LIPIDS

Effects of high α-linolenic acid transgenic rapeseed oil diet on growth performance, fat deposition, flesh quality, antioxidant capacity, and immunity of juvenile largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides)
Li R, Liu Y, Zhang Y, Yan Z, Cao Y, Li Q, Mei Y, Sun S, Cao X, Guo L and Gao J
Omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (n-3 LC-PUFA) increases in aquatic products contributes to improving meat quality, thereby positively impacting human health. Different from marine fish which primarily obtain n-3 LC-PUFAs directly from zooplankton and algae, freshwater fish mainly utilize dietary linolenic acid (ALA) as a substrate to synthesize n-3 LC-PUFAs. Our team has successfully created a transgenic rapeseed oil (TRO) with high ALA content. Therefore, we here assessed the impacts of four different diets (LR, low-fat rapeseed oil (RO) diet; HR, high-fat RO diet; LTR, low-fat TRO diet; HTR, high-fat TRO diet) on growth performance, lipid accumulation, fatty acid composition, antioxidant capacity, immunity and serum biochemical indexes of juvenile largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), an economically valuable freshwater fish. The results showed no significant difference in survival rate among the four dietary groups. No significant differences in body weight gain and final weight were found between the LR and LTR groups, as well as between HR and HTR groups. No matter if it was a high-fat or low-fat diet, compared with the RO diet, TRO diets significantly increased the content of n-3 LC-PUFA, improved meat quality, effectively alleviated lipid accumulation in livers and muscles of juvenile largemouth bass. In addition, using high-fat diets, TRO diet improved the antioxidant capacity and immune ability of juvenile largemouth bass, thereby promoting the overall health of fish. This study provides novel insights for fish feed formulation optimization from the perspective of genetically modified feed ingredients, and high-quality aquatic products for human consumption.
Plasma levels of EPA and DHA after ingestion of a single dose of EPA and DHA ethyl esters
Schmieta HM, Greupner T, Schneider I, Wrobel S, Christa V, Kutzner L, Hahn A, Harris WS, Schebb NH and Schuchardt JP
Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n3 PUFA), specifically eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5n3), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n3), are essential for maintaining health. To better understand their biology, it is important to define their bioavailability. The aim of this cross-over study was to investigate and compare the acute effects on plasma EPA and DHA levels after single doses of EPA oil (99% pure) and DHA (97% pure) ethyl esters. Twelve men aged 20-40 years with a body-mass-index of 20-27 kg/m and low fish consumption were recruited. Several measures (e.g., 4-week run-in period, standardized diet, and blood collection protocols) were taken to reduce the inter-individual variability of plasma fatty acids levels. Using a cross-over design, the subjects received 2.2 g of EPA in the first test period and 2.3 g of DHA in the second. The test periods were separated by 2 weeks. Blood samples were taken before dosing and after 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h. The mean ± SE maximum concentrations for EPA were higher than for DHA (115 ± 11 μg/mL vs. 86 ± 12 μg/mL; p = 0.05). The mean ± SE incremented area under the plasma concentration curve over 72 h for EPA (2461 ± 279 μg/mL) was 2.4 times higher (p < 0.001) than that for DHA (1021 ± 170 μg/mL). The mean ± SE half-life was for EPA and DHA was 45 ± 8 and 66 ± 12 h. Our results indicate that EPA administration in single doses leads to higher circulating plasma levels of EPA compared to an effect of an equivalent dose of DHA on DHA plasma levels.
