Adult Fat Research Articles

Deoxycholic Acid (ATX-101) for Fat Reduction.

Excess, unwanted fat in submental and other body areas has been a focus of new modalities in aesthetics. Invasive and, more recently, non-invasive modalities for removal of unwanted fat have been on an increase. ATX-101 (deoxycholic acid injection) is the only injectable drug approved in the United States and Canada for reduction of moderate or severe submental fat in adults, with ongoing trials testing its efficacy in body contouring and lipomas. It has proven efficacy in submental fat reduction with a good safety profile. This article reviews the pharmacology, mechanism of action, clinical effects and adverse effects of ATX-101. It emphasizes on careful patient selection and advises on appropriate volume administration, number of treatments, and injection technique. The literature research includes peer-reviewed articles (clinical trials or scientific reviews). Studies were identified by searching electronic databases (MEDLINE and PubMed) till December 2019 and reference lists of respective articles. Only articles published in English language were included. J Drugs Dermatol. 2021;20(11):1169-1173. doi:10.36849/JDD.3936.

Heroin Use and Related Effects to BMI, Body Fat, Diet Quality, and Food Addiction in Hispanic Adults

Heroin Use and Related Effects to BMI, Body Fat, Diet Quality, and Food Addiction in Hispanic Adults

Juvenile hormone signaling promotes ovulation and maintains egg shape by inducing expression of extracellular matrix genes

It is well documented that the juvenile hormone (JH) can function as a gonadotropic hormone that stimulates vitellogenesis by activating the production and uptake of vitellogenin in insects. Here, we describe a phenotype associated with mutations in the Drosophila JH receptor genes, Met and Gce: the accumulation of mature eggs with reduced egg length in the ovary. JH signaling is mainly activated in ovarian muscle cells and induces laminin gene expression in these cells. Meanwhile, JH signaling induces collagen IV gene expression in the adult fat body, from which collagen IV is secreted and deposited onto the ovarian muscles. Laminin locally and collagen IV remotely contribute to the assembly of ovarian muscle extracellular matrix (ECM); moreover, the ECM components are indispensable for ovarian muscle contraction. Furthermore, ovarian muscle contraction externally generates a mechanical force to promote ovulation and maintain egg shape. This work reveals an important mechanism for JH-regulated insect reproduction.

The Effect of Resistance Training in Healthy Adults on Body Fat Percentage, Fat Mass and Visceral Fat: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Resistance training is the gold standard exercise mode for accrual of lean muscle mass, but the isolated effect of resistance training on body fat is unknown. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated resistance training for body composition outcomes in healthy adults. Our primary outcome was body fat percentage; secondary outcomes were body fat mass and visceral fat. Systematic review with meta-analysis. We searched five electronic databases up to January 2021. We included randomised trials that compared full-body resistance training for at least 4weeks to no-exercise control in healthy adults. We assessed study quality with the TESTEX tool and conducted a random-effects meta-analysis, with a subgroup analysis based on measurement type (scan or non-scan) and sex (male or female), and a meta-regression for volume of resistance training and training components. From 11,981 records, we included 58 studies in the review, with 54 providing data for a meta-analysis. Mean study quality was 9/15 (range 6-15). Compared to the control, resistance training reduced body fat percentage by - 1.46% (95% confidence interval - 1.78 to - 1.14, p < 0.0001), body fat mass by - 0.55kg (95% confidence interval - 0.75 to - 0.34, p < 0.0001) and visceral fat by a standardised mean difference of - 0.49 (95% confidence interval - 0.87 to - 0.11, p = 0.0114). Measurement type was a significant moderator in body fat percentage and body fat mass, but sex was not. Training volume and training components were not associated with effect size. Resistance training reduces body fat percentage, body fat mass and visceral fat in healthy adults. osf.io/hsk32.

Mediating Roles of hsCRP, TNF-α and Adiponectin on the Associations between Body Fat and Fatty Liver Disease among Overweight and Obese Adults.

