Low-Mineral Water Diminishes the Bone Benefits of Boron.

This study looked at how desalinated seawater, which has low minerals and high boron, could affect bone health. Prior research suggests that low mineral water may harm bone health and boron could be beneficial, but the overall impact on bone health is still unclear. Eighty-nine-week-old male Balb/C mice were allocated into eight groups and administered either tap water or purified water with varying boron concentrations (0, 5, 40, and 200 mg/L). They were kept in an environment mimicking tropical conditions (35-40 °C, 70-80% humidity) and underwent daily treadmill exercise for 13 weeks. At the 14th week, serum, femora, and lumbar vertebrae were collected for mineral metabolism, bone biomarker, microstructure, and biomechanics evaluation. Boron exposure improved bone formation, microstructure, and biomechanics initially but the benefits weakened with higher levels of exposure (p < 0.05). Co-exposure to purified water elevated serum boron but weakened the promotion of boron on bone minerals and the bone benefits of boron compared to tap water (p < 0.05). Thus, when studying the health effects of boron in desalinated seawater, it is crucial to look at various health effects beyond bone health. Furthermore, it is important to consider the mineral composition of drinking water when using boron for bone health benefits.

Long-Term Consumption of Purified Water Altered Amino Acid, Fatty Acid and Energy Metabolism in Livers of Rats.

The consumption of low-mineral water has been increasing worldwide. Drinking low-mineral water is associated with cardiovascular disease, osteopenia, and certain neurodegenerative diseases. However, the specific mechanism remains unclear. The liver metabolic alterations in rats induced by drinking purified water for 3 months were investigated with a metabolomics-based strategy. Compared with the tap water group, 74 metabolites were significantly changed in the purified water group (6 increased and 68 decreased), including 29 amino acids, 11 carbohydrates, 10 fatty acids, 7 short chain fatty acids (SCFAs), and 17 other biomolecules. Eight metabolic pathways were significantly changed, namely aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis; nitrogen metabolism; alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism; arginine and proline metabolism; histidine metabolism; biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids; butanoate metabolism; and glycine, serine and threonine metabolism. These changes suggested that consumption of purified water induced negative nitrogen balance, reduced expression of some polyunsaturated fatty acids and SCFAs, and disturbed energy metabolism in rats. These metabolic disturbances may contribute to low-mineral-water-associated health risks. The health risk of consuming low-mineral water requires attention.

Microcystin-leucine-arginine impairs bone microstructure and biomechanics by activating osteoimmune response and inhibiting osteoblasts maturation in developing rats.

Microcystin-LR (MC-LR) affects bone health in adult mice via osteo-immunomodulation. However, its effect on osteoblasts and bone development is unclear. This study investigated the effect of MC-LR on bone osteoimmune and osteoblasts in the developing period. 18 Four-week-old male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into two groups (n = 9 per group) and exposed to 0 (control) and 1 µg/kg b.w. MC-LR (exposure) by intraperitoneal injection for four weeks. The heart blood was collected for serological examination, and the femur for morphological, histopathological, and biomechanical analysis. MC-LR exposure significantly weakened bone microstructures (bone volume, bone volume/total volume, bone trabecular number, connectivity density) and biomechanics (maximum loads and maximum deflection) (P < 0.05). Besides, MC-LR decreased serum procollagen type І car-boxy-terminal propeptide, osteocalcin, bone morphogenetic protein-2, osteoprotegerin, and receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand, while elevating osteoclasts number, matrix metalloproteinase-9, ß-catenin, Runt-related transcription factor 2, and osterix in bone, and bone alkaline phosphate, C-terminal cross-linked telopeptide of type-I collagen, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-5b in serum (P < 0.05). Moreover, MC-LR increased CD4+ T-cells, CD4+/CD8+, M1 and M2 macrophages, and cells apoptosis in the bone marrow, interleukin-6, interleukin-17, and tumor necrosis factor-α in serum, decreased serum interleukin-10 (P < 0.05). Overall, MC-LR can promote bone resorption by activating osteoclasts via osteoimmunology, which may involve macrophages besides lymphocytes. MC-LR may inhibit bone formation by stopping the osteoblasts at an immature stage. Thus, MC-LR weakened bone microstructure and biomechanics in developing period. Its risk on bone development needs further study.

Consumption of very low-mineral water may threaten cardiovascular health by increasing homocysteine in children.

