The relationship between ambient temperature and fasting plasma glucose, temperature-adjusted type 2 diabetes prevalence and control rate: a series of cross-sectional studies in Guangdong Province, China.

BACKGROUND: There existed evidence that type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) prevalence and control rate have seasonal variation. Our study aimed to examine the ambient temperature and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) association and estimate temperature-adjusted T2DM prevalence and control rate. METHODS: Four cross-sectional health surveys with 26,350 respondents were conducted in Guangdong Province from 2007 to 2015. Multistage cluster sampling was used to recruit study participants. The data of demographic characteristics, lifestyle factors, diet and use of hypoglycemic medicine, height, weight, FPG and meteorological information were collected. And an inverse distance-weighted method was employed to estimate daily temperature exposures at the individual' s residential district/county. Base on World Health Organization 2006 criteria, participants were divided into normal fasting glucose (NFG) participants (n = 23,877), known T2DM patients (n = 916) and newly detected T2DM patients (n = 1557). Generalized additive mixed model was employed to evaluate the nonlinear associations between temperature and FPG among different T2DM subgroups. The T2DM prevalence and control rate were estimated based on temperature-FPG association. RESULTS: The curves of temperature and FPG were downward parabola for total, NFG and known T2DM groups, while it was "U"-shaped for newly detected T2DM patients. When temperature decreased from 30 °C to 4 °C, the FPG significantly increased 0.24 (95%CI: 0.15, 0.33) mmol/L, 0.10 (95%CI: 0.06, 0.14) mmol/L and 1.34 (95%CI: 0.56, 2.12) mmol/L in total, NFG and known T2DM groups, respectively. Compared to 19 °C, newly detected T2DM patients' FPGs were increased 0.73 (95%CI: 0.13, 1.30) mmol/L at 4 °C and 0.53 (0.00, 1.07) mmol/L at 30 °C. The model-estimated temperature-adjusted T2DM prevalence had a down and up trend, with 9.7% at 5 °C, 8.9% at 20 °C and 9.4% at 30 °C, respectively. At 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 °C, the model-estimated temperature-adjusted T2DM control rates were 33.2, 35.4, 38.2, 43.6, 49.1 and 55.2%. CONCLUSION: Temperature was negatively associated with FPG for NFG and known T2DM subgroups, while their association was U-shape for newly detected T2DM patients. Hence, the temperature-adjusted T2DM prevalence show a dip/peak pattern and T2DM control rate display a rising trend when temperature increase. Our findings suggest temperature should be considered in T2DM clinic management and epidemiological survey.

Correction to: Association between dietary acid load and the risk of hypertension among adults from South China: result from nutrition and health survey (2015-2017).

It was highlighted that in the original article [1] the data on categorical variables was wrongly arranged in Table 1 and there was an incorrect statement in the fourth paragraph of the Discussion section.

Association between dietary acid load and the risk of hypertension among adults from South China: result from nutrition and health survey (2015-2017).

BACKGROUND: Higher dietary acid load (DAL) was considered to be associated with an elevated risk of hypertension, while related data from mainland China remains scarce and incomplete. We aim to evaluate the association between DAL and the risk of hypertension among adults from South China. METHODS: We conducted a nutrition and health survey in Guangdong Province located in southern China from 2015 to 2017. A four-stage probability sampling method was utilized to select representative samples of citizens aged ≥18 years old. DAL was assessed by potential renal acid load (PRAL) and net endogenous acid production (NEAP). Participants were divided to 4 groups (Q1-Q4) according to the quartile points of PRAL or NEAP distributions. Generalized linear mixed effects models were applied to evaluate the association between DAL and the risk of hypertension. RESULTS: A total of 3501 individuals were eligible for this study and 45.9% was male participants. Hypertension rate was 30.7%. A higher PRAL was associated with higher prevalence rate of hypertension among the male (P-trend = 0.03). OR for Q2 was 1.34 (95%CI, 0.94-1.91), Q3 was 1.53 (95%CI = 1.08, 2.16) and Q4 was 1.51 (95%CI, 1.08-2.16) among the male. However, as for total participants, the female, the participants with ≤55 years or participants with > 55 years, the associations were lack of significance. With respect to association between NEAP and hypertension, non-significant results were identified. CONCLUSIONS: The current study indicated male hypertension was associated with higher PRAL, while given to this study was cross-sectional design, further studies are warranted to verify the association.

