High-fat Consumption Research Articles

Emotional Eating After Manipulating Emotion Regulation: A Laboratory Study in Adolescents

AbstractIt is often assumed that emotional eating occurs when an individual is unable to utilise emotion regulation (ER) to cope with stress. In this stress exposure study, we explored whether manipulating participants’ ER strategies (rumination or self-compassion) influenced their stress-related affect and food consumption. Fifty-three adolescents (Mage = 14.72) were included; half of the participants were instructed to use rumination as their ER strategy, and half were instructed to use self-compassion. We could not demonstrate that the ER strategies differently affected stress-related affect. However, we did find that increased Happiness following ER self-compassion predicted reduced High-Fat Sweet food consumption, whereas increased Happiness following ER rumination instead led to greater High-Fat Sweet food consumption. In participants who ruminated, food consumption reduced feelings of Frustration, but not Boredom or Happiness. Post-hoc exploration revealed that only ER self-compassion, not ER rumination, normalised levels of stress-related affect. The results highlight the need for more research into the complex relationship between ER strategies, affect states, and food types in their effect on emotional eating.

GAYA HIDUP DENGAN KEJADIAN HIPERTENSI DI RSUD LABUANG BAJI MAKASSAR

Objective: The purpose of this study was to see the lifestyle relationship of hypertension occurrence at RSUD Labuang Baji Makassar. Method: In this study used the research design used in this study is cross sectional that researchers do observation or measurement of variables at one time. The sample size in this study are 30 respondents who match the inclusion criteria. The data were collected by using questionnaires. Results: The results showed that there was a correlation between smoking and hypertension (p = 0.029), there was a correlation between alcohol consumption and hypertension (p = 0.014), there was a relationship between high sodium consumption and hypertension (p = 0,002) the relationship between high fat consumption and the incidence of hypertension (p = 0.007), and there is a relationship between exercise with the incidence of hypertension (p = 0.001). Conclusion: The conclusion of this study is that there is a hubuangan between smoking, drinking alcohol, drinking alcohol consumption, high sodium consumption, and exercise with the incidence of hypertension. Suggestions: The results of this study can be used as a development of knowledge, especially about lifestyle relationships with the incidence of hypertension in the Inpatient Room Section of internal medicine in RSUD Labuang Baji Makassar

Dynamics of nutrition structure and metabolic syndrome risk factors in overweight and obese women with dietary counseling and remote monitoring

Aim. To study the effects of diet optimization and weight loss on the dynamics of metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular risk factors in women with overweight and obesity in six-month dietary counseling and remote monitoring.Material and Methods. A balanced caloric restriction by 240–250 kcal a day on average was recommended to 119 women with overweight and obesity. Actual nutrition was evaluated using special computer software “1C Nutrition Evaluation”.Results. The study showed a significant nutritional imbalance with a relatively high consumption of fats (40.4%) and low consumption of carbohydrates (39.6%), mainly due to the low consumption of starch. On the contrary, the consumption level of monoand disaccharides (20.9%) was twice as high as recommended (10%) by the World Health Organization (WHO). Dietary restriction and nutritional optimization led to a significant decrease in the values of body weight, body mass index, waist circumference, blood pressure, and lipid metabolism. As a result, the risks and probability of metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular diseases decreased.Conclusion. Correction of eating habits allowed to establish a rational and balanced approach to dietary energy restriction and nutritional structure optimization. Achieved weight loss was associated with normalization of parameters of abdominal obesity, blood pressure, and lipid metabolism. Six-month dietary intervention in women promoted control of risk factors for metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular diseases. The results of the study may be used to improve the personalized technology of distant preventive counseling in primary health care aimed at weight loss to achieve both primary and secondary prophylactics of metabolic syndrome and chronic non-infectious diseases.

Self-perceived social relationships are related to health risk behaviors and mental health in adolescents.

