SNHG1/miR-21 axis mediates the cardioprotective role of aloin in sepsis through modulating cardiac cell viability and inflammatory responses.

BACKGROUND: Aloin has cardioprotective effects, however, its cardioprotective role in sepsis remains unclear. This study aimed to analyze whether aloin could prevent sepsis-related myocardial damage and explore the underlying mechanisms by examining the expression of long-noncoding RNA (lncRNA) SNHG1 and microRNA-21 (miR-21). METHODS: The interaction of SNHG1 with miR-21 was identified by dual-luciferase reporter assay. The levels of SNHG1 and miR-21 were measured by real-time quantitative PCR. The cardioprotective function of aloin was assessed in a sepsis animal model, which was induced by cecal ligation and puncture, and in a myocardial injury cell model in H9C2 cells stimulated by lipopolysaccharide. Myocardial injury biomarker levels and hemodynamic indicators in mice model were measured to evaluate cardiac function. The viability of H9C2 cells was assessed by cell counting kit-8 assay. Inflammatory cytokine levels were examined by an ELISA method. RESULTS: Decreased SNHG1 and increased miR-21 were found in sepsis patients with cardiac dysfunction, and they were negatively correlated. Aloin significantly attenuated myocardial damage and inflammatory responses of mice model, and increased the viability and suppressed inflammation in H9C2 cell model. In addition, SNHG1 expression was upregulated and miR-21 expression was downregulated by aloin in both mice and cell models. Moreover, in mice and cell models, SNHG1/miR-21 axis affected sepsis-related myocardial damage, and mediated the cardioprotective effects of aloin. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicated that aloin exerts protective effects in sepsis-related myocardial damage through regulating cardiac cell viability and inflammatory responses via regulating the SNHG1/miR-21 axis.

Factors influencing the progression from prehypertension to hypertension among Chinese middle-aged and older adults: a 2-year longitudinal study.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the proportion of prehypertension cases progressing to hypertension among Chinese middle-aged and elderly populations over a 2-year period and related influencing factors. METHODS: Data were obtained from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study, and 2,845 individuals who were ≥ 45 years old and prehypertensive at baseline were followed from 2013-2015. Structured questionnaires were administered, and blood pressure (BP) and anthropometric measurements were performed by trained personnel. Multiple logistic regression analysis was done to investigate factors associated with prehypertension progressing to hypertension. RESULTS: Over the 2-year follow-up, 28.5% experienced progression of prehypertension to hypertension; this occurred more frequently in men than women (29.7% vs. 27.1%). Among men, older age (55-64 years: adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.414, 95% confidence interval [CI]:1.032-1.938; 65-74 years: aOR = 1.633, 95%CI: 1.132-2.355; ≥ 75 years: aOR = 2.974, 95%CI: 1.748-5.060), obesity (aOR = 1.634, 95%CI: 1.022-2.611), and number of chronic diseases (1: aOR = 1.366, 95%CI: 1.004-1.859; ≥ 2: aOR = 1.568, 95%CI: 1.134-2.169) were risk factors for progression to hypertension whereas being married/cohabiting (aOR = 0.642, 95% CI: 0.418-0.985) was a protective factor. Among women, risk factors included older age (55-64 years: aOR = 1.755, 95%CI: 1.256-2.450; 65-74 years: aOR = 2.430, 95%CI: 1.605-3.678; ≥ 75 years: aOR = 2.037, 95% CI: 1.038-3.995), married/cohabiting (aOR = 1.662, 95%CI: 1.052-2.626), obesity (aOR = 1.874, 95%CI: 1.229-2.857), and longer naps (≥ 30 and < 60 min: aOR = 1.682, 95%CI: 1.072-2.637; ≥ 60 min: aOR = 1.387, 95%CI: 1.019-1.889). CONCLUSIONS: Chinese middle-aged and elderly individuals experienced a risk of prehypertension progressing to hypertension over a 2-year period, although the influencing factors differed by sex; this should be considered in interventions.