High-calorie Diet Research Articles

Short-Term Variability of Proton Density Fat Fraction in Pancreas and Liver Assessed by Multiecho Chemical-Shift Encoding-Based MRI at 3T.

Quantification of pancreatic fat (PF) and intrahepatic lipids (IHL) is of increasing interest in subjects at risk for metabolic diseases. There is limited data available on short- and medium-term variability of PF/IHL and on their dependence on nutritional status. To assess short-term intraday variations of PF/IHL after a high-fat meal as well as medium-term changes after 5 days of high-caloric diet. Prospective cohort study. A total of 12 subjects (six males) for intraday variations study, 15 male subjects for medium-term high-caloric diet study and 11 age- and body mass index (BMI)-matched controls. A 3 T; chemical-shift encoded multiecho gradient echo sequence. For the intraday study, subjects were scanned after overnight fasting and after a high fat meal on the same day. For the medium-term study, 26 subjects were scanned after overnight fasting with 15/11 rescanned after 5 days of high-calorie diet/isocaloric diet. Proton density fat fraction (PDFF) maps were generated inline on the scanner. Regions of interest were manually drawn in head, body, and tail of pancreas and in the liver by a medical physicist and a doctoral student (26/4 years of experience). PF was calculated as the average of the head, body, and tail measurements. Repeated measurements ANOVA for assessing changes in PF/IHL, linear correlation analyses for assessing relationships of PF/IHL with BMI. Significance level P < 0.05 for all. Nonsignificant changes in PF (2.6 ± 1.0 vs. 2.7 ± 0.9% after high-fat meal, 1.4 ± 0.8 vs. 1.5 ± 0.6% [high-caloric diet] and 1.5 ± 0.8 vs. 1.8 ± 1.0% [isocaloric control group]), nonsignificant changes in IHL after high-fat meal (2.6 ± 1.3 vs. 2.5 ± 0.9%) and in the control group (1.1 ± 0.6 vs. 1.2 ± 1.1%), significantly increased IHL after high-caloric diet (1.7 ± 2.2% vs. 2.7 ± 3.6%). Nonsignificant changes in PF (2.6 ± 1.0 vs. 2.7 ± 0.9% after high-fat meal, 1.4 ± 0.8 vs. 1.5 ± 0.6% [high-caloric diet] and 1.5 ± 0.8 vs. 1.8 ± 1.0% [isocaloric control group]), nonsignificant changes in IHL after high-fat meal (2.6 ± 1.3 vs. 2.5 ± 0.9%) and in the control group (1.1 ± 0.6 vs. 1.2 ± 1.1%), significantly increased IHL after 5-days of high-caloric diet (1.7 ± 2.2% vs. 2.7 ± 3.6%). Time of day and nutritional status have no significant influence on PF/IHL and are therefore not likely to be major confounders in epidemiologic or clinical studies. 2 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 1.

Correction of metabolic disturbances by functional food compositions in experimental obesity in CD-1 and agouti-yellow mice

