Weight Gain Research Articles

Is there any materno- foetal risks in mothers with gestational weight gain (WHO & IOM) based on their pre-pregnancy body mass indices? Our experience in a tertiary care teaching institution in North Kerala

: This research was done to learn the impact of pre-pregnancy BMI and gestational weight gain (GWG) on subsequent risks of adverse pregnancy outcomes in a tertiary care teaching institution in North Kerala, India. A descriptive study in a tertiary care teaching institution in Kozhikode, North Kerala. : 296 singleton pregnant women with BMI categorised as per Asian Standards and adverse maternal outcomes were looked out for. Pregnant women were underweight (82.8%) achieved less than recommended weight during pregnancy as compared to 18.4% obese mothers. Mothers with high BMI gained more than recommended weight during pregnancy as compared to the underweight and normal weight woman. GDM was 3.03 times(p=0.019)and Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy was 1.116 times more common in higher pre-pregnancy BMI mothers. In the present study, gestational weight gain had no impact on maternal anaemia, Gestational diabetes, Gestational hypertension, foetal growth restriction and rate of caesarean deliveries. A statistically significant positive correlation was obtained between pre-pregnancy BMI and baby weight, p<0.001. A statistically significant positive correlation was obtained between gestational weight gain and baby weight, p=0.005. Weight gain during pregnancy had no significant impact on maternal pregnancy outcomes and caesarean delivery.

Physical activity levels of pregnant women at the time of diagnosis with gestational diabetes attending a tertiary care hospital in Lucknow City, Uttar Pradesh

: Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) is one of the pregnancy complications characterized by carbohydrate intolerance that develops or is discovered during pregnancy. Physical inactivity and excessive gestational weight gain have been identified as independent risk factors for maternal obesity and pregnancy-related disorders, such as gestational diabetes. Awareness of the significance of physical activity for bodily and psychological health is vitally essential. The woman and her family members need to be swayed to change with time and let go of their myths and false cultural perceptions that exercise can harm the baby. : To determine the physical activity pattern of pregnant women at the time of diagnosis with GDM. : 188 pregnant women diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus was selected for the study. Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire was used to calculate the duration; frequency, intensity, and type of physical activity during current gestational period. An average weekly energy expenditure in Metabolic Equivalent of Task (MET-h-week) was calculated. Demographic data including age, socioeconomic status, parity, literacy and working status were collected. Data was analysed on 188 pregnant women diagnosed with GDM. The physical activity of moderate intensity was less performed by the pregnant women. None of the pregnant women were involved in vigorous type of physical activity. Only light intensity activities were performed by the study participants. The study concluded light intensity activity was commonly carried by pregnant women thus a low level of physical activity was observed during the pregnancy.

Polycystic ovary syndrome increases risks of infertility: Role of a well-planned diet and other factors

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder causing menstrual irregularities, insulin resistance, and infertility. Treatment options include medical treatments and lifestyle modifications. The guideline suggests various balanced strategies, including diet, exercise, behavioral interventions, and sleep. This article aimed to review the multiple diets, nutrients, and other factors responsible for PCOS-induced infertility, which is growing nowadays. The primary motive to recover PCOS is to reduce the risk of infertility among women. PCOS treatment involves birth control pills, diabetes medication, and estrogen receptor modulators. Lifestyle changes like resistance training and yoga can improve body composition and reduce fat. Traditional lifestyles, such as alcohol and tobacco, can hinder fertility. Weight loss improves PCOS status regardless of dietary composition. Low glycemic index diets reduce weight gain, improve insulin sensitivity, and reduce risk factors. The DASH diet, rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, legumes, and low-fat dairy, is recommended for managing PCOS. In conclusion, PCOS should be taken care of for young women with the help of diet, exercise, and medication, if needed, to avoid infertility under the supervision of a dietitian and physician.

The relationship between weight change and inflammatory bowel disease. Apopulation-based cohort study, the HUNT study.

The incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is increasing. The prevalence of overweight and obesity is increasing in parallel with IBD and could contribute to IBD development. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between weight change and the risk for IBD. Data gathered from 55,896 adult participants in the three first population-based Trøndelag Health Studies (HUNT1-3), Norway, performed in 1984-2008 was used. The exposure was change in body mass index between two HUNT studies. The outcome was a new IBD diagnosis recorded during a ten-year follow-up period after the exposure assessment. The risk of IBD by weight change was assessed by Cox regression analyses reporting hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), adjusted for sex, age, and smoking status. There were 334 new cases of ulcerative colitis (UC) and 54 of Crohn's disease (CD). Weight loss decreased the risk of a new UC diagnosis by 38% (adjusted HR 0.62, 95% CI 0.39-0.97) and seemed to double the risk of getting a new CD diagnosis (adjusted HR 2.01, 95% CI 0.91-4.46). Weight gain was not associated with a new diagnosis of neither UC (adjusted HR 1.00, 95% CI 0.78-1.26) nor CD (adjusted HR 1.08, 95% CI 0.56-2.08). In this study, weight loss was associated with decreased risk of UC. However, no associations were seen between weight gain and the risk of UC or CD, suggesting that the increasing weight in the general population cannot explain the increasing incidence of IBD.

Vaporized nicotine in utero results in reduced birthweight, increased locomotion, and decreased voluntary exercise, dependent on sex and diet in offspring.

Rationale Clinical research has shown that prenatal exposure to nicotine may result in increased obesity risk later in life. Preclinical research has corroborated this finding, but few studies have investigated inhaled nicotine or the interaction with diet on obesity risk. Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of prenatal nicotine exposure on both direct and indirect obesity measures, with both sex and diet as factors. Methods Pregnant rats were exposed to either vehicle or nicotine vapor (24mg/mL or 59mg/mL) throughout the entire gestational period. Offspring from each treatment group were given either a normal diet or a high fat diet starting at postnatal day 22. Caloric intake, body weight, spontaneous locomotion, sleep/wake activity, and voluntary exercise were measured throughout adolescence. Pregnancy weight gain and pup birthweights were collected to further measure developmental effects of prenatal nicotine exposure. Results Both maternal weight gain during pregnancy and pup weight at birth were decreased with prenatal nicotine exposure. Early adolescent males showed increased spontaneous activity in the open field following prenatal nicotine exposure compared to vehicle counterparts, particularly those given high-fat diet. Additionally, high dose nicotine prenatal treated males ran significantly less distance on the running wheel in late adolescence compared to vehicle counterparts, in the normal diet group only. Conclusion The results presented here show decreased birthweight, hyperactivity, and decreased voluntary exercise in adolescence following prenatal nicotine exposure in dose, sex, and diet dependent manners, which could lead to increased obesity risk in adulthood.

The Environmental Impact on Economically Significant Traits in Central Anatolian Merino Sheep

This research delves into the pre-weaning growth and fleece characteristics of the Central Anatolian Merino sheep breed, focusing on Türkiye's National Community-Based Small Ruminant Breeding Program. The study encompasses Central Anatolian Merino lambs born between 2016 and 2021 across 22 farms in Ankara province, amassing a dataset of around 35,344 observations. Economically important traits such as birth weight (BW), weaning weight (WW), average daily weight gain (ADWG), Kleiber ratio at weaning (KR), fiber diameter, and fiber length (measured in approximately 4,809 observations) were scrutinized. Rigorous statistical analyses, including outlier identification, normality assessment, and the development of linear mixed models, were employed to unravel the impact of environmental factors on these traits. Significant findings emerged, indicating that birth weight, weaning weight, and the Kleiber ratio were substantially influenced by variables such as sex, birth type, birth season, birth year, and flock size. Moreover, average daily weight gain exhibited noteworthy variations attributed to gender, birth type, birth season, birth year, flock size, and other environmental factors, underscoring their collective impact on growth. Fleece traits displayed considerable diversity influenced by gender, birth type, birth season, birth year, and flock size. This study sheds light on the intricate interplay between environmental factors and pre-weaning growth traits within the Central Anatolian Merino sheep breed. Beyond its scientific contributions, this research provides valuable insights aimed at bolstering productivity. The adaptability of the Central Anatolian Merino breed to arid climates and challenging pasture conditions positions it as a key player in Türkiye's broader agricultural development.

