Relationship between body composition and pulmonary function in the general population-a cross-sectional study in Ningxia.

Studies considering the relationship between non-obesity-related body composition and lung function are few; therefore, this study aimed to explore these correlations and effects. This cross-sectional study conducted in rural Qingtongxia City and Pingluo County, Ningxia, China, included 776 participants aged 30-75 years. Body composition and lung function were measured using direct segmental multifrequency bioelectrical impedance analysis and a digital spirometer, respectively. Their correlation was assessed using partial correlation analysis, controlling for age and smoking status, and the body composition effect on lung function was analyzed using binomial logistic regression analysis. The body components total body water content, protein content, mineral content, muscle mass, fat-free mass (FFM), skeletal muscle mass, basal metabolic volume, and chest circumference (CC) positively correlated with pulmonary function (forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in one second) in both sexes. Neck circumference and hip circumference positively correlated with pulmonary function in women. Additionally, lung function declines more slowly in women (odds ratio [OR] = 0.66, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.44-0.98, p = 0.04); CC (OR = 0.92, 95% CI = 0.86-0.98, p = 0.01) increased as a protective factor for decreased lung function. Increased waist circumference (OR = 1.04, 95% CI = 1.00-1.09, p = 0.04) was a risk factor for reduced lung function. FFM contains body composition indicators positively correlating with lung function, excluding fat-related body composition. Abdominal obesity increases the risk of decreased lung function.

Long non-coding RNA expression in silicosis and MRAK050699 function in epithelial-mesenchymal transition.

Silicosis is a lung fibrotic disease caused by chronic silica exposure. Aberrations in long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) expression are associated with fibrotic diseases, but the role of lncRNAs in silicosis pathogenesis remains unclear. Here, we investigated the expression of lncRNAs during silicosis and the role of MRAK050699 in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Differentially expressed lncRNAs in the lung tissues of normal and silicosis rats were compared, and their biological effects were determined using the Gene Ontology term and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analyses. There were 1077 differentially expressed lncRNAs (378 upregulated and 699 downregulated). MRAK052509, MRAK139674, AY539881, MRAK050699, XR_6113, and BC167061 were selected to verify expression in silicosis rats using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. MRAK050699 was knocked down in rat alveolar type II epithelial cells, and the molecular mechanism of transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß)-induced EMT in these cells was studied. All selected lncRNAs were upregulated in the silicosis rats, consistent with the sequencing results. MRAK050699 knockdown inhibited EMT of RLE-6TN cells by regulating the TGF-ß/Smad3 signaling pathway. Thus, the differential expression of lncRNAs is related to silicosis development, and MRAK050699 plays an important role in EMT, suggesting a potential therapeutic target for silicosis.