Waist-to-Height Ratio Is a Stronger Mediator in the Association between DASH Diet and Hypertension: Potential Micro/Macro Nutrients Intake Pathways

Several studies have demonstrated that adhering to the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet may result in decreased blood pressure levels and hypertension risk. This may be an effect of a reduction in central obesity. In the current study, we explored the mediation role of multiple anthropometric measurements in association with DASH score and hypertension risk, and we investigated potential common micro/macro nutrients that react with the obesity-reduction mechanism. Our study used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Important demographic variables, such as gender, race, age, marital status, education attainment, poverty income ratio, and lifestyle habits such as smoking, alcohol drinking, and physical activity were collected. Various anthropometric measurements, including weight, waist circumference, body mass index (BMI), and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) were also obtained from the official website. The nutrient intake of 8224 adults was quantified through a combination of interviews and laboratory tests. We conducted stepwise regression to filter the most important anthropometric measurements and performed a multiple mediation analysis to test whether the selected anthropometric measurements had mediation effects on the total effect of the DASH diet on hypertension. Random forest models were conducted to identify nutrient subsets associated with the DASH score and anthropometric measurements. Finally, associations between common nutrients and DASH score, anthropometric measurements, and risk of hypertension were respectively evaluated by a logistic regression model adjusting for possible confounders. Our study revealed that BMI and WHtR acted as full mediators between DASH score and high blood pressure levels. Together, they accounted for more than 45% of the variation in hypertension. Interestingly, WHtR was found to be the strongest mediator, explaining approximate 80% of the mediating effect. Furthermore, we identified a group of three commonly consumed nutrients (sodium, potassium, and octadecatrienoic acid) that had opposing effects on DASH score and anthropometric measurements. These nutrients were also found to be associated with hypertension in the same way as BMI and WHtR in univariate regression models. The most important among these nutrients was sodium, which was negatively correlated with the DASH score (β = -0.53, 95% CI = -0.56~-0.50, p < 0.001) and had a positive association with BMI (β = 0.04, 95% CI = 0.01~0.07, p = 0.02), WHtR (β = 0.06, 95% CI = 0.03~0.09, p < 0.001), and hypertension (OR = 1.09, 95% CI = 1.01~1.19, p = 0.037). Our investigation revealed that the WHtR exerts a greater mediating effect than BMI on the correlation between the DASH diet and hypertension. Notably, we identified a plausible nutrient intake pathway involving sodium, potassium, and octadecatrienoic acid. Our findings suggested that lifestyle modifications that emphasize the reduction of central obesity and the attainment of a well-balanced micro/macro nutrient profile, such as the DASH diet, could potentially be efficacious in managing hypertension.

Non-linear relationship between dietary vitamin E intake and cognitive performance in older adults

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to explore the relationship between dietary vitamin E (VE) intake and cognitive function in older adults.

STUDY DESIGN

This was a cross-sectional study.

METHODS

We applied data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey obtained during 2011-2014 that met our requirements. The cognitive ability assessments included the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease Word Learning (CERAD-WL) and Delayed Recall (CERAD-DR) tests, the animal fluency test, the Digit Symbol Substitution Test, and a composite z-score calculated by summing z-scores of individual tests. We used binary logistic regression analysis to explore the relationship between VE intake and cognitive performance. The results are reported using odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. Our study also included sex-stratified analyses and sensitivity analysis. A restricted cubic splines model was used to evaluate the dose-response relationship between dietary VE intake and cognitive function.

RESULTS

This study found that a higher intake of dietary VE was associated with a lower risk of cognitive impairment in patients. Sensitivity analysis shows stable results. The results of the gender stratification analysis showed that dietary VE intake was negatively related to the risk of cognitive disorder among females. An irregular L-shaped dose-response relationship was observed between dietary VE intake and cognitive impairment risk.

CONCLUSIONS

Dietary VE intake was negatively related to the risk of cognitive disorder in older adults, with a higher VE intake lowering the risk.

Effects of natural 24-epibrassinolide on inducing apoptosis and restricting metabolism in hepatocarcinoma cells

BACKGROUND

24-epibrassinolide (EBR) is a ubiquitous steroidal phytohormone with anticancer activity. Yet the cytotoxic effects and mechanism of EBR on hepatocarcinoma (HCC) cells remain elusive.

METHODS

Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was performed to evaluate cell viability. Real-time cell analysis (RTCA) technology and colony formation assays were used to evaluate cell proliferation. The apoptosis ratio was measured by flow cytometry. Seahorse XFe96 was applied to detect the effects of EBR on cellular bioenergetics. RNA-seq analysis was performed to investigate differences in gene expression profiles. Western blot and qRT-PCR were used to detect the changes in target molecules.

