Treatment Of Obesity Research Articles

비만 치료에서 마황 및 에페드린의 안전성 고찰: 간을 중심으로

Objectives The purpose of this study is to examine whether the use of Ephedrae herba and Ephedrine in obesity treatment is safe for the liver. Methods Toxicology studies and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from systematic review (SR), meta-analysis related to Ephedrae herba or Ephedrine, which refer to liver function were collected through Pubmed and RISS databases. Results There were no findings that hepatotoxicity was induced by Ephedrae herba in the 2-week acute, 4-week subacute, and 13-week repeated administration toxicology studies. In the RCT studies of Ephedrae herba, Ephedrine, or herbal medicine including Ephedrae herba, there were no significant changes in liver function levels. Conclusions This study suggests that it is difficult to find clear evidence that Ephedrae herba and Ephedrine cause liver injury.

User-Centered Framework for Implementation of Technology (UFIT): Development of an Integrated Framework for Designing Clinical Decision Support Tools Packaged With Tailored Implementation Strategies.

Electronic health record-based clinical decision support (CDS) tools can facilitate the adoption of evidence into practice. Yet, the impact of CDS beyond single-site implementation is often limited by dissemination and implementation barriers related to site- and user-specific variation in workflows and behaviors. The translation of evidence-based CDS from initial development to implementation in heterogeneous environments requires a framework that assures careful balancing of fidelity to core functional elements with adaptations to ensure compatibility with new contexts. This study aims to develop and apply a framework to guide tailoring and implementing CDS across diverse clinical settings. In preparation for a multisite trial implementing CDS for pediatric overweight or obesity in primary care, we developed the User-Centered Framework for Implementation of Technology (UFIT), a framework that integrates principles from user-centered design (UCD), human factors/ergonomics theories, and implementation science to guide both CDS adaptation and tailoring of related implementation strategies. Our transdisciplinary study team conducted semistructured interviews with pediatric primary care clinicians and a diverse group of stakeholders from 3 health systems in the northeastern, midwestern, and southeastern United States to inform and apply the framework for our formative evaluation. We conducted 41 qualitative interviews with primary care clinicians (n=21) and other stakeholders (n=20). Our workflow analysis found 3 primary ways in which clinicians interact with the electronic health record during primary care well-child visits identifying opportunities for decision support. Additionally, we identified differences in practice patterns across contexts necessitating a multiprong design approach to support a variety of workflows, user needs, preferences, and implementation strategies. UFIT integrates theories and guidance from UCD, human factors/ergonomics, and implementation science to promote fit with local contexts for optimal outcomes. The components of UFIT were used to guide the development of Improving Pediatric Obesity Practice Using Prompts, an integrated package comprising CDS for obesity or overweight treatment with tailored implementation strategies. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05627011; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05627011.

Implementation of Obesity Science Into Clinical Practice: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association.

Obesity is a recognized public health epidemic with a prevalence that continues to increase dramatically in nearly all populations, impeding progress in reducing incidence rates of cardiovascular disease. Over the past decade, obesity science has evolved to improve knowledge of its multifactorial causes, identifying important biological causes and sociological determinants of obesity. Treatments for obesity have also continued to develop, with more evidence-based programs for lifestyle modification, new pharmacotherapies, and robust data to support bariatric surgery. Despite these advancements, there continues to be a substantial gap between the scientific evidence and the implementation of research into clinical practice for effective obesity management. Addressing barriers to obesity science implementation requires adopting feasible methodologies and targeting multiple levels (eg, clinician, community, system, policy) to facilitate the delivery of obesity-targeted therapies and maximize the effectiveness of guideline-driven care to at-need patient populations. This scientific statement (1) describes strategies shown to be effective or promising for enhancing translation and clinical application of obesity-based research; (2) identifies key gaps in the implementation of obesity science into clinical practice; and (3) provides guidance and resources for health care professionals, health care systems, and other stakeholders to promote broader implementation and uptake of obesity science for improved population-level obesity management. In addition, advances in implementation science that hold promise to bridge the know-do gap in obesity prevention and treatment are discussed. Last, this scientific statement highlights implications for health research policy and future research to improve patient care models and optimize the delivery and sustainability of equitable obesity-related care.

