Leptin Levels Research Articles

Hippocampal Leptin Resistance and Cognitive Decline: Mechanisms, Therapeutic Strategies and Clinical Implications

Background: Leptin, an adipokine essential for regulating energy balance, exerts important effects on brain function, notably within the hippocampus, a region integral to learning and memory. Leptin resistance, characterized by diminished responsiveness to elevated leptin levels, disrupts hippocampal function and exacerbates both obesity and cognitive impairments. Scope: This review critically examines how leptin resistance impairs hippocampal synaptic plasticity processes, specifically affecting long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD), which are crucial for cognitive performance. Findings: Recent research highlights that leptin resistance disrupts N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor dynamics and hippocampal structure, leading to deficits in spatial learning and memory. Additionally, high-fat diets (HFDs), which contribute to leptin resistance, further deteriorate hippocampal function. Potential therapeutic strategies, including leptin sensitizers, show promise in mitigating brain disorders associated with leptin resistance. Complementary interventions such as caloric restriction and physical exercise also enhance leptin sensitivity and offer potential benefits to alleviating cognitive impairments. Aims of the review: This review synthesizes recent findings on the molecular pathways underlying leptin resistance and its impact on synaptic transmission and plasticity in the hippocampus. By identifying potential therapeutic targets, this work aims to provide an integrated approach for addressing cognitive deficits in obesity, ultimately improving the quality of life for affected individuals.

Influence of Lactation Stage on Content of Neurotrophic Factors, Leptin, and Insulin in Human Milk.

Human milk comprehensively meets the nutritional needs of a child, providing not only structural and energy components but also various bioactive factors. Among these, neurotrophic factors and hormones involved in metabolic processes deserve special attention. Studies using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays compared the content of neurotrophic factors-CNTF, NT-3, and NGF-and hormones, leptin and insulin, in two groups of breast milk samples: early lactation (1-3 months) and extended lactation (>6 months, up to 12 months). The results indicated changes in leptin and insulin levels as the lactation period extended. NGF, leptin, and insulin were present in milk samples from both study groups, with leptin and insulin levels being higher in the early lactation group. CNTF and NT-3 were not detected in any of the samples from either study group. The analyses confirmed that human milk from women who breastfeed for extended periods remains a source of biologically active components and macronutrients that support a child's development and health.

Meal replacements on obesity and leptin: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

The global prevalence of obesity and overweight is a significant concern in the field of public health. Numerous interventional studies have been conducted to assess the possible meal replacements (MRs) effect on anthropometric indicators and indices and laboratory test that reflect obesity. However, there are no comprehensive results in this field. The study aim was to understand the possible effects of MRs on body weight, body mass index (BMI), fat mass, waist circumferences (WC), and leptin levels. A systematic search was conducted in five electronic databases in order to find randomized clinical trials (RCTs) that examined the possible MRs effect on obesity. Analyses were performed in R software, version 4.2.1. The random-effects model analysis was used to provide pooled mean difference and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Seventy studies were included. Body weight (WMD: -3.35 kg, 95% CI: -4.28 to -2.42), BMI (WMD: -1.12 kg/m2, 95% CI: -1.51 to -0.72), fat mass (WMD: -2.77 kg, 95% CI: -3.59 to -1.6), WC (WMD: -2.82 cm, 95% CI: -3.51 to -2.12) were significantly reduced after MRs compared to control. No significant effect was observed on leptin (WMD: -3.37 ng/ml, 95% CI: -8.23 to 1.49). Subgroup analyses indicated that impact of total MRs on anthropometric factors was greater in comparison to partial MRs. Considering other lifestyle factors, MRs can lead to anthropometric indicators and indices reduction.

