Serum klotho associated with thyroid hormone in adults: A population-based cross-sectional research.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIM: The klotho protein, a multifunctional protein, has been shown to be associated with a wide range of endocrine diseases and has been linked to thyroid tumourigenesis. However, the relationship between serum klotho levels and thyroid hormones remains poorly understood. This study aimed to explore the correlation between serum klotho levels and thyroid hormones. METHODS: Data was obtained from the NHANES cycles 2007-2008, 2009-2010, and 2011-2012. A total of 4674 participants were recruited for this study. Statistical analysis was using multiple linear regression analyses, and restricted cubic spline plots (RCS) to investigate the association between serum klotho levels and serum levels of thyroid hormones. RESULTS: In the unadjusted covariate model, ln(klotho) significantly positively correlated with tT3, tT4, fT3, tT4/fT4, and tT3/fT3 (all P<0.01) and negatively correlated with TSH, tT4/tT3, and fT4/fT3 (all P<0.05). Furthermore, tT3, tT4, fT3and tT3/fT3 (P < 0.05) were still significant in the adjusted model. And it is worth noting that there is an approximately L-shaped nonlinear relationship between ln(klotho) and fT3,tT3 with a cut-off point of 6.697 (P-non-linear < 0.05). The stratification analysis showed gender and iodine level differences in the relationship between serum Klotho levels and thyroid hormones. CONCLUSION: There is an L-shaped nonlinear relationship between ln(klotho) and fT3, tT3, suggesting that klotho could be involved in the physiological regulation of thyroid function.

Chloroform associated with bone mineral density and bone mineral content in adults: A population-based cross-sectional research.

BACKGROUND: Bone mineral density is an important indicator of osteoporosis, and its variation with volatile organic compounds exposure has rarely been studied. However, the relationship between chloroform (an essential volatile organic compounds component) and bone mineral density remains unclear. Consequently, we aimed to explore the relationship between chloroform alone and bone mineral density or bone mineral content. METHODS: Herein, 2,553 individuals aged 18 and above from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) in 2009-2010, 2013-2014, and 2017-2020, were included. We employed two independent t-tests and multi-linear regression models to statistically assess the relationship between chloroform exposure and BMD/BMC in the spine and femoral area. RESULTS: A "V"-shaped correlation between chloroform exposure and bone mineral density or bone mineral content (BMD/BMC) was observed in the unadjusted model, particularly in the Ward's triangle and femoral neck as a whole. A negative correlation was specifically observed for the Ward's triangle BMD/BMC and L4 BMD/BMC. On the other hand, in the adjusted model, a dominantly negative correlation between the L4 BMC and chloroform exposure was observed over a range of exposure levels. The subgroup analysis revealed a negative correlation between chloroform concentrations and BMC in the femur and spine, especially in women and the 65-80 age population. CONCLUSION: Our study revealed a "V" shaped correlation between chloroform and BMD/BMC of the femur and spine in U.S. adults. This finding highlights the fact that prolonged exposure to chloroform may cause the changes in BMD/BMC.

Association between serum heavy metal levels and diabetic retinopathy in NHANES 2011-2020.

The present study utilized the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database to examine the relationship between serum levels of heavy metals and Diabetic retinopathy (DR) in individuals aged over 30 years with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in the United States. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted on 1583 individuals with T2DM from the NHANES 2011-2020, including 331 individuals in the DR group and 1252 individuals in the non-DR group. We collected data on serum levels of heavy metals, DR, and serum albumin for descriptive statistics, linear regression, and logistical regression analysis. After adjusting for age, gender, race and other factors, there was no statistically significant association between blood cadmium, selenium, mercury, or lead and DR. However, serum manganese (Mn) and DR had a significant negative association (ß = - 0.2045, 95% CI = - 0.3484, - 0.0606). Serum albumin partially modulated the indirect influence of serum Mn on the incidence of DR, accounting for 12.80% of the association between serum Mn and DR. There was a negative association between serum Mn levels and the prevalence of DR in people with T2DM. Mn intake at least in this study has a little influence on the onset and development of DR.

