Metabolic Syndrome Disease Research Articles

Type D personality and social inhibition: drivers of cardiovascular risk and reduced physical activity in psoriatic arthritis.

To evaluate the presence of type D personality and its association with metabolic syndrome (MetS), cardiovascular disease risk, andlevel of exercisein patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA). This cross-sectional study included patients with PsA (n = 84) and healthy controls (n = 74). Sociodemographic data, laboratory parameters, and disease-related parameters were recorded. We evaluated the presence of type D personalitywith the total 14 items ofthe type D Personality Scale, the Framingham Risk Score (FRS) indicating 10-year cardiovascular disease riskas low, moderate, and high, the presence of MetS, andphysical activity levels bythe International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF). The median age of patients with PsA was 53.5 (17) years, 73.8% were female, and the disease duration was 7 (12) years. Compared to controls,patients with PsA exhibited higher FRS and increased frequency of MetS, type D personality, and its domains (social inhibition and negative affectivity)(p < 0.05 for all). Patients with type D personality hadevena higher frequency of MetS and lowerlevels ofmoderate-intensity exercise than those withouttype D personality(p = 0.020 and p = 0.027).Patients with social inhibition had higher FRS, a higher frequency of MetS, and lowerlevels ofmoderate-intensity exercise (p < 0.05 for all) compared to those without social inhibition. MetS showed a significant positive correlation with social inhibition, waist circumference, and FRS(Spearman's rho were 0.244, 0.444, and 0.555, respectively), and a negative correlation with IPAQ-SF total metabolic equivalent (Spearman's rho was -0.214). Patients with type D personality and social inhibition had a higher frequency of MetS and low levels of moderate-intensity exercise, whereas patients with social inhibition had a higher FRS. It is essential to assess PsA patients' cardiac risk factors, type D personality, and social inhibition, as well as provide exercise advice. Key Points •Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a prevelant rheumatologic disease that is frequently accompanied by comorbidities such as metabolic syndrome (MetS) and cardiovascular disease (CVD). •It is crucial to evaluate patients with PsA for CVD risk factors. •Patients with type D personality demonstrate lower engagement in moderate-intensity exercise and a higher frequencyof MetS. Socially inhibited PsA patients showed elevated Framingham Risk Scores and MetS rates, as well as reduced levels of moderate-intensity exercise. •Beyond assessing cardiac risk factors, it is important to assess personality traits and offer tailored exercise recommendations for comprehensive PsA management.

Evaluation of hepatic steatosis in obese children and adolescents using immune-inflammatory markers and shear wave elastography.

To investigate the changes in liver stiffness and immune-inflammatory markers associated with obesity and the degree of hepatic steatosis in obese children and adolescents. A total of 76 obese children and adolescents aged 6-18 years, with body mass index percentiles >95th, were included in the study. Patients with metabolic syndrome, diabetes mellitus, and chronic liver disease were excluded. A control group of 44 patients of healthy and normal-weight children was included. Laboratory values from the past month were analyzed using patient records. Shear wave elastography and ultrasound examinations were performed on a single device by the same experienced radiologist. The systemic immune-inflammation index and pan-immune inflammation values were significantly higher in obese patients with hepatic steatosis compared to obese patients without hepatic steatosis (p <0.001). Liver stiffness values were significantly higher in steatotic patients compared to nonsteatotic patients (p <0.001). A significant difference was observed between hepatic steatosis grades in terms of immune-inflammation index and pan-immune inflammation value values (p <0.001). There was a strong, positive, statistically significant correlation between liver stiffness and immune-inflammation index and pan-immune inflammation value (p <0.05). Immune-inflammatory biomarkers and shear wave elastography may provide valuable insights into the diagnosis and follow-up of inflammation and fibrosis in the evaluation of hepatic steatosis in obese children and adolescents.

Coexistence of Ankylosing Spondylitis, Metabolic Syndrome and Gout Disease

Coexistence of Ankylosing Spondylitis, Metabolic Syndrome and Gout Disease

Metabolic Sequelae and Quality of Life in Early Post-Treatment Period in Adolescents with Hodgkin Lymphoma.

