Reduced Body Fat Mass Research Articles

Effects of Casein, Chicken, and Pork Proteins on the Regulation of Body Fat and Blood Inflammatory Factors and Metabolite Patterns Are Largely Dependent on the Protein Level and Less Attributable to the Protein Source.

The impact of meat protein on metabolic regulation is still disputed and may be influenced by protein level. This study aimed to explore the effects of casein, pork, and chicken proteins at different protein levels (40% E vs 20% E) on body weight regulation, body fat accumulation, serum hormone levels, and inflammatory factors/metabolites in rats maintained on high-fat (45% E fat) diets for 84 d. Increased protein levels resulted in a significant reduction in body fat mass and an increase in the serum levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10, independent of protein source. Analysis of blood via untargeted metabolomics analysis identified eight, four, and four metabolites significantly altered by protein level, protein source, and a protein level-source interaction, respectively. Together, the effects of casein, chicken, and pork protein on the regulation of body fat accumulation and blood metabolite profile are largely dependent on protein level and less attributable to the protein source.

Abstract 293: Heat shock factor 1 directly suppresses AMP-activated protein kinase to promote tumorigenesis

Abstract Heat shock factor 1 (HSF1), a master transcriptional regulator of the evolutionarily conserved proteotoxic stress response, preserves proteomic stability upon environmental insults. HSF1 is also a potent pro-oncogenic factor, suggesting that proteomic stability enables oncogenesis. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), a key cellular metabolic sensor and downstream effector of the tumor suppressor LKB1, activates catabolic pathways but suppresses anabolic pathways, including fatty acid and cholesterol biosynthesis, thereby maintaining energy homeostasis. We previously showed that upon activation by metabolic stressors, AMPK interacts with and phosphorylates HSF1 to inactivate it and cause proteomic instability, leading to tumor suppression. Intriguingly, we also discovered that HSF1 suppresses AMPK and controls body fat mass. This study is to investigate the mechanisms by which HSF1 reciprocally suppresses AMPK and the roles of this suppression in lipid metabolism and tumorigenesis. By utilizing recombinant proteins, HSF1 peptide libraries and transcription-deficient HSF1 mutants, our in vitro studies reveal that through physical interactions HSF1 imposes multilayer regulations on AMPK, including blocking AMP binding to γ subunits, impairing LKB1-mediated Thr172 phosphorylation, promoting Thr172 de-phosphorylation by PP2A, and impeding ATP binding to catalytic α subunits. Results from circular dichroism spectroscopy reveal that HSF1 induces global AMPK conformational changes. Biologically, Hsf1 deficiency suppresses lipogenesis and decreases lipid content via AMPK activation. Moreover, Hsf1-deficient cells and mice display reduced cholesterol levels. Interestingly, this defect leads to impaired cholesteroylation of sonic hedgehog (SHH). Consequently, the oncogenic SHH signaling is impaired in HSF1-deficient cells. In vivo, Hsf1 deficiency reduces body fat mass in mice, which can be markedly rescued by either pharmacological or genetic inhibition of AMPK. Importantly, the transcription-deficient HSF1 mutant, through AMPK suppression, enhances the lipid content and SHH cholesteroylation, and promotes the in vivo growth of xenografted human melanomas. In conclusion, HSF1 is a direct AMPK antagonist. This transcription-independent interaction of HSF1 with AMPK epitomizes a reciprocal kinase-substrate regulation whereby lipid metabolism and proteomic stability intertwine and promotes cancer anabolism and oncogenesis. Citation Format: Kuo-Hui Su, Siyuan Dai, Zijian Tang, Meng Xu, Chengkai Dai. Heat shock factor 1 directly suppresses AMP-activated protein kinase to promote tumorigenesis [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research 2020; 2020 Apr 27-28 and Jun 22-24. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(16 Suppl):Abstract nr 293.

FGF21 regulates hepatic metabolic pathways to improve steatosis and inflammation.

The prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has increased dramatically worldwide and, subsequently, also the risk of developing non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), hepatic fibrosis, cirrhosis and cancer. Today, weight loss is the only available treatment, but administration of fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) analogues have, in addition to weight loss, shown improvements on liver metabolic health but the mechanisms behind are not entirely clear. The aim of this study was to investigate the hepatic metabolic profile in response to FGF21 treatment. Diet-induced obese (DIO) mice were treated with s.c. administration of FGF21 or subjected to caloric restriction by switching from high fat diet (HFD) to chow to induce 20% weight loss and changes were compared to vehicle dosed DIO mice. Cumulative caloric intake was reduced by chow, while no differences were observed between FGF21 and vehicle dosed mice. The body weight loss in both treatment groups was associated with reduced body fat mass and hepatic triglycerides (TG), while hepatic cholesterol was slightly decreased by chow. Liver glycogen was decreased by FGF21 and increased by chow. The hepatic gene expression profiles suggest that FGF21 increased uptake of fatty acids and lipoproteins, channeled TGs toward the production of cholesterol and bile acid, reduced lipogenesis and increased hepatic glucose output. Furthermore, FGF21 appeared to reduce inflammation and regulate hepatic leptin receptor-a expression. In conclusion, FGF21 affected several metabolic pathways to reduce hepatic steatosis and improve hepatic health and markedly more genes than diet restriction (61 vs 16 out of 89 investigated genes).

YNCRG Inhibited Metabolic Syndrome Through Appetite Suppression and Improved Lipid Metabolism in Metabolic Syndrome Model Rats

Increased body fat mass can lead to lifestyle diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia. Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions that increases the onset of multiple diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, stroke, and type 2 diabetes, which are closely related to lipid metabolism; therefore, new prevention approaches and treatments are needed. Our study investigated the effects and mechanism of YNCRG on anti-obesity in metabolic syndrome model SHR.Cg-Leprcp/NDmcr (SHRCP) rats. Eight-week-old male SHRCP rats were administered YNCRG or water by gavage for eight weeks and sacrificed. The tissues were immediately dissected for future experiments. We also used WKY rats as a rodent model. YNCRG induced reductions in food intake, body weight, and body fat mass in SHRCP rats. We also analyzed the mechanism of food intake regulation in the hypothalamus. Expression of POMC was significantly increased in the YNCRG group. However, JAK2 showed no change between the two groups. Phosphorylation levels of Akt (Ser473) and FoxO1 were significantly increased in the YNCRG group. Moreover, mTOR was significantly phosphorylated by YNCRG treatment. These results suggest that YNCRG can induce appetite suppression through the mTOR-Akt-FoxO1-POMC signaling pathway. YNCRG also induced a reduction in body fat mass. In adipose tissue, phosphorylation of AMPK was significantly increased in the YNCRG group. Also, LKB1 and PKA (upstream factors of AMPK), and ACC and HSL (downstream factors of AMPK) were significantly phosphorylated with the YNCRG treatment. Our results indicate that YNCRG can treat MetS by decreasing body fat mass of SHRCP rats through appetite suppression and improvement of lipid metabolism.

Causal Effects of Overall and Abdominal Obesity on Insulin Resistance and the Risk of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Two-Sample Mendelian Randomization Study.

Overall and abdominal obesity were significantly associated with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) risk in observational studies, though these associations cannot avoid the bias induced by confounding effects and reverse causation. This study aimed to test whether these associations are causal, and it compared the causal effects of overall and abdominal obesity on T2DM risk and glycemic traits by using a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) design. Based on summary-level statistics from genome-wide association studies, the instrumental variables for body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), and WHR adjusted for BMI (WHRadjBMI) were extracted, and the horizontal pleiotropy was analyzed using MR–Egger regression and the MR–pleiotropy residual sum and outlier (PRESSO) method. Thereafter, by using the conventional MR method, the inverse-variance weighted method was applied to assess the causal effect of BMI, WHR, and WHRadjBMI on T2DM risk, Homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), fasting insulin, fasting glucose, and Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c). A series of sensitivity analyses, including the multivariable MR (diastolic blood pressure, systolic blood pressure, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol as covariates), MR–Egger regression, weighted median, MR–PRESSO, and leave-one-out method, were conducted to test the robustness of the results from the conventional MR. Despite the existence of horizontal pleiotropy, consistent results were found in the conventional MR results and sensitivity analyses, except for the association between BMI and fasting glucose, and WHRadjBMI and fasting glucose. Each one standard deviation higher BMI was associated with an increased T2DM risk [odds ratio (OR): 2.741; 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.421–3.104], higher HbA1c [1.054; 1.04–1.068], fasting insulin [1.202; 1.173–1.231], and HOMA-IR [1.221; 1.187–1.255], similar to findings for causal effect of WHRadjBMI on T2DM risk [1.993; 1.704–2.33], HbA1c [1.061; 1.042–1.08], fasting insulin [1.102; 1.068–1.136], and HOMA-IR [1.127; 1.088–1.167]. Both BMI (P = 0.546) and WHRadjBMI (P = 0.443) were unassociated with fasting glucose in the multivariable MR analysis. In conclusion, overall and abdominal obesity have causal effects on T2DM risk and insulin resistance but no causal effect on fasting glucose. Individuals can substantially reduce their insulin resistance and T2DM risk through reduction of body fat mass and modification of body fat distribution.

