Subclinical atherosclerosis underlies most cardiovascular diseases, manifesting before clinical symptoms and representing a key focus for early prevention strategies. Recent advancements highlight the importance of early detection and management of subclinical atherosclerosis. This review underscores that traditional risk factor levels considered safe, such as low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), may still permit the development of atherosclerosis, suggesting a need for stricter thresholds. Early-life interventions are crucial, leveraging the brain's neuroplasticity to establish lifelong healthy habits. Preventive strategies should include more aggressive management of LDL-C and HbA1c from youth and persist into old age, supported by public health policies that promote healthy environments. Emphasising early education on cardiovascular health can fundamentally shift the trajectory of cardiovascular disease prevention and optimise long-term health outcomes.
Humans ; Atherosclerosis/diagnosis* ; Risk Factors ; Cardiovascular Diseases/prevention & control* ; Cholesterol, LDL/blood* ; Glycated Hemoglobin ; Cardiology/trends* ; Heart Disease Risk Factors

INTRODUCTION: Achieving low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels is key to preventing atherosclerotic cardiovascular events. However, many high-risk cardiovascular patients still experience poor LDL-C goal attainment and receive suboptimal lipid-lowering therapy (LLT) prescriptions. Herein, we evaluated LLT prescription patterns, LDL-C goal attainment and cardiovascular mortality among this population group in Singapore. METHODS: This prospective observational cohort study included 555 patients with ischaemic heart disease (IHD) admitted to the hospital in 2020. The LLT prescriptions, corresponding LDL-C levels and cardiovascular outcomes were assessed over a 24-month period. RESULTS: Most participants were male (82.3%), with 48.5% identified as Chinese. High-intensity statin prescriptions increased from 45.4% at hospital admission to 87.1% at discharge and remained stable at approximately 80% at 6, 12, and 24 months post-discharge. Combination LLT prescriptions increased from 12.3% at discharge to 33.8% by 24 months. Ezetimibe was the most commonly prescribed second-line LLT (40.8%), followed by inclisiran (1.09%) and anti-proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 monoclonal antibody therapies (0.87%). Over 24 months, LDL-C goal attainment rates were 22.1% for LDL-C < 1.4 mmol/L and 47.2% for LDL-C < 1.8 mmol/L. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression indicated that achieving LDL-C < 1.8 mmol/L goal was associated with a reduction in all-cause mortality at 24 months (hazard ratio 0.53, 95% confidence interval 0.30-0.94, P = 0.030). CONCLUSION Treatment gaps in lipid management persist in 80% of the study population, indicating that statin monotherapy alone is insufficient to achieve LDL-C goals. Greater efforts to improve LDL-C goal attainment rates in high-risk cardiovascular patients are imperative.
Humans ; Male ; Cholesterol, LDL/blood* ; Female ; Myocardial Ischemia/drug therapy* ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Aged ; Singapore/epidemiology* ; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors/therapeutic use* ; Ezetimibe/therapeutic use* ; Anticholesteremic Agents/therapeutic use* ; Treatment Outcome

The relationship between hyperuricemia (HUA) and erectile dysfunction (ED) remains inadequately understood. Given that HUA is often associated with various metabolic disorders, this study aims to explore the multivariate linear impacts of metabolic parameters on erectile function in ED patients with HUA. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted involving 514 ED patients with HUA in the Department of Andrology, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine (Nanjing, China), aged 18 to 60 years. General demographic information, medical history, and laboratory results were collected to assess metabolic disturbances. Sexual function was evaluated using the 5-item version of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) questionnaire. Based on univariate analysis, variables associated with IIEF-5 scores were identified, and the correlations between them were evaluated. The effects of these variables on IIEF-5 scores were further explored by multiple linear regression models. Fasting plasma glucose ( β = -0.628, P < 0.001), uric acid ( β = -0.552, P < 0.001), triglycerides ( β = -0.088, P = 0.047), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( β = -0.164, P = 0.027), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c; β = -0.562, P = 0.012), and smoking history ( β = -0.074, P = 0.037) exhibited significant negative impacts on erectile function. The coefficient of determination ( R ²) for the model was 0.239, and the adjusted R ² was 0.230, indicating overall statistical significance ( F -statistic = 26.52, P < 0.001). Metabolic parameters play a crucial role in the development of ED. Maintaining normal metabolic indices may aid in the prevention and improvement of erectile function in ED patients with HUA.
