Inverse association of plasma hydrogen sulfide levels with visceral fat area among Chinese young men: a cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT Objective: To investigate the association between plasma Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) levels and visceral fat area (VFA) among Chinese young men. Subjects and methods: This cross-sectional study involved 156 Chinese male subjects, aged 18-45 years, who visited the First Hospital of Qinhuangdao (Hebei, China) in 2014 for annual health check-up. Participants were categorized into: low (VFA < 75.57 cm2), medium (75.57 cm2 ≤ VFA<100.37 cm2), and high (VFA ≥ 100.37 cm2) (n = 52/group). We estimated VFA and plasma H2S levels by using bioelectrical impedance analysis and a fluorescence probe-based approach, respectively. The associations of H2S with VFA and obesity anthropometric measures were assessed. Results: In the high VFA group, the body mass index (BMI, 30.4 ± 2.45 kg/m2), total body fat (TBF, 27.9 ± 3.23 kg), plasma H2S (3.5 μmol/L), free fatty acid (FFA, 0.6 ± 0.24 mmol/L), triglyceride (TG, 2.0 mmol/L), and total cholesterol (TC, 5.5 ± 1.02 mmol/L) levels were significantly higher than that of those of the low and medium VFA groups, respectively (P < 0.05). Plasma H2S levels were found to be inversely correlated with VFA, TBF, waist circumference, BMI, FFA, LnFINS, LnHOMA-IR, LnTG, TC, and LDL-C (P < 0.05). Multiple backward stepwise regression analysis revealed an inverse correlation of plasma H2S levels with FFA (β = −0.214, P = 0.005) and VFA (β = −0.429, P < 0.001), independent of adiposity measures and other confounding factors. Conclusion: VFA was independently and inversely associated with plasma H2S levels among Chinese young men. Therefore, determining plasma H2S levels could aid in the assessment of abnormal VAT distribution.

Serious stomatitis and esophagitis: a peculiar mucous reaction induced by pegylated liposomal doxorubicin

Pegylated liposomal doxorubicin is an important antineoplastic agent with activity in a variety of solid tumors. It has a totally different profile of pharmacokinetics and toxicity compared with doxorubicin. It rarely causes side-effects like cardiotoxicity or hair loss, but frequently results in many kinds of mucocutaneous reactions, including palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia, diffuse follicular rash, intertrigo-like eruption, new formation of melanotic macules, stomatitis and radiation recall dermatitis. We present a rare case of multiple myeloma who immediately developed serious stomatitis and esophatitis associated with minor palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia after a single course of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin.