As one major diabetic complication, diabetic nephropathy (DN) has been reported to be associated with various kinds of microRNA (miRNA). Thus, we conducted this study to explore the potential of miR-370 in a rat model of DN through investigation of mesangial cell proliferation and extracellular matrix (ECM). A total of 40 healthy adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were enrolled and assigned into normal (n = 10) and DN (n = 30, DN rat model) groups. Dual-luciferase reporter assay was performed for the targeting relationship between miR-370 and canopy 1 (CNPY1). Mesangial cells were collected and transfected with prepared mimic, inhibitor or small interfering RNA (siRNA) for analyzing the effect of miR-370 on DN mice with the help of expression and cell biological processes detection. CNPY1 was confirmed as a target gene of miR-370. DN mice had increased expression of miR-370, fibronectin, type I collagen (Col I), type IV collagen (Col IV), and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) but reduced CNPY1 expression. Cells transfected with miR-370 mimic and siRNA-CNPY1 had increased expression of fibronectin, Col I, Col IV, and PAI-1 but decreased CNPY1 expression. The miR-370 mimic and siRNA-CNPY1 groups showed increased cell proliferation, as well as elevated ECM accumulation and declined cell apoptosis rate as compared with the blank and negative control groups, with reverse trends observed in the miR-370 inhibitor group. Our study concludes that overexpression of miR-370 promotes mesangial cell proliferation and ECM accumulation by suppressing CNPY1 in a rat model of DN. K E Y W O R D S CNPY1, diabetic nephropathy, extracellular matrix, mesangial cell, microRNA-370

Little is known about the relationship serum uric acid (SUA) and hypertension in Chinese population. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the association between SUA and hypertension in a northern Chinese population. The participants were a group of 1730 Chinese adults aged 45 to 59 years in Shandong Province, who were recruited from the Linyi Nutrition and Health Survey (2015–2016). Hypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure ≥140 mm Hg and/or diastolic blood pressure ≥90 mm Hg. Hyperuricemia was defined as SUA >420 μmol/L (7.0 mg/dL) for men and >360 μmol/L (6.0 mg/dL) for women. All anthropometric measurements and biochemical data were collected following standard protocols. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to examine the association between SUA and hypertension with adjustment of confounding variables. Body mass index, waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, triglycerides, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, SUA, and the prevalence of hypertension and hyperuricemia were significantly higher in males than in females (P < .001). The females had significantly higher levels of total cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Besides, after adjustment for confounding variables, hyperuricemia was associated with an increased risk of hypertension in both male and female patients, with odds ratios of 2.152 (95% confidence interval 1.324–3.498) and 2.133(95% confidence interval 1.409–3.229), respectively.Hyperuricemia was significantly associated with the risk of hypertension. Further longitudinal studies and trails are needed to confirm our findings.

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