Although changes have been observed in social relationships in the recent years, especially among younger generations, little evidence is available concerning factors associated with adolescents' perceived social relationships. In this study we investigated the association between self-perceived social relationships, health-related behaviors, biological maturation, and mental health in adolescents. This is a cross-sectional study conducted with 1,336 adolescents (605 boys and 731 girls) aged between 10 to 17 years from public schools. Self-perceived social relationships (family, friends, and teachers), feelings of stress and sadness, academic performance, tobacco smoking, alcohol and fat consumption, physical activity, and screen time were evaluated by a questionnaire. Biological maturation was assessed by the peak height velocity. We observed that worse perceived social relationships were associated with tobacco smoking (family and teachers), alcohol drinking (teachers), higher consumption of fat (teachers), greater feelings of stress (family and teachers) and sadness (family and friends), and poor academic achievement (friends and teachers).

Evaluation nutritional status and anthropometric parameters in patients with chronic hepatitis B

Introduction: Hepatitis B continues to be a major health problem around the world. 257 million people are estimated to be chronically infected with hepatitis B worldwide. Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients are likely to develop various comorbidities, including diabetes, insulin resistance, hyperlipidemia, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and obesity. Proper nutrition is essential for the management of both hepatitis B and its associated comorbidities. 
 Material and Method: The study was completed a total of 105 patients. The universe of the study comprised of CHB patients who were admitted to the nutrition and dietetics outpatient clinic of a public hospital in Turkey between 1 October 2019 and 31 December 2019. Biochemical and ultrasound results, anthropometric measures, demographic characteristics, dietary habits, and 1-day food records were retrospectively recorded from patient files. 
 Results: Female patients were more likely to consume 2 main meals per day (57.8%) whereas most male subjects (75.6%) consumed 3 meals. Both female and male patients had above-normal Body Mass Index (BMI) (31.2 kg/m2 and 29.2 kg/m2, respectively), and they also had high dietary fat (%) and cholesterol consumption than recommendation. In addition, males had borderline The fasting blood glucose (FBG), total cholesterol, and triglyceride levels, and both sexes were at risk for abdominal obesity. Dietary carbohydrate, fiber, B1, B6, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus intake were higher in males than in females. 
 Conclusion: This study was found on above-normal BMI values, and high dietary fat (%), and cholesterol consumption in both males and females. Moreover, males had borderline FBG, total cholesterol, and triglyceride levels, and both sexes were at risk for abdominal obesity. In the setting of CHB, it is crucial to maintain an adequate and balanced diet to control body weight, prevent nutritional disorders, protect the liver, and improve overall well-being. More comprehensive studies are needed to better understand the link between nutrition and hepatitis B.

Use of chia seed on regular and low-fat crackers, their antioxidant properties, and in-vitro bioaccessibility

Although having functional properties, fat is known to be adversely effective in case of high consumption. High fat consumption causes health disorders such as obesity, cardiovascular diseases and high blood pressure, insulin balance disorders and cancer. For this reason, it is important to reduce fat consumption and create food formulations rich in bioactive components. In the scope of this study, CS (Chia seed) was replaced with wheat flour 10%, 20%, and 30% (w/w) and the fat amount was decreased in 25%, 50%, 75% (w/w) ratios for formulating low-fat crackers, and the antioxidative potential of the samples was evaluated. Extractable, hydrolysable, bioaccessible phenolic fractions of samples were analyzed in terms of TEACABTS, TEACCUPRAC, TEACDPPH and Total Phenolic Content (TPC) (Folin Ciocalteu’s method). CS replacement was determined to be more effective than a fat reduction on AC and TPC results of samples. By 25, 50 and 100% fat reduction of extractable, hydrolysable and bioaccessible phenolic fractions, TEACABTS values increased respectively as 5.87%, 9.33% and 12.11%. 75% fat reduced-30% CS supplemented sample was 91.0% higher than 100% fat including-30% CS supplemented sample and 143.4% higher than the control sample in terms of TEACABTS for bioaccessible phenolic fractions. The dietary fiber, protein content and fatty acid composition are thought to be effective in the potential of CS. It is proved that CS could be expressed as a convenient pseudo-cereal for functional food formulations.

