Obesity Medicine最新文献

Aim

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) lacks a definitive treatment. Previous research indicates that fruits and vegetables may alleviate inflammatory markers and improve NAFLD outcomes. This study investigates the effects of black mulberry leaf extract on NAFLD induced by a high-fat diet in rats.

Methods

Male rats were randomized into control and high-fat diet groups. After four months on a high-fat diet, rats received black mulberry leaf extract at doses of 150, 300, and 600 mg/kg for eight weeks. Evaluations included weight, blood sugar, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and liver enzyme activities (AST, ALT).

Results

The high-fat diet resulted in increased weight (P < 0.0001), fasting plasma glucose (FPG) (P < 0.0001), triglycerides (P = 0.031), and total cholesterol (P < 0.0001), along with elevated serum levels of AST (P < 0.0001) and ALT (P = 0.009). Administration of black mulberry leaf extract significantly reduced weight (P = 0.008), FPG (P < 0.0001), total cholesterol (P = 0.0001), and ALT (P = 0.0001) and AST (P = 0.0001) levels in a dose-dependent manner at doses of 600 mg, 300 mg, and 150 mg per day.

Conclusion

Black mulberry leaf extract exhibits therapeutic potential in managing NAFLD. Further studies are warranted to comprehensively assess its impacts.

Background

Obesity is poised to be a major healthcare crisis worldwide. Genetic predisposition, inadequate activity, changing lifestyle and dietary patterns are cited as major causes for obesity. Even as a number of anti-obesity medications hit the market, there is still an ongoing quest to explore natural compounds, which are perceived as safer alternatives, for their anti-obesity activity. This study explores the anti-obesity potential of dietary polyphenols vanillin, ferulic acid and their combination using 3T3 L1 adipocytes and their 3D spheroids.

Methods

Studies were conducted on differentiated 3T3 L1 adipocytes and their 3D spheroids. Assays conducted on 3T3 L1 adipocytes include Oil red O, fluorescent Nile Red staining and triglyceride quantification to assess effect on lipid droplet accumulation. 2 NBDG was used to assess glucose uptake following drug treatment. 3D spheroid cultures were generated and triglyceride content was quantified. Effect of drug treatment on gene expression was analysed using qRT-PCR. Results of monolayer culture were compared with 3D spheroid models.

Results

Vanillin, ferulic acid and their combination lower intracellular triglyceride content and lipid droplet accumulation, inhibiting glucose uptake and conversion to triglycerides in 3T3 L1 adipocytes and their 3D spheroids. Compounds and their combination downregulated mRNA expression of C/EBP α and PPAR ɣ, FAS, ACC1, GLUT4, LPL, aP2. Vanillin treatment upregulated leptin mRNA expression.

Conclusion

Vanillin, ferulic acid and their combination lower lipid accumulation and glucose uptake in 3T3 L1 adipocytes and 3D spheroids.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is on the rise globally, both in adults and children. The "multiple-hits" hypothesis presents that various factors simultaneously impact the formation of NAFLD, one of which is gut microbiota (GM). Following damage to the intestinal barrier by dysbiosis, which increases permeability, the liver is constantly exposed to bacteria and related products. There is growing evidence that microbial metabolites may contribute to the pathogenicity of NAFLD. The pathogenic mechanisms of GM in NAFLD are not precisely known but gut dysbiosis appears to be associated with the development of NAFLD. In this article, we intend to review the probable mechanisms of GM pathogenesis in NAFLD.