Metabolomics study of serum from patients with type 2 diabetes: Peripheral neuropathy could be associated with sphingosine and phospholipid molecules
Zhong J, Li X, Yuan M, Chen D, Li Y, Lian X and Wang M
Abnormal lipid metabolism is one of the risk factors for type 2 diabetes mellitus peripheral neuropathy (DPN). This study aimed to determine the differences in lipid metabolism in patients with type 2 diabetes and DPN and the possible pathogenesis caused by this difference. The participants comprised type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with DPN (N = 60) and healthy controls (N = 20). Blood samples were drawn from the participants in the morning in the fasting state, and then changes in serum lipids were explored using targeted metabolomics on the liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry platform. Among the 1768 differentially abundant lipid metabolites, the results of orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis combined with random forest analysis showed that the levels of sphingosine (SPH) (d18:0), carnitine 22:1, lysophosphatidylethanolamine (LPE) (18:0/0:0), LPC (16:0/0:0), lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) (18:1/0:0), LPC (0:0/18:0) and LPE (0:0/18:1) were significantly different between the two groups. Spearman correlation analysis showed that SPH (d18:0), carnitine 22:1, LPE (18:0/0:0), and LPC (0:0/18:0) levels correlated highly with the patients' electromyography results. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway annotation and enrichment analysis of 538 differentially abundant lipid metabolites revealed that type 2 diabetes mellitus DPN was related to glycerophospholipid metabolism and glycerol metabolism. Our results further identified the dangerous lipid metabolites associated with DPN and abnormal lipid metabolism. The influence of lipid metabolites such as SPH and phospholipid molecules on DPN development in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were suggested and the possible pathogenic pathways were clarified, providing new insights into the clinical risk of DPN in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Association of serum fatty acids with bone health in rural elderly population in Qingdao, China: A cross-sectional study
Wang H, Cui G, Meng X, Wang X, Luan Z, Gong J, Dai S and Gao T
As a type of macronutrient, fatty acids (FA) play significant roles in the bone health of elderly people. However, the specific association between different types of FA and bone health is not fully understood, especially in rural elderly populations. To address this gap, a study was conducted in rural areas of Qingdao, China. Participants aged 65 and older were randomly recruited from 11 rural villages in Licha town, Qingdao City. The levels of serum FA in their serum were measured to investigate the associations between FA and bone mass. The results showed that levels of saturated fatty acids (SFA), n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA), and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-6 PUFA) were all significantly associated with bone mass. Specifically, higher levels of SFA were positively correlated with low bone mass (LBM), while PUFA levels were inversely correlated with LBM. Furthermore, the odds ratio (OR) for LBM exhibited a significant nonlinear dose-response relationship (pnonlinearity = 0.1989) with SFA levels, and a significant nonlinear dose-dependent relationship was also observed with the levels of n-3PUFA and n-6PUFA (pnonlinearity = 0.6183, 0.5808, respectively), indicating that increasing dietary PUFA intake appropriately and controlling SFA intake may benefit the bone health of elderly individuals in rural areas.
Potential of flaxseed oil blends to modulate tissue fatty acid composition and determination of safety parameters in Wistar rats
Joshi AA, Hegde MV and Zanwar AA
Non-communicable diseases (NCD) are associated with inflammation and oxidative stress which is further associated with omega-6 (ω6) and omega-3 (ω3) fatty acid (FA) imbalance favoring ω6 FA. By improving ω3 FA consumption, this imbalance can be altered to control NCD. Previously we have reported blends of flaxseed oil (FSO, ω3 FA) with palm olein (PO) or coconut oil (CO) were thermo-oxidatively stable with good storage stability and could improve ω6:ω3 ratio in cell lines. In the present study safety of these blends along with their efficacy to improve tissue FA composition particularly ω6:ω3 ratio was evaluated in Wistar rats. Institutional ethics committee approval was obtained initially. Wistar rats were supplemented with individual oils or blends (FSO with PO or CO, 20:80 by volume, 1.0 mL/day/200 gm body weight) for 3 months. Throughout the study period, there were no adverse effect of blends on feed intake and body weight gain. After 3 months, blood and serum were subjected for hematological, biochemical assessment. Vital organs were harvested for histopathological and FA composition investigations. Hematological, biochemical, and tissue histopathological parameters were comparable with Control (group receiving only normal diet). Interestingly serum lipid profile was improved by the blend supplementation. Except brain, FA composition was altered in liver, heart, adipose tissue, and RBC with lowering of ω6:ω3 ratio but there was no favorable effect on inflammatory markers and adipokines in the blend supplemented groups. Thus, to conclude, FSO blends with PO or CO were able to lower tissue ω6:ω3 ratio without adverse effects.
