Metabolomics and gut microbiota analysis reveal the differential efficacy of areca nut and charred areca nut in treating constipation.

Background: Areca nut (AN) is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine used for centuries to treat gastrointestinal (GI) disorders. Charred AN (CAN) is a processed product of AN with similar therapeutic effects. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic mechanisms of AN and CAN for constipation via metabolomics and gut microbiota analysis. Methods: In this study, the rats were randomly divided into 5 groups (n = 6): control, constipation model, positive drug, AN treatment, and CAN treatment groups. Constipation was induced by intragastric administration of loperamide hydrochloride, followed by 14-day treatment with mosapride, AN, or CAN. The efficacy difference between AN and CAN was assessed by evaluating the weight gain, fecal water content, GI transit rate, colonic histopathology, serum levels of GI hormones, gut microbiota, and fecal metabolites. Results: The results demonstrated that both AN and CAN could alleviate loperamide-induced constipation. Furthermore, they significantly elevated the serum levels of motilin, vasoactive intestinal peptide, substance P, and acetylcholine. 16S rRNA analysis revealed that AN regulated the relative abundance of Bacillus, UCG-005, norank_f_Muribaculaceae, Candidatus_Saccharimonas, and Ruminococcus, whereas CAN modulate the relative abundance of Lactobacillus, Bacillus, norank_f_Muribaculaceae, Ruminococcus, unclassified_f_Oscillospiraceae, and unclassified_f_Prevotellaceae. Moreover, the metabolic profile of AN- and CAN-treated rats was also different, where AN treatment involved pathways of citrate cycle (TCA) and tyrosine, alanine, aspartate, and glutamate metabolisms. Whereas CAN treatment involved pathways of steroid and primary bile acid biosynthesis, as well as pyrimidine and purine metabolisms. Spearman correlation analysis indicated a close relationship between gut microbiota and fecal metabolites. Conclusion: In summary, this study revealed that AN may protect GI mucosa, enhance GI motility, and alleviate constipation symptoms by regulating the relative abundance of specific gut microbiota (Bacillus, UCG-005, norank_f_Muribaculaceae, Candidatus_Saccharimonas, Ruminococcus) as well as citrate cycle or tyrosine, alanine, aspartate, and glutamate metabolic pathways. Furthermore, CAN was observed to promote gastric emptying and intestinal propulsion, thereby alleviating constipation, by modulating the relative abundance of specific gut microbiota (Lactobacillus, Bacillus, norank_f_Muribaculaceae, Ruminococcus, unclassified_f_Oscillospiraceae, unclassified_f_Prevotellaceae) as well as steroid and primary bile acid biosynthesis, as well as pyrimidine and purine metabolic pathways.

Associations of blood trace elements with bone mineral density: a population-based study in US adults.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the association between blood trace elements and bone mineral density (BMD) and to determine the association between blood trace elements and the risk of low BMD/osteoporosis among US adults. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional study using data from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES, 2011-2016). Multivariable linear regression models were employed to assess the associations of BMD in lumbar spine (LS-BMD), pelvic (PV-BMD) and total femur (TF-BMD) with blood trace elements, including Fe, Zn, Cu, Se, Mn, Cd, Pb, Hg. Additionally, the associations of low BMD/osteoporosis with blood trace elements were also evaluated using multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: Higher blood Pb levels were found associated with decreased LS-BMD (p for trend < 0.001), PV-BMD (p for trend = 0.007), and TF-BMD (p for trend = 0.003) in female, while higher blood Se levels were associated with increased PV-BMD in female (p for trend = 0.042); no linear association between BMD and other blood trace element was observed. Also, significant associations were found between Pb levels and the prevalence of low BMD (p for trend = 0.030) and the prevalence of osteoporosis (p for trend = 0.036), while association between other blood trace elements and low BMD/osteoporosis was not observed. CONCLUSION: This study provides comprehensive insight into the association between blood trace elements and BMD and supports a detrimental effect of blood Pb levels on bone mass in women. Considering our analysis from a representative US general population, further study is warranted for the extreme levels of blood trace elements on bone metabolism.

[Exploration on sensation positioning method of heat-sensitive moxibustion: the inheritance and development of ashi method].