[Prevalence of malnutrition status in children and adolescents in Guangdong Province, 2002-2012].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence and change of growth retardation, weight loss and malnutrition among children and adolescents aged 6-17 years in Guangdong Province in 2002-2012. METHODS: A total of 7264 children and adolescents(3804 boys and 3460 girls) aged 6-17 years were selected in thirteen monitoring points of Guangdong for nutritional survey in 2002, and a total of 2319 children and adolescents(1158 boys and 1161 girls) aged 6-17 years were selected in nine counties/districts of Guangdong for nutritional survey during 2009-2012 through multistage random cluster sampling. The body height and weight of all the children and adolescents were measured. RESULTS: The prevalence of growth retardation, weight loss and malnutrition decreased from 10. 0% to 1. 6%, 18. 1% to 8. 0%, and 24. 7% to 9. 3%among children and adolescents in Guangdong from 2002 to 2009-2012. The result of2009-2012 survey indicated the average prevalence of growth retardation were higher in boys(1. 9%) than in girls(1. 1%), and the average prevalence of weight loss and malnutrition was higher in girls(10. 4% and 11. 3%) than in boys(6. 0% and 7. 7%). And the average prevalence of growth retardation, weight loss and malnutrition were all higher in those living in rural area(2. 5%, 12. 4% and 14. 5%) than in city area(0. 8%, 4. 4% and 5. 1%). CONCLUSION: Compared with 2002, the prevalence of growth retardation, weight loss and malnutrition in children and adolescents aged 6-17 in Guangdong Province all decreased significantly. The prevalence was still high in girls and those living in rural, and children aged 6-17, thus more attention should be paid to them.

Resveratrol ameliorates hepatic steatosis and inflammation in methionine/choline-deficient diet-induced steatohepatitis through regulating autophagy.

BACKGROUND: Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is one of the leading causes of chronic liver disease that can progress to liver fibrosis, cirrhosis and eventually hepatocellular carcinoma. Resveratrol, a naturally occurring phytoalexin, is believed to have therapeutic effects on hepatic steatosis. However, the effect of resveratrol on NASH and the underlying mechanism is not fully illustrated. In the present study, we aimed to exam the effect of resveratrol on methionine/choline-deficient (MCD) diet or medium-induced hepatic steatosis, oxidation and inflammation, and to explore the possible mechanism. METHODS: C57BL/6 mice and AML12 cells were treated with MCD alone or in combination with different concentrations of resveratrol (100 mg/kg/day or 250 mg/kg/day for mice and 25 µmol/L, 50 µmol/L, or 100 µmol/L for cells). Levels of aminotransferases (ALT), interleukin 1ß (IL-1ß), IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) were measured, concentrations of triglyceride (TG) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARs) were determined, and expressions of proteins involved in autophagy were analyzed. RESULTS: The results indicate that MCD diet or medium induced NASH in mouse and AML12 cell, which was confirmed by the elevated levels of TG, TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-6, ALT and TBARS in mice serum or cell culture medium. Resveratrol administration slowed down NASH progression, decreased the levels of ALT, TG, TBARS, IL-1ß, IL-6, downregulated mRNA expressions of TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-6, and regulated the expressions of proteins involved in autophagy, both in vitro and in vivo. However, an autophagical inhibitor significantly impaired the protective role of resveratrol on liver injury and inflammation. CONCLUSIONS: Resveratrol can attenuate hepatic steatosis and inflammation in MCD-induced NASH by regulating autophagy. Thus, resveratrol may be a promising agent for inhibiting lipid accumulation and inflammatory processes associated with NASH.

Associations between metal(loid) exposure with overweight and obesity and abdominal obesity in the general population: A cross-sectional study in China.

Previous studies have revealed links between metal(loid)s and health problems; however, the link between metal(loid)s and obesity remains controversial. We evaluated the cross-sectional association between metal(loid) exposure in whole blood and obesity among the general population. Vanadium (V), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), arsenic (As), selenium (Se), molybdenum (Mo), cadmium (Cd), antimony (Sb), thallium (T1), and lead (Pb) were measured in 3029 subjects in Guangdong Province (China) using ICP-MS. The prevalence of overweight and obesity (OWO) and abdominal obesity (AOB) was calculated according to body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC), respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that elevated blood Cu, Cd, and Pb levels were inversely associated with the risk of OWO, and these associations were confirmed by a linear dose-response relationship. Elevated blood Co concentration was associated with a decreased risk of AOB. A quantile g-computation approach showed a significantly negative mixture-effect of 13 metal(loid)s on OWO (OR: 0.96; 95% CI: 0.92, 0.99). Two metals-Ni and Mo-were inversely associated with the risk of OWO but positively associated with AOB. We cross-grouped the two obesity measurement types and found that the extremes of metal content were present in people with AOB only. In conclusion, blood Cu, Mo, Ni, Cd, and Pb were inversely associated with the risk of OWO. The presence of blood Co may be protective, while Ni and Mo exposure might increase the risk of AOB. The association between metal(loid) exposure and obesity warrants further investigation in longitudinal cohort studies.