Critical Role of Astrocyte NAD+ Glycohydrolase in Myelin Injury and Regeneration.

Western-style diets cause disruptions in myelinating cells and astrocytes within the mouse CNS. Increased CD38 expression is present in the cuprizone and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis models of demyelination and CD38 is the main nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+)-depleting enzyme in the CNS. Altered NAD+ metabolism is linked to both high fat consumption and multiple sclerosis (MS). Here, we identify increased CD38 expression in the male mouse spinal cord following chronic high fat consumption, after focal toxin [lysolecithin (LL)]-mediated demyelinating injury, and in reactive astrocytes within active MS lesions. We demonstrate that CD38 catalytically inactive mice are substantially protected from high fat-induced NAD+ depletion, oligodendrocyte loss, oxidative damage, and astrogliosis. A CD38 inhibitor, 78c, increased NAD+ and attenuated neuroinflammatory changes induced by saturated fat applied to astrocyte cultures. Conditioned media from saturated fat-exposed astrocytes applied to oligodendrocyte cultures impaired myelin protein production, suggesting astrocyte-driven indirect mechanisms of oligodendrogliopathy. In cerebellar organotypic slice cultures subject to LL-demyelination, saturated fat impaired signs of remyelination effects that were mitigated by concomitant 78c treatment. Significantly, oral 78c increased counts of oligodendrocytes and remyelinated axons after focal LL-induced spinal cord demyelination. Using a RiboTag approach, we identified a unique in vivo brain astrocyte translatome profile induced by 78c-mediated CD38 inhibition in mice, including decreased expression of proinflammatory astrocyte markers and increased growth factors. Our findings suggest that a high-fat diet impairs oligodendrocyte survival and differentiation through astrocyte-linked mechanisms mediated by the NAD+ase CD38 and highlights CD38 inhibitors as potential therapeutic candidates to improve myelin regeneration.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Myelin disturbances and oligodendrocyte loss can leave axons vulnerable, leading to permanent neurologic deficits. The results of this study suggest that metabolic disturbances, triggered by consumption of a diet high in fat, promote oligodendrogliopathy and impair myelin regeneration through astrocyte-linked indirect nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+)-dependent mechanisms. We demonstrate that restoring NAD+ levels via genetic inactivation of CD38 can overcome these effects. Moreover, we show that therapeutic inactivation of CD38 can enhance myelin regeneration. Together, these findings point to a new metabolic targeting strategy positioned to improve disease course in multiple sclerosis and other conditions in which the integrity of myelin is a key concern.

The double burden of malnutrition and dietary patterns in rural Central Java, Indonesia

BackgroundIndonesia is undergoing a nutrition transition (NT) comprised of rising rates of overweight/obesity and consumption of high fat food/snacks but is still struck by undernutrition, causing a double burden of malnutrition. Little research pertains to the double burden of malnutrition and its associations with diet in rural Indonesia using primary village level data. MethodsWe conducted a 24-hour food recall and food frequency questionnaire and assessed anthropometric status of rural villagers from four villages in Central Java, Indonesia. Exploratory principal component analysis was used to identify dietary patterns and multi-level modeling was performed to identify variables associated with dietary pattern indicative of the NT. Findings1,521 participants were included in analysis. Double burden of malnutrition was prevalent whereby 32.3% of children were stunted, 68.8% of women 35–49 years-old were overweight, and 39% of homes were classified as double burden. The NT was evident in a dietary pattern associated with soft drink, snacks, and animal products. There was small but significant correlation between undernutrition and stunting status among children (r = −0.139, p < 0.01). The NT was associated with young age (B = 1.696, 95% CI = 1.508–1.885) but not with overweight (B = −0.099, 95% CI = −0.184–−0.013). InterpretationOur findings suggest that whilst the typical pattern of the double burden of malnutrition (stunted child/overweight adult) exists in rural Central Java, dietary patterns indicative of the NT are predominant among children, not adults. Overweight among adults may not be necessarily due to a diet indicative of the NT, and nutrition interventions in rural Central Java should focus on educating parents of young children about the health-risks of a diet associated with a NT. FundingFunding was obtained from the UBS-Optimus Foundation and the National Health and Medical Research Council.