Background/Objectives: The long-term consequences of intensive treatment for Hodgkin lymphoma (HL), including metabolic syndrome (MetS) and cardiovascular diseases, but also deteriorated quality of life (QoL), are present in many survivors of childhood HL. Methods: Adolescents and young adults diagnosed with HL who continued the follow-up after successful treatment for HL were included. Anthropometric parameters, body composition, laboratory data, blood pressure values, compliance to the Mediterranean diet (MD), QoL and lifestyle habits were evaluated at the follow-up. Available data were also extracted retrospectively at the time of diagnosis. The primary objective was to determine metabolic sequelae in the early post-treatment period in adolescents treated for HL. Additionally, QoL and compliance with MD were explored, and the correlation of MetS with QoL was investigated. Results: Sixty percent of patients had at least one risk factor for metabolic syndrome, with obesity/abdominal obesity, high blood pressure and low HDL being most commonly observed, present in 66.7%, 44.4% and 44.4% of patients, respectively. The number of obese patients increased from 6.3% at the diagnosis to 31.3% at the follow-up. The majority of patients (53.3%) had low adherence to the MD. Participants had comparable quality-of-life domains to those of the healthy population at the follow-up. The physical health domain of QoL was positively correlated with compliance to the MD in young adults (r = 0.8, p = 0.032) and negatively correlated with obesity/overweight in adolescents (r = -0.85, p = 0.008). Conclusions: Healthy lifestyle choices can impact not only the metabolic health of survivors but also their quality of life, and therefore should be encouraged in these patients.

The relationship between anthropometric indices and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in adults: a cross-sectional study.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a widespread liver condition associated with diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular diseases, yet public awareness remains low. Early detection of risk factors is crucial, but liver biopsy, the diagnostic gold standard, is invasive and costly. Non-invasive anthropometric indices provide a safer alternative. This study examines these indices to identify the most reliable predictor of NAFLD in adults. In the present cross-sectional study, we used the Fasa Cohort Data, conducted on about 10,000 people, of whom 1,047 were diagnosed with NAFLD. NAFLD diagnosis in this study was confirmed by physicians based on medical history and ultrasonographic evaluations, ensuring accurate and reliable identification of cases. General, anthropometric, and dietary assessments were performed using interviews, tools, and valid questionnaires. Biochemical evaluation was also done. Waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), Body mass index (BMI), a body shape index (ABSI), body roundness index (BRI), and visceral fat index (VAI) were also calculated using these measurements and formulas. This study used descriptive tests, binary logistic regression, and ROC curve analysis. In both crude and adjusted models, significant associations were found between WHR, WHtR, BMI, and VAI with NAFLD. ROC analysis revealed that WHtR and BMI were the most accurate predictors of NAFLD in both genders (WHtR: men AUC = 0.750, women AUC = 0.702; BMI: men AUC = 0.754, women AUC = 0.701). BRI showed significant accuracy, but WHR (men: AUC = 0.727, women: AUC = 0.640) and VAI (men: AUC = 0.621, women: AUC = 0.622) were less effective. ABSI demonstrated poor predictive power (men: AUC = 0.530, women: AUC = 0.505) and is not recommended for NAFLD prediction. Based on the findings, BMI and WHtR emerge as the most practical and accessible indicators for early screening of NAFLD in both men and women, while ABSI shows minor effectiveness in identifying the disease.

Sarcopenia in MASLD-Eat to Beat Steatosis, Move to Prove Strength.