A qualitative study of food sociality in three provinces of South China: social functions of food and dietary behavior.

Background: Food sociality refers to the exploration of food production, exchange, distribution, and consumption and influences on cultural communication and social meaning. This study aimed to investigate food sociality in three provinces of South China to provide theoretical and practical evidence of food sociality in the region and to revise nutrition policies. Materials and methods: We conducted a qualitative study comprising 25 experts in the fields of nutrition, sociology, food science, and agriculture from Hainan, Guangdong, and Guangxi Province by using a semi-structured in-depth interview, which included 28 pre-determined questions covering six topics. The interviews were conducted between November 2020 and March 2021. Verbatim transcripts were analyzed thematically using NVivo 11.0. Results: Of the 25 experts, the mean age was 50.6 (SD = 8.4) years, 15 (60%) were male, and 22 (88%) held a master's degree or above. The analysis showed that food sociality in three provinces of South China mainly comprises social functions of food and dietary behavior. Regarding social functions of food, the experts expressed that food represents local culture (72%, 18 experts), presents social status and economic power (40%, 10 experts), and is central to special occasions, traditional customs, and etiquette activities (60%, 15 experts). In terms of social functions of dietary behaviors, the majority of experts indicated that food is a social communication tool (72% experts), has geographical characteristics (80% experts), and, to some extent, is used as a proxy for reward or punishment. Furthermore, festivals are one of the core elements of food sociality in the region, although food safety is a major concern. Some dietary behaviors, such as overindulgence in afternoon tea and encouraging drinking, may increase the risk of chronic diseases. Conclusion: Food sociality in three provinces of South China is mainly related to the social function of food and dietary behavior. It is a combination of local culture, social status and economic power, traditional customs, rewards and punishments, geographical food preference, and social communication tools. The authors recommend increasing food safety at festivals and promoting healthy eating behaviors in order to improve the overall health of the population in this region.

Joint Effect of Multiple Metals on Hyperuricemia and Their Interaction with Obesity: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study in China.

Metal exposures have been inconsistently related to the risk of hyperuricemia, and limited research has investigated the interaction between obesity and metals in hyperuricemia. To explore their associations and interaction effects, 3300 participants were enrolled from 11 districts within 1 province in China, and the blood concentrations of 13 metals were measured to assess internal exposure. Multivariable logistic regression, restricted cubic spline (RCS), Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR), and interaction analysis were applied in the single- and multi-metal models. In single-metal models, five metals (V, Cr, Mn, Co, and Zn) were positively associated with hyperuricemia in males, but V was negatively associated with hyperuricemia in females. Following the multi-metal logistic regression, the multivariate-adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) of hyperuricemia were 1.7 (1.18, 2.45) for Cr and 1.76 (1.26, 2.46) for Co in males, and 0.68 (0.47, 0.99) for V in females. For V and Co, RCS models revealed wavy and inverted V-shaped negative associations with female hyperuricemia risk. The BKMR models showed a significant joint effect of multiple metals on hyperuricemia when the concentrations of five metals were at or above their 55th percentile compared to their median values, and V, Cr, Mn, and Co were major contributors to the combined effect. A potential interaction between Cr and obesity and Zn and obesity in increasing the risk of hyperuricemia was observed. Our results suggest that higher levels of Cr and Co may increase male hyperuricemia risk, while higher levels of V may decrease female hyperuricemia risk. Therefore, the management of metal exposure in the environment and diet should be improved to prevent hyperuricemia.

Association of multi-metals with the risk of hypertension and the interaction with obesity: A cross-sectional study in China.