Obesity Induces Elevated Oxidative Stress in Uteri of Reproductive Age Mice

Abstract Obesity is an independent risk factor for endometrial cancer. We hypothesize that obesity changes endometrial physiology, increasing cellular vulnerability to cancer development. We previously found widespread increases in cytochrome P450 (CYP) expression in the uteri of diet-induced obese mice. CYP enzymatic activity is associated with oxidative stress and altered intracellular estrogen metabolism, which increases the potential for oncogenesis. To assess oxidative stress and related DNA damage in uterine tissue, we measured protein carbonyl (PC) and 8-oxo-2’-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) levels, respectively, in obese and lean mice. Post-pubertal C57BL/6 female mice were fed high-fat chow (HF; 45% fat; n=20) or normal chow (NC; 18% calories from fat; n=10) for either 10 or 22 weeks. The mice underwent insulin tolerance testing and MRI for body composition. Vaginal smears were analyzed over 10 days for estrous cycling (n=5 per group). PC and 8-OHdG levels were quantified from uterine tissue lysates and DNA fractions using colorimetric ELISAs and analyzed by 2-tailed t-tests. The HF mice had 64% higher body fat than NC mice after 10 weeks of diet (24±2% vs. 15±1%; p&amp;lt;0.003) and 176% higher body fat after 22 weeks of diet (35±2% vs. 13±2%; p&amp;lt;0.0001). Additionally, compared to NC mice, insulin levels in HF mice were 1.6-fold higher after 10 weeks (0.89±0.05 vs. 0.55±0.03 ng/mL; p&amp;lt;0.0008) and 2.8-fold higher after 22 weeks (3.56±0.49 vs. 1.28±0.21 ng/mL; p&amp;lt;0.005). Estrous cycle analysis showed obesity-related disruptions by 22 weeks, with HF mice spending 30±3% of their time in the proestrus phase versus 18±2% in NC mice (p&amp;lt;0.03). After 10 weeks of diet, HF and NC mice had similar levels of PC (p=NS). By 22 weeks of diet, however, the HF mice had a 2.3-fold increase in PC compared to the NC mice (1.11±0.2 vs. 0.49±0.09 nmol/mg; p&amp;lt;0.02). While HF and NC mice had similar levels of 8-OHdG for each diet group (p=NS, respectively), 8-OHdG levels increased with age between 10 and 22 weeks of diet in both HF (7.51±1.25 vs. 12.41±1.87 ng/mL; p&amp;lt;0.03) and NC (6.87±1.28 vs. 15.16±2.88 ng/mL; p&amp;lt;0.01) mice. We show that the uteri of reproductive age mice are altered by chronic diet-induced obesity and hyperinsulinemia. Uterine oxidative stress was higher with increased duration and severity of obesity, and may also be affected by the disrupted HPO axis. In contrast, obesity did not appear to promote DNA damage, suggesting that DNA repair mechanisms remain intact under conditions of increased oxidative stress. The age-dependent increase in 8-OHdG levels demonstrates an expected accumulation of DNA damage over time, which reinforces C57BL/6 mice as an adequate model for human endometrial disease. In sum, this study suggests that chronic high-fat consumption and long-term obesity increase oxidative stress over time and may contribute to the development of a pre-cancerous phenotype in human endometrium.