An interracial Mendelian analysis revealed a link between lipid-lowering drugs and renal failure
Zhang N, Ji C, Xie B, Liu Y and Yuan C
Lipid-lowering drugs have been used in clinics widely. It is unclear whether the drugs have an effect on renal failure. We chose high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (ieu-b-109), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (ieu-a-300), triglyceride (ieu-b-111), and total cholesterol (ebi-a-GCST90038690) as exposures. SNPs near drug genes served as instrumental variables. Acute renal failure (ARF) and chronic renal failure (CRF) in Europeans from the GWAS catalog were selected as outcomes. Datasets on renal failure in East Asians and South Asians were used for validation. Inverse variance weighted (IVW) was the primary method for drug-targeted Mendelian randomization. In the Europeans, people who used PPARG reduced ARF risk by 69.3% (OR: 0.307, 95% CI: 0.171-0.553, p = 0.015). NPC1L1 inhibitors increased ARF risk by 2.684 times (OR: 2.684, 95% CI: 2.027-3.341, p = 0.003). APOE increased ARF risk by 1.987 times (OR: 1.987, 95% CI: 1.062-3.716, p = 0.032) but decreased CRF risk by 49.7% (OR: 0.503, 95% CI: 0.283-0.894, p = 0.019). TNFSF12 increased CRF risk by 3.866 times (OR: 3.866, 95% CI: 1.174-12.729, p = 0.026). In the East Asians, PPARG reduced CRF risk by 85.8% (OR: 0.142, 95% CI: 0.054-0.371, p < 0.001). And in the South Asians, APOE decreased ARF risk by 99.8% (OR: 0.002, 95% CI: 2.12e-05-0.179, p = 0.007). We revealed that PPARG could reduce the risk of renal failure in Europeans and Asians. APOE could cause ARF in the Europeans, but it was protective in the South Asians. Clinicians need to consider the characteristics of the local population before administering drugs to patients of different ethnicities.
Two rodent suborders have evolved missing amino acids in the lipid-binding region of apolipoprotein E
Puppione DL
The order Rodentia comprises nearly 45% of all extant taxa, currently organized into 31 living families, some 450 genera, and roughly 2010 species (Kelt & Patton, 2020). Considering that rodents began evolving at least 66 million years ago, it is not surprising that they have diversified into five distinct suborders. With the advent of molecular biology, this difference can often be seen at the molecular level as well. Previous studies have indicated that the apolipoprotein E (APOE) of guinea pigs, belonging to the suborder Hystricomorpha, have fewer amino acids than have been reported for other suborders of Rodentia. Searching the genomic database for hystricomorph APOE genes, it was found that hystricomorphs were missing residues both in the vicinity of the hinge region and in the lipid-binding region of the apolipoprotein. In the hinge region, missing residues varied between 5 and 3, and in the latter region, seven residues were missing. The search also revealed that castorimorphs, although lacking the smaller of the two deletions, were also missing the same seven residue deletion as found in APOE of the hystricomorphs.
