Increased Body Weight Research Articles

Feeding dogs a high-fat diet induces metabolic changes similar to natural aging, including dyslipidemia, hyperinsulinemia, and peripheral insulin resistance.

The goal of this study was to characterize changes induced by a high-fat diet in body composition, insulin levels and sensitivity, blood lipids, and other key biomarkers also associated with the metabolic dysfunction that occurs with natural aging. 24 male Beagle dogs, 3 to 7 years of age, of mixed castration status. Dogs were randomly assigned to continue twice daily feeding of the commercial adult maintenance diet (n = 12, including 2 intact) that they were previously fed or to a high-fat diet (12, including 2 intact) for 17 weeks between December 1, 2021, and April 28, 2022. Assessments included body composition (weight, body condition score, and adipose mass determined by deuterium enrichment), clinical chemistries, plasma fatty acid quantification, oral glucose tolerance test, and histology of subcutaneous and visceral adipose biopsy samples. The high-fat diet led to increased body weight, body condition score, fat mass and adipocyte size, hyperinsulinemia and peripheral insulin resistance, and elevations in serum lipids, including cholesterol, triglycerides, and several species of free fatty acids. Leptin levels increased in dogs fed a high-fat diet but not in control dogs. There were no significant changes in routine clinical chemistry values in either group. Feeding a high-fat diet for 17 weeks led to potentially deleterious changes in metabolism similar to those seen in natural aging in dogs, including hyperinsulinemia, insulin resistance, and dyslipidemia. A high-fat diet model may provide insights into the similar metabolic dysfunction that occurs during natural aging.

Studying Medical and Biological Features of Female Students with Increased Body Weight

Studying Medical and Biological Features of Female Students with Increased Body Weight

Smaller-gauge catheters and greater body weights are associated with increased risk of peripheral intravenous catheter complications in cats hospitalized in the critical care unit.

To identify risk factors associated with peripheral intravenous catheter (PIVC) complications in cats hospitalized in the critical care unit (CCU). 120 cats admitted to the CCU between October 2022 and September 2023. This prospective, observational study was performed at a single veterinary teaching hospital. Cats hospitalized in the CCU for ≥ 24 hours were evaluated for enrollment. Peripheral intravenous catheters were placed by trained personnel following a standardized protocol and monitored for complications. PIVC complications were classified as extravasation, phlebitis, dislodgement, occlusion, line breakage, or patient removal. Median PIVC dwell time was 42.25 hours (range, 24.25 to 164.25 hours). Overall PIVC complication rate was 18.3% (22/120), with extravasation (7/120 [5.8%]) and dislodgement (7/120 [5.8%]) being the most frequently recorded complications. Multivariable analysis identified that for each kilogram increase in body weight there is a higher likelihood of a PIVC complication (OR, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.03 to 2.05; P = .03). Additionally, use of a larger-gauge (20-gauge vs 22-gauge) PIVC is associated with a significantly lower likelihood of a PIVC complication (OR, 0.13; 95% CI, 0.03 to 0.56; P = .006). These results suggest that smaller-gauge (22-gauge) PIVCs and greater body weights are associated with an increased risk of complications in cats hospitalized in the CCU. When possible, a larger-gauge (20-gauge) PIVC should be placed in cats admitted to the CCU.

Impact of sustained calorie restriction and weight cycling on body composition in high-fat diet-fed male and female C57BL/6J mice.

The objective of this study was to investigate body composition changes with weight cycling (WC) among adult C57BL/6J mice with diet-induced obesity. A total of 555 single-housed mice were fed a high-fat diet ad libitum (AL) from 8 to 43 weeks of age. The 200 heaviest mice of each sex were randomized to the following four groups: ever obese (EO, continued AL feeding); obese weight loser (OWL, calorie-restricted); obese weight loser moderate (OWLM, body weight halfway between EO and OWL); and WC (diet restricted to OWL followed by AL refeeding cycles). Body weight and composition data were collected. Linear regression was used to calculate residuals between predicted and observed fat mass. Linear mixed models were used to compare diet groups. Although weight loss and regain resulted in changes in body weight and composition, fat mass, body weight, and relative body fat were not significantly greater for the WC group compared with the EO group. During long-term calorie restriction, males (but not females) in the OWLM group remained relatively fatter than the EO group. WC did not increase body weight or relative fat mass for middle-aged, high-fat diet-fed adult mice. However, long-term moderate calorie restriction resulted in lower body weight but greater "relative" fat in male mice.

