Gender differences in midlife to later-life cumulative burden and variability of obesity measures and risk of all-cause and cause-specific mortality

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Previous studies have reported the gender-specific association between general and central obesity measures, using snapshot assessments, and mortality events. This study seeks to further explore this link by examining how the longitudinal cumulative burden and variability of obesity measures from midlife to later-life impact mortality events in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study population, specifically in relation to gender differences.

SUBJECTS/METHODS

Using data from the ARIC study, a total of 7615 (4360 women) participants free of cardiovascular disease, cancer, and early mortality events were included in the data analysis. Longitudinal cumulative burden (estimated by the area under the curve (AUC) using a quadratic mixed-effects method) and variability (calculated according to average successive variability (ASV)) were considered as exposures, separately and all together. Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to estimate multivariable-adjusted standardized hazard ratios.

RESULTS

The mean age was 62.4 and the median follow-up was 16.9 years. In men, AUCs of waist-related obesity measures, and also ASVs of all obesity measures were associated with increased all-cause mortality risk. In women, waist circumference and waist-to-height ratio AUCs were associated with increased all-cause mortality risk. Regarding cardiovascular mortality, all adiposity measures ASVs in both genders and waist-related obesity measures AUCs in men were associated with increased risk. Significant gender differences were found for the associations between cumulative and variability of waist-to-hip ratio for all-cause mortality and all adiposity measures ASVs for cardiovascular mortality risk with higher impact among men.

CONCLUSIONS

Cumulative burden and variability in general and central obesity measures were associated with higher all-cause and cardiovascular mortalities among men. In women, general obesity measures variability, as well as cumulative and variability of central adiposity measure, increased all-cause mortality risk.

The role of microRNAs in acrylamide toxicity

The chemical compound known as Acrylamide (AA) is employed in different industries worldwide and is also found in thermal-processed food. AA has been acting as a reproductive toxicant, carcinogen, and neurotoxic in various animals, which may promote several toxic impacts in animal and human species. Up to now, various studies have focused on the harmful mechanisms and intervention actions of AA. However, the underlying mechanisms that AA and its toxic effects can exert have remained uncertain. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of short, non-coding RNAs that are able to act as epigenetic regulators. These molecules can regulate a wide range of cellular and molecular processes. In this regard, it has been shown that different chemical agents can dysregulate miRNAs. To determine the possible AA targets along with mechanisms of its toxicity, it is helpful to study the alteration in the profiles of miRNA regulation following AA intake. The current research aimed to evaluate the miRNAs' mediatory roles upon the AA's toxic potentials. This review study discussed the AA, which is made within the food matrix, the way it is consumed, and the potential impacts of AA on miRNAs and its association with different cancer types and degenerative diseases. The findings of this review paper indicated that AA might be capable of altering miRNA signatures in different tissues and exerting its carcinogen effects.

The impact of obesity on different glucose tolerance status with incident cardiovascular disease and mortality events over 15 years of follow-up: a pooled cohort analysis

BACKGROUND

The effect of obesity in different glucose tolerance statuses i.e. normoglycemia (NGT), pre-diabetes, and type 2 diabetes (T2DM) on cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mortality has been an area of ongoing debate and uncertainty. In the present study, we aimed to examine the impact of being obese, whether general or central separately, in comparison with non-obese in different glucose tolerance statuses on the above outcomes.

METHODS

The study population included 18,184 participants aged 30-60 years (9927 women) from three longitudinal studies, including Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities, Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis, and Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study. Glucose tolerance status was defined as NGT (fasting plasma glucose < 5.55 mmol/L), pre-diabetes (5.55-7.00 mmol/L), and T2DM (≥ 7 mmol/L or taking any medication for diabetes). Moreover, general and central obesity were defined based on body mass index and waist circumference (WC), respectively. Multivariable stratified Cox regression analysis was used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs (95% CI)) for CVD and mortality events.

RESULTS

During a 16-year follow-up, 2733 CVD events, 1101 CV mortality, and 3678 all-cause mortality events were recorded. We observed that being generally obese in comparison with non-obese increased the risk of CV and all-cause mortality in all glucose tolerance statuses; while considering CVD events, only among individuals with T2DM, the presence of general obesity was associated with marginally significant higher risk [1.19 (0.98-1.43); p-value = 0.07]. Regarding central adiposity, multivariate analysis revealed that elevated WC in NGT participants is associated with incident CVD [1.27(1.12-1.46)] and all-cause mortality [1.13(1.00-1.28)]. Moreover, central adiposity increased the risk of CV mortality in pre-diabetes individuals [1.47 (1.11-1.95)].

