Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels are associated with insulin-like growth factor-1 in short-stature children and adolescents: a cross-sectional study

Correlation between inflammatory marker and lipid metabolism in patients with uterine leiomyomas

Introduction

Obesity is a risk factor for the development of uterine leiomyoma (UL), and the inflammatory response plays a key role in the pathogenesis of UL. Our objective was to assess whether there was an independent relationship between inflammatory markers and triglycerides (TG) in patients with UL.

Methods

1,477 UL participants who were hospitalized at the Jining Medical University between January 2016 and December 2022 were included in this cross-sectional study. The independent and dependent variables measured at baseline were inflammatory markers and TG levels, respectively. The covariates were age, body mass index (BMI), UL and menstrual status. Based on the number of fibroids, the study population was divided into Single-group and Multiple-group.

Results

Univariate and multiple regression analyses and stratified analyses revealed significant positive correlations between neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio and systemic immune inflammation index and TG, and significant negative correlations between monocyte-lymphocyte ratio and TG.

Conclusion

The findings show a significant correlation between the inflammatory response and lipid metabolism levels in UL patients. This provides direction for further research into the pathophysiology of UL and also helps to formulate hypotheses for predictive models of UL.

Integrated Transcriptome and Microbiota Reveal the Regulatory Effect of 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Supplementation in Antler Growth of Sika Deer

The level of plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) is associated with the growth of the antler, a fast-growing bone organ of Cervidae. However, the benefits of 25(OH)D supplementation on antler growth and the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here, the antler growth profile and transcriptome, plasma parameters, rumen bacteria, and metabolites (volatile fatty acids and amino acids) were determined in sika deer in a 25(OH)D supplementation group (25(OH)D, n = 8) and a control group (Ctrl, n = 8). 25(OH)D supplementation significantly increased the antler weight and growth rate. The levels of IGF-1,25(OH)D and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D were significantly higher in the 25(OH)D group than in the Ctrl group, while the levels of LDL-C were lower. The levels of valerate and branched-chain amino acids in the rumen fluid were significantly different between the 25(OH)D and Ctrl groups. The bacterial diversity indices were not significantly different between the two groups. However, the relative abundances of the butyrate-producing bacteria (families Lachnospiraceae and Succinivibrionaceae) and the pyruvate metabolism pathway were higher in the 25(OH)D group. The transcriptomic profile of the antler was significantly different between the 25(OH)D and Ctrl groups, with 356 up- and 668 down-regulated differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the 25(OH)D group. The up-regulated DEGs were enriched in the proteinaceous extracellular matrix and collagen, while the down-regulated DEGs were enriched in the immune system and lipid metabolism pathways. Overall, these results provide novel insights into the effects of 25(OH)D supplementation on the host metabolism, rumen microbiota, and antler transcriptome of sika deer.

Association Between the Growth Hormone/Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 Axis and Muscle Density in Children and Adolescents of Short Stature

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the association between the growth hormone (GH)/insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) axis and muscle density in children and adolescents of short stature.

METHODS

Participants were children and adolescents of short stature hospitalized in the Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University between January 2020 and June 2021. All participants had CT scan images available. We performed an analysis of the images to calculate the muscle density or skeletal muscle attenuation (SMA), skeletal muscle index (SMI), and fat mass index (FMI). Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) was used to ensure that chest CT is a credible way of evaluating body composition.

RESULTS

A total of 297 subjects were included with the mean age of 10.00 ± 3.42 years, mean height standard deviation score (SDS) of -2.51 ± 0.53, and mean IGF-1 SDS of -0.60 ± 1.07. The areas of muscle and fat tissues at the fourth thoracic vertebra level in the CT images showed strong correlation with the total weights of the participants (R²  = 0.884 and 0.897, respectively). The peak of GH was negatively associated with FMI (r = - 0.323, P <.01) and IGF-1 SDS was positively associated with SMI (r = 0.303, P <.01). Both the peak GH and IGF-1 SDS were positively associated with SMA (r = 0.244, P <.01 and r = 0.165, P <.05, respectively). Multiple stepwise linear regression analysis demonstrated that the GH peak was the predictor of FMI (β = - 0.210, P < .01), the IGF-1 SDS was the predictor of SMI (β = 0.224, P < .01), and both the peak GH and IGF-1 SDS were predictors of SMA (β = 0.180, P < .01 and β = 0.222, P < .01).

CONCLUSIONS

A chest CT scan is a credible method of evaluating body composition in children and adolescents of short stature. In these patients, peak GH and IGF-1 SDS are independent predictors of muscle density and the GF/IGF-1 axis may regulate body composition through complex mechanisms.

The association of lipid ratios with hyperuricemia in a rural Chinese hypertensive population

Background

Current studies support lipid ratios [the total cholesterol (TC)/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) ratio; the triglyceride (TG)/HDL-C ratio; the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL -C)/HDL-C ratio; and non-HDL-C] as reliable indicators of cardiovascular disease, stroke, and diabetes. However, whether lipid ratios could serve as markers for hyperuricemia (HUA) remains unclear due to limited research. This study aimed to explore the association between lipid ratios and HUA in hypertensive patients.

