Energy Metabolism Changes and Dysregulated Lipid Metabolism in Postmenopausal Women

Effects of behaviors and surrounding environment on myopia before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: a longitudinal analysis of children and adolescents in China

Aim

To investigate the relationship between related factors and visual acuity of Chinese school students before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Subject and methods

Chinese students from primary and secondary schools were included from the Chinese National Surveys on Students' Constitution and Health CNSSCH (2019). A total of 1496 participants completed follow-ups in June and December 2020, respectively. Generalized estimating equations were used to test the differences in visual environment. Logistic regression models were utilized to examine the roles of behaviors and surrounding environment changes associated with myopia before and during the pandemic.

Results

The prevalence of myopia was 47.7%, 55.6%, and 57.2% in baseline and two follow-ups, respectively. Significant differences existed for gender, learning level, and region (all P < 0.05). The proportion of new myopia and myopia torsion was the highest in the primary schools. Multivariate logistic regression analysis found that screen time ≥ 4h/d (OR = 2.717), poor eye habits (OR = 1.477), insufficient lighting for studying at night (OR = 1.779), desk or roof lamps only (OR = 1.388), and poor sleep quality (OR = 4.512) were the risk factors for myopia (all P < 0.05), and eye exercises (OR = 0.417), milk intake (OR = 0.758), and eggs intake (OR = 0.735) were the protective factors for myopia (all P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Prevalence of myopia increased among Chinese students before and during the COVID-19. It is necessary to pay more attention to the pupils' visual acuity, especially in primary school students, in the future.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10389-023-01900-w.

Young adult and aged female rats are vulnerable to amygdala-dependent, but not hippocampus-dependent, memory impairment following short-term high-fat diet

Global populations are increasingly consuming diets high in saturated fats and refined carbohydrates, and such diets have been well-associated with heightened inflammation and neurological dysfunction. Notably, older individuals are particularly vulnerable to the impact of unhealthy diet on cognition, even after a single meal, and pre-clinical rodent studies have demonstrated that short-term consumption of high-fat diet (HFD) induces marked increases in neuroinflammation and cognitive impairment. Unfortunately though, to date, most studies on the topic of nutrition and cognition, especially in aging, have been performed only in male rodents. This is especially concerning given that older females are more vulnerable to develop certain memory deficits and/or severe memory-related pathologies than males. Thus, the aim of the present study was to determine the extent to which short-term HFD consumption impacts memory function and neuroinflammation in female rats. Young adult (3 months) and aged (20-22 months) female rats were fed HFD for 3 days. Using contextual fear conditioning, we found that HFD had no effect on long-term contextual memory (hippocampus-dependent) at either age, but impaired long-term auditory-cued memory (amygdala-dependent) regardless of age. Gene expression of Il-1β was markedly dysregulated in the amygdala, but not hippocampus, of both young and aged rats after 3 days of HFD. Interestingly, modulation of IL-1 signaling via central administration of the IL-1 receptor antagonist (which we have previously demonstrated to be protective in males) had no impact on memory function following the HFD in females. Investigation of the memory-associated gene Pacap and its receptor Pac1r revealed differential effects of HFD on their expression in the hippocampus and amygdala. Specifically, HFD induced increased expression of Pacap and Pac1r in the hippocampus, whereas decreased Pacap was observed in the amygdala. Collectively, these data suggest that both young adult and aged female rats are vulnerable to amygdala-dependent (but not hippocampus-dependent) memory impairments following short-term HFD consumption, and identify potential mechanisms related to IL-1β and PACAP signaling in these differential effects. Notably, these findings are strikingly different than those previously reported in male rats using the same diet regimen and behavioral paradigms, and highlight the importance of examining potential sex differences in the context of neuroimmune-associated cognitive dysfunction.

Association of serum metabolome profile with the risk of breast cancer in participants of the HUNT2 study

Background

The serum metabolome is a potential source of molecular biomarkers associated with the risk of breast cancer. Here we aimed to analyze metabolites present in pre-diagnostic serum samples collected from healthy women participating in the Norwegian Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT2 study) for whom long-term information about developing breast cancer was available.

