Association between circulating follistatin-like-1 and metabolic syndrome in middle-aged and old population: A cross-sectional study

Metabolic dysfunction, rather than obesity, is a risk factor for chronic kidney disease in Chinese population

BACKGROUND

Metabolic dysfunction and obesity are closely related to chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, studies on the relationship between various metabolic syndrome-body mass index (MetS-BMI) phenotypes and the risk of CKD in the Chinese population have not yet been explored.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) 2015 were analyzed in this study. This study enrolled 12,054 participants. Participants were divided into six distinct groups according to their MetS-BMI status. Across the different MetS-BMI groups, the odd ratios (ORs) for CKD were determined using multivariable logistic regression models.

RESULTS

The prevalence of CKD was higher in metabolically unhealthy groups than in the corresponding healthy groups. Moreover, the fully adjusted model showed that all metabolically unhealthy individuals had an increased risk of developing CKD compared to the metabolically healthy normal weight group (OR = 1.62, p = 0.002 for the metabolically unhealthy normal weight group; OR = 1.55, p < 0.001 for the metabolically unhealthy overweight group; and OR = 1.77, p < 0.001 for the metabolically unhealthy obesity group.

CONCLUSIONS

This study is the first to evaluate the relationship between the MetS-BMI phenotype and renal prognosis in the Chinese population. Individuals with normal weights are at different risk of developing CKD depending on their different metabolic phenotypes.

The Expression of MAFB Gene in Circulating Monocytes Is Related to Chronic Inflammatory Status in T2DM Patients

Immune cell-mediated chronic inflammation is one of the causes of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Therefore, identifying inflammatory markers in circulating immune cells is highly important for predicting insulin resistance (IR) and the occurrence of T2DM. In this study, we discovered that differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from T2DM patients were associated with innate immunity and chronic inflammatory responses through bulk transcriptome sequencing (bulk RNA-seq). Gene integration analysis revealed that nine DEGs were upregulated, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis revealed that V-maf musculoaponeurotic fibrosarcoma oncogene homolog B (MAFB), a candidate biomarker, has a certain predictive value for T2DM. In population-based cohort studies, we found that MAFB expression was significantly upregulated in the PBMCs of T2DM patients and was significantly correlated with homeostasis model assessment of IR (HOMA-IR), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), adiponectin (Adipoq), etc. We further evaluated the sensitivity and specificity of MAFB and other clinical parameters for predicting and diagnosing T2DM and found that MAFB expression in PBMCs had a positive effect on the prediction and diagnosis of T2DM. Finally, single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) analysis revealed that the increase in MAFB expression was mainly in nonclassical monocytes. Our results suggest that increased MAFB expression in circulating monocytes may mediate chronic inflammatory status in patients with T2DM. Therefore, MAFB gene expression in circulating monocytes has certain clinical significance for predicting and assisting in the diagnosis of T2DM.

Circulating HHIP Levels in Women with Insulin Resistance and PCOS: Effects of Physical Activity, Cold Stimulation and Anti-Diabetic Drug Therapy

Serum human hedgehog-interacting protein (HHIP) concentration is associated with diabetes. However, the relationship between HHIP and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or abnormal sex hormones remains unknown. This study was an observational cross-sectional study, with additional short-term intervention studies and follow-up studies. Bioinformatics analysis was performed to explore the association of PCOS with metabolic-related genes and signaling pathways. OGTT and EHC were performed on all participants. Lipid infusion, cold exposure, and 45-min treadmill test were performed on all healthy women. A total of 137 women with PCOS were treated with metformin, GLP-1RA, or TZDs for 24 weeks. Serum HHIP levels were higher in insulin resistance (IR) and PCOS women. Circulating HHIP levels were significantly correlated with adiponectin (Adipoq) levels, obesity, IR, and metabolic indicators. A correlation presented between HHIP and DHEA-S, FAI, SHBG, and FSH. Serum HHIP levels were significantly elevated by oral glucose challenge in healthy women, but not affected by EHC. Lipid infusion decreased serum HHIP levels, while cold exposure increased HHIP levels in healthy women. GLP-1RA and TZD treatment reduced serum HHIP levels in PCOS women, while metformin treatment did not affect HHIP levels. HHIP may be a useful biomarker and novel drug target for PCOS and IR individuals.

