BioMedicine-Taiwan最新文献

{"title":"Hepatoprotective evaluation of benzoylated emodin derivatives: Integrating bioinformatics and <i>in vitro</i> studies.","authors":"Firdayani, Putri Hawa Syaifie, Siska Andrina Kusumastuti, Muthia Rahayu Iresha, Wirawan Adikusuma, Dhecella Winy Cintya Ningrum, Etik Mardliyati, Ayu Masyita, Ariza Yandwiputra Besari, Fathir Azzaki Iradata, Lucy Arianie","doi":"10.37796/2211-8039.1705","DOIUrl":"10.37796/2211-8039.1705","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Emodin exhibits various pharmacological activities, including hepatoprotective effects. However, its clinical application is limited by poor absorption and low oral bioavailability. This study aimed to optimize emodin through benzoylation and to assess the hepatoprotective potential of the resulting derivatives integrating bioinformatics and <i>in vitro</i> methods.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We conducted network pharmacology, molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to predict potential targets and interactions of benzoylated emodin derivatives. The derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for cytotoxicity using the MTT assay. The hepatoprotective effects were assessed <i>in vitro</i> using a paracetamol-induced HepG2 cell injury model.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Network pharmacology analysis and gene expression profiling identified four major targets-<i>HSP90AA1</i>, <i>MAPK14</i>, <i>RELA</i>, and <i>PRKACA</i>-as key liver disease-related targets of emodin and its derivatives. Molecular docking study revealed that the benzoylated emodin derivatives exhibited generally lower (more negative) binding energies compared to emodin across all four targets. MD simulations confirmed that the complex <i>RELA</i> with these derivatives is more stable than with emodin. These findings were consistent with <i>in vitro</i> assays, emodin and its derivatives increased cell viability or protected the cells up to 60-70%.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study provides a comprehensive evaluation of benzoylated emodin derivatives as potential hepatoprotective agents. The findings suggest that these derivatives exhibit binding affinity toward important targets related to cirrhosis, reduced toxicity to cells, and enhanced the efficacy in protecting the liver <i>in vitro</i> liver injury model.</p>","PeriodicalId":51650,"journal":{"name":"BioMedicine-Taiwan","volume":"16 2","pages":"1-16"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13387400/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148680986","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Impacts of DNA ligase I genotypes on Taiwan Parkinson's disease.","authors":"Chao-Hsuan Chen, Wen-Shin Chang, Chia-Wen Tsai, Da-Tian Bau, Shih-Wei Hsu, Kun-Ting Hong, Chon-Haw Tsai, Fuu-Jen Tsai, Ming-Kuei Lu, Jai-Sing Yang","doi":"10.37796/2211-8039.1681","DOIUrl":"10.37796/2211-8039.1681","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Genetic polymorphisms in DNA repair pathways can modulate DNA repair capacity and influence susceptibility to aging-related disorders, including Parkinson's disease (PD). This study evaluated the association between the DNA ligase I rs20579 polymorphism and PD risk.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>Genotyping of DNA ligase I rs20579 was performed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) in 123 PD patients and 492 age- and sex-matched controls of Taiwanese Han ethnicity. Associations between rs20579 genotypes and PD risk were analyzed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among controls, the genotype distribution of rs20579 was 78.7 % GG, 19.3 % AG, and 2.0 % AA, compared with 75.6 %, 21.1 %, and 3.3 % among PD cases, respectively (p for trend = 0.6290). No significant differences were observed in the prevalence of AG (p = 0.6939) or AA (p = 0.4908) genotypes between cases and controls. Allelic analysis showed a non-significant increase in PD risk for A allele carriers (OR = 1.21, 95 % CI = 0.80-1.83, p = 0.4189). Stratified analysis revealed no significant genotype differences among males. In females, the AA genotype was associated with a borderline increased risk of PD (OR = 1.86, 95 % CI = 1.00-3.47, p = 0.0526).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>In this Taiwanese Han cohort, the DNA ligase I rs20579 A allele may be a genetic marker of increased PD susceptibility in females. Further studies in larger, independent populations are warranted to confirm its clinical relevance.</p>","PeriodicalId":51650,"journal":{"name":"BioMedicine-Taiwan","volume":"16 2","pages":"17-23"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13387398/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148551296","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Early-life exposure to antibiotics increases the risk of myopia: A retrospective cohort study.","authors":"Peng-Tai Tien, Chang-Ching Wei, Sheng-Chun Lin, Ping Ping Meng, Yu-Te Huang, Jamie Jiin-Yi Chen, Ming-Yen Wu, Ying-Hsiu Shih, Tzu-Ju Hsu, Fuu-Jen Tsai, Yao-Chien Wang, Hui-Ju Lin, Lei Wan","doi":"10.37796/2211-8039.1666","DOIUrl":"10.37796/2211-8039.1666","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The prevalence of myopia is increasing worldwide and is projected to affect nearly half of the global population by 2050. Although genetic susceptibility plays an important role, early-life environmental exposures are increasingly recognized as modifiable contributors to myopia development. Antibiotics are frequently prescribed during infancy and early childhood and can alter gut microbiota composition, which has been implicated in ocular disorders.