The Mediation Effect of Body Composition on the Association Between Menopause and Hyperuricemia: Evidence From China National Health Survey

Function-oriented mechanism discovery of coumarins from Psoralea corylifolia L. in the treatment of ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis based on multi-omics analysis

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Psoraleae Fructus (Bu Gu Zhi) is the fruit of Psoralea corylifolia L. (PCL) and has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine formulas to treat osteoporosis (OP). A new drug called "BX" has been developed from PCL, but its mechanism for treating OP is not yet fully understood.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To explore the mechanism of action of BX in the treatment of ovariectomy-induced OP based function-oriented multi-omics analysis of gut microbiota (GM) and metabolites.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

C57BL/6 mice were bilaterally ovariectomized to replicate the OP model. The therapeutic efficacy of BX was evaluated by bone parameters (BMD, BV/TV, Tb.N, Tb.Sp), hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining results, and determination of bone formation markers procollagen type Ⅰ amino-terminal peptide (PⅠNP) and bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BALP). Serum and fecal metabolomics and high-throughput 16S rDNA sequencing were performed to evaluate effects on endogenous metabolites and GM. In addition, an enzyme-based functional correlation algorithm (EBFC) algorithm was used to investigate functional correlations between GM and metabolites.

RESULTS

BX improved OP in OVX mice by increasing BMD, BV/TV, serum PⅠNP, BALP, and improving Tb.N and Tb.Sp. A total of 59 differential metabolites were identified, and 9 metabolic pathways, including arachidonic acid metabolism, glycerophospholipid metabolism, purine metabolism, and tryptophan metabolism, were found to be involved in the progression of OP. EBFC analysis results revealed that the enzymes related to purine and tryptophan metabolism, which are from Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group, Blautia, Rs-E47_termite_group, UCG-009, and Clostridia_UCG-014, were identified as the intrinsic link between GM and metabolites.

CONCLUSIONS

The regulation of GM and restoration of metabolic disorders may be the mechanisms of action of BX in alleviating OP. This research provides insights into the function-oriented mechanism discovery of traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of OP.

Insulin resistance, combined with health-related lifestyles, psychological traits and adverse cardiometabolic profiles, is associated with cardiovascular diseases: findings from the BHMC study

The triglyceride glucose (TyG) index is a reliable marker of insulin resistance; however, its combined impact with modifiable lifestyle risk factors and psychological traits on cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remains unclear. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between the TyG index, various behavioral factors, psychological traits, and CVDs. A total of 77 752 adults aged 18 and over from the baseline survey of the Beijing Health Management Cohort study were investigated. Associations of the TyG index, body roundness index (BRI), dietary habits, psychological traits, and sleep habits with CVDs were estimated using multivariable logistic regression models. Compared to the Q1 level, the Q4 level of the TyG index had an odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of 2.30 (1.98-2.68) for CVD risk in men and 2.12 (1.81-2.48) in women. Compared to a sleep duration of more than 7 hours, a sleep duration less than 5 hours had a 32% (8%-61%) higher risk in men and 22% (1%-48%) in women. The ORs (95% CIs) for fast eating compared to normal speed were 1.47 (1.23-1.76) in men and 1.17 (1.05-1.29) in women. Compared to individuals with a passive and depressed psychological trait, those who were positive and optimistic had a 47% (36%-56%) decreased risk in men and 43% (31%-53%) in women. In the age-stratified analysis, a higher BRI level showed a sex-differential effect on CVDs, which is potentially related to a lower risk of CVDs in elderly men. A high level of the TyG index combined with unhealthy lifestyle factors indicates a higher risk of CVDs, while maintaining a positive and optimistic psychological trait acts as a protective factor. These findings may be valuable for identifying high-risk populations for CVDs in community settings.

Fat-to-Muscle Ratio Is Independently Associated with Hyperuricemia and a Reduced Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate in Chinese Adults: The China National Health Survey

BACKGROUND

The effects of the fat-to-muscle ratio (FMR) on hyperuricemia and a reduction in the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) are still unclear.

METHODS

Data from the China National Health Survey were used to explore the associations of the FMR with hyperuricemia and reduced eGFR. The fat mass and muscle mass were measured through bioelectrical impedance analysis. Mediation analysis was used to estimate the mediated effect of hyperuricemia on the association between the FMR and reduced eGFR.

RESULTS

A total of 31171 participants were included. For hyperuricemia, compared with the Q1 of the FMR, the ORs (95% CI) of Q2, Q3 and Q4 were 1.60 (1.32-1.95), 2.31 (1.91-2.80) and 2.71 (2.15-3.43) in men and 1.91 (1.56-2.34), 2.67 (2.12-3.36) and 4.47 (3.40-5.89) in women. For the reduced eGFR, the ORs (95% CI) of Q2, Q3 and Q4 of the FMR were 1.48 (1.18-1.87), 1.38 (1.05-1.82) and 1.45 (1.04-2.04) in men aged 40-59, but no positive association was found in younger men or in women. Hyperuricemia mediated the association between the FMR and reduced eGFR in men. The OR (95% CI) of the indirect effect was 1.08 (1.05-1.10), accounting for 35.11% of the total effect.

CONCLUSIONS

The FMR was associated with hyperuricemia and reduced eGFR, and the associations varied based on sex and age. The effect of the FMR on the reduced eGFR was significantly mediated by hyperuricemia in men.

Prevalence of hyperuricemia and the population attributable fraction of modifiable risk factors: Evidence from a general population cohort in China

Data on updated hyperuricemia prevalence in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei (BTH) region in China, which is one of the world-class urban agglomerations, is sparse. Overweight/obesity, alcohol consumption, smoking and sedentary behavior are modifiable risk factors (MRFs) for elevated serum uric acid (SUA), but their population attributable fractions (PAFs) for hyperuricemia is still unclear. Using baseline data from the BTH Physical Examination General Population Cohort, we calculated the crude- and adjusted-prevalence of hyperuricemia based on the 30,158 participants aged 18–80 years. Hyperuricemia was defined as SUA >420 μmol/L in men and >360 μmol/L in women, or currently use of uric acid lowering drugs. Overweight/obesity, alcohol consumption, smoking and sedentary behavior were considered as MRFs and their adjusted PAFs were estimated. The prevalence of hyperuricemia was 19.37%, 27.72% in men and 10.69% in women. The PAFs and 95% confidence intervals for overweight, obesity were 16.25% (14.26–18.25%) and 12.08% (11.40–12.77%) in men, 13.95% (12.31–15.59%) and 6.35% (5.97–6.74%) in women, respectively. Alcohol consumption can explain 4.64% (2.72–6.56%) hyperuricemia cases in men, but with no statistical significance in women. Cigarette smoking contributed to 3.15% (1.09–5.21%) cases in men, but a much lower fraction in women (0.85%, 0.49–1.22%). Compared with sedentary time <2 h per day, the PAFs of 2–4 h, 4–6 h, and more than 6 h per day were 3.14% (1.34–4.93%), 6.72% (4.44–8.99%) and 8.04% (4.95–11.13%) in men, respectively. Sedentary time was not found to be associated with hyperuricemia in women. These findings concluded that hyperuricemia is prevalent in this representative Chinese adult general population with substantial sex difference. Four MRFs (overweight/obesity, alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking and sedentary behavior) accounted for a notable proportion of hyperuricemia cases. The PAF estimations enable the exploration of the expected proportion of hyperuricemia cases that could be prevented if the MRFs were removed, which warrants the public health significance of life-style intervention.