RESULTS

EBR induced apoptosis and caused energy restriction in HCC, both of which were related to insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 1 (IGFBP1). EBR rapidly and massively induced IGBFP1, part of which was transcribed by activating transcription factor-4 (ATF4). The accumulation of secreted and cellular IGFBP1 had different important roles, in which secreted IGFBP1 affected cell energy metabolism by inhibiting the phosphorylation of Akt, while intracellular IGFBP1 acted as a pro-survival factor to resist apoptosis. Interestingly, the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) inhibitor SCH772984 and MAP/ERK kinase (MEK) inhibitor PD98059 not only attenuated the EBR-induced IGFBP1 expression but also the basal expression of IGFBP1. Thus, the treatment of cells with these inhibitors further enhances the cytotoxicity of EBR.

CONCLUSION

Taken together, these findings suggested that EBR can be considered as a potential therapeutic compound for HCC due to its pro-apoptosis, restriction of energy metabolism, and other anti-cancer properties. Meanwhile, the high expression of IGFBP1 induced by EBR in HCC contributes to our understanding of the role of IGFBP1 in drug resistance.

Differential uptake of nitrogen forms by two herbs in the Gurbantunggut desert, Central Asia

Understanding how plants adjust their requirements for different N forms can help elucidate plant coexistence strategies in N-limited desert ecosystems. To understand the mechanisms involved, we investigated whether two desert herbs can directly absorb dissolved organic nitrogen (N) and tested whether the patterns changed over different growth stages. Two dominant herbaceous species, Astragalus arpilobus and Arnebia decumbens, from the southern edge of the Gurbantunggut desert, China, were selected. Short-term (24 h) ¹⁵ N-labelled tracer (¹⁵ N-NO₃ , ¹⁵ N-NH₄ , 2-¹³ C-¹⁵ N-Glycine) treatments were conducted at two soil depths (0-5 cm and 5-15 cm) in the season of rapid growth (June) and in the peak biomass season (July). Enrichment in ¹³ C and ¹⁵ N was assessed in the two species receiving glycine. The ratio ¹³ C:¹⁵ N was 0.21-1.39 at the 24-h harvest, suggesting that approximately 10.5-69.5% of glycine had been absorbed. The amount of absorbed ¹⁵ N was significantly affected by species, month, soil depth and N form. The two species absorbed most ¹⁵ N from the 0-5 cm soil layer, and the absorption rate in July was higher than that in June. The absorption of ¹⁵ N-NO₃ and ¹⁵ N-NH₄ was significantly higher than that of 2-¹³ C-¹⁵ N-Glycine. The results indicate that these herbs could use amino acids in the N-deficient desert ecosystem. The two co-existing species used different forms of inorganic N for their requirements and maintained a specific preference throughout various growth stages.

6-methoxydihydroavicine, the alkaloid extracted from Macleaya cordata (Willd.) R. Br. (Papaveraceae), triggers RIPK1/Caspase-dependent cell death in pancreatic cancer cells through the disruption of oxaloacetic acid metabolism and accumulation of reactive oxygen species

BACKGROUND

Many extracts and purified alkaloids of M. cordata (Papaveraceae family) have been reported to display promising anti-tumor effects by inhibiting cancer cell growth and inducing apoptosis in many cancer types. However, no evidence currently exists for anti-pancreatic cancer activity of alkaloids extracted from M. cordata, including a novel alkaloid named 6‑methoxy dihydrosphingosine (6-Methoxydihydroavicine, 6-ME) derived from M. cordata fruits.

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-tumor effects of 6-ME on PC cells and the underlying mechanism.

METHODS

CCK-8, RTCA, and colony-formation assays were used to analyze PC cell growth. Cell death ratios, changes in MMP and ROS levels were measured by flow cytometry within corresponding detection kits. A Seahorse XFe96 was employed to examine the effects of 6-ME on cellular bioenergetics. Western blot and q-RT-PCR were conducted to detect changes in target molecules.

RESULTS

6-ME effectively reduced the growth of PC cells and promoted PCD by activating RIPK1, caspases, and GSDME. Specifically, 6-ME treatment caused a disruption of OAA metabolism and increased ROS production, thereby affecting mitochondrial homeostasis and reducing aerobic glycolysis. These responses resulted in mitophagy and RIPK1-mediated cell death.

CONCLUSION

6-ME exhibited specific anti-tumor effects through interrupting OAA metabolic homeostasis to trigger ROS/RIPK1-dependent cell death and mitochondrial dysfunction, suggesting that 6-ME could be considered as a highly promising compound for PC intervention.

