Improvement Of Metabolism Research Articles

Morus alba: natural and valuable effects in weight loss management

Overweight and obesity are conditions associated with serious comorbidities, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Prevalence of excessive fat accumulation is increasing worldwide, and thus the need for efficient and sustainable weight loss regimes has become a major issue in clinical practice. Despite the important advances in the development of anti-obesity medications (AOM), their side effects, cost, and accessibility, are limiting factors for their routine use. Conversely, the studies of medicinal plants for weight management holds strong promise as a growing area of research. This review consolidates the representative evidence about the beneficial impacts of Morus alba on weight management and associated metabolic parameters, encompassing: inhibition of digestive enzymes, and thus contribution to the energy deficit required for weight loss, improvements in glucose and lipid metabolism, and attenuation of adiposity. Findings from in vitro, in vivo, and clinical investigations reviewed in the paper, demonstrate that white mulberry extracts have the potency to supplement efficiently and safely a healthy weight management approach.

Osteoporosis and Normocalcemic Primary Hyperparathyroidism (Conservatively or Surgically Managed)

Asymptomatic primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) involves 80–90% of the parathyroid tumor-associated cases of PHPT in the modern medical era, while normocalcemic PHPT (NPHPT) has a prevalence of 0.1–11%. We aimed to analyze the bone status and mineral metabolism in NPHPT amid conservative or surgical management. In this narrative review, we searched PubMed (between January 2020 and July 2024) via different keywords. Fourteen studies from the final analysis (388 patients with NPHPT; 1188 with PHPT; and 803 controls) showed that mean serum calcium levels varied between 2.57 and 2.26 mmol/L in NPHPT. Ten studies identified a similar 24 h urinary calcium in NPHPT versus hypercalcemic PHPT (HPHPT). Except for one study, a mandatory vitamin D analysis was performed, but the 25-hydroxyvitamin D cut-offs varied. Osteoporosis (n = 6 studies; N = 172 with NPHPT) was confirmed in 41.7–100% of NPHPT subjects. In surgery candidates, this rate might be overestimated. A DXA analysis was performed in eight studies (235 subjects with NPHPT, and 455 patients with HPHPT); two studies identified a lower BMD in HPHPT < NPHPT, but the results were not homogenous. A single study analyzed the TBS and found similar results in NPHPT. The prevalence of fractures (n = 9) varied between 7.4% and 42.8% in NPHPT. Bone turnover markers (N = 262 patients, n = 8 studies) showed lower bone formation markers in NPHPT versus PHPT (n = 3). Two studies analyzed the BMD and bone turnover markers following parathyroidectomy (161 patients, including 30 patients with NPHPT; mean ages over 60 years). To conclude, given the wide spectrum of complications associated with PHPT, an early diagnosis and proper management is essential. A more extensive screening in patients with osteoporosis and kidney stones might lead to the discovery of NPHPT, a more recently described form of PHPT. While it is still unclear whether NPHPT is an early stage of HPHPT or a separate entity, recent findings show similar osteoporosis and fracture occurrence, and an improvement in bone metabolism, following parathyroidectomy. More extensive prospective studies are crucial to understand the natural course of the disease, to reach a consensus regarding parathyroidectomy indications and surgery candidates’ selection, and to ensure proper personalized management for these patients. With the evolving diagnosis methods, PHPT has become a condition with a changing clinical presentation, which now requires modern evaluation and treatment approaches.

Metabolic Effects of Liposuction on Glucose and Insulin Homeostasis with and Without Abdominal Fat Removal.

Liposuction is a common cosmetic procedure aimed at addressing localized fat deposits. While metabolic disruptions associated with adiposity are well documented, the specific impacts of liposuction on metabolic parameters remain unclear. Seventeen individuals underwent liposuction inclusive of the abdominal area, while eleven underwent liposuction excluding the abdomen. Metabolic parameters including glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, HbA1c, and C-peptide levels were measured preoperatively and postoperatively at 1, 3, and 6 months. Both groups exhibited significant postoperative reductions in glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, HbA1c, and C-peptide levels. However, the abdominal liposuction group demonstrated more pronounced reductions of these variables. These findings suggest that addressing abdominal adiposity may provide greater metabolic benefits following liposuction. Further research is warranted to explore the long-term sustainability and clinical implications of these metabolic improvements with additional markers. This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.