Simple SummaryBody fat has been reported to be related to a higher risk of fatty liver disease (FLD). However, few studies have explored the mediating roles of inflammatory biomarkers or adipokines on the relationships. This study examined the potential mediating effects of high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and adiponectin (APN) in relationships between body fat and FLD in overweight and obese adults. Additionally, gender and age differences were demonstrated. It was concluded that hsCRP has a significant mediating effect on the association between body fat percentage and FLD in females independent of potential covariates. It was also demonstrated that the mediation effect of hsCRP was only significant and more profound in relatively older adults (36–56 years, 38.3%), not significant in the young ones (19–35 years). TNF-α and APN were not significantly associated with body fat percentage or FLD, with no mediating effect on the association between body fat percentage and FLD observed in either gender. In conclusion, hsCRP was a potential mediator on the association between adiposity and FLD, and this mediation is gender-specific and age-specific. The authors hope that the findings could contribute to the further exploration of the inflammatory-related mechanism of obesity-associated FLD.Body fat has been reported to be associated with a higher risk of fatty liver disease (FLD). However, few studies have explored the mediating roles of an inflammatory biomarker or adipokine on the relationships. Here, we examined the potential mediating roles of high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and adiponectin (APN) in relationships between body fat and FLD in overweight and obese adults. Additionally, gender differences will be investigated. In total, 1221 participants aged 19–56 years were included in our study. Body fat percentage was measured with Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) and FLD by abdominal ultrasound. Mediation analysis was performed to assess the mediating effect of hsCRP, TNF-α and APN on the associations between BF (%) and FLD by gender differences. We found that hsCRP was significantly associated with body fat percentage in both genders (b = 0.2014, p < 0.0001 and b = 0.1804, p < 0.0001 for male and female, respectively), while hsCRP was associated with FLD only in the female group (b = 0.1609, p = 0.0109) but not in male group (b = 0.4800, p = 0.0603). We observed that hsCRP has a significant mediating effect on the association between body fat percentage and FLD (b = 0.0290, p = 0.0201, mediation ratio: 13.6%) in the female group independent of potential covariates (age, smoking, alcohol drinking and physical activity). TNF-α was not significantly associated with body fat percentage or FLD, with no mediating effect on the association between body fat percentage and FLD in either gender. In conclusion, there is a gender-specific mediation role of hsCRP in the association between body fat and FLD. HsCRP was a potential mediator on the association between adiposity and FLD in the female gender, but not in the male gender. Higher body fat was associated with a higher risk of FLD, and the inflammation level might play a potential mediating role in the association between body fat and FLD among female overweight and obese adults.

Identification and Characterization of 24-Dehydrocholesterol Reductase (DHCR24) in the Two-Spotted Cricket, Gryllus bimaculatus.

Simple SummaryDHCR24 (24-dehydrocholesterol reductase) is a key enzyme for producing cholesterol from desmosterol and that is also involved in the conversion of plant sterols to cholesterol in most plant-feeding insects. This study extensively examined the possibility of DHCR24 involved in the sterol conversion in omnivorous insects, which feed on multiple food origins. Homologs of DHCR24 (GbDHCR24-1 and -2) were identified and characterized by using the two-spotted cricket, Gryllus bimaculatus, as an experimental model. The quantitative expression analyses and RNA interference experiments revealed that GbDHCR24-1 rather than GbDHCR24-2 facilitates the desmosterol-to-cholesterol conversion in crickets. Our data suggested that the omnivorous species produced cholesterol from desmosterol in the same manner as the plant-feeding species do.Arthropods, including insects, convert sterols into cholesterol due to the inability to synthesise cholesterol de novo. 24-dehydrocholesterol reductase (DHCR24) plays an important role in the conversion. Not only involving the cholesterol biosynthesis in vertebrates, DHCR24 is required for the conversion of desmosterol into cholesterol in phytophagous insects. The current study extensively examined DHCR24 in omnivorous insects, which feed on both plants and animals, using Gryllus bimaculatus as the experimental model. We identified cDNAs encoding two homologues of DHCR24 from G. bimaculatus, which were designated as GbDHCR24-1 and GbDHCR24-2. Both homologues contained the flavin adenine dinucleotide binding domain, which is a feature of DHCR24. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction revealed that among tissues of adult crickets, fat body and anterior midgut expressed high levels of GbDHCR24s. Both fat body and anterior midgut demonstrated DHCR24 activities in which one of the functions is the conversion of desmosterol into cholesterol in vitro. Knockdown of GbDHCR24-1 significantly reduced the conversion activity in the anterior midgut while knockdown of the GbDHCR24-2 did not. Additionally, the accumulation of desmosterol was detected in a feeding experiment with a specific DHCR24 inhibitor, azacosterol. We finally concluded that GbDHCR24-1 is the major enzyme that facilitates the desmosterol-to-cholesterol-conversion in crickets.

