A novel clinical diagnostic marker predicting the relationship between visceral adiposity and renal function evaluated by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in the Chinese physical examination population.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The effect of body fat deposition on the kidney has received increasing attention. The Chinese visceral adiposity index (CVAI) is an important indicator of recent research. The purpose of this study was to explore the predictive value of CVAI and other organ obesity indicators in predicting CKD in Chinese residents. METHODS: A retrospective cross-sectional study of 5355 subjects was performed. First, the study utilized locally estimated scatterplot smoothing to describe the dose-response relationship between the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and CVAI. The L1-penalized least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression algorithm was used for covariation screening, and the correlation between CVAI and eGFR was quantified using multiple logistic regression. At the same time, the diagnostic efficiency of CVAI and other obesity indicators was evaluated by ROC curve analysis. RESULTS: CVAI and eGFR were negatively correlated. Using group one as the control, an odds ratio (OR) was calculated to quantify CVAI quartiles (ORs of Q2, Q3, and Q4 were 2.21, 2.99, and 4.42, respectively; P for trend < 0.001). CVAI had the maximum area under the ROC curve compared with other obesity indicators, especially in the female population (AUC: 0.74, 95% CI: 0.71-0.76). CONCLUSIONS: CVAI is closely linked to renal function decline and has certain reference value for the screening of CKD patients, particularly in women.

The association between parity and metabolic syndrome and its components in normal-weight postmenopausal women in China.

BACKGROUND: Studies analyzing the association between parity and normal-weight metabolic syndrome (MetS) in postmenopausal women of normal weight remain limited, this study aimed to explore the association between parity and MetS among Chinese normal-weight postmenopausal women. METHODS: In total, 776 normal-weight undiagnosed type 2 diabetes postmenopausal women who visited the Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University for a routine health check-up between 1 January 2017 and 31 December 2019 were included in the cross-sectional study. All individuals had fully completed information records encompassing standardized electronic medical records, physical examinations, and biochemical measurements. Metabolic health was defined as fewer than 2 parameters of the MetS were present, in combination with normal weight. Continuous variables which were normally distributed were expressed as means and standard deviation. Comparisons among normally distributed continuous variables were made using one-way ANOVA while that among non-normal distribution parameters were made using Kruskal-Wallis. The association between parity and MetS was analyzed using multivariate logistic regression. All of the analyses were performed with SPSS statistical software (Version 23.0, SPSS, Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) and the statistical software package EmpowerStats ( http://www.empowerstats.com , X&Y Solutions, Inc., Boston, MA). RESULTS: After adjusting for potential confounding factors including hip circumference, parity was failed to show a significantly relationship with MetS in normal-weight women(P=0.054). Women with a higher parity (≥3) had an increased OR of abdominal obesity, while the OR (95% CI) of the parity 3 group was 2.06 (1.13, 3.77) and that of the parity ≥4 group was 3.08(1.42, 6.66) the P for trend was 0.002 after adjusting for potential confounding factors. No significant differences were detected for other metabolic disorders including high levels of triglycerides (TG), blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), and decreased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) in different parity groups. CONCLUSIONS: Higher parity was not associated with a higher risk of MetS in normal weight Chinese postmenopausal women. As for the components of MetS, only waist circumference was associated with multiparity even after controlling for hip circumference.

Association between the non-HDL-cholesterol to HDL-cholesterol ratio and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in Chinese children and adolescents: a large single-center cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The non-HDL-cholesterol to HDL-cholesterol (NHDLC/HDLC) ratio is closely related to a variety of dyslipidemia-related diseases. This study examined the relationship between the NHDLC/HDLC ratio and non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFLD) in children and adolescents. METHODS: This cross-sectional survey included a total of 7759 eligible Chinese children and adolescents (5692 boys and 2067 girls) who received routine medical examinations. The anthropometric and laboratory data of the subjects were collected. NAFLD was diagnosed by liver ultrasonography. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed on the NHDLC/HDLC ratio, NHDLC, HDLC and NAFLD. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to compare the diagnostic significance of the above parameters for NAFLD. RESULTS: The total prevalence of NAFLD was 4.36%, and the prevalence in boys was higher than that in girls (5.61% vs. 1.9%, P < 0.001). The prevalence of NAFLD was positively correlated with the NHDLC/HDLC ratio (P < 0.001). The binary logistic regression analysis demonstrated that the OR was 8.61 (95% CI, 5.90-12.57, P < 0.001) in tertile 3 (highest NHDLC/HDLC ratio) compared with tertile 1 (lowest NHDLC/HDLC ratio). After adjustment for age, sex, body mass index (BMI), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), uric acid (UA), total bilirubin (TB), fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and Homeostasis Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR), the OR for tertile 3 (OR = 1.83, 95% CI, 1.04-3.22, P = 0.035) was still significantly higher than that of tertile 1. The area under the curve (AUC) of the NHDLC/HDLC ratio of boys was 0.787, which was significantly greater than NHDLC and HDLC (0.719 and 0.726, P < 0.001). For girls, the AUC of the NHDLC/HDLC ratio was 0.763, which was also significantly greater than NHDLC (0.661, P < 0.001). The cutoff point of the NHDLC/HDLC ratio was 2.475 in boys and 2.695 in girls. In addition, the AUC of the NHDLC/HDLC ratio was 0.761 in subjects with normal ALT levels (ALT ≤40 U/L), which was significantly higher than NHDLC (0.680, P < 0.001) and HDLC (0.724, P = 0.007). For subjects with elevated ALT levels (ALT > 40 U/L), the AUC of the NHDLC/HDLC ratio (0.746) was also significantly greater than NHDLC (0.646, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The NHDLC/HDLC ratio was positively correlated with NAFLD in Chinese children and adolescents. It may serve as an effective indicator to help identify NAFLD in children and adolescents.

The geriatric nutritional risk index independently predicts adverse outcomes in patients with pyogenic liver abscess.

BACKGROUND: Geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) is a simple and useful nutritional marker for predictor of adverse outcomes in patients undergoing a variety of conditions. This study explored the relationship between GNRI and adverse outcomes of Pyogenic Liver Abscess (PLA) patients and assessed GNRI predictive value. METHODS: This was one retrospective study involving 240 PLA patients. According to one GNRI cutoff value of 90, the patients were divided into two groups. Besides, demographic, laboratory, adverse outcomes were compared between the two groups. Multivariate logistic regression analyses and receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis were performed. RESULTS: Compared with high GNRI patients, those with low GNRI had a higher risk of mortality (13.4% vs. 2.0%, P = 0.002), metastatic infection (17.7% vs. 8.2%, P = 0.050), acute hepatic failure (6.8% vs. 1.0%, P = 0.036), acute respiratory failure (7.4% vs. 1.0%, P = 0.024), upper gastrointestinal (UGI) bleeding (11.9% vs. 2.1%, P = 0.006) and empyema (20.1% vs. 10.2%, P = 0.047). Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated GNRI (< 90) as one independent factor in death prediction (odds ratio (OR) = 5.36, 95% of confidence interval (CI) = 1.17-24.48), and adverse outcomes (OR = 2.04, 95% CI = 1.05-3.98). GNRI had the largest area under receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve than albumin, BMI, platelet, prothrombin time and hemoglobin in death prediction (area under ROC curves (AUC) = 0.771, cutoff value = 79.45, P < 0.01) and all adverse outcomes (AUC = 0.656, cutoff value = 87.43, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Lower levels of GNRI are an independent risk factor for poor PLA prognosis. Physicians should consider GNRI for PLA outcomes and consider more careful resuscitation and timely and appropriate treatment, especially in those with GNRI< 87.43.

