JAK2/STAT3 Signaling Pathway and Klotho Gene in Cadmium-induced Neurotoxicity In Vitro and In Vivo

Cadmium (Cd), a common heavy metal in the environment, is associated with cognitive impairment. In the present study, we carried out a preliminary inquiry to explore whether Cd causes neurotoxicity by regulating the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway and affecting the expression of klotho genes in vivo and in vitro, providing clues for the mechanism of Cd-induced cognitive dysfunction. The rat samples were injected with Cd chloride solution for 14 weeks, and the memory function of the rats was detected. Different concentrations of Cd and JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway inhibitors were used to treat PC12 cells and thus detect the apoptosis rate. The protein expression levels of JAK2, p-JAK2, STAT3, p-STAT3, and klotho in rat and PC12 cell were detected by ELISA and Western blot, respectively. With the increase in exposure dose, the memory function of rats was severely impaired. The expression of p-JAK2 and p-STAT3 proteins was significantly up-regulated, whereas that of klotho was significantly down-regulated both in vivo and in vitro (p < 0.05). In comparison with the high-dose Cd exposure group, after adding tyrphostin AG490 (AG490), the apoptosis rate of PC12 cells increased, whereas the phosphorylation levels of JAK2 and STAT3 in the cells decreased significantly (p < 0.05). Cd exposure may cause neurotoxicity by regulating the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway and down-regulating klotho protein expression, leading to cognitive dysfunction.

Adherence to dietary guide for elderly adults and health risks of older adults in ethnic minority areas in China: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

The impact of dietary guidelines on health in ethnic minority regions needs to be further explored because of multiple sociocultural factors. Therefore, this study was conducted to analyze the association between adherence to dietary guidelines and health risks in an elderly population in an ethnic minority region.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 836 older adults in ethnic minority areas. They were asked to describe their daily dietary intake levels through a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. The closeness coefficient for each study subject was calculated by using the technique for order preference by similarity to an ideal solution (TOPSIS), which measures the adherence to Dietary Guide for Elderly Adults (DGEA). Regression models were used to analyze the association between adherence and health risks.

RESULTS

The daily food of the elderly in this area comprised cereals and vegetables. They had low intake of milk, dairy products, and water and high intake of salt. The closeness coefficient for the total population was 0.51, and the adherence of this population to dietary guidelines for the elderly was low. In both the crude model and the models adjusted for covariates, the closeness coefficient was not significantly associated with clinical indicators and health outcomes (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

No association was found between adherence to large sample-based dietary guidelines and clinical indicators or health outcomes in ethnic minority populations. The applicability of dietary guidelines to ethnic minority areas and whether they yield the expected health benefits require further study.

Association between oil tea intake and the risk of type 2 diabetes in adults: A cross-sectional study in Gongcheng, Guangxi, China

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

The associations between oil tea and type 2 diabetes (T2D) have been little studied in the population. This study aimed to evaluate whether oil tea intake is related to the reduced risk of T2D in adults.

METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN

A rural-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Gongcheng Yao Autonomous County, Guangxi, southern China (2018-2019), with a total of 3178 population included in the final analysis. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to analyze the associations between the intake frequency, daily intake of oil tea and the risk of T2D. We further compared the association differences between the daily intake of oil tea and the risk of diabetes under different dietary patterns, which were generated from food frequency intake data using principal factor analysis.

RESULTS

The differences in the frequency and daily intake of oil tea in both groups (diabetes group and the non-diabetes group) were statistically significant (p<0.05). After adjusting for age, sex, smoking status, physical activity, body mass index (BMI), compared with non-oil tea drinkers, intake ≥3 times /d had an inverse association with T2D (OR=0.417; 95% CI: 0.205-0.848, p<0.05); while daily intake of more than 600 mL/d but less than 900 mL/d was significantly associated with reduced T2D risk (OR=0.492; 95% CI: 0.284-0.852, p=0.011). In the Chinese traditional dietary and the plant-based dietary model, compared with the non-oil tea drinkers, the fourth intake group had a lower risk of diabetes, with an OR (95%CI) value of 0.500 (0.291-0.854) and 0.505 (0.298-0.855), respectively, but no statistical significance (All p>0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study suggests that oil tea was associated with a reduced risk of T2D aged 30 years or older.

Comparations of major and trace elements in soil, water and residents' hair between longevity and non-longevity areas in Bama, China

Natural environment is an important factor affecting longevity. Soil, water and hair samples from Bama were assayed to investigate the effects of elements on the regional longevity. The concentrations of Cd, Co and Mg in soil and Co in drinking water were significantly higher in longevity area than those in non-longevity area (p < 0.05). The concentrations of K, Mo, Na, Pb and V in soil, Mg, Na, Fe, Li and Mn in drinking water and I, K, Mg, Mn, Na and Sr in hair were significantly lower in longevity area than those in non-longevity area (p < 0.05). Mg, Mn, Na and Sr in hair were affected by soil and drinking water. Our results indicate that adequate concentration of Mg in soil might benefit longevity, excessive concentrations of Na in soil, Mg, Mn and Na in drinking water and Mg, Mn, Na and Sr in hair might reduce lifespan of local residents.

Association between TFEB gene polymorphism, gene-environment interaction, and fatty liver disease: A case-control study in China

BACKGROUND

Fatty liver disease (FLD) is a serious public health problem that is rapidly increasing. Evidence indicates that the transcription factor EB (TFEB) gene may be involved in the pathophysiology of FLD; however, whether TEFB polymorphism has an association with FLD remains unclear.