Background: To determine the most promising composition, the possibility of correction of metabolic disturbances was investigated with the use of functional food compositions in CD1 and agouti-yellow mice in experimental obesity.Methods: Agouti-yellow and CD1 mice were divided into 10 groups (control, 1/1, 1/9, 2/1, 2/9 in each line) according to diets. For 4 weeks, the groups ate a high-calorie diet. Starting with week 5th, composition 1 was added to the diet in groups 1/1 (60% lard + 39% standard laboratory feed + 1% composition 1 + 10% fructose solution), 1/9 (60% lard + 31% standard laboratory feed + 9% composition 1 + 10% fructose solution); composition 2 was added to the diet in groups 2/1 (60% lard + 39% standard laboratory feed + 1% composition 2 + 10% fructose solution), 2/9 (60% lard + 39% standard laboratory feed + 9% composition 2 + 10% fructose solution). On the day 56th, each animal was weighed, blood was taken for biochemical analysis (glucose, LDL, cholesterol and HDL) and organs (the skin of the anterior abdominal wall, skeletal muscle tissue in the area of the lateral surface of the thigh, liver, kidneys with perirenal tissue, pancreas, and thymus) were taken for histological examination.Results: In agouti-yellow mice, group 2/9, the greatest decrease in blood glucose level was observed compared to the control group by 34.6% (p < 0.05). Consumption of compositions in groups 1/9 and 2/9 led to a significant decrease in LDL and a significant decrease in total cholesterol level by 21.9% (p < 0.05) and 18.8% (p < 0.05) respectively compared to the control group. HDL was significantly higher in groups 1/9, 2/9 than in the control group. In CD-1 mice, group 2/9 showed the best result in glucose level (mean 5.78 mmol/l) among all groups receiving functional food compositions and the control group. The most pronounced decrease in LDL was observed in groups 1/9, 2/9 compared to the control group (p < 0.05). HDL value in group 2/9 significantly exceeded the mean value in the control group, by 54.8% (p < 0.05). Body mass of agouti-yellow mice and CD-1 mice in groups 1/1, 2/1, 1/9, and 2/9 significantly decreased compared to control groups. According to the results of histological examination of organs and tissues, functional food composition 2 turned out to be the most promising.Conclusion: According to the results of the study, the most promising composition was selected (composition 2). Feeding animals with this composition improved histological pictures of studied organs and tissues, biochemical blood parameters and effectively reduced body mass in both experimental animal lines, CD-1, and agouti-yellow mice, compared to the control groups. Keywords: CD-1 mice, agouti-yellow mice, experimental obesity, LDL, cholesterol

Physical Exercise and High-Calorie Diet on Kidney Histopathology

High calorie diet without proper balance of physical excersises is a major factor to many health issues such as obesity, fat accumulation and organs failure. Fat accumulation in kidney can lead up to atherosclerosis and cause major problem in the organ through its mechanism that causes fibrogenesis. The aim of this research is to determine the effect of physical exercise and high-calorie diet on kidney histopathology. This study is conducted with 27 Mus musculus that were divided to 3 groups (negative control, positive control and experiment) with each group got different treatment. Negative control group was given no D40 nor physical exersice, positive control was given D40 without physical exersice and experimental group was given D40 and physical exercise. The kidneys from these mice then microscopically tested to see the histopathological changes in the form of inflammatory cell infiltration, hemorrhage, cell necrosis, glomerular adhesion, and microscopic swelling. Data was analyzed with Kruskal-Wallis Test to determine the difference between each test group using the help of Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) Version 25. 30 mice were observed histologically with HE stain. The results of the Kruskal-Wallis test showed a value of p < 0.05 for glomerular adhesion, swelling, and inflammatory cell infiltration. The only histopathological changes that had significant difference in all of its group was inflamatory cell infiltration. Physical exercise and high-calorie diet showed an effect on the kidney in the form of glomerular adhesion, swelling and inflammatory cell infiltration as evidenced by the results of the analysis test.

The structure of blood gut microbiota markers in athletes and their relationship with the diet

