aijun Niu Professor
Nutritional Epidemiology Institute,
Vice Director of Department of Nutrition and Food Science
Email nkj0809@163.com or nkj0809@gmail.com
Resume
Research direction
An increasing body of evidence indicates a chronic, low-level, inflammatory state as an underlying cause of aging and many of the most common diseases. The research interests of the institute are to investigate how pro-inflammatory molecules are related to aging and these diseases, and to determine the inflammatory cut off value between normal and disease groups among Chinese people. We also attempt to use a mesothelioma/SCID and sarcopenia mouse model to clarify and control the mechanisms underlying chronic inflammation of these diseases, and to seek new therapeutic strategies for chronic inflammation.
Education
M.D. Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1992
Ph.D. Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan, Medical Science, 2006
Professional Experience
2006-2007 Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Tohoku University Graduate School of medicine, Sendai, Japan
2007-2008 Assistant Professor, Tohoku University Graduate School of medicine, Sendai, Japan
2008-2012 Associate Professor, Tohoku University Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, Sendai, Japan
2012- Professor & Chief, Nutritional Epidemiology Institute and School of Public Health, Tianjin Medical University
Project
1.The National Natural Science Fund of China, No. 81673166, A study of the effects and mechanism of vitamin D treatment on the progression of sarcopenia by stimulating formation of myofibers. 2017/01-2020/12, 600,000 yuan.
2.2016 Chinese Nutrition Society (CNS) Nutrition Research Foundation—DSM Research Fund, No. 2016-046, The effect of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid intake on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease by targeting the irisin signaling pathway: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. 2017/1-2018/7, 150,000 yuan.
Publication (as corresponding author)
(1)Niu K *, Hozawa A, Kuriyama S, Ohmori-Matsuda K, Shimazu T, Nakaya N, Fujita K, Tsuji I, Nagatomi R. Dietary long-chain n-3 fatty acids of marine origin and serum c-reactive protein concentrations are associated in a population with a diet rich in marine products. Am J Clin Nutr. 2006;84(1):223-229. (IF=6.562; 5-year IF=7.196) (First author)
(2)Niu K *, Hozawa A, Kuriyama S, Ebihara S, Guo H, Nakaya N, Ohmori-Matsuda K, Takahashi H, Masamune Y, Asada M, Sasaki S, Arai H, Awata S, Nagatomi R, Tsuji I. Green tea consumption is associated with depressive symptoms in the elderly. Am J Clin Nutr. 2009;90(6):1615-1622. (IF=6.307; 5-year IF=7.196) (First author)
(3)Yu B, Yu F, Su Q, Zhang Q, Liu L, Meng G, Wu H, Xia Y, Bao X, Shi H, Gu Y, Fang L, Yang H, Sun S, Wang X, Zhou M, Jia Q, Guo Q, Liu H, Song K, Niu K*. A J-shaped association between soy food intake and depressive symptoms in chinese adults. Clin Nutr. 2017 (in press). (IF=4.548; 5-year IF=4.916) (corresponding author)