Effect of Lactobacillus sakei, a Probiotic Derived from Kimchi, on Body Fat in Koreans with Obesity: A Randomized Controlled Study.

BackgroundThe increased prevalence of obesity has led to increases in the prevalence of chronic diseases worldwide. There is interest whether probiotics have an effect on obesity, but the effectiveness and safety of only a few probiotics for the treatment of obesity have been reported. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether ingestion of Lactobacillus sakei (CJLS03) derived from kimchi causes weight loss in people with obesity.MethodsThis randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical trial involved 114 adults with a body mass index (BMI) ≥25 kg/m2 who were assigned randomly to a CJLS03 or placebo group. The groups received two allocations of either 5×109 colony-forming units of CJLS03/allocation or the equivalent vehicle for 12 weeks. Demographic and biochemical parameters, and body composition including fat and muscle mass were measured at baseline and after 12 weeks. Changes in body fat, weight, and waist circumference were compared between the two treatment groups. Adverse events were monitored during study period.ResultsBody fat mass decreased by 0.2 kg in the CJLS03 group and increased by 0.6 kg in the placebo group (0.8 kg difference, P=0.018). After the 12 weeks, waist circumference was 0.8 cm smaller in the CJLS03 group than in the placebo group (P=0.013). BMI and body weight did not change after the 12 weeks. Adverse events were mild and did not differ between the two groups.ConclusionThese data suggest that L. sakei (CJLS03) might help people with obesity reduce body fat mass without serious side effects (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03248414).

Effect of toxic trace element detoxification, body fat reduction following four-week intake of the Wellnessup diet: a three-arm, randomized clinical trial

BackgroundDetox diet are known as a popular dieting strategies that helps toxins elimination and weight manage but there is very little clinical evidence. The Wellnessup diet (WD) used in the present study designed as a healthy meals based on organic plant based diets including various vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts and phytonutrients.MethodsTo evaluate the effects of 4 week intake of the WD on toxic trace element detoxification, body fat reduction, and safety parameters. Forty-five women with body mass index (BMI) of 23.5–30 kg/m2 were recruited. Thirty of them were assigned 1:1 to the test group (WD, 15 subjects) and control group 1 (calorie-restricted diet, CRD, 15 subjects) in a single blind and randomized, and the remaining 15 subjects were assigned to control group 2 (maintaining regular diet, MRD). The primary outcome were toxic trace element levels in hair (29 types of heavy metals), and the secondary outcomes were changes in anthropometric and urinary organic acids.ResultsThe levels of four toxic trace elements in hair decreased in the WD group after the diet compared to before the diet. Ni, Rh, Sn, and Ga were significantly lower in the WD group than in the CRD or MRD group (p < 0.05). At the end of the trial, both WD and CRD groups had lower BMI, Waist Circumference(WC), Hip Circumference(HC) and WHR compared to the baseline values (p < 0.05). Compared to the WD group, the CRD group had a greater mean change (p < 0.05) from the baseline for weight loss (− 3.22 ± 0.48 kg vs − 1.88 ± 0.95 kg vs) and fat free mass (− 2.08 kg vs − 1.09 kg). The weight, BMI, body fat mass, fat free mass, WC, and HC of the CRD group were significantly decreased compared to the MRD (p < 0.05). No significant changes in any safety parameter were observed.ConclusionsUse of WD might have several beneficial effects and safety such as body fat reduction and improving some the element detoxification through caloric restriction but did not reducing body fat mass more than calorie-restricted diet.Trial registrationThis study was registered at Clinical Research Information Service (CRIS) of Republic of Korea (KCT0003002).