Humans ; Male ; Erectile Dysfunction/metabolism* ; Hyperuricemia/metabolism* ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Glycated Hemoglobin/metabolism* ; Blood Glucose/metabolism* ; Uric Acid/blood* ; Young Adult ; Triglycerides/blood* ; Adolescent ; Cholesterol, LDL/blood* ; Penile Erection/physiology* ; Surveys and Questionnaires

BACKGROUND: Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLc) is regarded as a risk factor for endothelial dysfunction. However, LDLc stimulates the proliferation of hematopoietic stem cells (CD34-positive cells), which contribute to endothelial repair. Therefore, LDLc may have a beneficial influence on the endothelium of individuals with lower endothelial repair activity. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 245 men aged 60-69 years. Endothelial repair activity was categorized by the circulating levels of CD34-positive cells based on median values. The status of endothelium was evaluated using the cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI). RESULTS: Among individuals with low levels of circulating CD34-positive cells, LDL-c levels were significantly inversely correlated with CAVI and positively correlated with circulating CD34-positive cells. No significant correlations were observed among the participants with high levels of circulating CD34-positive cells. Among low levels of CD34-positive cells, the adjusted standardized parameter (β) and p value were -0.24 (p = 0.021) for CAVI and 0.41 (p < 0.001) for CD34-positive cells, whereas among high levels of CD34-positive cells, the corresponding values were 0.03 (p = 0.738) and -0.09 (p = 0.355). CONCLUSION LDLc has a beneficial influence on endothelial health among individuals with low endothelial repair activity, possibly by stimulating the proliferation of hematopoietic stem cells.
Humans ; Middle Aged ; Male ; Aged ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Cholesterol, LDL/blood* ; Endothelium, Vascular/physiology* ; Antigens, CD34/blood* ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of long-term biologic therapy on metabolic biochemical parameters in moderate to severe plaque psoriasis patients. METHODS: The study included patients over 18 years old who had been treated by biological agents for at least 24 weeks for moderate to severe plaque psoriasis from Novermber 2015 to January 2024. According to the biological agents the patients used, they were divided into three groups: interleukin-17 (IL-17) inhibitor group, IL-23 and IL-12/23 inhibitor group and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) inhibitor group. The metabolic biochemical parameters of each group were evaluated and compared before and after the administration of the biologic therapies. RESULTS: A total of 174 patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis were included in the long-term treatment with biologics, including 127 males (73.00%), 47 females (27.00%), with a median age of 38.00 (31.50, 49.00) years and a median duration of psoriasis of 12.00 (10.00, 20.00) years. The median duration of biologic treatment was 61.00 (49.00, 96.25) weeks, ranging from 26 to 301 weeks. There were 101 patients in the IL-17 inhibitor group, 38 patients in the IL-23 and IL-12/23 inhibitor group, and 35 patients in the TNF-α inhibitor group. After long-term treatment with IL-17 inhibitors, no statistically significant changes were observed in body weight, body mass index (BMI), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), fasting glucose (GLU), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) compared with baseline measurements (P>0.05). However, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels were significantly reduced [(2.90±0.75) mmol/L vs. (3.05±0.79) mmol/L, t=－2.100, P=0.038], while uric acid (UA) levels showed a significant increase [(401.13±99.13) μmol/L vs. (364.94±91.11) μmol/L, t=5.215, P < 0.001]. The group with normal UA levels before treatment showed a significant increase after long-term application of biological agents compared with before treatment [(370.69± 89.59) μmol/L vs. (324.66±64.50) μmol/L, t=5.856, P < 0.001]. Following long-term application of IL-23 and IL-12/23 inhibitors, no statistically significant differences were observed in body weight, BMI, ALT, AST, GLU, TC, TG, HDL-C and UA levels when compared with baseline measurements (P> 0.05). However, LDL-C levels exhibited a significant reduction from baseline [(2.85±0.74) mmol/L vs. (3.12±0.68) mmol/L, t=－2.082, P=0.045]. After long-term treatment with TNF-α inhibitor, there were no significant differences in body weight, BMI, ALT, AST, GLU, TC, TG, HDL-C, LDL-C and UA compared with baseline measurements (P>0.05). CONCLUSION Long-term application of IL-17 inhibitors in moderate to severe plaque psoriasis patients may result in elevated uric acid levels, particularly in patients with normal uric acid levels before treatment. The long-term use of IL-17 inhibitors, IL-23 inhibitors or IL-12/23 inhibitors might reduce LDL-C levels.