The connections between sarcopenia and various chronic conditions, including type 2 diabetes (T2DM), metabolic syndrome (MetS), and liver disease have been highlighted recently. There is also a high occurrence of sarcopenia in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) patients, who are often disregarded. Both experimental and clinical findings suggest a complex, bidirectional relationship between MASLD and sarcopenia. While vitamin D, testosterone, and specific drug therapies show promise in mitigating sarcopenia, consensus on effective treatments is lacking. Recent focus on lifestyle interventions emphasizes dietary therapy and exercise for sarcopenic obesity in MASLD. Challenges arise as weight loss, a primary MASLD treatment, may lead to muscle mass reduction. The therapeutic approach to sarcopenia in morbidly obese MASLD patients also includes bariatric surgery (BS). BS induces weight loss and stabilizes metabolic imbalances, but its impact on sarcopenia is nuanced, underscoring the need for further research. Our aim is to provide a comprehensive review of the interplay between sarcopenia and MASLD and offer insight into the most recent therapeutic challenges and discoveries, as sarcopenia is often overlooked or unrecognized and poses significant challenges for managing these patients.

Camel Milk and Oxidative stress: Therapeutic potential against metabolic syndrome diseases

Camel Milk and Oxidative stress: Therapeutic potential against metabolic syndrome diseases

Reduction of Hepatic Fat Content by Dulaglutide for the Treatment of Diabetes Mellitus: A Two-Centre Open, Single-Arm Trial.

With the elevated level of NAFLD prevalence, the incidence of diabetes, hypertension, metabolic syndrome and other diseases is also significantly elevated. GLP-1RA can exert weight loss, glucose-lowering effects and various nonglycaemic effects. However, the relationship between quantitative reduction in hepatic fat content and improvement of pancreatic islet function by GLP-1RA is unclear. This trial was a single-arm open cohort study. A total of 38 patients with T2DM and NAFLD were enrolled in the GLP-1RA treatment group. The included patients were tested for biochemical and blood glucose levels, adiponectin and FGF21 levels, and liver fat content was measured using MRI. Measure the above indicators again after at least 3 months of GLP-1RA treatment. Divided into Q1 (average decrease of 0.37%) and Q2 (average decrease of 8.6%) groups based on the degree of reduction in liver fat content. Q2 group showed an average reduction in liver fat content of 8.6%, a decrease in glycated haemoglobin of 18.17%, a weight loss of 7.29% and an increase in fasting c-peptide release by 1.03%, 1-h and 2-h postprandial c-peptide release by 28.86% and 18.28% respectively. In contrast, Q1 group had an average reduction in liver fat content of 0.37%, a decrease in glycated haemoglobin of only 6.53%, a weight loss of 3.41%, a decrease in fasting c-peptide release by 1.91% and an increase in 1-h and 2-h postprandial c-peptide release by 19.18% and 11.66% respectively. Reduction in liver fat content effectively improves pancreatic islet function secretion, particularly postprandial c-peptide secretion, especially in the first hour after a meal. This improvement leads to a decrease in glycated haemoglobin levels and promotes better compliance with blood glucose control.

Identification of Increased Buccal Facial Fat as a Premature Predictor of Metabolic Syndrome: A Scoping Review

In recent decades, there has been a notable increase in the prevalence of obesity, particularly visceral obesity, which is associated with heightened morbidity and mortality worldwide. Recently, a series of studies have suggested that facial features, including buccal fat tissue, may serve as alternative indicators of insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular diseases, given that buccal and visceral adipose tissues share histological and metabolic similarities. This review followed the structure of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) protocol yo platforms to answer the research question: How does buccal facial fat act as an early predictor of metabolic syndrome? Buccal fat pad (BFP) was discovered by Xavier Bichat in 1801. Facial fat loss is related to a reduction in visceral fat. Facial parameters, such as the distance between earlobes and jaw width, were used to identify visceral obesity. The reviewed studies emphasize the relationship between facial adipose tissue, especially BFP, and visceral obesity, with valuable implications for clinical practice. Individuals with higher BFP tend to have more visceral fat, highlighting its potential in the early identification of metabolic risks.

Association between normal weight obesity and comorbidities and events of cardiovascular diseases among adults in South China.