Methods

Women participating in the HUNT2 study who developed breast cancer within a 15-year follow-up period (BC cases) and age-matched women who stayed breast cancer-free were selected (n=453 case-control pairs). Using a high-resolution mass spectrometry approach 284 compounds were quantitatively analyzed, including 30 amino acids and biogenic amines, hexoses, and 253 lipids (acylcarnitines, glycerides, phosphatidylcholines, sphingolipids, and cholesteryl esters).

Results

Age was a major confounding factor responsible for a large heterogeneity in the dataset, hence age-defined subgroups were analyzed separately. The largest number of metabolites whose serum levels differentiated BC cases and controls (82 compounds) were observed in the subgroup of younger women (<45 years old). Noteworthy, increased levels of glycerides, phosphatidylcholines, and sphingolipids were associated with reduced risk of cancer in younger and middle-aged women (≤64 years old). On the other hand, increased levels of serum lipids were associated with an enhanced risk of breast cancer in older women (>64 years old). Moreover, several metabolites could be detected whose serum levels were different between BC cases diagnosed earlier (<5 years) and later (>10 years) after sample collecting, yet these compounds were also correlated with the age of participants. Current results were coherent with the results of the NMR-based metabolomics study performed in the cohort of HUNT2 participants, where increased serum levels of VLDL subfractions were associated with reduced risk of breast cancer in premenopausal women.

Conclusions

Changes in metabolite levels detected in pre-diagnostic serum samples, which reflected an impaired lipid and amino acid metabolism, were associated with long-term risk of breast cancer in an age-dependent manner.

Estrogen-mediated oar-miR-485-5p targets PPP1R13B to regulate myoblast proliferation in sheep

Ovaries are important endocrine organs in female animals that secrete various steroid hormones, which are involved in multiple physiological functions. Estrogen, one of the hormones secreted by ovaries, is essential for the overall maintenance of muscle growth and development. However, the molecular mechanisms that affect muscle growth and development in sheep following ovariectomy remain unclear. In this study, we identified 1662 differentially expressed mRNAs (DEGs) and 40 differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) in sheep that underwent ovariectomy compared with those that underwent sham surgery. A total of 178 DEG-DEM pairs were negatively correlated. GO and KEGG analysis showed that PPP1R13B was involved in the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, which was essential for muscle development. Using in vitro experiments, we examined the effect of PPP1R13B on myoblast proliferation and found that overexpression or inhibition of PPP1R13B increased or decreased the expression of myoblast proliferation markers, respectively. PPP1R13B was identified as a functional downstream target of miR-485-5p. Our results suggested that miR-485-5p promoted myoblast proliferation by regulating proliferation factors in myoblasts by targeting PPP1R13B. Notably, exogenous estradiol supplementation to myoblasts regulated the expression of oar-miR-485-5p and PPP1R13B and promoted myoblast proliferation. These results provided new insights into the molecular mechanism by which ovaries influence muscle growth and development in sheep.

Improvement of Estrogen Deficiency Symptoms by the Intake of Long-Term Fermented Soybeans (Doenjang) Rich in Bacillus Species through Modulating Gut Microbiota in Estrogen-Deficient Rats

Traditionally made doenjang (TMD) produced by the long-term fermentation of soybeans with salt may improve symptoms of estrogen deficiency. We aimed to evaluate the effects of four TMD types, containing low and high amounts of Bacillus species and biogenic amines (HBHA, HBLA, LBHA, and LBLA), on energy, glucose, and lipid metabolism, by altering the gut microbiota in estrogen-deficient ovariectomized (OVX) rats. Their mechanisms were also examined. The OVX rats were divided into the control, cooked soybean (CSB), HBHA, LBHA, HBLA, and LBLA groups. Sham-operated rats were the normal control group. Serum 17β-estradiol concentrations were similar among all OVX groups. Tail skin temperatures, which are indicative of hot flashes, were higher in the control than the HBHA and HBLA groups and were similar to the normal control group. Weight gain and visceral fat mass were lower in the TMD and CSB intake groups but not as low as in the normal control group. Lean body mass showed a trend opposite to that of visceral fat in the respective groups. The hepatic triglyceride content decreased with the TMD intake compared to the control and CSB groups. mRNA expressions of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) and carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1 in the TMD and CSB groups were as high as in the normal control group, and the PPAR-γ mRNA expression was more elevated in the HBLA group than in the normal control group. The morphology of the intestines improved in the TMD groups compared to the control, and the HBHA and HBLA groups showed an enhanced improvement compared to the CSB group. The HBHA, HBLA, and LBHA groups increased the α-diversity of the cecal microbiota compared to the control. Akkermenia and Lactobacillus were higher in the HBLA and LBLA groups compared to the control. The expression of the estrogen, forkhead box proteins of the class-O subgroup, and insulin-signaling pathways were lower in the control group, and HBHA and HBLA prevented their decrement. In conclusion, long-term treatment with TMD containing high amounts of Bacillus potentially improves estrogen deficiency symptoms more than unfermented soybeans.