Real-world derived weight-based levothyroxine doses to achieve optimal thyrotropin target in different degrees of autoimmune hypothyroidism

Abstract Purpose All patients with overt and severe subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH), and some with mild SCH require levothyroxine (L-T4) therapy. The present study aims to report real-world derived weight-based L-T4 doses to achieve optimal–low normal–thyrotropin target in different degrees of autoimmune hypothyroidism. Methods This was a retrospective study of patients with autoimmune hypothyroidism. Inclusion criteria were consistent achievement of optimal TSH target (0.3 to 2.5 µIU/L) using a stable L-T4 dose for at least 6 months. Patients were classified into 4 groups: group 1; mild SCH, group 2; severe SCH, group 3; overt hypothyroidism, and group 4; hypothyroidism with unknown initial TSH and free T4. Weight-based L-T4 doses were calculated for each group. Results Eighty-seven, 95, 75, and 91 patients met the inclusion criteria for groups 1–4, respectively. Weight-based L-T4 dose was the lowest in group 1 (1 ± 0.25 µg/kg/day), was the highest in group 3 (1.4 ± 0.29 µg/kg/day), while in groups 2 (1.2 ± 0.26 µg/kg/day), and 4 (1.2 ± 0.31 µg/kg/day) were not statistically different from each other. There was a significant decrease in weight-based L-T4 dose with increasing body weight categories in groups 1 and 2, and a significant difference between those less than 60 or ≥ 60 years of age in group 3. Conclusion Real-world derived weight-based L-T4 doses to achieve optimal TSH target are 1, 1.2, and 1.4 µg/kg/day for patients with mild, severe SCH, and overt autoimmune hypothyroidism, respectively. Age and body weight subcategories can better fine-tune required doses.

Voluntary Wheel Running Reduces Cardiometabolic Risks in Female Offspring Exposed to Lifelong High-Fat, High-Sucrose Diet.

Maternal and postnatal overnutrition has been linked to an increased risk of cardiometabolic diseases in offspring. This study investigated the impact of adult-onset voluntary wheel running to counteract cardiometabolic risks in female offspring exposed to a life-long high-fat, high-sucrose (HFHS) diet. Dams were fed either a HFHS or a low-fat, low-sucrose (LFLS) diet starting from 8 weeks prior to pregnancy and continuing throughout gestation and lactation. Offspring followed their mothers' diets. At 15 weeks of age, they were divided into sedentary (Sed) or voluntary wheel running (Ex) groups, resulting in four groups: LFLS/Sed (n = 10), LFLS/Ex (n = 5), HFHS/Sed (n = 6), HFHS/Ex (n = 5). Cardiac function was assessed at 25 weeks, with tissue collection at 26 weeks for mitochondrial respiratory function and protein analysis. Data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA. While maternal HFHS diet did not affect the offspring's body weight at weaning, continuous HFHS feeding post-weaning resulted in increased body weight and adiposity, irrespective of the exercise regimen. HFHS/Sed offspring showed increased left ventricular wall thickness and elevated expression of enzymes involved in fatty acid transport (CD36, FABP3), lipogenesis (DGAT), glucose transport (GLUT4), oxidative stress (protein carbonyls, nitrotyrosine), and early senescence markers (p16, p21). Their cardiac mitochondria displayed lower oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) efficiency and reduced expression of OXPHOS complexes and fatty acid metabolism enzymes (ACSL5, CPT1B). However, HFHS/Ex offspring mitigated these effects, aligning more with LFLS/Sed offspring. Adult-onset voluntary wheel running effectively counteracts the detrimental cardiac effects of a lifelong HFHS diet, improving mitochondrial efficiency, reducing oxidative stress, and preventing early senescence. This underscores the significant role of physical activity in mitigating diet-induced cardiometabolic risks.

Future changes in society and climate may strongly shape wild large-herbivore faunas across Europe.

