Metabolic enzymes link morphine withdrawal with metabolic disorder

Energy metabolism is a fundamental biological process that is vital for the survival of all species. Disorders in the metabolic system result in deficiency or redundancy of certain nutrients, including carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids, etc. Abnormality of the energy metabolism system leads to a number of metabolic diseases, such as the metabolic syndrome. Broadly speaking, the term ＂metabolic diseases＂ now tends to be widened to the category that refers to all diseases with metabolism disorder. It is shown that many diseases associate with metabolic disorders. For example, most malignant tumors progress with mal-nutrition and high consumption, that is, cachexia. Many components of the energy metabolism system, such as lactate dehydrogenase （LDH）, are now widely applied in clinical examinalions as special markers for tumors and some other diseases. Opioid dependence and addiction are neurobiological diseases associated with malregulation of the metabolic system. However, how chronic drug administration induces metabolic abnormality is not understood. In a recent issue of Cell Research, research group of Jing-Gen Liu reports an interesting discovery that three metabolic enzymes are changed in mice after chronic morphine treatment, suggesting new roles of metabolic enzymes as a potential link that associates metabolic disorder with opioid dependence.

Gastric xanthelasma and metabolic disorders: A large retrospective study among Chinese population

AIM To gain knowledge of xanthelasma,a large populationbased study was conducted. METHODS Patients who underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy at the First Affiliated Hospital,College of Medicine,Zhejiang University,Hangzhou,China during Jan 2009 to Nov 2016 were included. General characteristics as well as clinical data were collected,including blood routine,serum biochemical analysis,endoscopic findinds,histological evaluation and comorbiditie. Statistical analyses was performed using SPSS 20.0 software for Windows(IBM Inc.,Chicago,IL,United States) using Student's t-test,Mann-Whitney U test,χ2 test,univariable and multivariable logistic analysis. 2-tailed P value less than 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. RESULTS A total of 176006 endoscopies were retrieved and we included 1370 xanthelasma participants(703 men,667 women) in this study. Prevalence of xanthelasma was 0.78% with average age of 56.6 ± 11.2 years. Chief complaint of xanthelasma consisted abdominal pain (24.2%),up-abdominal discomfort(14.1%),abdominal distention(10.1%),dyspepsia(9.1%),et al. Most xanthelasma occurred as single lesion in gastric antrum. Xanthelasma patients witnessed higher Helicobacter pylori(H. pylori) infection rate,more of other gastric lesions including atrophy,intestinal metaplasia and dysplasia(P < 0.01). In xanthelasma patients,serum carcinoembryonic antigen,triglyceride,fasting glucose,neutrophil,neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio were significantly higher,and high density lipoprotein-cholesterol,lymphocyte was lower(P < 0.05). Xanthelasma accompanied with more fatty liver disease and hepatic cyst,but fewer gallbladder polyp(P < 0.05). In logistic regression,it revealed that fasting plasma glucose(OR = 3.347,1.170-9.575,P < 0.05),neutrophil(OR = 1.617,1.003-2.605,P < 0.05),and carcinoembryonic antigen(OR = 2.011,1.236-3.271,P < 0.01) were all independent risk factors in xanthelasma. CONCLUSION Current study described a large xanthelasma cohort in Chinese population,revealed its relationship with H. pylori infection,carcinogenesis,metabolic dysfunction and inflammation as well.