Efficacy and safety of mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists for patients with heart failure and diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to systematically assess the efficacy and safety of mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs) for patients with heart failure (HF) and diabetes mellitus (DM). METHODS: We conducted a comprehensive search for controlled studies that evaluated the efficacy and safety of MRAs in patients with DM and HF. Medline, Embase and Cochrane databases were searched. Two reviewers independently identified citations, extracted data and evaluated quality. Risk estimations were abstracted and pooled where appropriate. RESULTS: Four observational studies were included. MRAs use was associated with reduced mortality compared with controls (RR = 0.78; 95% CI: 0.69-0.88; I(2) = 0%; P < 0.001). Increased risk of developing hyperkalaemia was observed in those patients taking MRAs (RR = 1.74; 95% CI: 1.27-2.38; I(2) = 0%; P = 0.0005). CONCLUSIONS: The current cumulative evidence suggests that MRAs can improve clinical outcomes but increase the risk of hyperkalaemia in patients with DM and HF. TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42015025690 .

Association between serum uric acid-to-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio and insulin resistance in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

INTRODUCTION: Previous studies have shown that the serum uric acid-to-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (UHR) is related to metabolic syndrome. However, no existing study has examined the relationship between UHR and insulin resistance (IR). Therefore, this study aims to explore the association between the UHR and IR in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). METHODS: Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (1,532 males and 1,013 females) were enrolled. Insulin resistance was measured by homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and was defined as HOMI-IR ≥ 2.69. Pearson correlation, multiple logistic regression, ROC analysis, and subgroup analysis were used to evaluate the association between UHR and IR. RESULTS: UHR was associated with HOMA-IR in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (pearson's correlation coefficient = 0.274 in males and 0.337 in females, P < 0.001). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that UHR was significantly correlated with insulin resistance (OR = 1.06, 95%CI = 1.03-1.08 in males and OR = 1.11, 95%CI = 1.08-1.15 in females). The area under the ROC curve (AUC) of UHR (AUC = 0.665 for males and 0.717 for females, all P < 0.01) was the largest compared with that of UA and HDL-C in insulin resistance. Subgroup analysis showed that there was a more significantly positive correlation among subjects with BMI ≥ 24 kg/m2 , age < 60 years old, HbA1c < 7%, non-hypertension, or in female subjects. CONCLUSION: Elevated UHR is significantly correlated with insulin resistance, which can be used as an indicator of insulin resistance in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

The ratio of alanine aminotransferase to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol is positively correlated with the insulin resistance in American adults: a population-based cohort study.

Introduction: Previous studies have demonstrated a correlation between the ratio of alanine aminotransferase to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (ALT/HDL-C) in the serum and the risk of diabetes. However, no existing study has investigated the association between insulin resistance (IR) and ALT/HDL-C. Therefore, this study aims to explore the association between ALT/HDL-C and IR in American adults. Methods: A total of 7,599 adults selected from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) in 2013 to 2020 were studied. IR was assessed based on the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). And the association between IR and ALT/HDL-C was assessed through multiple logistic regression, generalized smooth curve fitting and subgroup analyses. Results: Multiple logistic regression analysis indicated a significant correlation between IR and ALT/HDL-C, with odds ratios (OR) of 1.04 (95% CI = 1.02-1.05) in males and 1.04 (95% CI = 1.02-1.07) in females. A non-linear association and saturation effect between ALT/HDL-C and IR risk were identified, with an inverted L shaped curve and an inflection point at 33.62. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) of ALT/HDL-C was significantly larger (AUC = 0.725 for males and 0.696 for females, all p < 0.01) compared with the use of ALT, HDL-C, AST and AST/ALT. Subgroup analysis showed a significantly higher independent association in obese individuals and individuals aged ≥50 years (All P interaction <0.05). Conclusion: Elevated ALT/HDL-C demonstrates a significant correlation with IR, which can be used as a potential indicator of IR in American adults.

Serum Uric Acid Levels among Chinese Children: Reference Values and Association With Overweight/Obesity.