Introduction: Homocysteine (Hcy) is a critical factor for cardiovascular injury, and the elevation of Hcy in children will inevitably increase the risk of cardiovascular disease in adulthood. This study explored the effect of very low-mineral water on children's Hcy and cardiovascular health. Materials and methods: This was a retrospective cohort study that recruited two groups of 10-13-year-old children who had consumed direct drinking water (DDW) in school for 4 years. The control group (NW) (119 boys, 110 girls) consumed normal DDW (conductivity 345 µs/cm). The very low-mineral water consumption group (VLW) (223 boys, 208 girls) consumed very low-mineral DDW (conductivity 40.0 µs/cm). Serum Hcy, Hcy metabolites, cofactors of Hcy metabolism, and cardiovascular biomarkers were assessed and standardized by age- and sex-specific Z-scores, and the differences between the two groups were analyzed with independent t-test. The relationships between Hcy metabolism biomarkers and key factors, cardiovascular biomarkers, serum Ca, and mineral intake were analyzed with linear regression. Results: Compared with the NW group, the VLW group had significantly higher serum Hcy, Apo-B, Apo-B/A1, and oxLDL, and lower serum 1,25,(OH)2D3, vitamin B6 and B12, 5-methyltetrahydrofolate, and Apo-A1. Serum Hcy was positively associated with serum Apo-B and Apo-B/A1, and negatively associated with Ca intake from water and serum 1,25,(OH)2D3. Conclusion: This study suggested that drinking very low-mineral water may increase Hcy level and oxidative stress, worsen lipid profile, and threaten the cardiovascular system in children. Reducing 1,25,(OH)2D3, and disordering of calcium metabolism might play important roles. This study first established an association between demineralized drinking water and cardiovascular health in children, suggesting a new environmental concern risk to cardiovascular health.

Drinking Natural Mineral Water Maintains Bone Health in Young Rats With Metabolic Acidosis.

Introduction: Metabolic acidosis affects bone health. It remains unclear whether drinking natural mineral water is better for maintaining bone health in the youth with metabolic acidosis. Materials and Methods: Sixty young female rats (3-weeks-old) were randomly divided into three groups and drank purified water (PW, as control), bicarbonate-rich natural mineral water (Bic-NMW), or sulfate-rich natural mineral water (Sul-NMW), which, respectively, contained calcium (0.17, 155, and 175 mg/L), bicarbonate (0.1360, and 139 mg/L) and sulfate (0, 35.6, and 532 mg/L), for 16 weeks. In the last 3 weeks, metabolic acidosis was induced in 10 rats per group by adding NH4Cl (0.28 mM) to drinking water. The rats' blood, urine, and femur were collected for assessing acid-base status, calcium metabolism, bone microstructure, and strength. The difference between the three groups was determined using one-way ANOVA followed by the Student-Newman-Keuls test or Dunnett's T3 test. Results: Compared with the PW rats, the Bic-NMW rats and the Sul-NMW rats had less urine net acid excretion (-1.51, 0.20 vs. 10.77, EQ/L), higher bone mineral density (442.50, 407.49 vs. 373.28, mg/mm3), growth cartilage width (271.83, 283.83 vs. 233.27, µm) and cortical trabecular area (9.33, 9.55 vs. 5.05, mm2), and smaller cortical marrow cavity area (5.40, 5.49 vs. 7.27, mm2) in the femur (P < 0.05). Besides, the Bic-NMW rats had less serum calcium (2.53 vs. 2.68, mmol/L) and C-terminal cross-linked telopeptide of type-I collagen (1.35 vs. 1.93, ng/mL), and higher serum calcitonin (0.61 vs. 0.39, µg/L), femoral trabecular thickness (0.10 vs. 0.09, µm), bone volume/total volume (0.42 vs. 0.34, %), cortical bone area (15.91 vs. 12.80, mm2), and ultimate stress (35.12 vs. 29.32, MPa) (P < 0.05). The Sul-NMW rats had more osteoclasts (22.50 vs. 11.54, cells/field) (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Drinking natural mineral water, especially bicarbonate-rich natural mineral water, is effective in improving bone health in young rats with metabolic acidosis. These benefits include maintaining bone mineral density, and improving bone microstructure and biomechanical properties via moderating metabolic acidosis.

Association of serum microcystin levels with neurobehavior of school-age children in rural area of Southwest China: A cross-sectional study.

