Metabolic signature associated with parameters of the complete blood count in apparently healthy individuals

Methylation Patterns of the FKBP5 Gene in Association with Childhood Maltreatment and Depressive Disorders

Childhood maltreatment is an important risk factor for adult depression and has been associated with changes in the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis, including cortisol secretion and methylation of the FKBP5 gene. Furthermore, associations between depression and HPA changes have been reported. This study investigated the associations of whole-blood FKBP5 mRNA levels, serum cortisol levels, childhood maltreatment, and depressive symptoms with the whole-blood methylation status (assessed via target bisulfite sequencing) of 105 CpGs at the FKBP5 locus using data from the general population-based Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP) (N = 203). Both direct and interaction effects with the rs1360780 single-nucleotide polymorphism were investigated. Nominally significant associations of main effects on methylation of a single CpG site were observed at intron 3, intron 7, and the 3'-end of the gene. Additionally, methylation at two clusters at the 3'-end and intron 7 were nominally associated with childhood maltreatment × rs1360780 and depressive symptoms × rs1360780, respectively. The results add to the understanding of molecular mechanisms underlying the emergence of depression and could aid the development of personalised depression therapy and drug development.

Evaluation of the safety and potential lipid-lowering effects of oral hydrogen-rich coral calcium (HRCC) capsules in patients with metabolic syndrome: a prospective case series study

Background

Metabolic syndrome is characterized by a cluster-like occurrence of conditions such as hypertension, hyperglycaemia, elevated low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol or triglycerides (TG) and high visceral fat. Metabolic syndrome is linked to the build-up of plaque within the artery, which leads to disorders of the circulatory, nervous and immune systems. A variety of treatments target the regulation of these conditions; nevertheless, they remain dominant risk factors for the development of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and cardiovascular disease (CVD), which affect 26.9% of the US population. Management and intervention strategies for improving cholesterol and/or TG are worthwhile, and recent studies on hydrogen treatment are promising, particularly as molecular hydrogen is easily ingested. This study aimed to investigate the lipid-lowering effects and quality of life (QOL) improvement of hydrogen-rich coral calcium (HRCC) in patients with metabolic syndrome.

Methods

The patients, all Taiwanese, were randomly assigned to 3 different doses (low, medium, and high) of HRCC capsules. The primary outcome was the adverse effects/symptoms during this 4-week use of HRCC capsules. The secondary outcome was lipid profile changes. Complete blood count, inflammatory biomarkers, and QOL were also measured before and after the course of HRCC.

Results

Sixteen patients with metabolic syndrome completed this study (7 males, 9 females; mean age: 62 years; range: 32-80). No obvious adverse effects were recorded. Only changes in blood TG reached significance. The baseline TG value was 193.19 μL (SD = 107.44), which decreased to 151.75 μL (SD = 45.27) after 4 weeks of HRCC (p = 0.04). QOL showed no significant changes.

Conclusion

This study is the first human clinical trial evaluating HRCC capsules in patients with metabolic syndrome. Based on the safety and potential TG-lowering effects of short-term HRCC, further long-term investigations of HRCC are warranted.

Clinical trial registration

[ClinicalTrials.gov], identifier [NCT05196295].

Broad Metabolome Alterations Associated with the Intake of Oral Contraceptives Are Mediated by Cortisol in Premenopausal Women

The use of oral contraceptives (OCs) has been associated with elevated blood cortisol concentrations. However, metabolic downstream effects of OC intake are not well described. Here, we aimed to determine if the blood metabolome is associated with the use of OCs and to estimate if these associations might be statistically mediated by serum cortisol concentrations. Plasma metabolites measured with the Biocrates AbsoluteIDQ p180 Kit and serum cortisol concentrations measured by an immunoassay were determined in 391 premenopausal women (116 OC users) participating in two independent cohorts of the Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP). After correction for multiple testing, 27 metabolites were significantly associated with OC intake in SHIP-TREND (discovery cohort), of which 25 replicated in SHIP-2. Inter alia, associated metabolites included 12 out of 38 phosphatidylcholines with diacyl residue, 7 out of 14 lysophosphatidylcholines and 5 out of 21 amino acids. The associations with phosphatidylcholines were statistically mediated by cortisol, whereas lysophosphatidylcholines showed no mediation effect. The results represent a step toward a better understanding of the metabolic consequences of OC intake. Connecting cortisol with metabolic consequences of OC intake could help to understand the mechanisms underlying adverse effects. The blood metabolome may serve as a biomarker for identifying users at high risk for developing such adverse effects.

Red cell distribution width and erythrocyte osmotic stability in type 2 diabetes mellitus

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between red cell distribution width (RDW) and erythrocyte osmotic stability in non‐diabetic and diabetic individuals in both sexes. The study sample (N = 122) was constituted by 53 type 2 diabetics (DM) and 69 non‐diabetics (ND), being 21 and 22 men in each group, respectively. The osmotic stability of erythrocytes was obtained by the variation in saline concentration (dX) capable of determining hypoosmotic lysis. Higher RDW values and lower serum iron concentrations were found in the diabetic group when compared to the non‐diabetic volunteers. In the group of diabetic women, RDW was positively correlated with the reticulocyte index, and both RDW and dX were negatively correlated with iron, haemoglobin, transferrin saturation index, mean corpuscular haemoglobin and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration. In all the groups studied, RDW was positively correlated with dX, especially in the diabetic group, where the correlation was the strongest. RDW elevation in both women and men with type 2 diabetes mellitus was associated with decreased serum iron indicators. Furthermore, RDW has a similar meaning to dX, as small erythrocytes have less haemoglobin, resulting in both an increase of RDW and dX.

Metabolic signature associated with parameters of the complete blood count in apparently healthy individuals

Metabolomics studies now approach large sample sizes and the health characterization of the study population often include complete blood count (CBC) results. Upon careful interpretation the CBC aids diagnosis and provides insight into the health status of the patient within a clinical setting. Uncovering metabolic signatures associated with parameters of the CBC in apparently healthy individuals may facilitate interpretation of metabolomics studies in general and related to diseases. For this purpose 879 subjects from the population‐based Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP)‐TREND were included. Using metabolomics data resulting from mass‐spectrometry based measurements in plasma samples associations of specific CBC parameters with metabolites were determined by linear regression models. In total, 118 metabolites significantly associated with at least one of the CBC parameters. Strongest associations were observed with metabolites of heme degradation and energy production/consumption. Inverse association seen with mean corpuscular volume and mean corpuscular haemoglobin comprised metabolites potentially related to kidney function. The presently identified metabolic signatures are likely derived from the general function and formation/elimination of blood cells. The wealth of associated metabolites strongly argues to consider CBC in the interpretation of metabolomics studies, in particular if mutual effects on those parameters by the disease of interest are known.