Exogenous Ketone Esters as a Potential Therapeutic for Treatment of Sarcopenic Obesity.

Identifying effective treatment(s) for sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity are of paramount importance as the global population advances in age and obesity continues to be a worldwide concern. Evidence has shown that a ketogenic diet can be beneficial for preservation of muscle quality and function in older adults, but long-term adherence is low due in part to the high-fat (> 80%), very low carbohydrate (< 5%) composition of the diet. When provided in adequate amounts, exogenous ketone esters can increase circulating ketones to concentrations that exceed those observed during prolonged fasting or starvation without significant alterations in the diet. Ketone esters first emerged in the mid-1990s and their use in pre-clinical and clinical research has escalated within the past 10-15 years. We present findings from a narrative review of the existing literature for a proposed hypothesis on the effects of exogenous ketones as a therapeutic for preservation of skeletal muscle and function within the context of sarcopenic obesity and future directions for exploration. Much of the reviewed literature herein examines the mechanisms of the ketone diester (R, S-1,3-butanediol diacetoacetate) on skeletal muscle mass, muscle protein synthesis, and epigenetic regulation in murine models. Additional studies are needed to further examine the key regulatory factors producing these effects in skeletal muscle, examine convergent and divergent effects among different ketone ester formulations, and establish optimal frequency and dosing regimens to translate these findings into humans.

Will Tirzepatide become a game-changer in the pharmacological treatment of obesity? - literature review

Introduction and objective: Obesity has become an important public health issue in Poland. Furthermore, it is one of the most common preventable causes of diseases and mortality. Pharmacological methods of treating obesity have been developing significantly in recent years.Tirzepatide is a new dual incretin receptor agonist that activates both GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) and GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) receptors. The aim of this review is to assess the effectiveness of this medication in reducing body weight. Current state of knowledge: According to data from the Central Statistical Office (GUS) in Poland, 65% of men and 49% of women are struggling with the issue of excessive body weight [1]. Obesity in Polish society is steadily increasing in every age group. However, it affects most significantly children aged 7-13 years and adolescents. In 2022, the novel dual GLP and GIP-1 agonist has been registered for the treatment of type 2 diabetes which is not satisfactorily controlled. It can be also used together with diet and physical activity in patients diagnosed with obesity (BMI of 30 kg/m2 or more) or who are overweight (BMI 27-30 kg/m2) and have weight-related health problems such as hypertension, metabolic syndrome, dislipidaemia and diabetes mellitus [2]. Summary: The increasing prevalence of obesity leads to a dynamic search for the most effective pharmacological methods of treating obesity. The combined activation of GLP-1 and GIP receptors by Tirzepatide has been shown to have additional benefits beyond satisfying glucose control. The biological mechanism of action of this medication additionally causes decreased food intake, slowed gastric emptying and enhanced insulin secretion, all of which can contribute to weight reduction.

Self-regulatory and self-efficacy mechanisms of weight loss in women within a community-based behavioral obesity treatment.