To the health of the nation through multi-level educational programs for the population in the field of optimal nutrition

Introduction. Healthy nutrition is the most important component of the quality of life, which is understood as an integral indicator of the mental, physical and social functioning of a person. However, the diet of Russians is not enough vegetables and fruits, dairy products, excess sugar, salt, products containing animal fat and trans fats. Violations of the structure of nutrition, nutritional status lead to the development of alimentary-dependent diseases, primarily cardiovascular, and in particular, arterial hypertension.Goal. Study of alimentary risk factors for arterial hypertension.Materials and methods. The data of the survey of VTSIOM and the company Gideon Richter “Food habits of Russians”, September 2020”, conducted by telephone survey in at least 80 regions (1,600 respondents over 18 years old), are analyzed.Results and discussion. The diet of the adult population of Russia is characterized by a high consumption of animal fat (frequent consumption of fatty dairy products-52% of respondents, butter-61%, sausage products-48%), salt (pickles and marinades – 42%), added sugar (confectionery – 47%) with a lack of fruit, fish and seafood. 23% of respondents add salt to ready meals, and 43% use frying when cooking. Arterial hypertension was noted in 52% of respondents, who, compared to normotonics, less often (32-39%) include in their diet foods that are sources of potassium and magnesium (apricots, bananas, dried fruits, nuts, seeds, etc.), and more often-pickles, marinades (47%) and mayonnaise (45%), containing a large amount of salt, as well as add salt to ready meals (24%).Conclusions. In order to prevent arterial hypertension in Russians, it is necessary to increase their intake of potassium and magnesium, limit the content of table salt in the diet, which will be facilitated by the widespread introduction of educational programs on healthy nutrition.

Association of metabolites with obesity based on two gene variants, MC4R rs17782313 and BDNF rs6265

Previous genome-wide association analyses for obesity related genes demonstrated the association of BDNF gene variant rs6265 and MC4R gene variant rs17782313 with body mass index (BMI). However, the associated metabolite pathways are still behind the curtain. The aim of the current study is to investigate the associations of metabolic changes in obesity with MC4R gene variant rs17782313 and BDNF variant rs6265. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry based untargeted metabolomics approach was used and 42 identified serum metabolites were selected for statistical analyses. Significant association of seven metabolites with MC4R gene variant rs17782313 based on obesity and thirty metabolites with obesity dependent BDNF variant rs6265 using additive model (adjusted p < 0.05) was observed. This study highlights the importance of alteration of fatty acid biosynthesis, probably due to high consumption of fats may cause to develop obesity. But obesity is a complex disorder and the full clarification of this complex machinery is still distant. To understand the obesity in a better way, more studies are required to identify remaining metabolites and also mechanism of these metabolic entities.

Food Production Impacted by COVID-19 Pandemic

The consumers’ food demand varies depending on income level of consumers, consumption, the price of foodstuffs, sociodemographic situation, time constraints, and shopping preferences, in addition to spending money on food in per visit changed and number of visits to food store. Interruption of the daily-routine life by COVID-19 pandemic resulted in boredom with high consumption of carbohydrate, fat, and protein, in addition to quarantine-caused stress that pushed the people to sugary food consumption for feeling positive. Due to ability of carbohydrate-rich foods to encourage serotonin production, they can be used as self-medicating components. These unhealthy eating habits may lead to obesity-associated-COVID-19 serious complications and chronic inflammation. An unusual demand shift from food service to retail due to the closure of restaurants and limited service eating places that affected the eating or purchasing habits. Using food service and purchasing food from supermarkets had the same ratio as 50% before the COVID-19 outbreak, nevertheless, it is almost 100% for supermarkets. During the COVID-19 lockdown, consumers experienced decreased availability of certain types of foods. The spending money on food was raised per visit, whereas the number of visits to food store was decreased. In conclusion, movement restrictions both national and international contributed to challenges, including consumers’ changes in demand. These restrictions caused consumers prepared cooking at their home, in addition to preventing them from getting COVID-19 infection at the stores, restaurants, markets, and supermarket.