Improvement of blood lipid metabolism through the administration of Moro orange, hawthorn fruit, tamarind pulp, and Gynostemma pentaphyllum leaf extracts in mice fed a high-fat diet

Improvement of blood lipid metabolism through the administration of Moro orange, hawthorn fruit, tamarind pulp, and <i>Gynostemma pentaphyllum</i> leaf extracts in mice fed a high-fat diet

A Review of the Applications of Vitamin C to Treat Human Diseases

AbstractVitamin C, a ubiquitous water-soluble vitamin, has been demonstrated to have several biological activities, including the promotion of collagen production, enhancement of immunity, facilitation of iron absorption, and improvement of fat metabolism. Thus, it has a multitude of applications in the medical field, such as whitening, antioxidation, and the prevention of a wide range of diseases. Conversely, its lack of stability and low permeability limit its applicability. This review presents a summary of the physicochemical properties, delivery strategies, and biological activities of vitamin C. Additionally, this review provides an overview of its preventive and therapeutic effects on diseases such as cataracts, tumors, and cardiovascular conditions. Finally, this review explores the prospective applications of vitamin C as a pharmaceutical agent. A variety of vitamin C derivatives and delivery systems have been developed to overcome the instability and low permeability of vitamin C. However, several challenges persist, including the uncertain efficacy of derivatives and the complexities associated with the implementation of delivery systems. It is anticipated that future advancements will facilitate the development of delivery forms and the utilization of vitamin C in novel applications.

Assessment of Paraoxonase 1 and Arylesterase Activities and Lipid Profile in Bodybuilders: A Comparative Study of Physical Activity and Anthropometry on Atherosclerosis.

Background and Objectives: Atherosclerosis, driven by dyslipidaemia and oxidative stress, is a leading cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. This study evaluates the effects of vigorous-intensity bodybuilding exercise (VIBBE) on atherosclerosis biomarkers-including paraoxonase-1 (PON1) and arylesterase (ARE) activities-and lipid profiles in male bodybuilders who do not use anabolic-androgenic steroids. Comparisons were made with individuals engaged in moderate-intensity aerobic exercise (MIAE), as well as overweight/obese sedentary (OOS) and normal-weight sedentary (NWS) individuals. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 122 healthy male participants aged 18-45 years, divided into four groups: VIBBE (n = 31), OOS (n = 30), MIAE (n = 32), and NWS (n = 29). Anthropometric assessments were performed, and fasting blood samples were collected for biochemical analyses, including lipid profiles and PON1 and ARE activities. Statistical analyses compared the groups and evaluated correlations between adiposity measures and atherosclerosis biomarkers. Results: The VIBBE group exhibited significantly lower levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides (TG), and logarithm of the TG to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) ratio [log(TG/HDL-C)] compared to the OOS group (p < 0.05 for all), indicating improved lipid profiles. However, these improvements were not significant when compared to the NWS group (p > 0.05), suggesting that VIBBE may not provide additional lipid profile benefits beyond those associated with normal weight status. PON1 and ARE activities were significantly lower in the VIBBE group compared to the MIAE group (p < 0.05 for both), suggesting that VIBBE may not effectively enhance antioxidant defences. Correlation analyses revealed significant inverse relationships between PON1 and ARE activities and adiposity measures, including body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), body fat percentage (BFP), fat mass index (FMI), and obesity degree (OD) (p < 0.05 for all). Positive correlations were observed between oxLDL and log(TG/HDL-C) and adiposity measures (p < 0.05 for all). Conclusions: Vigorous-intensity bodybuilding exercise improves certain lipid parameters compared to sedentary obese individuals but does not significantly enhance antioxidant enzyme activities or further improve lipid profiles beyond those observed in normal-weight sedentary men. Conversely, moderate-intensity aerobic exercise significantly enhances PON1 and ARE activities and improves lipid profiles, offering superior cardiovascular benefits. These findings underscore the importance of incorporating moderate-intensity aerobic exercise into physical activity guidelines to optimize cardiovascular health by balancing improvements in lipid metabolism with enhanced antioxidant defences.

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.

Gastric bypass elicits persistent gut adaptation and unique diabetes remission-related metabolic gene regulation.

