Variations In Metabolic Parameters Research Articles

Assessing the Usefulness of Interleukin-8 as a Biomarker of Inflammation and Metabolic Dysregulation in Dairy Cows.

The study aimed to evaluate interleukin-8 (IL-8) as a biomarker for udder inflammation in dairy cows and to explore its associations with various metabolic parameters indicative of systemic inflammation and metabolic dysregulation. Dairy cows (multiparous) were categorized into five somatic cell count (SCC) classes: Class I (<100,000 cells/mL; n = 45), Class II (100,000-200,000 cells/mL; n = 62), Class III (201,000-400,000 cells/mL; n = 52), Class IV (401,000-1,000,000 cells/mL; n = 73), and Class V (>1,000,000 cells/mL; n = 56). The study quantified IL-8 levels and analyzed their correlations with NEFAs (non-esterified fatty acids), BHBA (beta-hydroxybutyrate), GGTP (gamma-glutamyltransferase), and AspAT (aspartate aminotransferase). IL-8 concentrations demonstrated a significant and progressive increase across the SCC classes, establishing a strong positive correlation with SCC (p < 0.01). Additionally, IL-8 levels exhibited positive correlations with GGTP (p < 0.01) and AspAT (p < 0.01), indicating that elevated IL-8 is associated with increased hepatic enzyme activities and potential liver dysfunction. Furthermore, IL-8 showed significant positive correlations with NEFAs (p < 0.01) and BHBA (p < 0.05), linking higher IL-8 levels to metabolic disturbances such as ketosis and negative energy balance. Variations in metabolic parameters, including NEFAs, BHBA, GGTP, and AspAT, across the SCC classes underscored the association between elevated SCC levels and metabolic dysregulation in dairy cows. These findings highlight the interrelated nature of the inflammatory responses and metabolic disturbances in dairy cattle, emphasizing that an elevated SCC not only signifies udder inflammation but also correlates with systemic metabolic alterations indicative of ketosis and liver damage.

The Significant Impact of High-Fat, Low-Carbohydrate Ketogenic Diet on Serum Lipid Profile and Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Overweight and Obese Adults.

Background and objectives Overweight and obesity are becoming more commonplace globally. The ketogenic diet (KD), also known as the high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet, has become increasingly popular in recent years as a means to lose weight quickly. This present study aims to examine the clinical effects of ketogenic diets in individuals who are obese or overweight by evaluating or assessing variations in metabolic parameters associated with lipid control, the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, and other kidney risk indicators. Methods and subjects This observational case-control research involved 250 individuals in total and was conducted from May 2023 to January 2024. Of these, 158 were on a ketogenic diet, and 92 adults not following any type of diet were chosen to serve as controls. The biochemistry parameters of the kidney function test and lipid profile were measured for the two comparing groups. Data were analyzed for statistical significance using the Student t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by a post hoc test (least significant difference (LSD)). Chi-square tests were employed in the analysis to compare proportions. Results Out of 250 participants, there was a 20-80 age range, with their median age being 40 years old. The two comparing groups' lipid profiles were very different from one another; the cardiovascular risk (triglyceride (TG)/high-density lipoprotein (HDL)), total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and triglyceride levels were all greater in the KD group when compared to the non-KD group. The mean LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) of the normal-weight participants was 56 mg/dL (p=0.079). Thereafter, it experienced a significant rise to 97.58 mg/dL and 108.2 mg/dL in thoseindividuals who were overweight and obese, respectively (p<0.020). Conclusions As obesity rates in the populace keep rising, dietary fads such as the ketogenic diet are gaining traction. Although they could help with weight loss, this study had a notable observation of severe hypercholesterolemia and increased risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease among the ketogenic diet participants. Additional research is necessary to ascertain if a ketogenic diet can be sustained over the long term and how it affects endpoints that are more clinically significant, such as morbidity and mortality due to obesity.