Circulating HHIP Levels in Women with Insulin Resistance and PCOS: Effects of Physical Activity, Cold Stimulation and Anti-Diabetic Drug Therapy

Serum human hedgehog-interacting protein (HHIP) concentration is associated with diabetes. However, the relationship between HHIP and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or abnormal sex hormones remains unknown. This study was an observational cross-sectional study, with additional short-term intervention studies and follow-up studies. Bioinformatics analysis was performed to explore the association of PCOS with metabolic-related genes and signaling pathways. OGTT and EHC were performed on all participants. Lipid infusion, cold exposure, and 45-min treadmill test were performed on all healthy women. A total of 137 women with PCOS were treated with metformin, GLP-1RA, or TZDs for 24 weeks. Serum HHIP levels were higher in insulin resistance (IR) and PCOS women. Circulating HHIP levels were significantly correlated with adiponectin (Adipoq) levels, obesity, IR, and metabolic indicators. A correlation presented between HHIP and DHEA-S, FAI, SHBG, and FSH. Serum HHIP levels were significantly elevated by oral glucose challenge in healthy women, but not affected by EHC. Lipid infusion decreased serum HHIP levels, while cold exposure increased HHIP levels in healthy women. GLP-1RA and TZD treatment reduced serum HHIP levels in PCOS women, while metformin treatment did not affect HHIP levels. HHIP may be a useful biomarker and novel drug target for PCOS and IR individuals.

Exploration of hub genes involved in PCOS using biological informatics methods

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to find underlying genes and their interaction mechanism crucial to the polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) by analyzing differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between PCOS and non-PCOS subjects.

METHODS

Gene expression data of PCOS and non-PCOS subjects were collected from gene expression omnibus (GEO) database. GEO2R were used to calculating P value and logFC. The screening threshold of DEGs was P < .05 and | FC | ≥ 1.2. GO annotation and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) signaling pathway enrichment analysis was performed by using DAVID (2021 Update). The protein-protein interaction (PPI) network of DEGs was constructed by using the STRING database, and the hub genes were recognized through Hubba plugin of Cytoscape software.

RESULTS

PCOS and non-PCOS subjects shared a total of 174 DGEs, including 14 upregulated and 160 downregulated genes. The GO biological processes enriched by DEGs mainly involved actin cytoskeleton organization, positive regulation of NF-κB signaling pathway, and positive regulation of canonical Wnt signaling pathway. The DEGs were significantly enriched in cytoplasm, nucleus and cytosol. Their molecular functions mainly focused on protein binding, calmodulin binding and glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase activity. The PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and glycosaminoglycan biosynthesis were highlighted as critical pathways enriched by DEGs. 10 hub genes were screened from the constructed PPI network, of which EGF, FN1 and TLR4 were mainly enriched in the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

CONCLUSION

In this study, a total of 174 DEGs and 10 hub genes were identified as new candidate targets for insulin resistance (IR) in PCOS individuals, which may provide a new direction for developing novel treatment strategies for PCOS.

GPHB5 Is a Biomarker in Women With Metabolic Syndrome: Results From Cross-Sectional and Intervention Studies

BACKGROUND

Animal studies have found that GPHB5 has a similar effect on system metabolism as TSH. However, the relationship between GPHB5 and metabolic diseases remains unknown. This study investigates the relationship between GPHB5 and MetS in young women.

