Decreased Body Fat Mass Research Articles

Ongoing Community-Based Whole-Food, Plant-Based Lifestyle Effectively Preserves Muscle Mass during Body Mass Loss

Body fat and muscle mass showed opposing associations with mortality. The results of research on the effectiveness of popular body mass (BM) loss diets in obese subjects showed 20 to 30% loss of muscle mass within the total BM loss; conversely, when the subjects used a whole-food, plant-based (WFPB) diet, the loss was up to 42%. Therefore, we suggest an improvement. The aim of this retrospective analysis of data was to examine the assessment of changes in the body composition of 217 participants from all over Slovenia who joined our ongoing, community-based WFPB lifestyle programme from 2016 to 2021 and underwent two successive measurements of medically approved bioelectrical impedance. The WFPB lifestyle programme consisted of (i) nutrition, (ii) physical activity (PA) and (iii) a support system. The primary outcomes included the (vector of) change of body fat mass (BFM) per body height (BH), fat-free mass (FFM) per BH and whole-body phase angle (PhA) from the initial values to the first follow-up (FU) of the whole sample and for both sexes. Further, we examined the FFM change within the total BM loss according to their BMI classification and depending on how much BM they lost (5 kg < BM ≥ 5 kg) within the FU time (103.6 ± 89.8 day). Participants experienced a decrease in BFM per BH (−0.02 ± 0.02 kg/cm, p < 0.001), no change in FFM and an increase in PhA (0.2 ± 0.7°, p < 0.001). Importantly, the participants in the obesity BMI class achieved only partial FFM preservation (−1.5 ± 3.6 kg, p = 0.032 of FFM loss (20%) within −7.5 ± 6.1 kg, p < 0.001 of BM loss). However, the participants who lost BM < 5 kg had a significantly increased FFM (0.8 ± 3.2 kg, p = 0.001 of FFM (57%) within −1.4 ± 1.8 kg, p < 0.001 of BM loss), whereas the participants who lost BM ≥ 5 kg experienced a decrease in FFM (−2.2 ± 3.9 kg, p < 0.001 of FFM (−25%) within −8.8 ± 5.2 kg, p < 0.001 of BM loss). To conclude, the WFPB lifestyle, on average, effectively preserved FFM during BM and/or BFM loss among the normal and pre-obesity BMI classes but only partially among the obese BMI class and those who lost ≥ 5 kg of BM. Importantly, a customized PA strategy is needed for obese BMI class participants, where general resistance training is not possible or safe in order to preserve their muscle mass more effectively. In addition, muscle mass preservation is important for further improvements of BM, body composition and visual body image.

Chronic High Phosphate Intake in Mice Affects Macronutrient Utilization and Body Composition.

In the last decades, dietary phosphate intake has increased due to a higher consumption of ultraprocessed food. This higher intake has an impact on body composition and health state. Recently, this study finds that a high chronic phosphate diet leads to no major renal alterations, but negatively affects parameters of bone health probably due to the chronic acid load. Here the effect of high phosphate consumption on parameters of energy metabolism is assessed. Healthy mature adult mice are fed for 1 year or 4 months with either a standard (0.6 % w/w) or a high phosphate (1.2 % w/w) diet. Males and females of two different genetic backgrounds are investigated. Mice feed the high phosphate diet show an attenuated body-weight gain, lower respiratory exchange ratio, decreased body fat mass, and increased lean-to-fat mass ratio. Moreover, the high phosphate diet leads to fasting hypoglycemia with no differences in the glucose response to an oral glucose tolerance test. Triglycerides and cholesterol in blood are similar independently of dietary phosphate content. However, 1-methylhistidine is lower in animals feed a chronic high phosphate intake. High phosphate diet attenuates body weight gain, but induces hypoglycemia and may alter muscle homeostasis.