Dyslipidemia in the first 100 days and the association with acute graft-versus-host disease after allogeneic stem cell transplantation: A single-center retrospective study in China

Dyslipidemia is a common complication after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). The interaction between post-transplant hyperlipidemia and acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) is uncertain. In this study, we performed a retrospective study to explore the relationship between dyslipidemia and aGVHD and the potential mechanism of aGVHD on dyslipidemia in 147 recipients who underwent allo-HSCT. The lipid profiles, transplantation details, and other laboratory data of the subjects were collected in the first 100 days post-transplantation. Our results indicated 63 patients with new-onset hypertriglyceridemia and 39 patients with new-onset hypercholesterolemia. A total of 57 (38.8%) patients developed aGVHD after transplantation. In a multifactorial analysis, aGVHD was an independent factor in the development of dyslipidemia in recipients (P < 0.05). After transplantation, the median LDL-C level of patients with aGVHD was 3.04 mmol/L (standard deviation value (SD): 1.36 mmol/L, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.62, 3.45 mmol/L), and the LDL-C level in patients without aGVHD was 2.51 mmol/L (SD: 1.38 mmol/L, CI: 2.67, 3.40 mmol/L) (P < 0.05). Female recipients had higher lipid levels than males (P < 0.05). LDL levels (≥ 3.4 mmol/L) post-transplant were an independent risk factor for the development of aGVHD (OR = 0.311, P < 0.05). In conclusion, larger sample studies are anticipated to confirm our preliminary result, and an accurate mechanism between lipid metabolism and aGVHD needs to be determined in the future.

Apolipoprotein C3 is negatively associated with estrogen and mediates the protective effect of estrogen on hypertriglyceridemia in obese adults

BACKGROUND

Both estrogen and apolipoprotein C3 (ApoC3) play crucial roles in lipid metabolism. But the link between them remains unclear, and it is unknown whether estrogen regulates triglyceride (TG) levels via ApoC3. Researchers hypothesized that estrogen exerts a regulatory effect on ApoC3 metabolism, and that this regulation could play a significant role in lipid metabolism. To explore this potential link, the present investigation aimed to examine the associations between estradiol (E2), ApoC3, and TG levels in both males and females.

METHODS

A total of 519 obese people (133 males and 386 premenopausal females) were recruited. Based on their TG levels, the participants were split into two groups [hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) group: TG ≥ 1.7 mmol/L; control group: TG < 1.7 mmol/L]. Serum ApoC3, E2, and TG levels were measured and compared in those two groups for both sexes separately. To ascertain the connection among E2, ApoC3, and TG, linear regression and mediation analysis were used.

RESULTS

Participants in the HTG group presented higher levels of ApoC3 (P < 0.001). In contrast, they tend to have lower E2 levels than the control. Linear regression analysis proposed that in both sexes, E2 was negatively associated with ApoC3 levels. The relationship remained significant after adjustment for confounding factors (male: standardized β = -0.144, t = -2.392, P < 0.05; female: standardized β = -0.077, t = -2.360, P < 0.001). Furthermore, mediation analysis revealed the relationship between reduced E2 levels and elevated TG levels is directly mediated by ApoC3.

CONCLUSIONS

In obese men and premenopausal women, ApoC3 was negatively and linearly correlated with serum E2 levels. The findings showed that estrogen may suppress ApoC3 expression and thus lower TG levels.