Delphinidin or α-amyrin attenuated liver steatosis and metabolic disarrangement in rats fed a high-fat diet.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a liver pathology concomitant with metabolic disarrangement. This study assessed the therapeutic impacts of delphinidin, an anthocyanin, or α-amyrin, a pentacyclic triterpenoid, on NAFLD in rats and the underlying mechanisms involved. NAFLD was established by feeding a high-fat diet (HFD) for 10 weeks, either alone or in combination with delphinidin (40 mg/kg, oral) or α-amyrin (20 mg/kg, oral). Delphinidin or α-amyrin ameliorated the metabolic and histopathological perturbations induced by HFD. These compounds markedly attenuated NAFLD-induced hepatic steatosis, as evidenced by a substantial decrease in body weight, insulin resistance, and liver and adipose tissue indices. Alongside normalization of the atherogenic index, both improved HFD-mediated abnormalities in serum lipids, liver enzymes, leptin, and ghrelin levels. Moreover, their intervention activated the NFE2 like bZIP transcription factor 2 and heme oxygenase 1 pathways and abrogated HFD-triggered activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase 1 signaling. These remedies inhibited hepatic apoptosis and modulated the gene expression of lipogenic enzymes. Furthermore, histological analysis corroborated the suppression of lipid accumulation and amelioration of hepatic architecture in the treated rats. Our findings highlight the hepatoprotective value of delphinidin or α-amyrin against NAFLD and related metabolic diseases through their insulin-sensitizing, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiapoptotic effects.

Acquired Partial Lipodystrophy: Clinical Management in a Pregnant Patient.

Pregnancy represents an additional challenge to the complex clinical picture of lipodystrophy disorders, and the management of such conditions with related comorbidities has been underreported. This work aims to outline the risk associated with a pregnancy event for women dealing with acquired partial lipodystrophy and the need for diverse but specialized care. We report on the successful pregnancy outcome of a 28-year-old woman with an acquired partial form of lipodystrophy related to an allogenic bone marrow transplant that occurred at pediatric age. Although metabolic control was challenging, glucose levels progressively improved during the pregnancy, and triglycerides increased less than expected. The periodic monitoring of leptin levels showed a progressive increase with a peak in the third trimester (41.53 ng/mL), followed by a fast decline the day after giving birth, with a lower basal level than the prepregnancy period. However, preterm delivery occurred associated with cardiac complications in the mother. A total of 12 studies were retrieved concerning women aged 14 to 38 years with various lipodystrophy phenotypes. Diabetes and hypertriglyceridemia were the most common comorbidities. Most women had successful pregnancies despite gestational complications (including miscarriages), preterm and emergency deliveries, and newborns undergoing partum or postpartum transient or chronic complications. Lipodystrophy disorders expose both mothers and children to very high risk. Intensive monitoring and care of all potential clinical complications should be planned and carried out by a multidisciplinary team before, during, and after the pregnancy. Leptin secretion during pregnancy should be investigated more deeply in these patients.

Plasma leptin levels are lower in females, but not males, with ketamine use disorder

ABSTRACT Background: Ketamine has emerged as a prominent substance of misuse. Leptin, an adipocyte-derived polypeptide hormone, has been implicated in the development of addiction. Sex-specific changes in leptin levels have been demonstrated following acute ketamine administration; the persistence of long-term ketamine use on leptin levels is uncertain. Objectives: To assess the sex-difference of leptin levels, and their persistence, in individuals with ketamine use disorder (KUD) compared to healthy controls. Methods: Plasma leptin levels were measured in 62 healthy controls (37 males, 25 females) and 68 participants with KUD (50 males, 18 females) on the first day (baseline) and after 1 and 2 weeks of abstinence. As leptin levels are affected by body mass index (BMI), BMI-adjusted leptin (leptin/BMI ratio) was also examined. Mixed model for repeated measures was used to examine changes after ketamine abstinence. Results: Compared to same-sex controls, female, but not male, participants with KUD demonstrated lower leptin levels and leptin/BMI ratio at baseline, week 1, and week 2 (leptin levels: p = .001, 0.006 and 0.032, respectively; leptin/BMI ratio: p = .004, 0.022, and 0.09, respectively). Repeated measures showed that leptin levels and the leptin/BMI ratio increased after 2 weeks of abstinence in male participants with KUD (p = .002 and 0.011, respectively), but females did not show such an increase (p > .05). Conclusions: Sex-specific differences were observed in leptin levels and the leptin/BMI ratio in individuals with KUD compared to controls. Lower leptin levels in females with KUD persisted after 2 weeks of abstinence.