Real-world study of an online platform for the prescription of physical exercise to obese patients - Effect on anthropometric, biochemical parameters and quality of life

Introduction: one of the risk factors related to obesity is a sedentary lifestyle. Physical exercise produces metabolic benefits. Its prescription through online tools has been poorly evaluated, though. Objective: the objective of our study was to assess the effect of the prescription of physical exercise through an online platform on anthropometric parameters, cardiovascular risk factors, and quality of life in sedentary obese patients. Material and methods: in a total of 35 obese patients, anthropometric data, muscle mass by ultrasound at the quadriceps level, laboratory parameters, blood pressure, and quality of life using the SF36 tool were collected at baseline and at 12 weeks. For 12 weeks, a structured physical exercise program was prescribed through an online platform - www.vibraup.com. Results: after the physical exercise program with the online platform, there was a significant improvement in body mass index (-1.51 ± 0.1 kg/m2; p = 0.01), weight (-3.7 ± 0.6 kg; p = 0.01), waist circumference (-6.9 ± 0.3 cm; p = 0.01), fat mass (-3.9 ± 0.2 kg ; p = 0.01), muscle mass (5.5 ± 1.6 kg; p = 0.01), diastolic blood pressure (-4.5 ± 0.4 mm Hg; p = 0.01), insulin (-2.8 ± 0.1 IU/L; p = 0.04), and insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (-0.9 ± 0.1 units; p = 0.03). The ultrasound parameters of the anterior rectus muscle also improved significantly. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome decreased from 27.3 % to 12.1 % (p = 0.03). The SF36 quality of life test showed a significant improvement in general health (20.9 ± 4.1 points; p = 0.001), physical role (6.9 ± 0.9 points; p = 0 .01), and mental health (14.0 ± 1.3 points; p = 0.01). Conclusion: the prescription of physical exercise with an online platform to obese patients improves weight, decreases body fat mass and increases muscle mass, with a decrease in insulin resistance and an improvement in quality of life.

Human Brown Adipose Tissue and Metabolic Health: Potential for Therapeutic Avenues.

Obesity-associated metabolic abnormalities comprise a cluster of conditions including dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases that has affected more than 650 million people all over the globe. Obesity results from the accumulation of white adipose tissues mainly due to the chronic imbalance of energy intake and energy expenditure. A variety of approaches to treat or prevent obesity, including lifestyle interventions, surgical weight loss procedures and pharmacological approaches to reduce energy intake and increase energy expenditure have failed to substantially decrease the prevalence of obesity. Brown adipose tissue (BAT), the primary source of thermogenesis in infants and small mammals may represent a promising therapeutic target to treat obesity by promoting energy expenditure through non-shivering thermogenesis mediated by mitochondrial uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1). Since the confirmation of functional BAT in adult humans by several groups, approximately a decade ago, and its association with a favorable metabolic phenotype, intense interest on the significance of BAT in adult human physiology and metabolic health has emerged within the scientific community to explore its therapeutic potential for the treatment of obesity and metabolic diseases. A substantially decreased BAT activity in individuals with obesity indicates a role for BAT in the setting of human obesity. On the other hand, BAT mass and its prevalence correlate with lower body mass index (BMI), decreased age and lower glucose levels, leading to a lower incidence of cardio-metabolic diseases. The increased cold exposure in adult humans with undetectable BAT was associated with decreased body fat mass and increased insulin sensitivity. A deeper understanding of the role of BAT in human metabolic health and its interrelationship with body fat distribution and deciphering proper strategies to increase energy expenditure, by either increasing functional BAT mass or inducing white adipose browning, holds the promise for possible therapeutic avenues for the treatment of obesity and associated metabolic disorders.

Dysregulation of energy homeostasis in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease targeting upper and lower motor neurons, inexorably leading to an early death. Defects in energy metabolism have been associated with ALS, including weight loss, increased energy expenditure, decreased body fat mass and increased use of lipid nutrients at the expense of carbohydrates. We review here recent findings on impaired energy metabolism in ALS, and its clinical importance. Hypothalamic atrophy, as well as alterations in hypothalamic peptides controlling energy metabolism, have been associated with metabolic derangements. Recent studies showed that mutations causing familial ALS impact various metabolic pathways, in particular mitochondrial function, and lipid and carbohydrate metabolism, which could underlie these metabolic defects in patients. Importantly, slowing weight loss, through high caloric diets, is a promising therapeutic strategy, and early clinical trials indicated that it might improve survival in at least a subset of patients. More research is needed to improve these therapeutic strategies, define pharmacological options, and refine the population of ALS patients that would benefit from these approaches. Dysfunctional energy homeostasis is a major feature of ALS clinical picture and emerges as a potential therapeutic target.

Physiological and Psychological Effects of Treadmill Overtraining Implementation.