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We conducted a retrospective cohort study using data from a national health insurance database. Children aged three years or younger who received systemic antibiotics were included, while those with pre-existing myopia or retinopathy were excluded. Antibiotic-exposed children were matched with non-exposed controls by age, sex, and relevant comorbidities. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to estimate adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for incident myopia.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Early-life antibiotic exposure was associated with a significantly increased risk of myopia compared with non-exposed controls (aHR = 1.03; 95% CI: 1.02-1.04), accompanied by a higher cumulative incidence of myopia (log-rank test, p < 0.001). The elevated risk was observed in both females (incidence rate [IR] = 66.98 vs. 64.10; aHR = 1.05; 95% CI: 1.04-1.07) and males (IR = 61.53 vs. 59.66; aHR = 1.04; 95% CI: 1.02-1.05). Urbanization level, parental monthly income, and comorbidities were independently associated with antibiotic exposure. The increased risk of myopia persisted irrespective of antibiotic treatment duration (<11 days; aHR = 1.19; 95% CI: 1.15-1.23) or cumulative dose (defined daily dose <2833; aHR = 1.31; 95% CI: 1.28-1.33).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Early-life exposure to antibiotics is associated with a higher incidence of myopia in children. These findings underscore the importance of cautious and judicious antibiotics prescribing during early childhood to mitigate potential long-term ocular health risks.</p>","PeriodicalId":51650,"journal":{"name":"BioMedicine-Taiwan","volume":"16 2","pages":"75-86"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13387399/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148551369","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evaluation of Bai-Zhu (<i>Atractylodes macrocephala</i>)-based herbal formulae in breast cancer: Implications for metastasis via Zeb1 and Slug modulation.","authors":"Yen Shen Lu, Pei Yen Yeh, Ling-Chun Yeh, Chia-Lin Lee, Ying-Chyi Song","doi":"10.37796/2211-8039.1704","DOIUrl":"10.37796/2211-8039.1704","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Bai-Zhu (<i>Atractylodes macrocephala</i> Koidz. [Asteraceae]) is classified in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) as an herb that targets the gastric and pancreatic meridians to support normal nutrient uptake. As such, Bai-Zhu is commonly included in herbal formulations for treating gastrointestinal dysfunction and alleviating pain and swelling. Formulae containing Bai-Zhu are also frequently used as complementary or alternative therapies to mitigate the side effects of tumor treatments. However, their direct effects on cancer cells remain inadequately understood in modern biomedical science. This study aims to characterize the impact of Bai-Zhu-containing formulae on breast cancer cells using contemporary molecular and cellular biology approaches.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A tetrazolium-based semiautomated colorimetric (MTT) assay was used to assess cell viability. Western blotting was performed to evaluate protein expression. Quantitative RT-PCR was employed to measure the relative expression levels of selected genes. A Matrigel invasion assay was used to assess the invasive capacity of cancer cells.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Water extracts of Bai-Zhu or formulae containing Bai-Zhu increased the expression of metastasis-related proteins Zeb1 and Slug in breast cancer cells. Moreover, these formulae further enhanced Zeb1 and Slug expression when combined with the chemotherapeutic drug doxorubicin. Matrigel invasion assays confirmed that these treatments promoted the invasive activity of breast cancer cells.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The use of Bai-Zhu-containing formulae should be carefully evaluated, particularly in cancer patients who use them as complementary or alternative treatments, due to their potential to promote tumor metastasis.</p>","PeriodicalId":51650,"journal":{"name":"BioMedicine-Taiwan","volume":"16 2","pages":"24-34"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13387403/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148551293","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The adverse effects of clozapine on blood markers and electrocardiographic findings in patients with schizophrenia.","authors":"Papageorgiou Anastasios, Vrettou Christina, Koukouli Andriana, Kalogirou Sofia, Gkrampovari Maria, Tampaki Despoina, Bartzi Dimitra, Tsatsou Ioanna, Tasoulis Athanasios","doi":"10.37796/2211-8039.1707","DOIUrl":"10.37796/2211-8039.1707","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Clozapine remains the gold-standard antipsychotic for treatment-resistant schizophrenia, but its use is hindered by rare but serious adverse effects, such as hematologic abnormalities and myocarditis.