It is known that under conditions of ultra-high physical activity and a specific diet, the state of the microbiota plays a significant role in maintaining the health, metabolic and energy status of athletes. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the composition of blood microbial markers in professional football players and physically active people and their correlation with diets in order to substantiate recommendations for their optimization. Material and methods. In a cross-sectional study a group of football players (n=24, 28±3 years old, body mass index - 22.5±1.0 kg/m2) who received a diet according to the training regimen, and a comparison group of physically active individuals (n=25, 34±5 years old, body mass index - 21.8±2.8 kg/m2) have been examined. The method of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to analyze microbial markers of microbiome, mycobiome, virome and blood metabolome populations. Data on actual dietary intake were collected using food diaries for 3 days, followed by data processing with the Nutrium 2.13.0 nutritional computer program. For analysis, individual daily requirements for energy and macronutrients have been calculated based on the basal metabolic rate (according to the Mifflin-San Geor formula, taking into account anthropometric data), the coefficient of physical activity (groups IV and II, respectively). Results. The analysis of the athletes' diet, compared with individual requirements and with the recommendations of the International Society for Sports Nutrition (ISSN), revealed a lack of complex carbohydrates (5±1 instead of 6.1±0.3 g/kg body weight day), an excess of sugars (23±4 instead of <10% of kcal). These figures are significantly higher than the intake of similar nutrients in physically active people in the comparison group. In football players, compared with the comparison group, significant changes in microbial markers were found for Alcaligenes spp., Clostridium ramosum, Coryneform CDC-group XX, Staphylococcus epidermidis (p<0.001), known for their pro-inflammatory activity in the intestine, as well as for Lactobacillus spp. (p<0.001) performing a protective function. In addition, mycobiome markers were increased in athletes: Candida spp. (p<0.001), Aspergillus spp. (p<0.001), among which there are potential pathogens of mycoses. This was not observed in the comparison group. At the same time, an increase in the microbial markers of Alcaligenes spp., Coryneform CDC-group XX, Lactobacillus spp., Streptomyces spp., Candida spp. Micromycetes spp., containing campesterol in the cell wall, in football players positively correlated with a high calorie diet (p<0.001). A similar correlation of mycobiome markers (Micromycetes spp., containing sitosterol in the cell wall, ρ=0.346, p=0.015) was observed with an excess of easily digestible carbohydrates. Taking into account the data obtained, a correction of the diet have been proposed: increasing the consumption of carbohydrates to 7.3-7.5 g/kg of body weight/day by including bakery products from whole grain flour and cereals in the diet (up to 300-370 g/day), limiting simple sugars (up to 90-95 g/day). Conclusion. High physical activity leads to changes in the structure of blood microbial markers, including a shift towards an increase in potentially pathogenic fungi. Wherein, a predictive role is played by an imbalance of macronutrients in terms of quantitative and qualitative composition, an excess of simple sugars, and a lack of slowly digestible carbohydrates. To correct the diet, an additional inclusion in the diet of their main sources - products from cereals (cereals and bakery products) is proposed.

The use of drinking mineral water and low-intensity electromagnetic radiation at an early stage of metabolic syndrome development (experimental study)

To reveal the features of adaptive metabolic development, light-optical and ultrastructural reactions under the combined action of drinking mineral water (MW) and low-intensity electromagnetic radiation (EMR) of ultrahigh frequency (UHF) at an early stage of development of the experimental metabolic syndrome. The study was performed on 28 non-linear male rats weighing 180-200 g. Animals of the experimental group on the background of a high-calorie diet received at first (from the 8th day of the experiment) a course of drinking sulfate MW (24 procedures), and after its completion - a course of low-intensity EMR UHF (12 procedures), daily, 2 minutes per lumbar region in the zone projections of the adrenal glands using the Aquaton-2 device (power flux density 1 μW/cm2, frequency 1000 MHz). Animals fed only a high-calorie diet served as controls; intact animals were also used. The objects of study were the liver, blood, thymus. Biochemical, histological, electron microscopic and morphometric research methods were used. The combined use of drinking MW and low-intensity UHF EMR contributed to the development of adaptive metabolic and regenerative processes: the level of glucose and high-density lipoproteins decreased in the blood, antioxidant activity clearly increased in the liver, the content of RNA, DNA and total protein increased, and the number of dystrophic and necrobiotic cells decreased. Strengthening of the processes of intracellular regeneration was manifested in an increase in the number of mitochondria, peroxisomes, as well as protein-synthesizing organelles - ribosomes and polysomes. Functional activity of the lysosomal system increased. The number of nuclei increased In thymus and specific activity of the thymocyte genome increased as well. The revealed effects were mainly due to the antioxidant, membrane stabilizing, detoxifying, and immunomodulatory effects of MW and UHF EMR. Based on the data obtained, it can be concluded that the combined use of drinking MW and low-intensity UHF EMR can be very promising in the light of the development of new approaches to the treatment and prevention of metabolic syndrome in the early stages of its development. To optimize the adaptive-protective and compensatory processes, more adequate modes of combined exposure to MW and UHF EMR should be used.