METHODS

Bioinformatics analysis was undertaken to explore the relationship between GPHB5 and metabolic-related genes and signaling pathways. EHC and OGTT were performed on all individuals. Lipid-infusion, physical activity, and cold-exposure tests were performed on healthy individuals. Serum GPHB5 concentrations were measured by an ELISA kit.

RESULTS

PPI network showed that 11 genes interacted with GPHB5, in which POMC and KISS1R were involved in glucose and lipid metabolism. GO analysis showed 56 pathways for BP and 16 pathways for MF, in which OPRM1 and MCR families were related to energy metabolism. KEGG analysis found that GPHB5 is associated with lipolysis and neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction pathways. The levels of circulating GPHB5 were significantly increased, while serum adiponectin levels were lower in MetS women compared with healthy women. Obese/overweight individuals had lower adiponectin levels and higher GPHB5 levels. Circulating GPHB5 levels were positively correlated with BMI, WHR, blood pressure, FBG, 2 h-BG, HbA1c, FIns, 2h-Ins, LDL-C, FFA, HOMA-IR, and AUCg, etc. but negatively correlated with HDL-C, adiponectin, and M-values. Serum GPHB5 levels did not change significantly during the OGTT, EHC, and lipid infusion. Physical activity and cold-exposure tests did not lead to changes in GPHB5 levels. GLP-1RA treatment resulted in a significant decrease in serum GPHB5 levels.

CONCLUSIONS

GPHB5 may be a biomarker for MetS.

Elevated circulating GPHB5 levels in women with insulin resistance and polycystic ovary syndrome: A cross-sectional study and multiple intervention studies

OBJECTIVE

GPHB5 has been found to be associated with glucose and lipid metabolism in animal studies. However, the association of GPHB5 with IR and metabolic disorders remains unknown, and there is a lack of research in humans. Our aim in this study was to investigate the relationship between circulating GPHB5 and metabolic disorders in humans.

METHODS

Bioinformatics analysis was performed to understand the relationship between GPHB5 and metabolic disorders. GPHB5 mRNA expression in mice and rats was determined using RT-qPCR. Circulating GPHB5 concentrations were measured with an ELISA kit. EHC and OGTT were performed in humans.

RESULTS

Bioinformatics analysis shows that GPHB5 is associated with metabolic disorders and PCOS. GPHB5 mRNA expression levels in the metabolic-related tissues of HFD-fed mice, db/db and ob/ob mice, and PCOS rats were significantly higher than those of WT mice or rats. In human studies, we find that circulating GPHB5 levels were significantly higher in women with IR and PCOS. GPHB5 levels were positively correlated with age, BMI, WHR, BP, FBG, 2 h-BG, FIns, 2 h-Ins, TC, LDL-C, HbA1c, and FFA, but negatively correlated with adiponectin. Furthermore, GPHB5 was positively correlated with DHEAS and FAI, while negatively correlated with SHBG, FSH, SHBG and FSH. The increased GPHB5 concentration was related to IR and PCOS. After the treatment of metformin, GLP-1RA (Lira), and TZDs, circulating GPHB5 levels were decreased.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results reveal that circulating GPHB5 could be a biomarker and potential therapeutic target for IR and PCOS in women.

Adipokines, Hepatokines and Myokines: Focus on Their Role and Molecular Mechanisms in Adipose Tissue Inflammation