(4)Meng G, Zhang B, Yu F, Li C, Zhang Q, Liu L, Wu H, Xia Y, Bao X, Shi H, Su Q, Gu Y, Fang L, Yang H, Yu B, Sun S, Wang X, Zhou M, Jia Q, Jiao H, Wang B, Guo Q, Carvalhoa LA, Sun Z, Song K, Yu M*, Niu K*. Soft drinks consumption is associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease independent of metabolic syndrome in chinese population. Eur J Nutr. 2017 (in press). (IF=3.706; 5-year IF=3.784) (corresponding author)
(5)Yu B, Zhu Q, Meng G, Gu Y, Zhang Q, Liu L, Wu H, Xia Y, Bao X, Shi H, Su Q, Fang L, Yu F, Yang H, Sun S, Wang X, Zhou M, Jia Q, Guo Q, Song K, Steptoe A, Niu K*. Habitual yoghurt consumption and depressive symptoms in a general population study of 19,596 adults. Eur J Nutr. 2017 (in press). (IF=4.370; 5-year IF=3.937) (corresponding author)
(6)Xia Y, Wang N, Yu B, Zhang Q, Liu L, Meng G, Wu H, Du H, Shi H, Guo X, Liu X, Li C, Han P, Dong R, Wang X, Bao X, Su Q, Gu Y, Fang L, Yu F, Yang H, Kang L, Ma Y, Sun S, Wang X, Zhou M, Jia Q, Guo Q, Wu Y, Song K, Niu K*. Dietary patterns are associated with depressive symptoms among chinese adults: A case-control study with propensity score matching. Eur J Nutr. 2016. DOI: 10.1007/s00394-016-1293-y (IF=3.239; 5-year IF=3.306) (corresponding author)
(7)Niu K*, Momma H, Kobayashi Y, Guan L, Chujo M, Otomo A, Ouchi E, Nagatomi R. The traditional Japanese dietary pattern and longitudinal changes in cardiovascular disease risk factors in apparently healthy japanese adults. Eur J Nutr. 2016;55(1):267-279. (IF=3.239；5-year IF=3.306) (First author)
(8)Niu K *., Kobayashi Y, Guan L, Monma H, Guo H, Cui Y, Otomo A, Chujo M, Nagatomi R. Low-fat dairy, but not whole-/high-fat dairy, consumption is related with higher serum adiponectin levels in apparently healthy adults. Eur J Nutr. 2013;52 (2):771-778. (IF=2.75; 5-year IF=3.151) (First author)
(9)Xu H#, Song Y#, Xu J, Gu Y, Zhang Q, Liu L, Meng G, Wu H, Xia Y, Bao X, Shi H, Su Q, Fang L, Yu F, Yang H, Sun S, Wang X, Zhou M, Jia Q, Wang G, Song K, Wu Y, Sun Z, Niu K*. Increased serum ferritin levels are independently associated with carotid atherosclerosis in women. Br J Nutr. 2017;117(11):1623-1630. (IF=3.706; 5-year IF=3.784) (corresponding author)
(10)Jia Q #., Xia Y #., Zhang Q, Wu H, Du H, Liu L, Wang C, Shi H, Guo X, Liu X, Li C, Sun S, Wang X, Zhao H, Song K, Huang G, Wu Y, Cui N, Niu K*. Dietary patterns are associated with prevalence of fatty liver disease in adults. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2015;69(8):914-921. (IF=2.935; 5-year IF=3.164) (corresponding author)
(11)Kikuchi A, Niu K*, Ikeda Y, Hozawa A, Nakagawa H, Guo H, Ohmori-Matsuda K, Yang G, Farmawati A, Sami A, Arai Y, Tsuji I, Nagatomi R *. Association between physical activity and urinary incontinence in a community-based elderly population aged 70 years and over. Eur Urol. 2007;52(3):868-875. (IF=5.637; 5-year IF=8.083) (corresponding author)
(12)Gu Y., Li H, Bao X, Zhang Q, Liu L, Meng G, Wu H, Du H, Shi H, Xia Y, Su Q, Fang L, Yu F, Yang H, Yu B, Sun S, Wang X, Zhou M, Jia Q, Guo Q, Chang H, Wang G, Huang G, Song K, Niu K*. The relationship between thyroid function and the prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus in euthyroid subjects. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2017;102(2):434-442. (IF=5.531; 5-year IF=6.061) (corresponding author)