Effect of anethole on spatial memory in rats on a high-calorie diet

Effect of anethole on spatial memory in rats on a high-calorie diet

The contribution of astrocytes to obesity-associated metabolic disturbances.

Obesity is a worldwide health, economic and social concern, despite efforts made to counteract the spreading wave of eating and nourishment-associated disorders. The review aims to show how the glial cells, astrocytes, contribute to the central regulation of appetite and energy metabolism. The hypothalamus is the brain center responsible for nutrients and nutritional hormone sensing, signal processing, and execution of metabolic and behavioral responses, directed at sustaining energy homeostasis. The astrocytes are endowed with receptors, transporters and enzymatic machinery responsible for glucose, lactate, fatty acids, ketone bodies, as well as leptin or ghrelin transport and metabolism, and that render them supporters and partners for neurons in governing the brain and body energy intake and expenditure. However, the role of astrocytes associated with brain energy metabolism reaches far beyond simple fuel contingent—they contribute to cognitive performance. The cognitive decline which often accompanies high fat- and/or high-calorie diets and correlates with neuroinflammation and astrogliosis, is a major concern. The last two decades of research enabled us to acknowledge the astroglia in obesity-associated dysfunctions and to investigate astrocytes as contributors to the pathology, as well as targets for therapy.

Effect of anethole on anxiety in rats on a high-calorie diet

Effect of anethole on anxiety in rats on a high-calorie diet

Совместное применение метформина и интраназального инсулина нормализует чувствительность к глюкозе и гормональный статус у крыс с диабетом 2 типа

Metformin is the first-line drug of choice in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). It acts on peripheral tissues as well as different regions of the brain and restores metabolic and hormonal parameters. Insulin administered intranasally (II) enters the brain and normalises the insulin signaling in the central nervous system, including the hypothalamus, which is weakened in T2DM. This improves the central regulation of metabolism, food intake and functions of the endocrine system. We suggested that the combined use of metformin and II should enhance their restorative effect on the metabolic and hormonal parameters in T2DM. The study was conducted on male rats with T2DM2 induced by a high-calorie diet and a low-dose streptozotocin. The male rats with T2DM were administered metformin (4 weeks, 100 mg/kg/day) and II (4 weeks, 0.5 IU/rat/day), separately and together. The aim of the study was to analyse the effect of the treatment on glucose sensitivity and the levels of insulin, leptin, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), thyroid hormones and testosterone. Metformin monotherapy improved glucose homeostasis and normalised basal and glucose-stimulated levels of insulin, leptin and GLP-1. Co-administration of metformin with II enhanced the restorative effects of metformin on tissue insulin sensitivity and leptin levels. Metformin and II normalised the levels of thyroid hormones and testosterone, and their combined use caused the activation of the thyroid system, as indicated by an increase in the levels of thyroid hormones. The data obtained indicate the prospects for the combined use of metformin and II for improving metabolic and hormonal parameters. It may also be used to improve the thyroid and androgenic status in patients with T2DM.

A Fatal Case of Febrile Ulceronecrotic Mucha-Habermann Disease in a 10-Year-Old Boy.

A Fatal Case of Febrile Ulceronecrotic Mucha-Habermann Disease in a 10-Year-Old Boy.