Restoring wild communities of large herbivores is critical for the conservation of biodiverse ecosystems, but environmental changes in the twenty-first century could drastically affect the availability of habitats. We projected future habitat dynamics for 18 wild large herbivores in Europe and the relative future potential patterns of species richness and assemblage mean body weight considering four alternative scenarios of socioeconomic development in human society and greenhouse gas emissions(SSP1-RCP2.6, SSP2-RCP4.5, SSP3-RCP7.0, SSP5-RCP8.5). Under SSP1-RCP2.6, corresponding to a transition towards sustainable development, we found stable habitat suitability for most species and overall stable assemblage mean body weight compared to the present, withan average increase in species richness (in 2100: 3.03 ± 1.55 compared to today's 2.25 ± 1.31 species/area). The other scenarios are generally unfavourable for the conservation of wild large herbivores, although under theSSP5-RCP8.5 scenario there would be increase in species richness and assemblage mean body weight in some southern regions (e.g. + 62.86 kg mean body weight in Balkans/Greece). Our results suggest that a shift towards a sustainable socioeconomic development would overallprovide the best prospect of our maintaining or even increasing the diversity of wild herbivore assemblages in Europe, thereby promoting trophic complexity and the potential to restore functioning and self-regulating ecosystems. This article is part of the theme issue 'Ecological novelty and planetary stewardship: biodiversity dynamics in a transforming biosphere'.

Weight loss in adult male Wistar rats by Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is primarily explained by caloric intake reduction and pre-surgery body weight.

Diets varying in macronutrient composition, energy density, and/or palatability may cause differences in outcome of bariatric surgery. In the present study, rats feeding a healthy low fat (LF) diet or an obesogenic high fat/sucrose diet (HF/S) were either subjected to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery (RYGB) or sham surgery, and weight loss trajectories and various energy balance parameters were assessed. Before RYGB, rats eating a HF/S (n=14) diet increased body weight relative to rats eating a LF diet (n=20; p<0.01). After RYGB, absolute weight loss was larger in HF/S (n=6) relative to LF feeding (n=6) rats, and this was associated with reduced cumulative energy intake (EI; p<0.05) and increased locomotor activity (LA; p<0.05-0.001), finally leading to similar levels of reduced body fat content in HF/S and LF rats 3 weeks after surgery. Regression analysis revealed that variation in RYGB-induced body weight loss was best explained by models including a) post-surgery cumulative EI and pre-surgery body weight (R2=0.87) and b) post-surgery cumulative EI and diet (R2=0.79), each without significant contribution of LA. Particularly rats on the LF diet became transiently more hypothermic and circadianally arrhythmic following RYGB (i.e., indicators of surgery-associated malaise) than HF/S feeding rats. Our data suggest that relative to feeding a LF diet, continued feeding a HF/S diet does not negatively impact recovery from RYGB surgery, yet it promotes RYGB-induced weight loss explained primarily by reduced cumulative EI and higher pre-surgery body weight, finally leading to comparably low levels of body fat content in HF/S and LF feeding rats.

The influence of obesity on the parameters of the kallikrein-kinin system and proteolysis in chronic biliary pancreatitis

Background. Clinical practice and science have accumulated data that obese patients suffer from severe forms of acute and chronic pancreatitis, which is explained by the accumulation of fat around the pancreas, a decreased activity of pancreatic enzymes. The purpose of the study is to describe the features of the kallikrein-kinin system and proteolysis in chronic biliary pancreatitis (CBP), depending on the presence of comorbid obesity. Materials and methods. One hundred and thirty-seven patients with chronic biliary pancreatitis were examined and divided into two groups depending on the presence of comorbid obesity: group I consisted of 22 patients with CBP and group II — of 115 patients with CBP and obesity. Results. The obtained results proved that an increase in body weight of patients with CBP lead to a more severe kallikrein-kinin system imbalance, with enhanced activation of inflammation and a decrease in the protective effect of the proteolysis. An increase in the degree of obesity in patients with CBP was accompanied by a more severe kallikrein-kinin system and proteolytic imbalance with an increase in the proteolytic enzymes level that have a damaging effect on the hepatic and pancreatic tissues and have a pro-inflammatory activity, as well as by a decrease in the content of the proteolytic enzyme inhibitors, which reliably weakened the protective effect of kallikrein-kinin system and proteolysis. Conclusions. 1) It was proved that there is a higher activity of the kallikrein-kinin system (accor­ding to proteolytic activation and kallikrein levels) and a decrease in the activity of proteolytic enzyme inhibitors (α2-macroglobulin and kininase II) in patients with chronic biliary pancreatitis and comorbid obesity compared to those without obesity (p &lt; 0.05). 2) An increase in the degree of obesity lead to an increase of proteolytic activity and a decrease in the content of the proteolytic enzyme inhibitors in patients with chronic biliary pancreatitis. It was proved the aggravating effect of obesity on the kallikrein-kinin system and proteolytic imbalance, which must be taken into account while forming a comprehensive treatment of such patients.