We have previously shown that early intestinal adaptation precedes and relates to metabolic improvement in humans after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery (RYGB). We hypothesized that intestinal adaptation would persist at the 1-year postoperative time point and that gene expression (GE) signatures would relate to type 2 diabetes remission, providing insight into potential mechanisms for intestinally mediated metabolic improvement after RYGB. We determined GE by RNA sequencing in jejunum (Roux limb [RL]) collected from 28 patients before and 12 months after RYGB. Global GE from paired baseline and 1-year jejunal samples did not separate according to clinical phenotype (type 2 diabetesremission, sustained weight loss). In general, GE was consistent with persistent RL remodeling, and microvilli were elongated by 39%. Remodeling was not attenuated in patients with lack of diabetes remission or with weight regain. Patients with diabetes remission demonstrated greater jejunal activation of lipogenesis-related pathways driven by RXR, LXR, and SREBP. RL adaptation is a key feature of RYGB in all patients, likely reflecting the dramatic alterations to gastrointestinal anatomy, but jejunal lipogenesis appears to be more strongly activated in those patients with diabetes remission. Further study is needed to understand whether these pathways may drive metabolic remission after RYGB.

RISE IN PLASMA BILE ACIDS FOLLOWING HYPOABSORPTIVE BARIATRIC SURGERIES PREDICT BENEFICIAL METABOLIC AND HOMEOSTATIC OUTCOMES IN MALE RATS.

The effects of three hypoabsorptive bariatric surgeries, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch (BPD-DS) and single anastomosis duodeno-ileal bypass with sleeve gastrectomy (SADI-S), on bile acids (BAs) were assessed including the changes in BA plasma levels associated with the metabolic and homeostatic effects of the surgeries. Male Wistar rats, etheir fed high- (HF) or a low-fat (LF) diets, were divided into seven groups: RYGB HF, BPD-DS HF, SADI-S HF, sleeve-gastrectomy (SG) HF, sham-operation (SHAM) HF, SHAM LF and SHAM HF-pair-weighed to BPD-DS (SHAM HF-PW). The rats were treated 56 days. The results demonstrate the ability of RYGB, BPD-DS and SADI-S to raise plasma levels of BAs, whose elevations, most notably those of the secondary BAs (deoxycholic acid, ursodooxycholic acid and lithocholic acid) associated negatively with body weight gain, fat gain and fasting insulin levels and positively with plasma peptide tyrosine-tyrosine (PYY). Plasma BAs also correlated positively with the fecal levels of Clostridium, Sutterella and Enterobacteriaceae and negatively with Clostridiales_f_g_2, Christensenellaceae, Ruminococcaceae_g_2, Oscillibacter and Oscillospira. Additionally, they associated positively with the short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) levels of propionate, butyrate, isobutyrate, valerate and isovalerate. Altogether, the present study emphasizes the ability of RYGB, BPD-DS and SADI-S to induce circulating BA elevations that predict the beneficial consequences of those hypoabsorptive bariatric surgeries on energy and glucose homeostasis and circulating levels of PYY. The present results also reveal close associations between plasma BAs and SCFAs, whose variations following hypoabsorptive surgeries are also linked to significant fat losses and metabolic health improvements.

Impact of bariatric surgery on gut microbiota composition in obese patients compared to healthy controls

Bariatric surgery is vital for sustainable weight loss and metabolic improvement in obese individuals, but its effects on gut microbiota and their role in these benefits require further investigation. Investigate the temporal changes in gut microbiota in obese patients undergoing bariatric surgery (gastric sleeve gastrectomy or Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB)) compared to healthy controls, aiming to understand their role in weight loss and metabolic health improvement. A case-control study included 30 obese patients aged 65–95 undergoing bariatric surgery, and 18 matched healthy controls. Selection criteria were based on age, race, BMI, history of antibiotics, probiotics, and prebiotics usage. Stool samples were collected at baseline, three months, and six months post-surgery for DNA extraction and quantitative real-time PCR analysis to assess gut microbiota changes. Physical activity and dietary intake were evaluated using standardized questionnaires. Statistical analyses were performed using R. Post-surgery, patients showed significant reductions in weight and BMI, with changes in dietary habits and physical activity. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis revealed substantial alterations in bacterial groups such as Bacteroides and Fusobacterium. However, some groups showed no significant changes, indicating a complex interaction between gut microbiota and bariatric surgery. Notable correlations were found between body weight, BMI, and specific bacterial groups like the C. cluster IV and Lactobacillus, particularly in RYGB patients. Bariatric surgery significantly alters gut microbiota, aiding weight loss and metabolic regulation in obese patients. Understanding these changes is crucial for developing effective obesity management strategies, requiring further research to optimize outcomes.