To investigate whether microcystin-LR (MC-LR) influences children's cognitive function and memory ability, we measured serum MC-LR and whole blood lead levels in 697 primary students, and collected their academic and neurobehavioral test scores. The median of serum MC-LR levels was 0.80 µg/L (the value below the limit of detection to 1.67 µg/L). The shapes of the associations of serum MC-LR levels (cut-point: 0.95 µg/L) with scores on academic achievements, digit symbol substitution test and long-term memory test were parabolic curves. Logistic regression analysis showed that MC-LR at concentrations of 0.80-0.95 µg/L was associated with the increased probability of higher achievements on academic achievements [odds ratio (OR) = 2.20, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.28-3.79], and also with scores on digit symbol substitution test (OR = 1.73, 95% CI: 1.05-2.86), overall memory quotient (OR = 2.27, 95% CI: 1.21-4.26), long-term memory (OR = 1.85, 95% CI: 1.01-3.38) and short-term memory (OR = 2.13, 95% CI: 1.14-3.98) after adjustment for confounding factors. Antagonism of MC-LR and lead on long-term memory was observed (synergism index = 0.15, 95% CI: 0.03-0.74). In conclusion, serum MC-LR at concentrations of 0.80-0.95 µg/L was positively associated with higher scores on cognitive and neurobehavioral tests, and antagonism between MC-LR at concentrations of 0.80-1.67 µg/L and lead exposure was obviously observed on long-term memory in children. Concerning that MC-LR is a neurotoxin at high doses, our observation is interesting and need further investigation.

Ghrelin ameliorates tumor-induced adipose tissue atrophy and inflammation via Ghrelin receptor-dependent and -independent pathways.

Adipose tissue (AT) atrophy is a hallmark of cancer cachexia contributing to increased morbidity/mortality. Ghrelin has been proposed as a treatment for cancer cachexia partly by preventing AT atrophy. However, the mechanisms mediating ghrelin's effects are incompletely understood, including the extent to which its only known receptor, GHSR-1a, is required for these effects. This study characterizes the pathways involved in AT atrophy in the Lewis Lung Carcinoma (LLC)-induced cachexia model and those mediating the effects of ghrelin in Ghsr +/+ and Ghsr -/- mice. We show that LLC causes AT atrophy by inducing anorexia, and increasing lipolysis, AT inflammation, thermogenesis and energy expenditure. These changes were greater in Ghsr -/-. Ghrelin administration prevented LLC-induced anorexia only in Ghsr +/+, but prevented WAT lipolysis, inflammation and atrophy in both genotypes, although its effects were greater in Ghsr +/+. LLC-induced increases in BAT inflammation, WAT and BAT thermogenesis, and energy expenditure were not affected by ghrelin. In conclusion, ghrelin ameliorates WAT inflammation, fat atrophy and anorexia in LLC-induced cachexia. GHSR-1a is required for ghrelin's orexigenic effect but not for its anti-inflammatory or fat-sparing effects.

Low-dose microcystin-LR antagonizes aflatoxin B1 induced hepatocarcinogenesis through decreasing cytochrome P450 1A2 expression and aflatoxin B1-DNA adduct generation.

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and microcystin-LR (MC-LR) co-existed in food and water, and were associated with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). AFB1 induced HCC by activating oxidative stress and generating AFB1-DNA adducts, while MC-LR could promote HCC progression. However, whether they have co-effects in HCC progression remains uncertain. In this study, we found the antagonistic effects of MC-LR on AFB1 induced HCC when they were exposed simultaneously. Compared with single exposure to AFB1, co-exposed to MC-LR significantly repressed the AFB1 induced malignant transformation of human hepatic cells and the glutathione S-transferase Pi positive foci formation in rat livers. MC-LR inhibited AFB1 induced upregulation of cytochrome P450 family 1 subfamily A member 2 (CYP1A2) and reduced the AFB1-DNA adducts generation in both human hepatic cells and rat livers. These results suggest that when co-exposure with AFB1, MC-LR might repress hepatocarcinogenicity of AFB1, which might be associated with its repression on AFB1 induced CYP1A2 upregulation and activation.

Consumption of Very Low Mineral Water Is Associated with Lower Bone Mineral Content in Children.