Effect of high-energy shot peening process on the oxidation behaviour of AISI 321 stainless steel at 900 °C

ABSTRACT The present work comparatively investigates the oxidation behaviour of AISI 321 austenitic stainless steel at 900 °C in Ar-21vol.%O2 in two conditions of solution annealed (SAed) and after a high-energy shot peening process (HESPed). Kinetic observations indicated that during the initial 25 h of oxidation, the HESPed sample exhibits higher oxidation kinetics. However, as oxidation progresses, the kinetics of the SAed sample surpasses in a way that after 150 h, the weight gain for SAed is 0.93 mg/cm2, and for HESPed, it is 0.71 mg/cm2. GI-XRD results after 150 h of oxidation revealed similar oxide phases on both samples, including (Cr,Fe)2O3, Mn(Fe,Cr)2O4, and Fe2O3. An important point is that the oxide formed on the surface of the SAed sample, unlike HESPed, undergoes severe spallation and cracking after 150 h, leading to sub-surface oxidation and the formation of Ni-rich oxide phases such as Ni(Fe,Cr)2O4. The enhancement observed in the oxidation performance of the HESPed sample can be ascribed to the augmented density of high-diffusivity paths, a consequence of the high-energy shot peening process, and the prompt development of uniform inner Si-rich and intermediate Cr-rich oxide layers.

A Comprehensive Review on Weight Gain following Discontinuation of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists for Obesity

Obesity is considered the leading public health problem in the medical sector. The phenotype includes overweight conditions that lead to several other comorbidities that drastically decrease health. Glucagon-like receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) initially designed for treating type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) had demonstrated weight loss benefits in several clinical trials. In vivo studies showed that GLP-1RA encourages reduced food consumption and consequent weight reduction by stimulating brown fat and enhancing energy outlay through the action of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) pathways. Additionally, GLP-1RAs were found to regulate food intake through stimulation of sensory neurons in the vagus, interaction with the hypothalamus and hindbrain, and through inflammation and intestinal microbiota. However, the main concern with the use of GLP-1RA treatment was weight gain after withdrawal or discontinuation. We could identify three different ways that could lead to weight gain. Potential factors might include temporary hormonal adjustment in response to weight reduction, the central nervous system’s (CNS) incompetence in regulating weight augmentation owing to the lack of GLP-1RA, and β-cell malfunction due to sustained exposure to GLP-1RA. Here, we also review the data from clinical studies that reported withdrawal symptoms. Although the use of GLP-1RA could be beneficial in multiple ways, withdrawal after years has the symptoms reversed. Clinical studies should emphasize the downside of these views we highlighted, and mechanistic studies must be carried out for a better outcome with GLP-1RA from the laboratory to the bedside.

Impact of hormone replacement therapy on cardiovascular risk in patients with hypothyroidism: a systematic review