Common Regulators of Lipid Metabolism and Bone Marrow Adiposity in Postmenopausal Women

A variety of metabolic disorders are associated with a decrease in estradiol (E2) during natural or surgical menopause. Postmenopausal women are prone to excessive fat accumulation in skeletal muscle and adipose tissue due to the loss of E2 via abnormalities in lipid metabolism and serum lipid levels. In skeletal muscle and adipose tissue, genes related to energy metabolism and fatty acid oxidation, such as those encoding peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator 1α (PGC-1α) and estrogen-related receptor alpha (ERRα), are downregulated, leading to increased fat synthesis and lipid metabolite accumulation. The same genes regulate lipid metabolism abnormalities in the bone marrow. In this review, abnormalities in lipid metabolism caused by E2 deficiency were investigated, with a focus on genes able to simultaneously regulate not only skeletal muscle and adipose tissue but also bone metabolism (e.g., genes encoding PGC-1α and ERRα). In addition, the mechanisms through which mesenchymal stem cells lead to adipocyte differentiation in the bone marrow as well as metabolic processes related to bone marrow adiposity, bone loss, and osteoporosis were evaluated, focusing on the loss of E2 and lipid metabolic alterations. The work reviewed here suggests that genes underlying lipid metabolism and bone marrow adiposity are candidate therapeutic targets for bone loss and osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.

Osteoporosis and Bone Marrow Adipose Tissue

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This review focuses on the recent findings regarding bone marrow adipose tissue (BMAT) concerning bone health. We summarize the variations in BMAT in relation to age, sex, and skeletal sites, and provide an update on noninvasive imaging techniques to quantify human BMAT. Next, we discuss the role of BMAT in patients with osteoporosis and interventions that affect BMAT.

RECENT FINDINGS

There are wide individual variations with region-specific fluctuation and age- and gender-specific differences in BMAT content and composition. The Bone Marrow Adiposity Society (BMAS) recommendations aim to standardize imaging protocols to increase comparability across studies and sites. Water-fat imaging (WFI) seems an accurate and efficient alternative for spectroscopy (¹H-MRS). Most studies indicate that greater BMAT is associated with lower bone mineral density (BMD) and a higher prevalence of vertebral fractures. The proton density fat fraction (PDFF) and changes in lipid composition have been associated with an increased risk of fractures independently of BMD. Therefore, PDFF and lipid composition could potentially be future imaging biomarkers for assessing fracture risk. Evidence of the inhibitory effect of osteoporosis treatments on BMAT is still limited to a few randomized controlled trials. Moreover, results from the FRAME biopsy sub-study highlight contradictory findings on the effect of the sclerostin antibody romosozumab on BMAT. Further understanding of the role(s) of BMAT will provide insight into the pathogenesis of osteoporosis and may lead to targeted preventive and therapeutic strategies.

Serum Irisin level is associated with fall risk, muscle strength, and cortical porosity in postmenopausal women

BACKGROUND

Irisin plays a role in bone-muscle crosstalk, but the relationship between the serum irisin level and bone microarchitecture remains unknown.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the relationships between serum irisin level and fall risk, muscle strength, bone mineral density (BMD), and bone microarchitecture among Chinese postmenopausal women.

METHODS

In all 138 postmenopausal women, handgrip strength, short physical performance battery (SPPB), and the timed up-and-go test were performed to evaluate muscle strength, physical performance, and fall risk, respectively. The serum irisin was measured. High-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT) was performed to acquire volumetric BMD and bone microarchitecture. Bivariate analysis was used to explore relationships between serum irisin level and muscle strength and HR-pQCT parameters. Univariate and multivariate linear regression analyses were performed to determine associations between serum irisin level and vBMD and cortical porosity (Ct.Po).

RESULTS

All participants had a median serum irisin level of 3.91 μg/ml. Participants with high fall risk had significantly lower serum irisin levels than those with low fall risk (2.22 μg/ml vs. 4.16 μg/ml, p=0.024). Irisin level was positively related to handgrip strength (rs=0.185, p=0.030) and SPPB performance. In univariate linear regression, serum irisin level was positively associated with cortical volumetric BMD (Ct.vBMD, radius: standardized β=0.184, p=0.031; tibia: standardized β=0.242, p=0.004), but it had no significant associations with Ct.vBMD after multivariate adjustment. After adjusting by age, height, serum sclerostin level, and body fat ratio, only Ct.Po at the distal radius had a significantly negative association with serum irisin level (standardized β=-0.276, p=0.003).