Effects of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy on weight loss and metabolic improvement in subjects aged 65 years or older: a subanalysis of J-SMART study

Effects of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy on weight loss and metabolic improvement in subjects aged 65 years or older: a subanalysis of J-SMART study

Bacterial and clinical metabolic signatures and their interactions in obese patients post-bariatric surgery

BackgroundObesity is a growing health concern in China, closely linked to metabolic disorders such as type 2 diabetes. Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy (LSG) is effective in promoting weight loss and improving metabolic outcomes. Emerging evidence highlights the role of gut microbiota in metabolic regulation, yet the specific alterations in gut microbiota and their association with metabolic changes post-surgery in Chinese patients remain unclear. Understanding these shifts could provide key insights into optimizing treatment strategies for metabolic improvement following bariatric surgery.MethodsStool samples and clinical data were collected from 30 obese patients before and 6 months after surgery. The composition of the gut microbiota was analyzed through 16S rRNA sequencing, and Spearman correlation analysis was used to determine the association between gut microbiota and clinical indicators.ResultsThe analysis of 30 patients showed a significant decrease in Body Mass Index (BMI) (36.75 ± 4.09 kg/m2 vs 26.37 ± 3.47 kg/m2, p < 0.0001). Glucose metabolism, including Hemoglobin A1C levels, improved significantly (6.05 ± 0.96 vs 5.05 ± 0.25, p < 0.0001), and liver function as well as serum lipid levels were also notably improved. LSG increased the richness and composition of gut microbiota in obese patients post-surgery. These changes in gut microbiota were closely associated with improved clinical metabolic parameters.ConclusionLSG not only significantly reduces body weight while also alleviating metabolic syndrome and comorbidities by altering gut microbiota.

Improvement of Bone Metabolism in Prepubertal Girls with Turner Syndrome Following Long-term Pegylated Growth Hormone Treatment.

The study aims to assess the improvement in bone metabolism in prepubertal girls with Turner Syndrome (TS) after long-term polyethylene glycol recombinant human Growth Hormone (PEG-rhGH) treatment. A 12-month longitudinal prospective study was conducted with 28 prepubertal girls diagnosed with TS. Participants were divided into two groups: 18 received PEG-rhGH therapy (0.1-0.25 mg/kg/week) and 10 did not. Anthropometric measurements, bone turnover markers (BTMs), and serum levels of IGF-1, calcium, and phosphate were collected at baseline and after 12 months. BTMs included bone alkaline phosphatase (BAP), Type I collagen propeptide (CICP), Type I collagen telopeptide (CTX), and fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23). After 12 months of PEG-rhGH therapy, the treatment group showed significant increases in growth velocity (GV) and height standard deviation scores (HtSDS). Serum IGF-1 levels increased rapidly within one month and remained elevated. BTMs indicated enhanced bone formation, significantly increasing BAP and CICP, while CTX levels remained low. FGF23 levels initially rose slightly but declined below baseline by 12 months. Elevated blood phosphate levels were observed. PEG-rhGH therapy in children with TS significantly improves linear growth and enhances bone formation markers, benefiting bone metabolism.

Bimagrumab: an investigational human monoclonal antibody against activin type II receptors for treating obesity.

Bimagrumab is a human monoclonal antibody that prevents activin type II receptors (ActRII) from functioning. This antibody has a higher affinity for muscle activin-2 receptors than natural ligands such as activin and myostatin, which act as negative muscle growth regulators. Blocking the activin receptor with bimagrumab could be a new pharmaceutical approach for managing patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Bimagrumab has anabolic effects on skeletal muscle mass by preventing myostatin binding and other negative muscle growth regulators. Preclinical animal models have also shown that ActRII blockade promotes actions beyond skeletal muscle, including effects on brown adipose tissue (BAT) differentiation and activity. In a phase 2 randomized clinical trial, ActRII blockade with bimagrumab led to significant loss of total body fat mass (FM), lean mass (LM) gain, and metabolic improvements over 48weeks in overweight or obese patients with type 2 diabetes. The trial involved [number of participants], and the results showed [specific findings]. Currently, Bimagrumab is being evaluated for its potential to treat muscle wasting, functional loss in hip fractures and sarcopenia, as well as obesity. However, it is essential to note that Bimagrumab also blocks the effects of other ActRII ligands, which play a role in the neurohormonal axes, pituitary, gonads, and adrenal glands. These observations suggest that bimagrumab might represent a new approach for treating patients with obesity and related metabolic disturbances.

