Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a syndrome characterized by rapid loss of renal excretory function. Its underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Pyroptosis, a form of programmed cell death, plays an important role in AKI. It is characterized by cell swelling and membrane rupture, triggering the release of cellular contents and activating robust inflammatory responses. Carnosine, a dipeptide with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, has therapeutic effects in AKI. However, the mechanism by which carnosine treats AKI-associated pyroptosis remains unexplored. In this study, we investigated the protective effect of carnosine on renal tubule cells using in vivo and in vitro models of AKI. We found that carnosine therapy significantly alleviated altered serum biochemical markers and histopathological changes in mice with cisplatin-induced AKI. It also reduced the levels of inflammation and pyroptosis. These results were consistent with those seen in human kidney tubular epithelial cells (HK-2) treated with cisplatin. Through molecular docking and cellular thermal shift assay, we identified caspase-1 as a target of carnosine. By knocking down caspase-1 in HK-2 cells using caspase-1 siRNA, we demonstrated that carnosine did not exhibit a protective role in cisplatin-induced HK-2 cells. This study provides the first evidence that carnosine alleviates damage to kidney tubular epithelial cells by targeting caspase-1 and inhibiting pyroptosis. Therefore, carnosine holds promise as a potential therapeutic agent for AKI, with caspase-1 representing an effective therapeutic target in this pathology.

Objective: Dietary habits have long been known to be a critical factor influencing cognitive health, especially among older adults. Despite extensive research on various dietary supplements, the impact of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) on cognitive function has not yet been thoroughly investigated. This research seeks to determine whether taking more omega-3 PUFAs correlates with improved cognitive function in older adults. Methods: Cross-sectional data were analyzed from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), which included 2430 elderly participants aged 60 and above in the United States. The association between omega-3 consumption and cognitive outcomes was evaluated using linear regression models. Smoothing curves and threshold effect analysis were employed to examine nonlinear associations. Subgroup studies were conducted to demonstrate the strength and reliability of the association and factors affecting it. Results: The fully adjusted model demonstrated significant positive correlations between omega-3 intake and scores on all 3 cognitive assessments. Specifically, in the final model, the beta coefficients for the CERAD Word Learning test, Animal Fluency Test, and Digit Symbol Substitution Test were 0.53 (95% CI: 0.33-0.72, P < 0.0001), 0.29 (95% CI: 0.12-0.47, P = 0.001), and 0.61 (95% CI: 0.19-1.03, P = 0.0045), respectively. Conclusion: Increased intake of omega-3 was positively and independently associated with cognitive function in older adults, suggesting that consumption of omega-3 PUFAs may help to prevent cognitive decline with aging. Prospective studies are needed to determine the direct of effect in this association.

Gout is a common inflammatory arthritis that imposes an increasing burden on global public health. With the rise of social media platforms, particularly TikTok and Bilibili, more individuals are seeking health-related information online. However, concerns remain regarding the quality and reliability of such information. This study aimed to evaluate the quality and reliability of gout-related videos on TikTok and Bilibili. A cross-sectional study was conducted by collecting the top 100 gout-related videos from each platform. Video characteristics, creator type, and user engagement metrics were extracted. Video quality was assessed using the modified DISCERN checklist and the global quality scale. A total of 163 videos were included. The overall median global quality scale was 2 (IQR: 2–3), and the median modified DISCERN score was 2 (IQR: 1–2). Video content was generally incomplete, with information related to diagnosis (7.4%) and epidemiology (11.7%) markedly underrepresented. Videos on Bilibili were significantly longer (368.00, IQR: 201.00–782.00, P <.05), whereas TikTok videos received significantly more likes (1102.00, IQR: 162.50, 11105.75, P <.05). Compared with personal users, specialists uploaded videos of significantly higher quality ( P <.05). The overall quality and reliability of gout-related short videos on both platforms were low, and the content structure was incomplete. Videos uploaded by specialists demonstrated higher quality. This study suggests that more accurate and expert-driven content should be promoted on these platforms to enhance public health awareness and reduce the spread of misinformation.