CONCLUSION

Postmenopausal women with lower serum irisin levels have a higher fall risk, weaker muscle strength, and higher cortical porosity. Moreover, serum irisin level has a positive association with Ct.vBMD, but it is affected by factors such as age.

An integrated study of hormone-related sarcopenia for modeling and comparative transcriptome in rats

Sarcopenia is a senile disease with high morbidity, serious complications and limited clinical treatments. Menopause increases the risk of sarcopenia in females, while the exact pathogenesis remains unclear. To systematically investigate the development of hormone-related sarcopenia, we established a model of sarcopenia by ovariectomy and recorded successive characteristic changes. Furthermore, we performed the transcriptome RNA sequencing and bioinformatics analysis on this model to explore the underlying mechanism. In our study, we identified an integrated model combining obesity, osteoporosis and sarcopenia. Functional enrichment analyses showed that most of the significantly enriched pathways were down-regulated and closely correlated with endocrine and metabolism, muscle dysfunction, cognitive impairment and multiple important signaling pathways. We finally selected eight candidate genes to verify their expression levels. These findings confirmed the importance of estrogen in the maintenance of skeletal muscle function and homeostasis, and provided potential targets for further study on hormone-related sarcopenia.

Does Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation Have Favorable Effects on the Lipid Profile in Postmenopausal Women? A Systematic Review and Dose-response Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

PURPOSE

Menopause is associated with disturbances in the metabolism of lipids. Moreover, during the postmenopausal period, female subjects are more prone to develop dyslipidemia. Omega-3 fatty acids, which exert cardioprotective, anti-inflammatory, and lipid-lowering actions, are commonly recommended in postmenopausal women. However, their effect on serum lipids in this population remains unclear. This systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was conducted to clarify this research question.

METHODS

We systematically searched the Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed/MEDLINE, and EMBASE databases from their inception until January 3, 2022. The DerSimonian and Laird random-effects model was used to combine effect sizes.

FINDINGS

Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation resulted in a decrease in triglyceride concentrations (weighted mean difference [WMD], -17.8 mg/dL; 95% CI, -26 to -9.6; P < 0.001), particularly in the RCTs that lasted ≤16 weeks (WMD, -18.6 mg/dL), when the baseline triglyceride concentrations were ≥150 mg/dL (WMD, -22.8 mg/dL), in individuals with a body mass index ≥30 kg/m2 (WMD, -19.3 mg/dL), and when the dose of omega-3 fatty acids was ≥1 g/d (WMD, -21.10 mg/dL). LDL-C (WMD, 4.1 mg/dL; 95% CI, 1.80 to 6.36; P < 0.001) and HDL-C (WMD, 2.1 mg/dL; 95% CI, 0.97 to 3.2; P < 0.001) values increased. Total cholesterol levels (WMD, -0.15 mg/dL; 95% CI, -4 to 3.74; P = 0.94) remained unchanged after administration of omega-3 fatty acids.

IMPLICATIONS

In postmenopausal women, supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids resulted in a significant reduction in triglyceride concentrations and a modest elevation in HDL-C and LDL-C levels, whereas this intervention did not affect total cholesterol values.

Effects of follicle-stimulating hormone on fat metabolism and cognitive impairment in women during menopause

Lipid metabolism disorder is a common pathological manifestation of menopausal women, and is also an important risk factor for many diseases at this stage of life. Epidemiological studies have shown that high levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in menopausal women are closely associated with changes in body composition, central obesity, and cognitive decline. Exogenous FSH causes growth and proliferation of adipose, whereas blockage of the FSH signaling pathway leads to decline in adipose. Mechanistically, FSH, FSH receptor (FSHR), G protein coupling, gene mutation and other pathways are involved in adipogenesis and cognitive impairment. Here, we review the critical role and potential interactions of FSH in adipogenesis and cognitive impairment in menopausal women. Further understanding of the exact mechanisms of FSH aggravating obesity and cognitive impairment may provide a new perspective for promoting healthy aging in menopausal women.

Obesity Pillars Roundtable: Body mass index and body composition in Black and Female individuals. Race-relevant or racist? Sex-relevant or sexist?