Exploring diet as a source of plasticizers in pregnancy and implications for maternal second-trimester metabolic health

Background and objectivesDiet plays critical roles in modulating maternal metabolic health in pregnancy, but is also a source of metabolic-disrupting phthalates and their replacements. We aimed to evaluate whether the effects of better diet quality on favorable maternal metabolic outcomes could be partially explained by lower exposure to phthalates/replacements. MethodsAt 13 weeks gestation, 295 Illinois women (enrolled 2015–2018) completed a three-month food frequency questionnaire that we used to calculate the Alternative Healthy Eating Index (AHEI)-2010 to assess diet quality. We quantified 19 metabolites, reflecting exposure to 10 phthalates/replacements, in a pool of five first-morning urine samples collected monthly across pregnancy. We measured 15 metabolic biomarkers in fasting plasma samples collected at 17 weeks gestation, which we reduced to five uncorrelated principal components (PCs), representing adiposity, lipids, cholesterol, inflammation, and growth. We used linear regression to estimate associations of diet quality with [1] phthalates/replacements and [2] metabolic PCs, as well as [3] associations of phthalates/replacements with metabolic PCs. We estimated the proportion of associations between diet quality and metabolic outcomes explained by phthalates/replacements using a causal mediation framework. ResultsOverall, every 10-point improvement in AHEI-2010 score was associated with −0.15 (95% CI: −0.27, −0.04) lower adiposity scores, reflecting lower glucose, insulin, C-peptide, leptin, C-reactive protein, but higher adiponectin biomarker levels. Every 10-point increase in diet quality was also associated with 18% (95%CI: 7%, 28%) lower sum of di-2-ethylhexyl terephthalate urinary metabolites (∑DEHTP). Correspondingly, each 18% increase in ∑DEHTP was associated with 0.03 point (95% CI: 0.01, 0.05) higher adiposity PC scores. In mediation analyses, 21% of the inverse relationship between diet quality and adiposity PC scores was explained by lower ∑DEHTP. ConclusionsThe favorable impact of diet quality on maternal adiposity biomarkers may be partially attributed to lower metabolite concentrations of DEHTP, a plasticizer allowed to be used in food packaging materials.

Anti-Obesity Effects of a Collagen with Low Digestibility and High Swelling Capacity: A Human Randomized Control Trial

Background/Objectives: Collagen is a protein formed by very long amino acid chains. When conveniently treated, it can incorporate water into the net, thus increasing its volume and mass. The present work aimed to evaluate the potential anti-obesity effects of bovine collagen that has been technologically treated to increase its water retention capacity in an acid pH medium, with the objective of inducing satiation. Methods: Collagen’s digestibility was tested with a pepsin digestion test. Its swelling capacity was tested in an acid pH medium simulating gastric conditions. Postprandial levels of ghrelin in response to collagen supplementation were tested in rats. In a randomized control trial, 64 subjects with overweight/obesity were allocated in two groups: supplemented daily with two protein bars enriched with collagen (20 g per day) for 12 weeks, or control group. Anthropometric and biochemical measurements were assessed in all the participants. Results: This collagen showed a low digestibility (<60%) and high swelling capacity (>1900%) in vitro. In humans with overweight and obesity, this collagen significantly reduced body weight, body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure (SBP), and fatty liver index (FLI) and increased fat-free mass when compared with the control group. A significant reduction in the sarcopenic index; total, troncular, and visceral fat (measured by DEXA); and serum leptin levels were observed in the collagen group at the end of the intervention, with no differences with respect to controls. Collagen reduced the sensation of hunger and increased fullness and satisfaction. In male Wistar rats, collagen decreased postprandial blood ghrelin levels. Conclusions: Collagen supplementation (20 g per day for 12 weeks) reduced body weight, BMI, waist circumference, fat mass, FLI, and SBP in humans with overweight and obesity, which might be related to the increased sensation of fullness and satisfaction reported by the volunteers after the intake.