Effects of green tea powder on production performance, egg quality, and blood biochemical parameters in laying hens.

The paper aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary inclusion of green tea powder (GTP) on laying performance, egg quality, and blood biochemical parameters of laying hens. A total of 240 Jingfen No. 6 laying hens (age, 24 wk) were randomly allocated into 4 groups: control group (CON, basal diet), GTP0.5, GTP0.75, and GTP1.0 (basal diet included 0.5, 0.75, and 1.0% GTP, respectively). Each group has 5 replicates with 12 birds each. The feeding trial lasted 8 wk. The results showed that the hen-day egg production rate in GTP0.5 and GTP 0.75 group was higher than that of GTP1.0 group (P < 0.05), hen-day egg production rate in the GTP1.0 group was lower compared to the CON group (P > 0.05), the feed conversion ratio (FCR) in the GTP0.75 group was lower than that in CON and GTP 1.0 group (P < 0.05) during the entire experimental period. Albumen height and Haugh unit were higher in the GTP0.75 and GTP1.0 group compared to the CON group at d 56 (P < 0.05). At the end of experiment, plasma TG content in the GTP0.75 and GTP1.0 group was lower than that in the CON group (P < 0.05), the T-CH concentration in the GTP0.5 and GTP0.75 group was lower compared to the CON group (P < 0.05), plasma LDL-C and CORT concentrations were decreased by dietary GTP supplementation (P < 0.05), the HDL-C and BUN concentrations in the GTP0.75 and GTP1.0 group were higher than that in the CON group (P < 0.05). The antibody titers of H5N1 in the GTP0.75 and GTP1.0 group, and H7N9 in the GTP1.0 group were lower than that in the CON group (P < 0.05). In conclusion, dietary GTP inclusion could affect laying performance, regulate lipid metabolism, and have no favorable influence on antibody titers of H5N1 and H7N9, herein, dietary 0.5% GTP inclusion is suggested for Jingfen No. 6 laying hens during the peak laying period.

Relationship Between Serum Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase Level and Impaired Fasting Glucose Among Chinese Community-Dwelling Adults: A Follow-Up Observation of 6 Years.

Objective: We aimed to investigate the relationship between serum gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) and fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels, as well as the cumulative risk of impaired fasting glucose (IFG) regulation in the Chinese adult population after 6 years of follow-up. Methods: A total of 1360 apparently healthy Chinese men and women who completed a community-based health examination survey and did not have IFG in central China in 2010 and 2016 were included in this study. The patients were divided into four groups according to their baseline GGT (in quartiles). The relationship between GGT levels and FBG levels was examined using general linear regression models. The effect of the GGT level on the risk of IFG was analyzed using multivariate logistic regression. The first quartile group of GGT levels was set as the dummy variable in the model, and the odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals of the remaining quartile groups relative to the first quartile group were obtained. Results: After 6 years of follow-up, 16.4% (188/1148) of participants were diagnosed with IFG. The cumulative incidence of IFG in the four groups according to their baseline GGT levels (in quartiles) was 7.7%, 16.1%, 15.8%, and 26.8%, respectively. Based on the Cox multiple regression, the hazard ratio for IFG increased by 28.9% for each unit of increase in the baseline GGT level after adjusting for the confounding factors. The GGT levels of participants in the first quartile were used as the reference group. The relative risks of IFG in the second, third, and fourth quartiles of GGT were 1.70, 1.55, and 2.46, respectively (P = 0.005). Conclusions: GGT was positively associated with the risk of IFG and can be used as an indicator to assess whether a patient may develop prediabetes.

Evaluation of the associations of body height with blood pressure and early-stage atherosclerosis in Chinese adults.