Potential Food Inclination of Crab-Eating Macaques in Laboratory Environments: Enhancing Positive Reinforcement Training and Health Optimization.

Positive reinforcement and training for health optimization are pivotal for successful studies with monkeys. Potential food inclination is important for studies on crab-eating macaques in laboratory environments, but evaluations remain scarce. We explored crab-eating macaques' potential food inclination to establish a reward system for future behavioral assessments. Twelve male and three female monkeys underwent a food inclination assessment in which they were offered four food categories-fruits, vegetables, proteins, and nuts. The monkeys exhibited a higher inclination for plant-based foods, particularly fruits and vegetables, over animal-based proteins like chicken and tuna (p < 0.0001), with a notable inclination for nuts (eaten/provided = 100%). Additionally, the consistency of potential food inclination after repeated offerings was investigated, revealing a time-dependent increase in inclination for protein items. Food consumption ratios correlated positively with caloric intake (r = 0.59, p = 0.02), implying that individuals with a regular high caloric intake and increased body weight are more likely to accept food during positive reinforcement training. Our findings suggest fruits, vegetables, protein-rich foods, and nuts can help with health optimization. However, animal-based protein-rich foods initially had a low preference, which may increase over time. Our study can provide guidelines for positive reinforcement training and health optimization.

A Cross-Sectional Study to Assess the Physical Activity, Eating Behaviour and Correlation of Overweight and Obesity among College Students of Various Colleges in Indore District

Background: Overweight and obesity are the fifth greatest risk of global deaths. Over 1.9 billion persons aged 18 and older were overweight in 2016. Over 650 million of these men and women were obese. Instead of changes in dietary intake or other causes, it has been suggested that the increase in body weight in industrialized nations is mostly the result of decreased levels of physical activity.Aim and Objectives: To assess the eating behaviour/pattern and type of physical activity/duration of physicalactivity among college students in Indore city, and to determine correlation of eating behaviour &amp; physical activity with overweight /obesity.Materials and Methods: A cross–sectional study conducted between January to June 2023 among 200 randomly selected students of age 17 to 25 years of various colleges of Central India in Indore district who gave consent, using a pre-designed, semi-structured, pre-tested questionnaire. Data entered in Microsoft excel was analysed using SPSS software25.0 (trial version).Results: 46% had Body Mass Index (BMI) in normal range and 42.5% were overweight. 60% male participantshad their BMI in normal range and 30.4% were overweight whereas 58.8% female participants were overweight.Majority (75.3%) of female participants had low Metabolic Equivalent of Task(MET) score whereas only 48.7% of male participants had low MET score. Both the Three Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ) Scores and International Physical Activity Questionnaire(IPAQ) Scores were found to be statistically significant (p-value &lt;0.05) among BMI categories.100% of obese participants, 91.8% of overweight participants and 32.6% of participants with BMI in normal range had low MET score, found to be statistically significant (p-value&lt;0.001).&#x0D; Conclusion: TFEQ and MET scores were found to be statistically significant (p-value&lt;0.001) among BMI categories suggesting that, both eating behaviour and physical activity were associated with overweight and obesity.

Hepatoprotective and cardioprotective effects of empagliflozin in spontaneously hypertensive rats fed a high-fat diet

A combination of liver and heart dysfunction worsens the prognosis of human survival. The aim of this study was to investigate whether empagliflozin (a sodium-glucose transporter-2 inhibitor) has beneficial effects not only on cardiac and renal function but also on hepatic function. Adult (6-month-old) male spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were fed a high-fat diet (60% fat) for four months to induce hepatic steatosis and mild heart failure. For the last two months, the rats were treated with empagliflozin (empa, 10 mg.kg-1.day-1 in the drinking water). Renal function and oral glucose tolerance test were analyzed in control (n=8), high-fat diet (SHR+HF, n=10), and empagliflozin-treated (SHR+HF+empa, n=9) SHR throughout the study. Metabolic parameters and echocardiography were evaluated at the end of the experiment. High-fat diet feeding increased body weight and visceral adiposity, liver triglyceride and cholesterol concentrations, and worsened glucose tolerance. Although the high-fat diet did not affect renal function, it significantly worsened cardiac function in a subset of SHR rats. Empagliflozin reduced body weight gain but not visceral fat deposition. It also improved glucose sensitivity and several metabolic parameters (plasma insulin, uric acid, and HDL cholesterol). In the liver, empagliflozin reduced ectopic lipid accumulation, lipoperoxidation, inflammation and pro-inflammatory HETEs, while increasing anti-inflammatory EETs. In addition, empagliflozin improved cardiac function (systolic, diastolic and pumping) independent of blood pressure. The results of our study suggest that hepatoprotection plays a decisive role in the beneficial effects of empagliflozin in preventing the progression of cardiac dysfunction induced by high-fat diet feeding.

