Serum Triglyceride Concentrations Research Articles

Lipid metabolism disorders and albuminuria risk: insights from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2001-2018 and Mendelian randomization analyses.

Previous studies have revealed an underlying connection between abnormal lipid metabolism and albuminuria. We aim to investigate the causal relationship between lipid metabolism disorders and the risk of albuminuria from both a population and genetic perspective. A cross-sectional study was conducted by using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2001-2018. Multivariable-adjusted logistic regression, subgroup analysis, interaction tests and restricted cubic spline (RCS) were employed statistically. Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was performed to validate the causal relationship between exposure and outcome to mitigate confounding factors and reverse causation interference. After adjusting for confounders, HDL levels (1.03-2.07 nmol/L) were associated with a reduced risk of albuminuria. In contrast, elevated cholesterol levels (>6.2 nmol/L) and triglyceride levels (>2.3 nmol/L) were associated with an increased risk of albuminuria. Serum triglyceride concentration emerged as a potential risk factor for albuminuria. In MR analysis, a reduced risk of albuminuria was associated with serum total HDL level (IVW: OR = 0.91, 95% CI = 0.86-0.97, p = 0.002). In contrast, cholesterol esters in medium VLDL (IVW: OR = 1.05, 95% CI = 1.00-1.10, p = 0.032), chylomicrons and extremely large VLDL (IVW: OR = 1.08, 95% CI = 1.03-1.14, p = 0.003), and triglycerides (IVW: OR = 1.14, 95% CI = 1.09-1.19, p < 0.001) were associated with an increased risk of albuminuria. A causal relationship exists between serum lipid metabolism disorder and albuminuria risk. Further validation of additional blood lipid metabolism biomarkers is imperative for future studies.

Early impaired insulin tolerance among Vietnamese diabetes with or without dyslipidemia.

This study aims to evaluate impaired insulin tolerance among Vietnamese diabetes with or without dyslipidemia. Diabetes mellitus (DM) remains the serious global health and social burden that has increased over the past few decades. It progresses silently to vascular injury and disability of injured vascular-perfused tissues/organs. Insulin intolerance and dyslipidemia exacerbate and accelerate the implications of DM. Thus, early detection and more evidence of early insulin intolerance and dyslipidemia is needed for proactive management. This cross-sectional descriptive study recruited 100 healthy control (HC) and 297 DM patients in Military Hospital 103 from 2021 to 2023. Patients with DM were subgrouped into lipid metabolism disorder (LMD, n = 98) and non-LMD (NLMD, n = 99). The biochemists' serum levels were measured automatically and the accuracy of the test result was strictly controlled. Insulin tolerance indices (HOMA2-IR, HOMA2-%S and HOMA2-%B) were compared between HC, DM with or without dyslipidemia as well as correlated with lipid ingredients (total Cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL-C and HDL-C). Among DM patients, HOMA2-IR was significantly high and HOMA2-%S and HOMA2-%B were significantly low. HOMA2-IR was higher and HOMA2-%S and HOMA2-%B were lower in DM with LMD than in DM without LMD. In addition, HOMA2-IR was positively correlated with serum cholesterol, triglyceride and LDL-C concentration, and negatively correlated to HDL-C concentration. In contrast, HOMA2-%S and HOMA2-%B was negatively correlated with serum cholesterol, triglyceride and LDL-C, and positively correlated with HDL-C. Impaired insulin intolerance occurred in early stage of DM, and more serious among DM with LMD, compared to DM with NLMD.

Cardiovascular Risk in Pediatric Renal Transplant Recipients.

The survival of pediatric chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients has improved in recent decades due to advances in dialysis and transplantation. However, cardiovascular disease (CVD) emerges as the main cause of mortality in patients with CKD. To estimate cardiovascular risk in children with CKD at least 1 year after kidney transplantation. In addition, the possible association of cardiovascular risk with classic biochemical markers and potential new markers of this outcome was investigated. An observational ambidirectional (retrospective capture of risk factors and prospective study of outcomes) research including 75 patients who underwent renal transplant between 2003 and 2013 with postoperative follow-up of at least 1 year was conducted. The outcome variables adopted were the LV mass Z-score and the presence of coronary calcification on computed tomography using calcium Agatston score. Only one patient had an elevated calcium score, and three children (4%) had an LV mass Z-score ≥ 2.0. After multivariable analysis, only gender, serum triglyceride, and serum renalase concentration remained significantly associated with LV mass. The low incidence of cardiovascular changes in the population studied confirms the benefit of transplantation for the cardiovascular health of children. Nevertheless, long-term follow-up of these patients is recommended, given the limited duration of kidney function provided by transplantation and the high likelihood of further dialysis and kidney transplants being required in these children.