Effect of High Fat and Fructo-Oligosaccharide Consumption on Immunoglobulin A in Saliva and Salivary Glands in Rats.

Consumption of indigestible dietary fiber increases immunoglobulin A (IgA) levels in saliva. The purpose of this study is to clarify the synergistic effect of the intake of a high amount of fats and indigestible dietary fiber on IgA levels in saliva and submandibular glands (SMG). Seven-week-old Wistar rats were fed a low-fat (60 g/kg) fiberless diet, low-fat fructo-oligosaccharide (FOS, 30 g/kg) diet, high-fat (220 g/kg) fiberless diet, or high-fat FOS diet for 70 days. The IgA flow rate of saliva (IgA FR-saliva) was higher in the low-fat FOS group than in the other groups (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the concentration of tyrosine hydroxylase (a marker of sympathetic nerve activation) in the SMG was higher in the low-fat FOS group (p < 0.05) and positively correlated with the IgA FR-saliva (rs = 0.68. p < 0.0001. n = 32) in comparison to that in the other groups. These findings suggest that during low-fat FOS intake, salivary IgA levels may increase through sympathetic nerve activation.

Comparative mapping approach of energy intake and expenditure of obesity prevalence among school adolescents.

This study aims to describe the prevalence of overweight and obesity in an obesogenic environment among adolescents in the wilaya of Bejaia (eastern Algeria), and to assess their Physical Activity Level (PAL), Daily Energy Expenditure (DEE) and Total Energy Intake (TEI). A cross-sectional study was carried out on a sample of 3038 adolescents consisting of 1635 girls and 1403 boys in middle and high schools in 19 regions of Bejaia. The average age was 14.78±2.53. Two questionnaires were assigned to collect data on their nutritional habits (24-h dietary call) and physical activity levels. BMI measurement was adopted in this study to determine the weight status of this sample and to assess the distribution of BMI, PAL, DEE, TEI over geographical areas of an administrative territory using the Student test descriptive statistical method (p<0.05). The prevalence of obesity and overweight was equal to 3.3%, the physical activity level in adolescents was 1.72±0.21, with boys more likely to participate in sports than girls (16.5% for boys and 6% for girls). However, energy intake (3775.44±719.07kcal/day), energy expenditure (3144.13±850.54kcal) and body mass index (30.51±2.99kg/m2) were high. Body mass index (BMI) is negatively correlated with PAL (r=-0.05) and positively correlated with TEI (r=0.31) and DEE (r=0.30), these results show that DEE and TEI factors play an important role in the prevalence of BMI with excessive consumption of high carbohydrate (614.55g) and fat (98.9g) foods, which is due to poor diet and are related to insufficient level of physical activity. The mapping shows that there is a disparity between the studied parameters: high BMI, low PAL and consumption of unhealthy foods (DEE, TEI). The lack of physical activity and the imbalance between energy intake and expenditure are the main factors that could lead to an increased risk of obesity in adolescents.

The effect of high sugar diet on adipokine expression in 3T3-L1 cells and weight in mice

One of the major contributing factors to the prevalence of obesity in United States is the Western Diet, characterized by consumption of high fat and high simple sugars. Even though the issue of obesity has become a national interest, few studies have explored the relationship of high sugary diets (HSD) and obesity. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of HSD on weight gain and adipokine expression in adipose tissues. 3T3-L1 cells were cultured and differentiated in recommended differentiation medium supplemented with stock sugar solutions. Lipid accumulation was quantified with Oil Red O assay. Total RNA was isolated, first strand cDNA synthesized, and qRT-PCR performed. C57BL/6 male mice were fed normal rodent chow and water with the following sugar-sweetened beverages: fructose (10% solution), glucose (10% solution) and a combined fructose/glucose (55% fructose and 45% glucose for a 10% solution) for 16 weeks. Animal weights were recorded and water solutions were measured and replaced every two days. The in vitro data showed significant increase in lipogenesis for fructose/glucose as compared to the control. Pro-inflammatory adipokine expression of 3T3-L1 cells is significantly increased by two-fold when exposed to fructose/glucose solution. HSD-fed mice exhibited an addictive behavior with a significant increase in fructose/glucose water consumption, and weight gain. While all HSD-fed mice consumed more water and gained weight over time, the fructose/glucose and glucose groups substantially consumed more water which resulted in major weight gain. Understanding the deleterious effects of over consumption of HSD is paramount to avoiding obesity-related diseases and disorders.

