Intestinal BMP-9 locally upregulates FGF19 and is down-regulated in obese patients with diabetes

Gut-X Axis and Its Role in Poultry Bone Health: A Review

The normal development and growth of bones are critical for poultry health. With the rapid increase in poultry growth rates achieved over the last few decades, juvenile meat-type poultry exhibit a high incidence of leg weakness and lameness. These issues are significant contributors to poor animal welfare and substantial economic losses. Understanding the potential etiology of bone problems in poultry will aid in developing treatments for bone diseases. The gut microbiota represents the largest micro-ecosystem in animals and is closely related to many metabolic disorders, including bone disease. It achieves this by secreting secondary metabolites and coordinating with various tissues and organs through the circulatory system, which leads to the concept of the gut-X axis. Given its importance, modulating gut microbiota to influence the gut-X axis presents new opportunities for understanding and developing innovative therapeutic approaches for poultry bone diseases. In light of the extensive literature on this topic, this review focuses on the effects of gut microbiota on bone density and strength in poultry, both directly and indirectly, through the regulation of the gut-X axis. Our aim is to provide scientific insights into the bone health problems faced by poultry.

Exploring the gut-inflammation connection: A Mendelian randomization study on gut microbiota, inflammatory factors, and uterine fibroids risk

This study employs Mendelian randomization (MR) approach to investigate the potential causal association between genetic variants associated with gut microbiota, inflammatory factors, and the risk of uterine fibroids development. We extracted data on 211 types of gut microbiota, 91 inflammatory factors, and uterine fibroids occurrence from genome-wide association studies and applied the inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method for analysis. To further assess the robustness of our MR analysis, we conducted sensitivity tests including Cochrane's Q test, the MR-Egger intercept test, the MR-PRESSO global test, and a leave-one-out analysis. IVW analysis identified a potential causal association between 14 types of gut microbiota and 8 inflammatory factors with the risk of uterine fibroids. When using 91 inflammation-related proteins as the outcome variable, 13 proteins demonstrated a potential causal association with uterine fibroids risk (IVW, all P < .05). Additionally, the MR-Egger intercept and MR-PRESSO global tests indicated no evidence of horizontal pleiotropy (P > .05), and the leave-one-out analysis confirmed the robustness of the results. This MR approach suggests that specific gut microbiota and inflammatory factors may have a causal association with the development of uterine fibroids, shedding light on the pathogenesis of uterine fibroids and potentially identifying targets for future therapeutic interventions.

Clinical value of fibroblast growth factor 19 in predicting gastrointestinal dysfunction in patients with sepsis

Objective

To assess the potential value of fibroblast growth factor 19 (FGF19) as a predictor of gastrointestinal (GI) dysfunction in patients with sepsis.

Methods

A prospective study was conducted, and 209 patients who were diagnosed with sepsis and admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) at teaching hospitals in China were enrolled from June 2023 to December 2023. The serum FGF19 level was determined at ICU admission. The differences in serum FGF19 levels between the two groups were compared via the Mann-Whitney U test, and Spearman's correlation coefficient was used to identify the correlations of the FGF19 concentration with other clinical variables and biomarkers. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to determine the value of FGF19 in predicting GI dysfunction in patients with sepsis.

Results

The total ICU mortality rate was 13.3% (24/180). There was a tendency toward increased ICU mortality in patients with sepsis-associated GI dysfunction compared with patients without GI dysfunction with statistical significance (21.9% vs. 8.6%, p = 0.031). Serum FGF19 levels were significantly higher in patients with sepsis-associated GI dysfunction than in patients without GI dysfunction [355.1 (37.2, 2315.4) μg/mL vs. 127.4 (5.7, 944.2) μg/mL, p = 0.003]. The results of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis revealed that the area under the ROC curve (AUC) for the ability of FGF19 to predict GI dysfunction in patients with sepsis was 0.773 (95% CI 0.712 ~ 0.827), which was greater than the predictive capacity of PCT [AUC = 0.632 (95% CI 0.562 ~ 0.804)].

Conclusion

Serum FGF19 could be considered as a novel predictor or biomarker of GI dysfunction in patients with sepsis.

Unveiling the Impact of BMP9 in Liver Diseases: Insights into Pathogenesis and Therapeutic Potential

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are a group of growth factors belonging to the transforming growth factor β(TGF-β) family. While initially recognized for their role in bone formation, BMPs have emerged as significant players in liver diseases. Among BMPs with various physiological activities, this comprehensive review aims to delve into the involvement of BMP9 specifically in liver diseases and provide insights into the complex BMP signaling pathway. Through an enhanced understanding of BMP9, we anticipate the discovery of new therapeutic options and potential strategies for managing liver diseases.

Methods to predict heart failure in diabetes patients

INTRODUCTION

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is one of the leading causes of cardiovascular disease and powerful predictor for new-onset heart failure (HF).

AREAS COVERED

We focus on the relevant literature covering evidence of risk stratification based on imaging predictors and circulating biomarkers to optimize approaches to preventing HF in DM patients.

EXPERT OPINION

Multiple diagnostic algorithms based on echocardiographic parameters of cardiac remodeling including global longitudinal strain/strain rate are likely to be promising approach to justify individuals at higher risk of incident HF. Signature of cardiometabolic status may justify HF risk among T2DM individuals with low levels of natriuretic peptides, which preserve their significance in HF with clinical presentation. However, diagnostic and predictive values of conventional guideline-directed biomarker HF strategy may be non-optimal in patients with obesity and T2DM. Alternative biomarkers affecting cardiac fibrosis, inflammation, myopathy, and adipose tissue dysfunction are plausible tools for improving accuracy natriuretic peptides among T2DM patients at higher HF risk. In summary, risk identification and management of the patients with T2DM with established HF require conventional biomarkers monitoring, while the role of alternative biomarker approach among patients with multiple CV and metabolic risk factors appears to be plausible tool for improving clinical outcomes.