Simple SummaryOvertraining occurs when an imbalance between training stress and recovery exists, and it is prevalent in athletes, soldiers, physical education, and health education undergraduates as well as a number of female and male adolescents. Despite a broad body of evidence concerning physiological and psychological correlates of this syndrome, the pathomechanisms of overtraining are still poorly understood. This illustrates the need to establish animal models of this disorder. This article outlines and discusses physiological and psychological effects of the current established overtraining model, based on an eight-week exhaustive treadmill exercise that reveals the involvement of imbalanced energy expenditure, exacerbated inflammatory response, increased intestinal permeability, and anxiety status in the development and onset of overtraining. This study highlights the maladaptation of overtraining and provides an animal model to determine the effectiveness of possible strategies, including nutrition and monitoring, for treatment and prevention of overtraining syndromes in future studies.Overtraining in athletes usually causes profound and lasting deleterious effects on the maintenance of health and exercise capacity. Here, we established an overtraining animal model to investigate the physiological modulation for future strategic applications in vivo. We subjected C57BL/6 mice to exhaustive treadmill exercises daily for 8 weeks (the exhaustive exercise group). Next, the physiological and psychological outcomes were compared with the regular exercise and sedentary groups. Outcome measures included growth, glucose tolerance, exercise metabolism profiles, cytokine levels, intestinal tight junction gene expression, and psychological behavioral changes. Our results revealed that overtraining negatively affected the physiological and psychological changes in the current model. The exhaustive exercise group exhibited significantly lower endurance performance and imbalanced energy expenditure, causing a decrease in body fat mass and slowing down the growth curve. In addition, the inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6, and interleukin-1β) and immune cells (neutrophils and monocytes) were significantly elevated after successive exhaustive exercise interventions. Furthermore, overtraining-induced stress resulted in increased anxiety status and decreased food intake. Our findings reinforce the idea that an imbalance between exercise and recovery can impair health and performance maintenance after overtraining. This study highlights the maladaptation of overtraining and provides an animal model to determine the effectiveness of possible strategies, including nutrition and monitoring, for treatment and prevention of overtraining syndromes in future studies.

The helminth glycoprotein omega-1 improves metabolic homeostasis in obese mice through type 2 immunity-independent inhibition of food intake.

Type 2 immunity plays an essential role in the maintenance of metabolic homeostasis and its disruption during obesity promotes meta‐inflammation and insulin resistance. Infection with the helminth parasite Schistosoma mansoni and treatment with its soluble egg antigens (SEA) induce a type 2 immune response in metabolic organs and improve insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance in obese mice, yet, a causal relationship remains unproven. Here, we investigated the effects and underlying mechanisms of the T2 ribonuclease omega‐1 (ω1), one of the major S mansoni immunomodulatory glycoproteins, on metabolic homeostasis. We show that treatment of obese mice with plant‐produced recombinant ω1, harboring similar glycan motifs as present on the native molecule, decreased body fat mass, and improved systemic insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance in a time‐ and dose‐dependent manner. This effect was associated with an increase in white adipose tissue (WAT) type 2 T helper cells, eosinophils, and alternatively activated macrophages, without affecting type 2 innate lymphoid cells. In contrast to SEA, the metabolic effects of ω1 were still observed in obese STAT6‐deficient mice with impaired type 2 immunity, indicating that its metabolic effects are independent of the type 2 immune response. Instead, we found that ω1 inhibited food intake, without affecting locomotor activity, WAT thermogenic capacity or whole‐body energy expenditure, an effect also occurring in leptin receptor‐deficient obese and hyperphagic db/db mice. Altogether, we demonstrate that while the helminth glycoprotein ω1 can induce type 2 immunity, it improves whole‐body metabolic homeostasis in obese mice by inhibiting food intake via a STAT6‐independent mechanism.

Diet therapy program for weight loss and assessment of its effectiveness in overweight and obese persons