</p><p><strong>Purpose: </strong>This study investigated the adverse impacts of clozapine on blood markers and electrocardiographic (ECG) findings among patients with schizophrenia, emphasizing in early detection of life-threatening complications.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>All patients initiated on clozapine at a psychiatric hospital in Athens, Greece, between January 2022 and June 2024 were considered for inclusion. Thirty-one patients with complete clinical and laboratory data were monitored for hematological, biochemical, and ECG changes at baseline, days 5-10, and after 1-2 months. Parameters evaluated included white blood cell (WBC) counts, differential counts, C-reactive protein (CRP), hepatic enzymes, creatine phosphokinase (CPK), troponin, and ECG changes.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of the 31 patients, two (6.5%) developed clozapine-induced myocarditis within the first three weeks, confirmed by clinical symptoms, ECG abnormalities, and elevated troponin levels, necessitating immediate clozapine discontinuation. Four patients exhibited prolonged QTc, two overlapping with myocarditis cases. Eleven experienced elevated CRP, while eosinophilia and transient hepatic or muscular enzyme elevations were also common, especially during rapid titration phases; indicating inflammatory responses or mild organ involvement. No cases of agranulocytosis or severe eosinophilic complications occurred.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Clozapine can induce significant hematologic, inflammatory, hepatic, muscular, and cardiac adverse effects, particularly during rapid titration. Systematic monitoring of blood markers and ECGs was vital in early detection and management of these complications, especially myocarditis. The findings underscore the importance of cautious titration protocols and tailored surveillance strategies to enhance clozapine safety in clinical practice.</p>","PeriodicalId":51650,"journal":{"name":"BioMedicine-Taiwan","volume":"16 2","pages":"68-74"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13387402/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148551312","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Traditional Chinese herbal medicines suppress endometriosis development through modulating macrophage-mediated immune responses in the peritoneal cavity.","authors":"Cherry Yin-Yi Chang, Kung-Pin Chang, Pei-Fen Lee, Hsiang-Hao Chuang, Yun-Yi Su, Yu-Chi Chang, Man-Ju Yan, Chih-Mei Chen, Tritium Hwang, Huan-Yuan Chen, Chia-Jung Li, Zhi-Hong Wen, Kuan-Hao Tsui, Lun-Chien Lo, Jim Jinn-Chyuan Sheu","doi":"10.37796/2211-8039.1706","DOIUrl":"10.37796/2211-8039.1706","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Due to unique dietary culture, Asian patients with endometriosis usually seek assistance through traditional Chinese herbal medicine (TCHM), making combined treatments of Western and Chinese medicine quite common in Asia. However, limited molecular evidence has been provided to demonstrate the therapeutic benefits of TCHM in treating endometriosis.</p><p><strong>Aims: </strong>To investigate the functional impacts of TCHM treatment in their traditional formulae on peritoneal immunity, lesion growth, and adhesion formation, we performed studies by using a disease mouse model that exhibits the features of blood stasis and stagnation.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Four well-known TCHM formulae, frequently used for treating symptoms similar to endometriosis, were applied to a mouse model with human endometriosis features. Lesion growth, modulation of peritoneal immune responses, pain-associated behaviors, and endometriosis adhesion were analyzed after TCHM treatment.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among the formulae, Danggui Buxue Tang (DBT) and Shaofu Zhuyu Tang (SZT) can promote blood circulation into the peritoneal cavity, resulting in increased large (LpMs) and small (SpMs) peritoneal macrophages with M1 phenotype polarization. Macrophage activation restrained lesion formation, chronic inflammation, and nerve fiber growth in the treated mice. Behavioral studies further confirmed pain-relief effects that enhanced spontaneous locomotor activity and reduced evoked mechanical hyperalgesia. Interestingly, DBT and SZT treatments can also downregulate the expression of key adhesion molecules, such as ICAM-1 and AKAP12, in the lesions, leading to reduced endometriosis adhesion in treated mice.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>These findings reveal the functional effects of TCHM formulae, especially DBT and SZT, on macrophage-mediated immune responses in the peritoneal cavity, which may benefit patients with endometriosis.