Effects of liraglutide on visceral and ectopic fat in adults with overweight and obesity at high cardiovascular risk: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical trial

Visceral and ectopic fat are key drivers of adverse cardiometabolic outcomes in obesity. We aimed to evaluate the effects of injectable liraglutide 3·0 mg daily on body fat distribution in adults with overweight or obesity without type 2 diabetes at high cardiovascular disease risk. In this randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 4, single centre trial, we enrolled community-dwelling adults, recruited from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, with BMI of at least 30 kg/m2 or BMI of at least 27 kg/m2 with metabolic syndrome but without diabetes and randomly assigned them, in a 1:1 ratio, to 40 weeks of treatment with once-daily subcutaneous liraglutide 3·0 mg or placebo, in addition to a 500 kcal deficient diet and guideline-recommended physical activity counselling. The primary endpoint was percentage reduction in visceral adipose tissue (VAT) measured with MRI. All randomly assigned participants with a follow-up imaging assessment were included in efficacy analyses and all participants who received at least one dose of study drug were included in the safety analyses. The trial is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03038620. Between July 20, 2017 and Feb 21, 2020 from 235 participants assessed for eligibility, 185 participants were randomly assigned (n=92 liraglutide, n=93 placebo) and 128 (n=73 liraglutide, n=55 placebo) were included in the final analysis (92% female participants, 37% Black participants, 24% Hispanic participants, mean age 50·2 years (SD 9·4), mean BMI 37·7 kg/m2). Mean change in VAT over median 36·2 weeks was -12·49% (SD 9·3%) with liraglutide compared with -1·63% (SD 12·3%) with placebo, estimated treatment difference -10·86% (95% CI -6·97 to -14·75, p<0·0001). Effects seemed consistent across subgroups of age, sex, race-ethnicity, BMI, and baseline prediabetes. The most frequently reported adverse events were gastrointestinal-related (43 [47%] of 92 with liraglutide and 12 [13%] of 93 with placebo) and upper respiratory tract infections (10 [11%] of 92 with liraglutide and 14 [15%] of 93 with placebo). In adults with overweight or obesity at high cardiovascular disease risk, once-daily liraglutide 3·0 mg plus lifestyle intervention significantly lowered visceral adipose tissue over 40 weeks of treatment. Visceral fat reduction may be one mechanism to explain the benefits seen on cardiovascular outcomes in previous trials with liraglutide among patients with type 2 diabetes. NovoNordisk.

Relationship between BMI with percentage body fat and obesity in Singaporean adults \u2013 The Yishun Study

BackgroundThe main aim of this study was to the determine relationship between Body Mass Index (BMI) and percentage body fat (BF%) in Singaporean adults, derive a prediction model to estimate BF%, and to report population BF%. The secondary aim was to determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity based on BF% threshold and the new risk categories for obesity in Singaporean population.MethodsThis was a population-based study of 542 community-dwelling Singaporeans (21–90 years old, 43.1% men). Anthropometry and body composition were assessed. Relationship between BMI and BF% were analysed using multiple regression models. Prevalence of overweight and obesity were estimated using WHO and Singapore Ministry of Health (MOH) Clinical Practice Guidelines for BMI classification, and BF% cut-off points of 25 and 35% for men and women respectively.ResultsWe derived a prediction model to estimate BF% based on BMI, age and sex. The current cohort of Singaporeans when compared to Caucasians in the US and Europe as well as a Singapore cohort from 20 years age have higher BF% when matched for BMI, age, and sex. The overall population-adjusted prevalence of obesity according to WHO International classification (BMI ≥30 kg/m2) was 12.9% (14.9% men; 11.0% women); and 26.6% (30.7% men; 22.8% women) according to the MOH classification (BMI ≥27.5 kg/m2). However, using the BF% cut-off (> 25% for men and > 35% for women) resulted in very high prevalence of obesity of 82.0% (80.2% men; 83.8% women).ConclusionThere is a large discrepancy between BF% and BMI measured obesity in Singaporean adults. The results confirmed that Singaporean adults have higher BF% at lower BMI compared to US and Europe white counterparts; and that BF% in our population has increased over two decades.