Correlations of cognitive function with serum levels of homocysteine, sex hormone binding globulin, and leptin in patients with schizophrenia

Objective: To investigate the correlations of cognitive function with serum levels of homocysteine (Hcy), sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), and leptin in patients with schizophrenia. Methods: This was retrospective study. This study included 58 patients with schizophrenia (SCZ) as observation group and 60 clinically healthy individuals as control group admitted to Xiangshan County Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Medical and Health Group Third Hospital from March 2022 to June 2023. Serum levels of Hcy, SHBG, and leptin in the two groups were measured, and Pearson correlation analysis was conducted to investigate the correlations between the Hcy, SHBG, and leptin levels and the psychiatric symptoms and cognitive function in the observation group. Results: The Hcy and SHBG levels in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group (p<0.05, respectively), and the leptin level was lower than that in the control group (p<0.05). The observation group scored significantly lower than the control group for each dimension of the MCCB (p<0.05, respectively). In the observation group, Hcy was positively correlated with negative symptoms and the PANSS total score (p<0.05, respectively) and was negatively correlated with scores for the leptin was negatively correlated with negative symptoms and the PANSS total score (p<0.05, respectively) and was positively correlated with scores for speed of processing (SOP), WMS-III, BVMT, and MSCEIT (p<0.05, respectively). Conclusions: Increased levels of Hcy and SHBG and decreased leptin are strongly associated with the occurrence of cognitive impairment in SCZ cases. Therefore, clinical observation and monitoring of these markers can help identify changes in patient conditions. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.40.10.8923 How to cite this: Xu Y, Qian X, Zhang M, Liang M. Correlations of cognitive function with serum levels of homocysteine, sex hormone binding globulin, and leptin in patients with schizophrenia. Pak J Med Sci. 2024;40(10):2319-2323. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.40.10.8923 This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

The diagnostic value of leptin for the detection of liver steatosis in postmenopausal obese women

Introduction. More than half of post-reproductive age women are overweight and obese, which puts them at high risk of developing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). In the abdominal type of obesity, adipose tissue dysfunction and impaired leptin secretion develop.Aim. To evaluate the possibilities and diagnostic characteristics of leptin for the determination of liver steatosis in pre-obese and obese women in the early postmenopausal period.Materials and methods. 76 women in the early postmenopausal period were examined, including 63 patients with NAFLD and overweight and obesity with an average age of 50.50 ± 2.16 years and 13 practically healthy women with an average age of 49.29 ± 2.64 years, who underwent an ultrasound examination of the liver, calculation of the HSI index (Hepatic Steatosis Index) and determination of the level of leptin in the blood.Results. Abdominal type of obesity was detected in 84% of patients, the gynoid type was 16%, and the body mass index averaged 33.5 ± 1.3 kg/m2. According to the ultrasound examination and the HSI index, all patients had liver steatosis. Their leptin levels significantly exceeded the control data (p < 0.001) and directly correlated with the severity of steatosis according to the HSI index (r = 0.321; p = 0.010). The threshold value of the serum leptin level in patients with NAFLD was 13 ng/ml with sensitivity and specificity of 90.5% and 92.3%, respectively.Conclusion. Leptin is a highly informative marker of NAFLD in women with pre-obesity and obesity in the early postmenopausal period, the value of which is higher or equal to 13 ng/ml allows to verify steatosis, less than this value – to exclude it in this category of persons with high diagnostic effectiveness.