Background

Body mass index (BMI or weight in kilograms/height in meters2) is the most common metric to diagnose overweight and obesity. However, a body composition analysis more thoroughly assesses adiposity, percent body fat, lean body mass (i.e., including skeletal muscle), and sometimes bone mineral density. BMI is not an accurate assessment of body fat in individuals with increased or decreased muscle mass; the diagnostic utility of BMI in individuals is also influenced by race and sex.

Methods

Previous Obesity Pillars Roundtables addressed the diagnostic limitations of BMI, the importance of android and visceral fat (especially among those with South and East Asian ancestry), and considerations of obesity among individuals who identify as Hispanic, diverse in sexual-orientation, Black, Native American, and having ancestry from the Mediterranean and Middle East regions. This roundtable examines considerations of BMI in Black and female individuals.

Results

The panelists agreed that body composition assessment was a more accurate measure of adiposity and muscle mass than BMI. When it came to matters of race and sex, one panelist felt: "race is a social construct and not a defining biology." Another felt that: "BMI should be a screening tool to prompt further evaluation of adiposity that utilizes better diagnostic tools for body composition." Regarding bias and misperceptions of resistance training in female individuals, another panelist stated: "I have spent my entire medical career taking care of women and have never seen a woman unintentionally gain 'too much' muscle mass and bulk up from moderate strength training."

Conclusions

Conveying the importance of race and sex regarding body composition has proven challenging, with the discussion sometimes devolving into misunderstandings or misinformation that may be perceived as racist or sexist. Body composition analysis is the ultimate diagnostic equalizer in addressing the inaccuracies and biases inherent in the exclusive use of BMI.

Late isocaloric eating increases hunger, decreases energy expenditure, and modifies metabolic pathways in adults with overweight and obesity

Late eating has been linked to obesity risk. It is unclear whether this is caused by changes in hunger and appetite, energy expenditure, or both, and whether molecular pathways in adipose tissues are involved. Therefore, we conducted a randomized, controlled, crossover trial (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02298790) to determine the effects of late versus early eating while rigorously controlling for nutrient intake, physical activity, sleep, and light exposure. Late eating increased hunger (p < 0.0001) and altered appetite-regulating hormones, increasing waketime and 24-h ghrelin:leptin ratio (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.006, respectively). Furthermore, late eating decreased waketime energy expenditure (p = 0.002) and 24-h core body temperature (p = 0.019). Adipose tissue gene expression analyses showed that late eating altered pathways involved in lipid metabolism, e.g., p38 MAPK signaling, TGF-β signaling, modulation of receptor tyrosine kinases, and autophagy, in a direction consistent with decreased lipolysis/increased adipogenesis. These findings show converging mechanisms by which late eating may result in positive energy balance and increased obesity risk.

Effects of salvianolic acid A on intestinal microbiota and lipid metabolism disorders in Zucker diabetic fatty rats

Salvianolic acid A (SalA) is the main water-soluble component isolated from Salvia miltiorrhiza. This study explored the influences of SalA on intestinal microbiota composition and lipid metabolism in Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats. The 6-week-old male ZDF rats were treated with distilled water (N = 10) and low dose (SalA 0.5 mg/kg/d, N = 10), medium dose (SalA 1 mg/kg/d, N = 10), and high dose (SalA 2 mg/kg/d, N = 10) of SalA, with the male Zucker lean normoglycemic rats of the same week age as controls (given distilled water, N = 10). The blood glucose, body weight, and food intake of rats were examined. After 7 and 8 weeks of continuous administration, oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and insulin tolerance test (ITT) were performed, respectively. Serum fasting insulin (FINS), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and free fatty acid (FFA) were determined. Liver tissues were stained using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and oil red O staining. Fecal samples were analyzed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Small intestinal tissues were stained using HE and immunohistochemistry. The tight junction proteins (ZO-1/Occludin/Claudin-1) and serum levels of LPS/TNF-α/IL-6 were evaluated. SalA reduced insulin resistance, liver injury, serum FFA, liver TC and TG levels in ZDF rats, and improved lipid metabolism. After SalA treatment, intestinal microbiota richness and diversity of ZDF rats were promoted. SalA retained the homeostasis of intestinal core microbiota. SalA reduced intestinal epithelial barrier damage, LPS, and inflammatory cytokines in ZDF rats. Overall, SalA can sustain intestinal microbiota balance and improve the lipid metabolism of ZDF rats.