221-LB: Effects of Liraglutide on Visceral and Ectopic Fat in Adults with Overweight/Obesity at High Cardiovascular Risk: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Background: Visceral/ectopic fat is a modifiable cardiovascular (CV) risk factor. Liraglutide, a glucagon like peptide 1 receptor agonist, reduces weight and CV events compared with placebo. We investigated its effects on body fat distribution in a high-risk population with overweight/obesity.Methods: In this double blind, single center trial, we randomly assigned individuals ≥35 years with BMI ≥30 kg/m2 or ≥27 kg/m2 with metabolic syndrome to receive liraglutide or placebo for 40 wks in addition to reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity. Participants underwent a 6-minute neck to knee MRI scan for fat distribution at randomization and end of treatment. The primary outcome was relative percent change in visceral adipose tissue volume. Secondary endpoints included changes in adipose distribution and other biomarkers of CV risk.Results: Of 185 randomized participants, 128 completed the study and were included in the mITT analysis. The cohort was 92% female, 38% Black, and 24% Hispanic with mean age 50 yrs and BMI 38 kg/m2 with median follow up 36 wks. Liraglutide significantly reduced visceral and ectopic fat and inflammation compared with placebo (Table).Conclusions: Liraglutide reduced visceral/ectopic fat measured by MRI in adults with overweight/obese at high CV risk, with proportionally greater effects seen in the abdominal viscera and liver.View largeDownload slideView largeDownload slide DisclosureI. Neeland: Consultant; Self; Merck & Co., Inc. S. P. Marso: Consultant; Self; Novo Nordisk, Other Relationship; Self; Abbott Vascular, ASAHI Intecc, Boston Scientific Corporation. C. Ayers: None. A. Pandey: None. P. H. Joshi: Research Support; Self; Amgen Inc., AstraZeneca, NASA, Novartis AG, Novo Nordisk.FundingNovo Nordisk

A Pilot Study of Associations Between Visceral Fat, IL-6, and Urinary F2-Isoprostanes in Older Adults Exposed to a Diet Intervention.

BackgroundShort-term markers of successful visceral adipose tissue (VAT) loss are needed. Urinary F2-isoprostanes might serve as a marker for intensified lipid metabolism, whereas circulating IL-6 might stimulate fat oxidation and enhance mobilization of VAT.ObjectivesThis pilot study was designed to explore the hypotheses that 1) reduction in VAT is associated with increase in IL-6, and 2) that increases in urinary F2-isoprostanes are associated with increases in IL-6 and reduction in VAT.MethodsEighteen participants (aged 60–75 y, BMI 30–40 kg/m2) were randomly assigned to either a very-low-carbohydrate diet (VLCD; <10:25:>65% energy from carbohydrate:protein:fat) or a low-fat diet (LFD; 55:25:20%) for 8 wk. Changes in fat distribution were assessed by MRI. Four urinary F2-isoprostane isomers were quantified in 24-h urine collection using LC-MS/MS analyses. Changes in 4 F2-isoprostane isomers were summarized using factor analysis (Δ-F2-isoprostane factor). Statistical significance was set at P < 0.1.ResultsWithin the VLCD group, change in VAT was inversely associated with change in IL-6 (r = −0.778, P = 0.069) and Δ-F2-isoprostane factor (r = −0.690, P = 0.086), demonstrating that participants who maintained higher concentrations of F2-isoprostane factor across the intervention showed greater decreases in VAT. A positive relation between Δ-F2-isoprostane factor and change in IL-6 was observed (r = 0.642, P = 0.062). In the LFD group, no significant associations between changes in VAT, F2-isoprostane factor, or IL-6 were observed.ConclusionsResults from this exploratory study in older adults with obesity suggest that, in the context of a VLCD, IL-6 could be involved in VAT mobilization, and urinary F2-isoprostanes could reflect intensified oxidation of mobilized fatty acids.Trial registration: This study is registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02760641.