(13)Su Q, Yu B, He H, Zhang Q, Meng G, Wu H, Du H, Liu L, Shi H, Xia Y, Guo X, Liu X, Li C, Bao X, Gu Y, Fang L, Yu F, Yang H, Sun S, Wang X, Zhou M, Jia Q, Zhao H, Song K, Niu K*. Nut consumption is associated with depressive symptoms among Chinese adults. Depress Anxiety. 2016. DOI: 10.1002/da.22516. (IF=5.004; 5-year IF=5.520) (corresponding author)
(14)Wang H#, Song Y#, Sun S#, Gao L, Liu L, Meng G, Wu H, Xia Y, Bao X, Gu Y, Shi H, Su Q, Fang L, Yang H, Wang X, Zhou M, Jia Q, Song K, Zhang Q, Niu K*. The association between immunoglobulin concentrations and prediabetes prevalence in a large chinese cohort. Metabolism. 2017;73:77-84. (IF=5.777; 5-year IF=4.258) (corresponding author)
(15)Niu K, Asada M, Okazaki T, Yamanda S, Ebihara T, Guo H, Zhang D, Nagatomi R, Arai H, Kohzuki M, Ebihara S *. Adiponectin pathway attenuates malignant mesothelioma cell growth. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol. 2012;46(4):515-523. (IF=5.125; 5-year IF=4.294) (First author)
(16)Niu K *., Guo H, Guo Y, Ebihara S, Asada M, Ohrui T, Furukawa K, Ichinose M, Yanai K, Kudo Y, Arai H, Okazaki T, Nagatomi R. Royal jelly prevents the progression of sarcopenia in aged mice in vivo and in vitro. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2013;68(12):1482-1492. (IF=5.406; 5-year IF=5.416) (First author)
(17)Niu K *., Kobayashi Y, Guan L, Momma H, Guo H, Cui Y, Otomo A, Chujo M, Nagatomi R. Longitudinal changes in the relationship between serum adiponectin concentration and cardiovascular risk factors among apparently healthy middle-aged adults. Int J Cardiol. 2013;167(5):2318-2320. (IF=6.175; 5-year IF=5.101) (First author)
(18)Kobayashi Y, Niu K *., Guan L, Momma H, Guo H, Cui Y, Nagatomi R *. Oral health behavior and metabolic syndrome and its components in adults. J Dent Res. 2012;91(5):479-484. (IF=3.486; 5-year IF=4.286) (corresponding author)
(19)Guo H, Niu K *., Monma H, Kobayashi Y, Guan L, Sato M, Minamishima D, Nagatomi R *. Association of japanese dietary pattern with serum adiponectin concentration in japanese adult men. Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis. 2012;22(3):277-284. (IF=3.731; 5-year IF=3.828) (corresponding author)
(20)Guo Y, Niu K*., Okazaki T, Wu H, Yoshikawa T, Ohrui T, Furukawa K, Ichinose M, Yanai K, Arai H, Huang G, Nagatomi R. Coffee treatment prevents the progression of sarcopenia in aged mice in vivo and in vitro. Exp Gerontol. 2014;50:1-8. DOI: 10.1016/j.exger.2013.11.005. (IF=3.911; 5-year IF=3.705) (corresponding author)
(21)Meng G #., Liu F #., Fang L, Li C, Zhang Q, Liu L, Wu H, Du H, Shi H, Xia Y, Guo X, Liu X, Bao X, Su Q, Gu Y, Yu F, Yang H, Yu B, Sun S, Wang X, Zhou M, Jia Q, Guo Q, Chen X, Song K, Wang G, Huang G, Niu K*. The overall computer/mobile devices usage time is related to newly diagnosed non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: A population-based study. Ann Med. 2016;48(7):568-576. (IF=3.763; 5-year IF=4.303) (corresponding author)
