Association of fat-to-muscle ratio with hypertension: a cross-sectional study in China
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Separate orexigenic hippocampal ensembles shape dietary choice by enhancing contextual memory and motivation
The hippocampus (HPC) has emerged as a critical player in the control of food intake, beyond its well-known role in memory. While previous studies have primarily associated the HPC with food intake inhibition, recent research suggests a role in appetitive processes. Here we identified spatially distinct neuronal populations within the dorsal HPC (dHPC) that respond to either fats or sugars, potent natural reinforcers that contribute to obesity development. Using activity-dependent genetic capture of nutrient-responsive dHPC neurons, we demonstrate a causal role of both populations in promoting nutrient-specific intake through different mechanisms. Sugar-responsive neurons encoded spatial memory for sugar location, whereas fat-responsive neurons selectively enhanced the preference and motivation for fat intake. Importantly, stimulation of either nutrient-responsive dHPC neurons increased food intake, while ablation differentially impacted obesogenic diet consumption and prevented diet-induced weight gain. Collectively, these findings uncover previously unknown orexigenic circuits underlying macronutrient-specific consumption and provide a foundation for developing potential obesity treatments.
Iron homeostasis and ferroptosis in muscle diseases and disorders: mechanisms and therapeutic prospects
The muscular system plays a critical role in the human body by governing skeletal movement, cardiovascular function, and the activities of digestive organs. Additionally, muscle tissues serve an endocrine function by secreting myogenic cytokines, thereby regulating metabolism throughout the entire body. Maintaining muscle function requires iron homeostasis. Recent studies suggest that disruptions in iron metabolism and ferroptosis, a form of iron-dependent cell death, are essential contributors to the progression of a wide range of muscle diseases and disorders, including sarcopenia, cardiomyopathy, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Thus, a comprehensive overview of the mechanisms regulating iron metabolism and ferroptosis in these conditions is crucial for identifying potential therapeutic targets and developing new strategies for disease treatment and/or prevention. This review aims to summarize recent advances in understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying ferroptosis in the context of muscle injury, as well as associated muscle diseases and disorders. Moreover, we discuss potential targets within the ferroptosis pathway and possible strategies for managing muscle disorders. Finally, we shed new light on current limitations and future prospects for therapeutic interventions targeting ferroptosis.
Self-reported hypertension prevalence, risk factors, and knowledge among South Africans aged 24 to 40 years old
Although hypertension is a significant public health burden in South Africa (SA), less is known about its prevalence, risk factors, and possible preventative strategies among young adults. We assessed the prevalence, possible risk factors, and knowledge associated with self-reported hypertension among young adults from SA. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among 1000 young South African adults (24–40 years; 51.0% women). We administered a socio-demographic questionnaire and collected information on measures of socio-economic status (SES) (e.g. asset wealth index), self-reported medical history, and lifestyle risk factors. Furthermore, a modified version of the hypertension evaluation of lifestyle and management questionnaire was used to assess participants’ hypertension knowledge. The overall prevalence of self-reported hypertension was 24.0%, with significant differences between women and men (27.5% and 20.4% respectively, p = 0.033). Only 16.8% of the respondents had good hypertension knowledge. There was a positive association between good knowledge of hypertension and being hypertensive (OR = 1.43 CI:1.23–3.12), monthly blood pressure check-ups (OR = 2.03 CI:1.78–3.23), knowing the side effects of uncontrolled blood pressure (OR = 1.28 CI:1.07–1.89) and having a biological mother with hypertension (OR = 1.79 CI:1.53–2.21). Being employed full-time (OR = 0.74 CI:0.69–0.80), having a higher SES (wealth index 4 (OR = 0.70 CI:0.59–0.97) and 5 (OR = 0.65 CI:0.48–0.81)), exercising 6 to 7 days per week (OR = 0.83 CI:0.71–0.94), and not consuming alcohol at all (OR = 0.73 CI:0.67–0.89), were all found to be protective against hypertension. The high hypertension prevalence, lack of hypertension knowledge, and reported risk factors among this group highlight the need for early robust preventative strategies to mitigate hypertension risk among this population.
Epigenomics and transcriptomics association study of blood pressure and incident diagnosis of hypertension in twins
Hypertension is the most frequent health-related condition worldwide and is a primary risk factor for renal and cardiovascular diseases. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms are still poorly understood. To uncover these mechanisms, multi-omics studies have significant potential, but such studies are challenged by genetic and environmental confounding – an issue that can be effectively reduced by studying intra-pair differences in twins. Here, we coupled data on hypertension diagnoses from the nationwide Danish Patient Registry to a study population of 740 twins for whom genome-wide DNA methylation and gene expression data were available together with measurements of systolic and diastolic blood pressure. We investigated five phenotypes: incident hypertension cases, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, hypertension (140/90 mmHg), and hypertension (130/80 mmHg). Statistical analyses were performed using Cox (incident cases) or linear (remaining) regression analyses at both the individual-level and twin pair-level. Significant genes (p < 0.05) at both levels and in both types of biological data were investigated by bioinformatic analyses, including gene set enrichment analysis and interaction network analysis. Overall, most of the identified pathways related to the immune system, particularly inflammation, and biology of vascular smooth muscle cell. Of specific genes, lysine methyltransferase 2 A (KMT2A) was found to be central for incident hypertension, ataxia-telangiectasia mutated (ATM) for systolic blood pressure, and beta-actin (ACTB) for diastolic blood pressure. Noteworthy, lysine methyltransferase 2A (KMT2A) was also identified in the systolic and diastolic blood pressure analyses. Here, we present novel biomarkers for hypertension. This study design is surprisingly rare in the field of hypertension.
Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis A6 ameliorates bone and muscle loss via modulating gut microbiota composition and enhancing butyrate production
Systematic bone and muscle loss is a complex metabolic disease, which is frequently linked to gut dysfunction, yet its etiology and treatment remain elusive. While probiotics show promise in managing diseases through microbiome modulation, their therapeutic impact on gut dysfunction-induced bone and muscle loss remains to be elucidated. Employing dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced gut dysfunction model and wide-spectrum antibiotics (ABX)-treated mice model, our study revealed that gut dysfunction instigates muscle and bone loss, accompanied by microbial imbalances. Importantly, Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis A6 (B. lactis A6) administration significantly ameliorated muscle and bone loss by modulating gut microbiota composition and enhancing butyrate-producing bacteria. This intervention effectively restored depleted butyrate levels in serum, muscle, and bone tissues caused by gut dysfunction. Furthermore, butyrate supplementation mitigated musculoskeletal loss by repairing the damaged intestinal barrier and enriching beneficial butyrate-producing bacteria. Importantly, butyrate inhibited the NF-κB pathway activation, and reduced the secretion of corresponding inflammatory factors in T cells. Our study highlights the critical role of dysbiosis in gut dysfunction-induced musculoskeletal loss and underscores the therapeutic potential of B. lactis A6. These discoveries offer new microbiome directions for translational and clinical research, providing promising strategies for preventing and managing musculoskeletal diseases.
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