Circulating Metabolites Associated with Body Fat and Lean Mass in Adults with Overweight/Obesity.

The interplay between fat mass and lean mass within human metabolism is not completely understood. We aimed to identify specific circulating metabolomic profiles associated with these body composition compartments. Cross-sectional analyses were conducted over 236 adults with overweight/obesity from the Satiety Innovation (SATIN) study. Body composition was assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. A targeted multiplatform metabolite profiling approach was applied. Associations between 168 circulating metabolites and the body composition measures were assessed using elastic net regression analyses. The accuracy of the multimetabolite weighted models was evaluated using a 10-fold cross-validation approach and the Pearson’s correlation coefficients between metabolomic profiles and body compartments were estimated. Two different profiles including 86 and 65 metabolites were selected for % body fat and lean mass. These metabolites mainly consisted of lipids (sphingomyelins, phosphatidylcholines, lysophosphatidylcholines), acylcarnitines, and amino acids. Several metabolites overlapped between these body composition measures but none of them towards the same direction. The Pearson correlation coefficients between the metabolomic profiles and % body fat or lean mass were 0.80 and 0.79, respectively. Our findings suggest alterations in lipid metabolism, fatty acid oxidation, and protein degradation with increased adiposity and decreased lean body mass. These findings could help us to better understand the interplay between body composition compartments with human metabolic processes.

Using energy spectrum CT to evaluate the characteristics of adult abdominal fat distribution and analyze its influencing factors

Objective: To evaluate the characteristics of adult abdominal fat distribution and analyze its influencing factors by energy spectrum CT scan. Methods: The body height, weight, waist circumference, and hip circumference of 105 adults were measured, and the characteristics of abdominal fat distribution were evaluated by energy spectrum CT scan. Results: Compared with non-obese individuals, the contents of abdominal subcutaneous fat, abdominal cavity and liver ectopic fat were higher in obese patients (P<0.05), and the intramuscular fat (IMAT) content did not increase with the increase of BMI. In middle-aged group, the waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) abdominal cavity area and IMAT content were higher than those in the youth group, and the muscle content of the middle-aged group was lower than that of the youth group, the difference between the two groups was significant (P<0.05); the male group had higher abdominal cavity area and muscle content than the female group, while the female group had higher the subcutaneous fat area, abdominal subcutaneous fat thickness and erector spinae fat content than the male group, the differences were significant (P<0.05). Conclusions: The characteristics of abdominal fat distribution of subjects with different BMI, age and gender were different. Therefore, we should pay attention to the individual assessment of ectopic fat distribution in obese patients. Energy spectrum CT can be used as an important approach for the assessment of ectopic fat to provide evidence for developing individualized weight loss programs.

Assessment of body composition in spinal cord injury: A scoping review.