Variations in metabolic risk factors for dementia do not affect APOE‐mediated cognitive or functional decline in patients with Alzheimer’s disease from São Paulo, Brazil

AbstractBackgroundMidlife cerebrovascular risk, low education and copies of APOE‐ε4 are risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease (AD), whereas metabolic derangements have been associated with dementia onset. This prospective study aimed to explore the impacts of variations in metabolic risk factors on progression of AD in São Paulo, Brazil.MethodsOutpatients with late‐onset AD according to National Institute on Aging – Alzheimer’s Association criteria were assessed for APOE haplotypes (rs7412 &amp; rs429358 genotyped by way of TaqMan® Real‐Time Polymerase Chain Reaction technology) and variations in one year of the following potential metabolic predictors: fasting glycemia, TSH, free T4, vitamin B12, and folic acid. Metabolic variations were assessed in accordance with concurrent variations in the Clinical Dementia Rating Sum‐of‐Boxes, the Index of Independence in Activities of Daily Living, Lawton’s Scale for Instrumental Activities of Daily Living, and the Mini‐Mental State Examination in multiple linear regression models for all patients, and after stratification according to APOE‐ε4 carrier status, with the threshold of significance set at p&lt;0.05.ResultsOf 122 patients, there were 81 women (66.4%) and 41 men (33.6%), 69 APOE‐ε4 carriers (56.5%) and 53 APOE‐ε4 non‐carriers (43.5%). The mean estimated age at AD onset was 73.13±7.1 years‐old. Overall, 120 patients used a cholinesterase inhibitor (98.4%), and 90 patients used Memantine (73.8%). All test scores were significantly different at the end of one year (p&lt;0.01), except for the Mini‐Mental State Examination (p = 0.13). None of the potential metabolic predictors varied significantly after one year (p&gt;0.16), and no variations in metabolic risk factors were concurrently associated with variations in the Clinical Dementia Rating Sum‐of‐Boxes (p&gt;0.17), the Index of Independence in Activities of Daily Living (p&gt;0.09), Lawton’s Scale for Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (p&gt;0.22), or the Mini‐Mental State Examination (p&gt;0.40), neither for APOE‐ε4 carriers (p&gt;0.28), nor for APOE‐ε4 non‐carriers (p&gt;0.07).ConclusionsLifetime metabolic risk factors may affect onset of AD, but concurrent variations in metabolic parameters seem to have no associations with cognitive or functional decline in such patients, regardless of APOE‐ε4 carrier status. (Supported by FAPESP grant #2015/10109‐5)

Variations in metabolic parameters of in vitro matured porcine oocytes after vitrification-warming.

As the porcine oocyte is the most sensitive to low-temperature damage, it has been difficult to cryopreserve compared to those from other domestic animals. However, at present, vitrification is used as a method for the cryopreservation of both oocytes and embryos in this species. Our aim was to analyze alterations in metabolic parameters in vitrified-warmed in vitro matured porcine oocytes at different post-warming recuperation times. In addition, metaphase II plate recovery time analysis, in vitro fertilization, and intracytoplasmic sperm injection were carried out to evaluate oocyte recovery capacity. Oocytes were vitrified-warmed and then incubated for 0, 3, or 21 hours post-warming to assess biochemical parameters. Oocyte viability and morphology were not affected by vitrification-warming. Cytosolic oxidative status, active mitochondria, and reactive oxygen species levels presented changes at the different time points in control and vitrified-warmed oocytes (p < 0.05) as well as differences between both groups (p < 0.05). Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate levels remained constant throughout different recuperation times but were significantly lower in vitrified-warmed oocytes (p < 0.05). Metaphase II plate recovery occurred mostly between 3 and 4 hours post-warming, but the percentage of metaphase II was reduced by vitrification-warming. Sperm head decondensation and pronuclear formation capacities were not modified. In conclusion, vitrification-warming generates biochemical alterations in porcine oocytes that would be, in part, responsible for affecting their performance. Therefore, although the technique is a valid alternative for porcine oocyte cryopreservation, the protocols should be adapted to minimize those alterations.

Are there seasonal variations in renal colic in uric acid stone formers in Germany?

Seasonal variations in renal colic have been described by many authors for different countries worldwide. In most studies, there was no differentiation with regard to stone composition. Recently, we demonstrated that there was no seasonal variation in renal colic and urine chemistry for calcium oxalate stone formers in Germany. As we have many uric acid stone formers (UASFs) in our region, we were interested in learning the situation of this type of stone. We studied 286 consecutive UASFs with symptoms of renal colic. We divided them into four groups according to the quarters of the year. For stone analysis, X-ray diffraction/polarizing microscopy was used. Additionally, the following general parameters were examined in all patients: age, BMI, blood pressure, stone frequency, diabetes mellitus; blood: creatinine, glucose, uric acid, calcium, sodium and potassium; urine: pH, volume, calcium, uric acid, citrate, ammonia, and urea. Using the statistical program Prism 5 (GraphPad Software, San Diego, USA), significant differences between the four groups were calculated by the Kruskal-Wallis test. We observed significantly more UASFs with renal colic in the third and fourth quarters of the year. This is in contrast to our findings in calcium oxalate patients. However, there was no variation in metabolic parameters. The reasons are unclear; different temperatures are not a sufficient explanation, as one quarter is in the warm season and the other one is in the cold season. Unfortunately, no data have been reported in the literature thus far. Further studies are required to better understand these findings.