Evaluation of the Effects of Exercise on Asprosin, Irisin, Nesfatin-1, Preptin in Rats Fed a High Calorie Diet

Evaluation of the Effects of Exercise on Asprosin, Irisin, Nesfatin-1, Preptin in Rats Fed a High Calorie Diet

Maternal high calorie diet during pregnancy induces abnormal hepatic glycogenolysis in the offspring and it is mitigated by osteocalcin

Maternal high calorie diet during pregnancy induces abnormal hepatic glycogenolysis in the offspring and it is mitigated by osteocalcin

EARLY METABOLIC DISORDERS AND MORPHOLOGICAL CHANGES OF INTERNAL ORGANS AFTER GASTRIC BYPASS WITH ONE ANASTOMOSIS. EXPERIMENTAL STUDY.

The aim: To investigate morphofunctional changes in bone tissue, mucous membranes of different parts of the intestine, parathyroid glands, as well as changes in blood biochemical parameters depending on the length of the common loop in modeling gastric bypass with one anastomosis within 60 days. Materials and methods: Modeling of obesity in males of white outbred rats (n = 50) which were induced high-calorie diet with high animal fat content. Weight was measured before the induced diet, 1,2,3 months after the start of the induced diet and 2 months after surgery to assess the dynamics of excess weight loss. Rats were divided into three groups: control group - 5 rats, 1st group - 10 rats, 2nd group - 10 rats, 25 rats were removed from the experiment. Results: The average weight of rats before introduction into the diet was 180.5 grams, after 3 months of induced diet reached 256.7 grams, the average weight gain was 76.2 grams (42.2%). 1 group of rats had a weight loss of -16.2% (41.7 grams), Second group had a weight loss of -20.6% (53.2 grams) 60 days after gastric bypass surgery. Conclusions: The average statistical indicators of blood tests of the second group of animals in comparison with the first group show lower levels of iron phosphorus?magne¬sium, total protein and albumin. The average body weight loss of the first group was -16.2% (41.7 grams), the second -20.6% (53.2 grams) with a difference of 11.7 grams, which is not significant.

Effect of Anethole on Visceral Obesity and Serum Triglycerides and Cholesterol Levels in Rats on a High-Calorie Diet

Obesity is a disorder of high prevalence and social significance. Anethole is an aromatic compound found in anise and fennel essential oils. It produces antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and other beneficial effects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of anethole, administered in increasing concentrations, on visceral adiposity and serum lipids in rats on a high-calorie diet (HCD). Fifty male Wistar rats were allocated into 5 groups: control, HCD, HCD+62.5A, HCD+125A, and HCD+250A. The HCD groups received a high-fat high-fructose diet and 10% fructose solution, and the control group received a standard laboratory diet and tap water. The HCD+62.5A, HCD+125A, and HCD+250A groups were treated daily orally with anethole dissolved in sunflower oil in a volume of 3 mL/kg at doses of 62.5 mg/kg, 125 mg/kg, and 250 mg/kg, respectively. The control and HCD groups received the solvent in the same volume and route of administration. The duration of the experiment was 10 weeks. At its end, blood samples were taken for biochemical tests and visceral adipose tissue was weighed. The results were analyzed by one-way ANOVA followed by Dunnett's post-test with the statistical program GraphPad Prism 5.0. The visceral obesity index was significantly increased (p&lt;0.05) in all groups receiving HCD except for HCD+250A. There was no significant increase in plasma triglycerides and cholesterol in the HCD group compared to the control one. Anethole treatment did not change significantly the triglyceride and cholesterol levels compared to these of the HCD group. Anethole treatment affected beneficially the development of visceral obesity and did not change significantly serum triglyceride and cholesterol levels in rats receiving a high-calorie diet.

Deletion of PTP1B From Brain Neurons Partly Protects Mice From Diet-Induced Obesity and Minimally Improves Fertility.