Effects of various exercise types on inflammatory response in individuals with overweight and obesity: a systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

To explore effective exercise types for reducing chronic inflammation in individuals with overweight and obesity (IOO) while accounting for confounders. A systematic search for RCTs in English between January 2000 and August 2023 was conducted to evaluating exercise effects on inflammatory biomarkers in IOO. A network meta-analysis conducted. A total of 123 RCTs were analyzed. Different exercise type yielded distinct effects on various inflammatory biomarkers. Specifically, aerobic exercise combined with resistance training (COM) and aerobic exercise (AE) were the most effective for improving leptin levels. AE exhibited the greatest effectiveness in reducing CRP and increasing adiponectin. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) was identified as the most effective exercise modality for ameliorating IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-10. Resistance training (RT) had the least effect compared to other exercise types. Meta regression and subgroup analyses revealed that high-intensity AE demonstrated a greater effect size compared to moderate-intensity AE. The impact of AE on IL-10 was positively associated with both the training period and the age of participants. Positive correlations were observed between reductions in body fat and the effect sizes of CRP, TNF-α, and IL-10. Gender influenced AE effects on IL-6 and TNF-α, with females responding better. This study highlights the potential of exercise in alleviating the inflammatory status in IOO, with different exercise types showing various effects on specific inflammatory biomarkers. The intensity and duration of exercise had a dose-response relationship with intervention effectiveness. Changes in body composition correlated with the effectiveness of the intervention. COM, AE, and HIIT are recommended exercise approaches.

Lactobacillus gasseri BNR17 and Limosilactobacillus fermentum ABF21069 Ameliorate High Sucrose-Induced Obesity and Fatty Liver via Exopolysaccharide Production and β-oxidation.

Obesity and metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) are prevalent metabolic disorders with substantial global health implications that are often inadequately addressed by current treatments and may have side effects. Probiotics have emerged as promising therapeutic agents owing to their beneficial effects on gut health and metabolism. This study investigated the synergistic effects of a probiotic combination of BNR17 and ABF21069 on obesity and MAFLD in C57BL/6 mice fed a high-sucrose diet. The probiotic combination significantly reduced body weight and fat accumulation compared with the high-sucrose diet. It also alleviated elevated serum leptin levels induced by a high-sucrose diet. Histological analysis revealed a significant reduction in white adipose tissue and fatty liver in the mice treated with the probiotic combination. Furthermore, increased expression of genes related to β-oxidation, thermogenesis, and lipolysis suggested enhanced metabolic activity. The probiotic groups, particularly the BNR17 group, showed an increase in fecal exopolysaccharides, along with a tendency toward a lower expression of intestinal sugar transport genes, indicating reduced sugar absorption. Additionally, inflammatory markers in the liver tissue exhibited lower expression in the ABF21069 group than in the HSD group. Despite each strain in the combination group having distinct characteristics and functions, their combined effect demonstrated synergy in mitigating obesity and MAFLD, likely through the modulation of fecal exopolysaccharides content and improvement in lipid metabolism. These findings underscore the potential of probiotic supplementation as a promising assistant therapy for managing obesity and MAFLD and provide valuable insights into its therapeutic mechanisms in metabolic disorders.

Effect of Bypass Fat on Genital Status and Blood Biochemical Profiles in Pubertal Swamp Buffalo Heifers and Puerperal Swamp Buffalo Cows

Background: The interaction between nutrition and reproduction has long been known to have important implications for the reproductive performance in animal.The present study highlights the effect of by-pass fat supplementation on genital changes and blood biochemical profile in pubertal swamp buffalo heifers and puerperal swamp buffalo cows. Methods: 24 heifers of 2-2.5 years of age and 24 puerperal cows on the day of parturition, irrespective of parity were used as experimental animal. The analytical method was based on the treatment protocols of 3 groups in both heifers and cows (n=8 in each group) viz., treated with oral bypass fat alone (I), oral bypass fat, mineral mixtures and injectable phosphorus (II) and control (III) respectively. Genital status, metabolic hormone (leptin, Ghrelin and IGF-1), reproductive hormone (estrogen and progesterone) and mineral constituents (calcium, phosphorus, zinc and copper) were analyzed on day 0, day 15 and day 30 in heifers and day 15, day 30 and day 45 in cows respectively. Result: Feeding of bypass fat alone or bypass fat fortified with minerals and injectable phosphorus was not found to induce significant genital changes in heifers and cows. The serum leptin and IGF-1 levels were increased significantly (p less than 0.05) in heifers at day 30 in Group I and II. However, a significant rise (p less than 0.05) of leptin was recorded at day 45 in group I and II cows. IG1-1 level was recorded increased significantly only in cows treated with fortified bypass fat (Group II). With the progression of treatment the serum phosphorus level was increased significantly (p less than 0.05) in Group I and II cows. Serum estrogen levels were increased in both heifers and cows with progression of treatment in both Group I and II. However, serum progesterone levels were increased significantly only in heifers of Group I and II with progression of treatment.