Metabolic state of human blastocysts measured by fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy.

Can non-invasive metabolic imaging via fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) detect variations in metabolic profiles between discarded human blastocysts? FLIM revealed extensive variations in the metabolic state of discarded human blastocysts associated with blastocyst development over 36 h, the day after fertilization and blastocyst developmental stage, as well as metabolic heterogeneity within individual blastocysts. Mammalian embryos undergo large changes in metabolism over the course of preimplantation development. Embryo metabolism has long been linked to embryo viability, suggesting its potential utility in ART to aid in selecting high quality embryos. However, the metabolism of human embryos remains poorly characterized due to a lack of non-invasive methods to measure their metabolic state. We conducted a prospective observational study. We used 215 morphologically normal human embryos from 137 patients that were discarded and donated for research under an approved institutional review board protocol. These embryos were imaged using metabolic imaging via FLIM to measure the autofluorescence of two central coenzymes, nicotinamide adenine (phosphate) dinucleotide (NAD(P)H) and flavine adenine dinucleotide (FAD+), which are essential for cellular respiration and glycolysis. Here, we used non-invasive FLIM to measure the metabolic state of human blastocysts. We first studied spatial patterns in the metabolic state within human blastocysts and the association of the metabolic state of the whole blastocysts with stage of expansion, day of development since fertilization and morphology. We explored the sensitivity of this technique in detecting metabolic variations between blastocysts from the same patient and between patients. Next, we explored whether FLIM can quantitatively measure metabolic changes through human blastocyst expansion and hatching via time-lapse imaging. For all test conditions, the level of significance was set at P < 0.05 after correction for multiple comparisons using Benjamini-Hochberg's false discovery rate. We found that FLIM is sensitive enough to detect significant metabolic differences between blastocysts. We found that metabolic variations between blastocyst are partially explained by both the time since fertilization and their developmental expansion stage (P < 0.05), but not their morphological grade. Substantial metabolic variations between blastocysts from the same patients remain, even after controlling for these factors. We also observe significant metabolic heterogeneity within individual blastocysts, including between the inner cell mass and the trophectoderm, and between the portions of hatching blastocysts within and without the zona pellucida (P < 0.05). And finally, we observed that the metabolic state of human blastocysts continuously varies over time. Although we observed significant variations in metabolic parameters, our data are taken from human blastocysts that were discarded and donated for research and we do not know their clinical outcome. Moreover, the embryos used in this study are a mixture of aneuploid, euploid and embryos of unknown ploidy. This work reveals novel aspects of the metabolism of human blastocysts and suggests that FLIM is a promising approach to assess embryo viability through non-invasive, quantitative measurements of their metabolism. These results further demonstrate that FLIM can provide biologically relevant information that may be valuable for the assessment of embryo quality. Supported by the Blavatnik Biomedical Accelerator Grant at Harvard University. Becker and Hickl GmbH and Boston Electronics sponsored research with the loaning of equipment for FLIM. D.J.N. is an inventor on patent US20170039415A1. N/A.

O-172 Metabolic imaging of cumulus cells to predict embryo implantation potential