No evidence of improvements in energy metabolism after 1week of nitrate and citrulline co-supplementation in elite rowers.

Citrulline (CIT) and beetroot extract (BR) supplements positively impacts exercise performance in elite rowers. However, its influence on metabolic outcomes such as whole-body volumes of oxygen consumption (VO2) and carbon dioxide production (VCO2), substrate oxidation, energy expenditure (EE), and gross efficiency remains unknown. We studied the effects of 1week of daily co-supplementation of 3.5g BR (500mg NO3-) plus 6g CIT on VO2 and VCO2 kinetics, substrate utilization, EE, and gross efficiency in elite male rowers compared to a placebo and to a BR supplementation. Twenty elite rowers participated in this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial completing 1week of supplementation in each group of study: Placebo (PLAG); BRG; and BR-CITG. Efficiency (70% VO2max) and performance (incremental maximal) tests were performed, and gas-exchange data were collected via indirect calorimetry. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) showed no mean between-condition differences on respiratory exchange ratio (RER), EE, and gross efficiency in the efficiency test (all P > 0.06), and in the performance test (all P > 0.28). Moreover, in both tests no interaction Time × Supplement effects were observed for VO2, VCO2, RER, EE, substrate oxidation, and, gross efficiency (all P > 0.12). After 1week, no effects on energy metabolism and substrate utilization were observed after the daily co-ingestion of BR extract plus CIT supplement, therefore longer (> 7days) and higher doses of supplementation might be needed to influence metabolism.

Advantages of compost tea: Promotion of nitrogen influx into the fruit and improvement of fruit nitrogen metabolism in tomato

The use of compost tea is important to improve food safety. However, the effect of compost tea on N uptake and partitioning in tomato is unclear. In this study, we measured temporal and spatial changes in nitrogen content, enzyme activities, and expression levels of nitrogen transporters genes in different organs of tomato treated with five nutrient solutions. The results showed that the expression levels of ammonium transporter protein genes (AMT1s) increased and that of a nitrogen transporters gene (NRT2.1) decreased under treatment with compost tea, which promoted NH4+ transport to the fruit and reduced nutrient wastage compared with the response to chemical fertilizers. In addition, the lowermost leaves on the stem showed reduced nitrate content, faster metabolism, and decreased chlorophyll a content, but fruit yield was not increased, in compost tea-treated plants. These changes were dependent on the expression level of the glutamine synthetase gene (GS1.1), which was increased in leaves and decreased in fruit. Compost tea influenced the expression of critical genes in the fruits and leaves, and improved the competitiveness of sexual reproductive growth as a sink for nitrogen. However, the benefits of compost tea were reduced when it was mixed chemical fertilizers. This research establishes a theoretical framework for optimization of organic vegetable cultivation and promoting the widespread production of organic crops.

D-Xylose Ameliorates Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease by Targeting Macrophage-expressed LYZ Gene.

This study investigates the therapeutic effects of D-Xylose, a natural sugar, on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), focusing on the expression of the lysozyme gene (LYZ) in macrophages. Using the single-cell dataset GSE136103 for NAFLD, researchers analyzed macrophage populations and other groups utilizing the Seurat package in R, while a differential analysis was performed on the NAFLD dataset GSE61260 using the limma package. Both in vitro and in vivo models, including cell culture, mouse models, RT-qPCR, Western blot, ELISA, and histopathological analyses, were employed to examine the effect of D-Xylose on lipid accumulation, LYZ expression, blood lipid levels, and inflammatory responses. The study found a significant upregulation of LYZ in free fatty acid (FFA)-treated cells and mouse liver tissues, with a subsequent reduction after D-Xylose intervention. Treatment with D-Xylose and Amlodipine led to a notable decrease in lipid accumulation, as evidenced by reduced triglyceride and cholesterol levels. D-Xylose demonstrated a greater improvement in lipid metabolism than Amlodipine. Additionally, D-Xylose significantly mitigated inflammatory responses, reducing levels of inflammatory markers such as IL1R, IL6, MYS8, TNF, NF-κB, and IL-1. Furthermore, D-Xylose administration significantly reduced liver weight and liver index, with a positive impact on serum liver function and blood lipid levels. The findings suggest that D-Xylose could be a therapeutic intervention for NAFLD by targeting LYZ expression in macrophages, thereby modulating lipid metabolism and inflammatory responses.

