Associations of genetic variants of lysophosphatidylcholine metabolic enzymes with levels of serum lipids.

OBJECTIVE: Metabolic disturbance of lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) is related with dyslipidemia. Therefore, eight single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were selected from LPC metabolic enzymes to study their associations with obesity and serum levels of lipids. METHODS: A total of 3305 children were recruited from four independent studies. Eight SNPs of LPC metabolic enzymes were selected and genotyped with the matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). The multivariable linear regression model was applied to detect the associations of eight SNPs with obesity-related phenotypes and levels of lipids in each study. Meta-analyses were used to combine the results of four studies. RESULTS: Only SNP rs4420638 of APOC-1 gene was associated with serum lipids even after Bonferroni correction. The rs4420638 was positively associated with TC (ß = 0.15, P = 8.59 × 10-9) and low-density-lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C, ß = 0.16, P = 9.98 × 10-14) individually. CONCLUSION: The study firstly revealed the association between APOC-1/rs4420638 and levels of serum lipids in Chinese children, providing evidence for susceptible gene variants of dyslipidemia.

Genetic variants in the FAM3C gene are associated with lipid traits in Chinese children.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have related FAM3C gene with childhood bone health, and the regulation of lipid metabolism in hepatocytes. The present case-control study aimed to analyze the association of FAM3C genetic variants with overweight/obesity and lipid traits among Chinese children. METHODS: Two genetic variants (rs7776725 and rs7793554) within the FAM3C gene were genotyped in 3305 Chinese children aged 6-18 years. RESULTS: In the whole study population, the T-allele of rs7776725 and A-allele of rs7793554 within the FAM3C gene were associated with 40.2% (95% CI: 11.6-76.1%; P = 0.004) and 29.1% (6.9-56.0%; P = 0.008) increased risk of dyslipidemia, higher triglyceride (P = 0.014 and P = 0.001) and lower HDL-C (P = 0.015 and P = 0.003). In addition, we found that rs7776725 interacted with sex on dyslipidemia (Pfor interaction = 0.004), and sex-stratified analyses showed that it was significantly associated with dyslipidemia only in girls (P = 8.78 × 10-5). The variant also showed nominally significant interactions with sex on total cholesterol and LDL-C (Pfor interaction = 0.012 and 0.008). CONCLUSION: We found that FAM3C genetic variants were associated with dyslipidemia and lipid traits among Chinese children. In addition, we found significant gene-by-sex interactions. Our findings provided evidence supporting the role of FAM3C gene in regulating lipid metabolism in humans. IMPACT: FAM3C genetic variants were associated with dyslipidemia and lipid traits among Chinese children. In addition, we found significant gene-by-sex interactions. FAM3C/rs7776725 was associated with dyslipidemia and lipid traits only in girls. Our findings provided evidence supporting the role of FAM3C gene in regulating lipid metabolism in humans.

Causal associations of body mass index and waist-to-hip ratio with cardiometabolic traits among Chinese children: A Mendelian randomization study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) have been reported to be causally associated with cardiometabolic diseases in adults in European populations. However, this causality was less explored in East Asian populations and in children. Our study aimed to explore and compare the causal associations of general obesity (measured by BMI) and central obesity (measured by WHR) with cardiometabolic traits. METHODS AND RESULTS: We performed a Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis in 2030 unrelated children from two independent case-control studies in Beijing, China. BMI-associated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and WHR-SNPs identified by previous genome-wide association studies were used as genetic instruments to examine the casual associations of BMI and WHR with cardiometabolic traits, including glycemic traits, blood lipids, and blood pressure. Each 1-SD increase in BMI and WHR were significantly associated with 0.111 mmol/L and 0.110 mmol/L increase in log-transformed fasting insulin (FINS), 0.049 and 0.060 increase in log-transformed HOMA-ß, 0.112 and 0.108 increase in log-transformed HOMA-IR, 0.009 mmol/L and 0.015 mmol/L increase in log-transformed triglyceride, and 15.527 mmHg and 7.277 mmHg increase in systolic blood pressure, respectively (all P < 0.05). The receiver operating characteristic curves showed that WHR had a stronger effect on FINS, HOMA-ß, HOMA-IR, and triglyceride than BMI (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Using the MR method, we found that the genetic predisposition to higher BMI or WHR was associated with altered cardiometabolic traits in Chinese children. When compared with general obesity, central obesity might have stronger effects on glycemic traits and blood lipids among children.