Hydrogen alleviates non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in mice by regulating intestinal flora

Despite being the most common form of chronic liver disease, there are still no approved drugs for thetreatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The aim of this study was to elucidate the therapeutic effects and possible mechanisms of hydrogen (H2) inhalation in mice with NAFLD. Male C57BL/6 mice (6 weeks old) were fed either a 60% fat diet (high-fat diet [HFD]) or a 10% fat diet (normal diet) for 11 weeks. Then, H2 was administered to random HFD-fed mice for another 11 weeks before they were euthanized. Biochemical analysis of serum samples, histological analysis of liver and ileum samples, 16S rRNA sequencing analysis of stool samples, and analysis of the expression levels of related factors by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were conducted to determine the effect of H2 intervention on NAFLD. H2 inhalation alleviated hyperglycemia and impaired glucose tolerance; decreased the serum concentrations of triglycerides, cholesterol, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, lipopolysaccharide, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha; and ameliorated liver injury by a HFD, although no weight loss was observed. Interestingly, H2 inhalation increased the relative abundance of Akkermansia muciniphila and decreased the Firmicutes-to-Bacteroidia ratio in the intestinal tract of NAFLD mice. These data indicate that H2 alleviated the symptoms of NAFLD by increasing the abundance of A. muciniphila in the intestine. Thus, H2 may be a new potential treatment strategy for patients with NAFLD.

Resveratrol inhibits white adipose deposition by the ESR1-mediated PI3K/AKT signaling pathway

Excessive adipose accumulation is the primary cause of obesity. Resveratrol (RES), a natural polyphenolic compound, has garnered significant attention for its anti-obesity properties. However, the precise mechanisms by which RES influences fat deposition have not yet been explored. In this study, the aim was to identify the target proteins and associated pathways of RES in order to elucidate the mechanisms by which RES reduces fat deposition. In this study, mice were administered 400 mg/kg of RES via gavage for 12 weeks. We found that while 400 mg/kg RES had no impact on the growth of the mice, it significantly reduced the weight of various white adipose tissues, as well as the serum and liver concentrations of total cholesterol and triglycerides. Network pharmacology identified 15 potential targets of RES and highlighted the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway as a key pathway. Molecular docking and dynamic simulations suggested that ESR1 might be the target protein through which RES exerts its anti-fat deposition effects. In vitro experiments revealed that ESR1 promotes the proliferation and inhibits the differentiation of 3 T3-L1 adipocytes, and suppresses the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Silencing the ESR1 gene altered the ability of RES to inhibit cell differentiation via the PI3K/AKT pathway. Gene expression results in subcutaneous adipose tissue, epididymal fat tissue, and liver tissue of mice were consistent with observations in cells. In summary, RES reduces white fat deposition by directly targeting the ESR1 protein and inhibiting the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Our findings provide new insights into the potential use of RES in the prevention and treatment of obesity.

The effect of upper- and lower-body exercise on next-day postprandial triglycerides in healthy young men.

