Zhen SUN
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(5):1152-1164
Reproductive system diseases are among the primary contributors to the decline in social fertility rates and the intensification of aging, posing significant threats to both physical and mental health, as well as quality of life. Recent research has revealed the substantial potential of the gut microbiota in improving reproductive system diseases. Under healthy conditions, the gut microbiota maintains a dynamic balance, whereas dysfunction can trigger immune-inflammatory responses, metabolic disorders, and other issues, subsequently leading to reproductive system diseases through the gut-gonadal axis. Reproductive diseases, in turn, can exacerbate gut microbiota imbalance. This article reviews the impact of the gut microbiota and its metabolites on both male and female reproductive systems, analyzing changes in typical gut microorganisms and their metabolites related to reproductive function. The composition, diversity, and metabolites of gut bacteria, such as Bacteroides, Prevotella, and Firmicutes, including short-chain fatty acids, 5-hydroxytryptamine, γ-aminobutyric acid, and bile acids, are closely linked to reproductive function. As reproductive diseases develop, intestinal immune function typically undergoes changes, and the expression levels of immune-related factors, such as Toll-like receptors and inflammatory cytokines (including IL-6, TNF-α, and TGF-β), also vary. The gut microbiota and its metabolites influence reproductive hormones such as estrogen, luteinizing hormone, and testosterone, thereby affecting folliculogenesis and spermatogenesis. Additionally, the metabolism and absorption of vitamins can also impact spermatogenesis through the gut-testis axis. As the relationship between the gut microbiota and reproductive diseases becomes clearer, targeted regulation of the gut microbiota can be employed to address reproductive system issues in both humans and animals. This article discusses the regulation of the gut microbiota and intestinal immune function through microecological preparations, fecal microbiota transplantation, and drug therapy to treat reproductive diseases. Microbial preparations and drug therapy can help maintain the intestinal barrier and reduce chronic inflammation. Fecal microbiota transplantation involves transferring feces from healthy individuals into the recipient’s intestine, enhancing mucosal integrity and increasing microbial diversity. This article also delves into the underlying mechanisms by which the gut microbiota influences reproductive capacity through the gut-gonadal axis and explores the latest research in diagnosing and treating reproductive diseases using gut microbiota. The goal is to restore reproductive capacity by targeting the regulation of the gut microbiota. While the gut microbiota holds promise as a therapeutic target for reproductive diseases, several challenges remain. First, research on the association between gut microbiota and reproductive diseases is insufficient to establish a clear causal relationship, which is essential for proposing effective therapeutic methods targeting the gut microbiota. Second, although gut microbiota metabolites can influence lipid, glucose, and hormone synthesis and metabolism via various signaling pathways—thereby indirectly affecting ovarian and testicular function—more in-depth research is required to understand the direct effects of these metabolites on germ cells or granulosa cells. Lastly, the specific efficacy of gut microbiota in treating reproductive diseases is influenced by multiple factors, necessitating further mechanistic research and clinical studies to validate and optimize treatment regimens.
2.Risk factors and prediction model for periprosthetic femoral fracture after total knee arthroplasty in the elderly
Meng ZHU ; Xue-Yu HU ; Ting-Ting ZHAO ; Rong QIU ; Ke LEI ; Yao SONG
Journal of Regional Anatomy and Operative Surgery 2024;33(2):157-161
Objective To investigate the risk factors of periprosthetic femoral fracture(PFF)after total knee arthroplasty(TKA)in the elderly and to construct a predictive model for the prevention of PFF after clinical operation.Methods The clinical data of 537 elderly patients who underwent TKA in the orthopedic department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Air Medical University from October 2016 to October 2021 were retrospectively analyzed.The occurrence of PFF during the follow-up period was statistically analyzed and the clinical data were collected.Binary Logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors of PFF after TKA in the elderly,and a predictive model of PFF after TKA in the elderly was constructed based on the risk factors.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve and Hosmer-Lemeshow(H-L)were used to test the discrimination and calibration of prediction model.Results The patients were followed up for 12 to 72 months after discharge,with a median time of 47 months.During the follow-up period,31 patients(5.77%)developed PFF.Age,osteoporosis,Parkinson's disease and anterior femoral notch(AFN)were the risk factors for PFF after TKA in the elderly(P<0.05),and cross fixation of prosthesis and bone cement fixation were the protective factors(P<0.05).The results of H-L test showed that the risk prediction model of PFF after TKA in the elderly had good calibration(P>0.05).ROC curve analysis showed that the risk prediction model of PFF after TKA in the elderly has high discrimination(area under the curve was 0.858,95%CI:0.826 to 0.887),the sensitivity was 83.87%,the specificity was 88.34%.Conclusion The risk of PFF after TKA in the elderly is high,and prevention should be carried out according to the high risk factors.The prediction model constructed based on the high risk factors has good prediction efficiency.
