Association between dietary intake of α-tocopherol and cadmium related osteoporosis in population ≥ 50 years.

INTRODUCTION: To analyze the association between α-tocopherol intake and cadmium (Cd) exposure and osteoporosis in population ≥ 50 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sociodemographic data, physical examination, and laboratory indicators including serum Cd level and dietary α-tocopherol intake of 8459 participants were extracted from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database in this cross-sectional study. The associations between α-tocopherol intake, serum Cd levels and osteoporosis were evaluated using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses, with the estimated value (ß), odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). We further explored the impact of α-tocopherol intake on Cd exposure and the bone mineral density (BMD) in total femur and femur neck. RESULTS: A total of 543 old adults suffered from osteoporosis. The serum Cd level (0.52 µg/L vs. 0.37 µg/L) and α-tocopherol intake (5.28 mg vs. 6.50 mg) were statistical different in osteoporosis group and non-osteoporosis group, respectively. High level of Cd exposure was related to the increased risk of osteoporosis [OR = 1.60, 95% CI (1.15-2.21)]. In the total femur, α-tocopherol intake may improve the loss of BMD that associated with Cd exposure [ß = - 0.047, P = 0.037]. Moreover, high α-tocopherol intake combined with low Cd exposure [OR = 0.54, 95% CI (0.36-0.81)] was linked to the decreased risk of osteoporosis comparing with low α-tocopherol intake combined with high Cd exposure. CONCLUSION: High α-tocopherol intake may improve the Cd-related osteoporosis and loss of BMD that could provide some dietary reference for prevention of osteoporosis in population ≥ 50 years old.

Developmental immunotoxicity and its potential gender differences of perinatal exposure to 4-nonylphenol on offspring rats: JAK-STAT signaling pathway involved.

The aim of our study was to explore the developmental immunotoxicity (DIT) and its potential gender differences of perinatal exposure to 4-nonylphenol (4-NP), which was significant for the risk assessment of 4-NP exposure to fetuses and infants. Wistar pregnant rats were given the National Institution of Health (NIH)- 31 modified feed containing 0, 10, 100 and 500 mg/kg 4-NP from the gestation day (GD) 6 to the postnatal day (PND) 21. At PND21, the offspring rats were randomly selected to detect developmental immunotoxicity related indicators. Results suggested that high-dose 4-NP perinatal exposure caused growth retardation in infancy of male offspring rats, which was not obvious in female offspring rats. Also, 4-NP perinatal exposure induced DIT (mainly manifested as immunosuppression) with potential gender differences, including decreased weight of immune organs, suppressed immune function, decreased ratio of transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß/interleukin (IL)- 17A, increased ratio of T helper (Th) 17/regulatory T (Treg) cells et al. In addition, exploration of the Janus kinase (JAK)-signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) signaling pathway showed that JAK-STAT pathway mediated the leftward of Th17/Treg cells balance. Furthermore, the DIT to female offspring rats was more sensitive than to the males, which may be related to the differences of biological processes involved and needed to be further explored.

Long-term environmental cadmium exposure induced serum metabolic changes related to renal and liver dysfunctions in a female cohort from Southwest China.

Cadmium (Cd), a toxic heavy mental, has been reported to be correlated with increased incidences of multiple diseases. Only a few studies have paid attention to screen the urine metabolites related to long-term environmental Cd exposure in humans. Research on the Cd exposure-related serum metabolic alternations and biological mechanisms linking Cd exposure to adverse health risks in humans is scanty. In this study, we investigated the serum Cd exposure-related metabolic alternations in a cohort of 101 non-smoking females (two polluted groups and one control group) and 18 Cd exposure-related metabolites were identified. A total of 16 clinical indicators of renal and hepatic functions and bone health were measured. Five health effect biomarkers including serum creatinine, alkaline phosphatase, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin and albumin to globulin ratio that are related to impaired renal and hepatic functions showed significant differences among the three groups and had close correlations with Cd levels. We identified intermediate metabolites that were associated with both Cd exposure and health effect biomarkers using a "meet-in-the-middle" approach. Fourteen Cd exposure-related metabolites in the metabolism of glycerophospholipids, sphingolipids, arachidic acid, linoleic acid and amino acids, were identified to be the intermediates of Cd exposure and the health effect biomarkers. Our findings provided evidence for the linkage of long-term environmental Cd exposure and the renal and hepatic insufficiency.

Associations of exposure to metals with the risk of hypertension among an older population aged 40-75 years in rural southwest China.