High non-fasting triglycerides (TG) concentration is linked to the development of atherosclerosis, and physical activity is commonly recommended to reduce postprandial TG concentration and cardiovascular diseases. Previous studies have demonstrated that acute whole-body (walking and running) or lower-body (leg cycling) aerobic exercise reduces postprandial TG. However, it is unclear whether upper-body exercise (i.e. arm-cranking) with sufficient energy expenditure lowers postprandial TG. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of energy-matched upper- and lower-body exercises on postprandial TG concentrations the next day in healthy young men. Fifteen healthy young men (age 22.5 ± 1.7years, height 173.8 ± 5.7cm, body mass 68.2 ± 8.5kg, peak oxygen uptake 48.0 ± 5.5mL/min/kg and physically active) participated in a three-arm crossover trials: 1) arm-cranking, 2) leg-cycling exercise at 70% of mode-specific peak oxygen uptake to induce a net energy expenditure of 1,255kJ, or 3) rested between 16:00 and 17:00h on day 1 and consumed two standardised meals for breakfast (10:00h) and lunch (13:00h) on day 2. The mean macronutrient content of the breakfast was 44.9 ± 5.6g fat, 104.8 ± 13.0g carbohydrate, and 29.4 ± 3.6g protein, which provided 3.95 ± 0.49MJ energy (43% fat, 45% carbohydrate, and 12% protein), and that of the lunch was 45.2 ± 5.6g fat, 106.7 ± 13.2g carbohydrate, and 33.9 ± 4.2g protein, which provided 4.06 ± 0.50MJ energy (42% fat, 44% carbohydrate, and 14% protein). Time-averaged postprandial serum TG concentrations over 8h differed among trials (main effect of trial p < 0.001) and were lower in the upper- and lower-body exercise trials than in the control trial (1.46 ± 0.54 vs. 1.50 ± 0.69 vs. 1.79 ± 0.83mmol/L, respectively). The incremental TG area under the curve (AUC) (main effect of trial, p = 0.012) was 39% and 37% higher in the control trial than in the upper- and lower-body exercise trials (p = 0.025 and p = 0.033, respectively). There were no significant differences in incremental TG AUC between the upper- and lower-body exercise trials. An acute bout of energy-matched upper- and lower-body exercises similarly lowered postprandial TG concentrations the following day in healthy young men.Trial registration number: UMIN000045449.Date of registration: 10 September 2021.

Comparative Analysis of the Potential Adaptability of Tibetan Dzo and Yellow Cattle Based on Blood Indices, Metabolites, and Fecal Microbiota.

This study aimed to investigate the differences in environmental adaptability between dzo and Tibetan yellow cattle by using corresponding assay kits to analyze blood indices, utilizing mass spectrometry for blood metabolite profiling, and performing 16S rDNA sequencing of fecal microbiota. Forty female cattle were randomly divided into a dzomo (female dzo) group (MG, n = 20) and a Tibetan-yellow-cattle group (HG, n = 20). After 150 days of uniform feeding, six cattle from each group were randomly picked for jugular blood sampling and collection of fecal microorganisms. The results showed that the serum albumin, creatinine, total protein, superoxide dismutase, IgG, and IgM concentrations in the MG group were higher (p < 0.05), whereas the serum triglyceride concentration was lower, compared to the HG group (p < 0.05). The higher level of phospholipids containing long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) (PC (18:5e/2:0), PC (20:5e/2:0), LPC 18:2, LPC 20:5) observed in the serum of the dzo suggests that they have an advantage in adapting to the challenging conditions of the plateau environment. The fecal microbiota analysis showed that Akkermansia was significantly enriched in the MG group; this might be the key bacterial genus leading to the strong adaptability of dzo. Our findings indicated the dzo's superior adaptation to the Tibetan Plateau's harsh environment.

Serum Interleukin (IL)-6, Lipid Profile, and Association With Disease Severity in Patients With Psoriasis: A Cross-Sectional Study.

This study estimated the lipid profile and inflammatory biomarker (interleukin-6, IL-6) levels in patients with psoriasis and explored the association between lipid profiles and inflammatory biomarkers (IL-6) in assessing the severity of the disease. This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Biochemistry, in association with the Department of Dermatology, at the Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Burla, from November 2022 to June 2023. A fully automated analyzer (Cobas C311, Roche Diagnostics, Mannheim, Germany) was used to estimate the lipid profile, while the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Erba, Transasia Bio-medicals Ltd., Mumbai, India) was used to estimate the inflammatory marker (IL-6). Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 21.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY). An unpaired t-test was conducted to examine the relationship between two variables. A p value of <0.05 was considered significant. The correlation among IL-6, lipid profile, and psoriasis area severity index (PASI) score was analyzed using Pearson's correlation coefficient. Quantitative data were expressed as means and standard deviations. Of the 102 study participants, 68 had psoriasis alone, and 34 had psoriasis with arthritis (psoriatic arthritis, PsA). Higher mean serum concentrations of IL-6, total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein, and triglycerides were found in patients with PsAcompared to those with psoriasis alone. In patients with PsA, TCand IL-6showed a strong positive correlation with the PASIscore. In contrast, high-density lipoprotein showed a negative correlation with PASI (r = -0.036, p < 0.05). In conclusion, our study revealed lipid profile abnormalities and increased IL-6activity in PsA patients. By measuring inflammatory markers (IL-6) and lipid profiles early in the disease process, we can employ preventive strategies to better manage and improve survival and quality of life in patients with psoriasis.

