Journal of Medical Biochemistry最新文献

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the synergistic role of fibroblast growth factor receptor 4 (FGFR4) and inflammatory cytokines (ICs) (interleukin-6 [IL-6], tumor necrosis factor-a [TNF-a], and C-reactive protein [CRP]) in predicting recurrence of differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) after radical surgery, and to develop a combined predictive model for improved postoperative risk stratification.

Methods: We enrolled 102 DTC patients treated between February 2022 and January 2024, along with 98 healthy controls. Serum levels of FGFR4, IL-6, TNF-a, and CRP were measured preoperatively and postoperatively using ELISA. Independent risk factors were identified through logistic regression, diagnostic performance was assessed using ROC analysis, and correlations of FGFR4 and ICs with postoperative recurrence were evaluated.

Results: Preoperative levels of FGFR4, IL-6, TNF-a, and CRP were significantly elevated in DTC patients compared to healthy controls (P<0.05). A diagnostic model integrating these four markers demonstrated superior performance (AUC=0.931; sensitivity 94.12%, specificity 79.59%) over individual biomarkers (P<0.05). Among DTC patients, those with recurrence (n = 26) exhibited significantly higher FGFR4 and inflammatory cytokine levels than the non-recurrent group (P<0.05). The combined model predicted 1-year recurrence with an AUC of 0.864 (sensitivity 73.08%, specificity 93.42%).

Conclusions: The synergistic interaction between FGFR4 and ICs plays a critical role in DTC. Their combined detection enhances postoperative recurrence risk prediction, offering a valuable tool for clinical risk stratification.

Superoxide dismutases (SODs) are critical metalloenzymes that regulate cellular redox homeostasis by catalysing the dismutation of superoxide radicals into hydrogen peroxide and oxygen, thereby mitigating oxidative stress. Comprising three isoforms - SOD1 (Cu/Zn-SOD), SOD2 (Mn-SOD), and SOD3 (ecSOD) - these enzymes are localised in distinct cellular compartments, including the cytosol, mitochondria, and extracellular matrix, respectively. SODs play pivotal roles in cellular signalling, metabolism, and protection against reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated damage. Dysregulation of SOD expression and activity is implicated in various pathological conditions, particularly cancer, where they influence tumour initiation, progression, metastasis, and therapy resistance. Elevated SOD1 and SOD2 levels often promote oncogenic signalling and tumour survival, whereas SOD3 exhibits context-dependent roles, balancing tumour suppression and progression. Additionally, SOD mimetics, notably manganese-based compounds such as Mn-porphyrins and Mn-salens, have emerged as promising therapeutic agents that selectively modulate oxidative stress in cancer cells, thereby enhancing the efficacy of chemotherapy and radiotherapy while protecting normal tissues. This review explores the multifaceted roles of SODs in cellular homeostasis, their involvement in cancer pathogenesis, and the therapeutic potential of SOD mimetics in redox-based cancer strategies.

Background: To analyse the risk factors of Diabetes Mellitus (DM) through a five-year retrospective study of pre-diabetes mellitus (Pre DM) cadres.

Methods: The cadres who underwent physical examination and were diagnosed with pre-diabetes in the First People's Hospital of Huzhou City from April 2019 to November 2024 were selected as the research objects, and their basic information (age, gender, body mass index, etc.), lifestyle (diet, exercise, smoking and drinking, etc.), family medical history, biochemical indicators (blood sugar, blood lipid, blood pressure, etc.) and other data were collected. People were divided into two groups based on whether they developed diabetes, and the risk factors for diabetes were determined using univariate analysis and multivariate Logistic regression analysis.

Results: A total of 174 Pre DM cadres were included, and 30 of them developed diabetes. Univariate analysis revealed significant differences in age, body mass index, fasting blood glucose, triglycerides, uric acid, blood pressure, blood lipids, liver function, and renal function between the two groups (P< 0.05). The results of the multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that age, BMI, SBP TG, TC, BUN, TBIL, and ALT were independent risk factors for the development of diabetes in the pre-diabetic healthcare population within 5 years (P< 0.05).