Given the traditional methods of treating obesity through education on controlling eating and increasing exercise have largely failed beyond the very short term, a more intensive focus on psychosocial correlates of those weight-loss behaviors has been suggested. Multiple behavioral theories incorporate self-regulation, self-efficacy, and mood; however, their interrelations and effects over both the short and long term within cognitive-behavioral obesity treatments remain unclear. Within a novel community-based program with women with obesity who had either low (n = 29) or high (n = 71) mood disturbance scores, there were significant improvements in exercise- and eating-related self-regulation and eating-related self-efficacy-primary targets of that intervention-with no significant difference in those changes by mood disturbance grouping. Changes in the summed exercise- and eating-related self-regulation scores significantly mediated relationships between changes in eating-related self-efficacy and weight (over both 6 and 12months). There were similar results with mediation assessed via the extent exercise-related self-regulation carried over to eating-related self-regulation. In both of those models a reciprocal relationship between self-regulation and self-efficacy changes was indicated. In serial multiple mediation equations, paths of changes in exercise-related self-regulation → eating-related self-regulation → eating-related self-efficacy → weight were significant. However, paths were not significant when change in self-efficacy was entered as the predictor (initial) variable. Findings suggest viability in first focusing on exercise-related self-regulation, then eating-related self-regulation, in the course of increasing self-efficacy and probabilities for inducing enough sustained weight loss to improve obesity-associated health risks. Benefits of field-based research findings generalizing to weight-management applications were suggested.

An Assessment of Semaglutide Safety Based on Real World Data: From Popularity to Spontaneous Reporting in EudraVigilance Database

Some glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs), first used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), have been approved for the treatment of obesity in patients with or without T2DM (liraglutide—LIR, semaglutide—SEM, and tirzepatide—TIR). Social media had an important influence on the off-label use of GLP-1 RAs for obesity, especially for SEM. We analyzed the Google queries related to SEM to assess people’s interest in this drug. We also investigated the occurrence of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) by searching the EudraVigilance database (EV) for Individual Case Safety Reports (ICSRs) that reported SEM as the suspected drug and performed a descriptive and a disproportionality analysis. The data obtained for SEM were compared to other GLP-1 RAs. SEM had the highest proportions of searches on Google associated with the term “weight loss” and presented the lowest number of severe ADRs, but it also had the highest number of ICSRs reported in EV. Even though no unexpected safety issues have been reported for it until now, SEM has a hi3gh tendency for overdose reports. The most frequent off-label use was reported for SEM and TIR. In order to lower the risks of ADRs, the off-label use should be reduced and carefully monitored.

Is coffee effective on food intake in high fat diet-fed obese rats?

Objective: Coffee might be effective in the treatment of obesity with its high polyphenol and caffeine content. In this regard, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of different coffee types on body weight, food intake, and biochemical parameters in obese rats. Methods: Wistar Albino adult male rats were randomly divided into four groups (one control and three coffee groups) after obesity development (after six weeks), and three types of coffee (Turkish coffee, instant coffee, filter coffee) administration were performed for two weeks. Results: Food consumption was statistically significantly lower in the Turkish coffee (15,6±1,06 g/d) and filter coffee group (16,9±0,8 g/d) compared to the control group (18,5±0,6) in the eighth-week (p&lt;0.001). At the end of two weeks, there is no difference between the groups regarding weight in the rats (p&gt;0.05). However, the body weight gain (g) change was lower in the Turkish coffee group (p&lt;0.001). There was no significant difference between groups in biochemical parameters. However, negative correlations were obtained between NE (ng/L), Leptin (ng/ml), Adiponectin (mg/L), UCP-1 (ng/L), UCP-2 (ng/L), UCP-3 (ng/L) and average energy intake (kcal) in Turkish coffee administrated rats. Conclusion: According to the study results, coffee consumption, especially Turkish coffee, has a reducing effect on food intake. This effect is likely due to the higher phenolic content of the given Turkish coffee than the same amount of filter and instant coffee. Further studies are needed to explain the effects of coffee consumption on body weight and other casual relationships, especially in the long term.