A field study to optimize protein and lipid levels in diet for cage-cultured subadult rockfish Sebastes schlegelii

A feeding trial was conducted to evaluate growth, body composition, serum biochemistry, digestion and metabolism, and oxidation resistence of S. schlegelii fed 9 diets in a 3×3 factorial design (protein levels: 44 %, 48 %, 52 %; lipid levels: 6 %, 10 %, 14 %), to optimize protein and lipid levels for practical feed formula. Rockfish (114.25 g) were stocked into 27 cages in an offshore system and fed test diets to satiation twice daily for 8 weeks. Growth increased but feed conversion rate decreased with dietary protein increasing. Increasing dietary protein to >48 % led to reduced feeding intake but increased protein efficiency ratio. Lipid efficiency ratio increased with dietary protein increasing but decreased with dietary lipid increasing. Hepatosomatic index decreased coupling with the increases in condition factor and liver lipid content as dietary lipid increased to 14 %. Intraperitoneal fat ratio increased with dietary lipid increasing. Increasing dietary protein to > 48 % significantly elevated serum total protein and glucose concentrations, hepatic glycogen synthase activity. High-protein (52 %) diets elevated serum albumin and urea nitrogen concentrations, hepatic pyruvate kinase and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activities but downregulated hepatic growth-hormone (GH) receptor. Activities of trypsin, lipase, serum superoxide dismutase and total antioxidant capacity decreased with the dietary lipid increasing. Increasing dietary lipid to > 10 % reduced serum GH concentration, and high-lipid (14 %) diets significantly enhanced serum triglyceride concentration and hepatic transaminases activities, and resulted in a visual increase of adipocytes in liver. Serum cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein decreased as dietary protein increased to 48–52 % or dietary lipid >10 %. Hepatic succinate dehydrogenase activity and serum IGF-1 significantly increased while hepatic fatty acid synthetase decreased as dietary protein increased to >48 % or dietary lipid >10 %. High-protein (52 %) diet or high-lipid (14 %) diet elevated serum malonaldehyde concentration. These findings suggested 48 % protein and 10 % lipid were the optimal in diet for subadult S. schlegelii.

Preventive Effect of Royal Jelly and 10-HDA on Skin Damage in Diabetic Mice through Regulating Keratinocyte Wnt/β-Catenin and Pyroptosis Pathway.

The objective of this study is to elucidate how Royal jelly (RJ) and 10-hydroxy-2-decanoic acid (10-HDA) prevents diabetic skin dysfunction by modulating the pyroptosis pathway. Type 2 diabetes models are induced by fat diet consumption and low dose of streptozotocin (STZ) in C57BL/6J mice and treated with RJ (100 mg kg-1 day-1) and 10-HDA, the major lipid component of royal jelly (100 mg kg-1 day-1) for 28 weeks. The results show that serum concentrations of glucose and triglyceride are significantly lower in the RJ group or 10-HDA than diabetes mellitus (DM)group. Compared to the control group, pyroptosis proteins, GSDMD, ASC, Caspase-1, and IL-1β are increased in the skin of the diabetic model, accompanied by the activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signal pathway. Further evaluations by RJ exhibit superior improvement of skin damage, repress activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, and attenuate keratinocyte pyroptosis, but 10-HDA cannot completely suppress the activation of Wnt/β-catenin pathway and pyroptosis, which shows a relatively weak protective effect on skin damage which shows that RJ is a better effect on skin injury after DM.

Lipidomics profiling and circulating triglyceride concentrations in sub-Saharan African individuals