Hypothyroidism, which is developed in 4-10 % of the population, and subclinical hypothyroidism found in more than 10 % of people which are highly associated with cardiovascular pathophysiology at some level. Hypothyroidism, which is the most frequent endocrine disorder with a lack of enough thyroid hormones, presents a wide range of cardiovascular complications, including coronary artery disease, heart failure, and dyslipidemia. Thyroid hormone replacement therapy, particularly levothyroxine (LT4), continues to be the central management of hypothyroidism, which aims to restore euthyroidism and other cardiac comorbidities as well as relieving symptoms. Nonetheless, the complex interworking of thyroid function and cardiovascular health requires a detailed clarification of the processes associated with disease development and drug therapy. Hypothyroidism triggers a chain of cardiovascular alterations such as aberrant lipid metabolism, endothelial dysfunction, and lessened cardiac contractility primarily by lowering the thyroid hormone level. Besides, these modifications eventually lead to raised rates of atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, and heart failure. LT4 replacement therapy achieves normalization of hyperthyroidism with the replacement of thyroid hormone deficiency, which restores the cardiovascular system to normal by doing so. LT4 modulates lipid metabolism, improves endothelial function, and stimulates myocardial contractility via several different mechanisms. LT4 therapy acts on systemic inflammation and oxidation to accentuate the protective effects of the cardiovascular system. Apart from this, there is an increasing awareness about the use of new thyroid hormone formulations, like LH4, in the therapy of hypothyroidism. LH4, the thyromimetic compound, demonstrated a similar binding affinity at the thyroid hormone receptor as T3 (triiodothyronine) but with better tissue selectivity and more metabolic stability. Clinical trials have proven the potency of LH4 in lowering symptoms of hypothyroidism, for example, fatigue, weight gain which are leading cause of cardiovascular disorders. LH4 administration has been safe for up to six months, and only mild adverse effects have been reported when it is used more than a year.

The effects of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug on behavior and physiological parameters of beef cows and calves assisted at calving

An assisted calving can negatively impact the health and behav­ior of beef cows and calves. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) administered after a difficult calving to the cow or the calf as a pain mitigation strategy have been shown to im­prove behaviors in dairy cows and calves, weight gain in beef and dairy calves, and vigor in dairy calves. However, the effects of NSAIDs on beef cows’ and calves’ behaviors related with pain and cow-calf bonding after an assisted calving have not been studied. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the effects of administering an NSAID to beef cattle after an as­sisted calving by measuring changes in behaviors related with pain and the cow-calf bond, transfer of passive immunity in calves, and physiological parameters related with pain.

Solid-state fermentation converts rice bran into a high-protein feed ingredient for Penaeus monodon

Fermented rice bran (FRB) was evaluated as an alternative protein source to soybean meal (SM) in practical diets for juvenile black tiger shrimp, Penaeus monodon. This feed ingredient was tested in a feeding trial to replace soybean meal in P. monodon diets at 0% (T0), 12.5% (T12.5), 25% (T25), 37.5% (T37.5), and 50% (T50). Five iso-nitrogenous and iso-caloric experimental diets containing 44% crude protein were fed to groups of juvenile shrimp (0.47 ± 0.002 g) randomly assigned to twenty 60-l rectangular tanks equipped with a recirculating seawater system. Each dietary treatment was run in 4 replicates, and the feeding trial lasted 50 days. Results show significant improvement in weight gain, specific growth rate, and protein efficiency ratio in treatment T12.5 and T25. Treatments with higher levels of SM replacement with FRB exhibited similar growth indices to those of the control group. Polynomial regression analysis indicates that the optimum replacement of soybean meal with FRB for optimum growth is 21.08%. The apparent dry matter and protein digestibility coefficients of FRB are 83.05 ± 0.02% and 87.20 ± 0.30%, respectively. There were no significant differences in the whole-body composition (dry matter, protein, lipid, ash) among treatments of shrimp fed with FRB replacement. The data suggest that FRB replacement of dietary soybean meal is feasible at 50% without affecting the growth performance but may promote growth at 21.08% replacement of P. monodon.

Nutritional, molecular, and functional properties of a novel enzymatically hydrolyzed porcine plasma product.

In the present study, an enzymatically hydrolyzed porcine plasma (EHPP) was nutritionally and molecularly characterized. EHPP molecular characterization showed, in contrast to spray-dried plasma (SDP), many peptides with relative molecular masses (Mr) below 8,000, constituting 73% of the protein relative abundance. IIAPPER, a well-known bioactive peptide with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, was identified. In vivo functionality of EHPP was tested in C. elegans and two different mouse models of intestinal inflammation. In C. elegans subjected to lipopolysaccharide exposure, EHPP displayed a substantial anti-inflammatory effect, enhancing survival and motility by 40% and 21.5%, respectively. Similarly, in mice challenged with Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxin B or Escherichia coli O42, EHPP and SDP supplementation (8%) increased body weight and average daily gain while reducing the percentage of regulatory Th lymphocytes. Furthermore, both products mitigated the increase of pro-inflammatory cytokines expression associated with these challenged mouse models. In contrast, some significant differences were observed in markers such as Il-6 and Tnf-α, suggesting that the products may present different action mechanisms. In conclusion, EHPP demonstrated similar beneficial health effects to SDP, potentially attributable to the immunomodulatory and antioxidant activity of its characteristic low Mr bioactive peptides.