The Effects of 20-kDa Human Placental GH in Male and Female GH-deficient Mice: An Improved Human GH?

A rare 20K isoform of GH-V (here abbreviated as GHv) was discovered in 1998. To date, only 1 research article has characterized this isoform in vivo, observing that GHv treatment in male high-fat fed rats had several GH-like activities, but unlike GH lacked diabetogenic and lactogenic activities and failed to increase IGF-1 or body length. Therefore, the current study was conducted to further characterize the in vivo activities of GHv in a separate species and in a GH-deficient model (GH-/- mice) and with both sexes represented. GHv-treated GH-/- mice had significant increases to serum IGF-1, femur length, body length, body weight, and lean body mass and reduced body fat mass similar to mice receiving GH treatment. GH treatment increased circulating insulin levels and impaired insulin sensitivity; in contrast, both measures were unchanged in GHv-treated mice. Since GHv lacks prolactin receptor (PRLR) binding activity, we tested the ability of GH and GHv to stimulate the proliferation of human cancer cell lines and found that GHv has a decreased proliferative response in cancers with high PRLR. Our findings demonstrate that GHv can stimulate insulin-like growth factor-1 and subsequent longitudinal body growth in GH-deficient mice similar to GH, but unlike GH, GHv promoted growth without inhibiting insulin action and without promoting the growth of PRLR-positive cancers in vitro. Thus, GHv may represent improvements to current GH therapies especially for individuals at risk for metabolic syndrome or PRLR-positive cancers.

An Effectiveness Study of Early or Late Time-Restricted Feeding on Body Composition – Pilot Study

Abstract Objectives Our objective was to measure the differences in body composition change following a 6-week early or late time-restricted feeding without specific calorie-targets in healthy but sedentary free-living individuals with overweight/obesity. Methods Sedentary, healthy individuals with a body mass index (BMI) of more than 25 kg/m2 were recruited for a 6-week intervention. They were randomized to morning fasters (MF) who ate only between 12 pm to 8 pm, evening fasters EF who ate only between 7 am and 3 pm; and the control group, which was instructed to continue their usual pattern of eating. Specific calorie targets were not provided to all participants. Pre- and post-intervention height and weight were measured, and body composition was assessed using the dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry scanner. Intention to treat analysis was performed, using the last observation carried forward. Normality was assessed. Between-group differences in change of body composition and within-group differences for pre- and post-measurements were studied using parametric and non-parametric tests accordingly, and Bonferroni correction for multiple testing was applied. Results 10, 8, and 10 participants were in the MF, EF, and control groups, respectively. There were 11 males and 17 females. The mean age of our participants was 30.25 (SD = 10.99) years and mean BMI was 29.06 (SD = 3.63)kg/m2. There was no difference in baseline age, BMI, body fat %, total body fat mass, total lean mass and visceral fat between the 3 groups (P &amp;gt; 0.05). Compliance was significantly lower in evening fasters than controls (P = 0.029). Unlike MF, EF had a greater reduction in body fat mass than the controls, but the difference was non-significant (P = 0.053). There were no significant differences in body composition pre-vs post measurements within each study group (P &amp;gt; 0.05). Conclusions When specific calorie targets were not provided, morning fasting and evening fasting did not result in a significant change in body composition in sedentary adults with overweight/obesity in our pilot study. A larger-scale study is needed to validate these findings. Funding Sources Startup funds from Texas Tech University.

Safety and efficacy of nanoparticulated brown rice germ extract on reduction of body fat mass and improvement of fuel metabolism in both pre-obese and mild obese subjects without excess of visceral fat accumulation.

Safety and efficacy of nanoparticulated brown rice germ extract on reduction of body fat mass and improvement of fuel metabolism in both pre-obese and mild obese subjects without excess of visceral fat accumulation.