(22)Niu K *., Guo H, Kakizaki M, Cui Y, Ohmori-Matsuda K, Guan L, Hozawa A, Kuriyama S, Tsuboya T, Ohrui T, Furukawa K, Arai H, Tsuji I, Nagatomi R. A tomato-rich diet is related to depressive symptoms among an elderly population aged 70 years and over: A population-based, cross-sectional analysis. J Affect Disord. 2013;144(1-2):165-170. (IF=3.517; 5-year IF=3.856) (First author)
(23)Niu K *., Hozawa A, Guo H, Ohmori-Matsuda K, Cui Y, Ebihara S, Nakaya N, Kuriyama S, Tsuboya T, Kakizaki M, Ohrui T, Arai H, Tsuji I, Nagatomi R. C-reactive protein (crp) is a predictor of high medical-care expenditures in a community-based elderly population aged 70 years and over: The tsurugaya project. Arch Gerontol Geriatr. 2012;54(3):e392-e397. (IF=1.452; 5-year IF=1.717) (First author)
(24)Niu K, Ahola R, Guo H, Korpelainen R, Uchimaru J, Vainionpaa A, Sato K, Sakai A, Salo S, Kishimoto K, Itoi E, Komatsu S, Jamsa T, Nagatomi R *. Effect of office-based brief high-impact exercise on bone mineral density in healthy premenopausal women: The sendai bone health concept study. J Bone Miner Metab. 2010;28(5):568-577. (IF=2.238; 5-year IF=2.375) (First author)
(25)Monma Y#., Niu K#., Iwasaki K *., Tomita N, Nakaya N, Hozawa A, Kuriyama S, Takayama S, Seki T, Takeda T, Yaegashi N, Ebihara S, Arai H, Nagatomi R, Tsuji I. Dietary patterns associated with fall-related fracture in elderly japanese: A population based prospective study. BMC Geriatr. 2010;10(1):31. (IF=1.967; 5-year IF=1.967) (First author)
(26)Niu K*., Hozawa A, Guo H, Kuriyama S, Ebihara S, Yang G, Ohmori-Matsuda K, Nakaya N, Takahashi H, Fujita K, Wen S, Arai H, Tsuji I, Nagatomi R. Serum c-reactive protein even at very low (<1.0 mg/l) concentration is associated with physical performance in a community-based elderly population aged 70 years and over. GERONTOLOGY. 2008;54(5):260-267. (IF=1.69; 5-year IF=2.757) (First author)
(27)Niu K *, Hozawa A, Awata S, Guo H, Kuriyama S, Seki T, Ohmori-Matsuda K, Nakaya N, Ebihara S, Wang Y, Tsuji I, Nagatomi R. Home blood pressure is associated with depressive symptoms in an elderly population aged 70 years and over: A population-based, cross-sectional analysis. Hypertens Res. 2008;31(3):409-416. (IF=3.15; 5-year IF=2.692) (First author)
(28)Niu K *, Hozawa A, Fujita K, Ohmori K, Okutsu M, Kuriyama S, Tsuji I, Nagatomi R. Influence of leisure-time physical activity on the relationship between c-reactive protein and hypertension in a community-based elderly population of japan: The tsurugaya project. Hypertens Res. 2005;28(9):747-754. (IF=2.786; 5-year IF=2.692) (First author)
(29)Meng G#, Zhu Q#, Shao J, Zhang Q, Liu L, Wu H, Xia Y, Bao X, Gu Y, Wang H, Shi H, Sun S, Wang X, Zhou M, Jia Q, Wang G, Song K, Wu Y, Niu K*. Comparing the diagnostic ability of inflammatory markers in metabolic syndrome. Clin Chim Acta. 2017;475:1-6. (IF=2.873; 5-year IF=2.793) (corresponding author)
(30)Bao X, Wan M, Gu Y, Song Y, Zhang Q, Liu L, Meng G, Wu H, Xia Y, Shi H, Su Q, Fang L, Yang H, Yu F, Sun S, Wang X, Zhou M, Jia Q, Song K, Wang G, Yu M, Niu K*. Red cell distribution width is associated with hemoglobin a1c elevation, but not glucose elevation. J Diabetes Complications. 2017;31(10):1544-1548. (IF=2.734; 5-year IF=2.814) (corresponding author)