Elevated triglycerides (TG) are a risk factor for cardiometabolic disorders. There are limited data on lipidomics profiles associated with serum triglycerides concentrations, although these could advance our understanding of the mechanisms underlying these associations. We conducted a lipidomics study of 308 Nigerians with replication in 199 Kenyans. Regression models were used to assess the association of TG with 480 lipid metabolites. Association and mediation analyses were conducted to determine the relationship among TG, metabolites, and several cardiometabolic traits. Ninety-nine metabolites were significantly associated with TG, and 91% of these associations replicated. Overrepresentation analysis identified enrichment of diacylglycerols, monoacylglycerols, diacylglycerophosphoethanolamines, monoacylglycerophosphocholines, ceramide phosphocholines, and diacylglycerophosphocholines. TG-cardiometabolic trait associations were largely mediated by TG-associated metabolites. Associations with type 2 diabetes, waist circumference, body mass index, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration were independently mediated by metabolites in multiple subpathways. This lipidomics study in sub-Saharan Africans demonstrated that TG is associated with several non-TG lipids classes, including phosphatidylethanolamines, phosphatidylcholines, lysophospholipids, and plasmalogens, some of which may mediate the effect of TG as a risk factor for cardiometabolic disorders. The study identifies metabolites that are more proximal to cardiometabolic traits, which may be useful for understanding the underlying biology as well as differences in TG-trait associations across ancestries.

Fasting triglyceride concentrations are associated with markers of lipid metabolism and glucose homeostasis in healthy, non-obese dogs in lean and overweight condition.

Serum triglyceride concentrations increase in dogs with obesity, which is typically assessed by body condition score (BCS), however little is known about changes that take place in non-obese dogs in overweight condition. Further, the associations of triglyceride levels with other markers of energy homeostasis are poorly characterised in healthy animals. The present study aimed to evaluate associations between both BCS and triglyceride concentrations with other markers of lipid and glucose metabolism in healthy, non-obese dogs, as well as to assess whether these markers change significantly in non-obese dogs with overweight as compared to their lean counterparts. Serum concentrations of cholesterol, free fatty acids, triglycerides, insulin, glucose and fructosamine were measured in 532 healthy, client-owned dogs, assigned either to 'lean' (BCS: 3-5) or 'overweight' (BCS: 6-7) categories. Generalised linear mixed models were used to assess associations between BCS categories, triglyceride concentrations and other variables, correcting for the effect of breed. Compared with lean dogs, overweight dogs had a greater serum cholesterol concentration (95% CI, 5.3-6.2 mmol/L or 205-237 mg/dL versus 5.1-5.4 mmol/L or 198-210 mg/dL, p = 0.0032), insulin concentration (95% CI, 17.5-22.1 μU/ml versus 16.7-18.0 μU/ml, p = 0.0374) and were older (95% CI, 4.0-5.3 versus 3.4-3.7 years, p = 0.0005). Triglyceride concentrations were positively associated with fructosamine (r 2 = 0.31, p = 0.0012), cholesterol (r 2 = 0.25, p < 0.0001), insulin (r 2 = 0.14, p = 0.0030) and glucose (r 2 = 0.10, p = 0.0014) concentrations, and negatively associated with free fatty acid concentrations (r 2 = 0.11, p < 0.0001). However, there was no association between triglyceride concentrations and age. In conclusion, both BCS and triglyceride concentrations were associated with other markers of glucose and lipid metabolism in non-obese healthy dogs, amongst which those with overweight showed metabolic changes as compared to their lean counterparts. Triglyceride concentrations were associated with an increase in insulin and fructosamine concentrations that might reflect an early-phase impairment in glucose tolerance which, surprisingly, was concurrent with lower basal free fatty acid concentrations.

Stability of serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, and plasma glucose of healthy individuals at different storage conditions

Evaluation of the stability of serum and plasma analytes under different temperatures and time points is vital since it significantly affects the pre-analytical errors. The aim of the study was to determine the stability of serum total cholesterol and triglyceride and plasma glucose of healthy individuals under different storage conditions (25-30°C and 2-8°C) and at different time points (1-hour, 4-hour, 6-hour, and 24-hour). Venous blood samples were collected from healthy individuals aged between 20-50 years after a 12-hour fast. Plasma and serum were separated and stored at different temperatures (25-30°C and 2-8°C) and different time points (1-hour, 4-hour, 6-hour, and 24-hour). Results indicated a significant difference between the mean plasma glucose concentration at room temperature (25-30°C) and refrigerated temperature (2-8°C) at 1-hour (0.072%, p = 0.05). However, there were no significant differences in mean serum total cholesterol concentrations (p = 0.633) and mean serum triglyceride concentrations (p = 0.246) between these temperatures at 1-hour time point. Regarding time points (1-hour, 4-hour, 6-hour, and 24-hour), significant differences in plasma glucose concentrations occurred at 24-hour (10.03%, p = 0.001) at room temperature (25-30°C) and 6-hour (8.79%, p = 0.003) at refrigerated temperature (2-8°C) compared to the 1-hour reference values. Additionally, there were significant differences in serum total cholesterol concentration at 4-hour (12.55%, p = 0.000) and serum triglyceride at 24-hour (29.18%, p = 0.001) compared to the reference values obtained at 1-hour at room temperature (25-30°C). No significant differences were observed among the time points (1-hour, 4-hour, 6-hour, and 24-hour) for serum total cholesterol (p = 0.507) and serum triglyceride values (p = 0.761) at refrigerated temperature (2-8°C). Plasma glucose is unstable at both room temperature (25-30°C) and refrigeration (2-8°C), with recommended testing within 6 hours at room temperature (25-30°C) and stored in a refrigerator (2-8°C) if delayed. It is better to estimate serum total cholesterol within 1-hour of collection at room temperature (25-30°C) while serum triglyceride concentration within 6 hours at the same temperature to obtain accurate and reliable results.