Obesity is a condition when the BMI (Body Mass Index) is 30 or higher. This body condition has become a serious health issue all over the world as it is the potential risk factor of many non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease etc. Ketogenic diet has gained immense popularity as a means of weight loss. Ketogenic diet or low carbohydrate diet with high-fat content has turned out to be effective in weight management and reduce the potential risk factor of non-communicable diseases. However, the aim of this review is to understand the mechanism of production of ketone bodies which mainly act as the source of energy, and the impact of a ketogenic diet on reducing body weight. Extensive literature review was conducted to find out the related original research papers and review papers. This study revealed that timeframe of a ketogenic diet is an important factor in the weight management program. Studies with 6 months time periods were found to be significantly reduce weight than those with more than 6 months study duration. It was also observed that ketogenic diet-based studies with more than 6 months time period are not superior to a normal diet whereas within 6 months of ketogenic diet initiation program, a drastic change in weight can be experienced. Moreover, health practitioners are not fully convinced about this popular weight-reducing diet. Adherence to a ketogenic diet for longer periods is difficult, and the associated risk factors such as increased risk of heart disease, fatty liver, and insulin resistance are also a matter of health concern.

Background

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) causes an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and death. Hospital staff as an influential segment of the population are at risk of developing MetS. This study aimed to determine the occupational distribution of MetS in hospital staff and to examine the association between the type of occupation and the likelihood of developing MetS.

Methods

In this cross-sectional study we recruited 3128 personnel of TUMS, including healthcare workers, office workers and supportive workers of Tehran's University Teaching Hospitals during 2020–2022. Demographic, anthropometric indices and laboratory tests were recorded. MetS was determined using three definitions including ATP III recommendations, IDF and regional IDF criteria. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 26.

Results

MetS was observed in 641 (20.5%) subjects according to ATP III recommendations, 923 (29.5%) based on IDF and 713 (22.8%) using regional IDF criteria. Using regional IDF criteria, age, gender and occupational status were associated with the MetS occurrence (all p < 0.0001). Adjusting for the age and gender of participants, healthcare workers were less likely to develop MetS compared to both office workers (OR = 0.66, 95%CI for OR: 0.55–0.80, p < 0.0001) and supportive workers (OR = 0.72, 95%CI for OR: 0.58–0.90, p = .003). However, office workers and supportive workers did not differ significantly regarding this parameter (p = .44).

Conclusion

Regardless of the MetS definition criteria, the findings indicated an alarming MetS prevalence, particularly among supportive workers and office workers. Considering the significant role of hospital staff in patients’ health promotion, effective management is essential.

Corosolic acid (CRA) is a pentacyclic triterpenoid found in plants such as Lagerstroemia speciosa (Banaba). CRA has attracted attention for its potential therapeutic benefits, including anti-diabetic, anti-obesity, antihyperlipidemic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tumor effects. CRA's complex structure and structural analogs, such as ursolic and oleanolic acids, exhibit activities akin to CRA. CRA demonstrates promising anti-diabetic properties by enhancing glucose uptake, increasing insulin sensitivity, and inhibiting carbohydrate-absorbing enzymes. These mechanisms have potential implications in the management of diabetes mellitus and its associated complications. Furthermore, CRA inhibits adipogenesis, promotes lipolysis, and regulates lipid metabolism, indicating its potential role in addressing obesity-related lipid abnormalities. Reducing oxidative stress, suppressing pro-inflammatory cytokines, and inhibiting inflammatory pathways suggest CRA's utility in preventing or mitigating metabolic disorders, including insulin resistance and chronic inflammation. While CRA shows promise, addressing regulatory gaps and conducting rigorous research are crucial for establishing its efficacy and ensuring its safe utilization in various health conditions. This review emphasizes the significance of understanding the pharmacokinetics and therapeutic potential of corosolic acid in preclinical and clinical observations.

Several studies have associated glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) overexpression with obesity due to its roles in proinflammatory signalling. However, a systematic review has not been reported to synthesize and evaluate the findings. This is a systematized, scoping review on the recent 10-year publications for all species, and all-time studies in humans on the associations of G6PD with obesity. Systematized electronic searches on Pubmed and Medline for all studies from April 2011 to April 2021 were performed; Pubmed was searched for all human studies. The eighteen human studies since the 1960s to date reported ambiguous, conflicting outcomes on the association of G6PD expression and weight regulation. Over the last ten years, however, the ten included reports for all species, which were primarily mice studies, all suggested that G6PD activity or level is increased in the obese. In the same way, G6PD deficiency has been linked with insulin resistance amelioration and weight gain reduction due to opposing mechanisms. In line with this, four of the included studies were diet inclusion or pharmacotherapeutic interventions to suppress G6PD activity, hence weight gain and obesity. Further investigations, particularly on pharmacotherapeutic applications on the roles of G6PD on obesity are needed.