Metal exposure has recently been related to the risk of hypertension. However, the association remains unclear and relevant epidemiologic studies are limited. The present study aimed to assess the associations between exposure to metals and the odds of hypertension, as well as blood pressure (BP) levels. A total of 816 participants were enrolled in southwestern China. Hypertension was defined as a systolic BP (SBP) of ≥140 mmHg or diastolic BP (DBP) of ≥90 mmHg, a self-reported physician diagnosis, or current use of antihypertensive medication. Blood samples were used to detect the levels of exposure to metals, ie, magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu) and lead (Pb). Logistic and linear regression models were used to assess the potential associations. The results show that positive trends for elevated odds of hypertension with increasing quartiles of Fe in a polluted area; and of Mg, Ca and Cu in an unpolluted area. Compared with those in the lowest quartiles, participants in the highest quartiles of Fe, Mg and Ca had 2.7-, 9.0- and 5.1-fold increased odds of hypertension, respectively. High blood Fe and Pb levels in the Cd-polluted area, and Mg and Fe in the unpolluted area were found to be related to increasing SBP and DBP levels. Our findings suggest that exposure to Fe and/or Pb in the polluted area; and Mg, Ca and Fe in the unpolluted area might increase the risk of hypertension or elevate BP levels.

Co-exposure of cadmium and lead on bone health in a southwestern Chinese population aged 40-75 years.

Both cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) are associated with bone health, but studies exploring the effects of Cd and Pb co-exposure on bone health are rare. This study aimed to assess the interactive effects of Cd and Pb co-exposure on bone health. In total, 799 participants, living in the targeted areas (located in southwestern China) for more than 15 years, aged 40-75 years, and subsisted on homegrown rice and vegetables were investigated. Cd and Pb levels in urine and blood samples, as well as bone mineral density, T- and Z-score were determined. After being adjusted for covariates, the T-score was negatively correlated with blood Pb in men (P < .05); for women and non-smoking women, the T-score was negatively correlated with urinary Pb (P < .05). Moreover, after being adjusted for covariates, the Z-score was negatively correlated with urinary Pb in non-smoking women (P < .05). No positive association of prevalence of osteoporosis with Cd and Pb exposure was found. However, at an additive scale, positive interactions of urinary Cd and Pb on the prevalence of osteoporosis for women and non-smoking women, and the same interactions to blood Cd and Pb for men were found. There was also a positive interaction of urinary Cd and Pb for women at a multiplicative scale. This study suggests Cd and Pb exposure could exert detrimental effects on bone health, with possible underlying interactions. Nevertheless, more studies are needed to explore the interactive effects of heavy metal co-exposure.

[Marine fish bone collagen oligopeptide combined with calcium aspartate increases bone mineral density in obariectomized rats].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of marine fish collagen oligopeptide and calcium aspartate alone or in combination on bone mineral density in ovariectomized rats. METHODS: Sixty three-month-old SPF Wistar female rats were randomly divided into 6 groups according to their body weight: sham operation group, model control group(ovariectomy), calcium aspartate group(ovariectomy), marine fish collagen oligopeptide group(ovariectomy), aspartate calcium + marine fish collagen oligopeptide group(ovariectomy) and calcium carbonate control group(ovariectomy), 10 rats in each group. The sham operation group and the model control group were given the same volume of pure water by gavage, and the other groups were intragastrically administered with calcium aspartate(116. 7 mg/kg), marine fish collagen oligopeptide(250 mg/kg), calcium aspartate(116. 7 mg/kg) + marine fish collagen oligopeptide(250 mg/kg), calcium carbonate(35. 6 mg/kg), and the test substance was continuously administered for 90 days. After 90 days, the animals were sacrificed, and the liver and kidney of the rats were taken to calculate the organ coefficient and pathological examination. The rat femurs were taken to measure bone mineral density and bone calcium content and rat serum was used to determine serum calcium, phosphorus concentration and alkaline phosphatase(ALP) activity. RESULTS: Bone mineral density and bone calcium content in the model group were significantly lower than those in the sham operation group(P<0. 05), indicating that the osteoporosis model was successfully established by oophorectomy. There was no significant difference in the organ index of each group(P>0. 05), liver/kidney HE staining microscopic examination showed no abnormal changes, indicating the safety of the test substances. The bone mineral density of the aspartate calcium + marine fish collagen oligopeptide group was significantly greater than that of the model group(P<0. 05). The bone mineral density of the aspartate calcium group and the marine fish collagen oligopeptide group was larger than that of the model group, but there was no significant difference(P>0. 05). Compared with that in the model group, the calcium content of calcium aspartate + marine fish collagen oligopeptide group was significantly higher(P<0. 05). Compared with that in the calcium aspartate group, the calcium content of calcium aspartate + marine fish collagen oligopeptide group was higher(P<0. 05), there was no significant difference in serum calcium concentration between groups(P>0. 05). Compared with that in the model group, serum phosphorus concentration in the aspartate calcium group, marine fish collagen oligopeptide group, aspartate calcium + marine fish collagen oligopeptide group was significantly higher(P<0. 05) and ALP activity was significantly reduced(P<0. 05). CONCLUSION: The combination of calcium aspartate and marine fish collagen oligopeptide has a significant effect on increasing bone mineral density, also indicating that marine fish bone collagen oligopeptide could promote absorption of calcium aspartate.