Obesity - an epidemic of the 21st century – literature review

Introduction and purpose: The article deals with the problem of obesity, which significantly increases the number of cases among children, adolescents and adults all over the world, leading to the occurrence of systemic disorders. A noticeable increase in the incidence of atherosclerosis, metabolic syndrome and diabetes leads to a reduction in life expectancy. The main aim of the work is to emphasize the seriousness of the contemporary problem, which causes impairment of the functioning of many systems. A secondary goal is to indicate the current standards of obesity treatment and how to deal with overweight. Brief description of the state of knowledge: Obesity is a disease that affects nearly 800 million people around the world and affects every fourth Pole. Uncontrolled weight gain is caused; lifestyle changes, consumption of highly processed foods, and genetic and endocrine factors. It is a chronic disease with a tendency to relapse, with serious consequences and in need of diagnostics, personalized treatment, and often associated with psychological support. Material and methods: The article analyzes the research to date and the latest treatment methods, which show that a person struggling with obesity is at risk of over 200 complications, including, for example, fatty liver, stroke, type 2 diabetes or cancer. Results and conclusion: According to our analysis, obesity is a pathological condition that is truly life-threatening. Despite the society's downplay of the problem, people affected by this disease struggle with many comorbidities that worsen their quality of life.

Semaglutide in Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction: Exploring Recent Evidence in Therapeutic Potential for the Obese Population.

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is an increasingly prevalent condition, particularly among the aging population in the United States, and is associated with significant challenges due to its complex pathophysiology and limited therapeutic options. Historically, few pharmacological therapies have successfully mitigated HFpEF, making the emergence of effective treatments particularly significant. This review evaluates recent evidence on the therapeutic potential of semaglutide for managing HFpEF, especially in the obese population. Results from the STEP-HFpEF and STEP-HFpEF DM trials demonstrate that semaglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist originally developed for type 2 diabetes but now also approved for obesity treatment, significantly improves clinical outcomes such as symptom scores, body weight, exercise capacity, and inflammation markers in the obese population suffering from HFpEF. These improvements are attributed to both the weight loss induced by semaglutide and its direct effects on the congestive pathophysiology of HFpEF. The efficacy of semaglutide offers new hope for addressing a condition that has long lacked effective pharmacological interventions.

Comparing the Efficacy of Digital and In-Person Weight Loss Interventions for Patients with Obesity and Glycemic Disorders: Evidence from a Randomized Non-Inferiority Trial

Digital weight loss interventions present a viable and cost-effective alternative to traditional therapy. However, further evidence is needed to establish the equal effectiveness of both approaches. This randomized controlled non-inferiority trial aimed to compare the effects of an intensive in-person weight loss intervention program with Vitadio digital therapy. One hundred patients with obesity and diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, or insulin resistance were enrolled and randomly assigned to one of the two treatment groups. Over a 6-month period, the control group received five in-person consultations with a physician who specialized in obesity treatment, a dietitian and/or a nutrition nurse, while the intervention group followed the digital program based on a multimodal therapeutic approach. The extent of weight loss was assessed and compared between the groups. Additionally, changes in body composition and metabolic parameters for the digital intervention group were analyzed. The study results demonstrated comparable effectiveness of both treatments for weight reduction. The positive effects of Vitadio were further evidenced by favorable changes in body composition and lipid metabolism and improved glycemic control in the intervention group. These findings suggest that Vitadio is an effective tool for assisting patients with managing obesity and preventing diabetes progression.