Background: Environmental exposure to multiple metals have been inconsistently associated with hypertension. Obesity is an important independent risk factor for hypertension, and few studies have assessed the interaction between obesity and metals in this context. We aimed to clarify their association and interaction. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 3,063 adults from 11 districts or counties, Guangdong. We measured the whole blood levels of 13 metals and used multipollutant-based statistical methods to analyze the association of metals with hypertension. The interaction between metals and obesity on hypertension was assessed on additive and multiplicative scales. Results: Four metals (manganese, arsenic, cadmium, and lead) were significantly associated with hypertension risk, five metals (manganese, zinc, arsenic, cadmium, and lead) were related to elevated SBP levels, five metals (manganese, zinc, selenium, cadmium, and lead) were associated with elevated DBP levels in single-metal model. Manganese remained significantly related to hypertension risk [odds ratio, 1.35 (1.02-1.78)] after adjusting for these four metals. Significant positive dose-response relationships between manganese, arsenic, cadmium, lead and hypertension risk were observed (P for overall < 0.001, P for non-linearity > 0.05). Compared with those in the lowest quartile, participants in the highest manganese quartile had a 2.83 mmHg (95% Cl: 0.71-4.96) (P FDR = 0.040) higher level of SBP. Individuals in the highest quartiles of zinc and lead had a 1.45 mmHg (0.10-2.81) (P FDR = 0.033) and 2.06 mmHg (0.59-3.53) (P FDR = 0.020) higher level of DBP, respectively. The negative interactions between cadmium, lead and obesity influences hypertension risk. BKMR analysis showed a significant joint effect of manganese, arsenic, cadmium and lead on hypertension when the concentrations of four metals were at or above their 55th percentile compared to their median values. Conclusions: The combined effect of four metals (manganese, arsenic, cadmium and lead) were associated with the prevalence of hypertension. Potential interaction effects of cadmium, lead and obesity on hypertension risk may exist. Further cohort studies in larger population are needed to clarify these findings.

[Effect of soy protein on expression of SREBP-1 in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of soy protein on the expression of SREBP-1,2 in rats feeding normal and high-fat diet. METHODS: Forty eight Sprague-Dawley SPF class rats were randomly divided into 4 groups matched by body weight, soy protein group, casein group, soy protein-high fat group, casein-high fat group. The experiment diets were fed for 28 d. Then the rats were sacrificed off cervical, determined serum levels of homone and the level of gene expression. RESULTS: The concentration of serum insulin and the ratio of insulin/glucagon in the soy protein group were significantly lower than that of the casein group ((54.1 +/- 10.7) vs (63.5 +/- 16.9) pmol/L, P < 0.05, (2.33 +/- 0.75) vs (3.21 +/- 1.41), P < 0.05), the concentration of serum insulin and the ratio of insulin/glucagon in the soy protein high-fat group were significantly lower than that of the casein high-fat group ((46.3 +/- 9.6) vs (50.4 +/- 10.1) pmol/L, P < 0.05, (1.53 +/- 0.72) vs (2.92 +/-1.23), P < 0.05). The expression of SREBP-1,2 in soy protein group and soy protein high-fat group were significantly lower than that in casein group and casein high-fat group. The protein expression of SREBP-1 in soy protein group and soy protein high-fat group were significantly lower than that in casein group and casein high-fat group. CONCLUSION: Dietary soy protein intake may modulate serum lipid levels through influence the insulin level then infulence the expression of SREBP-1,2 mRNA.

Mechanismbased role of the intestinal microbiota in gestational diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Metabolic disorders caused by intestinal microbial dysregulation are considered to be important causes of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Increasing evidence suggests that the diversity and composition of gut microbes are altered in disease states, yet the critical microbes and mechanisms of disease regulation remain unidentified. Methods: PubMed® (National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, MD, USA), Embase® (Elsevier, Amsterdam, the Netherlands), the Web of Science™ (Clarivate™, Philadelphia, PA, USA), and the Cochrane Library databases were searched to identify articles published between 7 July 2012 and 7 July 2022 reporting on case-control and controlled studies that analyzed differences in enterobacteria between patients with GDM and healthy individuals. Information on the relative abundance of enterobacteria was collected for comparative diversity comparison, and enterobacterial differences were analyzed using random effects to calculate standardized mean differences at a p-value of 5%. Results: A total of 22 studies were included in this review, involving a total of 965 GDM patients and 1,508 healthy control participants. Alpha diversity did not differ between the participant groups, but beta diversity was significantly different. Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria, and Proteobacteria were the dominant bacteria, but there was no significant difference between the two groups. Qualitative analysis showed differences between the groups in the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio, Blautia, and Collinsella, but these differences were not statistically different. Conclusion: Enterobacterial profiles were significantly different between the GDM and non-GDM populations. Alpha diversity in patients with GDM is similar to that in healthy people, but beta diversity is significantly different. Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratios were significantly increased in GDM, and this, as well as changes in the abundance of species of Blautia and Collinsella, may be responsible for changes in microbiota diversity. Although the results of our meta-analysis are encouraging, more well-conducted studies are needed to clarify the role of the gut microbiome in GDM. The systematic review was registered with PROSPERO (https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/) as CRD42022357391.