The basic method of obesity treatment is diet therapy aimed at long-term maintenance of negative energy balance by restricting the caloric intake of the diet. The aim - to evaluate the effectiveness of the diet therapy program for weight loss with the use of a complex of amino acids and glucomannan. Material and methods. To conduct the study, in accordance with the inclusion and exclusion criteria, a sample of 33 overweight or obese people was formed, of which 30 people (16 men and 14 women) took part in the study. The age of the persons included in the study ranged from 20 to 59 years (average 41.0±1.73 years), body mass index- from 26.4 to 45.5 kg/m2 (average 35.5±0.8 kg/m2), waist circumference as a criterion for abdominal obesity - 110.4±2.4 cm. Participants three times a day (7.00-9.00, 12.00-14.00 and 16.00-18.00) received within 14 days 15 g of powder dissolved in 200 ml of water containing whey protein concentrate, potassium (618 mg in the form of citrate), glucomannan, taurine (290 mg), zinc (2.5 mg in the form of sulfate), vitamins B6 (1.4 mg) and B12 (3 mcg), and 2 capsules containing L-isoleucine (340 mg), L-ornithine-alpha-ketoglutarate (290 mg), L-citrulline-DL-malate (290 mg) and L-tryptophan (80 mg). In the evening, the main meal was dinner, which included a protein dish with vegetables and herbs. The energy value of the evening meal was 400 kcal (1675 kJ), the proportion of protein, fat and carbohydrates was 40, 30 and 30%, respectively, of the calorie content of the evening meal. Results. It was shown that the use of a 14-day course of the diet therapy program to reduce body weight was accompanied by a statistically significant decrease in body weight on average 6.3% of the initial level, an improvement in body composition indicators (a rather pronounced decrease in body fat mass by 9.2%, p<0.001, with a smaller decrease in lean body mass and skeletal muscle mass, respectively by 3.9 and 4.1%, p<0.001) and metabolic blood parameters (a decrease in serum glucose concentration, total cholesterol, triglycerides, total bilirubin and gamma-glutamyltransferase by 12.5, 15.0, 35.0, 22.8 and 34.6% respectively). Conclusion. Application of the diet therapy program for weight loss «Non-invasive liposuction» allows us to recommend its use in obese patients in order to increase the effectiveness of therapeutic and prophylactic measures in correcting excess body weight, improving the parameters of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, and the functional state of the biliary system.

The Relationship between Serum Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 Levels and Body Composition Changes after Sleeve Gastrectomy

Introduction: We previously reported that preoperative serum insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) is a predictor of total weight loss percentage (%TWL) after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). IGF-1 may suppress muscle loss after surgery. IGF-1 almost accurately reflects the growth hormone (GH) secretion status, and GH has lipolytic effects. Therefore, IGF-1 may influence both the maintenance of skeletal muscle and the reduction of adipose tissue after LSG. The identification of the relationship between preoperative serum IGF-1 and body composition changes after LSG can help in understanding the pathophysiology of obesity. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 72 patients with obesity who underwent LSG and were followed up for 12 months. We analyzed the relationship between preoperative serum IGF-1 levels and body composition changes after LSG. A multiple regression model was used. Results: LSG led to a significant reduction in body weight. Both body fat mass and skeletal muscle mass decreased after LSG. Preoperative serum IGF-1 levels significantly correlated with %TWL, changes in skeletal muscle mass, and body fat mass after LSG. The multiple regression model showed that preoperative serum IGF-1 levels were related to decreased body fat mass and maintaining skeletal muscle mass after LSG. Discussion/Conclusion: Preoperative IGF-1 measurement helps predict not only successful weight loss but also decreases body fat mass and maintains skeletal muscle mass after LSG.

The effect of Nigella sativa on appetite, anthropometric and body composition indices among overweight and obese women: A crossover, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial

ObjectivesObesity is a global concern which is associated with several complications and disease. DesignPresent study is the first crossover, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial aimed to evaluate the effect of Nigella Sativa (N. sativa) intervention on anthropometric and body composition parameters as well as dietary intake and appetite in a crossover design. MethodForty-five healthy women with obesity or overweight were randomized into two groups of intervention and placebo, and the study conducted in two 8-week periods of intervention separated by a 4-week washout period. Anthropometric and body composition indices and dietary intake were measured. Also, appetite sensation was evaluated via a standard visual analog scale (VAS) questionnaire. Pkcross procedure was performed for statistical analysis using STATA. Cohen’s d effect size was estimated for all outcomes to determine the magnitude of the effects. ResultsSupplementation with 2000 mg of N. sativa oil found to have a considerable increment in the measures of body mass index (P < 0.001, Cohen’s d = 0.5), body weight (P < 0.001, Cohen’s d = 0.6) and waist circumference (P = 0.020, Cohen’s d = 0.4) with a medium effect size measure, and a significant decrease in body fat mass (P = 0.019, Cohen’s d = 0.2), body fat percent (P < 0.001, Cohen’s d = 0.2) and visceral fat area (P = 0.011, Cohen’s d = 0.2) with a small effect size measure. ConclusionThe overall improvements in anthropometric and body composition parameters and a significant decrease in appetite represents the beneficial effects of N. sativa supplements in the treatment of obesity. More studies with different dosages, a larger number of participants, and longer intervention duration are recommended to illustrate the exact effects of N. sativa as a complementary therapy for obesity.