EFFECTS OF VERY LOW CALORIE KETOGENIC DIET VS SLEEVE GASTRECTOMY ON CARDIO–METABOLIC PROFILE IN PATIENTS WITH OBESITY

Abstract Background Obesity is a complex, multifactorial disease with deleterious effects on cardiac function. Currently, the obesity treatment is one of the most difficult challenges. Very low calorie ketogenic diet (VLCKD) has been proposed as an effective intervention for obesity. Furthermore, hyperketonemia induced by VLCKD is associated with beneficial cardiovascular effects. On the other hand, sleeve gastrectomy (SG) has been proven to be the most effective long–term weight management treatment. However, to date, it is still unclear whether the positive effects of SG on cardiovascular disease are mediated only by weight loss. Aim To evaluate the changes in anthropometric and metabolic parameters and in cardiac structure and function after treatment with SG or VLCKD. The results obtained in the two groups have been compared to verify if, in the short time, there were differences between these two treatments. Methods Twenty obese patients were enrolled. All the patients underwent a complete anthropometrical evaluation, laboratory determinations and echocardiogram evaluation. Ten patients have been treated with SG and 10 with VLCKD. The two group were comparable for weight loss: –26 kg (28%) after 3 months in patients treated with VLCKD and –25 kg (27.5%) after 6 months in patients treated with SG. Results An improvement in the anthropometric and metabolic profile was observed in all the patients. There were significant improvements in cardiovascular risk factors, including total cholesterol levels, triglyceridis, fasting glycemia, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, serum uric acid and HOMA–IR values. Similarly, the echocardiogram evaluation showed, in both groups of treatment, a reduction of the end–diastolic left ventricular volume, a reduction of the end–systolic left ventricular volume and a reduction of interventricular septal thickness and posterior wall thickness. Furthermore, an increase in the Ejection Fraction has been observed. No significantly differences between two groups were observed. Interestingly, in patients in treatment with VLCKD, a significant change in the global myocardial work efficiency (GWE) was observed. Conclusion Our data showed that VLCKD and SG have the potential to protect cardiometabolic health and myocardial remodeling in obese patients. VLCKD is a promising lifestyle intervention that can be used to prevent or treat cardiovascular disease. However, its effectiveness in the medium to long term must be evaluated.

Development of Recombinant High-Density Lipoprotein Platform with Innate Adipose Tissue-Targeting Abilities for Regional Fat Reduction.

As an escalating public health issue, obesity and overweight conditions are predispositions to various diseases and are exacerbated by concurrent chronic inflammation. Nonetheless, extant antiobesity pharmaceuticals (quercetin, capsaicin, catecholamine, etc.) manifest constrained efficacy alongside systemic toxic effects. Effective therapeutic approaches that selectively target adipose tissue, thereby enhancing local energy expenditure, surmounting the limitations of prevailing antiobesity modalities are highly expected. In this context, we developed a temperature-sensitive hydrogel loaded with recombinant high-density lipoprotein (rHDL) to achieve targeted delivery of resveratrol, an adipose browning activator, to adipose tissue. rHDL exhibits self-regulation on fat cell metabolism and demonstrates natural targeting toward scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-BI), which is highly expressed by fat cells, thereby achieving a synergistic effect for the treatment of obesity. Additionally, the dispersion of rHDL@Res in temperature-sensitive hydrogels, coupled with the regulation of their degradation and drug release rate, facilitated sustainable drug release at local adipose tissues over an extended period. Following 24 days' treatment regimen, obese mice exhibited improved metabolic status, resulting in a reduction of 68.2% of their inguinal white adipose tissue (ingWAT). Specifically, rHDL@Res/gel facilitated the conversion of fatty acids to phospholipids (PA, PC), expediting fat mobilization, mitigating triglyceride accumulation, and therefore facilitating adipose tissue reduction. Furthermore, rHDL@Res/gel demonstrated efficacy in attenuating obesity-induced inflammation and fostering angiogenesis in ingWAT. Collectively, this engineered local fat reduction platform demonstrated heightened effectiveness and safety through simultaneously targeting adipocytes, promoting WAT browning, regulating lipid metabolism, and controlling inflammation, showing promise for adipose-targeted therapy.

Psychosocial Predictors of Maintained Weight Loss in Women: Informing Behavioral Obesity Treatment Foci.