Postnatally induced metabolic and oxidative changes associated with maternal high-fat consumption were mildly affected by Quercetin-3-O-rutinoside treatment in rats

Oxidative stress is usually associated with prolonged intake of high-fat diet (HFD). However, little is known about the impact of maternal HFD on endogenous modulation of antioxidant-defence-enzyme-network, its link to adverse fetal growth and overall effects of Quercetin-3-o-rutinoside (QR) supplementation. Sprague-Dawley rats were initially assigned to normal diet (ND) or HFD for 8 weeks and mated. Post-conception, rats were further divided into four groups, of which two groups had diets supplemented with QR while others continued with their respective diets until delivery. Measurements include food and water consumption, physical parameters (body weight, body mass index (BMI) and fur appearance), oral glucose tolerance, lipid profiles, and placental/liver oxidative changes. We observed that water consumption was significantly increased in dams fed HFD without marked differences in food intake, body weight, BMI and glucose tolerance. Surprisingly, offspring of HFD-fed dams had reduced body weight marked by delayed fur appearance compared to the ND offspring. In dams, there were alterations in lipid profile. Lipid peroxidation was increased in the placenta and liver of gestational day (GD) 19 HFD-fed dams and their postnatal day (PND) 21 male offspring. There was evidence of HFD-induced nitrosative stress in dams and PND28 female offspring. Adaptive defence indicate decreased placenta and liver superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels as well as differential changes in total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and catalase (CAT) activity in HFD treated dams and their progenies. Overall, the results indicate that intrauterine metabolic alterations associated with maternal high-fat consumption may induce oxidative challenge in the offspring accompanied by mild developmental consequences, while QR supplementation has little or no beneficial effects.

Social Networks and Chronic Illness Management among Low-Income Tenants in Publicly Subsidized Housing: Findings from a Pilot Study

ABSTRACT Low-income tenants in publicly subsidized housing (PSH) have higher rates of chronic illnesses than non-PSH-based residents, making the implementation of chronic illness management (CIM) essential. Based on the person-in-environment framework used in social work practice, which emphasizes the importance of interactions between clients and their social environment, this pilot study used personal network analysis (PNA), a variant of social network analysis, to explore what attributes of social networks are relevant to CIM among 26 low-income tenants independently living in a PSH in the Southwest United States. Tenants with a smaller network size and effective size presented better self-efficacy to manage chronic disease (SEMCD) and lower levels of depressive symptoms. Being connected to a higher proportion of alters (i.e., network members) with whom they discussed health matters was also associated with high SEMCD. As for CIM implementation, being connected to a doctor and a lower proportion of alters who have chronic illnesses were associated with doing aerobic exercise. Tenants with a larger proportion of alters serving multiple functions reported more frequent vegetable and fruit consumption, while those with a higher share of kin alters and lower share of alters living in the same PSH reported less frequent high-fat food consumption. Our findings help social workers discover relevant social networks and dynamics that low-income tenants at PSH capitalize to locate resources for CIM. Further studies are recommended to adopt PNA to expand practice-related knowledge that social workers can use for health promotion among low-income tenants with chronic illness.