OBJECTIVES

To explore the association among TFEB polymorphism, gene-environment interaction, and FLD and provide epidemiological evidence for clarifying the genetic factors of FLD.

METHODS

This study is a case-control study. Sequenom MassARRAY was applied in genotyping. Logical regression was used to analyze the association between TFEB polymorphism and FLD, and the gene-environment interaction in FLD was evaluated by multiplication and additive interaction models.

RESULTS

(1) The alleles and genotypes of each single nucleotide polymorphism and haplotypes of TFEB in the case and control groups were evenly distributed; no statistically substantial difference was observed. (2) Logistic regression analysis indicated that TFEB polymorphism is not remarkably associated with FLD. (3) In the multiplicative interaction model, rs1015149, rs1062966, rs11754668 and rs2273068 had remarkable interaction with the amount of cigarette smoking. Rs1062966 and rs11754668 also had a considerable interaction body mass index and alcohol intake, respectively. However, no remarkable additive interaction was observed.

CONCLUSION

TFEB polymorphism is not directly associated with FLD susceptibility, but the risk can be changed through gene-environment interaction.

Effects of the association between APOE rs405509 polymorphisms and gene-environment interactions on hand grip strength among middle-aged and elderly people in a rural population in southern China

Background

Hand grip strength is a complex phenotype. The current study aimed to identify the effects of the association between APOE rs405509 polymorphisms and gene-environment interactions on hand grip strength among middle-aged and elderly people in a rural population in Gongcheng, southern China.

Methods

APOE rs405509 polymorphisms in 1724 participants (695 men and 1029 women, aged 45–97 years old) were genotyped using the Sequenom MassARRAY platform. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS 21.0 and Plink 1.90.

Results

The APOE rs405509 G allele was associated with lower hand grip strength in all participants (β = −1.04, P value <0.001), and the correlation seemed to be even stronger among women. A significant gene-environment interaction was observed between APOE rs405509 and smoking, especially in men. The hand grip strength of male smokers carrying the GG genotype was significantly higher than that of nonsmokers (P value = 0.004).

Conclusions

APOE rs405509 polymorphisms might be genetic factors that affect hand grip strength in a rural population in Gongcheng, southern China. The APOE rs405509-smoking interaction has an impact on hand grip strength.

Effects of Oil Tea on Obesity and Dyslipidemia: A Cross-Sectional Study in China

BACKGROUND

Animal experiments have found that oil tea reduces body weight and improves blood lipid levels. However, the effect of oil tea on human health has not been confirmed yet. This study aims to explore the relationship between oil tea consumption and obesity and dyslipidemia.

METHODS

In a cross-sectional population study in Guangxi, China, a semi-quantitative questionnaire was used to investigate the oil tea consumed and food consumption frequency in adults aged 30 years and over. Anthropometric variables and serum biochemical indicators were measured. A total of 2001 adults were divided into five groups based on their non-consumption status and quartile of consumption (groups non-drink oil tea, Q1-Q4).

RESULTS

The risk of abdominal obesity tended to decrease significantly with increasing consumption of oil tea (P for trend< 0.05) in the overall participants (Q3 group, OR = 0.545, 95% CI = 0.336-0.884; Q4 group, OR = 0.520, 95% CI = 0.311-0.871) and in women (Q2 group, OR = 0.502, 95% CI = 0.274-0.920; Q3 group, OR = 0.397, 95% CI = 0.213-0.740; Q4 group, OR = 0.421, 95% CI = 0.228-0.780). Oil tea consumption Q1, Q2, Q3 and Q4 group significantly reduced the risk of abnormal HDL-cholesterol (P < 0.05). Oil tea consumption Q2 group significantly increased the risk of abnormal LDL-cholesterol (OR = 2.600, 95% CI = 1.033-6.546) in women. Oil tea consumption Q1 (OR = 0.081, 95% CI =0.008-0.864) and Q3 (OR = 0.057, 95% CI = 0.004-0.913) groups significantly reduced the risk of abnormal HDL-cholesterol in women.

CONCLUSION

Oil tea consumption may be associated with a low risk of abdominal obesity. High-dose oil tea consumption may be associated with a low risk of abnormal HDL-cholesterol. Prospective studies with large sample sizes would be required to further investigate this association.

Association of liver and kidney functions with Klotho gene methylation in a population environment exposed to cadmium in China

Exposure to the heavy metal cadmium has adverse effects on human health, including DNA methylation. This study aimed to investigate the effects of cadmium on liver and kidney functions and Klotho gene methylation and to explore the relationship of methylation level with indicators of liver and kidney functions. Graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry was conducted to determine urinary cadmium, and an automatic biochemical analyzer was used to detect indices of liver and kidney functions. PCR pyrosequencing was performed to detect the methylation rate of Klotho. One-way ANOVA was adopted to compare the differences between groups, and the linear correlation to variables was analyzed. Cadmium exposure was negatively correlated with albumin level (r=-0.143, p=0.021) and positively correlated with urinary β₂-microglobulin level (r=0.229, p<0.001). However, the methylation levels of Klotho gene was decreased and increased by low and high doses of cadmium exposure, respectively. And Klothomethylation levels were negatively correlated with albumin levels and positively correlated with β₂-microglobulin levels.In this study, cadmium exposure affects liver and kidney functions as well as Klotho methylation levels, but the effect on Klotho methylation levels is not linear. Klotho methylation levels also influence liver and kidney functions.