The increased risks for cardiovascular comorbidities and cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in populations with normal weight obesity (NWO) have not been well-identified. We aimed to study their associations in an adult population in South China. Based on the CVD prevalence of 4% in Shenzhen and a calculated sample size of 6,000, a cross-sectional study with a multi-stage stratified cluster sampling method was conducted in Shenzhen City. The cardiovascular comorbidities being studied were abdominal obesity (AO), diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, metabolic syndrome, and chronic kidney disease, while the CVD events were occurrences of myocardial infarction and strokes. Questionnaire surveys, physical examinations, and laboratory tests were performed. NWO was defined as a condition with the highest tertile of body fat percentage (BF%) among the normal body mass index (BMI) range (18.5-23.9 kg/m2). Continuous data were reported as mean [standard deviation (SD)] and categorical data as percentages (%). CVD comorbidities and CVD events and their detection rates in different groups were compared using ANONA analysis and Chi-squared test. Spearman's correlation coefficients between BF% and cardiometabolic abnormalities were calculated by partial correlation analysis. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to estimate the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for BF%, CVD comorbidities, and CVD events, adjusted for multiple confounders. Among the total 6,240 subjects who completed the study and had BMI and BF% data available, 3,086 had normal BMI. The prevalence of NWO was 16.36%, with 13.15% for men and 19.54% for women. With confounders adjusted, the risks of AO (OR = 6.05, 95%CI = 3.40-10.75), essential hypertension (OR = 1.56, 95%CI = 1.09-2.22), dyslipidemia (OR = 1.85, 95%CI = 1.49-2.29), and metabolic syndrome (OR = 4.61, 95%CI = 2.32-9.18) were significantly increased in the populations with NWO compared with the population without NWO (P < 0.05). BF% was not significantly associated with the risk of CVD events in the total (OR = 1.56, 95%CI = 0.83-2.93), male (OR = 1.00, 95%CI = 0.44-2.30), and female populations (OR = 2.53, 95%CI = 0.91-7.06). NWO was found to be positively associated with CVD comorbidities but not with CVD events. The current study provides a ground to conduct further studies on whether body fat affects the risk of occurrence of CVD events and the underlying mechanisms in the future.

Physical activity and metabolic syndrome in primary care patients in Spain.

To determine the relationship between self-reported physical activity and the components of premorbid metabolic syndrome in patients treated in primary care according to sex. Cross-sectional descriptive study conducted on a sample of 2,359 patients without cardiovascular disease or diabetes, included in the cohort of the IBERICAN study. Using ANOVA models and adjusting for age, economic status, employment situation, level of education, adherence to a Mediterranean diet, tobacco use and alcohol consumption, we estimated the association of the variables blood pressure, triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, blood glucose and waist circumference with the self-reported level of physical activity (sedentary, moderate, high, very high). The analyses were performed stratifying by sex. A total of 854 men and 1,505 women with no identified diseases were included. Women were more sedentary than men (p<0.004; OR = 1,35; IC95% = 1,10-1,65) and presented lower values in all the components of the metabolic syndrome, except for HDL-cholesterol, which was higher (p<0.001). The adjusted ANOVA model shows that diastolic blood pressure, triglycerides, fasting blood glucose, and waist circumference were significantly lower the higher the level of physical activity in both men and women (p<0.05). Patients served in primary care clinics without diabetes or cardiovascular disease and with high levels of physical activity showed better metabolic syndrome profiles. Given that women are more sedentary, gender approaches are needed in the promotion of physical activity to prevent metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease.

Genetic Commonalities Between Metabolic Syndrome and Rheumatic Diseases Through Disease Interactome Modules.