Comparison of dietary control and atorvastatin on high fat diet induced hepatic steatosis and hyperlipidemia in rats.

BACKGROUND: Treatment with atorvastatin (ATO) or dietary control has been demonstrated to benefit patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and hyperlipidemia. However, little is known on whether combination of dietary control and ATO treatment could enhance the therapeutic effect. METHODS: We employed a rat model of NAFLD to examine the therapeutic efficacy of dietary control and/or ATO treatment. Sprague-Dawley rats were fed with normal chow diet as normal controls or with high fat diet (HFD) for 12 weeks to establish NAFLD. The NAFLD rats were randomized and continually fed with HFD, with normal chow diet, with HFD and treated with 30 mg/kg of ATO or with normal chow diet and treated with the same dose of ATO for 8 weeks. Subsequently, the rats were sacrificed and the serum lipids, aminotransferase, hepatic lipids, and liver pathology were characterized. The relative levels of fatty acid synthesis and ß-oxidation gene expression in hepatic tissues were measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Hepatic expression of hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase was determined by Western blot assay. RESULTS: While continual feeding with HFD deteriorated NAFLD and hyperlipidemia, treatment with dietary control, ATO or ATO with dietary control effectively improved serum and liver lipid metabolism and liver function. In comparison with ATO treatment, dietary control or combined with ATO treatment significantly reduced the liver weight and attenuated the HFD-induced hyperlipidemia and liver steatosis in rats. Compared to ATO treatment or dietary control, combination of ATO and dietary control significantly reduced the levels of serum total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). However, the combination therapy did not significantly improve triglyceride and free fatty acid metabolism, hepatic steatosis, and liver function, as compared with dietary control alone. CONCLUSIONS: ATO treatment effectively improved NAFLD-related hyperlipidemia and inhibited liver steatosis, accompanied by modulating the expression of genes for regulating lipid metabolism. ATO enhanced the effect of dietary control on reducing the levels of serum total cholesterol and LDL-C, but not triglyceride, free fatty acid and hepatic steatosis in HFD-induced fatty liver and hyperlipidemia in rats.

[Effects of soybean isoflavone on liver lipid metabolism in nonalcoholic fatty liver rats].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of soybean isoflavone on liver lipid, serum lipid, antioxidant index and hepatic lipid metabolism associated factors in nonalcoholic fatty liver rats. METHODS: Thirty-six male rats (SD) were randomly divided into four groups by weight: normal control group, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) model control group, low-dose isoflavone treatment group (10 mg/kg) and high-dose isoflavone group (20 mg/kg), 9 rats in each group. Normal control rats were fed with D12450B (10% fat energy), model control and isoflavone intervention rats were fed with D12492 (60% fat energy). Twelve weeks later, liver lipid, serum lipid and antioxidant index were observed. Liver sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c), fatty acid synthase (FAS) and peroxisome proliferators activated receptor alpha (PPAR alpha) were detected by western blotting. RESULTS: Liver triglyceride (TG) in normal control group, NAFLD model control group, low-dose isoflavone group and high-dose isoflavone group were (8.11 ± 4.13), (57.06 ± 16.95), (31.26 ± 10.48), (31.38 ± 13.25) mmol/mg protein, respectively (F = 22.569, P < 0.01); liver free fatty acid (FFA) were (0.030 ± 0.007), (0.042 ± 0.009), (0.038 ± 0.009), (0.032 ± 0.005) µmol/mg protein, respectively (F = 4.857, P < 0.01); liver superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were (502.29 ± 23.71), (201.83 ± 16.99), (228.93 ± 21.71), (238.08 ± 15.96) U/mg protein, respectively (F = 9.555, P < 0.01); liver malondialdehyde (MDA) were (1.29 ± 0.29), (2.85 ± 0.73), (2.07 ± 0.49), (2.03 ± 0.37) nmol/mg protein, respectively (F = 13.449, P < 0.01); SREBP-1c protein expression were 0.45 ± 0.16, 1.42 ± 0.30, 1.02 ± 0.31, 0.47 ± 0.27, respectively (F = 24.515, P < 0.01); FAS protein expression were 0.27 ± 0.08, 1.97 ± 0.47, 1.35 ± 0.30, 0.49 ± 0.12, respectively (F = 60.361, P < 0.01); PPARα protein expression were 2.03 ± 0.56, 0.41 ± 0.17, 0.81 ± 0.27, 0.66 ± 0.16, respectively (F = 37.97, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Soy isoflavone can reduce the hepatic lipid deposition and increase antioxidant capacity, the mechanism may be related to inhibition of SREBP-1c and activation of PPARα expression in liver.