Conclusions: This study demonstrates that age, BMI, blood pressure, blood lipid levels, liver and kidney function indexes, and gender are significant risk factors for patients with Pre DM to develop into DM. Monitoring and managing these factors can reduce the risk of pre-diabetes patients progressing to diabetes. This provides personalised health management suggestions for pre-diabetes (Pre DM) cadres and healthcare professionals and also offers theoretical support for the formulation of relevant health policies.

Background: Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is a significant complication following hip arthroplasty, especially in osteoporotic patients. Early detection is crucial for improving outcomes but remains challenging. This study assesses the effectiveness of continuous monitoring of serum markers - C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), D-dimer, white blood cell count (WBC), ferritin, soluble CD14 (sCD14), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), and serum amyloid A (SAA) - for early detection of PJI in osteoporotic patients undergoing hip arthroplasty.

Methods: A prospective cohort study included 150 osteoporotic patients undergoing hip arthroplasty. Inflammatory markers were measured preoperatively and at 24-, 48-, and 72 hours post-surgery, with weekly follow-ups for 6 weeks. PJI was diagnosed based on clinical, microbiological, and imaging criteria. The diagnostic performance of individual markers was assessed using Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves.

Results: Among the 150 patients, 12 (8%) developed PJI within 6 weeks. At 48 hours post-surgery, CRP PCT, ESR, D-dimer, WBC, sCD14, and SAA were significantly higher in the PJI group compared to the non-infected group (p< 0.05 for all). Ferritin and MMP-9 levels showed higher values in the infected group but did not reach statistical significance (p= 0.076 and p= 0.094, respectively). The combination of CRP D-dimer, WBC, sCD14, and SAA demonstrated 90% sensitivity and 92% specificity for PJI detection.

Conclusions: Continuous monitoring of CRP, D-dimer, WBC, sCD14, and SAA offers a reliable approach for early detection of PJI in osteoporotic patients undergoing hip arthroplasty. These markers showed strong associations with infection, while ferritin and MMP-9 were less informative. This strategy may help improve early diagnosis and patient outcomes.

Background: Dry eye syndrome is a common complication following phacoemulsification cataract surgery, potentially influenced by systemic biochemical factors. This study aimed to evaluate the predictive efficiency of three routinely measured biochemical markers - C-reactive protein (CRP), white blood cell count (WBC), and total cholesterol (TC) - in identifying patients at risk for postoperative dry eye syndrome.

Methods: A total of 87 patients undergoing phacoemulsification between January 2024 and February 2025 were enrolled and categorized into dry eye (n=49) and non-dry eye (n=38) groups. Blood samples were collected preoperatively to assess CRP, WBC, and TC levels using standard laboratory protocols. Baseline characteristics were compared, and multivariate logistic regression was conducted to identify independent risk factors. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated to determine the predictive performance of each marker and their combination.

Results: Patients in the dry eye group exhibited significantly elevated CRP, WBC, and TC levels compared to the non-dry eye group (P<0.001 for all). Multivariate analysis identified CRP (O R = 12.679), WBC (O R = 3.216), and TC (OR= 1.258) as independent predictors. The area under the ROC curve (a Uc ) values for CRP WBC, and TC were 0.791, 0.770, and 0.757, respectively, while the combined model yielded an AUC of 0.936, indicating superior diagnostic performance (P< 0.01).

Conclusions: CRP, WBC, and TC levels are clinically accessible biochemical parameters that hold significant predictive value for dry eye syndrome following cataract surgery.Combined detection enhances prognostic accuracy andmay guide early intervention strategies to reduce postoperative complications.

