Clinical Features Of Obesity Research Articles

Frequency of obesity and metabolic syndrome in childhood leukemia and lymphoma survivors

ObjectivesIn this study, it was aimed to determine the prevalence and clinical features of obesity and metabolic syndrome, which are long-term effects of survivors after treatment in children with leukemia and lymphoma.Patients and MethodsPatients with leukemia and lymphoma, who were diagnosed between 2000 and 2012 (at least 2 two years after remission) were included. Data obtained through reviewing the family history, demographic characteristics, anthropometric measurements, and laboratory parameters (blood glucose, lipid, and insulin levels) were analyzed and compared at the time of diagnosis, after the treatment and at time of the study.ResultsEighty nine patients (45 boys, 44 girls) were included (mean age: 14.7 ± 4.3 years): 77.5% had acute lymphoblastic leukemia, 11.2% had acute myeloid leukemia, and 11.2% had lymphoma. Overall, 46% patients had received radiotherapy, 7% had undergone surgery, and 2.2% had received stem cell transplantation in addition to chemotherapy. The mean duration of treatment was 2.4 years, and the time elapsed after treatment was 4.9 years. While only one had obesity at the diagnosis, a significant increase in obesity (20%), hypertension (15.7%), hyperglycemia (15%), insulin resistance (35%) were observed at the time of study, and family history of hypertension, dyslipidemia, and cardiovascular diseases were significantly higher in this subgroup.ConclusionThe prevalence of metabolic syndorme is higher in children with leukemia and lymphoma after treatment, and begins to increase with the initiation of treatment and continues to increase over time. These children should be followed-up for late-effects including metabolic syndrome through life-long period.

Global epigenetic alterations of mesenchymal stem cells in obesity: the role of vitamin C reprogramming

ABSTRACT Obesity promotes dysfunction and impairs the reparative capacity of mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs), and alters their transcription, protein content, and paracrine function. Whether these adverse effects are mediated by chromatin-modifying epigenetic changes remains unclear. We tested the hypothesis that obesity imposes global DNA hydroxymethylation and histone tri-methylation alterations in obese swine abdominal adipose tissue-derived MSCs compared to lean pig MSCs. MSCs from female lean (n = 7) and high-fat-diet fed obese (n = 7) domestic pigs were assessed using global epigenetic assays, before and after in-vitro co-incubation with the epigenetic modulator vitamin-C (VIT-C) (50 μg/ml). Dot blotting was used to measure across the whole genome 5-hydroxyemthycytosine (5hmC) residues, and Western blotting to quantify in genomic histone-3 protein tri-methylated lysine-4 (H3K4me3), lysine-9 (H3K9me3), and lysine-27 (H3K27me3) residues. MSC migration and proliferation were studied in-vitro. Obese MSCs displayed reduced global 5hmC and H3K4m3 levels, but comparable H3K9me3 and H3K27me3, compared to lean MSCs. Global 5hmC, H3K4me3, and HK9me3 marks correlated with MSC migration and reduced proliferation, as well as clinical and metabolic characteristics of obesity. Co-incubation of obese MSCs with VIT-C enhanced 5hmC marks, and reduced their global levels of H3K9me3 and H3K27me3. Contrarily, VIT-C did not affect 5hmC, and decreased H3K4me3 in lean MSCs. Obesity induces global genomic epigenetic alterations in swine MSCs, involving primarily genomic transcriptional repression, which are associated with MSC function and clinical features of obesity. Some of these alterations might be reversible using the epigenetic modulator VIT-C, suggesting epigenetic modifications as therapeutic targets in obesity.

Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Obesity-Induced Hypothalamic Inflammation and Insulin Resistance: Pivotal Role of Resistin/TLR4 Pathways.

Low-grade inflammation and insulin resistance are among the clinical features of obesity that are thought to promote the progressive onset of type 2 diabetes. However, the underlying mechanisms linking these disorders remain not fully understood. Recent reports pointed out hypothalamic inflammation as a major step in the onset of obesity-induced insulin resistance. In light of the increasing prevalence of obesity and T2D, two worldwide public health concerns, deciphering mechanisms implicated in hypothalamic inflammation constitutes a major challenge in the field of insulin-resistance/obesity. Several clinical and experimental studies have identified resistin as a key hormone linking insulin-resistance to obesity, notably through the activation of Toll Like Receptor (TLR) 4 signaling pathways. In this review, we present an overview of the molecular mechanisms underlying obesity-induced hypothalamic inflammation and insulin resistance with peculiar focus on the role of resistin/TLR4 signaling pathway.