Anticolorectal Cancer Activity of Bilobalide in Patient-Derived Colorectal Cancer Organoids and AOM/DSS Mouse Model

Bilobalide has shown strong anti-inflammatory activity. Colorectal cancer (CRC) is closely associated with inflammation. However, no studies have reported on the use of bilobalide for treating CRC. This study aims to evaluate the effect of bilobalide on CRC prevention. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), Western blotting, and immunofluorescence showed that bilobalide significantly inhibits the M2 polarization of macrophages dependent on phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and interleukin-4 (IL-4). Analysis of signaling pathways showed that the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) was regulated. In particular, human CRC organoids were established. Western blotting, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase biotin-dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL), and analysis of cell viability and morphology further supported the hypothesis that the anti-CRC effects of bilobalide could be explained by its ability to suppress M2 macrophage polarization and promote M1 transformation. C57BL/6 mice treated with azoxymethane (AOM)/dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) were divided into three groups, i.e., control, AOM/DSS, low (2.5 mg/kg), and high (5 mg/kg). High-dose bilobalide markedly inhibited the progression of CRC, as evidenced by the increased body weight, decrease in disease activity index (DAI) death rate, and alleviation of colon length reduction and tumorigenesis. According to the in vivo results, reduced levels of inflammatory cytokines in the serum included tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), IL-6, IL-1β, and IL-10. Bilobalide reduced oxidative stress indices, lipid peroxide (LPO), and malondialdehyde (MDA) and increased reduced glutathione (GSH). In addition, the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), Ki67, cellular Myc (c-Myc), and CD206 was downregulated in the drug-treated groups, as confirmed by the immunohistochemical staining. Collectively, these results indicated that bilobalide administration improve experimental CRC by inhibiting M2 macrophage polarization and oxidative stress. Thus, bilobalide may prevent CRC and serve as a potential therapeutic target for CRC.

Trends in the incidence of colorectal cancer in sub-Saharan Africa: A population-based registry study.

In sub-Saharan Africa, colorectal cancer (CRC) has historically been considered a rare disease, although some previous studies have suggested that the incidence is increasing. We examine time trends in the incidence of CRC using data from 12 population-based cancer registries in 11 countries of sub-Saharan Africa that were able to provide time series data for periods of 12 or more years, or with earlier data with which recent rates may be compared. Age-standardized incidence rates were highest in the higher-income countries, and were increasing in all of the populations studied, and these increases were statistically significant in all but three. Current evidence has suggested a link between the increased adoption of western lifestyle habits with colorectal cancer, and along with increasing urbanization of African populations, there is an increase in body weight, as well as evidence of increasing consumption of meat, sugars, and alcohol.

Erectile Dysfunction as an Obesity-Related Condition in Elderly Men with Coronary Artery Disease.

Background: This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the prevalence of erectile dysfunction (ED) in elderly men with overweight or obesity and coronary artery disease. Methods: Patients recruited in cardiac rehabilitation centers post-myocardial infarction provided demographic and anthropomorphic data. ED was assessed using the abbreviated International Index of Erectile Function 5 (IIEF-5) Questionnaire. Results: The study included 661 men with a mean age of 67.3 ± 5.57 years, a mean BMI of 27.9 ± 3.6 m/kg2, and a mean waist circumference of 98.9 ± 10.23 cm. Over 90% of men experienced ED, with similar proportions across BMI categories. The development of ED in men with a waist circumference of ≥100 cm had 3.74 times higher odds (OR 3.74; 95% CI: 1.0-13.7; p = 0.04) than in men with a waist circumference of <100 cm. Men with obesity and moderate-to-severe and severe ED were older compared to those without these disorders (67.1 ± 5.29 vs. 65.3 ± 4.35; p = 0.23). Conclusions: The prevalence of ED in men with coronary artery disease surpasses 90%. An increased body weight raises the risk of ED, with waist circumference proving to be a more reliable predictor of this risk compared to BMI. Physicians are encouraged to screen elderly patients with cardiovascular disease for ED and address obesity to enhance overall health.