This study aims to elucidate the potential genetic commonalities between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and rheumatic diseases through a disease interactome network, according to publicly available large-scale genome-wide association studies (GWAS). The analysis included linkage disequilibrium score regression analysis, cross trait meta-analysis and colocalisation analysis to identify common genetic overlap. Using modular partitioning, the network-based association between the two disease proteins in the protein-protein interaction set was divided and quantified. Clinical samples from public databases were used to confirm the mapped genes. Mendelian randomisation analyses were conducted using genetic instrumental variables for causal inference. MetS and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), ankylosing spondylitis (AS), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), Sjogren's syndrome (SS) and their primary module networks shared topological overlap and genetic correlation. Functional analysis highlighted the significance of these shared targets in processes such as a diverse array of metabolic pathways involving glucose, lipids, energy, protein transport, inflammatory response, autophagy and cytokine regulation, elucidating the pathways through which MetS intersects with rheumatic diseases. Causal associations were determined between MetS phenotypes and rheumatic diseases. The persistence of MetS effects on rheumatic diseases remained evident even after adjusting for alcohol consumption and smoking. We have highlighted specific genetic associations between MetS and rheumatic diseases. Several genes (e.g., PRRC2A, PSMB8, BAG6, GPSM3, PBX2, etc.) have been identified with molecular commonalities in MetS and RA, AS, SLE and SS, which may serve as potential targets for shared treatments.

Hyperuricemia and Gout: An Overview of Common Medical Condition

Background: Hyperuricemia, defined as elevated serum uric acid levels (&gt;6 mg/dL in women, &gt;7 mg/dL in men), affects approximately 38 million Americans, with rising global prevalence due to Westernized diets and lifestyles. While often asymptomatic, hyperuricemia is associated with gout, nephrolithiasis, and systemic conditions like hypertension, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular disease. It results from increased uric acid production, decreased renal excretion, or a combination of both. Aim: This article provides a comprehensive overview of hyperuricemia, focusing on its etiology, pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, and management strategies, with an emphasis on gout and nephrolithiasis. Methods: The review synthesizes current literature on hyperuricemia, including its epidemiology, mechanisms, diagnostic evaluation, and treatment options. It also examines the role of dietary, genetic, and pharmacological factors in disease progression and management. Results: Hyperuricemia is primarily managed through lifestyle modifications and pharmacological interventions. First-line treatment includes xanthine oxidase inhibitors like allopurinol, while uricosuric agents and recombinant uricase drugs are reserved for refractory cases. Dietary education, particularly a low-purine, low-fructose diet, is crucial for prevention and management. Complications such as gout, nephrolithiasis, and chronic kidney disease require tailored interventions, including urate-lowering therapy and urinary alkalinization. Conclusion: Hyperuricemia is a multifactorial condition with significant implications for gout, nephrolithiasis, and systemic health. Effective management requires a combination of lifestyle changes, pharmacological therapy, and patient education. While asymptomatic hyperuricemia often does not require treatment, symptomatic cases necessitate individualized care to prevent complications and improve quality of life.

Predicting host health status through an integrated machine learning framework: insights from healthy gut microbiome aging trajectory

The gut microbiome, recognized as a critical component in the development of chronic diseases and aging processes, constitutes a promising approach for predicting host health status. Previous research has underscored the potential of microbiome-based predictions, and the rapid advancements of machine learning techniques have introduced new opportunities for exploiting microbiome data. To predict various host nonhealthy conditions, this study proposed an integrated machine learning-based estimation pipeline of Gut Age Index (GAI) by establishing a health aging baseline with the gut microbiome data from healthy individuals. We assessed the performance of GAI pipeline on two extensive cohorts - the Guangdong Gut Microbiome Project (GGMP) and the American Gut Project (AGP). In the GGMP cohort, for 20 common chronic diseases such as metabolic syndrome, obesity, and cardiovascular diseases, the proposed GAI achieved a balanced accuracy, ranging from 66 to 75%, with the prediction performance for atherosclerosis being the highest. In the AGP cohort, the balanced accuracy of GAI ranged from 58 to 72% for 10 diseases. Based on the results from these two datasets, we conclude that our proposed approach in this study can be used to predict individual health status, which offers the potential for scalable, cost-effective, and personalized health insights.