Background: This research aims to explore the correlation of Tribbles Pseudo kinase 3 (TRIB3) and bone morphogenetic protein receptor type 2 (BMPR2) with coronary heart disease (CHD), as well as the evaluation value of the combined detection of the two for major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods: The study enrolled 152 CHD patients (CHD group) who underwent PCI treatment between January 2023 and May 2024 and 136 healthy individuals (control group) who concurrently underwent physical examination in our hospital. The expressions of TRIB3 and BMPR2 in the serum of both groups were measured. The clinical implications of these two factors in CHD and their diagnostic value for CHD were then analysed. Subsequently, the CHD patients were subjected to a 6-month follow-up. During this period, the occurrence of MACE was recorded, and the evaluation value of the combined detection of TRIB3 and BMPR2 for MACE was analysed.

Results: In the CHD group, the concentration of TRIB3 was significantly elevated compared to the control group, with a notable decline in TRIB3 levels after treatment (P< 0.05). In contrast, the level of BMPR2 in the CHD group was significantly lower than that of the control group, and it increased substantially following treatment (P< 0.05). In the CHD group, TRIB3 and BMPR2 were closely correlated with cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (P< 0.05). The combined detection of TRIB3 and BMPR2 had a diagnostic sensitivity of 76.32% and a specificity of 91.18% for CHD (P< 0.05). The follow-up results showed that 25 patients experienced MACE. The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of the combined detection of TRIB3 and BMPR2 for MACE were 60.00% and 90.55% , respectively (P< 0.05).

Conclusions: TRIB3 and BMPR2 demonstrated excellent evaluation effects on CHD and the incidence of MACE after PCI.

Background: Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is characterised by elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels and an increased risk of premature cardiovascular disease. The present study aimed to investigate the genetic background, associated biochemical profiles, clinical manifestations, and therapeutic response in patients with clinically suspected FH in Serbia.

Methods: A total of 101 patients with clinically suspected FH were recruited from the Clinic for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases in Serbia between 2015 and 2023. Clinical diagnosis was established using the Dutch Lipid Clinic Network (DLCN) criteria. Genetic profiles of all patients were previously determined using next-generation sequencing. Fasting serum lipids, apolipoprotein A-I [ApoA-I], apolipoprotein B [ApoB], and lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) were measured enzymatically. Levels of serum lipids were compared between genetically FH-positive (carriers of variants in LDLR, APOB, PCSK9 and LDLRAP1 genes) and FH-negative patients. Therapeutic response was assessed by achieving the LDL-C target level. Statistical analyses were conducted in SPSS (version 30.0).

Results: Genetically confirmed FH patients exhibited significantly higher levels of ApoB (p=0.001) compared with variant-negative individuals, while ApoA-I (p=0.413) and Lp(a) (p=0.421) levels did not differ significantly between groups. Patients with pathogenic FH-associated variants were less likely to reach target LDL-C levels after therapy than those without identified variants.

Conclusions: This study demonstrates biochemical diversity in familial hypercholesterolemia associated with genetic background in the Serbian population. Pathogenic FH mutations were associated with higher ApoB levels, underscoring the importance of combining genetic testing with lipid profiling for precise diagnosis and management.

Background: To explore, in conjunction with clinical practice, the efficacy of different pharmacological treatment regimens for patients with chronic heart failure complicated by arrhythmia, and their effects on inflammatory factor levels.

Methods: A total of 96 patients with chronic heart failure and arrhythmia treated at our hospital from June 2022 to January 2025 were selected and randomly assigned by envelope method into a combination therapy group and a simvastatin group. The simvastatin group received simvastatin monotherapy, while the combination group was treated with sacubitril/valsartan sodium plus simvastatin. Clinical efficacy was compared between the two groups. Cardiac function, inflammatory factors, arrhythmia episodes, blood lipid levels, and oxidative stress markers were assessed before and after treatment. Adverse reactions in both groups were also observed.