Central inhibition of stearoyl-CoA desaturase has minimal effects on the peripheral metabolic symptoms of the 3xTg Alzheimer’s disease mouse model

Evidence from genetic and epidemiological studies point to lipid metabolism defects in both the brain and periphery being at the core of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathogenesis. Previously, we reported that central inhibition of the rate-limiting enzyme in monounsaturated fatty acid synthesis, stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD), improves brain structure and function in the 3xTg mouse model of AD (3xTg-AD). Here, we tested whether these beneficial central effects involve recovery of peripheral metabolic defects, such as fat accumulation and glucose and insulin handling. As early as 3 months of age, 3xTg-AD mice exhibited peripheral phenotypes including increased body weight and visceral and subcutaneous white adipose tissue as well as diabetic-like peripheral gluco-regulatory abnormalities. We found that intracerebral infusion of an SCD inhibitor that normalizes brain fatty acid desaturation, synapse loss and learning and memory deficits in middle-aged memory-impaired 3xTg-AD mice did not affect these peripheral phenotypes. This suggests that the beneficial effects of central SCD inhibition on cognitive function are not mediated by recovery of peripheral metabolic abnormalities. Given the widespread side-effects of systemically administered SCD inhibitors, these data suggest that selective inhibition of SCD in the brain may represent a clinically safer and more effective strategy for AD.

Oral supplementation of Njansan (Ricinodendron heudelotii Bail) and sardine fillets (Sardina pilchardus) oils alleviate high-fat diet-induced obesity in rats by regulating lipid metabolism and stress oxidative parameters

Background: Obesity has become one of the most common metabolic disorders in the world, characterized by the accumulation of excess fat in the body. Research into natural compounds to improve obesity has become increasingly important. Aims and Objectives: The aim of the study was to explore the effects of Sardina pilchardus and Ricinodendron heudelotii oils on the management of obesity. Materials and Methods: Njansan (R. heudelotii) oil was extracted by cold pressing using an automatic oil press machine and Sardine fish oil by a cooking method. To evaluate the anti-obesity effect of these oils, six groups of six male Wistar rats were fed different diets: C0 group received a normal diet; HFD was fed a high-fat diet; N1, N2, F1 and F2 followed by a high-fat diet supplemented with njansan and sardine oils at 1 g/kg body weight/day and 2 g/kg body weight/day, respectively. Results: There was an increase in body weight, relative abdominal fat, and liver weight in the HFD group compared to the control group. There was also a decrease in anthropometric parameters such as the Lee index of the HFD group treated with njansan and fish oils, regardless of the concentration. The hyperlipidemic state in the HFD-fed rats was then normalized after treatment with both oils as well as hyperglycemia compared to the control group. Besides, fish and njansan oils attenuated HFD-induced oxidative stress, as indicated by a significant increase CA and superoxide dismutase. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that njansan oils at a low daily dose (1 g/kg body weight) can be helpful in managing obesity and also reduce the risk of developing coronary heart diseases.

A Polyherbal extract treats Streptozotocin induced Diabetes mellitus: Pharmacognostic study, HPLC analysis and in vivo antidiabetic activity

The plants used in study have been used traditionally for various purposes skin problems, diabetes, astringent, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, hepatoprotective activities, anthelmintic, antipyretic, antidysentric, anti-hyperlipidemic, anticancer properties. The present study involves the evaluation of pharmacognostic parameters of the four herbal drugs (Azadirachta indica leaves, Pterocarpus marsupium heartwood, Picrorhiza kurroa rhizomes, and Withania coagulans berries and fruit coat), High performance Liquid chromatography (HPLC) as well as antidiabetic activity of polyherbal extract. The qualitative as well as quantitative analysis was done. The drug was given to Streptozotocin induced diabetic rats in doses 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg body weight for 21 days. In HPLC analysis it was found that major component in all the extracts was beta carotene along with hesperidin, tannic acid, catechin, ferulic acid, caffeic acid along with other polyphenolic components responsible for the antioxidant activity as well as antidiabetic activity of polyherbal extract. Rats were found to show an increase in body weight, improved blood sugar levels and hemoglobin. The liver glycogen, total proteins, serum lipid profile were restored back to normal range after using the polyherbal extract in diabetic rats. The histopathological study also shows an improvement in diabetic rats at cellular level. The results were found to be dose dependent.