B-cell Interleukin 1 Receptor 1 (IL1R1) modulates the female adipose tissue immune microenvironment during aging.

Myeloid cell production of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) drives inflammaging in visceral adipose tissue (vWAT) and contributes to the expansion of interleukin-1 receptor 1 (Il1r1) positive aged adipose B-cells (AABs). AABs promote metabolic dysfunction and inflammation under inflammatory challenges. However, it is unclear whether IL-1β contributes to AAB-associated inflammation during aging. Using a B-cell specific knockout of Il1r1 (BKO mice), we characterized old vWAT in the absence of IL-1β - B-cell signaling. In addition to sex-specific metabolic improvements in females, we identified a reduction in the proportion of B-cells and a sex-specific increase in the B1:B2 B-cell ratio in BKO vWAT. Using single cell RNA-sequencing of vWAT immune cells, we observed that BKO differentially affected inflammatory signaling in vWAT immune cells. These data suggest that IL-1β - B-cell signaling supports the inflammatory response in multiple cell types and provides insight into the complex microenvironment in aged vWAT.

Hydrotherapy Application for Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: a Randomized Study

INTRODUCTION. Recently, alternative methods of treating patients with menstrual disorders have become increasingly in demand. One of these methods is hydrotherapy, which has a complex effect on the body. AIM. To evaluate the effectiveness of contrast baths and underwater shower-massage as part of complex treatment of women with polycystic ovary syndrome. MATERIAL AND METHODS. A prospective randomized study was conducted in 120 women with polycystic ovary syndrome, grade 1 obesity, and menstrual irregularities. During the study, 2 groups were allocated by randomization: the first (main) included 60 patients, whose treatment included a special diet and a 24-day course of hydrotherapy, consisting of a single daily intake of fresh water contrast baths (12 days), alternating every other day with underwater shower-massage procedures (12 days). The second group, the control group, was represented by 60 patients who received only a special diet. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION. After treatment, a significantly significant decrease in body mass index was noted in both groups of the study (by 4.9 % in the control group and by 11.3 % in the main group). In women receiving a course of hydrotherapy, there was an improvement in lipid and carbohydrate metabolism with a decrease in the atherogenic index by 36.1 % and an insulin resistance index by 31.0 %, as well as an improvement in indicators of psycho-emotional state, characterized by a decrease in situational anxiety on the Spielberger Hanin scale (p 0.05) and improvement in overall mood on the “Well-being, activity, mood” scale (p 0.05). CONCLUSION. Based on the results of the study, it was proven that the use of hydrotherapy in complex treatment programs for women with polycystic ovary syndrome is an effective and safe method that can be included in standard treatment regimens for this condition.

Metabolic Shifts Induced by Helminth Infections and Their Contribution to Stunting in Vulnerable Populations

Aims: to revisit the condition of chronic metabolic shifting caused by immunomodulatory sequence facilitated by helminth infection together with other deteriorating condition such as persistent exposure to infection which contributes to stunting formation. Discussion: During dynamic interaction between active helminth infection and the host, the helminth and its excretory/secretory products induce and arouse the type 2 immune response which drives host tolerance and plays an important role in promoting tissue repair. Helminths also activates M2 Macrophages and induce a metabolic shift, even metabolic reprogramming towards reliance on oxidative phosphorylation, lipid oxidation and amino acid metabolism. Helminth-induced activation and metabolic reprogramming of macrophages precede the improvement in overall whole-body metabolism, denoted by improved insulin sensitivity, body mass in response to high-fat diet and atherogenic index in mammals. Contributions of altered nutrient uptake, adipose tissue function and/or the intestinal microbiota with the ability of helminths to alter metabolic status play a pivotal role in increased metabolism rate and may lead to wasting and even stunting formation. Conclusion: Helminth drives the type 2 immunity and activates its cell line which is responsible for metabolic shifting and reprogramming.