The objective of this scoping review was to map the evidence on measurement properties of body composition tools to assess whole-body and regional fat and fat-free mass in adults with SCI, and to identify research gaps in order to set future research priorities. Electronic databases of PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane library were searched up to April 2020. Included studies employed assessments related to whole-body or regional fat and/or fat-free mass and provided data to quantify measurement properties that involved adults with SCI. All searches and data extractions were conducted by two independent reviewers. The scoping review was designed and conducted together with an expert panel (n = 8) that represented research, clinical, nutritional and lived SCI experience. The panel collaboratively determined the scope and design of the review and interpreted its findings. Additionally, the expert panel reached out to their professional networks to gain further stakeholder feedback via interactive practitioner surveys and workshops with people with SCI. The research gaps identified by the review, together with discussions among the expert panel including consideration of the survey and workshop feedback, informed the formulation of future research priorities. A total of 42 eligible articles were identified (1,011 males and 143 females). The only tool supported by studies showing both acceptable test-retest reliability and convergent validity was whole-body dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA). The survey/workshop participants considered the measurement burden of DXA acceptable as long as it was reliable, valid and would do no harm (e.g. radiation, skin damage). Practitioners considered cost and accessibility of DXA major barriers in applied settings. The survey/workshop participants expressed a preference towards simple tools if they could be confident in their reliability and validity. This review suggests that future research should prioritize reliability and validity studies on: (1) DXA as a surrogate ‘gold standard’ tool to assess whole-body composition, regional fat and fat-free mass; and (2) skinfold thickness and waist circumference as practical low-cost tools to assess regional fat mass in persons with SCI, and (3) females to explore potential sex differences of body composition assessment tools.Registration review protocol: CRD42018090187 (PROSPERO).

The association between cardiorespiratory fitness, liver fat and insulin resistance in adults with or without type 2 diabetes: a cross-sectional analysis

BackgroundExercise-induced improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) often coincide with improvements in insulin sensitivity and reductions in liver fat content. However, there are limited data concerning the relationship between CRF and liver fat content in adults with varying degrees of metabolic dysfunction.MethodsThe aim of this study was to examine the association between CRF, liver fat content, and insulin resistance in inactive adults with obesity and with or without type 2 diabetes (T2D), via cross-sectional analysis. CRF was determined via a graded exercise test. Liver fat content was assessed via proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy and insulin resistance was assessed via homeostatic model of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). A partial correlation analysis, controlling for age and gender, was performed to determine the association between CRF, demographic, cardiometabolic, and anthropometric variables. Independent t tests were performed to compare cardiometabolic outcomes between participants with T2D and participants without T2D.ResultsSeventy-two adults (46% male) with a mean age of 49.28 ± 10.8 years, BMI of 34.69 ± 4.87 kg/m2, liver fat content of 8.37 ± 6.90%, HOMA-IR of 3.07 ± 2.33 and CRF of 21.52 ± 3.77 mL/kg/min participated in this study. CRF was inversely associated with liver fat content (r = − 0.28, p = 0.019) and HOMA-IR (r = − 0.40, p < 0.001). Participants with T2D had significantly higher liver fat content (+ 3.66%, p = 0.024) and HOMA-IR (+ 2.44, p < 0.001) than participants without T2D. Participants with T2D tended to have lower CRF than participants without T2D (− 1.5 ml/kg/min, p = 0.094).ConclusionCRF was inversely associated with liver fat content and insulin resistance. Participants with T2D had lower CRF than those without T2D, however, the difference was not statistically significant. Further longitudinal studies are required to elucidate the relationship between CRF and the progression of obesity-related diseases such as T2D.Registration: ACTRN12614001220651 (retrospectively registered on the 19th November 2014) and ACTRN12614000723684 (prospectively registered on the 8th July 2014).

Changes in physical fitness by percentage body fat in Korean adults and elderly individuals

Changes in physical fitness by percentage body fat in Korean adults and elderly individuals

DHNF4 regulates lipid homeostasis and oogenesis in Drosophila melanogaster

The fly genome contains a single ortholog of the evolutionarily conserved transcription factor hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 (HNF4), a broadly and constitutively expressed member of the nuclear receptor superfamily. Like its mammalian orthologs, Drosophila HNF4 (dHNF4) acts as a critical regulator of fatty acid and glucose homeostasis. Because of its role in energy storage and catabolism, the insect fat body controls non-autonomous organs including the ovaries, where lipid metabolism is essential for oogenesis. The present paper used dHNF4 overexpression (OE) in the fat bodies and ovaries to investigate its potential roles in lipid homeostasis and oogenesis. When the developing fat body overexpressed dHNF4, animals exhibited reduced size and failed to pupariate, but no changes in body composition were observed. Conditional OE of dHNF4 in the adult fat body produced a reduction in triacylglycerol content and reduced oogenesis. Ovary-specific dHNF4 OE increased oogenesis and egg-laying, but reduced the number of adult offspring. The phenotypic effects on oogenesis that arise upon dHNF4 OE in the fat body or ovary may be due to its function in controlling lipid utilization.