Behavioral obesity treatments are typically unable to facilitate meaningful weight loss beyond the short term. Implications of malleable psychosocial factors are unclear, which limits behavioral intervention contents. The current aim was to inform obesity treatments to improve their foci on psychosocial factors leading to resilient behavioral changes and maintained weight loss. Based on pre-planned analyses, women participating in a community-based obesity treatment emphasizing self-regulation and exercise, and who lost at least 3% of their initial weight (N = 89), were measured on eating-related self-efficacy, negative mood, emotional eating, body satisfaction, and self-regulating eating at baseline, Month 3, and Month 6; and on weight change over 12months. From baseline to Month 6, there was a significant overall improvement in each psychosocial variable. In separate multiple regression equations, scores at (1) Month 6, (2) change from baseline to Month 6, and (3) change from Month 3 to Month 6 were entered as predictors of maintained weight loss from Month 6 to Month 12. Using a backward elimination process, only negative mood was retained in the final Month 6 model, and significantly predicted maintained weight loss (R2adjusted = .03, p = .050). Changes in self-efficacy, mood, emotional eating, and self-regulation were retained in the final baseline to Month 6 model, and significantly predicted weight loss maintained over 12months (R2adjusted = .30, p < .001). Findings add to research on obesity treatment development by suggesting an enhanced focus on facilitating changes in self-efficacy, mood, emotional eating, and self-regulation may enhance maintenance of lost weight (or increase weight loss).

GLP-1-directed NMDA receptor antagonism for obesity treatment.

The N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor is a glutamate-activated cation channel that is critical to many processes in the brain. Genome-wide association studies suggest that glutamatergic neurotransmission and NMDAreceptor-mediated synaptic plasticity are important for body weight homeostasis1. Here we report the engineering and preclinical development of a bimodal molecule that integrates NMDA receptor antagonism with glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonism to effectively reverse obesity, hyperglycaemia and dyslipidaemia in rodent models of metabolic disease. GLP-1-directed delivery of the NMDA receptor antagonist MK-801 affects neuroplasticity in the hypothalamus and brainstem. Importantly, targeting of MK-801 to GLP-1 receptor-expressing brain regions circumvents adverse physiological and behavioural effects associated with MK-801 monotherapy. In summary, our approach demonstrates the feasibility of using peptide-mediated targeting to achieve cell-specific ionotropic receptor modulation and highlights the therapeutic potential of unimolecular mixed GLP-1 receptor agonism and NMDA receptor antagonism for safe and effective obesity treatment.

The Impact of Bariatric Surgery on Nitrogen Balance at Six months Post-surgery.

Obesity, defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that presents a risk to health, rose from 8.6 to 10.5% in Singapore's residents. Bariatric surgery, the primary treatment for severe obesity, induces fat and muscle loss. Adequate protein intake is vital for preventing muscle loss. This study examines nitrogen balance in individuals with obesity pre- and post-surgery. Sixteen participants with severe obesity (BMI ≥ 32.5kg/m2) undergoing bariatric surgery (14 sleeve gastrectomy, 2 Roux-en-Y gastric bypass) and 20 normal-weight controls (BMI < 25kg/m2) were recruited. Nitrogen balance, calculated from dietary protein intake and urine nitrogen excretion, was assessed. Participants with obesity were re-evaluated 6months post-surgery. Data were analyzed using parametric methods. At baseline, controls had a BMI of 20.8 ± 2.1kg/m2; those with obesity had 40.9 ± 7.3. Daily calorie and protein intake for participants with obesity were not statistically significantly different from controls (calorie intake at 1467 ± 430 vs. 1462 ± 391kcal, p = 0.9701, protein intake 74.2 ± 28.7 vs. 64.6 ± 18.3g, p = 0.2289). Post-surgery, BMI, fat-free mass, fat mass, total energy intake, carbohydrate, and protein intake decreased significantly (p < 0.01). Protein oxidation and urine nitrogen excretion did not change after bariatric surgery. However, nitrogen balance significantly reduced from 2.62 ± 5.07 to - 1.69 ± 5.07g/day (p = 0.025). Dietary protein intake is inadequate in individuals with obesity at 6months post-bariatric surgery and contributes to a state of negative nitrogen balance.

Structural investigations on the mitochondrial uncouplers niclosamide and FCCP.