Body height has been recently related to the risk of coronary heart disease and metabolic risk factors. However, data are scarce regarding the relationship between body height and early-stage atherosclerotic changes, especially in Chinese individuals. In this study, we aimed to comprehensively examine the associations of body height with early-stage atherosclerosis and blood pressure in Chinese adults. Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV), carotid-radial pulse wave velocity (crPWV), carotid artery-dorsalis pedis pulse wave velocity (cdPWV), and body height were measured in 5098 men and women. All samples were obtained from a community-based health examination survey in central China. After adjusting for sex, age, weight, fasting glucose level, lipid level, creatinine, and heart rate, low body heights were significantly associated with higher cfPWV, crPWV, and blood pressure (all P for trend <.01), whereas no significant association was found between body height and cdPWV. In addition, we found a significant interaction between prehypertension status and body height in relation to cfPWV, after adjusting for covariates (P for interaction = .0024). The associations were stronger in participants with prehypertension than in those with normal blood pressure. Compared to the group with the tallest stature and normal blood pressure, individuals in the group with the shortest stature and prehypertension had nearly a 2.5 m/s higher cfPWV. These results indicate that short body height was associated with an increased risk of early-stage atherosclerosis in Chinese adults, independent of traditional cardiometabolic risk factors. Prehypertension might modify the association between body height and cfPWV.

Six-year follow-up study on the association between white blood cell count and fasting blood glucose level in Chinese adults: A community-based health examination survey.

BACKGROUND: Pre-diabetes is considered to be an important reversible stage of type 2 diabetes (T2DM); thus, early identification of pre-diabetes may help in the prevention of T2DM. This study aimed to explore the relationship between white blood cell (WBC) counts and the cumulative risk of impaired fasting glucose (IFG) regulation at 6 years. METHODS: A community-based health examination survey was conducted among individuals who were randomly selected from 1300 residents living in China in 2010 to 2016. The participants were divided into four groups according to WBC baseline level. This study initially conducted a cross-sectional analysis of the population who underwent physical examination to explore the relationship between WBC count and FBG levels. Then, a follow-up study was conducted on the population who underwent IFG normal physical examination to explore the relationship between baseline WBC count and changes in FBG levels and the cumulative risk of 6-year IFG. RESULTS: During the 6-year cohort follow-up, 17.2% of the participants developed IFG, and the cumulative incidence rates of IFG in the four groups were 14.7%, 16.3%, 15.8%, and 22.2%. By Cox multiple regression equation the hazard ratio (HR) of the IFG increased by 18.7% for each additional unit of baseline WBC count with no adjustment of any factor. After adjusting factors, HR increased by 8.4%. CONCLUSION: Increased WBC counts are associated with risk of IFG, suggesting chronic inflammation may be involved in the development and progression of IFG.

Genetic predisposition to obesity is associated with insulin secretion in Chinese adults: The Cardiometabolic Risk in Chinese (CRC) study.

AIMS: The etiological role of obesity in determining diabetes risk among Asians may be different from that among Caucasians. The current study aimed to investigate the association between genetic predisposition to obesity and measures of insulin secretion and resistance in a large Chinese cohort. METHODS: Study samples were from a community-based health examination survey in central China. A total of 2058 subjects with available biomarkers levels were included in the present study. A genetic risk score (GRS) of obesity was derived on the basis of thirteen Asian-specific body mass index (BMI)-associated variants. RESULTS: High obesity GRS was significantly associated with increased homeostasis model assessment (HOMA)-B score (ß=7.309; P=0.001) but not related to measures of insulin resistance. Adjustment for age, sex, BMI, and levels of lipids did not appreciably change the results. In addition, we found significant interactions between the obesity GRS and measures of body fat distribution including waist circumference (WC; P for interaction=0.004) and neck circumference (NC; P for interaction=0.014) on HOMA-B score. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that genetic predisposition to obesity may affect beta cell function in Chinese; and body fat distribution may modify the genetic effects.

The CDKAL1 gene is associated with impaired insulin secretion and glucose-related traits: the Cardiometabolic Risk in Chinese (CRC) study.