Effects of early-life exposure to Western diet and voluntary exercise on adult activity levels, exercise physiology, and associated traits in selectively bred High Runner mice

Exercise behavior is under partial genetic control, but it is also affected by numerous environmental factors, potentially including early-life experiences whose effects persist into adulthood. We studied genetic and early-life environmental effects on wheel-running behavior in a mouse model that includes four replicate high runner (HR) lines selectively bred for increased voluntary wheel running as young adults and four non-selected control (C) lines. In a full factorial design, mice from each line were granted wheel access or not and administered either standard or Western diet (WD) from weaning (3 weeks old) to 6 weeks of age (sexual maturity). In addition to acute effects, after a washout period of 8 weeks (∼6 human years) in which all mice had standard diet and no wheel access, we found both beneficial and detrimental effects of these early-life exposures. During the first week of treatments, WD increased distance run by 29% in C mice and 48% in HR mice (significant Diet × Linetype interaction), but diet effects disappeared by the third week. Across the three weeks of juvenile treatment, WD significantly increased fat mass (with lean mass as a covariate). Tested as adults, early-life exercise increased wheel running of C mice but not HR mice in the first week. Early-life exercise also reduced adult anxiety-like behavior and increased adult fasted blood glucose levels, triceps surae mass, subdermal fat pad mass, and brain mass, but decreased heart ventricle mass. Using fat mass as a covariate, early-life exercise treatment increased adult leptin concentration. In contrast, early-life WD increased adult wheel running of HR mice but not C mice. Early-life WD also increased adult lean mass and adult preference for Western diet in all groups. Surprisingly, early-life treatment had no significant effect on adult body fat or maximal aerobic capacity (VO2max). No previous study has tested for combined or interactive effects of early-life WD and exercise. Our results demonstrate that both factors can have long-lasting effects on adult voluntary exercise and related phenotypes, and that these effects are modulated by genetic background. Overall, the long-lasting effects of early-life exercise were more pervasive than those of WD, suggesting critical opportunities for health intervention in childhood habits, as well as possible threats from modern challenges. These results may be relevant for understanding potential effects of activity reductions and dietary changes associated with the obesity epidemic and COVID-19 pandemic.

Calf circumference positively correlates with calf muscle thickness and negatively correlates with calf subcutaneous fat thickness and percent body fat in non-obese healthy young adults.

Calf circumference is measured for assessing sarcopenia, nutrition status, percent body fat or obesity. However, there has been no study that investigated the relationship between calf circumference and calf subcutaneous fat tissue thickness. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between calf circumference, calf muscle thickness, and calf subcutaneous fat tissue thickness in non-obese healthy young adults. The study participants were non-obese 22 women (20.1±0.8 years) and 21 men (20.0±0.8 years). The right calf circumference was measured in prone position at the point where the circumference was maximal by visual recognition using a measuring tape. Then, thickness of calf subcutaneous fat tissue and calf muscles were measured with an ultrasonic diagnostic equipment. There was a positive relationship between calf circumference and calf muscle thickness both in women (r=0.58, P<0.01) and men (r=0.46, P<0.05), negative relationship between calf circumference and calf subcutaneous fat tissue thickness both in women (r=-0.43, P<0.05) and men (r=-0.67, P<0.001), no correlation between calf circumference and percent body fat both in women (r=0.04, P=0.87) and men (r=0.41, P=0.06), and a negative relationship between calf subcutaneous fat tissue thickness and percent body fat both in women (r=-0.48, P<0.05) and men (r=-0.46, P<0.05). The present study showed that a larger calf indicated larger calf muscle thickness, and largely different from previous studies, a lower calf subcutaneous fat tissue thickness. That is because when the calf circumference increases, calf subcutaneous fat tissue thickness should be thinner to keep the percent body fat equal in non-obese healthy young adults. The finding will help to get a better understanding of the nature of the calf.