Abstract Study question Can non-invasive metabolic imaging detect variations in cumulus cell metabolic parameters associated with a viable pregnancy of the corresponding embryo? Summary answer Noninvasive metabolic imaging can detect differences in the cumulus cell metabolic signatures between embryos that led to a viable pregnancy and those that did not. What is known already Bidirectional metabolic cooperativity between the human oocyte and its surrounding cumulus cells is essential for the oocyte to acquire full developmental competency. However, the relationship between cumulus cell metabolism and oocyte viability is not well established. Metabolic imaging uses Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy (FLIM) to non-invasively measure autofluorescence of the endogenous molecules, NADH and FAD+, which are essential coenzymes for cellular respiration and glycolysis. This technique enables quantitative information for these coenzyme concentrations and regarding metabolite enzyme engagement. We have previously shown that this technique is an effective tool for quantitatively measuring metabolic state of mouse embryos. Study design, size, duration Cumulus cell clusters (n = 617 from 193 patients) were dissected from cumulus-oocyte complexes prior to insemination or ICSI, vitrified, warmed and their metabolic function assessed. We conducted a prospective observational study to evaluate to what extent cumulus cells from an oocyte that led to a viable pregnancy (presence of a viable fetus &amp;gt;7 weeks gestation) after transfer of the corresponding embryo metabolically differed from those that did not. We also evaluated the associations with embryo morphology. Participants/materials, setting, methods Cumulus cell metabolism was assessed non-invasively using FLIM to measure the autofluorescence of NADH and FAD+. Overall a single FLIM measurement provides a total of 8 metabolic parameters (4 for NADH and 4 for FAD+). An additional parameter, the Redox Ratio was also acquired (NADH intensity / FAD+ intensity). We used multilevel models to investigate the association of cumulus cell metabolic parameters with the morphology of the corresponding embryo and clinical outcome. Main results and the role of chance Of the cumulus samples analyzed, 75 corresponded to embryos that did not result in a viable pregnancy, and 24 that did so. Significant associations were observed between cumulus cell FAD+ fraction bound to enzyme (p = 0.007), FAD+ long lifetime (p = 0.01) and FAD+ short lifetime (p &amp;lt; 0.001) and the clinical outcome of the corresponding embryo. These significant associations held up after controlling for age. We used a support vector machine algorithm to distinguish between embryos that led to a viable pregnancy and those that did not. The optimum hyperplane derived from a support vector machine algorithm predicted whether a sample with random cumulus cell metabolic parameters will lead to a viable pregnancy or not with an accuracy of 80%. Embryo morphological assessments were stratified as excellent, good, fair and poor. We found no significant associations between cumulus cell metabolic signatures and embryo morphology evaluated on day 3. Significant associations of FAD+ short lifetime (p &amp;lt; 0.001) and day 5 embryo morphology were found. However, these associations were not significant after controlling for age. Limitations, reasons for caution Although we observed significant variations in metabolic parameters, further studies with larger sample sizes are required. Despite our validation studies showing no significant effect of vitrification on cumulus cell metabolic parameters, analyses with fresh clusters are needed to confirm our results. Wider implications of the findings Noninvasive FLIM imaging detects metabolic variations of cumulus masses and their association with embryo viability. The ability to correlate metabolic measurements of cumulus clusters, in combination with embryo morphology assessments and patient clinical characteristics, with embryo fate paves the way for this approach to be used in a clinical setting. Trial registration number 5RO1HD092559-03

Surrogate Indexes of Insulin Resistance in Dairy Goats: Transitional Variation in Subclinical Hyperketonemia.

Background: Dairy goats are highly susceptible to subclinical hyperketonemia (SCHK) during the transition period. This study aimed to compare the variation in metabolic parameters and surrogate indexes of insulin resistance (sIR) between goats with SCHK and clinically healthy (HEAL) goats during the transition period. Methods: Twenty Guanzhong dairy goats were assorted to HEAL (n = 10) and SCHK (n = 10) groups according to the blood β-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) concentrations. The blood samples were taken from the jugular vein of each goat at −3, −2, −1, 0 (partum), +1, +2, and +3 weeks relative to kidding to analyses GLU and INS. The sIR was calculated from blood metabolic parameters. Results: Compared with the HEAL goats, the insulin concentrations were significantly higher in SCHK goats during the first three weeks postpartum. The QUICKI, revised QUICKI (RQUICKI), and RQUICKIBHBA were significantly lower in goats with SCHK at 1 week postpartum, while the homeostasis model assessment-IR (HOMA-IR) was significantly higher. Conclusion: Goats with SCHK made more efforts through elevated insulin levels at early lactation than HEAL goats, thereby maintaining the normal glucose concentrations.

The role of 18F-FDG-PET/CT in predicting the histopathological response in locally advanced cervical carcinoma treated by chemo-radiotherapy followed by radical surgery: a prospective study.