The sugar and energy in non-carbonated sugar-sweetened beverages: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The consumption of non-carbonated sugar-sweetened beverages (NCSSBs) has many adverse health effects. However, the sugar and energy content in NCSSBs sold in China remain unknown. We aimed to investigate the sugar and energy content of NCSSBs in China and how these contents were labelled. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 15 supermarkets in Haidian District, Beijing from July to October 2017. The product packaging and nutrient information panels of NCSSBs were recorded to obtain type of products (local/imported), serving size, nutrient contents of carbohydrate, sugar and energy. For those NCSSBs without sugar content information, we used carbohydrate content as a replacement. RESULTS: A total of 463 NCSSBs met the inclusion criteria and were included in our analysis. The median of sugar content and energy content was 9.6 [interquartile range (IQR): 7.1-11.3] g/100 ml and 176 (IQR: 121-201) kJ/100 ml. The median of sugar contents in juice drinks, tea-based beverages, sports drinks and energy drinks were 10.4, 8.5, 5.0 and 7.4 g/100 ml. Imported products had higher sugar and energy content than local products. There were 95.2% products of NCSSBs receiving a 'red'(high) label for sugars per portion according to the UK criteria, and 81.6% products exceeding the daily free sugar intake recommendation from the World Health Organization (25 g). There were 82 (17.7%) products with sugar content on the nutrition labels and 60.2% of them were imported products. CONCLUSIONS: NCSSBs had high sugar and energy content, and few of them provided sugar content information on their nutrition labels especially in local products. Measures including developing better regulation of labelling, reducing sugar content and restricting the serving size are needed for reducing sugar intakes in China.

Physical activity attenuates the association between the IRS1 genotype and childhood obesity in Chinese children.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS1) rs2943650 was found to be associated with obesity in adults, but the association has not been evaluated in children. The present study aimed to examine whether IRS1 rs2943650 was associated with obesity in Chinese children and investigate the interaction between rs2943650 and physical activity. METHODS AND RESULTS: IRS1 rs2943650 was genotyped in 3303 Chinese children aged 6-18 years recruited from four independent studies. Logistic regression and linear regression were performed to examine associations. Meta-analyses were conducted to pool the results of the four independent studies. The C-allele carriers of rs2943650 showed a 29% higher risk of obesity than noncarriers (OR (95% CI) = 1.29 (1.05, 1.58), P = 0.02) and a 0.41 kg/m2 increase in BMI (ß (95% CI) = 0.41 (0.05, 0.78) kg/m2, P = 0.02). We also observed significant interactions between rs2943650 and physical activity/sedentary behaviors on obesity (Pforinteraction<0.05). Compared with the physically active children (physical activity ≥1 h/d and sedentary behaviors <2 h/d), the risk allele (C) of rs2943650 was significantly associated with a 241% increased risk of obesity among inactive children who participated in physical activity <1 h/d and sedentary behaviors ≥2 h/d (OR (95% CI) = 3.41 (1.45, 8.01), P = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: We found that IRS1 rs2943650 was significantly associated with BMI and risk of childhood obesity. Additionally, we also found significant interaction between IRS1 rs2943650 polymorphism and physical activity/sedentary behaviors on childhood obesity. Our study would provide novel insights into the function of the IRS1 gene and the implementation of effective intervention strategies of childhood obesity.

Combined effects of the rs9810888 polymorphism in calcium voltage-gated channel subunit alpha1 D (CACNA1D) and lifestyle behaviors on blood pressure level among Chinese children.

BACKGROUNDS: A recent GWAS Study found a new locus (rs9810888 in CACNA1D) was associated with blood pressure (BP) in Chinese adults. But whether the association exists in children is unknown. Whether lifestyle behaviors could interact with rs9810888 on BP is not clear. This study aimed to identify the association between rs9810888 and BP in children, and also explore the gene-lifestyle interaction. METHODS: A case-control study was conducted among 2030 Chinese children aged 7 to 18 years. Genotyping was conducted by using the matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Lifestyle behaviors were investigated with questionnaire. RESULTS: With adjustment for age, age square, sex, study group and body mass index (BMI), rs9810888 was significantly associated with diastolic BP (DBP) (b = 1.69, p = 0.021) and mean arterial BP (MAP) (b = 1.56, p = 0.010). Stratified analysis showed that the rs9810888 GG genotype carriers had higher DBP than GT/TT carriers (b = 3.78, p = 0.023) in the subgroup having protein intake (meat/fish/soybeans/egg)

Interaction between lifestyle behaviors and genetic polymorphism in SCAP gene on blood pressure among Chinese children.