The Effect of the Short‐Term Growth Hormone Administration on Non‐Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Diet‐Induced Obesity Models

Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the characteristics of metabolic syndrome. Most people are facing NAFLD whether they are diagnosed with obesity or not. Additionally, growth hormone (GH) administration could mediate the storage of body fat, including in the liver, as a result of the lipolytic effect. In obese patients, the reduction of GH level has been reported. The long‐term treatment of obesity with GH has been shown to reduce body fat mass as well as its well‐known effect to counteract insulin action, leading to insulin resistance. However, this remains unknown whether the short‐term GH administration can alter the fat storage in the liver while it does not worsen insulin sensitivity. To investigate this hypothesis, the rats were fed with either high‐fat (HF) or standard diet for 6 weeks, resulting in diet‐induced obesity (DIO) or diet‐resistant (DR) rats. The effect of short‐term GH treatment (1 mg/kg, twice daily, subcutaneous injection) was then assessed and compared to saline treatment after 3‐day of GH administration. A glucose tolerance test was performed after GH treatment to assess insulin sensitivity in vivo. After euthanasia, the liver was weighed and collected to measure triglyceride concentration by colorimetric assay. Blood was also collected to determine plasma free fatty acid (FFA) levels for the measurement of the lipolytic activity of GH. The results revealed that the percentage of liver mass was significantly greater in DIO and DR rats compared to control rats (p&lt;0.05). The short‐term GH administration did not alter the percentage of liver weight. For liver triglyceride level, DIO and DR rats had a higher level than that of control rats (p&lt;0.05); however, the liver triglyceride level did not affect by the short‐term GH treatment in all rats. Interestingly, the short‐term GH administration significantly increased plasma FFA only in DR rats (p&lt;0.05). Moreover, the effect of GH significantly improved glucose tolerance especially in DIO rats (p&lt;0.01), whereas it did not significantly affect insulin sensitivity in control and DR rats. Taken together, this study suggested that the short‐term GH administration may influence liver lipid metabolism in DR rats. However, further studies are required to determine whether short‐term GH administration affected liver lipid metabolism by interfering with the gene expression, including lipid uptake, lipid synthesis, and lipid oxidation. Additionally, the mechanisms underlying the effect of the short‐term GH administration on insulin sensitivity remains the subject for further studies.

Correction: Marhuenda, J., et al. A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo Controlled Trial to Determine the Effectiveness a Polyphenolic Extract (Hibiscus sabdariffa and Lippia citriodora) in the Reduction of Body Fat Mass in Healthy Subjects. Foods 2020, 9(1), 55.

The authors wish to make the following correction to this paper [...].

Metformin Therapy Reduces Obesity Indices in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials.

Purpose: Few studies have summarized findings for the effect of metformin on obesity indices. Therefore, we aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis on the effect of metformin on obesity indices among children and adolescents. Methods: Relevant articles published up to September 2018 were searched in SCOPUS, Medline, and Google Scholar using appropriate keywords. All clinical trials that examined the effect of metformin on obesity indices in children and adolescents were included. Results: Overall, 38 studies, including 2199 participants (39.75% male and 60.25% female), were included. The pooled results indicated that metformin significantly reduced BMI [weighted mean difference (WMD): -1.07 kg/m2; 95% confidence interval (CI): -1.43 to -0.72]. Same findings were found for waist circumference (WC) (WMD: -1.93 cm; 95% CI: -2.69 to -1.16). Metformin also reduced body weight in all participants (WMD: -2.51 kg; 95% CI: -3.14 to -1.89). Moreover, it reduced body fat mass in patients with overweight or obesity (WMD: -1.90%; 95% CI: -3.25 to -0.56) and chronic diseases (WMD: -1.41%; 95% CI: -2.23 to -0.58), but not among those with growth problems. Metformin therapy did not affect lean body mass (LBM) in patients with overweight or obesity and growth problems; however, it reduced LBM in patients with chronic diseases (WMD: -1.49 kg; 95% CI: -2.69 to -0.30). Conclusions: We found a significant reduction in BMI, body weight, WC, and fat mass following administration with metformin. However, the effect of metformin on LBM was not significant. Further studies are required to confirm these findings.

Effects of Capsinoids on Daily Physical Activity, Body Composition and Cold Hypersensitivity in Middle-Aged and Older Adults: A Randomized Study.