[Effect of early vitamin D supplementation on lung inflammatory factors in baby rat with asthma].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of different doses of 1,25-(OH)(2)VitD(3) early supplementation on airway inflammation and lung inflammatory factors in baby rats with asthma. METHODS: Forty male weaned Wistar rats were divided into normal group, model group, low 1,25-(OH)(2)VitD(3) group, middle 1,25-(OH)(2)VitD(3) group, high 1,25-(OH)(2)VitD(3) group using random number table (8 rats each group). The rats in low, middle and high 1,25-(OH)(2)VitD(3) groups were given 1, 4, 10 µg/kg of 1,25-(OH)(2)VitD(3) every other day by intraperitoneal injection respectively for 25 days. Except normal group, the rats in other groups were challenged with ovalbumin to establish the asthma model. The pathologic changes of lung tissue, the total white blood cell and classified cell counts in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were measured. The concentrations of IL-4, IL-5 and IFN-γ in serum and BALF were measured by ELISA method. RESULTS: The level of total white blood cell counts in BALF were (5.98 ± 1.67)×10(5)/ml, (25.34 ± 4.28)×10(5)/ml, (17.24 ± 3.3)×10(5)/ml, (9.31 ± 3.37)×10(5)/ml, (45.1 ± 15.75)×10(5)/ml, respectively (F = 33.453, P < 0.01). The percent ratio of EOS in BALF were (1.44 ± 0.78)%, (17.81 ± 6.88)%, (15.00 ± 5.70)%, (8.89 ± 3.66)%, (25.88 ± 5.57)%, respectively (F = 27.299, P < 0.01). The level of IL-4 in serum of normal, model, low, middle and high-1,25-(OH)(2)VitD(3) groups were (0.62 ± 0.54), (7.57 ± 1.04), (3.58 ± 0.56), (2.70 ± 0.78) and (5.27 ± 0.30) pg/ml, respectively (F = 116.287, P < 0.01); IL-5 in resume were (32.20 ± 4.23), (67.14 ± 18.14), (37.51 ± 0.47), (40.69 ± 2.47) and (124.60 ± 36.19) pg/ml, respectively (F = 23.902, P < 0.01); IFN-γ in serum were (79.71 ± 10.08), (49.06 ± 4.46), (59.15 ± 2.51), (59.27 ± 2.33) and (53.85 ± 1.97) pg/ml, respectively (F = 39.954, P < 0.01). Also in BLAF, the IL-4 of all groups were (0.51 ± 0.30), (102.92 ± 54.61), (8.64 ± 4.07), (3.10 ± 1.28) and (33.67 ± 8.1) pg/ml, respectively (F = 24.062, P < 0.01); the IFN-γ were (247.37 ± 189.18), (43.82 ± 13.76), (81.32 ± 17.07), (86.50 ± 14.26) and (59.89 ± 34.17) pg/ml, respectively (F = 7.157, P < 0.01); the IL-5 in BALF were (38.81 ± 0.60), (80.48 ± 17.90), (45.11 ± 1.33), (43.39 ± 1.11) and (149.60 ± 45.87) pg/ml, respectively (F = 35.978, P < 0.01). Pathologic changes in lung of asthma rat groups were obvious. The lung pathologic changes in low and middle dose groups showed a significant improvement compared to the asthma group and high dosage group showed more serious pathologic changes compared to the low and middle dose groups. CONCLUSION: Intervention with appropriate dose of 1,25-(OH)(2)VitD(3) in the early life could improve lung pathologic changes and reduce the effect of inflammatory factors in air way of baby rat asthma model. However, overdose might play detrimental effect.

[Effect of dietary protein on serum lipid profile in hypercholesterolemic people].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of soy protein on the concentration of serum lipids in hypercholesterolemic people and the correlation between dietary protein and serum lipids. METHODS: Ninety healthy hypercholesterolemic volunteers were given beverages contained either 24 g of casein or 18 g of soy protein plus 6 g of casein by random daily for 8 weeks without change of their habitual life. Body height, body weight, waist and hip circumference and serum lipids were measured before and after the study. RESULT: (1) The body weight and body mass index of subjects in the soy group were decreased slightly but significantly (P < 0.05), while the waist-to-hip circumference of subjects in casein group was decreased (P < 0.05). (2) ApoB and TC/HDL-C ratio were significantly reduced after consuming soy protein beverages for 8 weeks (P < 0.05), while in casein group, TC, LDL-C and ApoB were reduced significantly (P < 0.05). (3) The reduction in TC concentration was negatively correlated with the quantity of dietary protein intake (r = - 0.419, P < 0.01), whereas it was positively correlated with the quantity of vegetable protein intake (r = 0.521, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The effect of soy protein on serum lipids could be influenced by the source and quantity of dietary protein.