This study aimed to investigate the reference values for serum uric acid (SUA) levels and their association with overweight/obese in children. We conducted a retrospective analysis of 8522 participants, including 6227 normal weight children, aged 2 to 18 years in China. Among normal children, SUA levels increased with age, showing significant sex differences in children over 10 years. Age-specific and sex-specific 95% reference intervals for SUA levels were established. Furthermore, we observed that the percentage of overweight/obesity significantly increased as SUA quartiles rose. Elevated SUA levels were associated with a high odds ratio (OR) for overweight/obesity (OR = 4.45, 95% confidence interval = 3.33, 5.93). We propose that the 97.5th percentile is a suitable value for defining elevated SUA levels, and there is a positive correlation between SUA levels and the presence of overweight or obesity.

The performance of noninvasive indexes of adults in identification of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in children.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to evaluate the performance of three existing prediction scores which are applicable to adults for identifying nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in Chinese children. METHODS: We used data from routine check-up based medical records of 1845 children to validate the performance of three existing scoring systems including the hepatic steatosis index (HSI), Zhejiang University index (ZJU index), and triglyceride-glucose index (TyG index) in detection of NAFLD in children. Propensity score matching was applied to adjust for potential confounding effects in both training and validation cohorts. The area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was utilized to assess the performance of the three scoring systems. RESULTS: Children with NAFLD had higher scores of HSI, ZJU index, and TyG index when compared with the control group (children without NAFLD). Elevated HSI, ZJU index, and TyG index scores were significantly associated with the presence of pediatric NAFLD since adjusted odds ratio and 95% CI with per interquartile range elevation of the HSI, ZJU index, and TyG index were 32.81 (20.48, 52.55), 26.31 (16.97, 40.79), and 1.83 (1.57, 2.13), respectively. In terms of discrimination of NAFLD in children, the AUC of the HSI, ZJU index, and TyG index depending on the validation cohort were 0.964, 0.960, and 0.769, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The HSI and ZJU index could be appropriate noninvasive biomarkers in distinguishing NAFLD in children from their controls with satisfied accuracy, which would emphasize the clinical and public health policy relevance of pediatric NAFLD. Our findings need to be confirmed by additional longitudinal studies.

Phlorizin Exerts Direct Protective Effects on Palmitic Acid (PA)-Induced Endothelial Dysfunction by Activating the PI3K/AKT/eNOS Signaling Pathway and Increasing the Levels of Nitric Oxide (NO).

BACKGROUND Sodium glucose transporter-2 inhibitors are the newest antidiabetic drugs that seem to be cardioprotective and can prevent type 2 diabetes in patients with high cardiovascular risks. Previous clinical trials have shown that these inhibitors can alleviate endothelial dysfunction, but the mechanism of action remains unknown. How SGLT inhibitor influences the release of NO in PA-induced HUVECs has never been reported. MATERIAL AND METHODS To explore the potential effects of the endothelial-protective mechanism of phlorizin and its impact on nitric oxide (NO), human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were incubated with palmitic acid (PA) and then treated with phlorizin. Western blotting was performed to assess the phosphorylation of AKT, eNOS, and IRS-1. To further explore potential targets, siRNA transfection was used to demonstrate the role of SGLT1 and SGLT2. RESULTS Phlorizin suppressed the expression of SGLT1 and SGLT2, activated the PI3K/AKT/eNOS signaling pathway, increased the output of NO, and promoted the consumption of glucose in PA-induced HUVECs. Through demonstrating siRNA suppression of the expression of SGLT1 and SGLT2 in PA-induced HUVECs, this study provides a new understanding of the mechanism behind SGLT1 and SGLT2. CONCLUSIONS Our data demonstrate that phlorizin ameliorates the endothelial dysfunction link with the activation of the PI3K/AKT/eNOS signaling pathway and augmentation of the release of NO, partially through suppressing the expression of SGLT1 and SGLT2 in PA-induced HUVECS.