Inverse association of triglyceride-glucose and triglyceride/HDL-c indexes with serum 25(OH) vitamin D levels in US adults
Ji L, Li S, Yuan T, Li S, Shu R and Yang H
The triglyceride-glucose index (TyG) and the triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein ratio (TG/HDL-c) are novel indicators for assessing insulin resistance (IR) in epidemiological studies. This study aimed to evaluate the association between 25-hydroxy-vitamin D [25(OH)D] levels and these two indicators in the adult population of the United States. 14,380 participants aged 20 years and older were included from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Multivariable linear regression models were used to analyze the association between 25(OH)D and TyG, as well as TG/HDL-c. Smooth fitting curves were employed to identify potential non-linear relationships between 25(OH)D, TyG, and TG/HDL-c. The findings revealed a negative association between 25(OH)D and TyG, with the effect being more pronounced in males and individuals with diabetes (p < 0.01). Similarly, 25(OH)D was negatively associated with TG/HDL-c, with a stronger impact observed in males compared to females. The study population was divided into four quartiles based on 25(OH)D concentration, and TyG and TG/HDL-c levels in Q3 and Q4 were lower than those in Q1. Furthermore, a non-linear relationship was observed between 25(OH)D and TyG, with an inflection point at 19.352 ng/mL. A non-linear relationship was also found between TG/HDL-c and 25(OH)D, with an inflection point at 37.211 ng/mL. 25(OH)D is an independent factor significantly associated with TyG and TG/HDL-c indexes. This negative association may be related to the role of 25(OH)D in insulin resistance.
Regression of carotid atherosclerosis in high-risk individuals with proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitors
Luu AZ, Hajiesmaeili Y, Faezi S, Spence JD, Hackam DG, Hadizadeh H, Sohrevardi SM and Azarpazhooh MR
Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors represent a novel approach for reducing cholesterol and, accordingly, the burden of atherosclerosis. However, limited data are available regarding the possible effects of PCSK9 inhibitors on atherosclerotic plaque. To evaluate the efficacy of PCSK9 inhibitors in reducing carotid plaque progression in individuals with high-risk carotid atherosclerotic disease. We used carotid total plaque area (TPA) to assess the burden of atherosclerosis. Ultrasound imaging of the carotid was acquired before and after the initiation of PCSK9 inhibitor therapy. We selected high-risk cases with atherosclerosis with a minimum of three ultrasound examinations, 1 year before, one at the time of initiation of a PCSK9 inhibitor, and 1 year after initiating a PCSK9 inhibitor. Statistical analysis was conducted using the mixed-effects model with Restricted Maximum Likelihood (REML). We reviewed data from 131 patients with a mean follow-up of 6 (±4) years. Patients were high-risk, with the majority having diabetes or hypertension. There was a decrease in TPA, particularly during the first 3 years after initiating PCSK9 inhibitor therapy (p < 0.05). Furthermore, we observed that individuals with higher baseline serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels experienced a greater decline in TPA (p < 0.05). PCSK9 inhibitors are effective in achieving plaque regression in high-risk patients with atherosclerosis. This is important, as plaque regression is associated with a lower risk of stroke, myocardial infarction, or vascular death.
Digestion and absorption of triacetin, a short-chain triacylglycerol
Yoshimura Y, Matsui T, Kaneko N and Kobayashi I
Triacylglycerol (TG) is categorized into long-, medium-, and short-chain TG (SCTG). While the digestion of long- and medium-chain TG is well established, the process for SCTG remains unclear. This study investigated SCTG digestion by administering 2 mmol of triacetin to rats and analyzing acetin, acetic acid, and glycerol levels in the portal blood and small intestine. Triacetin was fully degraded in the upper gastrointestinal tract and absorbed as acetic acid and glycerol. Glycerol influx into the liver promoted gluconeogenesis, while acetate activated AMPK, resulting in the suppression of fatty acid synthesis-related genes and the upregulation of fatty acid β-oxidation-related genes. These findings demonstrate that triacetin not only serves as a substrate for energy metabolism but also regulates hepatic gene expression, highlighting its dual role as both a metabolic substrate and signaling molecule. Triacetin thus shows potential as a dietary modulator for improving metabolic health.