Biological aging analysis based on DNA methylation status for social anxiety disorder.

Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is a common disorder characterized by excessive fear of scrutiny and embarrassment, leading to severe distress and avoidance behaviors or dysfunctions. SAD and other relevant diseases have been reported to be associated with a higher risk of aging-related diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and diabetes mellitus. Recently, epigenetic clock analysis, which measures biological aging based on comprehensive DNA methylation (DNAm) status, has been widely conducted. We conducted epigenetic clock analyses in patients with SAD and controls, examining various epigenetic age acceleration and DNAm-based predictive values of aging-related proteins (GrimAge components and GrimAge2 components), including leptin level. We used the publicly available DNAm dataset, GSE164056, which consists of 66 patients with SAD and 77 controls of Caucasian descent aged between 18 and 50 years. We conducted regression analyses investigating the association between SAD and various indices of epigenetic aging, using age and sex as covariates. None of the epigenetic clocks showed significant differences in age acceleration. Of the DNAm-based predictive values of aging-related proteins, leptin level in GrimAge components (q = 0.0123) and GrimAge2 components (q = 0.0123) were significantly lower in patients with SAD than in controls. The results of this study suggested that leptin may be involved in SAD pathogenesis as an aging-related protein. Therefore, further studies with different designs are required.

Association between overweight and central interleukin-6 in a nonclinical adult population.

Overweight is associated with low-grade systemic inflammation. However, its effect on neuroinflammation remains unclear. We examined the possible association between overweight and neuroinflammation using cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in a nonclinical adult population in Japan. CSF and plasma levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), plasma levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), and leptin were measured in nonclinical adult participants (35 males and 34 females) who had no current or past history of neuropsychiatric diseases. We performed partial correlation analyses with sex and age as covariates between the body mass index (BMI) and the inflammatory markers and compared them between overweight and nonoverweight participants. The BMI significantly correlated with CSF levels of IL-6 (rs = 0.32, p = 0.009), plasma levels of CRP (rs = 0.30, p = 0.016), IL-1β (rs = 0.29, p = 0.019), IL-6 (rs = 0.25, p = 0.042), TNF-α (rs = 0.43, p < 0.001), and leptin (rs = 0.72, p < 0.001). Overweight participants (BMI ≧ 25) had significantly higher CSF levels of IL-6 (p < 0.001), plasma levels of IL-1β (p = 0.023), TNF-α (p < 0.001), and leptin (p < 0.001) than the nonoverweight participants. Overweight is associated with central IL-6, a marker for neuroinflammation, as well as systemic inflammation markers, even in a nonclinical population.

Maternal Diet during Pregnancy Alters the Metabolites in Relation to Metabolic and Neurodegenerative Diseases in Young Adult Offspring