</p>","PeriodicalId":51650,"journal":{"name":"BioMedicine-Taiwan","volume":"16 2","pages":"35-51"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13387404/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148551366","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Unveiling immune-related gene signatures in triple negative breast cancer through integrated transcriptomic analysis.","authors":"Priyanga Paranthaman, Ramanathan Karuppasamy, Shanthi Veerappapillai","doi":"10.37796/2211-8039.1708","DOIUrl":"10.37796/2211-8039.1708","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype with limited treatment options and poor prognosis. Understanding the underlying molecular mechanisms, particularly immune-related gene networks, is critical for identifying novel therapeutic targets.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>This study aimed to identify immune-related hub genes involved in TNBC progression by integrating microarray and RNA sequencing data.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We integrated microarray and RNA sequencing datasets from five Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) studies (GSE36295, GSE37751, GSE61724, GSE38959, and GSE58135) to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks were constructed using the STRING database. Key modules and hub genes were identified through network analysis. Functional enrichment was performed to elucidate biological pathways, while immune infiltration analysis assessed associations with the tumor microenvironment. Drug-gene interaction databases were queried for FDA-approved compounds targeting hub genes.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The PPI network revealed 179 nodes and 781 edges, indicating high connectivity. Module analysis highlighted a significant cluster with the identified key genes such as <i>CDK1, BUB1B, CCNA2, BUB1, CCNB1, KIF20A, CENPF, TOP2A, KIF11</i> and <i>MELK</i> validated at both mRNA and protein levels. Functional enrichment revealed pathways related to cell cycle control, chromosome segregation, and kinase activity. Immune infiltration analysis indicated involvement of B cells, macrophages, and neutrophils in the TNBC microenvironment. Drug-gene mapping revealed a lack of FDA-approved drugs targeting certain key hub genes.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This integrative study identified key immune-related hub genes driving TNBC progression, with <i>KIF20A</i> emerging as a promising yet underexplored target. Drug repurposing strategies focusing on <i>KIF20A</i> and other identified hub genes may accelerate the development of effective treatments, offering valuable insights for future therapeutic and prognostic evaluations in TNBC.</p>","PeriodicalId":51650,"journal":{"name":"BioMedicine-Taiwan","volume":"16 2","pages":"52-67"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13387401/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148551386","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Adjunctive hyperbaric oxygen therapy for chronic diabetic foot ulcer unresponsive to standard care: A case report.","authors":"Sukriyadi Adi, Ismail Ismail, Sitti Rahmatiah, Agustan Agustan","doi":"10.37796/2211-8039.1693","DOIUrl":"10.37796/2211-8039.1693","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are a serious complication of diabetes mellitus and are often challenging to treat, particularly in patients who fail to respond to standard wound care. Adjunctive therapies such as hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) have shown potential in promoting wound healing in chronic cases.</p><p><strong>Case presentation: </strong>A 66-year-old male with a 10-year history of type 2 diabetes mellitus presented with a chronic, non-healing DFU on the right foot. Despite oral antibiotic therapy and conventional wound management, the ulcer demonstrated progressive necrosis, persistent infection, and tissue exposure. Wound culture identified Klebsiella oxytoca. After targeted antibiotic treatment, the patient underwent 35 sessions of HBOT at 2.4 ATA for 90 min per session, five days per week, in conjunction with hydrogel dressings and structured wound care strategies.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Over the treatment course, the wound exhibited substantial clinical improvement, including reduced edema, infection control, emergence of granulation tissue, and near-complete epithelialization. No complications occurred during HBOT, and the patient tolerated the therapy well.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This case demonstrates the potential benefits of HBOT as an adjunctive therapy in chronic DFUs unresponsive to standard care. HBOT, when combined with modern wound care strategies, may accelerate healing and reduce the risk of amputation in select patient populations. Further research is warranted to refine treatment protocols and establish evidence-based criteria for patient selection.