Humans ; Psoriasis/blood* ; Male ; Female ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Interleukin-17/antagonists & inhibitors* ; Interleukin-23/antagonists & inhibitors* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/antagonists & inhibitors* ; Interleukin-12/antagonists & inhibitors* ; Biological Therapy ; Biological Products/therapeutic use* ; Triglycerides/blood* ; Cholesterol, LDL/blood* ; Cholesterol, HDL/blood*

OBJECTIVES: In recent years, the role of remnant cholesterol (RC) in the development and progression of cardiovascular diseases has gained increasing attention. However, evidence on the association between RC and subclinical atherosclerosis is limited. This study aims to examine the relationship between RC and atherosclerotic plaques in single and multiple vascular territories. METHODS: This retrospective cross-sectional study used baseline data from participants enrolled between October 2022 and May 2024 in the National Key Research Program "Study on the Prevention and Control System of Risk Factors for Panvascular Diseases". Color Doppler ultrasonography was performed to detect plaques in 4 vascular territories: Bilateral carotid arteries, bilateral subclavian arteries, abdominal aorta, and iliac-femoral arteries. RC was calculated as total cholesterol minus the sum of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). Participants were categorized into quartiles (Q1-Q4) according to RC levels. The proportions of participants with ≥2 plaques in a single vascular territory and with plaques in ≥2 vascular territories were compared across RC quartiles. Multivariate ordinal Logistic regression was used to assess the association between RC and the number of plaques in a single vascular territory, as well as the risk of multiple vascular territory involvement. Additionally, the effects of LDL-C/RC concordance on plaque distribution were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 3 539 participants were included, of whom 2 169 (61.29%) were male, with a age of (51.94±9.22) years. From Q1 to Q4, the proportion of participants with ≥2 plaques in a single vascular territory (bilateral carotid, subclavian, abdominal aorta, and iliac-femoral arteries), as well as those with plaques in ≥2 vascular territories, increased progressively. Compared with Q1, both Q3 and Q4 were significantly associated with higher plaque numbers in a single vascular territory (both P<0.05). When treated as a continuous variable, higher RC levels were associated with an increased risk of greater plaque numbers within a single vascular territory (all P<0.05). RC levels were also significantly associated with multiple vascular territory involvement: Compared with Q1, Q4 had a 1.015-fold higher risk [odds ratio (OR)=2.015, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.669 to 2.433], and each 1 mmol/L increase in RC corresponded to a 0.160-fold increased risk (OR=1.160, 95% CI 1.073 to 1.271). In LDL-C/RC coordination analysis, compared with the low LDL-C/low RC group, the low LDL-C/high RC group was significantly associated with multiple vascular territory involvement (OR=1.576, 95% CI 1.220 to 2.036). CONCLUSIONS Elevated RC levels are closely associated with atherosclerotic plaques in both single and multiple vascular territories, even among individuals with normal LDL-C, suggesting that RC should be considered in clinical risk assessment and management of atherosclerosis.