Methods

The data from 14,227 Chinese hypertensive individuals in the study were analyzed. Multiple logistic regression analysis and smooth curve fitting models examined the relationship between lipid ratios and HUA.

Results

The results showed positive associations between the lipid ratios and HUA (all P < 0.001). Furthermore, lipid ratios were converted from continuous variables to tertiles. Compared to the lowest tertile, the fully adjusted ORs (95 % CI) of the TC/HDL-C ratio, the TG/HDL-C ratio, the LDL-C/HDL-C ratio, and non-HDL-C in the highest tertile were 1.79 (1.62, 1.99), 2.09 (1.88, 2.32), 1.67 (1.51, 1.86), and 1.93 (1.74, 2.13), respectively (all P < 0.001).

Conclusions

The study suggested that high lipid ratios (TC/HDL-C ratio, TG/HDL-C ratio, LDL-C/HDL-C ratio, and non-HDL-C) are associated with HUA in a Chinese hypertensive population. This study’s findings further expand the scope of the application of lipid ratios. These novel and essential results suggest that lipid ratio profiles might be potential and valuable markers for HUA.

Trial registration

No. ChiCTR1800017274. Registered July 20, 2018.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12944-021-01556-z.

Association between serum uric acid and triglycerides in Chinese children and adolescents with short stature

Background

Elevated triglyceride (TG) levels are a biomarker for cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. The correlation between serum uric acid (SUA) and TG concentrations in adults or obese children is well established. However, studies on SUA and TG in children with short stature are limited.

Aim

To determine the relationship between SUA and TG levels in short children and adolescents.

Method

This was a cross-sectional evaluation of a cohort of 1095 patients with short stature (720 males and 375 females). The related clinical characteristics, including anthropometric and biochemical parameters, were determined.

Results

Smooth curve fitting, adjusted for potential confounders was performed, which indicated the existence of a non-linear relationship between these measures. Piecewise multivariate linear analysis revealed a significant positive relationship between SUA and TG at SUA concentrations over 7 mg/dL (β = 0.13, 95% CI: 0.05–0.22, P = 0.002) but no significant correlation at lower SUA levels (β = 0.01, 95% CI: 0.01–0.04, P = 0.799). Furthermore, a stratified analysis was performed to appraise changes in this relationship for different sexes and standard deviation levels of body mass index (BMI). The non-linear relationship remained consistent in males and females with BMI standard deviation scores (BMI SDS) ≥ 0, with inflection points of 6.71 mg/dL and 3.93 mg/dL, respectively. Within these two groups, SUA and TG levels showed a positive association when SUA levels were higher than the inflection point (β = 0.21, 95% CI: 0.11–0.31, P < 0.001 for males and β = 0.1, 95% CI: 0.03–0.17, P = 0.005 for females). However, a specific relationship was not observed at lower SUA levels. No significant relationships were found between SUA and TG levels in males and females with BMI SDS < 0.

Conclusion

The present study identified the non-linear association of SUA and TG levels with short children and adolescents. This relationship was based on BMI status. This finding suggests that health status should be considered for short stature children with high SUA levels, especially in children with a high BMI standard deviation score.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12944-020-01429-x.

Relationship between hemoglobin and insulin-like growth factor-1 in children and adolescents with idiopathic short stature

BACKGROUND

The growth hormone/insulin-like growth factor-1 (GH/IGF-1) axis is critical for the regulation of children's growth and development. Serum IGF-1 concentrations are usually low in individuals with idiopathic short stature (ISS) despite normal endogenous GH levels, and the associated underlying factors are unknown. This study aimed to explore the relationship between IGF-1 and hemoglobin (Hb) in children with ISS.

METHODS

A cross-sectional analysis was performed including 178 children and adolescents with ISS who were enrolled from March 2013 to February 2019. The related clinical and biochemical parameters were evaluated for each patient. Univariate analysis, smooth curve fitting and multivariate piecewise linear regression were performed.

RESULT

The mean levels of IGF-1 standard deviation scores (SDS) and Hb were - 0.99 (- 1.60 - -0.09) and 131.81 ± 9.36 g/L, respectively. Univariate analysis displayed a significant positive association between Hb and IGF-1 SDS (P < 0.001). After adjusting for potential confounding factors, the positive relationship between Hb and IGF-1 SDS remained (P = 0.001). Furthermore, there was an inflection point for Hb in the curve. In a multivariate piecewise linear regression model, IGF-1 SDS was significantly positively associated with Hb when Hb concentrations were lower than 145 g/L (B 0.05; 95% CI 0.02, 0.07; P < 0.001). However, IGF-1 SDS decreased with increasing Hb levels when Hb concentrations were greater than 145 g/L (B -0.15; 95% CI -0.23, - 0.06; P = 0.001).

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated that Hb is associated with IGF-1 in Chinese children and adolescents with ISS. The levels of IGF-1 increased with the elevation of Hb, but when the concentration of Hb exceeded a certain range, with the increase of Hb, IGF-1 decreased instead.