3.Principal component analysis of dental caries related factors among 3- to 5-year-old children in Urumqi City
MA Ting ; MENG Fanqi ; HAN Jing ; ZHAO Jin
Journal of Prevention and Treatment for Stomatological Diseases 2023;31(3):179-185
Objective :
To explore dental caries-related factors among children aged 3-5 years in Urumqi City and to provide evidence for the etiological study and primary prevention of caries among local children.
Methods :
A multistage stratified cluster sampling method was used to randomly select children aged 3-5 years in Urumqi City for oral examination, physical examination and questionnaire survey. Data were collected and analyzed by principal component logistic regression using SPSS 23.0 software.
Results:
Principal component analysis showed that there were seven risk factors whose characteristic root value was greater than 1: oral hygiene habits, family education level, sugar intake, bedtime eating habits, age, gestational age, feeding mode, and cumulative contribution were 66.486% of the total variance. Principal component logistic regression analysis indicated that five factors, namely, oral hygiene habits (OR = 0.795, P = 0.044), family education level (OR = 0.667, P = 0.019), sugar intake (OR = 1.260, P = 0.006), bedtime eating habits (OR = 5.432, P<0.001) and age (OR = 0.676, P = 0.015), were closely related to early childhood caries, and they were statistically significant (P<0.05).
Conclusion
According to the principal component analysis, oral hygiene habits factor, family education level factor, sugar intake factor, bedtime eating habits factor and age factor were dental caries related factors among 3- to 5-year-old children in Urumqi City.
4.Clinical significance and changes of homocysteine, vitamin B12 and folic acid in diabetic retinopathy
Hong-Yan SUN ; Xiao-Ling LUO ; Ting MENG ; Jiao-Jie FAN ; Yan HU ; Jun WANG ; Si-Jing ZHANG ; Hui-Pan ZHAO ; Ming-Ming YANG
International Eye Science 2023;23(2):256-260
AIM: To analyze the changes of serum homocysteine(Hcy), vitamin B12(VitB12)and folic acid in the serum of patients with diabetic retinopathy(DR), and to explore their significance in the occurrence and development of DR.METHODS: A case-control study was designed. A total of 95 patients with DR(DR group), 94 patients with diabetes mellitus(DM group)treated in endgcrinology department and 87 patients with age-related cataract(normal control group)from the ophthalmology department of Shenzhen People's Hospital between July 2021 and January 2022 were selected. Fasting venous blood was collected and serum was separated. The concentration of Hcy in serum was detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA), and chemiluminescence immunoassay was used to detect the concentration of VitB12 and folic acid. Pearson linear correlation analysis was used to evaluate the correlation between Hcy and clinical parameters. Multivariate linear regression analysis was used to evaluate the main factors which affect Hcy level. Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was designed to analyze the diagnostic value of serum Hcy, VitB12 and folic acid in DR.RESULTS: The concentration of serum Hcy in DR group was 16.52±3.54 μmol/L, which was significantly higher than that in DM group(10.86±3.47 μmol/L)and control group(6.84±1.39 μmol/L; all P<0.05); The concentration of VitB12 in the serum of the control group was 501.79±108.95 pmol/L, which was higher than that in DM group(478.57±57.85 pmol/L)and DR group(455.88±181.49 pmol/L), but the difference was not statistically significant(P=0.054); The concentration of folic acid in serum of control group was 10.31±2.43 nmol/L, which was higher than that of DM group(9.94±1.90 nmol/L)and DR group(7.27±2.79 nmol/L), and the difference between DR group and DM group was statistically significant(P<0.05); In DR group, Hcy expression was weakly positively correlated with triglyceride and low density lipoprotein(r=0.208, P=0.043; r=0.240, P=0.019). Multivariate linear regression showed that low density lipoprotein was an important factor which affect the expression of Hcy in DR patients. ROC curve shows that Hcy has important value in the diagnosis of DR.CONCLUSIONS: Hcy, VitB12 and folic acid are differentially expressed in DR group, DM group and normal control group. Hcy may be involved in the pathogenesis of DR, and it has important value in the diagnosis of DR. In addition, low density lipoprotein is also an important factor which affects the expression of Hcy.