OBJECTIVE: Insulin secretion and insulin resistance, which affect metabolic homoeostasis, each have a significant genetic component. Cyclin- dependent kinase 5 (CDK5) regulatory subunit-associated protein 1-like 1 (CDKAL1) rs10946398, a novel body mass index (BMI)-associated locus specifically in the Asian population, may impair insulin secretion and may be associated with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Our objective was to investigate the impact of the rs10946398 polymorphism of CDKAL1 on insulin secretion, insulin resistance and glucose-related traits in the Chinese population. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The study samples were based on a community-based health examination survey conducted in central China. Indices of insulin resistance and insulin secretion were derived from fasting glucose measurements and oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTTs). Using multivariate linear regression models, the relationships between the rs10946398 polymorphism of CDKAL1 and insulin secretion, insulin resistance and quantitative glucose-related traits were investigated in 2313 participants. RESULTS: The CDKAL1 rs10946398 C allele showed a significant association with decreased insulin secretion (ß = -0·05, P < 0·0005), but not with insulin resistance (ß = 0·02, P = 0·08). We also found that the CDKAL1 rs10946398 C allele was significantly associated with glucose-related traits (fasting glucose, fasting insulin, 2-h glucose and HbA1c). There was no significant relationship between rs10946398 and other metabolic traits. CONCLUSIONS: rs10946398 of CDKAL1 was associated with markers of impaired insulin secretion. It is reasonable to infer that the relationship between CDKAL1 and metabolic diseases is mediated by its effect on glucose-related traits.

Relationship between white blood cells and hypertension in Chinese adults: the Cardiometabolic Risk in Chinese (CRC) study.

Increased blood pressure was associated with increased white blood cell count (adjusted p < 0.001) in a community-based health examination survey of adults in China (n = 39 282; aged 18-93 years). Adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) for hypertension across white blood cell count quintiles were 1.00, 0.99 (0.89-1.09), 1.11 (1.01-1.22), 1.09 (0.99-1.20), and 1.19 (1.08-1.31) (p for trend < 0.001). Body mass index and white blood cell count had an additive effect on systolic blood pressure (p for interaction = 0.047). Therefore, white blood cell count could independently predict hypertension in Chinese adults.

Adiponectin Genotype, Blood Pressures, and Arterial Stiffness: The Cardiometabolic Risk in Chinese (CRC) Study.

The authors examined whether the adiponectin gene (ADIPOQ) variant was associated with blood pressure and arterial stiffness in Chinese adults. A genome-wide association study of the adiponectin variant rs864265 in the ADIPOQ gene was genotyped in a total of 2364 participants. After adjustment for sex, age, body mass index (BMI), fasting glucose, and lipids, participants carrying the T allele of rs864265 showed a greater increase in carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) and systolic blood pressure (SBP). Further adjustment for blood pressure did not appreciably change the association with cfPWV. The authors found significant interactions between rs864265 and BMI, waist circumference, body fat percentage, and SBP in relation to cfPWV (P for interaction = .035, .001, .003, .013, respectively). The T allele of rs864265 was associated with high blood pressure and arterial stiffness. BMI, body fat percentage, waist circumference, and SBP might modify the effects of genetic polymorphism on arterial stiffness.

Regulation of hepatic carbohydrate metabolism by Selenium during diabetes.

In the present study, we have tried to unravel the role of Selenium supplementation in containing hyperglycemia by regulating enzymes activities involved in carbohydrate metabolism in liver of diabetic animals. Male wistar rats were divided into four groups: normal control, diabetic, Selenium treated control and Selenium treated diabetic group. Diabetes was induced in the animals by injecting alloxan intraperitoneally at a dose level of 150 mg/kg body weight. Selenium in the form of sodium selenite was supplemented to rats at a dose level of 1 PPM in drinking water, ad libitum for two time durations of 2 and 4 weeks. Animals were sacrificed and livers were excised for the analyses of enzymes involved in carbohydrate metabolism as well as the levels of glycogen. In-vitro (14)C-d glucose uptake and its turnover were also assessed in liver slices of all the treatment groups using radiorespirometry. Selenium supplementation to the diabetic rats normalized the enzyme activities of glucose-6-phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase and glycogen phosphorylase as well as restored the glycogen levels to within the normal limits which were altered during diabetes. Interestingly, when Selenium was supplemented to diabetic rats, (14)C-d glucose uptake and its turnover showed a statistically significant increase in their values which however, were decreased in diabetic rats. In conclusion, Selenium mediates insulin-like role during diabetes by tending to normalize the altered activities of glucose metabolizing enzymes and also improves the glucose uptake and its metabolism by the liver.