BACKGROUND: Our previous study found that consumption of very low mineral drinking water may retard height development in schoolchildren; however, its association with bone modeling remained unknown. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of very low mineral water on biomarkers of bone modeling in children. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted among 2 groups of 10-13-y-old children who had consumed drinking water with normal mineral contents (conductivity 345 µs/cm, the NW group including 119 boys and 110 girls) or very low mineral contents (conductivity 40.0 µs/cm, the VLW group including 223 boys and 208 girls) in school for 4 y. Differences in daily total mineral intakes, developmental parameters, serum biomarkers of osteoblast activity, and bone formation and resorption between the 2 groups were analyzed with independent t test and chi-square test. Associations of developmental parameters and serum biomarkers with Ca intake from drinking water were analyzed with multiple linear regression and binary logistic regression. RESULTS: Compared with the NW group, the VLW group had lower daily Ca intake, height increase, bone mineral content (BMC), osteoblast activity [serum bone alkaline phosphatase (BALP)] (means ± SDs: 433 ± 131 mg, 16.6 ± 8.27 cm, 1.92 ± 0.431 kg, and 9.28 ± 1.42 µg/L compared with 497 ± 155 mg, 22.3 ± 8.45 cm, 2.14 ± 0.354 kg, and 11.0 ± 0.823 µg/L, respectively, P < 0.001), and higher bone resorption [serum crosslinked C-telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX), mean ± SD: 142 ± 46.9 nmol/L compared with 130 ± 40.6 nmol/L, P = 0.001). Ca intake from drinking water was positively associated with height increase, BMC, and BALP (ß: 0.0667, 95% CI: 0.0540, 0.0793; ß: 3.22, 95% CI: 2.37, 4.08; and ß: 23.9, 95% CI: 20.6, 27.2), respectively, P < 0.001), and was negatively associated with CTX (ß: -0.206, 95% CI:-0.321, -0.0904, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: These changes suggested that consumption of very low mineral water may be associated with osteoblast inhibition, bone resorption activation, bone mineral reduction, and height development retardation. The health risk of consuming very low mineral water should be considered in children.

Interaction Effects of AFB1 and MC-LR Co-exposure with Polymorphism of Metabolic Genes on Liver Damage: focusing on SLCO1B1 and GSTP1.

AFB1 and MC-LR are two major environmental risk factors for liver damage worldwide, especially in warm and humid areas, but there are individual differences in health response of the toxin-exposed populations. Therefore, we intended to identify the susceptible genes in transport and metabolic process of AFB1 and MC-LR and find their effects on liver damage. We selected eight related SNPs that may affect liver damage outcomes in AFB1 and MC-LR exposed persons, and enrolled 475 cases with liver damage and 475 controls of healthy people in rural areas of China. The eight SNPs were genotyped by PCR and restriction fragment length polymorphism. We found that SLCO1B1 (T521C) is a risk factor for liver damage among people exposed to high AFB1 levels alone or combined with MC-LR, and that GSTP1 (A1578G) could indicate the risk of liver damage among those exposed to high MC-LR levels alone or combined with high AFB1 levels. However, GSTP1 (A1578G) could reduce the risk of liver damage in populations exposed to low MC-LR levels alone or combined with high AFB1 levels. In conclusion, SLCO1B1 (T521C) and GSTP1 (A1578G) are susceptible genes for liver damage in humans exposed to AFB1 and/or MC-LR in rural areas of China.

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome among adults with liver function injury in rural area of Southwest China: A cross-sectional study.

Abnormal liver function (ALF) plays a key role in metabolic syndrome (MetS), but only few data on the relationship between MetS and the risk factors for ALF (e.g., biotoxins) are available. We aimed to provide the prevalence of MetS and its association with the risk factors for ALF in rural area of Southwest China. A cross-sectional study within the hepatocellular carcinoma cohort was conducted, and included 5493 people with age from 30 to 85 years old. MetS was defined according to the Joint Scientific Statement. We observed that the prevalence of MetS was 31.8% (39.0% in women and 19.8% in men). Logistic regression analysis showed that significantly increased risk of MetS was found in those showing ALF (OR = 3.00, 95% CI: 2.43-3.71). Significantly decreased risk of MetS was found in those with higher HBV DNA titers (OR = 0.49, 95% CI: 0.33-0.74), and in those with higher aflatoxin B1 exposure (estimated daily intake, EDI) (OR = 0.60, 95% CI: 0.53-0.67). No significant change was found in those with higher microcystin-LR exposure (EDI). Therefore, the different risk factors for ALF might exert different effects on MetS. However, there should be an interaction effect existing that might decide the severity of MetS.

Deletion of ghrelin prevents aging-associated obesity and muscle dysfunction without affecting longevity.