Chronic low-grade inflammation in adipose tissue (AT) is a hallmark of obesity and contributes to various metabolic disorders, such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Inflammation in ATs is characterized by macrophage infiltration and the activation of inflammatory pathways mediated by NF-κB, JNK, and NLRP3 inflammasomes. Adipokines, hepatokines and myokines - proteins secreted from AT, the liver and skeletal muscle play regulatory roles in AT inflammation via endocrine, paracrine, and autocrine pathways. For example, obesity is associated with elevated levels of pro-inflammatory adipokines (e.g., leptin, resistin, chemerin, progranulin, RBP4, WISP1, FABP4, PAI-1, Follistatin-like1, MCP-1, SPARC, SPARCL1, and SAA) and reduced levels of anti-inflammatory adipokines such as adiponectin, omentin, ZAG, SFRP5, CTRP3, vaspin, and IL-10. Moreover, some hepatokines (Fetuin A, DPP4, FGF21, GDF15, and MANF) and myokines (irisin, IL-6, and DEL-1) also play pro- or anti-inflammatory roles in AT inflammation. This review aims to provide an updated understanding of these organokines and their role in AT inflammation and related metabolic abnormalities. It serves to highlight the molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of these organokines and their clinical significance. Insights into the roles and mechanisms of these organokines could provide novel and potential therapeutic targets for obesity-induced inflammation.

Follistatin-Like Proteins: Structure, Functions and Biomedical Importance

Main forms of cellular signal transmission are known to be autocrine and paracrine signaling. Several cells secrete messengers called autocrine or paracrine agents that can bind the corresponding receptors on the surface of the cells themselves or their microenvironment. Follistatin and follistatin-like proteins can be called one of the most important bifunctional messengers capable of displaying both autocrine and paracrine activity. Whilst they are not as diverse as protein hormones or protein kinases, there are only five types of proteins. However, unlike protein kinases, there are no minor proteins among them; each follistatin-like protein performs an important physiological function. These proteins are involved in a variety of signaling pathways and biological processes, having the ability to bind to receptors such as DIP2A, TLR4, BMP and some others. The activation or experimentally induced knockout of the protein-coding genes often leads to fatal consequences for individual cells and the whole body as follistatin-like proteins indirectly regulate the cell cycle, tissue differentiation, metabolic pathways, and participate in the transmission chains of the pro-inflammatory intracellular signal. Abnormal course of these processes can cause the development of oncology or apoptosis, programmed cell death. There is still no comprehensive understanding of the spectrum of mechanisms of action of follistatin-like proteins, so the systematization and study of their cellular functions and regulation is an important direction of modern molecular and cell biology. Therefore, this review focuses on follistatin-related proteins that affect multiple targets and have direct or indirect effects on cellular signaling pathways, as well as to characterize the directions of their practical application in the field of biomedicine.

Circulating CTRP7 Is a Potential Predictor for Metabolic Syndrome

BACKGROUND

Previous animal studies have revealed that CTRP7 is related to energy metabolism. However, little is known regarding the relationship between CTRP7 and metabolic diseases in humans. Hence, this study was designed to explore the association between CTRP7 and MetS through a cross-sectional study and multiple intervention studies.

METHODS

A total of 624 individuals were enrolled in this study. The levels of CTRP7 and APN were determined by ELISA kit. HEC, OGTT and lipid infusion were performed in heathy individuals to investigate the association of CTRP7 and glucose, insulin and FFA. Bioinformatics analysis was then undertaken to identify genes and signaling pathways associated with CTRP7. The relationship between CTRP7 with MetS components was also evaluated.

RESULTS

In MetS patients, serum CTRP7 concentrations were significantly higher than in healthy controls, and was positively correlated with WC, BP, FBG, 2h-BG and TG, but negatively correlated with HDL-C and APN. Multivariate logistic regression analysis uncovered that CTRP7 was strongly correlated with the occurrence of MetS. In addition, circulating levels of CTRP7 in patients with two or more MetS components were higher than those with one MetS component. In the intervention studies, OGTTs resulted in a significant reduction in serum CTRP7 concentration. However, the increase in insulin levels caused by EHC and the increase of FFA caused by lipid-infusion led to the significant increase of serum CTRP7 concentration. Meanwhile, bioinformatics analysis revealed that CTRP7 was strongly associated with metabolism-related genes and signal pathways, which further illustrate the association of CTRP7 with whole-body metabolism.

CONCLUSIONS

Serum CTRP7 is increased in MetS patients, which may be a biomarker related to metabolic diseases.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ChiCTR2000032878.