This prospective study aimed to evaluate whether 18F-FDG-PET/CT performed before, during and after neoadjuvant chemo-radiotherapy (CRT) could predict histopathological response in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) treated with CRT followed by radical surgery. Between October 2010 and June 2014, 88 patients with LACC were enrolled. For each patient, three 18F-FDG-PET/CT scans (baseline, early and final) were acquired and evaluated by qualitative and quantitative analysis. Maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax), SUVmean, metabolic tumor volume (MTV) and total lesion glycolysis (TLG) were measured as absolute values and their percentage variation (delta) (early vs. baseline and final vs. baseline). The role of 18F-FDG-PET/CT in predicting lymph node (LN) residual disease was evaluated by qualitative analysis only. Histopathology was the reference standard. At histopathology, 40 patients had complete response (CR, pR0), 48 had partial response (PR: 21 microscopic [pR1] and 27 macroscopic [pR2]). At baseline, SUVmax and SUVmean were significantly higher in pR0 than in pR1-pR2 patients. At early evaluation, MTV and TLG were significantly higher in pR1-pR2 than in pR0 patients. At final evaluation, SUVmax, SUVmean and TLG were significantly higher in pR1-pR2 than in pR0 patients. Delta SUV parameters and delta TLG were significantly lower in PR group both during and after CRT. Delta MTV was significantly lower in patients with PR in the early phase only. In receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, baseline SUVmean, early delta TLG, and final delta SUVmax better discriminated PR, providing 83.3%, 67.6% and 85% positive predictive value (PPV) and 60.3%, 90% and 70.8% negative predictive value (NPV), respectively. For LN assessment, high NPV was observed at early and final 18F-FDG-PET/CT (93.5% and 92.3%, respectively). In LACC patients treated with CRT followed by surgery, early variations in metabolic parameters effectively discriminate histopathological PR of the primary tumor, suggesting the potential role of 18F-FDG-PET/CT in early personalized treatment. The high NPV of early and final PET/CT could enable "tailored surgery" by avoiding lymphadenectomy in selected patients.

Metabolic effects of Ramadan fasting in patients at high risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Background and aimThe effects of Ramadan fasting on health are a little controversial. The present study is aimed at evaluating the metabolic effects on a group of 517 patients with ≥2 cardiovascular risk factors over a period running from 2012 to 2014.MethodsEach patient was assessed at three visits: before, during, and after Ramadan. Demographical, clinical and biological tests were performed at each visit.ResultsMetabolically, we noted a significant and discrete rise in blood glucose level (+1.2 mmol/L), triglycerides (+0.3 mmol/L), cholesterol (+0.12 mmol/L) and creatinine (+3 µmol/L) during Ramadan. These disturbances decreased significantly after Ramadan. The same variations were observed among diabetics (n=323). However, there was a significant decrease in HbA1c after Ramadan (9.0% vs 7.6%, p<0.001). Our findings also revealed there was no significant correlation between variations of metabolic parameters and dietary intake. No acute metabolic incidents were reported during the study period.ConclusionThe current study showed that Ramadan is responsible for a transient but well tolerated disturbance of metabolic parameters followed by a significant post-Ramadan improvement. These changes did not seem to be directly related to dietary intake.

High frequency deep transcranial magnetic stimulation acutely increases β-endorphins in obese humans.

In obesity, metabolic and voluntary factors regulate appetite, and a dysregulation of the reward pathway was demonstrated in all addiction disorders. Deep transcranial magnetic stimulation (dTMS) is already used to modulate cerebral dopamine activation in neuro-psychiatric diseases. We presently assess the acute effect of high frequency (HF) and low frequency (LF) dTMS on the modulation of the main neuropeptides and neurotransmitters involved in the reward pathway in obese subjects. This study was designed as a double-blind, sham-controlled, randomized clinical trial. Thirty-three obese patients (9 males, 24 females, age 48.1 ± 10.6, BMI 36.4 ± 4.7) were enrolled in the study. All patients were studied during a single dTMS session and blood aliquots were drawn before and after a single dTMS session. Metabolic and neuro-endocrine parameters were evaluated before and after: (1) 18 Hz dTMS (HF, 13 patients); (2) 1 Hz dTMS (LF, 10 patients); (3) Sham treatment (Sham, 10 patients). No statistically significant variations in metabolic parameters, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and heart rate were shown acutely. HF showed a significant increase of β-endorphin compared to other groups (p = 0.048); a significant increase of ghrelin in LF (p = 0.041) was also demonstrated. A single session of HF dTMS treatment determines in obese subjects an acute increase of β-endorphin level, indicating an activation of the reward pathway. The present findings constitute proof of principle for a potential application of this methodology in obesity treatment.