Humans ; Plaque, Atherosclerotic/diagnostic imaging* ; Male ; Female ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Cholesterol/blood* ; Cholesterol, LDL/blood* ; Aged ; Cholesterol, HDL/blood* ; Risk Factors ; Atherosclerosis ; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color ; Femoral Artery/diagnostic imaging*

On the basis of establishing the prescription of Xinjianqu and clarifying the increase of the lipid-lowering active ingredients of Xinjianqu by fermentation, this paper further compared the differences in the lipid-lowering effects of Xinjianqu before and after fermentation, and studied the mechanism of Xinjianqu in the treatment of hyperlipidemia. Seventy SD rats were randomly divided into seven groups, including normal group, model group, positive drug simvastatin group(0.02 g·kg~(-1)), and low-dose and high-dose Xinjianqu groups before and after fermentation(1.6 g·kg~(-1) and 8 g·kg~(-1)), with ten rats in each group. Rats in each group were given high-fat diet continuously for six weeks to establish the model of hyperlipidemia(HLP). After successful modeling, the rats were given high-fat diet and gavaged by the corresponding drugs for six weeks, once a day, to compare the effects of Xinjianqu on the body mass, liver coefficient, and small intestine propulsion rate of rats with HLP before and after fermentation. The effects of Xinjianqu before and after fermentation on total cholesterol(TC), triacylglyceride(TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C), alanine aminotransferase(ALT), aspartate aminotransferase(AST), blood urea nitrogen(BUN), creatinine(Cr), motilin(MTL), gastrin(GAS), and the Na~+-K~+-ATPase levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). The effects of Xinjianqu on liver morphology of rats with HLP were investigated by hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining and oil red O fat staining. The effects of Xinjianqu on the protein expression of adenosine 5'-monophosphate(AMP)-activated protein kinase(AMPK), phosphorylated AMPK(p-AMPK), liver kinase B1(LKB1), and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutarate monoacyl coenzyme A reductase(HMGCR) in liver tissues were investigated by immunohistochemistry. The effects of Xinjianqu on the regulation of intestinal flora structure of rats with HLP were studied based on 16S rDNA high-throughput sequencing technology. The results showed that compared with those in the normal group, rats in the model group had significantly higher body mass and liver coefficient(P<0.01), significantly lower small intestine propulsion rate(P<0.01), significantly higher serum levels of TC, TG, LDL-C, ALT, AST, BUN, Cr, and AQP2(P<0.01), and significantly lower serum levels of HDL-C, MTL, GAS, Na~+-K~+-ATP levels(P<0.01). The protein expression of AMPK, p-AMPK, and LKB1 in the livers of rats in the model group was significantly decreased(P<0.01), and that of HMGCR was significantly increased(P<0.01). In addition, the observed＿otus, Shannon, and Chao1 indices were significantly decreased(P<0.05 or P<0.01) in rat fecal flora in the model group. Besides, in the model group, the relative abundance of Firmicutes was reduced, while that of Verrucomicrobia and Proteobacteria was increased, and the relative abundance of beneficial genera such as Ligilactobacillus and Lachnospiraceae＿NK4A136＿group was reduced. Compared with the model group, all Xinjianqu groups regulated the body mass, liver coefficient, and small intestine index of rats with HLP(P<0.05 or P<0.01), reduced the serum levels of TC, TG, LDL-C, ALT, AST, BUN, Cr, and AQP2, increased the serum levels of HDL-C, MTL, GAS, and Na~+-K~+-ATP, improved the liver morphology, and increased the protein expression gray value of AMPK, p-AMPK, and LKB1 in the liver of rats with HLP and decreased that of LKB1. Xinjianqu groups could regulate the intestinal flora structure of rats with HLP, increased observed＿otus, Shannon, Chao1 indices, and increased the relative abundance of Firmicutes, Ligilactobacillus(genus), Lachnospiraceae＿NK4A136＿group(genus). Besides, the high-dose Xinjianqu-fermented group had significant effects on body mass, liver coefficient, small intestine propulsion rate, and serum index levels of rats with HLP(P<0.01), and the effects were better than those of Xinjianqu groups before fermentation. The above results show that Xinjianqu can improve the blood lipid level, liver and kidney function, and gastrointestinal motility of rats with HLP, and the improvement effect of Xinjianqu on hyperlipidemia is significantly enhanced by fermentation. The mechanism may be related to AMPK, p-AMPK, LKB1, and HMGCR protein in the LKB1-AMPK pathway and the regulation of intestinal flora structure.