5.Relationship between Dining Place, Iodine Source, and Iodine Nutrition in School-Age Children: A Cross-Sectional Study in China.
Ting Ting QIAN ; Rong SUN ; Lan Chun LIU ; Wen Jing CHE ; Meng ZHAO ; Ling ZHANG ; Wei Dong LI ; Qing Zhen JIA ; Jian Hui WANG ; Jin Shu LI ; Zhi Hui CHEN ; Bi Yun ZHANG ; Peng LIU
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2023;36(1):10-23
OBJECTIVE:
This study assesses the impact of iodine-rich processed foods and dining places on the iodine nutritional status of children.
METHODS:
School-aged children (SAC) in seven provinces in China were selected by school-based multi-stage sampling. Urinary iodine, salt iodine, and thyroid volume (TVOL) were determined. Questionnaires were used to investigate dining places and iodine-rich processed foods. The water iodine was from the 2017 national survey. Multi-factor regression analysis was used to find correlations between variables.
RESULTS:
Children ate 78.7% of their meals at home, 15.1% at school canteens, and 6.1% at other places. The percentage of daily iodine intake from water, iodized salt, iodine-rich processed foods, and cooked food were 1.0%, 79.2%, 1.5%, and 18.4%, respectively. The salt iodine was correlated with the urinary iodine and TVOL, respectively (r = 0.999 and -0.997, P < 0.05). The iodine intake in processed foods was weakly correlated with the TVOL (r = 0.080, P < 0.01). Non-iodized salt used in processed foods or diets when eating out had less effect on children's iodine nutrition status.
CONCLUSION
Iodized salt remains the primary source of daily iodine intake of SAC, and processed food has less effect on iodine nutrition. Therefore, for children, iodized salt should be a compulsory supplement in their routine diet.
Humans
;
Child
;
Nutritional Status
;
Cross-Sectional Studies
;
Iodine
;
Sodium Chloride, Dietary/analysis*
;
China
;
Water
6.Mechanism of Sijunzi Decoction in treatment of Alzheimer's disease based on UPLC-Q-TOF-MS, network pharmacology, and experimental verification.
Ke-Zhen CAI ; Qin ZHENG ; Xu-Dong ZHU ; Shao-Feng WEI ; Meng-Qi WU ; Hui XIONG ; Hai-Ting ZHAO
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2023;48(6):1620-1631
The study identified the blood-entering components of Sijunzi Decoction after gavage administration in rats by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS, and investigated the mechanism of Sijunzi Decoction in treating Alzheimer's disease by virtue of network pharmacology, molecular docking, and experimental verification. The blood-entering components of Sijunzi Decoction were identified based on the mass spectra and data from literature and databases. The potential targets of the above-mentioned blood-entering components in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease were searched against PharmMapper, OMIM, DisGeNET, GeneCards, and TTD. Next, STRING was employed to establish a protein-protein interaction(PPI) network. DAVID was used to perform the Gene Ontology(GO) annotation and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) pathway enrichment. Cytoscape 3.9.0 was used to carry out visual analysis. AutoDock Vina and PyMOL were used for molecular docking of the blood-entering components with the potential targets. Finally, the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K)/protein kinase B(Akt) signaling pathway enriched by the KEGG analysis was selected for validation by animal experiments. The results showed that 17 blood-entering components were detected in the serum samples after administration. Among them, poricoic acid B, liquiritigenin, atractylenolide Ⅱ, atractylenolide Ⅲ, ginsenoside Rb_1, and glycyrrhizic acid were the key components of Sijunzi Decoction in treating Alzheimer's disease. HSP90AA1, PPARA, SRC, AR, and ESR1 were the main targets for Sijunzi Decoction to treat Alzheimer's disease. Molecular docking showed that the components bound well with the targets. Therefore, we hypothesized that the mechanism of Sijunzi Decoction in treating Alzheimer's disease may be associated with the PI3K/Akt, cancer treatment, and mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK) signaling pathways. The results of animal experiments showed that Sijunzi Decoction significantly attenuated the neuronal damage in the hippocampal dentate gyrus area, increased the neurons, and raised the ratios of p-Akt/Akt and p-PI3K/PI3K in the hippocampus of mice. In conclusion, Sijunzi Decoction may treat Alzheimer's disease by activating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. The findings of this study provide a reference for further studies about the mechanism of action and clinical application of Sijunzi Decoction.