Sedentary/inactive lifestyle leads middle-aged and older adults to metabolic syndrome and frailty. Capsinoids from nonpungent chili pepper cultivar have been reported to reduce body fat mass, promote metabolism, and improve unidentified complaints of chills. Additionally, they have an anti-inflammation effect; therefore, we hypothesized that continuous oral ingestion of capsinoids alleviates age-related inflammation in the brain and improves the physical activity (PA) in middle-aged and older adults. In our double-blind human study, 69 participants (17 male, 52 female; mean age: 74.1 ± 7.7 years; range: 52–87 years) were administered either 9 mg of capsinoids which were extracted from pepper fruit variety CH-19 Sweet (Capsicum anuum L.) (CP group), or a placebo (PL group) daily over a 3 month period. In an animal study, PA and inflammation-related mRNA expression in the brain were examined in 5-week (young) and 53-week (old) aged mice fed a diet with or without 0.3% dihydrocapsiate, a type of capsinoids, for 12 weeks. In a human study, capsinoids intake did not increase the amount of light-to-moderate PA less than 6.0 metabolic equivalents (METs) (CP: 103.0 ± 28.2 at baseline to 108.2 ± 28.3 at 12 weeks; PL: 104.6 ± 19.8 at baseline to 115.2 ± 23.6 at 12 weeks, METs × hour/week); however, in participants exhibiting an inactive lifestyle, it showed significant increase (CP: 84.5 ± 17.2 at baseline to 99.2 ± 24.9 at 12 weeks; PL: 99.7 ± 23.3 at baseline to 103.8 ± 21.9 at 12 weeks). The energy expenditure in physical activity also improved in the inactive CP group (CP: 481.2 ± 96.3 at baseline to 562.5 ± 145.5 at 12 weeks; PL: 536.8 ± 112.2 at baseline to 598.6 ± 127.6 at 12 weeks; kcal/day). In all participants, CP showed reduced waist circumference, percent body fat, and visceral fat volume; in addition, chills were eased in subjects aged 80 years and older. The older mice fed capsinoids showed increased locomotion activity, decreased inflammation, and oxidative stress in the brain. The results suggest that the continuous oral ingestion of capsinoids gains PA through anti-inflammation effect in the brain as well as reduces fat accumulation and chills in inactive and older humans.

A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo Controlled Trial to Determine the Effectiveness a Polyphenolic Extract (Hibiscus sabdariffa and Lippia citriodora) in the Reduction of Body Fat Mass in Healthy Subjects.

The location and quantity of body fat determine the health risks, limiting people with obesity. Recently, polyphenols have attracted the attention of the scientific community because of their potential use for the reduction of obesity. A proprietary formula comprised of a blend of Lippia citriodora and Hibiscus sabdariffa has been recognized for its high content of polyphenols, powerful antioxidant molecules that may prevent weight gain and could be helpful for the treatment of obesity, as proven previously by in vivo models. The aim of the present study is to determine if the supplementation with Lippia citriodora and Hibiscus sabdariffa is useful for the treatment of obesity and/or weight control in subjects without a controlled diet. The intake of the extract for 84 days reduced body weight, the body mass index, and the fat mass measured with both bioimpedance and densitometry. This decrease in fat mass was observed to a greater extent, being significant, in the fat mass of the trunk (chest and torso).

Beneficial Effects of Golden Kiwifruit Consumption in Overweight and Obese Young Adults

We recruited twenty-two overweight and obese subjects and they were asked to consume two golden kiwifruit every day during the 6-wk experimental period. At the baseline and end of the study, fasting blood samples were collected and anthropometric and blood pressure measurement were conducted. During the experimental period, no adverse effect and dropout were reported. At the end of the study, a significant decrease in body fat and circulatory tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α concentration were found. In addition, there was a reduction of angiotensin II (AgII) concentration and systolic blood pressure in subjects with baseline systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≥125 mmHg. Our results suggested that daily golden kiwifruit intake can reduce body fat mass, improve blood pressure and regulating inflammatory responses in overweight and obese young adults.

Chronic flavanol-rich cocoa powder supplementation reduces body fat mass in endurance athletes by modifying the follistatin/myostatin ratio and leptin levels.

Flavanols-rich cocoa has positive effects on lipid metabolism and might enhance the performance of athletes through an improvement in their body composition. To test this hypothesis a placebo-controlled intervention study in training endurance athletes who received 5 g of cocoa daily (425 mg of flavanols) for 10 weeks was performed. Dietary intake, body composition, exercise performance and plasma levels of follistatin, myostatin and leptin were measured. Cocoa intake significantly reduced body fat percentage (p = 0.020), specifically in the trunk (p = 0.022), visceral area (p = 0.034) and lower limbs (p = 0.004). The reduction in body fat mass was accompanied by an increase in plasma follistatin and a decrease in leptin, while myostatin levels remained unchanged. The intake of cocoa reduced the percentage of body fat of athletes, without any impact on athletes' performance. The change in fat body composition did not improve athletes' performance.