Maternal nutrition during the critical period of pregnancy increases the susceptibility of offspring to the development of diseases later in life. This study aimed to analyze metabolite profiles to investigate the effect of maternal diet during pregnancy on changes in offspring plasma metabolites and to identify correlations with metabolic parameters. Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to under- and overnutrition compared to controls, and their offspring were fed a standard diet after birth. Plasma metabolism was profiled in offspring at 16 weeks of age using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). We analyzed 80 metabolites to identify distinct metabolites and metabolic and neurodegenerative disease-associated metabolites that were sex-differentially altered in each group compared to controls (p &lt; 0.05, VIP score &gt; 1.0). Specifically, changes in 3-indolepropionic acid, anthranilic acid, linoleic acid, and arachidonic acid, which are involved in tryptophan and linoleic acid metabolism, were observed in male offspring and correlated with plasma leptin levels in male offspring. Our results suggest that fatty acids involved in tryptophan and linoleic acid metabolism, which are altered by the maternal diet during pregnancy, may lead to an increased risk of metabolic and neurodegenerative diseases in the early life of male offspring.

Opportunities to rehabilitation of multimorbid patients with asthma and obesity

BACKGROUND: The challenges of rehabilitation and achieving asthma control in patients with multimorbid conditions remain relevant despite advances in asthma treatment. Improving therapeutic approaches requires not only the development of new drugs, but also the creation of comprehensive individualized rehabilitation programs. AIM: To develop complex rehabilitation programs for patients with asthma and multimorbid diseases (obesity, osteoarthritis) and assess their impact on asthma and comorbid conditions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 70 patients with asthma and obesity were divided into two groups: a rehabilitation group and a control group. The study evaluated external respiration functions, quality of life using Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (standardized), asthma control with Asthma Control Questionnaire-5 (ACQ-5), multimorbid pathology with Cumulative Illness Rating Scale (CIRS), Lequesne index, exercise capacity via 6-minute walk test, physical activity using questionnaire ODA23+, and levels of interleukin-6, interleukin-4, tumor necrosis factor alpha, leptin. RESULTS: Both groups were comparable across all assessed parameters, with most participants presenting moderate to severe asthma. Physical activity levels were low to moderate. The CIRS index was 10.0 ± 1.1 in group 1 and 9.2 ± 1.1 in group 2 (p 0.05), while the Lequesne index was 9.70 ± 1.47 and 8.80 ± 1 (p = 0.3900), respectively. After rehabilitation program, the Lequesne index in the group 1 decreased by 2.37 ± 0.60 (р 0,05), which correlated with improved exercise tolerance (6-minute walk test) and increased physical activity by 6.57 ± 2.00 (р 0.05), and increased asthma control (with ACQ-5 decreasing by 0.74 ± 0.20 points; р 0.05) and quality of life with Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (standardized) 3.8 ± 0.4 to 4.5 ± 0.3 (р 0.05). In group 2, no significant changes were observed in the Lequesne index, physical activity, asthma control, or quality of life (p 0.05). Proinflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and leptin, decreased significantly in group 1, while the control group showed no significant changes. CONCLUSIONS: Multicomponent rehabilitation programs tailored to the individual characteristics of patients with multimorbid conditions contribute to better management of both asthma and comorbidities. Rehabilitation improves asthma control, quality of life, and exercise tolerance. It also helps to reduce pain syndrome, increase physical activity, and decrease proinflammatory cytokines and leptin levels.

New Insights into Health Conditions Related to Malfunctions in Clock Genes

Chronotypes play a crucial role in regulating sleep–wake cycles and overall health. The aim of this study was to investigate chronotype, sleep quality, polymorphisms of clock genes and the level of leptin in serum. We used standardized questionnaires to assess chronotype and sleep quality. Genetic analysis was performed to determine the selected clock gene polymorphism. Serum leptin level was measured by the Elisa method. The results showed that serum leptin concentration was elevated in women, as well as in men who had a high waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and body mass index (BMI). The evidence indicated that younger students (&lt;22 years old) were most likely to experience poor sleep quality. Nevertheless, our multivariate analysis revealed that young age and a morning-oriented chronotype were associated with better sleep quality. We noted that clock gene polymorphisms were present in 28.6% of the participants. Moreover, polymorphisms of PER1 c.2247C&gt;T (rs2735611) and PER2 c.-12C&gt;G (rs2304672) genes were associated with serum leptin level and chronotype, respectively. These findings provide insights into the relationships between chronotype, sleep quality, clock gene polymorphisms and obesity risk in biomedical students. Understanding these factors can contribute to better sleep management and potential interventions to improve health outcomes in humans.

