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Objectives. This study was designed to explore the intellectual landscape of research into the application of sphingosine 1 phosphate (S1P) in age-related diseases and to identify thematic development trends and research frontiers in this area. Methods. Scientometric research was conducted by analyzing bibliographic records retrieved from the Web of Science (WOS) Sci-Expanded Database dated between 1900 and 2020. Countries, institutions, authors, keyword occurrence analysis, and cooperation network analysis were performed using the CiteSpace and VOSviewer software. Results. A total of 348 valid records were included in the final dataset, and the number of publications and the frequency of citations have grown rapidly over the last ten years. The USA (n=175), China (n=42), and Germany (n=37) were the three largest contributors to the global publications on S1P and aging, while the Medical University of South Carolina (n=15), University of California, San Francisco (n=13), and University of Toronto (n=13) were the leading institutions in this field. Analysis showed that early studies primarily focused on the mechanism of S1P intervention in AD. While S1P and its relevant metabolites have remained a long-term active area of research, recent studies have focused more on interventions aimed at improving retinal degeneration, cardiomyopathy, multiple sclerosis, and diabetes, among others. Conclusions. It is worth mentioning that this manuscript is the first to describe any bibliometric analysis of S1P and its application in age-related interventions. This study includes a discussion of the (1) historical overview of the topic; (2) main contributors: journals, countries, institutes, funding agencies, and authors; (3) collaboration between institutes and authors; (4) research hot spots and zones; and 5) research trends and frontiers. This will enable scholars to understand the current status of S1P research in age-related diseases.

The pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is very complicated. The currently well-accepted etiology is the “Ominous Octet” theory proposed by Professor Defronzo. Since presently used drugs for T2DM have limitations and harmful side effects, studies regarding alternative treatments are being conducted. Analyzing the pharmacological mechanism of biomolecules in view of pathogenesis is an effective way to assess new drugs. Sphingosine 1 phosphate (S1P), an endogenous lipid substance in the human body, has attracted increasing attention in the T2DM research field. This article reviews recent study updates of S1P, summarizing its effects on T2DM with respect to pathogenesis, promoting β cell proliferation and inhibiting apoptosis, reducing insulin resistance, protecting the liver and pancreas from lipotoxic damage, improving intestinal incretin effects, lowering basal glucagon levels, etc. With increasing research, S1P may help treat and prevent T2DM in the future.

Background. Since the end of December 2019, novel coronavirus- (SARS-CoV-2-) infected pneumonia (COVID-19) has spread rapidly in China. The study was designed to describe the clinical characteristics of COVID-19 patients with and without diabetes in Wuhan. Methods. 199 COVID-19 patients were admitted to Wuhan Red Cross Hospital in China from January 24th to March 15th. The cases were divided into the diabetic and nondiabetic groups according to the history of taking antidiabetic drugs or by plasma fasting blood glucose level at admission, and the differences between the groups were compared. A multivariable analysis of independent risk factors for in-hospital death was performed. Results. Among 199 COVID-19 patients, 76 were diabetic and 123 were nondiabetic. Compared with nondiabetics, patients with diabetes were older and had high levels of fasting plasma glucose (FPG), D-dimer, white blood cells, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and total bilirubin (TBIL) and lower levels of lymphocytes, albumin and oxygen saturation (SaO2), and higher mortality (P