The pan-PPAR agonist lanifibranor improves cardiometabolic health in patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis

Lanifibranor, a pan-PPAR agonist, improves liver histology in patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), who have poor cardiometabolic health (CMH) and cardiovascular events as major mortality cause. NATIVE trial secondary and exploratory outcomes (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03008070) were analyzed for the effect of lanifibranor on IR, lipid and glucose metabolism, systemic inflammation, blood pressure (BP), hepatic steatosis (imaging and histological grading) for all patients of the original analysis. With lanifibranor, triglycerides, HDL-C, apolipoproteins, insulin, HOMA-IR, HbA1c, fasting glucose (FG), hs-CRP, ferritin, diastolic BP and steatosis improved significantly, independent of diabetes status: most patients with prediabetes returned to normal FG levels. Significant adiponectin increases correlated with hepatic and CMH marker improvement; patients had an average weight gain of 2.5 kg, with 49% gaining ≥2.5% weight. Therapeutic benefits were similar regardless of weight change. Here, we show that effects of lanifibranor on liver histology in MASH are accompanied with CMH improvement, indicative of potential cardiovascular clinical benefits.

Supplementation with soluble or insoluble rice-bran fibers increases short-chain fatty acid producing bacteria in the gut microbiota in vitro

IntroductionStudies have shown that a diet high in fiber and prebiotics has a positive impact on human health due largely to the fermentation of these compounds by the gut microbiota. One underutilized source of fiber may be rice bran, a waste product of rice processing that is used most frequently as an additive to livestock feed but may be a good source of fibers and other phenolic compounds as a human diet supplement. Previous studies focused on specific compounds extracted from rice bran showed that soluble fibers extracted from rice bran can improve glucose response and reduce weight gain in mouse models. However, less is known about changes in the human gut microbiota in response to regular rice bran consumption.MethodsIn this study, we used a Simulator of the Human Intestinal Microbial Ecology (SHIME®) to cultivate the human gut microbiota of 3 different donors in conditions containing either soluble or insoluble fiber fractions from rice bran. Using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing and targeted metabolomics via Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry, we explored how gut microbial communities developed provided different supplemental fiber sources.ResultsWe found that insoluble and soluble fiber fractions increased short-chain fatty acid production, indicating that both fractions were fermented. However, there were differences in response between donors, for example the gut microbiota from donor 1 increased acetic acid production with both fiber types compared with control; whereas for donors 2 and 3, butanoic acid production increased with ISF and SF supplementation. Both soluble and insoluble rice bran fractions increased the abundance of Bifidobacterium and Lachnospiraceae taxa.DiscussionOverall, analysis of the effect of soluble and insoluble rice bran fractions on the human in vitro gut microbiota and the metabolites produced revealed individually variant responses to these prebiotics.

Pharmacotherapy in Stress Urinary Incontinence; A Literature Review.

Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is a commonly observed condition in females, as well as in males who have undergone prostatectomy. Despite the significant progress made in surgical techniques, pharmacotherapy has not yielded substantial outcomes within the clinical domain. This review aims to present a comprehensive overview of the existing pharmacotherapy options for stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and the emerging therapeutic targets in this field. One meta-analysis demonstrated that α-adrenergic medications are more efficacious in improving rather than curing SUI symptoms. One trial showed reduced pad weight gain with PSD-503, a locally administered α-adrenergic receptor agonist. New data show that duloxetine's risk outweighs its benefits. One small-scale trial was found to support the use of locally administered estriol in improving subjective outcomes. Emerging targets include serotonin 5HT2C agonists, selective inhibitors of norepinephrine uptake, and myostatin inhibitors. Only one of the evaluated drugs, duloxetine, has been approved by some countries. Currently, trials are evaluating novel targets. Systemic adverse effects such as gastrointestinal upset with duloxetine and orthostatic hypotension with α-adrenoceptor agonists have hampered the efficacy of drugs used to treat SUI in women and men.