During aging, decreases in energy expenditure and locomotor activity lead to body weight and fat gain. Aging is also associated with decreases in muscle strength and endurance leading to functional decline. Here, we show that lifelong deletion of ghrelin prevents development of obesity associated with aging by modulating food intake and energy expenditure. Ghrelin deletion also attenuated the decrease in phosphorylated adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (pAMPK) and downstream mediators in muscle, and increased the number of type IIa (fatigue resistant, oxidative) muscle fibers, preventing the decline in muscle strength and endurance seen with aging. Longevity was not affected by ghrelin deletion. Treatment of old mice with pharmacologic doses of ghrelin increased food intake, body weight, and muscle strength in both ghrelin wild-type and knockout mice. These findings highlight the relevance of ghrelin during aging and identify a novel AMPK-dependent mechanism for ghrelin action in muscle.

Serum microcystin levels positively linked with risk of hepatocellular carcinoma: A case-control study in southwest China.

Microcystins have been reported to be carcinogenic by animal and cell experimentation, but there are no data on the linkage between serum microcystins and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) risk in humans. We conducted a clinical case-control study to investigate the association between serum microcystins and HCC risk after controlling several known risk factors, such as hepatitis B virus, alcohol, and aflatoxin. From December 2013 to May 2016, 214 patients newly diagnosed with HCC along with 214 controls (frequency-matched by age and sex) were recruited from three hospitals in Chongqing, southwest China. Basic information on lifestyle and history of disease was obtained by questionnaire. Blood samples were collected and analyzed for serum microcystin-LR (MC-LR) and aflatoxin-albumin adduct by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and for hepatitis B surface antigen status by chemiluminescence assay. Binary logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the independent effects of MC-LR and its joint effects with other factors on HCC risk. The adjusted odds ratio for HCC risk by serum MC-LR was 2.9 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.5-5.5) in all patients. Notably, a clear relationship between increased MC-LR level (Q2, Q3, and Q4) and HCC risk was observed with elevated adjusted odds ratios (1.3, 2.6, and 4.0, respectively). Positive interactions with the additive model were investigated between MC-LR and hepatitis B virus infection (synergism index = 3.0; 95% CI, 2.0-4.5) and between MC-LR and alcohol (synergism index = 4.0; 95% CI, 1.7-9.5), while a negative interaction was found between MC-LR and aflatoxin (synergism index = 0.4; 95% CI, 0.3-0.7). Additionally, serum MC-LR was significantly associated with tumor differentiation (r = -0.228, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: We provide evidence that serum MC-LR was an independent risk factor for HCC in humans, with an obvious positive interaction with hepatitis B virus and alcohol but a negative interaction with aflatoxin. (Hepatology 2017;66:1519-1528).

Environmental Microcystin Exposure Increases Liver Injury Risk Induced by Hepatitis B Virus Combined with Aflatoxin: A Cross-Sectional Study in Southwest China.

Three liver hazards, two confirmed-hepatitis B virus (HBV) and aflatoxin (AFB), and one rarely studied in populations-microcystin (MC), simultaneously exist in tropical and humid areas; however, there are no epidemiological data on their risks in the same population. We conducted a community-based cross-sectional survey among 5493 adults in two rural towns and statistically analyzed the comparative and combinative effects of the three factors after detecting HBsAg and HBV DNA titers, determining estimated daily intakes (EDIs) of AFB1 and MC-LR and testing serum AST and ALT as liver injury markers for each participant. We observed a HBsAg(+) rate of 7.6%, a relatively high AFB1 exposure level (mean EDIAFB1 = 471.30 ng/d), and a relatively low MC-LR exposure level (mean EDIMC-LR = 228.25 ng/d). ORs for abnormal AST (2.42, 95%CI = 1.69-3.45) and ALT (2.87, 95%CI = 1.91-4.29) increased in HBV infections compared with HBV-unexposed participants but did not increase in participants with separate or combined exposure to AFB1 and MC-LR (EDIs ≥ mean). Meanwhile, after adjustment for confounding factors, means of AST and ALT and ORs of abnormal AST and ALT were successively elevated after exposure to HBV, HBV&AFB1 (or HBV&MC-LR), and HBV&AFB1&MC-LR, especially in the group with detectable HBV DNA (AST: OR = 11.38, 95%CI = 3.91-33.17; ALT: OR = 17.09, 95%CI = 5.36-54.53). Notably, ORs for abnormal AST and ALT in the HBV exposed group were not significantly different from those in HBV&AFB1 or in the HBV&MC-LR exposed group but were significantly higher in the HBV&AFB1&MC-LR exposed group (P = 0.029 and P = 0.037, respectively). Our study indicated that microcystin may have the potential to increase the risk of liver injury induced by combined exposure to HBV and aflatoxin. However, in consideration of the uncertainties in the detection of the toxins and evaluation of the EDIs, more epidemiological data are expected to determine the increasing toxic effects of microcystins.