Effectiveness of an mHealth Intervention Combining a Smartphone App and Smart Band on Body Composition in an Overweight and Obese Population: Randomized Controlled Trial (EVIDENT 3 Study).

BackgroundMobile health (mHealth) is currently among the supporting elements that may contribute to an improvement in health markers by helping people adopt healthier lifestyles. mHealth interventions have been widely reported to achieve greater weight loss than other approaches, but their effect on body composition remains unclear.ObjectiveThis study aimed to assess the short-term (3 months) effectiveness of a mobile app and a smart band for losing weight and changing body composition in sedentary Spanish adults who are overweight or obese.MethodsA randomized controlled, multicenter clinical trial was conducted involving the participation of 440 subjects from primary care centers, with 231 subjects in the intervention group (IG; counselling with smartphone app and smart band) and 209 in the control group (CG; counselling only). Both groups were counselled about healthy diet and physical activity. For the 3-month intervention period, the IG was trained to use a smartphone app that involved self-monitoring and tailored feedback, as well as a smart band that recorded daily physical activity (Mi Band 2, Xiaomi). Body composition was measured using the InBody 230 bioimpedance device (InBody Co., Ltd), and physical activity was measured using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire.ResultsThe mHealth intervention produced a greater loss of body weight (–1.97 kg, 95% CI –2.39 to –1.54) relative to standard counselling at 3 months (–1.13 kg, 95% CI –1.56 to –0.69). Comparing groups, the IG achieved a weight loss of 0.84 kg more than the CG at 3 months. The IG showed a decrease in body fat mass (BFM; –1.84 kg, 95% CI –2.48 to –1.20), percentage of body fat (PBF; –1.22%, 95% CI –1.82% to 0.62%), and BMI (–0.77 kg/m2, 95% CI –0.96 to 0.57). No significant changes were observed in any of these parameters in men; among women, there was a significant decrease in BMI in the IG compared with the CG. When subjects were grouped according to baseline BMI, the overweight group experienced a change in BFM of –1.18 kg (95% CI –2.30 to –0.06) and BMI of –0.47 kg/m2 (95% CI –0.80 to –0.13), whereas the obese group only experienced a change in BMI of –0.53 kg/m2 (95% CI –0.86 to –0.19). When the data were analyzed according to physical activity, the moderate-vigorous physical activity group showed significant changes in BFM of –1.03 kg (95% CI –1.74 to –0.33), PBF of –0.76% (95% CI –1.32% to –0.20%), and BMI of –0.5 kg/m2 (95% CI –0.83 to –0.19).ConclusionsThe results from this multicenter, randomized controlled clinical trial study show that compared with standard counselling alone, adding a self-reported app and a smart band obtained beneficial results in terms of weight loss and a reduction in BFM and PBF in female subjects with a BMI less than 30 kg/m2 and a moderate-vigorous physical activity level. Nevertheless, further studies are needed to ensure that this profile benefits more than others from this intervention and to investigate modifications of this intervention to achieve a global effect.Trial RegistrationClinicaltrials.gov NCT03175614; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03175614.International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)RR2-10.1097/MD.0000000000009633

Effects of 6 Months of Dapagliflozin Treatment on Metabolic Profile and Endothelial Cell Dysfunction for Obese Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients without Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease.

BackgroundSodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors reduce the risk of cardiovascular death in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and cardiovascular disease, but the effect of these inhibitors on early cardiovascular disease remains unknown. This study evaluated the effect of dapagliflozin on the metabolic profiles and endothelial cell function in obese patients with T2DM without established cardiovascular disease.MethodsWe enrolled 140 patients with a mean age, weight, and body mass index (BMI) of 47 years, 83 kg, and 30.3 kg/m2, respectively. Dapagliflozin (10 mg daily for 6 months) was administered to obese patients with T2DM without established cardiovascular disease. Participants’ weight, BMI, body fat mass (BFM), muscle mass, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), lipid profile, waist to hip ratio (WHR), and pulse wave velocity (PWV) were measured at baseline and after 6 months.ResultsParticipants experienced statistically significant reductions in their HbA1c, fasting plasma glucose, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, total cholesterol, body weight, BMI, WHR, BFM, and aortic PWV, without a significant change in their muscle mass, extracellular fluid, or intracellular volume. Statistically significant reductions in aortic PWV were associated with a decrease in BFM, visceral fat, WHR, and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance.ConclusionDapagliflozin may be beneficial in preventing early cardiovascular disease in obese patients with T2DM without established cardiovascular disease.