Understanding weight management in adult secure mental health services: findings from a mixed-methods study in Northern England

Purpose Obesity and associated morbidity and mortality are major challenges for people with severe mental illness, particularly in secure (forensic) mental health care (patients who have committed a crime or have threatening behaviour). This study aims to explore experiences of weight management in secure mental health settings. Design/methodology/approach This study used a mixed-methods approach, involving thematic analysis. A survey was delivered to secure mental health-care staff in a National Health Service (NHS) mental health trust in Northern England. Focus groups were conducted with current and former patients, carers and staff in the same trust and semi-structured interviews were undertaken with staff in a second NHS mental health trust. Findings The survey received 79 responses and nine focus groups and 11 interviews were undertaken. Two overarching topics were identified: the contrasting perspectives expressed by different stakeholder groups, and the importance of a whole system approach. In addition, seven themes were highlighted, namely: medication, sedentary behaviour, patient motivation, catered food and alternatives, role of staff, and service delivery. Practical implications Secure care delivers a potentially “obesogenic environment", conducive to excessive weight gain. In future, complex interventions engaging wide-ranging stakeholders are likely to be needed, with linked longitudinal studies to evaluate feasibility and impact. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to involve current patients, former patients, carers and multidisciplinary staff across two large NHS trusts, in a mixed-methods approach investigating weight management in secure mental health services. People with lived experience of secure services are under-represented in research and their contribution is therefore of particular importance.

Children and young people's body mass index measures derived from routine data sources: A national data linkage study in Wales.

Routine monitoring of Body Mass Index (BMI) in general practice, and via national surveillance programmes, is essential for the identification, prevention, and management of unhealthy childhood weight. We examined and compared the presence and representativeness of children and young people's (CYPs) BMI recorded in two routinely collected administrative datasets: general practice electronic health records (GP-BMI) and the Child Measurement Programme for Wales (CMP-BMI), which measures height and weight in 4-5-year-old school children. We also assessed the feasibility of combining GP-BMI and CMP-BMI data for longitudinal analyses. We accessed de-identified population-level GP-BMI data for calendar years 2011 to 2019 for 246,817 CYP, and CMP-BMI measures for 222,772 CYP, held within the Secure Anonymised Information Linkage Databank. We examined the proportion of CYP in Wales with at least one GP-BMI record, its distribution by child socio-demographic characteristics, and trends over time. We compared GP-BMI and CMP-BMI distributions. We quantified the proportion of children with a CMP-BMI measure and a follow-up GP-BMI recorded at an older age and explored the representativeness of these measures. We identified a GP-BMI record in 246,817 (41%) CYP, present in a higher proportion of females (54.2%), infants (20.7%) and adolescents. There was no difference in the deprivation profile of those with a GP-BMI measurement. 31,521 CYP with a CMP-BMI had at least one follow-up GP-BMI; those with a CMP-BMI considered underweight or very overweight were 87% and 70% more likely to have at least one follow-up GP-BMI record respectively compared to those with a healthy weight, as were males and CYP living in the most deprived areas of Wales. Records of childhood weight status extracted from general practice are not representative of the population and are biased with respect to weight status. Linkage of information from the national programme to GP records has the potential to enhance discussions around healthy weight at the point of care but does not provide a representative estimate of population level weight trajectories, essential to provide insights into factors determining a healthy weight gain across the early life course. A second CMP measurement is required in Wales.