CONCLUSION

Findings from this pooled prospective cohort studies provide evidence that general obesity shows an unfavorable association with CV and all-cause mortality among the general population irrespective of their glucose tolerance statusThe findings imply that it's important to take into account the requirement and magnitude of weight reduction in people who are obese when offering guidance.

Emerging roles of miR-145 in gastrointestinal cancers: A new paradigm

Gastrointestinal (GI) carcinomas are a group of cancers affecting the GI tract and digestive organs, such as the gastric, liver, bile ducts, pancreas, small intestine, esophagus, colon, and rectum. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small functional non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) which are involved in regulating the expression of multiple target genes; mainly at the post-transcriptional level, via complementary binding to their 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR). Increasing evidence has shown that miRNAs have critical roles in modulating of various physiological and pathological cellular processes and regulating the occurrence and development of human malignancies. Among them, miR-145 is recognized for its anti-oncogenic properties in various cancers, including GI cancers. MiR-145 has been implicated in diverse biological processes of cancers through the regulation of target genes or signaling, including, proliferation, differentiation, tumorigenesis, angiogenesis, apoptosis, metastasis, and therapy resistance. In this review, we have summarized the role of miR-145 in selected GI cancers and also its downstream molecules and cellular processes targets, which could lead to a better understanding of the miR-145 in these cancers. In conclusion, we reveal the potential diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic value of miR-145 in GI cancer, and hope to provide new ideas for its application as a biomarker as well as a therapeutic target for the treatment of these cancer.

Prevalence and metabolic determinants of abnormal alanine aminotransferase: A cross-sectional study of Iranian adults, 2018-2022

BACKGROUND

Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) is an enzyme whose activity became the principal biomarker for liver disease. In the current study, we aimed to determine the prevalence of abnormal ALT, as a surrogate of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and its associated determinants using different criteria among Tehranian subjects between 2018 and 2022.

METHODS

This is a cross-sectional study on 5676 Tehranian individuals aged 20-70 years. The weighted prevalence of abnormal ALT was calculated using both the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in the United States (US-NHANCE; ALT ≥30 U/L for females and ≥40 U/L for males) and the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) guideline (ALT >25 U/L for females, and >33 U/L for males) thresholds. Moreover, uni/multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to find the determinants of abnormal ALT.

RESULTS

The weighted prevalence of abnormal ALT was 12.8% (7.6% females and 18% males) and 22.5% (17.7% females and 27.3% males) based on US-NHANCE and ACG criteria, respectively. Our results showed every decade increase in age decreased the risk of abnormal ALT by 32%. We also found that generally male gender, being overweight/obese, central adiposity, TG ≥6.9 mmol/L, non-HDL-C ≥3.37 mmol/L, lipid-lowering medications, pre-diabetes/T2DM were associated with abnormal ALT using different cutoff points. Moreover, among men resting tachycardia (≥90 beats per min), hypertension, and females past-smoker were also found as other determinants of abnormal ALT.

CONCLUSION

High prevalence of abnormal ALT among non-elderly Iranian adults, especially among men, necessitates immediate multifaceted strategies by policymakers to prevent potential complications caused by NAFLD.

Exosomal long non-coding RNAs: novel molecules in gastrointestinal cancers' progression and diagnosis

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers arise in the GI tract and accessory organs, including the mouth, esophagus, stomach, liver, biliary tract, pancreas, small intestine, large intestine, and rectum. GI cancers are a major cause of cancer-related morbidity and mortality worldwide. Exosomes act as mediators of cell-to-cell communication, with pleiotropic activity in the regulation of homeostasis, and can be markers for diseases. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), such as long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), can be transported by exosomes derived from tumor cells or non-tumor cells. They can be taken by recipient cells to alter their function or remodel the tumor microenvironment. Moreover, due to their uniquely low immunogenicity and excellent stability, exosomes can be used as natural carriers for therapeutic ncRNAs in vivo. Exosomal lncRNAs have a crucial role in regulating several cancer processes, including angiogenesis, proliferation, drug resistance, metastasis, and immunomodulation. Exosomal lncRNA levels frequently alter according to the onset and progression of cancer. Exosomal lncRNAs can therefore be employed as biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of cancer. Exosomal lncRNAs can also monitor the patient's response to chemotherapy while also serving as potential targets for cancer treatment. Here, we discuss the role of exosomal lncRNAs in the biology and possible future treatment of GI cancer.