From original concept and literature of acupoint, the concept and clinical significance of ashi method is discussed, which clarifies that the essence of ashi method is to locate the acupoints by patients' sensitivity on force. The clinical application of heat-sensitive moxibustion has illustrated that positioning method of this therapy is based on the appearance of heat-sensitive moxibustion sensation. Although both types are based on patients' feeling, positioning method of heat-sensitive moxibustion stands on a new angle and uses a new method to locate acupoint. Therefore, it is believed that the positioning method of heat-sensitive moxibustion is the inheritance and development of ashi method.

[Serum omentin-1 concentration and bone mineral density in postmenopausal women].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship between serum omentin-1 concentration and bone mineral desity in postmenopausal women, and the adipose influence of tissue on bone mineral density (BMD). METHODS: BMD values of 336 participants were measured by dual-energy-x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) at various skeletal sites: the anteroposterior spine, femeral neck, total hip (T-hip) and total body BMD (TBMD). Body compositions including lean tissue mass (LTM) and body fat mass (FBM) were measured by DEXA. The plasma concentrations of adipocytokines (omentin-1, adiponectin, leptin, resistin, visfatin, and apelin) were measured by ELISA. RESULTS: The overweight and obese groups had higher T-hip, femerol neck, intertrochanter BMD than the nomal weight group. Plasma omentin-1 was negatively correlated with anteroposterior spine, femeral neck, trochanter, intertrochanter, T-hip and Ward's BMD, after adjustment for age, BMI and fat body mass, and the correlation was not significant. Multiple stepwise regression anlysis revealed that lean body mass, menopause duration and estrogen level were the most important variables affecting the BMD and each explained 12.2%-13.7%, 6.9%-13.1%, 0.9%-1.7% of the variance. Serum adiponectin was independently associated with T-hip, lumbar spine and total BMD. CONCLUSION: Plasma omentin-1 is not significantly correlated with BMD in postmenopausal women. Lean body mass, menopause duration and estrogen level are the most important variables affecting the BMD. Serum adiponectin is an independent predictor of T-hip, lumbar spine and total BMD.

[Biochemical markers of age-related changes in bones turnover and bone mineral density in healthy Chinese men].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship between bone alkaline phosphatase (BAP) and cross-linked N-telopeptides of type I collegen(NTX) and bone mineral density in healthy men aged 20-80. METHODS: BAP and NTX of 389 healthy men were measured by ELISA. BMD at the lumbar spine and the hip as measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. The correlation of bone biochemical markers with age and BMD fit 10 regression models. RESULTS: BAP and NTX negatively correlated with age. The cubic regression model was better with age-related changes of bone biochemical markers as compared with the other regression models and the coefficients of determination of fitting curve were 0.013-0.029 (P< 0.05). The value of bone biochemical markers as the highest during 20-29 age groups, then they decreased to a nadir level in the 50-59 years age. After 60 years, bone formation markers remained stable; however resorption marker increased slightly. After adjustment for age, weight, height, BMI, and smoking, bone biochemical markers were negatively correlated with most sites of BMD. CONCLUSION: BAP and NTX may be relatively sensitive and specific markers to evaluate age-related changes of bone turnover. It may benefit the prevention of osteoporosis by monitoring the level of BAP and NTX.

[Serum leptin with bone mineral density and body fat mass in males].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship of serum leptin concentration and bone mineral density(BMD), body fat mass in males. METHODS: Plasma concentrations of leptin in 350 Chinese males, aged 20 to 80 years were measured with ELISA; BMD values at lumbar spine, hip and total body BMD, and body composition, including lean tissue mass (LTM) and fat tissue mass (FTM), were measured using dual-energy-X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). The relationship between changes in serum leptin concentration with age, body weight, body mass index, body fat mass, and BMD values at 5 skeletal sites was fit by 10 regression models, and the models giving the best fit were selected. RESULTS: The S regression model best described the changes in serum leptin level with age (R(2)=0.104, P<0.009), while the compound regression model best described the changes in serum leptin concentration with BMI and weight (R(2)=0.296, P<0.001; R(2) =0.304, P<0.001). Leptin concentration was correlated with FTM (R(2)=0.448, P<0.001) and rate of body fat(R(2)=0.461, P<0.001). The serum leptin level was significantly correlated with BMD of multiple skeletal sites (R(2) was 0.115 for anterior spine BMD, 0.102 for lateral spine BMD,0.098 for femoral neck BMD, 0.112 for total hip BMD, respectively). In a multivariate analysis, leptin concentration was not a significant predictor of BMD at any site. CONCLUSION: Serum leptin concentration correlates with body fat mass and percentage of body fat, but is not a significant predictor of BMD at any site in Chinese males.