Integrated transcriptome and metabolome study reveal the therapeutic effects of nicotinamide riboside and nicotinamide mononucleotide on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) and nicotinamide riboside (NR) have received considerable attention as anti-aging and anti-metabolic disease nutraceuticals. However, few studies have focused on their role in ameliorating hepatic metabolic disturbances. In the present study, the effects of NMN and NR on the liver of mice with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) were investigated via transcriptome and metabolome analyses. NMN and NR reduced body weight gain, improved glucose homeostasis, regulated plasma lipid levels, and ameliorated liver injury, oxidative stress, and lipid accumulation in mice with HFD-induced NAFLD. Integrated transcriptome and metabolome analyses indicated that NMN and NR altered the biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids, arachidonic acid metabolism, and linoleic acid metabolism pathways, increased saturated fatty acid (palmitic acid, stearate, and arachidic acid) content, and increased polyunsaturated fatty acid (linoleic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid) content. Quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) showed that NMN and NR primarily promoted arachidonic acid and linoleic acid catabolism via cytochrome P450 (CYP450) enzymes. This study established a theoretical foundation for the potential use of NMN and NR in future clinical settings.

The combined pioglitazone and topiramate therapy for management of pediatric patients with severe MASLD.

Metabolic dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is the most common cause of chronic hepatitis in adult and pediatric patients. Adolescents with severe MASLD can demonstrate a more aggressive disease phenotype as they more commonly develop liver fibrosis than BMI matched adults. Therefore, MASLD is the fastest growing indication for liver transplants in young adults. Pioglitazone has been shown to improve liver histology in adult patients with MASLD, and in some studies, it attenuated liver fibrosis. Despite its perceived efficacy, pioglitazone is not widely used, likely due to its side effect profile, specifically increased weight gain. Topiramate lowers body weight in adolescents and in combination with phentermine, is one of the few FDA-approved medications for the management of obesity in children over 12 years of age. We performed a retrospective review of the outcomes in pediatric patients with severe MASLD, treated with the combined pioglitazone and topiramate therapy. Here, we report a case series of seven adolescents with severe MASLD and ≥F2 liver fibrosis treated with the combined pioglitazone and topiramate therapy. The combined therapy improved mean serum ALT from 165 ± 80 U/L to 89 ± 62 U/L after 12 months mean duration of treatment. One patient who completed 24 months of the combined therapy demonstrated a decrease in liver stiffness from 8.9 kPa to 5.6 kPa, as assessed by FibroScan elastography. There was a significant increase in body weight during this time, however, body mass index as a percentage of the 95th percentile adjusted for age and gender did not increase significantly, 151 ± 29% vs. 152 ± 28%. Moreover, waist circumference, mid-upper arm circumference, percent body fat, and muscle mass were not significantly different before and after treatment. Serum lipid levels and hemoglobin A1c also did not change with the treatment. In summary, this case series provides encouraging results about the efficacy of the combined pioglitazone and topiramate therapy for the management of adolescents with severe MASLD, which should be further explored in clinical studies.

Marine algae oils from Phaeodactylum tricornutum and Laminaria japonica alleviate obesity, insulin resistance, and gut microbiota dysbiosis in high-fat diet-fed mice

The present study was aimed to investigate the effects of Phaeodactylum tricornutum oil (PO) and Laminaria japonica oil (LO) against obesity and other metabolic disorders in a high-fat diet (HFD) induced obese mouse model. The results revealed that PO or LO supplementation significantly reduced HFD-induced body weight gain, hyperlipemia, and fat accumulation in mice. PO or LO supplementation also inhibited SREBP-1-mediated de novo lipogenesis and PPARγ-mediated adipogenesis, as well as enhanced PPARα-mediated fatty acid β-oxidation in the WAT and liver of HFD-fed mice. Moreover, PO or LO supplementation attenuated low-grade chronic inflammation, hyperglycemia and insulin resistance in obese mice. Furthermore, Dietary PO or LO also modulated HFD-induced gut microbiota dysbiosis and increased the SCFAs production. More importantly, our results also manifested that the ameliorative effect of PO and LO against HFD-induced obesity, IR and gut microbiota dysbiosis was comparable, but was superior than that of krill oil and fish oil.