Minor Changes in the Composition and Function of the Gut Microbiota During a 12-Week Whole Grain Wheat or Refined Wheat Intervention Correlate with Liver Fat in Overweight and Obese Adults

BackgroundWhole grain wheat (WGW) products are advocated as a healthy choice when compared with refined wheat (RW). One proposed mechanism for these health benefits is via the microbiota, because WGW contains multiple fibers. WGW consumption has been proposed to ameliorate nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, in which microbiota might play a role. ObjectivesWe investigated the effect of WGW compared with RW intervention on the fecal microbiota composition and functionality, and correlated intervention-induced changes in bacteria with changes in liver health parameters in adults with overweight or obesity. MethodsWe used data of a 12-wk double-blind, randomized, controlled, parallel trial to examine the effects of a WGW (98 g/d) or RW (98 g/d) intervention on the secondary outcomes fecal microbiota composition, predicted microbiota functionality, and stool consistency in 37 women and men (aged 45–70 y, BMI 25–35 kg/m2). The changes in microbiota composition, measured using 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing, after a 12-wk intervention were analyzed with nonparametric tests, and correlated with changes in liver fat and circulating concentrations of liver enzymes including alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, γ-glutamyltransferase, and serum amyloid A. ResultsThe WGW intervention increased the mean (± SD) relative abundances of Ruminococcaceae_UCG-014 (baseline: 2.2 ± 4.6%, differential change over time (Δ) 0.51 ± 4.2%), Ruminiclostridium_9 (baseline: 0.065 ± 0.11%, Δ 0.054 ± 0.14%), and Ruminococcaceae_NK4A214_group (baseline: 0.37 ± 0.56%, Δ 0.17 ± 0.83%), and also the predicted pathway acetyl-CoA fermentation to butyrate II (baseline: 0.23 ± 0.062%, Δ 0.035 ± 0.059%), compared with the RW intervention (P values <0.05). A change in Ruminococcaceae_NK4A214_group was positively correlated with the change in liver fat, in both the WGW (ρ = 0.54; P = 0.026) and RW (ρ = 0.67; P = 0.024) groups. ConclusionsIn middle-aged overweight and obese adults, a 12-wk WGW intervention increased the relative abundance of a number of bacterial taxa from the family Ruminococcaceae and increased predicted fermentation pathways when compared with an RW intervention. Potential protective health effects of replacement of RW by WGW on metabolic organs, such as the liver, via modulation of the microbiota, deserve further investigation.This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02385149.

Childhood adiposity, adult adiposity, and bone health.

ABSTRACTImportanceChildhood and adolescence are critical periods for lifelong bone mineral accrual, but few studies have determined the impact of childhood adiposity on adult bone density.ObjectiveTo determine the long‐term impact of childhood adiposity on adult areal bone mineral density (aBMD) and the effect of adult adiposity on this relationship.MethodsWe conducted a longitudinal study of 1156 adults (56.3% men), for whom skinfold thickness (SFT) had been measured during childhood (6–18 years) and fat mass percentage (FMP) and aBMD were measured during adulthood (29–43 years). Adult aBMD in the lumbar spine (LS), femoral neck (FN), arms, and legs was measured using dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry. The direct effect of childhood SFT and its indirect effect through adult FMP on adult aBMD were estimated using general linear regression and a causal steps approach.ResultsSignificant positive associations between childhood SFT and adult aBMD were found in the LS in men (β = 0.089, P = 0.044) and in all the skeletal sites in women. With respect to the adult fat–bone relationship, high adult FMP was associated with low aBMD in most of the sites in men, but with high FN aBMD in women (β = 0.144, P = 0.002). Moreover, suppressive effects of adult FMP on the associations between childhood SFT and adult aBMD in the LS (−34.8%) and legs (−67.1%) of men, and a positive effect on the FN aBMD in women (17.0%) were identified.InterpretationChildhood adiposity appears to have a positive long‐term effect on adult aBMD, which may be reduced by adiposity in adult men but reinforced by adiposity in adult women.