The Influence of High-Concentrate Diet Supplemented with Tannin on Growth Performance, Rumen Fermentation, and Antioxidant Ability of Fattening Lambs.

This experiment aimed to study the effects of tannin supplementation on growth performance, rumen fermentation characteristics, apparent digestibility and serum biochemistry, and antioxidant and immune indexes in fattening lambs. A total of 36 male Hu sheep lambs (body weight = 15.83 ± 0.48 kg and days of age = 55 ± 2 d) were fed a high-concentrate diet and randomly divided into one of three groups of 12 animals each: control with no tannin (CON) and tannin treatments (TA1, 3 g/d per lamb; TA2, 6 g/d per lamb). The feeding experiment lasted for 60 d. The results showed that the average daily gain and ruminal propionate content of lambs in the TA1 group were higher (p < 0.05) than those in the CON group. Lambs fed tannin had significantly increased (p < 0.05) microbial protein and decreased (p < 0.05) ammonia nitrogen concentrations in the rumen. In addition, the crude protein and neutral detergent fiber digestibility of the TA2 group were significantly decreased (p < 0.05) as compared with the TA1 and CON groups, respectively. The serum concentrations of triglyceride, immunoglobulin A, and catalase and the total antioxidant capacity were higher (p < 0.05) in the TA1 group that those in the CON group, whereas an opposite trend of urea nitrogen, interleukin-1β, and malondialdehyde was found between the two groups. Also, tannin supplementation increased (p < 0.05) Lactobacillus and decreased (p < 0.05) Salmonella counts in the feces of lambs. Taken together, tannin supplementation can improve the growth performance, immunity, and antioxidant ability of fattening lambs fed a high-concentrate diet.

Identification of Aeromonas veronii as the Pathogen Associated with Massive Mortality in Bronze Gudgeon (Coreius heterodon).

Aeromonas veronii, an opportunistic pathogen toward aquatic organisms, was identified as the causative pathogen (isolate WH10) in diseased bronze gudgeon via bacterial isolation, and morphological, physiological, biochemical, and molecular characterization. WH10 exerted its pathogenicity via five virulence genes, including those encoding cytotoxic enterotoxins (act and alt), lipase (lip), a quorum sensing-controlled virulence factor (LuxS), and a Type III secretion system inner membrane component (ascV). WH10 was shown to be sensitive to compound sulfamethoxazoles, cefothiophene, doxycycline, and sulfamethoxazole. Toward bronze gudgeon, WH10 had a median lethal dose (LD50) of 1.36 × 106 colony forming units/mL. Analysis of blood parameters of diseased fish revealed significant increases in monocytes and neutrophils, but decreased numbers of lymphocytes. Serum aspartate aminotransferase activity and triglyceride concentration were significantly higher in diseased fish than in healthy fish. The reverse was noted for alkaline phosphatase, total protein, albumin, total cholesterol, and glucose. Thus, Aeromonas veronii is implicated as the causative agent of the mass mortality observed in bronze gudgeon, warranting further investigations into the diagnosis, epidemiology, prevention, and treatment of this infectious disease.