Effects of Alismatis Rhizoma and Rhizoma Smilacis Glabrae Decoction on Hyperuricemia in Rats.

The combination of Alismatis Rhizoma (AR) and Rhizoma Smilacis Glabrae (RSG), as Chinese herb medicine, has been used for their uric acid-lowering effect. However, the effects and mechanism of the combination of the two medicines have not been fully reported. Therefore, to explore the effects of AR-RSG combination decoction on the treatment of chronic hyperuricemia (HUA) in rats as well as the underlying mechanisms, in this study, at the first stage, a long-term HUA rats model was established by gavage of oteracil potassium plus adenine; allopurinol was used as the positive control, and the uric acid-lowering effects of AR or RSG decoction alone with low and high dose were evaluated, respectively. Serum uric acid (UA) and xanthine oxidase (XOD) were determined mainly, and pathological analysis of the kidney and liver was carried out after sacrifice of the animals. And then, at the second stage, four dose groups of AR-RSG combination treatment were investigated in HUA rats. In addition to the indicators measured at the first stage, the expression of urate anion exchanger 1 (URAT1) in rat kidney was determined by immunohistochemistry. We discovered that the UA levels of the model group in both stages were significantly and steadily higher than those of control groups. AR and RSG alone or in combination possess ability to decrease serum UA level of HUA rats, with effects more marked in the combination groups. The uric acid-lowering mechanism of AR-RSG combination may be related to its inhibiting activity of XOD, improving kidney damage and downregulating the expression of URAT1 in kidney.

Benchmark dose estimation of urinary and blood cadmium as biomarkers of renal dysfunction among 40-75-year-old non-smoking women in rural areas of southwest China.

This study evaluated the association between urinary cadmium (U-Cd) and blood Cd (B-Cd) and several biomarkers of renal dysfunction (α1 -microglobulin [α1 -MG], ß2 -microglobulin [ß2 -MG], N-acetyl-ß-d-glucosaminidase, metallothionein, retinol-binding protein and microalbumin [mALB]) and identified the biomarker(s) that was most closely correlated with U-Cd and B-Cd among female residents in rural areas of southwest China. U-Cd, creatinine (Cr), B-Cd and the above-mentioned six biomarkers in morning spot urine samples were measured from 288 randomly selected 40-75-year-old non-smoking women from non-polluted areas and Cd-polluted-areas. The lower 95% confidence limit of the benchmark dose (BMD) corresponding to the 5% (BMDL05 ) and 10% benchmark response (BMDL10 ) was calculated with assumed cut-off values of the 95th and 90th percentile. Among the investigated women, a significant positive association was found among mALB, ß2 -MG and U-Cd as well as B-Cd. By using the cut-off value of the 95th percentile, the BMDL05 /BMDL10 of U-Cd and B-Cd were 4.33/8.89 µg/g Cr for mALB and 1.35/2.77 µg/L for ß2 -MG, respectively. The BMDL05 /BMDL10 of U-Cd (B-Cd) was 2.73/5.60 µg/g Cr (1.00/2.05 µg/L) for mALB, if the cut-off value was set at the 90th percentile. Therefore, ß2 -MG and mALB in urine were good biomarkers for long-term environmental Cd exposure assessment among the six biomarkers studied for the study pool in southwest China. Our findings may help us to understand the association between nephrotoxicity and Cd exposure, and aid in the decision-making of authorities for environmental Cd pollution and public health.

[Effects of bamboo charcoal powder on lipid metabolism in hyperlipidaemic rats fed high fat diet].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate of bamboo charcoal powder( BCP) on the lipid profile and mechanism in hyperlipidaemia model rats. METHODS: 40 male Sprague-Dawley( SD) animals of 4 weeks old were randomly assigned into five groups: the control group fed with low-fat diet; the model control group and the test group( 2. 81, 5. 62, 11. 24 g /kg). Each group gived BCP or distilled water correspondingly, the total administration duration was 90 consecutive days. After the blood samples were collected, liver, kidneys, and white adipose around bilateral epididymis and kidneys were excised and weighed. Serum biomarkers of liver and kidney function were detected. The activities of TC, TGand MDA, T-AOC, CAT, SOD of liver were determined by corresponding test kits according to the manufacturer's protocols. Livers were also further detected by macroscopic and microscopic examinations. RESULTS: After 90 days of treatment, the weight of rats more than 4 weeks, liver weight and percentage of body fat, serum AST, TG and VLDL, hepatic MDA, TG, TC and liver steatosis in the model control group was all increased compared with the negative control group, indicating that the model has been successfully built. It showed that the weight of rats, liver weight and white adipose weight, serum AST, TG and VLDL, hepatic MDA, TC and liver steatosis in the three dose group was all decreased. The hepatic SOD, CAT, T-AOC in the three dose groups were all increased. CONCLUSION: The BCP could reduce the accumulation of body fat, inmprove blood lipid and hepatic steatosis in hyperlipidemia model rats.