A Novel Mechanism of Cannabidiol in Suppressing Hepatocellular Carcinoma by Inducing GSDME Dependent Pyroptosis

Cannabidiol (CBD), a phytochemical derived from Cannabis sativa L., has been demonstrated to exhibit promising anti-tumor properties in multiple cancer types. However, the effects of CBD on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells remain unknown. We have shown that CBD effectively suppresses HCC cell growth in vivo and in vitro, and induced HCC cell pyroptosis in a caspase-3/GSDME-dependent manner. We further demonstrated that accumulation of integrative stress response (ISR) and mitochondrial stress may contribute to the initiation of pyroptotic signaling by CBD. Simultaneously, CBD can repress aerobic glycolysis through modulation of the ATF4-IGFBP1-Akt axis, due to the depletion of ATP and crucial intermediate metabolites. Collectively, these observations indicate that CBD could be considered as a potential compound for HCC therapy.

An immunogenomic signature for molecular classification in hepatocellular carcinoma

Immunity plays an important role in tumor development. In this study, we aimed to investigate molecular classification and its prognostic value in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) based on immune signature. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was used to calculate scores of immune pathways for HCC and hierarchical clustering in two databases (The Cancer Genome Atlas [TCGA], Liver Cancer-RIKEN, JP [LIRI_JP]). The scores of the immune microenvironment and the proportions of 22 immune cells were also calculated. Single-sample GSEA (ssGSEA) was used to screen survival prognosis-related immune pathways and calculate the hazard radio of differentially expressed immune-related genes (IRGs), which were validated in clinical samples and multiple datasets. Based on the immune characteristics, we identified three HCC subtypes, namely immunity high (Immunity_H), immunity medium (Immunity_M), and immunity low (Immunity_L), and confirmed that the classification was reliable and predictable. Immunity_H with a higher immune and stromal score indicated better survival rate. Cox regression analysis showed that IL18RAP and IL7R were the protective genes. Immune risk score was the independent risk factor of overall survival in HCC patients. These results indicated that immunogenomic classification could distinguish HCC patients with different immune status, which could impact the prognosis of the patients with HCC.

Seasonal nitrogen uptake strategies in a temperate desert ecosystem depends on N form and plant species

Symbiotic plants might be able to regulate a limited nitrogen (N) pool, thus avoiding and reducing competition for resources, through the uptake of different chemical N forms. Our aim was to see whether coexisting herbs showed preference for different forms of N in a temperate desert. We conducted a situ experiment using the ¹⁵ N labeling method in the Gurbantunggut Desert of Northwestern China dominated by Erodium oxyrrhynchum, Hyalea pulchella, Nonea caspica and Lactuca undulata during their growing period (April and May). Four desert herb species preferentially relied on ¹⁵ N-NO₃ for their N nutrition. Multi-factor analysis of variance (ANOVA) analysis results showed that species, N forms, months, and soil depths strongly affected N uptake rate. The uptake rate by herbs was higher in May than in April, and higher at 0-5 cm than at 5-15 cm soil layers. Erodium oxyrrhynchum, N. caspica and L. undulata showed different preference on N form over months. Erodium oxyrrhynchum and L. undulata changed their uptake preference from more ¹⁵ N-Glycine in April to more ¹⁵ N-NH4 in May. Although the N uptake rate of four desert herbs varied across different soil depths and months, all species absorbed more inorganic N compared with organic N. The higher preference for ¹⁵ N-NO₃ and ¹⁵ N-NH4 over ¹⁵ N-Gly possibly reflects adaptation to different N forms in temperate desert.

Comparing the efficacy of targeted next-generation sequencing in the identification of somatic mutations in circulating tumor DNA from different stages of lung cancer

This study aims to assess the potential clinical application of targeted next generation sequencing (NGS)-based deep sequencing for the detection of clinically relevant mutations in circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) obtained from non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Targeted deep sequencing was performed to identify High Confidence Somatic Variants (HCSVs) in matched tumor tissue DNA (tDNA) and ctDNA in 50 NSCLC patients. Our results demonstrated that NSCLC patients with Stage IV (61.5%) exhibited a higher concordance rate at the mutation level between plasma ctDNA and tDNA samples than those with Stage I-III (14.5%). Moreover, it is noteworthy that the allele frequency of these detected HCSVs in ctDNA increased with the advance in tumor stage. Besides, using tDNA as a reference, the sensitivity of plasma ctDNA analyzed by deep NGS for actionable EGFR was much higher in patients with Stage IV (66.6%) than those with Stage I-III (7.7%). In conclusion, it appears that ctDNA NGS-based deep sequencing is a feasible approach to identify mutations in patients with Stage IV NSCLC. However, additional methods with higher sensitivity and specificity are needed to improve the successful application of this platform in the earlier stages of NSCLC.