Assessment of the hormesis effect and toxic damage of short-term low-dose aflatoxin B1 in grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus)

The present study was conducted to evaluate the hormesis and toxicity of short-term low-dose aflatoxin B1 in grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus). Triplicate isonitrogenous and isocaloric aflatoxin B1 diets—CD (control, 0 ug/kg), D1 (20 ug/kg), and D2 (500 ug/kg)—were prepared and fed to grass carp with an initial mean body weight of (15.2 ± 0.1) g for 56 days. The results showed that the weight gain rate and specific growth rate of grass carp fed diet D2 were significantly higher, and the feed coefficient and crude fat content of the whole body were significantly lower (P &amp;lt; 0.05) compared with those fed diet CD. Serum superoxide dismutase content of grass carp fed D1 diet increased significantly (P &amp;lt; 0.05) with an increasing dose of aflatoxin B1, but when the dose reached 500 ug/kg (D2), serum superoxide dismutase, complement C3, and immunoglobulin M of grass carp decreased significantly (P &amp;lt; 0.05), while malondialdehyde increased significantly (P &amp;lt; 0.05). After short-term feeding of aflatoxin B1-containing diets (D1 and D2), liver body index, visceral body index, serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, and urea nitrogen content of grass carp increased significantly (P &amp;lt; 0.05), total bile acid secretion decreased significantly (P &amp;lt; 0.05), and structural damages such as increase in vacuoles, organizational structure loosening, and nucleus translocation were observed in the liver. Meanwhile, liver function indexes such as serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase increased significantly with the increase of aflatoxin B1 dose (P &amp;lt; 0.05). In addition, the height of intestinal villi, crypt depth, villus–crypt ratio, and tubular cell number, as well as the content of trypsin and lipase activities in the intestine of grass carp in the D2 group, were significantly higher than those in the CD group (P &amp;lt; 0.05). In conclusion, after a short-term intake of low doses of aflatoxin B1 (≤500 ug/kg), the toxicological damage of aflatoxin B1 was pronounced, although it produced a certain degree of hormesis on the growth performance and intestinal structure and function of grass carp. At a dose of 20 ug/kg, the non-specific immune system and liver structure and function of grass carp showed obvious toxic damage.

Fasting hypertriglyceridemia in relation to mortality in an elderly male Chinese population.

We investigated fasting hypertriglyceridemia as predictors of all-cause, cardiovascular, and non-cardiovascular mortality in an elderly male Chinese population, while accounting for various conventional cardiovascular risk factors. Our participants were elderly men recruited from residents living in a suburban town of Shanghai (≥60 years of age, n=1583). Hypertriglyceridemia was defined as a fasting serum triglycerides concentration ≥1.70mmol/L. Subgroup analyses were performed according to current smoking (yes vs. no), alcohol intake (yes vs. no), and the presence and absence of hypertension and hyperglycemia. During a median of 7.9 years follow-up, all-cause, cardiovascular, and non-cardiovascular deaths occurred in 279, 112, and 167 participants, respectively. After adjustment for confounding factors, fasting hypertriglyceridemia was not significantly (p ≥.33) associated with the risk of all-cause, cardiovascular, and non-cardiovascular mortality. However, there was significant (p=.03) interaction between hypertriglyceridemia and the presence and absence of hypertension in relation to all-cause mortality. In normotensive, but not hypertensive individuals, hypertriglyceridemia was significantly associated with a higher risk of all-cause mortality (hazard ratio 1.57, 95% confidence interval 1.06-2.31). In further non-parametric analyses in normotensive individuals, the age-standardized rate for all-cause mortality increased from 18.9 in quartile 1 to 20.0, to 24.7, and to 39.9 per 1000 person-years in quartiles 2, 3, and 4 of serum triglycerides concentration, respectively (ptrend=.0004). Similar results were observed for cardiovascular mortality. Our study in elderly male Chinese showed that fasting hypertriglyceridemia was associated with a higher risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in patients with normotension but not those with hypertension.