Results: The overall effective rate in the combination therapy group (93.75%) was significantly higher than that in the simvastatin group (72.92%) (c2= 7.500, P=0.006). After treatment, the combination group exhibited higher LVEF and lower LVESD and LVEDD levels compared to the simvastatin group (P< 0.05). Serum levels of inflammatory factors (IL-6, IL-8, TNF-a) were significantly lower in the combination group than in the simvastatin group after treatment (P< 0.05). Both the duration and frequency of arrhythmia episodes were reduced in the combination group compared to the simvastatin group (P< 0.05). Post-treatment, LDL-C, TG, and TC levels were lower, and HDL-C was higher in the combination group than in the simvastatin group (P< 0.05). MDA and SOD levels were also lower in the combination group after treatment (P< 0.05). The incidence of adverse reactions was lower in the combination group (3.33%) compared to the simvastatin group (22.92%) (c2 = 5.352, P= 0.021).

Conclusions: For patients with chronic heart failure and arrhythmia, combined therapy with sacubitril/valsartan sodium and simvastatin demonstrates significant efficacy. It can alleviate inflammatory responses, improve cardiac function, reduce the frequency and duration of arrhythmia episodes, optimize lipid profiles and stress responses, and decrease adverse reactions. This approach is worthy of further clinical promotion.

Background: Obesity is becoming increasingly prevalent in modern society, leading to a rise in the incidence of obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS). This study analyzes the factors influencing weight regain in OHS patients following laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG), based on gastrointestinal peptide hormones.

Methods: A total of 134 OHS patients who underwent LSG at our hospital between January 2023 and January 2024 were enrolled. The alterations in gastrointestinal peptide hormones, including insulin (INS), leptin (Lep), glucagonlike peptide-1 (GLP-1), and ghrelin (GHR), before and after surgery were measured. Subsequently, a 6-month followup was conducted. Patients with weight regain were identified, and the predictive value of gastrointestinal peptide hormones for weight regain was analyzed. Logistic regression was then employed to analyze the related factors affecting weight regain.

Results: Following the surgical procedure, a significant increase was observed in the levels of INS, Lep, and GLP accompanied by a notable decrease in GHR levels among the patients (P < 0.05). During the follow-up period, 32 patients experienced weight regain. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis demonstrated that gastrointestinal peptide hormones exhibited outstanding predictive capabilities for postoperative weight regain. Moreover, through statistical analysis, it was determined that unfavorable dietary habits, lack of regular exercise, trace element deficiencies, and negative emotional states were independent risk factors influencing weight regain following LSG (P < 0.05).

Conclusions: There is a close correlation between gastrointestinal peptide hormones and post-LSG weight alterations in patients with OHS.

Background: Short stature in children is a common clinical condition frequently associated with abnormalities in the GH/IGF-1 axis. Emerging evidence points to the involvement of inflammatory cytokines and serum markers in modulating this dysfunction. This study aims to investigate the molecular pathways underlying GH/IGF-1 axis impairment and assess the levels of inflammatory cytokines and other related biomarkers in children with short stature.

Methods: A total of 150 children diagnosed with short stature were recruited from the endocrinology department of a tertiary care hospital. An ageand sex-matched group of 150 healthy children served as controls for comparison. Serum concentrations of growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), and other relevant biomarkers were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Genetic testing was performed to detect mutations in genes involved in the GH/IGF-1 signalling pathway. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS software, with statistical significance set at p< 0.05.

Results: Children with short stature showed significantly reduced GH and IGF-1 levels (p< 0.001) and elevated IL-6 and IL-8 levels (p< 0.01). A moderate negative correlation was found between IL-6 and IGF-1 levels (r=-0.45, p< 0.001), suggesting that inflammation may impair growth signalling. GHR gene mutations were significantly more common in the short stature group (14.7% vs. 2.7%, p< 0.001) and were associated with lower IGF-1 levels.

Conclusions: This findings of the study suggest that impaired GH/IGF-1 signalling, increased inflammatory cytokines, and a higher prevalence of GHR gene mutations collectively contribute to the pathophysiology of pediatric short stature. These results highlight the need for integrative diagnostic approaches and future therapeutic strategies that target both endocrine and inflammatory pathways.