</p>","PeriodicalId":51650,"journal":{"name":"BioMedicine-Taiwan","volume":"16 1","pages":"69-74"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12962760/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147379571","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The association between the GNB3 rs5443 C/C genotype and obesity phenotypes in Taiwanese individuals.","authors":"Ling-Yi Xiao, Zi-Lun Lai, Yang-Di Su, Szu-Yun Wang, Nia-Jia Zheng, Po-Ren Hsueh","doi":"10.37796/2211-8039.1697","DOIUrl":"10.37796/2211-8039.1697","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The prevalence of obesity has increased significantly over the years, and its health concerns cannot be underestimated. Obesity not only causes potential mobility limitations in daily life but also increases the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer and other health conditions. While an imbalanced diet and lack of exercise are well-known causes of obesity, genetic patterns also influence its development. Although the GNB3 gene is known to be involved in lipid metabolism and fat cell differentiation, studies have shown inconsistent associations between a common single nucleotide polymorphism of GNB3 (c.825C > T, rs5443) and obesity across different populations. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the association between the GNB3 c.825C > T polymorphism and obesity in the Taiwanese population using various grouping criteria.</p><p><strong>Subjects/methods: </strong>The study recruited 372 eligible subjects for GNB3 SNP rs5443 (c.825C > T) testing at China Medical University Hospital in Taichung, Taiwan. Clinical parameters, including age, sex, weight, BMI and body fat percentage were assessed for all participants. The GNB3 rs5443 C/T genotypes were determined using two differentially labeled allele-specific probes and a specific paired PCR primer set.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Our results demonstrated that the distribution of GNB3 rs5443 genotypes (C/C, C/T, T/T) was not significantly correlated with sex and age ( <i>p</i> > 0.05). However, the distribution of GNB3 genotypes (C/C, T/T) showed a statistical significance between subjects with BMI < 24 and BMI ≥ 27. Furthermore, our results revealed that the C/T and T/T genotypes had higher frequency distributions compared to the C/C genotype in females with body fat percentages below 30 % ( <i>p</i> = 0.022 and <i>p</i> = 0.004, respectively).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Taiwanese individuals carrying the C/C homozygous genotype of the GNB3 gene may have a higher susceptibility to obesity, particularly among females. This finding could potentially be combined with polymorphisms of other obesity-related genes to develop a clinical screening tool for assessing obesity risk.</p>","PeriodicalId":51650,"journal":{"name":"BioMedicine-Taiwan","volume":"16 1","pages":"24-30"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12962761/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147379648","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Chinese herbal medicine treatment and the association with long-term major adverse cardiac events in patients with chronic kidney disease: A propensity-score matched cohort study.","authors":"Yuan-Ching Liao, Mei-Yao Wu, Cheng-Li Lin, Chiz-Tzung Chang, Peter K Mayer, Hung-Rong Yen","doi":"10.37796/2211-8039.1699","DOIUrl":"10.37796/2211-8039.1699","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Cardiovascular disease (CVD) represents the leading cause of mortality among individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD). While Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) is commonly used by CKD patients in Taiwan, the impact of CHM use on cardiovascular outcomes in this population remains insufficiently understood.</p><p><strong>Aims: </strong>This study aimed to evaluate the association between CHM use and the long-term risk of major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) in patients with CKD.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Data were obtained from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database to identify patients aged over 20 years with newly diagnosed CKD. A 1:1 propensity score matching was performed based on age, sex, comorbidities, medication use, and CHM exposure, resulting in 6351 matched pairs. Participants were followed from 2000 to 2017 to assess the incidence of MACEs, including heart failure (HF), myocardial infarction (MI), ischemic stroke (IS), cardiovascular death, and all-cause mortality.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The CHM group comprised 56.4 % females with a mean age of 49.4 ± 15.3 years. After matching, CHM use was associated with a statistically significant reduction of 23 %-31 % in the adjusted hazard ratios for various cardiovascular outcomes and all-cause mortality (P < 0.001). The most commonly prescribed CHM formula and single herb were Ji-Sheng-Shen-Qi-Wan (JSSQW) and Danshen (<i>Salviae Miltiorrhizae</i>), respectively.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The use of CHM as an adjunct therapy in CKD patients was associated with a significantly lower risk of MACEs and all-cause mortality. These findings support the potential of CHM in cardiovascular risk mitigation among CKD patients and highlight the need for future clinical and ethnopharmacological investigations.</p>","PeriodicalId":51650,"journal":{"name":"BioMedicine-Taiwan","volume":"16 1","pages":"12-23"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12962764/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147379525","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}