Clinical features of obesity in children with bronchial asthma

The aim of the study was to identify the clinical features of obesity in children with bronchial asthma. Materials and methods : 484 children aged 7–14 years were investigated, the main group consisted of 237 patients with asthma, the comparison group consisted of 247 children of the same age who do not have asthma. The analysis of development history, physical exam, measuring height and body mass index, in the identification of obesity – assess hereditary loading, nutritional status and physical activity, hormonal status examination, inspection of the endocrinologist, neurologist, genetics were made. Results : obesity was more common (p=0.019) in children with bronchial asthma (18.9 per cent) than in the comparison group (11.3 per cent). More severe forms of obesity III, IV degree were more often diagnosed in children with bronchial asthma (31.1 per cent) than in the comparison group (10.7 per cent) (p=0.047). The influence of various factors (patient age, gender, severity of asthma, intake of inhaled corticosteroids) on the formation of obesity in children of the main group has not been proven. In the dynamics of the disease indicators of body mass index in patients with bronchial asthma did not differ significantly in comparison with the original data, however, there was an increase in the number of patients with severe forms of obesity III, IV degree. When assessing the nature of nutrition and physical activity in patients with bronchial asthma and obesity, an imbalance between the intake of energy and its consumption is revealed. Conclusion : obesity in children with bronchial asthma is constitutionally exogenous, characterized by high prevalence and more severe course.

Changes of serum adipocytokines and body weight following Zingiber officinale supplementation in obese women: a RCT.

The present randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study aimed to evaluate the effect of Zingiber officinale (ginger) consumption on some metabolic and clinical features of obesity. Eighty eligible obese women (aged 18-45years) were randomly assigned to either ginger or placebo groups (receiving 2g/day of ginger powder or corn starch as two 1g tablets) for 12weeks. Body mass index (BMI) and body composition were assessed every 4weeks, and serum levels of leptin, adiponectin, resistin, insulin and glucose were determined before and after intervention. The homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) were also calculated. Ginger consumption significantly decreased BMI, serum insulin and HOMA-IR index, along with increasing QUICKIs as compared to the placebo. Moreover, significant reductions in serum leptin, resistin and glucose were observed in both groups, especially in ginger group with nonsignificant differences between groups. The body composition and serum levels of adiponectin were not significantly changed in study groups. In conclusion, our findings demonstrate a minor beneficial effect of 2g ginger powder supplementation for 12weeks on weight loss and some metabolic features of obesity. However, given the lack of data in this area, ongoing clinical trials are needed to further explore ginger's effectiveness.

Pathogenesis and Clinical Features of Obesity and Insulin Resistance

The etiology of obesity is not simple as multiple genetic and environmental factors, first of which is an increasingly sedentary lifestyle, play interacting roles. It is well recognized that persons with obesity carry a high risk of insulin resistance and its metabolic complications, such as impaired glucose tolerance, type 2 diabetes, hyperlipidemia and hypertension, and a significantly increased risk of atherothrombotic cardiovascular disease. Recent data have shown that not only generalized obesity, but rather ectopic fat accumulation, is associated with the risk of comorbidity. This article focuses on the clinical evidence related to the impact of regional adiposity on insulin resistance, with particular attention to central obesity, including fat accumulation in insulin sensitive organs, such as liver, muscle and heart, and the recent interest in adipokines. Keywords: Visceral fat, liver fat, epicardial fat, obesity, insulin resistance

Plasma lipid values in childhood obesity.

SYNOPSISA study was made on 129 obese children to assess the relation of fasting plasma concentrations of cholesterol and triglyceride with clinical features of obesity.Mean values for both plasma cholesterol (195 mg/dl) and triglyceride (77 mg/dl) did not differ from those found in non‐obese children. Greater than expected numbers of children however were found with raised values of either cholesterol or triglyceride. Three children were found to have familial Type II hyperlipoproteinaemia, and eighteen were found to have a fasting triglyceride of greater than 120 mg/dl. No correlation was found between plasma cholesterol values and clinical features of obesity, but significant correlation was found between plasma triglyceride values and degree and duration of obesity, particularly amongst those children whose obesity started after the first year of life.