The Potential of Probiotics from West Sumatra, Indonesia on Low-Density Lipoprotein and Interleukin-6 Levels with Dyslipidemia

Dyslipidemia is a lipid metabolism disorder characterized by abnormal elevations or reductions in one or more lipid fractions within the plasma. This condition is a critical component of both metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease (CVD). This study aims to see the potential of curd administration on Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) and Interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels in dyslipidemia patients. This study is an experimental study with a pre-post test control group design consisting of a control group and a treatment group totaling 42 people taken randomly at the DR Drs M Hatta Bukittinggi Brain Hospital in June and July 2024. In the three groups, LDL and IL-6 examinations were carried out and measured before and after curd for 14 days. Treatment group 1 was given curd as much as 150 grams, treatment group 2 was given curd as much as 200 grams, given 1x a day, and the control group was not given curd. Data analysis was performed using the Wilcoxon statistical test and paired t-test. Results: There was no significant difference in LDL (p=0.360) and IL-6 (p=0.932) levels after giving curd for 14 days. However, there was a decrease in LDL and IL-6 levels after giving curd for 14 days. Conclusion: The results showed that giving curd for 14 days in the treatment group 1 (150gram) and treatment 2 (200gram) can reduce LDL and IL-6 levels. Consuming probiotics for 14 days can reduce LDL and IL-6 levels.

Endocrine Disruptors and the Heart: Unraveling the Cardiovascular Impact

Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are environmental contaminants that interfere with the hormonal system, posing significant risks to human health. Found in everyday items such as plastics, pesticides, cosmetics, and industrial materials, EDCs include both persistent chemicals, for example, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and non-persistent ones, for example, bisphenol A (BPA), phthalates, and parabens. Mechanistically, EDCs mimic or block natural hormones, affecting processes such as glucose metabolism, lipid metabolism, and insulin signaling. These disruptions elevate the risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular diseases, especially when exposure occurs during prenatal and early life stages. The detrimental cardiovascular impact of EDCs extends beyond their diabetogenic and obesogenic effects. EDCs such as BPA and heavy metals disrupt estrogen and androgen signaling, leading to hypertension, endothelial dysfunction, and arterial stiffness. In addition, EDCs further promote oxidative stress, which contributes to atherosclerosis and cardiovascular events. EDCs significantly impact reproductive health, causing precocious puberty, infertility, polycystic ovarian syndrome, endometriosis, and uterine fibroids in females and precocious puberty, delayed puberty, and infertility in males. The health ramifications of EDCs extend beyond the individual and can affect ensuing generations. EDCs cause epigenetic changes that can be passed down to future generations, compounding long-term impact on quality of life and healthcare spending. Intrauterine EDC exposure is associated with profound impact on fetal growth, potentially leading to low birth weight and intrauterine growth restriction, which predispose these individuals to life-long metabolic and cardiovascular challenges. Mitigation of EDC exposure requires a comprehensive prevention strategy to minimize the widespread health impacts, starting from the individual and the family unit. These include making simple swaps in daily life such as minimizing use of plastic, processed food items, scrutinizing cosmetics, and paints for possible presence of EDCs and avoiding exposure to direct and second-hand smoking. However, broader regulatory actions need to be initiated on a global level to implement stricter safety standards, minimize production of EDCs and their entry into the ecosystem and exploring safer alternatives.

Associations Between Brominated Flame Retardant Exposure and Depression in Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Brominated flame retardants (BFRs) are a type of widespread pollutant that can be transmitted through particulate matter, such as dust in the air, and have been associated with various adverse health effects, such as diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular disease. However, there is limited research on the link between exposure to mixtures of BFRs and depression in the general population. To analyze the association between exposure to BFRs and depression in the population, nationally representative data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES; 2005-2016) were used. In the final analysis, a total of 8138 adults aged 20 years and older were included. To investigate the potential relationship between BFRs and outcomes, we used binary logistic regression, restricted cubic spline (RCS), quantile-based g computation (QGC), and weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression. The findings showed that serum BFR concentrations were associated with depressive symptoms over a broad spectrum. Binary logistic regression and RCS analysis showed that certain BFRs, particularly PBB153, were significantly and positively associated with the incidence of depression, even after adjustment for various confounders (p < 0.05). Mixed exposure to BFRs was also found to be associated with depression in the population, with a stronger association in men. The two most influential BFRs, PBB153 and PBDE85, were identified in both mixed exposure models and are potential risk factors of concern. Our study identified new insights into the relationship between BFRs and depression, but sizable population-based cohort studies and toxicology mechanism studies will be needed to establish causality.