Pediatric obesity is steadily increasing, and reaching alarming levels; for this reason, effective interventions are necessary to fight this global health challenge. First-line treatments based on diet and exercise may be ineffective, resulting in common weight regain. Therefore, second and third-line alternatives are necessary in current therapies to address even the most difficult cases. Liraglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, used in the past only in the treatment of diabetes, has shown promising results also in the treatment of obesity in adults. This review aims to explore the potential of liraglutide as a therapeutic option for pediatric obesity, focusing on its mechanism of action, safety profile, and efficacy in clinical trials. Additionally, this review discusses the challenges and opportunities associated with liraglutide's use in the pediatric population, such as bariatric surgery.

Introduction

Merremia emarginata (syn: Ipomoea reniformis) is used by the traditional healers of the Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu and Nelliampathy hills of Kerala for the treatment of diabetes. It contains important phytoconstituents like scopoletin, quercetin, and kaempferol and is reported to have pharmacological activities like antidiabetic antioxidant, antihyperlipidemic, ACE inhibitory, and hypotensive. Diabetic kidney disease is a common microvascular complication seen in patients with long-term diabetes. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of Merremia emarginata in attenuating diabetic kidney disease.

Materials and methods

Diabetes was induced by a single i.p. injection of 55 mg/kg streptozotocin (STZ). The animals were divided into seven groups with six rats in the control group and seven each in the STZ, STZ + Standard drug Ramipril (STD), STZ + Low dose (LD) methanolic extract of Merremia emarginata (MEME), STZ + High dose (HD) MEME, STZ + STD + LD, and STZ + STD + HD groups. The renal function was assessed by estimating various parameters viz, blood glucose, serum and urine creatinine, urine albumin, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels, oxidative stress, and kidney hypertrophy.

Results

Treatment with Ramipril and HD MEME showed a decrease in blood glucose levels, urine albumin, a decrease in serum creatinine, an increase in urine creatinine, a decrease in BUN, HbA1c, kidney hypertrophy, and oxidative stress. The combination treatment of Ramipril and HD MEME showed a synergistic effect.

Conclusion

The study revealed that MEME attenuates diabetic nephropathy and has the potential to be used in diabetic nephropathy either alone or as an adjuvant.

Aims

Obesity is a chronic disease that needs to be managed worldwide. High-intensity physical activity has a positive effect on the improvement and prevention of metabolic diseases. The purpose of this study was to investigate the age-specific association of physical activity on abdominal and visceral obesity.

Methods

The study involved 456 health check-up participants who underwent abdominal computed tomography scans for the assessment of visceral fat area from January 2017 to December 2017. Physical activity levels were categorized as none-to-low-intensity or moderate-to-vigorous-intensity based on the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Logistic regression analysis, adjusted for covariates, assessed the association of physical activity with abdominal and visceral obesity across 10-year age intervals.

Results

The moderate-to-vigorous physical activity group showed 56.5% visceral obesity, while the none-to-low-intensity physical activity group had 63.2%. Most age groups exhibited no significant differences in abdominal or visceral obesity according to physical activity. However, the 50 to 59 age group demonstrated a noteworthy association between visceral obesity and none-to-low-intensity physical activity (odds ratio 3.79, 95% confidence interval 1.12–12.84).

Conclusions

This study highlights a distinct age-related response to physical activity, emphasizing the 50 to 59 age group's significant association between visceral obesity and none-to-low-intensity physical activity.