Effect of weight loss on cardiometabolic risk factors in obese patients

Abstract Background Central obesity and dyslipidemia are a cardinal features of the metabolic syndrome and represents increased cardiometabolic risk. It has been shown that weight loss is capable to improve insulin sensitivity and lipid parameters. The aim of our study was to analyze the effect of a weight-lowering program (diet and physical activity) on LDL- and HDL-cholesterol subfractions and cardiometabolic risk factors (waist circumference, blood pressure, insulin sensitivity, physical fitness). Methods We studied 2 groups of obese subjects, group A composed of 43 patients with obesity grade 1 and 2 (30F/13M; age: 43.2 ±12.4 years; BMI 31.3 ± 6.1 kg/m2); group B composed of patients with obesity grade 3 (6F/7M; age: 34.7 ±9.8 years; BMI 51.7 ± 7.9 kg/m2). The weight loss interventional program (NCT02325804) in duration of 8-week (group A) or 24 weeks (group B) consisted of hypocaloric diet and physical activity. Body composition, physical fitness, blood lipids profile (using the Lipoprint system (Quantimetrix Corp., CA, USA), and insulin sensitivity were measured. Results The average weight loss was 7.3±1.9 kg in group A and 35.3±16.0 kg in group B. Systolic, diastolic blood pressure (BP) as well as heart rate decreased in group A, in group B only systolic BP. Fasting plasma glucose and insulin decreased as well as insulin sensitivity and physical fitness has been improved after intervention. Total, LDL2, HDL2 cholesterol, as well as triglycerides (TG) decreased with weight in group A and total, LDL, TG, VLDL, LDL2 large, and small HDL subfractions decreased and intermediate HDL increased in group B. Conclusions Short term life style intervention (diet and physical activity) in patients with obesity lead to notable improvement of cardiometabolic parameters (decreased body fat mass, improved insulin sensitivity, lipid profile) as well as atheroprotective changes in LDL subfractions. Funding Supported by grants APVV 17-0099; VEGA 2/0129/20; VEGA 2/0072/18 Key messages Short term life style intervention in patients with obesity lead to notable improvement of cardiometabolic parameters. Weight-lowering program (diet and physical activity) lead to positive changes in LDL- and HDL-cholesterol subfractions.

YNCRG Inhibited Metabolic Syndrome Through Appetite Suppression and Improved Lipid Metabolism in Metabolic Syndrome Model Rats

Increased body fat mass can lead to lifestyle diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia. Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions that increases the onset of multiple diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, stroke, and type 2 diabetes, which are closely related to lipid metabolism; therefore, new prevention approaches and treatments are needed. Our study investigated the effects and mechanism of YNCRG on anti-obesity in metabolic syndrome model SHR.Cg-Leprcp/NDmcr (SHRCP) rats. Eight-week-old male SHRCP rats were administered YNCRG or water by gavage for eight weeks and sacrificed. The tissues were immediately dissected for future experiments. We also used WKY rats as a rodent model. YNCRG induced reductions in food intake, body weight, and body fat mass in SHRCP rats. We also analyzed the mechanism of food intake regulation in the hypothalamus. Expression of POMC was significantly increased in the YNCRG group. However, JAK2 showed no change between the two groups. Phosphorylation levels of Akt (Ser473) and FoxO1 were significantly increased in the YNCRG group. Moreover, mTOR was significantly phosphorylated by YNCRG treatment. These results suggest that YNCRG can induce appetite suppression through the mTOR-Akt-FoxO1-POMC signaling pathway. YNCRG also induced a reduction in body fat mass. In adipose tissue, phosphorylation of AMPK was significantly increased in the YNCRG group. Also, LKB1 and PKA (upstream factors of AMPK), and ACC and HSL (downstream factors of AMPK) were significantly phosphorylated with the YNCRG treatment. Our results indicate that YNCRG can treat MetS by decreasing body fat mass of SHRCP rats through appetite suppression and improvement of lipid metabolism.