Accuracy analysis of cholesterol analyzer in detecting dyslipidemia in truck drivers
Machado AAV, Cunha RVC, de Arruda RBP, Silva TO, de Oliveira JC, Cury ESJ, Sales A, Korin SH, Ferraz Cabral FJ, Roever L and Grande AJ
Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are a leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Rapid diagnostic tools are crucial for timely intervention, especially in high-risk groups such as truck drivers. In Brazil, the Mission® test uniquely offers test strips for simultaneous measurement of total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), triglycerides (TG), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL). This study evaluates the accuracy of the Mission® analyzer compared to laboratory testing for HDL-C, TG, and TC in truck drivers. A blinded cross-sectional study was conducted among truck drivers aged 30-64 in Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. Spearman correlation, linear regression, and the Bland-Altman analyses were employed to compare lipid profile results between the Mission® analyzer and laboratory methods. A total of 108 samples were analyzed. For HDL, the Mission® analyzer showed a sensitivity of 0.88, a specificity of 0.67, and an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.77 (95% CI: 0.68-0.86). For TG, sensitivity and specificity were 0.96 and 0.98, respectively, with an AUC of 0.97 (95% CI: 0.93-1.0). For TC, the AUC was 0.87 (95% CI: 0.79-0.95). Bland-Altman analysis revealed biases of -4.5 for HDL, 12.4 for TC, and -42.8 for TG between Mission® and laboratory results. The Mission® analyzer demonstrates good accuracy for rapid dyslipidemia diagnosis and Framingham Global Risk Score calculation. It is a valuable tool for initial screening and risk assessment, confirmation with laboratory testing is recommended for definitive diagnosis and treatment planning.
Longitudinal associations of lipid profiles with sleep disorders in patients with Parkinson's disease
Ye M, Ji Q, Liu Q, Kang X and Zhan Y
To examine the associations of apolipoprotein E (APOE) carrier status and lipid profiles with sleep disorders, including excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) and probable rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder (pRBD), among patients with early Parkinson's disease (PD) over 5-year follow-up periods. The Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative is a multicenter cohort study based on an ongoing and open-ended registry. Data from baseline and 5-year follow-up visits from participants of de novo PD were analyzed. Longitudinal associations of APOE carrier status and lipid profiles with sleep disorders were estimated via linear mixed-effects models. A total of 657 participants with complete APOE genotypes were enrolled at baseline. Among them, 153 (25.3%) had available lipid profiles at baseline. In the linear mixed-effects models, baseline APOE ε2/ε3/ε4 carrier status did not exhibit significant associations with EDS and pRBD (all p > 0.05) in all models. However, reduced high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and elevated triglycerides (TG) were associated with developing EDS (β = -0.04, 95% CI: -0.07, -0.00) and pRBD (β = 0.01, 95% CI: 0.00, 0.02) in PD patients, respectively. In the APOE ε4+ subgroup, decreased HDL and increased TG displayed substantial associations with developing EDS and sleep disorders (all p < 0.05) in all models, respectively, whereas no significant differences were noted in the APOE ε4- subgroup (all p > 0.05). Our study did not demonstrate a clear association between APOE ε2/ε3/ε4 and sleep disorders in PD patients. However, the presence of APOE ε4 was associated with changes in lipid profiles, notably affecting TG and HDL levels.
High-density lipoprotein cholesterol to c-reactive protein ratio predicts atrial fibrillation recurrence after electrical cardioversion
Sonsöz MR, Demirtaş İ, Canbolat O, Karadamar N, Özkan E and Özateş YS
Atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence after cardioversion is common, and inflammation plays a critical role in its pathophysiology. We aimed to elucidate the predictive role of the ratio of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol to c-reactive protein (HDL-C/CRP) as an inflammatory marker in AF recurrence after electrical cardioversion (ECV). We analyzed patients who underwent elective ECV for atrial fibrillation between June 2020 and December 2023. Baseline levels of HDL-C and CRP were obtained. Ninety-six patients were included. The median age was 59 years, and 48% were female. Atrial fibrillation recurred after ECV in 56 patients (58%). In the AF recurrence group, CHADS-VASc score was higher (2 [1-3] vs. 1[0-2]; p = 0.013), left atrial diameter was larger (43 ± 5 vs. 40 ± 6 mm; p = 0.015), and HDL-C/CRP ratio was lower (5.6 [2.7-13.0] vs. 14.0 [4.8-38.0]; p = 0.003) compared with the sinus rhythm group. Cox regression analysis showed that HDL-C/CRP was a predictor of AF recurrence at follow-up (unadjusted HR = 0.97; CI 95%: 0.95-0.99; p = 0.004; adjusted HR = 0.98; CI 95%: 0.96-0.99; p = 0.030). ROC curve showed that HDL-C/CRP ratio was able to predict AF recurrence after ECV (AUC = 0.68; p = 0.003). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that patients with baseline HDL-C/CRP <7.4 had higher AF recurrence (log-rank test p = 0.013). Our research demonstrated that the lower HDL-C/CRP ratio predicted AF recurrence after ECV during follow-up.