(31)Liu L #., Gu Y #., Li C, Zhang Q, Meng G, Wu H, Du H, Shi H, Xia Y, Guo X, Liu X, Bao X, Su Q, Fang L, Yu F, Yang H, Yu B, Sun S, Wang X, Zhou M, Jia Q, Guo Q, Song K, Huang G, Wang G, Niu K*. Serum uric acid is an independent predictor for developing prehypertension: A population-based prospective cohort study. J Hum Hypertens. 2017;31(2):116-120. (IF=2.833; 5-year IF=2.565) (corresponding author)
(32)Bao X, Meng G, Zhang Q, Liu L, Wu H, Du H, Shi H, Xia Y, Guo X, Liu X, Han P, Dong R, Wang X, Li C, Su Q, Gu Y, Fang L, Yu F, Yang H, Kang L, Ma Y, Yu B, Ma X, Sun S, Wang X, Zhou M, Jia Q, Guo Q, Song K, Wang G, Huang G, Niu K*. Elevated serum complement C3 levels are associated with prehypertension in an adult population. Clin Exp Hypertens. 2017;39(1):42-49. (IF=1.307; 5-year IF=1.230) (corresponding author)
(33)Zhang Q, #., Bao X, #., Meng G, Liu L, Wu H, Du H, Shi H, Xia Y, Guo X, Liu X, Li C, Su Q, Gu Y, Fang L, Yu F, Yang H, Yu B, Sun S, Wang X, Zhou M, Jia Q, Zhao H, Huang G, Song K, Niu K, *. The predictive value of mean serum uric acid levels for developing prediabetes. Diabetes Res Clin Pract. 2016;118:79-89. DOI: 10.1016/j.diabres.2016.06.011. (IF=3.045; 5-year IF=3.352) (corresponding author)
(34)Wu H, #，Yu B, #., Meng G, Liu F, Guo Q, Wang J, Du H, Zhang W, Shen S, Han P, Dong R, Wang X, Ma Y, Chen X, Niu K, *. Both muscle mass and muscle strength are inversely associated with depressive symptoms in an elderly chinese population. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2016. DOI: 10.1002/gps.4522. (IF=2.699; 5-year IF=3.145) (corresponding author)
(35)Meng G, #, Yang H, #, Bao X, #, Zhang Q, Liu L, Wu H, Du H, Xia Y, Shi H, Guo X, Liu X, Li C, Su Q, Gu Y, Fang L, Yu F, Sun S, Wang X, Zhou M, Jia Q, Guo Q, Song K, Huang G, Wang G, Wu Y, Niu K*. Increased serum ferritin levels are independently related to incidence of prediabetes in adult populations. Diabetes Metab. 2017;43(2):146-153. (IF=4.693; 5-year IF=3.386) (corresponding author)
(36)Guo X, #., Meng G, #., Liu F, Zhang Q, Liu L, Wu H, Du H, Shi H, Xia Y, Liu X, Li C, Bao X, Su Q, Gu Y, Fang L, Yu F, Yang H, Yu B, Sun S, Wang X, Zhou M, Jia Q, Chen X, Huang G, Song K, Niu K, *. Serum levels of immunoglobulins in an adult population and their relationship with type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Res Clin Pract. 2016;115:76-82. DOI: 10.1016/j.diabres.2016.03.007. (IF=3.045; 5-year IF=3.352) (corresponding author)
(37)Bao X, Xia Y, Zhang Q, Wu H, Du H, Liu L, Wang C, Shi H, Guo X, Liu X, Li C, Meng G, Yu B, Sun S, Wang X, Zhou M, Jia Q, Song K, Niu K*. Elevated serum complement c3 levels are related to the development of prediabetes in an adult population: The tianjin chronic low-grade systematic inflammation and health cohort study. Diabet Med. 2016;33(4):446-453. (IF=3.152; 5-year IF=3.306) (corresponding author)
(38)Yu B #, He H #, Zhang Q, Wu H, Du H, Liu L, Wang C, Shi H, Xia Y, Guo X, Liu X, Li C, Bao X, Su Q, Meng G, Chu J, Mei Y, Sun S, Wang X, Zhou M, Jia Q, Zhao H, Song K, Niu K*. Soft drink consumption is associated with depressive symptoms among adults in china. J Affect Disord. 2015;172C:422-427. (IF=3.705;5-year IF=4.167) (corresponding author)