Overexpression of Slc22a18 facilitates fat accumulation in mice

We previously reported that solute carrier family 22 member 18 (Slc22a18) regulates lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Here, we provide additional evidence derived from experiments with adenoviral vector expression and genetic manipulation of mice. In primary cultured rat hepatocytes, adenoviral overexpression of mouse Slc22a18 increased triglyceride accumulation and triglyceride synthetic activity, which was decreased in an adenoviral knockdown experiment. Adenoviral overexpression of mouse Slc22a18 in vivo caused massive fatty liver in mice, even under normal dietary conditions. Conversely, adenoviral knockdown of mouse Slc22a18 reduced hepatic lipid accumulation induced by a high-glucose and high-sucrose diet. We created Slc22a18 knockout mice, which grew normally and showed no obvious spontaneous phenotypes. However, compared with control littermates, the knockout mice exhibited decreased hepatic triglyceride content under refeeding conditions, significantly reduced epididymal fat mass, and tended to have lower liver weight in conjunction with leptin deficiency. Finally, we created transgenic mice overexpressing rat Slc22a18 in an adipose-specific manner, which had increased body weight and epididymal fat mass primarily because of increased adipocyte cell volume. In these transgenic mice, a positive correlation was observed between adiposity and the expression levels of the rat Slc22a18 transgene. Taken together, these results indicate that Slc22a18 has positive effects on lipid accumulation in vivo.

Salvia officinalis Improves Glycemia and Suppresses Pro-inflammatory Features in Obese Rats with Metabolic Syndrome

Obesity is regarded as the main cause of metabolic diseases and a core factor for all-cause mortality in the general population, notably from cardiovascular disease. The majority of people with type 2 diabetes have obesity and insulin resistance. Some evidence indicates that an individual with obesity is approximately 10 times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than someone with moderate body weight. One of the most significant therapeutic herbs, Salvia officinalis (Lamiaceae) (SAGE), possesses potent medicinal importance. The aim of this article was to evaluate the anti-diabetic and antiobesity activity of SAGEAE against HFD-induced obesity in rats. Thirty adult albino rats were randomly divided into five equal groups: control, High-fat Diet (HFD) administrated rats, HFD + Salvia officinalis Aqueous Extract (SAGEAE) (150 mg/kg.bw.), HFD + SAGEAE (300 mg/kg.bw.) and HFD + metformin (500 mg/kg.bw.). Body weight, plasma biochemical parameters, oxidative stress, inflammatory indicators, hepatic Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxykinase 1 (PCK1), Glucokinase (GK), brain Leptin Receptor (LepRb), Glucose Transporter-4 (GLUT4), Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) and mRNA33-5P gene signalling mRNA levels were all assessed after 8 weeks. A histological examination of the liver was also performed to check for lipid accumulation. The administration of HFD resulted in increased body weight, glucose, insulin, leptin, Total Cholesterol (TC), Triglycerides (TG), Thiobarbaturic Acid Reactive Substances (TBARS), Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1 (MCP1), Interleukine-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF- α) as well as hepatic PCK1, brain LepRb and adipose tissue mRNA33-5P gene expression. However, our findings revealed a significant reduction in adiponectin, High-density Lipoproteincholesterol (HDL-C), reduced glutathione (GSH) and Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) levels as well as the expression of hepatic GK and adipose tissue SIRT1 and GLUT4 genes. Also, administration of SAGEAE significantly normalized body weight, glucose, insulin, leptin, adiponectin, TC, TG, HDL-C, TBARs, SOD, IL-6, MCP-1 and TNF-α in plasma and liver tissue of HFD-treated rats. On the other hand, PCK1, GK, LepRb, SIRT1, GLUT4 and mRNA33-5P gene expression was enhanced in obese rats when administrated with SAGEAE. Histological and US studies support the biochemical, PCR and electrophoretic results. The findings imply that SAGEAE could be used as a new pharmaceutical formula in the treatment of obesity.