Elucidating the relationship between dyslipidemia and osteoporosis: A multicenter, prospective cohort study protocol

Background

A previous study has shown similar factors in dyslipidemias (DL) and osteoporosis (OP). However, no cohort study has been reported on the association between DL and OP in the postmenopausal population in China. This study aims to provide epidemiological and pathophysiological evidence regarding the association between DL and bone mass and fracture risk.

Methods

This is a multicenter, prospective cohort study that will have approximately 1,100 representative participants enrolled from multiple hospitals or communities in China. They will be divided into two groups according to whether or not they are exposed to dyslipidemia and will be epidemiologically investigated. Each participant will be visited continuously once every year with a minimum follow-up of 3 years to track incidences of OP. Meanwhile, free bone density screening, questionnaires, and blood sample collection will also be completed during this period.

Conclusion

The current study is likely to provide greater insight into the relationship between lipid metabolism and bone metabolism in postmenopausal women. Furthermore, the research result maybe fed into public health strategies with regard to metabolic disease prevention.

Anti-osteoporosis treatments changed body composition in postmenopausal women: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Whether the widespread anti-osteoporosis treatments in postmenopausal women also benefit the change of body composition (lean body mass [LBM] and body fat mass [FM]) remains controversial. In order to solve this issue and find out the most effective treatment, we conducted this meta-analysis.

METHODS

We searched the literature, via PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane to screen citations from inception to March 26, 2022, for inclusion in this study. Only clinical trials that used anti-osteoporosis treatments in postmenopausal women and displayed the alteration of body composition were included. Stata 14.0 was used for the meta-analysis.

RESULTS

Our meta-analysis results presented that: compared with placebo, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) was associated with increased LBM (standardized mean differences [SMD] = 0.32, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.02-0.61) and reduced FM (SMD = -0.30, 95% CI = -0.51 to -0.09) in postmenopausal women. Compared with placebo, physical exercise training showed an effect of decreasing FM (SMD = -0.66, 95% CI = -0.94 to -0.38) but not significant influence LBM (SMD = 1.31, 95% CI = -0.29 to 2.91). The network meta-analysis of our study showed that oral estrogen and progestogen plus exercise (OEPE) treatment might be the most effective anti-osteoporosis treatment (surface under the cumulative ranking curve 99.9) to reduce FM in postmenopausal women.

CONCLUSIONS

anti-osteoporosis treatments, especially HRT, affect body composition. Furthermore, the combination of HRT and exercise training are the most effective treatment to reduce FM while maintaining LBM.

Alterations of Plasma Lipids in Adult Women With Major Depressive Disorder and Bipolar Depression

Lipidomics has been established as a potential tool for the investigation of mental diseases. However, the composition analysis and the comparison of the peripheral lipids regarding adult women with major depressive depression (MDD) or bipolar depression (BPD) has been poorly addressed. In the present study, age-matched female individuals with MDD (n = 28), BPD (n = 22) and healthy controls (HC, n = 25) were enrolled. Clinical symptoms were assessed and the plasma samples were analyzed by comprehensive lipid profiling based on liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC/MS). We found that the composition of lipids was remarkably changed in the patients with MDD and BPD when compared to HC or compared to each other. Moreover, we identified diagnostic potential biomarkers comprising 20 lipids that can distinguish MDD from HC (area under the curve, AUC = 0.897) and 8 lipids that can distinguish BPD from HC (AUC = 0.784), as well as 13 lipids were identified to distinguish MDD from BPD with moderate reliability (AUC = 0.860). This study provides further understanding of abnormal lipid metabolism in adult women with MDD and BPD and may develop lipid classifiers able to effectively discriminate MDD from BPD and HC.