Determination of Environmental Exposure to Microcystin and Aflatoxin as a Risk for Renal Function Based on 5493 Rural People in Southwest China.

Although the nephrotoxicity of microcystin and aflatoxin has been observed in animal and clinical cases, few population data are available. We conducted a cross-sectional study in Southwest China to investigate the association of renal function indicators (RFIs, including BUN, SCr, and eGFR) with exposure to microcystin and aflatoxin in 5493 members of the general population. Microcystin-LR levels in water and aquatic products and aflatoxin B1 levels in daily foods were measured by ELISA, and individual estimated daily intake (EDI) was assessed on the basis of the measurement and questionnaire. We found that participants with abnormal RFIs had a much higher mean level of microcystin-LR EDI than those with normal RFIs and that there was a significant increasing trend for abnormal rates and odds ratios of RFIs with increasing microcystin-LR EDI quartiles (p for trend = 0.000). Compared with the lowest quartile of microcystin-LR exposure, those in the highest quartile had significantly higher risks of abnormal BUN (OR = 1.80, 95% CI = 1.34-2.42), SCr (OR = 4.58, 95% CI = 2.92-7.21), and eGFR (OR = 4.41, 95% CI = 2.55-7.63), respectively, but no higher risk was found in subjects with higher AFB1 exposure. After adjustment for confounding factors, risk associations with microcystin-LR persisted. Consequently, our results suggest that microcystin, rather than aflatoxin, might be one important risk of renal-function impairment.

Ghrelin prevents tumour- and cisplatin-induced muscle wasting: characterization of multiple mechanisms involved.

BACKGROUND: Cachexia and muscle atrophy are common consequences of cancer and chemotherapy administration. The novel hormone ghrelin has been proposed as a treatment for this condition. Increases in food intake and direct effects on muscle proteolysis and protein synthesis are likely to mediate these effects, but the pathways leading to these events are not well understood. METHODS: We characterized molecular pathways involved in muscle atrophy induced by Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) tumour implantation in c57/bl6 adult male mice and by administration of the chemotherapeutic agent cisplatin in mice and in C2C12 myotubes. The effects of exogenous ghrelin administration and its mechanisms of action were examined in these settings. RESULTS: Tumour implantation and cisplatin induced muscle atrophy by activating pro-inflammatory cytokines, p38-C/EBP-ß, and myostatin, and by down-regulating Akt, myoD, and myogenin, leading to activation of ubiquitin-proteasome-mediated proteolysis and muscle weakness. Tumour implantation also increased mortality. In vitro, cisplatin up-regulated myostatin and atrogin-1 by activating C/EBP-ß and FoxO1/3. Ghrelin prevented these changes in vivo and in vitro, significantly increasing muscle mass (P < 0.05 for LLC and P < 0.01 for cisplatin models) and grip strength (P = 0.038 for LLC and P = 0.001 for cisplatin models) and improving survival (P = 0.021 for LLC model). CONCLUSION: Ghrelin prevents muscle atrophy by down-regulating inflammation, p38/C/EBP-ß/myostatin, and activating Akt, myogenin, and myoD. These changes appear, at least in part, to target muscle cells directly. Ghrelin administration in this setting is associated with improved muscle strength and survival.

Multi-generational drinking of bottled low mineral water impairs bone quality in female rats.