Animals
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Mice
;
Rats
;
Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt
;
Network Pharmacology
;
Alzheimer Disease/drug therapy*
;
Molecular Docking Simulation
;
Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/genetics*
;
Tandem Mass Spectrometry
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology*
7.Effects of Buyang Huanwu Decoction on Intestinal Barrier, Intestinal Flora, and Trimethylamine Oxide in Rats with Heart Failure.
Jie-Qiong WENG ; Jie-Bai LI ; Meng-Fei YUAN ; Ting-Ting YAO ; Jing-Fang ZHANG ; Yuan-Yuan ZENG ; Jing ZHAO ; Ying LI ; Ke XU ; Xiao-Xu SHEN
Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2023;29(2):155-161
OBJECTIVE:
To explore the mechanisms of Buyang Huanwu Decoction (BYHWD) modulating the gut microbiome and trimethylamine oxide (TAMO) to exert cardioprotective effects.
METHODS:
Ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery was performed in rats to induce heart failure (HF). Except for the sham-operation group (n=10), 36 operation-induced models were randomized into 3 groups using a random number table (n=12 in each group): the model group, the BYHWD group (15.02 g/kg BYHWD), and the positive group (4.99 g/kg metoprolol succinate). After 4-week treatment (once daily by gavage), echocardiography was applied to evaluate the cardiac function and the Tei index (the ratio of ventricular isovolumic contraction time (IVCT) and isovolumic diastolic time (IVRT) to ejection time (ET)) was calculated; hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was observed to characterize the pathology of the myocardium and small intestinal villi. D-lactic acid was detected by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Expressions of occludin, claudin-1, and zonula occludens (ZO-1) were detected by Western blot. 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid (16S rRNA) sequencing was used to explore the changes in the intestinal flora. TMAO was detected via liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).
RESULTS:
In the echocardiography, the Tei index was considerably lower in the positive and BYHWD groups compared with the model group (P<0.05). Besides, BYHWD improved the pathology of myocardium and small intestine of HF rats and lowered the D-lactic acid content in the serum, when compared with the model group (P<0.05). BYHWD also improved the expression of occludin and claudin-1 (P<0.05); in the gut microbiota analysis, BYHWD slowed down modifications in the structure distribution of gut microbiota and regulated the diversity of intestinal flora in HF rats. The content of TMAO in the serum was significantly lowered by BYWHT compared with the model group (P<0.05).
CONCLUSION
BYHWD may delay progression of HF by enhancing the intestinal barrier structure, and regulating intestinal flora and TAMO.
