Biological correlates of psychological states among young children: a cross-sectional examination of roles of aspartate transaminase/alanine aminotransferase,insulin, and cytokines

Compared to data on adolescents and adults, limited research has been conducted on biological corre- lates among young children with possible psychological difficulties, especially in Asian countries. By focusing on various peripheral biochemical indicators, we investigated potential biological correlates of psychological states in a community sample of Taiwanese school children aged 6-10 years. In total, 307 students （159 obese children and 148 normal-weight children） were selected from first- and fourth-grade school children in eight elementary schools in the Taipei metropolitan area in 2009. These children underwent a comprehensive health examination, including a physical examination, blood sample analysis, and questionnaire administration in a hospital. Differences in anthropometric and serum biochemical readings were compared between children with average and worse levels on each of the five psychological domains. We found that interleukin （IL）-1β [β = 1.29, 95 % confidence interval （CI） 0.50-2.09], IL-10 （β = 1.61, 95 % CI 〈0.01-3.24）, fasting blood glucose （β = 0.08, 95 % CI 0.01-0.15）, homocysteine （β = 0.63, 95 % CI 0.09-1.18）, and aspar- tate transaminase （AST） （β = 0.15, 95 % CI 〈0.01-0.31） were significantly positively associated with anxiety. In addition, IL-113, insulin, AST, and alanine aminotransam- inase （ALT） were significantly positively associated with depression. Anger and disruptive behaviors were also related to specific biological correlates. Specific biological correlates, including AST/ALT, cardiovascular disease- related variables, and specific cytokines, were linked to particular psychological states among young children in this Asian population. These might provide a route for better understanding the biological aspects of children＇s mental health and might contribute to research on diag- nostic or predictive biomarkers for psychiatric diseases in young children.     

荷叶生物碱对非酒精性脂肪肝肝脏脂质沉积的影响

目的研究荷叶生物碱对小鼠非酒精性脂肪肝肝脏甘油三酯（TG）及胆固醇（代）的影响。方法以复方高脂饮食结合5％四氯化碳腹腔注射建立非酒精性脂肪肝小鼠模型,造模第14d,将36只模型鼠随机分为模型组,阳性对照组（易善复150mg／kg）,荷叶生物碱治疗组（100mg／kg）。另随机选取12只同周龄小鼠为正常对照组。分别观察荷叶生物碱对非酒精性脂肪肝小鼠的脂肪变性及肝脏TC、TG含量的影响。结果荷叶生物碱治疗42d后,小鼠肝组织脂肪变性程度改善（P〈0．05）,肝脏TC、TG含量降低（P〈0．05）。结论荷叶生物碱具有治疗小鼠非酒精性脂肪肝的作用,其作用机制与降低肝脏TC、TC水平有关。     

非肥胖、高血压和糖尿病的中国中青年人群中非酒精性脂肪性肝病和动脉硬度的关系研究

研究目的：探讨在非肥胖、高血压和糖尿病的中国中青年群人中非酒精性脂肪性肝病（NAFLD）和动脉硬度的关系。创新要点：在非肥胖、高血压和糖尿病的中青年人群中,阐明NAFLD和动脉硬度的关系,对预防和诊断早期动脉硬度有重要临床意义。研究方法：在非肥胖、高血压和糖尿病的中青年体检人群中进行一项大型横断面研究。用B超诊断脂肪肝,用臂踝脉搏波指数（baPWV）测量动脉硬度,根据是否有NAFLD和baPWV水平分组。重要结论：NAFLD组患者的baPWV水平明显高于对照组（（1321±158）cm/s vs.（1244±154）cm/s;P〈0.001）,NAFLD患病率在baPWV升高组明显高于baPWV正常组（29.3%vs.16.9%;P〈0.001）,且NAFLD患病率随baPWV水平和动脉硬度程度的升高而升高（两者趋势P值〈0.001）。多因素线性回归分析表明,NAFLD发生与baPWV独立相关。因此,在非肥胖、高血压和糖尿病的中国中青年群人中,NAFLD发生与动脉硬度密切相关。