Curcumin: Epigenetic Modulation and Tumor Immunity in Antitumor Therapy.

Curcumin is the main ingredient of the Chinese herbal turmeric rhizome, used to treat tumors, diabetes, inflammation, neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular diseases, metabolic syndrome, and liver diseases. The antitumor effects of curcumin have received even more attention. One of the main mechanisms of antitumor effects includes inhibition of tumor invasion and migration, induction of tumor cell apoptosis, and inhibition of various cell signaling pathways. It has been found that the antitumor biological activity of curcumin in the body is associated with epigenetic mechanisms. That also implies that curcumin may act as a potential epigenetic modulator to influence the development of tumor diseases. The immune system plays an essential role in the development of tumorigenesis. Tumor immunotherapy is currently one of the most promising research directions in the field of tumor therapy. Curcumin has been found to have significant regulatory effects on tumor immunity and is expected to be a novel adjuvant for tumor immunity. This paper summarizes the antitumor effects of curcumin from four aspects: molecular and epigenetic mechanisms of curcumin against a tumor, mechanisms of curcumin modulation of tumor immunotherapy, reversal of chemotherapy resistance, and novel drug delivery system of curcumin, which provide new directions for the development of new antitumor drugs.

Role of the Unique Secreted Peptide Adropin in Various Physiological and Disease States.

Adropin, a secreted peptide hormone identified in 2008, plays a significant role in regulating energy homeostasis, glucose metabolism, and lipid metabolism. Its expression is linked to dietary macronutrient intake and is influenced by metabolic syndrome, obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. Emerging evidence suggests that adropin might be a biomarker for various conditions, including metabolic syndrome, coronary artery disease, and hypertensive disorders complicating pregnancy. In cerebrovascular diseases, adropin demonstrates protective effects by reducing blood-brain barrier permeability, brain edema, and infarct size while improving cognitive and sensorimotor functions in ischemic stroke models. The protective effects of adropin extend to preventing endothelial damage, promoting angiogenesis, and mitigating inflammation, making it a promising therapeutic target for cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. This review provides a comprehensive overview of adropin's multifaceted roles in physiological and pathological conditions, as well as our recent work demonstrating adropin's role in subarachnoid hemorrhage-mediated neural injury and delayed cerebral infarction.

Association of obesity or metabolic syndrome with various allergic diseases: An overview of reviews.

The relationship between obesity, metabolic syndrome, related disorders, and various allergic diseases remains unclear. An overview of reviews investigating potential associations between obesity or metabolic syndrome and various allergic diseases was conducted. MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses with summary effect size and corresponding 95% confidence intervals for at least one outcome (asthma, atopic dermatitis, and various allergic diseases) were included. This study encompassed 17 systematic review articles and 29 eligible meta-analyses. All included meta-analyses indicated a positive association between obesity/overweight and asthma. Three meta-analyses from one review demonstrated a positive association between obesity/overweight and the risk of atopic dermatitis. However, no meta-analyses focused on the associations between obesity/overweight or metabolic syndrome and allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis, or other allergic conditions. All included reviews employed poor methodology according to the AMSTAR-2 assessment tools. Our findings suggest that obesity likely increases the risk of asthma. However, evidence for associations with other allergic diseases is limited. Furthermore, no meta-analyses were conducted to assess the relationship between metabolic syndrome and allergic diseases. Further studies are necessary to elucidate the associations between obesity and the full spectrum of allergic diseases.