Reproductive dysfunction in women has been linked to high caloric diet (HCD)-feeding and obesity. Central resistance to leptin and insulin have been shown to accompany diet-induced infertility in rodent studies, and we have previously shown that deleting suppressor of cytokine signaling 3, which is a negative regulator of leptin signaling, from all forebrain neurons partially protects mice from HCD-induced infertility. In this study, we were interested in exploring the role of protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B), which is a negative regulator of both leptin and insulin signaling, in the pathophysiology of HCD-induced obesity and infertility. To this end, we generated male and female neuron-specific PTP1B knockout mice and compared their body weight gain, food intake, glucose tolerance, and fertility relative to control littermates under both normal calorie diet and HCD feeding conditions. Both male and female mice with neuronal PTP1B deletion exhibited slower body weight gain in response to HCD feeding, yet only male knockout mice exhibited improved glucose tolerance compared with controls. Neuronal PTP1B deletion improved the time to first litter in HCD-fed mice but did not protect female mice from eventual HCD-induced infertility. While the mice fed a normal caloric diet remained fertile throughout the 150-day period of assessment, HCD-fed females became infertile after producing only a single litter, regardless of their genotype. These data show that neuronal PTP1B deletion is able to partially protect mice from HCD-induced obesity but is not a critical mediator of HCD-induced infertility.

Levels of dopamine, 5-hydroxytryptamine and their metabolites in the striatum of rats of various strains receiving a high-calorie diet

The aim of this work was to study the effect of a high fat and carbohydrate diet (HFCD) and quercetin supplementation on the levels of dopamine (DA), serotonin (5-HT) and their metabolites in Wistar, DA transporter knockout (DAT-KO) and obese Zucker fa/fa rats. Animals received a control diet or HFCD for 62 days. Wistar and Zucker fa/fa rats received quercetin. The contents of DA, 5-HT, norepinephrine (NE), dioxyphenyl acetate (DOPAC), homovanillic acid (HVA) and 5-hydroxyindolyl acetate (5-HIIA) in the striatum were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). DAT-KO homozygotes had lowered DA and increased HVA and DOPAC compared to Wistar rats. HFCD did not affect the content of NE and 5-HT. 5-HT was increased in DAT-KO homozygotes compared with Wistar receiving a control diet. 5-HIIA accumulated in larger amounts in DAT-KO compared to Wistar with the exception of those receiving quercetin with a control diet. Quercetin did not affect the levels of DA, 5-HT and their metabolites.

Cross-Sectional Association of Food Source with Food Insecurity, Dietary Diversity and Body Mass Index in Western Kenya.

The triple burden of malnutrition in many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) is partly a result of changing food environments and a shift from traditional diets to high-calorie Western-style diets. Exploring the relationship between food sources and food- and nutrition-related outcomes is important to understanding how changes in food environments may affect nutrition in LMICs. This study examined associations of household food source with household food insecurity, individual dietary diversity and individual body mass index in Western Kenya. Interview-administered questionnaire and anthropometric data from 493 adults living in 376 randomly-selected households were collected in 2019. Adjusted regression analyses were used to assess the association of food source with measures of food insecurity, dietary diversity and body mass index. Notably, participants that reported rearing domesticated animals for consumption (‘own livestock’) had lower odds of moderate or severe household food insecurity (odds ratio (OR) = 0.29 (95% CI: 0.09, 0.96)) and those that reported buying food from supermarkets had lower odds of moderate or severe household food insecurity (borderline significant, OR = 0.37 (95% CI: 0.14, 1.00)), increased dietary diversity scores (Poisson coefficient = 0.17 (95% CI: 0.10, 0.24)) and higher odds of achieving minimum dietary diversity (OR = 2.84 (95% CI: 1.79, 4.49)). Our findings provide insight into the relationship between food environments, dietary patterns and nutrition in Kenya, and suggest that interventions that influence household food source may impact the malnutrition burden in this context.

