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.

The Association Between Sarcopenic Obesity and Hypertension, Diabetes, and Abnormal Lipid Metabolism in Chinese Adults.

OBJECTIVE: Sarcopenic obesity is associated with several negative health outcomes. However, there are only a few studies on the relationship between SO and metabolic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and abnormal lipid metabolism in Chinese adults. The aim of this work was to evaluate the association between SO and hypertension, diabetes, and abnormal lipid metabolism in Chinese adults, and explore the prediction of SO using relevant anthropometric indicators. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All participants underwent a questionnaire interview for the collection of demographic data. Thereafter, they underwent physical examination for the measurement of anthropometric variables, which was performed using bioelectrical impedance analysis. Biochemical measurements were determined according to standard laboratory procedures used for the evaluation of blood parameters. RESULTS: We included 14,926 patients aged 35-74 years old. The mean age of the participants was 56.75 ± 9.76 years old, and 39.80% of them were male. The mean body mass index (BMI) was 24.94 ± 3.40 kg/m2, and the overall prevalence of SO was 65.1%. The results showed that shorter people; people with faster heart rate; heavier weight; lower waist circumference (WC), BMI, triglyceride level, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels; and higher high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level are at risk for SO. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of SO is high (65.1%) in Chinese adults aged 35-74 years old. The occurrence of SO is related to hypertension, diabetes, and abnormal lipid metabolism. BMI, WC, and waist-hip ratio may be predictive indicators of SO. The incidence of SO may be reduced by timely intervention and health education for persons at risk of the condition.

Reference values of skeletal muscle mass, fat mass and fat-to-muscle ratio for rural middle age and older adults in western China.

BACKGROUND: Skeletal muscle mass (SMM), fat mass (FM) and fat-to-muscle ratio (FMR) are significant indicators in epidemiology studies and clinical settings. The aim of this study was to establish age-related and sex-specific reference values for skeletal muscle mass index (SMMI), fat mass index (FMI) and FMR by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) for healthy rural adults in western China. METHODS: This study is a cross-sectional study from Ningxia cohort study, included 13,790 individuals aged 35 to 74 years. Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) was performed to measure body composition. Lambda-mu-sigma method was used to establish age-related and sex-specific percentile curves for SMMI, FMI and FMR. RESULTS: Overall, men had higher SMMI, but lower FMI and FMR than women for all ages. The SMMI decreased rapidly with age for men and women after 55 years and 45 years, respectively. FMI in men remain stable until 70 years; women's FMI showed a rapidly increasing after 50 years. The FMR increased consistently after 35 years for both men and women. These age-related and sex-specific reference values were established with the mean ± SD as the normal reference range. CONCLUSIONS: These reference values could be used as simple tools to identify age-specific low SMMI or high FMI and facilitate earlier identification sarcopenia or sarcopenic obesity in rural Chinese adults.