BACKGROUND: Because of reproductions and hormone changes, females are more sensitive to bone mineral loss during their lifetime. Bottled water has become more popular in recent years, and a large number of products are low mineral water. However, research on the effects of drinking bottled low mineral water on bone health is sparse. OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the skeletal effects of multi-generational bottled water drinking in female rats. METHODS: Rats continuously drank tap water (TW), bottled natural water (bNW), bottled mineralized water (bMW), or bottled purified water (bPW) for three generations. RESULTS: The maximum deflection, elastic deflection, and ultimate strain of the femoral diaphysis in the bNW, bMW, and bPW groups and the fracture strain in the bNW and bMW groups were significantly decreased. The tibiae calcium levels in both the bNW and bPW groups were significantly lower than that in the TW group. The tibiae and teeth magnesium levels in both the bNW and bPW groups were significantly lower than those in the TW group. The collagen turnover markers PICP (in both bNW and bPW groups) were significantly lower than that in the TW group. In all three low mineral water groups, the 1,25-dihydroxy-vitamin D levels were significantly lower than those in the TW group. CONCLUSION: Long-term drinking of low mineral water may disturb bone metabolism and biochemical properties and therefore weaken biomechanical bone properties in females. Drinking tap water, which contains adequate minerals, was found to be better for bone health. To our knowledge, this is the first report on drinking bottled low mineral water and female bone quality on three generation model.

Experimental comparison of the reproductive outcomes and early development of the offspring of rats given five common types of drinking water.

Tap water (unfiltered), filtered tap water and processed bottled water (purified water, artificial mineralized water, or natural water) are now the five most widely consumed types of drinking water in China. However, the constituents (organic chemicals and inorganic ingredients) of the five waters differ, which may cause them to have different long-term health effects on those who drink them, especially sensitive children. In order to determine which type of water among the five waters is the most beneficial regarding reproductive outcomes and the developmental behaviors of offspring, two generations of Sprague-Dawley rats were given these five waters separately, and their reproductive outcomes and the developmental behaviors of their offspring were observed and compared. The results showed that the unfiltered tap water group had the lowest values for the maternal gestation index (MGI) and offspring's learning and memory abilities (OLMA); the lowest offspring survival rate was found in the purified water group; and the highest OLMA were found in the filtered tap water group. Thus, the best reproductive and offspring early developmental outcomes were found in the group that drank filtered tap water, which had the lowest levels of pollutants and the richest minerals. Therefore, thoroughly removing toxic contaminants and retaining the beneficial minerals in drinking water may be important for both pregnant women and children, and the best way to treat water may be with granular activated carbon and ion exchange by copper zinc alloy.

Phthalate levels in cord blood are associated with preterm delivery and fetal growth parameters in Chinese women.

Data concerning the effects of phthalate exposure on preterm delivery and fetal growth are limited in humans. In this paper, we assessed the relationship between 15 phthalate levels in cord blood and preterm delivery and fetal growth parameters in 207 Chinese women going into labor. Exposure to phthalates except DCHP was associated with gestational age reduction and preterm delivery (p<0.05). There were associations between phthalates and fetal growth parameters, many of which disappeared when analyses were adjusted for gestational age, especially in male infants (Only DEEP was associated with birth weight; DEP, DNHP, BBP, DNP with abdominal circumference; DEP, DBP, DCHP, DEHP with femur length in female infants. And DPP, DBEP was associated with birth length in male infants. p<0.05). This study indicates that prenatal exposure to phthalates is associated with younger gestational age and preterm delivery. Also, phthalate exposure may adversely affect fetal growth parameters via gestational age reduction and preterm delivery with a significant gender effect.

XRCC1 Arg280His polymorphism and glioma risk: A meta-analysis involving 1439 cases and 2564 controls.

OBJECTIVES: Previous reports indicated that XRCC1 Arg280His polymorphism might be a possible risk factor for several cancers. Published studies on the association of XRCC1 Arg280His polymorphisms with glioma risk have yielded controversial results. The present study aimed to derive a more precise estimation of the relationship. METHODOLOGY: Meta-analyses assessing the association of XRCC1 Arg280His variation with glioma were conducted and subgroup analyses on ethnicity and source of controls were further performed. Eligible studies for the period up to May 2012 were identified. RESULTS: A total of four case-control studies comprising 1439 cases and 2564 controls were selected for analysis. The overall data indicated no significant association of XRCC1 Arg280His polymorphism with glioma risk (His vs Arg: OR=1.05; 95%CI=0.88-1.25; His/His vs Arg/Arg: OR=1.42; 95%CI=0.87-2.29; dominant model: OR=1.00; 95%CI=0.82-1.22; recessive model: OR=1.41; 95%CI=0.88-2.25). Likewise, in the subgroup analysis regarding ethnicity and source of controls, no associations were observed. CONCLUSION: The results of the present study failed to suggest an association of XRCC1 Arg280His polymorphism with glioma risk. Further large and well-designed studies are needed to confirm this conclusion.