There has been renewed interest in using mitochondrial uncoupler compounds such as niclosamide and carbonyl cyanide p-(trifluoromethoxy)phenylhydrazone (FCCP) for the treatment of obesity, hepatosteatosis and diseases where oxidative stress plays a role. However, both FCCP and niclosamide have undesirable effects that are not due to mitochondrial uncoupling, such as inhibition of mitochondrial oxygen consumption by FCCP and induction of DNA damage by niclosamide. Through structure-activity analysis, we identified FCCP analogues that do not inhibit mitochondrial oxygen consumption but still provided good, although less potent, uncoupling activity. We also characterized the functional role of the niclosamide 4'-nitro group, the phenolic hydroxy group and the anilide amino group in mediating uncoupling activity. Our structural investigations provide important information that will aid further drug development.

Relevance of Behavioral Research in the Evolving State of Anti-obesity Medications: Is the Glass Half Empty or Half Full?

Obesity continues to be a significant public health challenge. While weight loss medications have been studied and available for several years, the newest generation of highly effective anti-obesity medications (AOMs) will shift how behavioral science professionals approach obesity treatment and research. With the unique skill set of behavioral science professionals, this commentary suggests ways to integrate behavioral science into the rapidly evolving landscape of AOM use to accelerate better obesity care and generate new lines of research. The goal of this commentary is to stimulate discussion and encourage responsive and relevant action to improve population health.

Cichorium glandulosum Ameliorates HFD-Induced Obesity in Mice by Modulating Gut Microbiota and Bile Acids.

Obesity is an ongoing global health problem, and Cichorium glandulosum (CG, chicory) is traditionally used as a hepatoprotective and lipid-lowering drug. However, there is still a lack of research on the role of CG in the treatment of obesity. In the present study, we found that CG significantly delayed weight gain and positively affected glucolipid metabolism disorders, serum metabolism levels, and the degree of liver and kidney oxidative stress in high-fat diet (HFD) mice. Further examination of the effects of CG on intestinal microenvironmental dysregulation and its metabolites in HFD mice revealed that the CG ethanol extract high-dose group(CGH) did not have a significant regulatory effect on short-chain fatty acids. Still, CGH significantly decreased the levels of 12α-OH/non-12α-OH bile acids and also found significant upregulation of proteobacteria and downregulation of cyanobacteria at the phylum level. CG may have ameliorated obesity and metabolic abnormalities in mice by repairing gut microbiota dysbiosis and modulating bile acid biosynthesis.

Anti-dyslipidemic and cardio-protective effects of dietary &lt;i&gt;Vernonia amygdalina&lt;/i&gt; leaves in monosodium glutamate intoxicated high fat diet fed Wistar rats

The study evaluated the proximate analysis, anti- dyslipidemic and cardioprotective effects of dietary incorporated Vernonia amygdalina (VA) leaves in Monosodium glutamate (MSG) intoxicated High fat diet (HFD) fed Wistar rats. The proximate analysis of the leaves revealed the highest ash and carbohydrate content in the control (basal) diet, highest protein, crude fibre and moisture content in the 10% VA incorporated HFD and the highest crude fat in the HFD only group. Dietary incorporation of VA in HFD reversed the trend of hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia observed in experimental animals after chronic MSG, HFD and MSG + HFD administration. At the end of week 8, HFD only group produced a higher level of total cholesterol and triglyceride when compared to the basal control diet group and the MSG only group while the 10% VA HFD group produced the greatest reduction in total cholesterol and triglyceride from week 9 – week 12. Possible mechanisms include the presence of crude fibers which binds to bile acids reducing the absorption of cholesterol. Histopathology studies of the myocardial tissues at the end of the study revealed in the MSG + HFD group signs of a marked diffused edema of the myocardium which was absent in the MSG only and HFD only groups while 5% and 10% VA incorporated HFD and the standard drug Orlistat 10 mg/kg failed to reverse the observed toxicity. Conclusion: Dietary VA reversed lipid derangement observed but failed to reverse myocardial histopathologies after chronic MSG + HFD administration and could be used as an adjunct for the treatment of obesity.