[Effect of soothing liver and invigorating spleen recipes on SREBP-1c mRNA and protein expression in hepatic tissues of rats with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of soothing liver and invigorating spleen recipes on expression levels of Sterol Regulatory Element-binding Protein-1c (SREBP-1c) mRNA and SREBP-1c protein in hepatic tissue of rats with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). METHODS: Fifty-five SD rats were randomized into 5 groups: normal control group, model group, soothing liver group, invigorating spleen group and combination group. Except the normal group, the rats in model group and other treatment groups were fed with high-fat emulsion to induce NAFLD. The treatment groups were administered with respective traditional chinese medicine, the normal group and model group received correspondence volume distilled water. After treatment for 8 weeks, the rats were executed to obtain the liver for observing hepatic pathological changes. Expression levels of SREBP-1c mRNA and SREBP-1c protein in hepatic tissues were assayed using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry respectively. RESULTS: Compared with the normal group, the expression level of SREBP-1c mRNA and SREBP-1c protein in rat hepatic tissues of model group was significantly increased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group,the expression levels of SREBP-1c mRNA and SREBP-lc protein in the treated groups was decreased (P<0.01, P<0.05). Specially, expression levels of SREBP-1c mRNA were the lowest in soothing liver group and invigorating spleen group and hepatic fatty changes were the slightest. CONCLUSION: Soothing liver and invigorating spleen recipes can inhibit hepatic SREBP-1c expression. That may be one of their therapeutic mechanisms.

Sex Difference in the Association Between Eating Away From Home and the Risk of High Serum Uric Acid in South China.

Background: The prevalence of high serum uric acid is increasingly rising in recent years, and diet behavior is perceived to be associated with it. This study aimed to explore the relationship between eating away from home (EAFH) and the risk of high serum uric acid in adults in South China. Methods: The data utilized in this study were from Guangdong Nutrition and Health Survey (NHS) 2015. Serum uric acid concentration was detected. EAFH in the past week was investigated. We defined EAFH as food consumption away from home. Dietary data were collected by 24-h recalls on 3 consecutive days. A generalized linear mixed-effects model was applied to compute the odds ratio (OR) and its corresponding 95% CI. Results: A total of 3,489 individuals were included in this study. A 1.27-fold OR (95% CI: 1.05-1.52, P = 0.012) of high serum uric acid was identified in adults with EAFH in comparison with those without EAFH. With respect to men, a 1.66-fold OR (95% CI: 1.3-2.1, P < 0.001) of high serum uric acid was observed. We also observed that men with EAFH had higher intakes of red meat, poultry, vegetable, carbohydrate, protein, fat, and total energy, while a lower grain intake than those without EAFH. However, there was a lack of significant association between EAFH and the odds ratio of high serum uric acid in women. Women with EAFH did not have higher consumptions of red meat, vegetable, fish, fat, and water than those without EAFH. Conclusions: This study found that EAFH was associated with an increased odds ratio of high serum uric acid in men, but not in women.

Temperature-adjusted hypertension prevalence and control rate: a series of cross-sectional studies in Guangdong Province, China.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown negative relationships between ambient temperature and blood pressure (BP). However, few studies estimated temperature-adjusted hypertension prevalence and control rate in different population. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the effects of temperature on BP, and further calculate temperature-adjusted hypertension prevalence and control rate. METHODS: Meteorological and BP data in Guangdong Province from 2004 to 2015 were collected. There were 31 351 participants aged 18 years and over. Based on 2018 European society Arterial Hypertension Guidelines, participants were divided into normotensive patients (n = 23 046), known hypertensive patients (n = 2807), and newly detected hypertensive patients (n = 5498). We first used generalized additive model to establish the nonlinear relationship between daily mean temperature and BP, and then calculated the linear effects of temperature on BP among populations with different hypertension status. Finally, we calculated the temperature-adjusted hypertension prevalence and control rate. RESULTS: Generally, there is an inverse relationship between temperature and BP. For a 1 °C increase in temperature, the decreased SBPs for normotensive patients, newly detected hypertensive patients, and known hypertensive patients were 0.37 [95% confidence interval (CI): -0.40, -0.33] mmHg, 0.21 (95% CI: -0.32, -0.10) mmHg and 0.81 (95% CI: -1.02, -0.59) mmHg, while reduced DBPs were 0.19 (95% CI: -0.21, -0.16) mmHg, 0.01 (95% CI: -0.06,0.08) mmHg, and 0.44 (95% CI: -0.56, -0.32) mmHg, respectively. At 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 °C, the hypertension prevalence rates were 32.5, 29.7, 27.7, 26.0, and 25.0%, respectively, and the control rates were 12.0, 17.5, 23.5, 30.1, and 37.1%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Low temperature increased BP for all populations, especially for known hypertensive patients, which makes hypertension prevalence increase and control rate decrease if temperature reduce. Our findings suggest that temperature should be considered in hypertension clinic management and epidemiological survey.