IMPACT OF ESSENTIAL FATTY ACIDS CONSUMPTION IN COMBATING NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS

Modernization of society have caused various momentous changes in dietary habits of people in this era of modern world. The modern dietary patterns are typically composed of Fatty acids mainly saturated fatty acids along with refined carbohydrates. This present-day diet together with a lifestyle with reduced physical activity is a major determinant of various metabolic disorders like obesity and diabetes. All these factors are also causing a gradual increase in the prevalence of cognitive disorders mainly depressive disorders and mood disorders. Neuroinflammation is the link between the metabolic disorders and cognitive disorders and this correlation is evident by significant clinical and epidemiological data. Fatty acids are of major interest as they have twofold functions. They are major contributors of modern diet causing obesity, diabetes and other metabolic disorders and on the other hand they serve as signaling molecules in the inflammatory responses. The difference lies in the choice of the fatty acids that are included as a part of daily diet. Saturated fatty acids are the ones should be avoided as they are the components of high caloric obesogenic diets whereas, polyunsaturated including Omega-6 and Omega-3 fatty acids must be consume through daily foods to prevent from Neuroinflammation considered to be the major cause of neuropsychiatric disorders.

A Hypercaloric Diet Induces Early Podocyte Damage in Aged, Non-Diabetic Rats.

The number of patients of older age with metabolic syndrome, obesity, and associated kidney disease, which is characterized by podocyte damage, glomerular hypertrophy, and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), is increasing worldwide. Animal models that would reflect the development of such kidney diseases could facilitate the testing of drugs. We investigated the renal effects of a long-term high caloric diet in aged rats and the potential effects of drugs used to treat metabolic syndrome. We analyzed nine-month-old male and female Sprague Dawley rats fed five months with a normal diet (control group) or high-fat-high-carbohydrate diet (HFHCD group). Two additional groups were fed with HFHCD and treated with drugs used in patients with metabolic syndrome, i.e., the glucagon-like peptide receptor 1 agonist liraglutide (HFHCD+liraglutide group) or metformin (HFHCD+metformin group). Except an increase of waist circumference as a sign of visceral obesity, the HFHCD diet did not induce metabolic syndrome or obesity. There were no significant changes in kidney function and all groups showed similar indices of glomerular injury, i.e., no differences in glomerular size or the number of glomeruli with FSGS or with FSGS-precursor lesions quantified by CD44 expression as a marker of parietal epithelial cell (PEC) activation. Analysis of ultrastructural morphology revealed mild podocyte stress and a decrease of glomerular nestin expression in the HFHCD group, whereas podocin and desmin were not altered. HFHCD did not promote fibrogenesis, however, treatment with liraglutide led to a slightly increased tubulointerstitial damage, immune cell infiltration, and collagen IV expression compared to the control and HFHCD groups. A five-month feeding with HFHCD in aged rats induced mild podocyte injury and microinflammation, which was not alleviated by liraglutide or metformin.

Patient, carer and healthcare professional perspectives on increasing calorie intake in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.

Research suggests that higher Body Mass Index is associated with improved survival in people with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (pwALS). Yet, understanding of the barriers and enablers to increasing calorie intake is limited. This study sought to explore these issues from the perspective of pwALS, informal carers, and healthcare professionals. Interviews with 18 pwALS and 16 informal carers, and focus groups with 51 healthcare professionals. Data were analysed using template analysis and mapped to the COM-B model and Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF). All three COM-B components (Capability, Opportunity and Motivation) are important to achieving high calorie diets in pwALS. Eleven TDF domains were identified: Physical skills (ALS symptoms); Knowledge (about high calorie diets and healthy eating); Memory, attention, and decision processes (reflecting cognitive difficulties); Environmental context/resources (availability of informal and formal carers); Social influences (social aspects of eating); Beliefs about consequences (healthy eating vs. high calorie diets); Identity (interest in health lifestyles); Goals (sense of control); Reinforcement (eating habits); and Optimism and Emotion (low mood, poor appetite). To promote high calorie diets for pwALS, greater clarity around the rationale and content of recommended diets is needed. Interventions should be tailored to patient symptoms, preferences, motivations, and opportunities.