BACKGROUNDS: Previous studies had revealed that sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP) cleavage-activating protein (SCAP) rs12487736 polymorphism was associated with blood pressure (BP), but whether rs12487736 could interact with lifestyle behaviors on BP is unknown. METHODS: A case-control study with 1092 Chinese children was conducted. RESULTS: We found an interaction between rs12487736 and high calorie foods intake (fried chips/cakes/cookies) on systolic blood pressure (SBP) (Pinteraction = 0.027), and rs12487736 was associated with SBP in the subgroup having high calorie foods at least once in the last week (b = 2.19, P = 0.025), but not in the subgroup not having high calorie foods. Also, interaction between protein intake (meat/fish/soy beans/egg) and rs12487736 on diastolic BP (DBP) was identified (Pinteraction = 0.049); rs12487736 was associated with DBP in the subgroup consuming protein (meat/fish/soy beans/egg)

Sex differences in the awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension in China: a systematic review with meta-analyses.

Hypertension is the major cause of preventable disease burden in China. However, limited evidence is available on sex differences in the awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension. We assessed sex differences in the awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension in China. A systematic search of four English language and four Chinese-language databases was conducted to identify studies conducted from 2005 that reported sex-specific data on the awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension in China. Random-effects meta-analysis weighted by the inverse of the variances were used to obtain pooled sex-specific rates and women-minus-men differences, and their 95% confidence intervals (CI). Overall, 57 studies comprising 2,155,829 individuals (55% women) were included. Awareness (53% in women vs. 47% in men), treatment among all (44% vs. 38%), treatment among aware (65% vs. 60%), control among all (17% vs. 14%), and control among treated (27% vs. 27%) were low for both sexes, but more favourable in women than men. The corresponding women-minus men difference was 7% (95% CI: 6; 8%) for awareness, 6% (5; 8%) for treatment among all, 6% (2; 9%) for treatment among aware, 3% (2; 3%) for control among all, and 0% (-2; 1%) for control among treated. Awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension in China is low in both sexes, but greater in women than men. Sex-specific interventions may be needed to efficiently combat the burden of hypertension.

Sugar and energy content of carbonated sugar-sweetened beverages in Haidian District, Beijing: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: The consumption of carbonated sugar-sweetened beverages (CSSBs) is associated with a range of health problems, but little is known about the sugar and energy content of CSSBs in China. The study aimed to investigate the sugar and energy content of CSSBs in Beijing, China. STUDY DESIGN: We carried out a cross-sectional survey in 15 different supermarkets from July to October 2017 in Haidian District, Beijing. METHODS: The product packaging and nutrient labels of CSSBs were recorded by a snapshot in time to obtain company name, product name, serving size, and nutrient content, that is, carbohydrate, sugar and energy. For CSSB labels not showing sugar content, we used carbohydrate content as substitute. The sugar and energy content of CSSBs within each type of flavour were compared using Kruskal-Wallis test. The sugar content within the recommended levels was described using frequency. We also compared the sugar and energy content of top 5 CSSBs in terms of sales among three countries (China, UK and USA). RESULTS: A total of 93 CSSB products were found. The median sugar content was 9.3 (IQR: 5.7-11.2) g/100 mL, and the energy content was 38 (IQR: 23-46) kcal/100 mL. There were 79 products labelled 'Red' (high) per serving based on the criteria set in the UK (>11.25 g/100 mL). We found 62.4% of CSSBs had sugar content per serving that exceeds the daily free sugar intake for adults (25 g) recommended by the WHO. Some of the branded products sold in China had higher sugar content when they were compared with those in Western countries. CONCLUSIONS: CSSBs in Beijing, China have high sugar and energy content. Reduction in sugar content and serving size of CSSBs and taxation policy on beverages will be beneficial in reducing sugar intake in China.

Interfacial fabrication of single-crystalline ZnTe nanorods with high blue fluorescence.

From the perspective of practical application, the development of fluorescent nanocrystals with low toxicity and desirable optical properties is highly needed. Here we report a new liquid-liquid interfacial synthesis of single-crystalline ZnTe nanorods with high fluorescence. With the use of long-alkyl-chain fatty acid as the capping ligand, the reaction of zinc acrylate with NaHTe under a moderate temperature (~90 °C) at the toluene/water interface yielded high-quality ZnTe nanorods. The preparation parameters and the growth mechanism were thoroughly investigated. The as-prepared ZnTe nanorods exhibited stable blue fluorescence with quantum yield up to 60%. This bright and stable emission gives promise for the use of these relatively benign nanorods in various applications such as blue light-emitting diodes.