Effects of enrichment of live prey with soy lecithin on growth, stress resistance, digestive enzymes activity, and antioxidant capacity in yellowfin seabream (Acanthopagrus latus) larvae
Morshedi V, Torfi Mozanzadeh M, Noori F, Agh N, Jafari F, Hamedi S, Azodi M, Afshar Moghadam R and Eryalçın KM
Phospholipid (PL) is an essential nutrient that has vital effects on growth, stress resistance, and early development in marine fish larvae. In this regard, a 30-day feeding experiment was conducted in order to examine the effects of live prey enrichment with graded levels of soy lecithin (SL) on some physiological responses of Acanthopagrus latus larvae. Four experimental emulsion levels of SL were used to enrich rotifer and Artemia including very low (2%, N-Nil), low (4%, L), medium (8%, M), and high (12%, H). Newly hatched larvae were distributed into 12,250-L cylindrical tanks with an initial density of 15,000 larvae in each tank that was supplied with natural seawater (23 ± 1°C; 40.0 ± 1.0 g L). Larvae fed live prey enriched with 4% SL significantly had higher wet weight gain than other treatments. Air exposure and osmotic activity tests were also performed to detect larval resistance to stress. Larvae fed live prey enriched with 8% and 12% SL had higher survival compared to the other two groups. The accumulation of arachidonic (ARA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) was increased in the whole body of larvae fed high SL-supplemented live prey. Alkaline phosphatase and aminopeptidase N activities in the guts brush border membrane of larvae in M and H groups were higher than other treatments. The trypsin and chymotrypsin activities in the N group were lower than in other groups. The highest and lowest amylase activities were in the H and N groups, respectively. The activity of catalase in the whole body of the M group was higher than the N group and the glutathione reductase activity was significantly increased in the M and L groups compared to the N and H groups. Total antioxidant capacity in the whole body of larvae in the N group was lower than in the other treatments. In summary, moderate levels of SL (4%-8%) are suggested for the enrichment of live prey in A. latus.
Characteristics of intestinal flora in nonobese nonalcoholic fatty liver disease patients and the impact of ursodeoxycholic acid treatment on these features
Wang L, Xu J, You N, Shao L, Zhuang Z, Zhuo L, Liu J and Shi J
The study aimed to investigate the alterations in gut microbiota among nonobese individuals with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and their response to treatment with ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA). A total of 90 patients diagnosed with NAFLD and 36 healthy subjects were recruited to participate in this study. Among them, a subgroup of 14 nonobese nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) were treated with UDCA. Demographic and serologic data were collected for all participants, while stool samples were obtained for fecal microbiome analysis using 16S sequencing. In nonobese NAFLD patients, the alpha diversity of intestinal flora decreased (Shannon index, p < 0.05), and the composition of intestinal flora changed (beta diversity, p < 0.05). The abundance of 20 genera, including Fusobacterium, Lachnoclostridium, Klebsiella, etc., exhibited significant changes (p < 0.05). Among them, nine species including Fusobacterium, Lachnoclostridium, Klebsiella, etc. were found to be associated with abnormal liver enzymes and glucolipid metabolic disorders. Among the 14 NASH patients treated with UDCA, improvements were observed in terms of liver enzymes, CAP values, and E values (p < 0.05), however, no improve the glucolipid metabolism. While the alpha diversity of intestinal flora did not show significant changes after UDCA treatment, there was a notable alteration in the composition of intestinal flora (beta diversity, p < 0.05). Furthermore, UCDA treatment led to an improvement in the relative abundance of Alistipes, Holdemanella, Gilisia, etc. among nonobese NASH patients (p < 0.05). Nonobese NAFLD patients exhibit dysbiosis of the intestinal microbiota. UDCA can ameliorate hepatic enzyme abnormalities and reduce liver fat content in nonobese NASH patients, potentially through its ability to restore intestinal microbiota balance.