(39)Wu H, Xia Y, Jiang J, Du H, Guo X, Liu X, Li C, Huang G, Niu K*. Effect of beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate supplementation on muscle loss in older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Arch Gerontol Geriatr. 2015;61(2):168-175. (IF=1.971; 5-year IF=1.998) (corresponding author)
(40)Meng Y, Wu H, Yang Y, Du H, Xia Y, Guo X, Liu X, Li C, Niu K*. Relationship of anabolic and catabolic biomarkers with muscle strength and physical performance in older adults: A population-based cross-sectional study. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2015;16:202. DOI:10.1186/s12891-015-0654-7. (IF=1.684; 5-year IF=2.234) (corresponding author)
(41)Liu X, Zhang Q, Wu H, Du H, Liu L, Shi H, Wang C, Xia Y, Guo X, Li C, Bao X, Su Q, Sun S, Wang X, Zhou M, Jia Q, Zhao H, Song K, Niu K*. Blood neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio as a predictor of hypertension. Am J Hypertens. 2015;28(11):1339-1346. (IF=3.182; 5-year IF=3.160) (corresponding author)
(42)Liu X, Niu K. Response to the relation between neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio and hypertension. Am J Hypertens. 2015;28(11):1387. (IF=3.182; 5-year IF=3.160) (corresponding author)
(43)Guo X, Zhang S, Zhang Q, Liu L, Wu H, Du H, Shi H, Wang C, Xia Y, Liu X, Li C, Sun S, Wang X, Zhou M, Huang G, Jia Q, Zhao H, Song K, Niu K*. Neutrophil:Lymphocyte ratio is positively related to type 2 diabetes in a large-scale adult population: A tianjin chronic low-grade systemic inflammation and health cohort study. Eur J Endocrinol. 2015;173(2):217-225. (IF=3.892; 5-year IF=3.878) (corresponding author)
(44)Sun S #., Wu H #., Zhang Q, Wang C, Guo Y, Du H, Liu L, Jia Q, Wang X, Song K, Niu K*. Subnormal peripheral blood leukocyte counts are related to the lowest prevalence and incidence of metabolic syndrome: Tianjin chronic low-grade systemic inflammation and health cohort study. Mediators Inflamm. 2014;2014:412386. DOI: 10.1155/2014/412386. (IF=3.882; 5-year IF=3.381) (corresponding author)
(45)Li Y #., Su Q #., Guo H, Wu H, Du H, Yang G, Meng G, Li C, Nagatomi R, Niu K*. Long-term tai chi training is related to depressive symptoms among tai chi practitioners. J Affect Disord. 2014;169C:36-39. (IF=3.705; 5-year IF=4.167) (corresponding author)
(46)Wu H, Wei M, Zhang Q, Du H, Xia Y, Liu L, Wang C, Shi H, Guo X, Liu X, Li C, Bao X, Su Q, Gu Y, Fang L, Yang H, Yu F, Sun S, Wang X, Zhou M, Jia Q, Zhao H, Song K, Niu K*. Consumption of chilies, but not sweet peppers, is positively related to handgrip strength in an adult population. J Nutr Health Aging. 2016;20(5):546-552. (IF=3.199; 5-year IF=3.000) (corresponding author)
Postgraduate training
There are 6 doctoral students and 7 master students is in training.
Recruits students specialized
Epidemiology and Biostatistics
Membership of Academic Society
2012- Member, Chinese Nutrition Society
2010- Member, Japanese Society of Public Health
2006- Member, Japan Geriatrics Society
2004- Member, Japanese Society of Hypertension
2001- Member, Japanese Society of Physical Fitness and Sports Medicine