Rats ; Animals ; AMP-Activated Protein Kinases/metabolism* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Cholesterol, LDL ; Fermentation ; Aquaporin 2/metabolism* ; Lipid Metabolism ; Liver ; Lipids ; Hyperlipidemias/genetics* ; Adenosine Triphosphate/pharmacology* ; Diet, High-Fat/adverse effects*

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of diosgenin on mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR), fatty acid synthase(FASN), hypoxia inducible factor-1α(HIF-1α), and vascular endothelial growth factor A(VEGFA) expression in liver tissues of rats with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD) and explore the mechanism of diosgenin on lipogenesis and inflammation in NAFLD. Forty male SD rats were divided into a normal group(n=8) fed on the normal diet and an experimental group(n=32) fed on the high-fat diet(HFD) for the induction of the NAFLD model. After modeling, the rats in the experimental group were randomly divided into an HFD group, a low-dose diosgenin group(150 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)), a high-dose diosgenin group(300 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)), and a simvastatin group(4 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)), with eight rats in each group. The drugs were continuously given by gavage for eight weeks. The levels of triglyceride(TG), total cholesterol(TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C), alanine transaminase(ALT), and aspartate transaminase(AST) in the serum were detected by the biochemical method. The content of TG and TC in the liver was detected by the enzyme method. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to measure interleukin 1β(IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α) in the serum. Lipid accumulation in the liver was detected by oil red O staining. Pathological changes of liver tissues were detected by hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining. The mRNA and protein expression levels of mTOR, FASN, HIF-1α, and VEGFA in the liver of rats were detected by real-time fluorescence-based quantitative polymerase chain reaction(PCR) and Western blot, respectively. Compared with the normal group, the HFD group showed elevated body weight and levels of TG, TC, LDL-C, ALT, AST, IL-1β, and TNF-α(P<0.01), increased lipid accumulation in the liver(P<0.01), obvious liver steatosis, up-regulated mRNA expression levels of mTOR, FASN, HIF-1α, and VEGFA(P<0.01), and increased protein expression levels of p-mTOR, FASN, HIF-1α, and VEGFA(P<0.01). Compared with the HFD group, the groups with drug treatment showed lowered body weight and levels of TG, TC, LDL-C, ALT, AST, IL-1β, and TNF-α(P<0.05, P<0.01), reduced lipid accumulation in the liver(P<0.01), improved liver steatosis, decreased mRNA expression levels of mTOR, FASN, HIF-1α, and VEGFA(P<0.05, P<0.01), and declining protein expression levels of p-mTOR, FASN, HIF-1α, and VEGFA(P<0.01). The therapeutic effect of the high-dose diosgenin group was superior to that of the low-dose diosgenin group and the simvastatin group. Diosgenin may reduce liver lipid synthesis and inflammation and potentiate by down-regulating the mTOR, FASN, HIF-1α, and VEGFA expression, playing an active role in preventing and treating NAFLD.
Rats ; Male ; Animals ; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease/metabolism* ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/metabolism* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism* ; Cholesterol, LDL ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Liver ; Inflammation/metabolism* ; Diet, High-Fat/adverse effects* ; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism* ; RNA, Messenger/metabolism* ; Body Weight ; Mammals

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the epidemiological characteristics of cardio-metabolic risk factors among children and adolescents aged 7-17 years in (Hebei, Zhejiang, Shaanxi, Hunan) 4 provinces of China and the influence of demographic and economic characteristics on them. Methods: A total of 1 747 children and adolescents aged 7-17 from a Community-based Cohort Study on Nervous System Disease in 2018 were selected. High waist circumference, central obesity, elevated TG, elevated TC, elevated LDL-C, decreased HDL-C, elevated blood pressure, elevated blood glucose, and clustering of risk factors was analyzed. χ² test was used for univariate analysis, multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the correlation between demographic and economic factors and risk factors, and the Cochran-Armitage trend test was used for trend analysis. Results: The detection rates of high waist circumference, decreased HDL-C, elevated blood pressure, elevated TG, elevated blood glucose, central obesity, elevated TC, and elevated LDL-C were 29.08%, 15.28%, 13.17%, 13.05%, 11.79%, 7.33%, 6.53%, and 5.15%, respectively. The rate of clustering of risk factors was 18.37%. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the risk of high waist circumference in girls was higher than that in boys (OR=1.67, 95%CI: 1.26-2.22), and the risk of elevated blood glucose and clustering of risk factors was lower than that in boys (OR=0.69, 95%CI: 0.49-0.99; OR=0.72, 95%CI: 0.53-0.99). The risk of high waist circumference, decreased HDL-C, and clustering of risk factors in 13-17 years old group was higher than that in the 7-year-olds group (OR=2.24, 95%CI: 1.65-3.04; OR=1.59, 95%CI: 1.20-2.11; OR=1.75, 95%CI: 1.26-2.44), but the risk of central obesity was lower (OR=0.54, 95%CI: 0.37-0.78). The risk of elevated TC, elevated TG, and decreased HDL-C in children and adolescents in southern was higher than that in northern parts of China (OR=1.88, 95%CI: 1.25-2.83; OR=1.61, 95%CI: 1.17-2.22; OR=1.55, 95%CI: 1.19-2.04), but the risk of high waist circumference and central obesity was lower than that in northern China (OR=0.57, 95%CI: 0.43-0.75; OR=0.62, 95%CI: 0.42-0.90). The risk of decreased HDL-C in rural children and adolescents was higher than in urban children and adolescents (OR=1.36, 95%CI: 1.02-1.83). The risk of multiple risk factors increased with the increase in average monthly household income per capita and BMI level. Conclusions: High waist circumference, decreased HDL-C and elevated blood pressure were prominent cardio-metabolic risk factors among children and adolescents aged 7-17 years in 4 provinces of China in 2018. The region, average monthly household income per capita, and BMI were the main influencing factors of cardio-metabolic risk factors.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Child ; Adolescent ; Obesity, Abdominal/epidemiology* ; Cholesterol, LDL ; Blood Glucose ; Cohort Studies ; Body Mass Index ; Risk Factors ; Obesity ; Hypertension ; China/epidemiology* ; Waist Circumference

OBJECTIVES: To explore the mechanism of Chinese medicine Jiangzhuo mixture regulating glucose and lipid metabolism in obese rats. METHODS: Thirty healthy male SD rats were randomly divided into normal control group, model control group, and Jiangzhuo mixture treatment group, with 10 rats in each group. The rats in the normal control group were fed with normal diet, the obesity model was induced by feeding high-fat diet in the model control group and the Jiangzhuo mixture treatment group, the rats in the treatment group were given with Jiangzhuo mixture 50 g/kg by gavage. After 8 weeks of intervention, the blood glucose (GLU), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels were measured in the three groups. Quantitative reverse transcription PCR were used to detect the expression levels of PR domain containing 16 (PRDM16) and uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) in white and brown adipose tissues of the rats in each group; Western blotting was used to detect the expression of PRDM16 in the white and brown adipose tissue of rats, and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and inhibitor of NF-κB alpha (IκBα) in the white adipose tissue; immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of UCP1 protein in white and brown adipose tissues. RESULTS: Compared with the normal control group, the white fat weight (P<0.01), white fat coefficient (P<0.05) and Lee's coefficient (P<0.01) were significantly increased in the model control group; the contents of GLU, TC, TG and LDL-C were all increased, and the content of TG was significantly increased (P<0.05) in the model control group. The mRNA and protein expression levels of PRDM16 and UCP1 in white fat and brown fat were significantly decreased (P<0.05) in the model control group. Compared with the model control group, the white fat weight and white fat coefficient and Lee's coefficient were significantly reduced in the Jiangzhuo mixture treatment group (all P<0.01), the levels of GLU, TC, TG, and LDL-C in the the treatment group were all reduced, and the content of TG was reduced more obviously (P<0.01); expression levels of PRDM16 and UCP1 mRNA and protein were increased in brown and white adipose tissue. Compared with the normal control group, the expression levels of TLR4, phospho-IκBα and NF-κB-p65 proteins in white adipose tissue of the model control group were significantly increased (all P<0.01), while the expression levels of these proteins in the treatment group were significantly lower than those in the model control group (all P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Jiangzhuo mixture can alleviate high-fat diet-induced increase in body fat, abnormal expression of biochemical indexes and promote the expression of key proteins including UCP1 and PRDM16 in white and brown adipose tissues by regulating TLR4/IκBα/NF-κB signaling pathway.
Rats ; Male ; Animals ; NF-kappa B/metabolism* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Glucose ; Lipid Metabolism ; Toll-Like Receptor 4 ; Cholesterol, LDL/metabolism* ; NF-KappaB Inhibitor alpha/metabolism* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Signal Transduction ; Triglycerides ; Transcription Factors/metabolism* ; Obesity ; RNA, Messenger