Rats
;
Animals
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Gastrointestinal Microbiome
;
Chromatography, Liquid
;
Claudin-1
;
Occludin
;
RNA, Ribosomal, 16S
;
Tandem Mass Spectrometry
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology*
;
Heart Failure
8.Meta-analysis of the effect of information management on safe in-hospital transfer of patients in China
Ting ZHAO ; Xinyi SU ; Meiying GUO ; Jingjing MENG ; Honghong WANG ; Tao XIAO ; Sha WANG ; Zhiying SHEN ; Dun CAO
Chinese Journal of Modern Nursing 2023;29(26):3579-3587
Objective:To conduct a Meta-analysis on the application effect of information management on safe in-hospital transfer of patients in China.Methods:Using computers to search for randomized controlled trials and quasi experimental studies on the effect of information management on safe in-hospital transfer of patients in China from China National Knowledge Infrastructure, VIP, Wanfang Database, China Biomedical Mediline disc, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, CINAHL and Cochrane Library. The search period was from establishment of databases to May 17, 2022. Literature screening, quality evaluation and data extraction were conducted independently by two trained researchers. Stata 15.1 software was used for Meta-analysis.Results:A total of 14 articles were included, involving a total of 130 670 patients. The results of Meta-analysis showed that the incidence of adverse event in in-hospital transfer of patients in the information management group was shorter than that in the control group ( OR=0.24, 95% CI: 0.17-0.35, P<0.01), duration of in-hospital tranfer was longer than that in the control group ( WMD=-5.76, 95% CI: -8.30-3.22, P<0.01), and patients' satisfaction ( OR=1.11, 95% CI: 1.05-1.17, P<0.01) and satisfaction of medical personnel responsible for transfer ( OR=1.37, 95% CI: 1.13-1.66, P<0.01) were higher than those of the control group. Conclusions:Information management can effectively control the incidence of adverse events in in-hospital transfer of patients in China, shorten the time required for hospital transfers and improve the satisfaction of patients and medical staff in hospital transfers.
9.Physical health status and influencing factors of preschool children in Tibet
CHEN Ting, LIANG Meng, WANG Jiajuan, ZHAO Xin, CHENG Hong, DU Wenjuan, SUN Ruizhe
Chinese Journal of School Health 2023;44(11):1626-1630
Objective:
To explore physical health status and influencing factors of preschool children in Tibet, so as to provide a scientific reference and theoretical basis for the healthy development of physical fitness.
Methods:
Data were collected from children (3-6 years old) of Xizang national physical fitness monitoring, and a total of 1 521 preschool children were recruited who received questionnaire survey and physical fitness test. Independent sample t-test and one-way ANOVA were used to compare the differences in physical fitness indexes of preschool children in different groups. Chi square test and binary Logistic regression model were used to analyze the factors affecting physical health of preschool children.
Results:
The total qualified rate of physical fitness was 79.75%, among which the excellent rate was 3.16%, the good rate was 15.12%, the qualified rate was 61.47% and the unqualified was 20.25%. From the perspective of BMI, the excellent physical fitness rate (3.74%) and good physical fitness rate ( 17.47% ) were highest in healthy weight preschool children, and the qualified physical fitness rate of overweight preschool children (69.03%) was higher than that of obese (55.88%) and healthy weight preschool children (60.68%)( χ 2=53.56, P <0.01). From the perspective of ethnic, Tibetan children s physique proficiency (3.69%), good rate ( 17.13% ) than with the elevation of the Han nationality (0.74%, 5.88%), fraction defective (16.97%), lower than that of Han nationality (35.29%) ( χ 2=53.71, P <0.01); The results of chest circumference, skinfold thickness, body fat percentage, tennis throw distance, continuous jump of both feet, sitting forward bend and balance beam walking of Tibetan children were higher than those of Han children, and the results of quiet heart rate and standing long jump were lower than those of Han children ( t = 2.72 , 10.95, 9.66, 3.68, 3.88, 8.04, 3.56, 8.70, -4.39 , -4.40, P <0.01). Binary Logistic regression analysis showed that Tibetans ( OR =2.29), breastfeeding ( OR =1.51), body dynamics outdoor daily exercise duration 30-90 min (30-<60 min ;OR = 2.03 ; 60-90 min: OR =2.22) were positively correlated with physical health of preschool children ( P <0.05).
Conclusions
The total physical qualification rate of preschool children aged 3-6 years old in Tibet is lower than the national average. Ethnic group, feeding pattern during infancy, and physical activity are all factors that affected the physical fitness of preschool children in Tibet. It is of great significance to improve the physique of preschool children in Tibet to promote their sustainable and healthy development.


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