Serum Uric Acid and Impaired Glucose Tolerance: The Cardiometabolic Risk in Chinese (CRC) Study.

Serum uric acid (SUA) elevation has been previously related to impaired fasting glucose and type 2 diabetes. The present study was comprehensive to examine the associations between SUA and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) in Chinese adults. For this purpose, data were collected from a community-based health examination survey conducted in Central China; 2-h glucose (OGTT) and SUA were measured in 1956 men and women. In multivariate models, SUA levels were significantly associated with an increasing trend of 2-h glucose (OGTT) (P for trend < 0.0001). The odds ratios (OR; 95 % CI) of IGT across increasing quartiles of SUA were 1.0, 1.354 (0.948-2.087), 1.337 (0.959-2.251), and 2.192 (1.407-3.416), after adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, waist circumference, fasting insulin, blood pressure, serum lipids, serum creatinine, and estimated glomerular filtration rate. (P for trend = 0.001). In addition, we found an additive pattern between SUA and triglyceride (TG; P = 0.038) or between SUA and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C; P = 0.041) in relation to IGT. SUA was related to IGT in the Chinese adults, independent of other conventional metabolic risk factors. TG and LDL-C might modify the associations.

Association of hematocrit and pre-hypertension among Chinese adults: the CRC study.

Elevated blood pressure is regarded as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. We examined the relation between hematocrit and pre-hypertension as well as the effect of sex, obesity, fasting glucose, and lipids in Chinese adults. The study samples were from a community-based health examination survey in China and included a total of 2,3691 patients with blood pressure in normal range. The odds ratios [ORs, 95 % confidence interval (CI)] of pre-hypertension across increasing quartiles of hematocrit were 1.000, 1.176 (1.050-1.318), 1.213 (1.081-1.363), and 1.364 (1.209-1.540) (P for trend < 0.001), when adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, glutamic-pyruvic transaminase, glutamic-oxalocetie transaminase, serum uric acid, glucose, and lipids. Associations were significant in both men and women, but not in individuals older than 60 years. In addition, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol significantly interacted with hematocrit (P for interaction <0.024). The associations were more evident in patients with low (P < 0.001) and median LDL-C levels (P < 0.013) than those with high glucose levels. Hematocrit was associated with pre-hypertension, and was independent of metabolic risk factors. These associations were not significant in older individuals and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol may modify these associations.

Neck circumference and prehypertension: the cardiometabolic risk in Chinese study.

BACKGROUND: We have previously found that neck circumference was related to insulin resistance, a risk factor for hypertension in Chinese. Little is known about whether high neck circumference is associated with elevated blood pressure. METHOD: The study samples were from a community-based health examination survey in central China. In total, 1709 men and women with neck circumference measurement were included. We analysed the associations between neck circumference and the risk of prehypertension. RESULTS: Although neck circumference was strongly associated with SBP/DBP in a univariate analysis, it was no longer associated with SBP and the association was much weaker with DBP when the association was adjusted for BMI or waist circumference. Similarly, high neck circumference was significantly related to an increased risk of prehypertension [odds ratio 1.254; 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.171-1.343] in a univariate analysis, and the association became marginal in models further adjusting for BMI or waist. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that neck circumference as predictor for prehypertension is not obvious given the moderate improvement of disease prediction.

Neck circumference and early stage atherosclerosis: the cardiometabolic risk in Chinese (CRC) study.