Impact of orange (Citrus sinensis) seed powder on growth performance, biochemical parameters and caecal bacterial population of broilers reared in hot humid climate

In broiler nutrition, dietary fibre affects the development of the digestive system, nutrient absorption, intestinal flora and growth performance. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of orange seed powder (OSP) on growth performance, biochemical parameters, and the caecal bacterial population of broiler chickens. Four hundred and eighty-day-old Cobb 500 broiler chicks were divided into four treatment groups of six replicates. The treatment groups comprised a control group (without OSP supplementation) and three groups with varying levels of OSP supplementation (0.25%, 0.5%, and 0.75%) over 42 days. All groups supplemented with orange seed powder significantly decreased serum cholesterol, triglyceride concentrations, E. coli, and total coliform population as well as feed conversion ratio and feed intake and significantly increased average weight gain and lactobacillus population on day 21 (p < 0.05). Carcase yield did not differ across all the treatment groups (p > 0.05). On day 42, the triglyceride level was significantly superior (p < 0.05) with the supplementation of OSP. The lactobacillus population was not affected on day 42; however, E. coli and the total coliform population remained affected (p < 0.05). Orange seed powder at 0.50% supplementation in poultry feed can optimise the caeca bacterial population and enhance the weight gain and feed conversion ratio.

Plasma FGF21 Concentration in Kidney Transplant Patients-Results from Prospective and Cross-Sectional Studies.

Background/Objectives: Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is a protein hormone involved in physiological conditions in the regulation of energy expenditure and several metabolic processes. The aim of this present study was to analyze the effect of successful kidney transplantations on the plasma FGF21 concentration and to study the factors which may influence plasma FGF21 concentration in patients in long time after kidney transplantation. Methods: This study consisted of two independent parts. The first part was a prospective observation of CKD patients in stage 5 before and then on the 14th and 30th day and 6 months after kidney transplantation. The second part of this study was the cross-sectional study completed in patients at least one year after kidney transplantation and the control group. In CKD patients directly before and during the early period after KTx, plasma FGF21 concentrations were measured four times (immediately before and 14 and 30 days and 6 months after KTx). In patients long time after kidney transplantation and in healthy subjects, plasma FGF21 concentration was measured once. Results: Forty patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) who were either directly before or within the early period after kidney transplantation (KTx), 184 patients longtime after KTx and 50 healthy subjects were enrolled into this study. In CKD patients at the stage directly before receiving a KTx, the mean plasma FGF21 concentration was significantly higher than in the healthy subjects [1013.0 pg/mL versus 239.5 pg/mL, p < 0.001]. At 14, 30 days, and 6 months after the KTx, a significant decrease of plasma FGF21 was observed, with values of 322.5 pg/mL; 355.0 pg/mL; and 344.0 pg/mL (p < 0.001), respectively]. In patients long time after KTx, a negative correlation was found between the plasma FGF21 concentration and the estimated glomerular filtration rate and a positive correlation was found between the plasma FGF21 concentration and the BMI, the serum concentration of triglycerides, insulin, interleukin-6, CRP, and cystatin C. Conclusions: The plasma FGF21 concentration in patients with end-stage renal disease is higher than in healthy subjects and significantly decreases after a successful KTx. The plasma FGF21 concentration measured by ELISA in patients long time after kidney transplantation seems to be related to the degree of kidney function impairment and their metabolic status. The kidneys appear to be one of the main organs involved in the biodegradation and/or elimination of FGF21.

Effect of Palmitoylethanolamide Compared to a Placebo on the Gut Microbiome and Biochemistry in an Overweight Adult Population: A Randomised, Placebo Controlled, Double-Blind Study.

This study investigates the effects of palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) on the gut microbiome of overweight adults. Fifty-eight participants (twenty males, thirty-eight females) aged 18-65 years with a BMI range of 30-40 kg/m2 were recruited. Participants were randomised to receive PEA (n = 36) or a placebo (n = 22) for 12 weeks. Microbiota composition, richness, diversity, and metabolic functions, faecal short chain fatty acids and calprotectin, pathology markers, and health-related questionnaires were analysed throughout the 12 weeks of supplementation. PEA supplementation significantly reduced triglyceride levels and IL-2 concentrations. No significant differences were found in the overall microbiota composition between the groups, and microbiota richness and diversity remained consistent for both groups. Functional analysis demonstrated no differences in functional richness and diversity, but specific pathways were modified. PEA supplementation resulted in a decrease in the abundance of pathways related to aromatic compound degradation, NAD interconversion, and L-glutamate degradation, while pathways associated with molybdopterin biosynthesis and O-antigen building blocks exhibited increased abundance. Increased production of O-antigen results in smooth LPS associated with reduced pathogenic stealth and persistence. PEA supplementation may influence specific microbial species, metabolic pathways, and reduce serum triglyceride and IL-2 concentration, shedding light on the intricate relationship between PEA, the microbiome, and host health.