Gut microbiota partially mediates the effects of fine particulate matter on type 2 diabetes: Evidence from a population-based epidemiological study.

BACKGROUND: Experimental studies have indicated that alterations in the gut microbiota might play a role in the pathway of diabetes induction resulting from particulate matter pollution with aerodynamic diameters < 2.5 µm (PM2.5). However, few human studies have examined such experimental findings. Here, we examine the mediating effects of gut microbial dysbiosis on the associations between PM2.5 and particulate matter pollution with aerodynamic diameters < 1 µm (PM1) on diabetes using the Guangdong Gut Microbiome Project (GGMP) dataset. METHODS: A multistage cluster sampling method was employed to recruit adult participants from communities in Guangdong. Each participant was interviewed using a questionnaire, fasting blood and stool samples were collected, and the exposure to air pollutants was assessed using a spatiotemporal land-use regression model. The mediation analysis was conducted to estimate the associations among air pollutants, gut microbiota diversity and diabetes. RESULTS: Both PM2.5 and PM1 were positively associated with the risks of impaired fasting glucose (IFG) or type 2 diabetes and negatively associated with alpha diversity indices of the gut microbiota. The mediation analyses indicated that the associations of PM2.5 and PM1 with the risk of type 2 diabetes were partially mediated by the decrease in gut microbiota diversity. Moreover, we found that 79 (PM2.5 on IFG), 84 (PM2.5 on type 2 diabetes), 83 (PM1 on IFG) and 89 (PM1 on type 2 diabetes) bacterial taxa could partially mediate the associations of PM2.5 and PM1 with IFG and type 2 diabetes, respectively. The relative abundance of most Firmicutes, Proteobacteria and Verrucomicrobia bacteria were negatively associated with particulate matter (PM) concentrations and the risks of diabetes. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term exposure to PM may increase the risk of diabetes, and alterations in the gut microbiota partially explained these associations.

Linking gut microbiota, metabolic syndrome and economic status based on a population-level analysis.

BACKGROUND: The metabolic syndrome (MetS) epidemic is associated with economic development, lifestyle transition and dysbiosis of gut microbiota, but these associations are rarely studied at the population scale. Here, we utilised the Guangdong Gut Microbiome Project (GGMP), the largest Eastern population-based gut microbiome dataset covering individuals with different economic statuses, to investigate the relationships between the gut microbiome and host physiology, diet, geography, physical activity and socioeconomic status. RESULTS: At the population level, 529 OTUs were significantly associated with MetS. OTUs from Proteobacteria and Firmicutes (other than Ruminococcaceae) were mainly positively associated with MetS, whereas those from Bacteroidetes and Ruminococcaceae were negatively associated with MetS. Two hundred fourteen OTUs were significantly associated with host economic status (140 positive and 74 negative associations), and 157 of these OTUs were also MetS associated. A microbial MetS index was formulated to represent the overall gut dysbiosis of MetS. The values of this index were significantly higher in MetS subjects regardless of their economic status or geographical location. The index values did not increase with increasing personal economic status, although the prevalence of MetS was significantly higher in people of higher economic status. With increased economic status, the study population tended to consume more fruits and vegetables and fewer grains, whereas meat consumption was unchanged. Sedentary time was significantly and positively associated with higher economic status. The MetS index showed an additive effect with sedentary lifestyle, as the prevalence of MetS in individuals with high MetS index values and unhealthy lifestyles was significantly higher than that in the rest of the population. CONCLUSIONS: The gut microbiome is associated with MetS and economic status. A prolonged sedentary lifestyle, rather than Westernised dietary patterns, was the most notable lifestyle change in our Eastern population along with economic development. Moreover, gut dysbiosis and a Western lifestyle had an additive effect on increasing MetS prevalence.