The Effects of Timing of a Leucine-Enriched Amino Acid Supplement on Body Composition and Physical Function in Stroke Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

The combination of exercise and nutritional intervention is widely used for stroke patients, as well as frail or sarcopenic older persons. As previously shown, supplemental branched chain amino acids (BCAAs) or protein to gain muscle mass has usually been given just after exercise. This study investigated the effect of the timing of supplemental BCAAs with exercise intervention on physical function in stroke patients. The participants were randomly assigned to two groups based on the timing of supplementation: breakfast (n = 23) and post-exercise (n = 23). The supplement in the breakfast group was provided at 08:00 with breakfast, and in the post-exercise group it was provided just after the exercise session in the afternoon at 14:00–18:00. In both groups, the exercise intervention was performed with two sessions a day for two months. The main effects were observed in body fat mass (p = 0.02, confidence interval (CI): 13.2–17.7), leg press strength (p = 0.04, CI: 94.5–124.5), and Berg balance scale (p = 0.03, CI: 41.6–52.6), but no interaction with intake timing was observed. Although the effect of the timing of supplementation on skeletal muscle mass was similar in both groups, BCAA intake with breakfast was effective for improving physical performance and decreasing body fat mass. The results suggest that a combination of BCAA intake with breakfast and an exercise program was effective for promoting rehabilitation of post-stroke patients.

Selenium Supplementation, Body Mass Composition, and Leptin Levels in Patients with Obesity on a Balanced Mildly Hypocaloric Diet: A Pilot Study.

Background Adequate levels of selenium (Se) have protective effects against several chronic diseases, such as obesity. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of Se supplementation in a selected group of patients with obesity. Methods This randomized prospective study included 37 overweight/obese individuals aged 18–65 years, who adopted a slightly hypocaloric diet for 3 months. An intervention group received 240 μg/day of L-selenomethionine for 3 months; a control group received a placebo. Clinical and biochemical parameters, body composition measurements, and the Psychological General Well-Being Index (PGWBI) questionnaire were tested at the beginning and end of the treatment. Results A comparison of the two groups showed a significant change in body composition, involving a decrease in body fat mass, between the baseline and the end of the follow-up, in the intervention group. Unlike the placebo group, the group given Se had a significant increase in lean body and muscle mass and a significant decrease in leptin levels after 3 months on diet. At the end of the follow-up, the group given Se scored higher on the PGWBI than those who did not. Conclusion Se could reinforce the effects of diet for overweight and obesity. This work was registered in the ISRCTN registry with study ID ISRCTN6106073.

Mitochondrial uncoupler BAM15 reverses diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance in mice

Obesity is a health problem affecting more than 40% of US adults and 13% of the global population. Anti-obesity treatments including diet, exercise, surgery and pharmacotherapies have so far failed to reverse obesity incidence. Herein, we target obesity with a pharmacotherapeutic approach that decreases caloric efficiency by mitochondrial uncoupling. We show that a recently identified mitochondrial uncoupler BAM15 is orally bioavailable, increases nutrient oxidation, and decreases body fat mass without altering food intake, lean body mass, body temperature, or biochemical and haematological markers of toxicity. BAM15 decreases hepatic fat, decreases inflammatory lipids, and has strong antioxidant effects. Hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp studies show that BAM15 improves insulin sensitivity in multiple tissue types. Collectively, these data demonstrate that pharmacologic mitochondrial uncoupling with BAM15 has powerful anti-obesity and insulin sensitizing effects without compromising lean mass or affecting food intake.

Skeletal Muscle ULK1 and ULK2 Jointly Couple Muscle Mass with Force and Are Required for Survival Under Low Nutrient Availability