Fenretinide treatment accelerates atherosclerosis development in apoE-deficient mice in spite of beneficial metabolic effects.

Fenretinide, a synthetic retinoid derivative first investigated for cancer prevention and treatment, has been shown to ameliorate glucose tolerance, improve plasma lipid profile and reduce body fat mass. These effects, together with its ability to inhibit ceramide synthesis, suggest that fenretinide may have an anti-atherosclerotic action. To this aim, nine-week-old apoE-knockout (EKO) female mice were fed for twelveweeks a Western diet, without (control) or with (0.1% w/w) fenretinide. As a reference, wild-type (WT) mice were treated similarly. Growth and metabolic parameters were monitored throughout the study. Atherosclerosis development was evaluated in the aorta and at the aortic sinus. Blood and lymphoid organs were further characterized with thorough cytological/histological and immunocytofluorimetric analyses. Fenretinide treatment significantly lowered body weight, glucose levels and plasma levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, and phospholipids. In the liver, fenretinide remarkably reduced hepatic glycogenosis and steatosis driven by the Western diet. Treated spleens were abnormally enlarged, with severe follicular atrophy and massive extramedullary haematopoiesis. Severe renal hemosiderin deposition was observed in treated EKO mice. Treatment resulted in a threefold increase of total leukocytes (WT and EKO) and raised the activated/resting monocyte ratio in EKO mice. Finally, atherosclerosis development was markedly increased at the aortic arch, thoracic and abdominal aorta of fenretinide-treated mice. We provide the first evidence that, despite beneficial metabolic effects, fenretinide treatment may enhance the development of atherosclerosis.

Effect of aerobics on weight and fat mass loss in adult women: Systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Aerobics (AE) is an attractive type of aerobic exercise and can be considered as an appropriate intervention strategy for weight loss. However, results of clinical trials are not consistent due to high variability in relation to the type of AE and duration of intervention. Objective: The objective was to investigate the effect of AE on weight and fat mass loss in adult women. Methods: Of the total number of 243 studies, the final analysis included seven clinical trials with a pooled sample size of 242 females. Results: Although the results confirmed a significant overall effect on weight loss (-1.97 kg, 95% confidence interval [-3.72, -0.23], p = .03), an effect on fat mass loss was not confirmed (-2.62%, 95% confidence interval [-5.53, 0.29], p = .08). It was further observed that traditional AE and longer interventions have a greater effect on reducing body weight and fat mass compared with aqua AE and interventions shorter than 10 weeks. Conclusions: In conclusion, AE seems to be an effective intervention for weight loss in women, but the type of AE and the duration of the intervention should be considered.

The effect of different amounts of vitamin D supplementation on serum calcidiol, anthropometric status, and body composition in overweight or obese nursing women: a study protocol for a randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial

BackgroundThe optimal vitamin D intake for nursing mothers with overweight or obesity has not been defined. Vitamin D concentrations are associated with body composition indices, particularly body fat mass. Few studies have investigated the relationship between hypovitaminosis D, obesity, anthropometric status, and body composition in nursing women. Thus, the present study aims to investigate whether vitamin D supplementation during lactation will improve vitamin D status, reduce body fat mass, and improve body composition.Methods/designIn a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial, after term delivery, 90 healthy women with overweight or obesity will be selected and randomly allocated into three groups to receive 2000 IU/d cholecalciferol (vitamin D3), 4000 IU/d cholecalciferol, or placebo (lactose) for 12 weeks while nursing. Measurements of height, weight, waist circumference, and body composition (fat mass (kg), lean mass (kg), body fat (%), fat mass index, and relative fat mass index) will be taken for all subjects at baseline and after 12 weeks of intervention. In addition, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), parathyroid hormone, calcium, and phosphorus will be measured.DiscussionThis study is the first investigating the effect of different amounts of vitamin D supplementation on serum calcidiol, anthropometric status, and body composition in nursing women with overweight or obesity. Our findings will contribute to the growing body of knowledge regarding the role of vitamin D supplementation in obesity, anthropometric status, and body composition in nursing women.Trial registrationIranian Registry of Clinical Trials IRCT20140413017254N6. Registered on 11 April 2018.