Epigenetic Regulation of Estrogen Receptor Genes' Expressions in Adipose Tissue in the Course of Obesity

Estrogen affects adipose tissue function. Therefore, this study aimed at assessing changes in the transcriptional activity of estrogen receptor (ER) α and β genes (ESR1 and ESR2, respectively) in the adipose tissues of obese individuals before and after weight loss and verifying whether epigenetic mechanisms were involved in this phenomenon. ESR1 and ESR2 mRNA and miRNA levels were evaluated using real-time PCR in visceral (VAT) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) of 78 obese (BMI > 40 kg/m2) and 31 normal-weight (BMI = 20−24.9 kg/m2) individuals and in 19 SAT samples from post-bariatric patients. ESR1 and ESR2 methylation status was studied using the methylation-sensitive digestion/real-time PCR method. Obesity was associated with a decrease in mRNA levels of both ERs in SAT (p < 0.0001) and ESR2 in VAT (p = 0.0001), while weight loss increased ESR transcription (p < 0.0001). Methylation levels of ESR1 and ESR2 promoters were unaffected. However, ESR1 mRNA in the AT of obese subjects correlated negatively with the expression of hsa-miR-18a-5p (rs = −0.444), hsa-miR-18b-5p (rs = −0.329), hsa-miR-22-3p (rs = −0.413), hsa-miR-100-5p (rs = −0.371), and hsa-miR-143-5p (rs = −0.289), while the expression of ESR2 in VAT correlated negatively with hsa-miR-576-5p (rs = −0.353) and in SAT with hsa-miR-495-3p (rs = −0.308). In conclusion, obesity-associated downregulation of ER mRNA levels in adipose tissue may result from miRNA interference.

The lower basal metabolic rate is associated with increased risk of osteosarcopenia in postmenopausal women

Background

The goal of this study is to clarify clinical, functional, and biochemical features of postmenopausal women who are at risk of developing osteosarcopenia.

Methods

This is a cross-sectional study undertaken to investigate the co-accordance of osteoporosis and sarcopenia and common risk factors on 305 postmenopausal Iranian women. Sarcopenia and osteoporosis were defined based on the European Working Group on sarcopenia in Older People guidelines and WHO criteria, respectively. Confounding factors including age, menopausal age, obesity, sun exposure, physical activity, macronutrient composition, and calcium and vitamin D supplementations were considered for all participants. A multivariate model was used to consider the common risk factors of both disorders; osteoporosis and sarcopenia.

Results

The mean age was 57.9 years ± 6.0 SD (range: 48–78 years) and 37.4% of patients were 60 years or older. Among all participants, 35.7% were obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m²). Approximately 45% of all the study population had insufficient physical activity and at least half of participants had insufficient intake of protein. There was a significant correlation between bone density and muscle mass and basal metabolic rate (BMR) (p < 0.01). In multivariate-multivariable regression model, after Bonferroni correction for obesity, lower BMR was the only one associated with both lower muscle mass and bone density in lumbar and hip sites (p < 0.007).

Conclusions

Our data suggest that low BMR might be an early predictor for concordance of osteoporosis and sarcopenia in postmenopausal women.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12905-022-01754-6.

Correlation between Insulin Resistance and Microalbuminuria Creatinine Ratio in Postmenopausal Women

OBJECTIVE

To study the relationship between insulin resistance and urinary microalbumin creatinine ratio in postmenopausal women.

METHODS

The selected research group comprised 104 postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes who were admitted to the Department of Endocrinology in the green card center at the First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University between 2017 and 2019 inclusive. Ninety-eight postmenopausal women with the normal blood glucose metabolism hospitalized in the same period were used as the control group. The age, body mass index, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), heart rate, fasting blood glucose, fasting insulin (FINS), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C), and urinary albumin-creatinine ratio (UACR) were analyzed. The insulin resistance index (HOMR-IR) was calculated, and the correlation between IR and UACR was analyzed.

RESULTS

Levels of HOMA-IR, SBP, HbA1c, HDL-C, LDL-C, TC, TG, FPG, FINS, and UACR in the study group were higher than those in the control group, and a significant difference was found between the groups (P < 0.05). The level of DBP in the study group was lower than that in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Pearson correlation analysis showed that UACR was positively correlated with HOMA-IR and HbA1c (r = 0.254, r = 0.565, P < 0.01). Multiple linear stepwise regression analysis further showed that HOMA-IR and age were positively correlated with UACR (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

There is a correlation between IR and UACR in postmenopausal women. IR is an independent risk factor for UACR.