BACKGROUND: Neck circumference (NC) has been previously related to cardiometabolic risk factors. In this study we examined the association between NC and early stage atherosclerosis in Chinese adults. METHODS: The study samples were from a community-based health examination survey in central China. In total 2,318 men and women (18-64 y) were included in the final analyses. Carotid radial pulse wave velocity (crPWV), carotid femoral PWV (cfPWV), carotid artery dorsalis pedis PWV (cdPWV) and NC were measured. RESULTS: After adjustment for age, sex, lipids, glucose, blood pressure, heart rate, body mass index (BMI), high NC was significantly associated with an increasing trend of cfPWV, cdPWV and crPWV (P = 0.001, 0.049, and 0.038; respectively). In addition, we found significant interaction between hypertension status and NC level in relation to cfPWV, adjusted for age, sex, BMI, fasting glucose, lipids and heart rate(P for interaction = 0.034). The associations between NC and cfPWV were significant (P = 0.02) among those with hypertension, but not significant among those without hypertension. CONCLUSIONS: Our data showed that high NC was associated with an increased risk of early stage atherosclerosis in Chinese adults, independent of other metabolic risk factors. Hypertension might modify the association between NC and cfPWV.

Serum gamma-glutamyltransferase is associated with impaired fasting glucose in Chinese adults: the Cardiometabolic Risk in Chinese (CRC) study.

Recently, several studies found raised serum γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT), and traditional marker of liver damage was associated with the risk of type 2 diabetes. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between GGT and impaired fasting glucose (IFG), and evaluate the modification effects of age, BMI, prehypertension, and lipids in a large sample of Chinese adults. The study samples are from a community-based health examination survey in China. The sample for our analysis included 7,309 participants. IFG was defined as FBG from 6.1 to 7.0 mmol/L. Serum GGT, lipids, blood pressure, and glucose were measured. The odds ratios (ORs, 95 % CI) of IFG across increasing quintiles of GGT were 1.00, 0.91 (0.49-1.72), 1.27 (0.68-2.38), 2.31 (1.29-4.15), and 2.42 (1.32-4.42) (P for trend < 0.0001), adjusting for age, sex, BMI, blood pressure, glucose, and lipids. We found significant interactions between age, BMI, and GGT on IFG risk. When the joint effects were examined, we found an additional effect of triglycerides (TG) and GGT levels on IFG. Our data indicate that serum GGT concentration was associated with the risk of IFG, and the association was modified by TG level.

Combination of diabetes risk factors and hepatic steatosis in Chinese: the Cardiometabolic Risk in Chinese (CRC) Study.

AIMS: Hepatic steatosis has been related to insulin resistance and increased diabetes risk. We assessed whether combination of diabetes risk factors, evaluated by the Finnish Diabetes Risk Score, was associated with risk of hepatic steatosis in an apparently healthy Chinese population. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: The study samples were from a community-based health examination survey in central China. In total 1,780 men and women (18-64 y) were included in the final analyses. Hepatic steatosis was diagnosed by ultrasonography. We created combination of diabetes risk factors score on basis of age, Body Mass Index, waist circumference, physical activity at least 4 h a week, daily consumption of fruits, berries or vegetables, history of antihypertensive drug treatment, history of high blood glucose. The total risk score is a simple sum of the individual weights, and values range from 0 to 20. RESULTS: Hepatic steatosis was present 18% in the total population. In multivariate models, the odds ratios of hepatic steatosis were 1.20 (95%CI 1.15-1.25) in men and 1.25 (95%CI 1.14-1.37) in women by each unit increase in the combination of diabetes risk factors score, after adjustment for blood pressure, liver enzymes, plasma lipids, and fasting glucose. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for hepatic steatosis was 0.78 (95%CI 0.76-0.80), 0.76 in men (95%CI 0.74-0.78) and 0.83 (95%CI 0.79-0.87) in women. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that combination of major diabetes risk factors was significantly related to risk of hepatic steatosis in Chinese adults.