The protein kinases Unc‐51 like autophagy activating kinase 1 and 2 (ULK1 and ULK2) have evolved from a single yeast gene, autophagy related 1 (Atg1). Although ULK1 and ULK2 are thought to redundantly stimulate autophagy, other functions are emerging. Interestingly, skeletal muscle expresses both ULK1 and ULK2 at high levels (i.e., &gt;2‐fold the median expression of 91 mouse tissues and cell lines) suggesting an important, yet unknown role for their combined elevated expression in muscle. Therefore, to investigate the joint role of ULK1 and ULK2 on muscle homeostasis and whole‐body metabolism we generated mice with skeletal muscle‐specific knockout of these genes (ULK2/1 mKO). Here, we demonstrate that ULK2/1 mKO mice have larger muscles (~12%) that are actually weaker (~21% decrease in relative force) in comparison with wild type littermates. Loss of ULK2/1 in skeletal muscle also affects whole‐body metabolic homeostasis as indicated by decreased body fat mass (~20% at 7wk of age), attenuated fat mass gains with aging (~40% at 21mo. of age), and life‐threatening inability to maintain euglycemia under fasting conditions (~32% reduction of blood glucose compared to WT). Mechanistically, loss of ULK 2/1 not only impairs skeletal muscle autophagy but also AMPK function as indicated by accumulation of LC3, p62, NBR1, and ubiquitinated proteins, as well as reduced phosphorylation of ACC (a surrogate of AMPK activity), respectively. These results identify a previously unknown role for ULK2 and ULK1 in jointly coupling skeletal muscle size with force. They also reveal skeletal muscle ULK2 and ULK1 as fundamental proteins for survival under conditions of reduced nutrient availability.Support or Funding InformationThis work is funded by:AHA 16SDG30360001 (V.A.L.). and NASA Iowa Space Grant Graduate Fellowship Program

Altered Body Composition and Increased Resting Metabolic Rate Associated with the Postural Instability/Gait Difficulty Parkinson's Disease Subtype.

Background Weight loss in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients is a common but poorly understood manifestation. Several studies have reported that weight changes could be related to motor symptoms, drug side effects, dysphagia, depression, and/or dementia. Weight loss in PD is not a benign phenomenon and it has several clinical and prognostic implications with increased morbidity and mortality. Thus, it is crucial to determine nutritional changes in PD patients in order to prevent malnutrition and improve their quality of life. Objective To compare body composition and resting metabolic rates between PD patients and controls. Methods A total of 64 PD patients and 52 controls were studied. The Hoehn-Yahr scale was used to determine the disease stage, clinical and epidemiological data were recorded from verbal questionnaire, Inbody S10® was used to collect corporal parameters, and FitMate system was used to assess the resting metabolic rate. Results No significant differences were found between both experimental groups in age, gender, height, cholesterol levels, and the presence of hypertension, diabetes, and hypo/hyperthyroidism. However, the PD group showed lower body fat mass, whole-body fat percentage, and greater resting metabolic rate compared to controls (p < 0.05), with no significant differences in musculoskeletal mass. Parkinson's disease postural instability/gait difficulty (PD-PIGD) subtype showed lower body fat parameters, increased fat-free mass, and higher resting metabolic rates. Conclusions These results suggest that PD patients present an increased resting metabolic rate associated with the postural instability/gait difficulty PD subtype, allowing a selective decrease of body fat mass and not musculoskeletal mass. Of note, several disease-related factors may contribute to this weight loss in PD patients, being a complex and multifactorial consequence. Our findings could likely be one of the many contributing factors. However, present findings may further add to our understanding of the phenomenon of weight loss in patients with PD.

A Novel Indoline Derivative Ameliorates Diabesity-Induced Chronic Kidney Disease by Reducing Metabolic Abnormalities.

Both diabetes and obesity (diabesity) contribute significantly to the development of chronic kidney disease (CKD). In search of new remedies to reverse or arrest the progression of CKD, we examined the therapeutic potential of a novel compound, AN1284, in a mouse model of CKD induced by type 2 diabetes with obesity. Six-week-old BKS Cg-Dock 7m+/+ Leprdb/J mice with type 2 diabetes and obesity were treated with AN1284 (2.5 or 5 mg kg−1 per day) via micro-osmotic pumps implanted subcutaneously for 3 months. Measures included renal, pancreatic, and liver assessment as well as energy utilization. AN1284 improved kidney function in BSK-db/db animals by reducing albumin and creatinine and preventing renal inflammation and morphological changes. The treatment was associated with weight loss, decreased body fat mass, increased utilization of body fat toward energy, preservation of insulin sensitivity and pancreatic β cell mass, and reduction of dyslipidemia, hepatic steatosis, and liver injury. This indoline derivative protected the kidney from the deleterious effects of hyperglycemia by ameliorating the metabolic abnormalities of diabetes. It could have therapeutic potential for preventing CKD in human subjects with diabesity.