Resistance physical exercise modulates metabolic adipokines, decreases body weight, and improves glomerular filtration in patients with chronic kidney disease in hemodialysis.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a condition characterized by abnormalities in kidney structure and function that persist for more than 3months. It is estimated that more than 800 million people in the world have a diagnosis of CKD. To remove the harmful metabolic substances from the body, people with CKD need to perform hemodialysis. Due to their beneficial effects against a wide range of clinical conditions, physical exercise is considered a non-pharmacological therapy. This study aimed to evaluate the beneficial effects of resistance exercise during hemodialysis on metabolic adipokines, myokines, body weight, and glomerular filtration rate in patients living with CKD. Briefly, the blood samples were collected in two moments: immediately before the start of the resistance exercise protocol and 1week after the end of the protocol. Resistance exercise protocol was performed thrice a week for 12weeks and applied during hemodialysis sessions. Here, resistance exercise increases the circulating irisin (14.56%; p = 0.0112), handgrip strength (5.70%; p = 0.0036), glomerular filtration rate (25.9%; p = 0.022) and significantly decreases adiponectin (- 55.7%; p = 0.0044), body weight (- 3.7%; p = 0.0001), glucose (- 22%; p = 0.009), and albumin levels (- 9.55%; p = 0.0001). Conversely, leptin levels (- 10.9%; p = 0.38), iron (3.05%; p = 0.705), ferritin (3.24%; p = 0.880), hemoglobin (- 0.52%; p = 0.75), total cholesterol (7.9%; p = 0.19), LDL (- 9.99%; p = 0.15) and HDL (- 4.8%; p = 0.45), did not change after resistance exercise. Interestingly, 1,25 hydroxyvitamin D levels were significantly increased (14.5%; p = 0.01) following resistance exercise. Considering the effect of sex (males vs. females), we found that irisin levels increased in females but not in males after the resistance exercise protocol. Furthermore, handgrip strength and body weight were different, indicating that males had the highest strength and weight. We demonstrated that both males and females had lower albumin levels after the resistance exercise protocol. In conclusion, we suggest that resistance exercise has beneficial effects in the CKD population by modulating adipokines and metabolic myokines and therefore can be used as a non-pharmacological adjunctive therapy in CKD patients undergoing HD.

The effect of hydrophilic statins on adiponectin, leptin, visfatin, and vaspin levels in streptozocin-induced diabetic rats.

Statins may affect glucose metabolism through adipokines. The aim of this study was to measure the effects of hydrophilic statins on the levels of several adipokines in diabetic rats. Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups: healthy control, untreated diabetic, diabetic treated with pravastatin, and diabetic treated with rosuvastatin. Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of STZ. Thereafter, 20 mg/kg/day doses of either pravastatin or rosuvastatin were administered to the treated diabetic rats for 8 weeks. At the end of the experiment, the body weights, fasting blood glucose levels, serum insulin levels, and insulin resistance, as well as the serum adiponectin, leptin, visfatin, and vaspin levels, were measured. Fasting blood glucose and insulin resistance levels were significantly higher, whereas insulin levels and body weight were significantly lower in the untreated diabetic group than in the control group. Diabetes caused significant decreases in adiponectin, leptin, and vaspin levels but a significant increase in visfatin levels. Pravastatin treatment significantly increased body weight and decreased fasting blood glucose levels, whereas rosuvastatin decreased body weight but did not affect fasting blood glucose levels. Pravastatin caused significant increases in both adiponectin and vaspin levels. However, rosuvastatin did not affect the adiponectin level but caused a significant decrease in the vaspin levels. Both pravastatin and rosuvastatin treatments decreased the leptin and visfatin levels. In conclusion, pravastatin is more effective at improving fasting blood glucose levels and body weight in diabetic rats, probably by increasing adiponectin and vaspin levels.