Impact of exercise intervention with or without curcumin supplementation on body fat composition, glucose, and lipid metabolism in obese adults: A meta-analysis
Li Y, Guo L, Zhang D and Ma J
This study was carried out to systematically review and evaluate the influence of exercise with and without curcumin on body fat composition, glucose, and lipid metabolism in obese adults. Search for eligible studies through four databases, and then proceed with screening. The inclusion criteria are as follows: (1) obese adults; (2) randomized controlled trial (RCT); (3) classified the exercise intervention with curcumin supplementation as the exercise with curcumin (CU) group and without curcumin supplementation as the exercise without curcumin (EX) group; (4) Conducted pre- and post-training assessments, which include body fat composition, glucose and lipid metabolism parameters. Use the Cochrane bias risk assessment tool to evaluate the quality of the selected study. Select standardized mean difference (SMD) as the appropriate effect scale index, and use Revman 5.4 software to analyze the mean difference of the selected article data with a 95% confidence interval (CI). A total of seven studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were selected for the meta-analysis. The included studies involved 72 males and 111 females, where 94 belonged to the EX group and 89 from the CU group. The CU group benefited more from the reduced Fat% (SMD, 2.18 [0.12, 4.24], p < 0.05, I = 0%, p for heterogeneity = 0.98) than the EX group. The study demonstrated that the combined exercise intervention with curcumin supplementation significantly reduced Fat% in obese adults compared with exercise without supplementing curcumin.
Association of erythrocyte fatty acid compositions with the risk of pancreatic cancer: A case-control study
Wang Y, Wu G, Wang Y, Xiao F, Yin H, Yu L, Shehzad Q, Zhang H, Jin Q and Wang X
Pancreatic cancer (PC) is one of the most fatal malignancies, which has attracted scientists to investigate its etiology and pathogenesis. Nevertheless, the association between erythrocyte fatty acids and PC risk remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the association between levels of erythrocyte fatty acids and PC risk. The erythrocyte fatty acid compositions of 105 PC patients and 120 controls were determined by gas chromatography. Cases and controls were frequency matched by age and sex. Multivariable conditional logistic regression model and restricted cubic spline were applied to estimate the odds ratio with 95% confidence interval (OR, 95% CI) of erythrocyte fatty acids and PC risk. Our main findings indicated a significant negative association between levels of erythrocyte total monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) and the risk of PC (OR = 0.30 [0.14, 0.63] and OR = 0.15 [0.06, 0.33], respectively). In contrast, erythrocyte n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids, specifically linoleic acid (LA) and arachidonic acid (AA) levels, were positively associated with PC incidence (R = 4.24 [1.97, 9.46] and OR = 4.53 [2.09, 10.20]). Total saturated fatty acid (SFA), especially high levels of palmitic acid (16:0), was positively associated with the risk of PC (OR = 3.25 [1.53, 7.08]). Our findings suggest that levels of different types of fatty acids in erythrocytes may significantly alter PC susceptibility. Protective factors against PC include unsaturated fatty acids such as n-3 PUFA and MUFA.
Expression of Concern
Expression of Concern
Expression of Concern
Expression of Concern