Age-dependent and region-specific alteration of parvalbumin neurons, perineuronal nets and microglia in the mouse prefrontal cortex and hippocampus following obesogenic diet consumption

Emergent evidence demonstrates that excessive consumption of high fat and high sugar (HFHS) diets has negative consequences on hippocampal and prefrontal cortex (PFC) function. Moreover, the delayed maturation of the PFC including the late development of parvalbumin-expressing (PV) interneurons and perineuronal nets (PNNs) may promote vulnerability to HFHS diet-induced nutritional stress. However, the young brain may have some resistance to diet-induced neuroinflammation. Thus, we examined the impact of a HFHS diet commencing either in adolescence or adulthood in male mice. PV interneurons, PNNs and microglia were assessed using immunohistochemistry. We observed greater numbers of PV neurons and PNNs in the hippocampus and the prelimbic and infralimbic PFC in adult mice in comparison to our younger cohort. Mice that consumed HFHS diet as adults had reduced numbers of hippocampal PV neurons and PNNs, which correlated with adiposity. However, we saw no effects of diet on PV and PNNs in the PFC. HFHS diet increased microgliosis in the adult cohort, and morphological changes to microglia were observed in the PFC and hippocampus of the adolescent cohort, with a shift to activated microglia phenotypes. Taken together, these findings demonstrate different regional and age-specific effects of obesogenic diets on PV neurons, PNNs and microglia.

High fat suppresses SOD1 activity by reducing copper chaperone for SOD1 associated with neurodegeneration and memory decline

High fat consumption leads to reactive oxygen species (ROS) which is associated with age-progressive neurological disorders. Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1) is a critical enzyme against ROS. However, the relationship between SOD1 and the high-fat-induced ROS and neurodegeneration is poorly known. Here we showed that, upon treatment with a saturated fatty acid palmitic acid (PA), the SOD1 activity was decreased in mouse neuronal HT-22 cell line accompanied by elevation of ROS, but not in mouse microglial BV-2 cell line. We further showed that PA decreased the levels of copper chaperone for SOD1 (CCS) in HT-22 cells, which promoted the nuclear import of SOD1 and decreased its activity. We demonstrated that the reduction of CCS is involved in the PA-induced decrease of SOD1 activity and elevation of ROS. In addition, compared with the adult mice fed with a standard diet, the high-fat-diet adult mice presented an increase of plasma free fatty acids, reduction of hippocampal SOD1 activity and CCS, mitochondrial degeneration and long-term memory decline. Taken together, our findings suggest that the high-fat-induced lower CCS level is essential for SOD1 suppression which may be associated with neurodegeneration and cognitive decline.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in prediabetes – Predisposing and protective factors

Introduction: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is increasing worldwide with a prevalence ranging from 5% to 28% in India. It is a common cause of chronic liver disease and can lead to complications including cirrhosis and portal hypertension. NAFLD and insulin-resistant states such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and prediabetes are interlinked. We studied the role of diet, dyslipidemia, and glycemia in the genesis of NAFLD in patients with prediabetes. Methods: This case–control study was done in 86 prediabetic subjects availing the services of a medical college hospital. Cases of NAFLD were diagnosed and categorized by severity by ultrasonogram. Symptoms, demographic profile, dietary history by 24 h recall method, anthropometry, liver function tests, lipid profile, and blood glucose were recorded. Results: Cases of NAFLD were found to have higher fat consumption and lower carbohydrate and protein in their diet. Fatigue and right hypochondriac pain were common symptoms among the cases, and their mean body mass index (27.2 kg/m2) was higher. When compared with prediabetic controls, cases of NAFLD had higher mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures, as well as impaired lipid profile and postprandial hyperglycemia. Conclusion: Obesity, dyslipidemia, and specific dietary patterns predispose patients with prediabetes to develop NAFLD. Additionally, postprandial hyperglycemia is associated with NAFLD. Thus, targeting postprandial hyperglycemia in patients with prediabetes may retard the development of NAFLD.