Effects of starvation and refeeding on expression of ghrelin and leptin gene with variations in metabolic parameters in Labeo rohita fingerlings

A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of starvation and refeeding on ghrelin and leptin gene expression in Labeo rohita fingerlings. Further, the variations in digestive, metabolic enzymes and metabolites such as glucose, glycogen and lipids were also revealed. An experimental trial of 15days was carried out, with 7days of starvation and then refeeding up to 15days. Sampling was done at different time intervals of 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 10 and 15th day of the experiment. The ghrelin gene expression levels increased significantly (p<0.05) up to 7th day and decreased after refeeding. Leptin levels showed the opposite trend with decline in expression levels during starvation and declined to the levels of control after refeeding. The activities of digestive enzymes protease, amylase and lipase enzymes were significantly lowest (p<0.05) on 7th day of starvation and they increased after refeeding the fishes. Hexokinase and G6PDH activities were decreased with days of starvation while LDH and G6Pase significantly increased with starvation. Glycogen showed significant (p<0.05) reduction during starvation and relapsed to the level of control after refeeding, revealing the role of glycogen stores during starvation. The present study revealed the orexigenic role of ghrelin and anorexigenic role of leptin during starvation and refeeding in L. rohita which aids in maintaining the energy homeostasis through regulating nutrient metabolism. The study also concludes that L. rohita can sustain 7 days of starvation with the aid of metabolic and endocrine regulation of energy homeostasis.

Analysis of monthly variation of biological conditions, metabolic parameters and antioxidative capacities in sea-based farmed Pacific abalone during summer days

Pacific abalone, Haliotis discus hannai, has become the predominant farmed abalone species in Fujian, southern China, since 2006. As an introduced abalone species from northern China, mass mortality of the farmed Pacific abalones in Fujian often occurred during summer in recent years. However, this phenomenon of summer mortality still lacks thorough investigation. We conducted a field investigation to monitor biological conditions of the 2-year-old animals, including monthly survival rates; visual gonad index; monthly variation in metabolic parameters including protein, glycogen, and nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA) content; and enzyme activities of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and antioxidative capacities including superoxide dismutase (SOD) and total antioxidative capacity (T-AOC) from April to October 2014. A range of environmental parameters were assessed and correlated against biological indicators for abalone conditions, metabolic parameters, and antioxidative capacities. Results showed a total mortality rate of 58.58% over the sampled period. Visual gonad index assessment showed that the sampled animals had similar gonad development levels during each sampling date. Environmental parameters and abalone mortality monitored during the study showed significant positive correlation between seawater temperature and mortality of abalones. All energy resources tended to be depleted at the end of summer. Results also showed that both SOD and T-AOC increased in the first few months and then decreased in September and October. The variations of metabolic parameters and antioxidative capacities indicated an insufficient energy supply and peroxidative damage in the farmed animals during summer. This study provided the biological data of farmed Pacific abalone by field investigation in terms of summer mortality for the first time in southern China. These findings that might be applicable to the management and development of Pacific abalone aquaculture in sea-based farms of southern China were also discussed in the study.

Effects of various acute hypoxic conditions on metabolic parameters and cardiac function during exercise and recovery.

PurposeEvaluation of metabolic parameters and cardiac function is important to determine the decrease in aerobic exercise capacity under hypoxic conditions. However, the variations in metabolic parameters and cardiac function and the reasons for the decrease in aerobic exercise capacity under hypoxic conditions have not been clearly explained. The purpose of this study was to compare the responses between sea level and various acute normobaric hypoxic conditions on metabolic parameters and cardiac function during exercise and recovery in order to evaluate aerobic exercise capacity.MethodsTen healthy male participants (21.3 ± 3.06 y) performed submaximal bicycle exercise (116.7 ± 20.1 W and 60 rpm) at sea level (20.9 % O2) and under various normobaric hypoxic conditions (16.5 % O2, 14.5 % O2, 12.8 % O2, and 11.2 % O2) in a random order. Metabolic parameters (arterial oxygen saturation; SPO2, oxygen consumption; VO2, blood lactate level) and cardiac function (heart rate; HR, stroke volume; SV, end-systolic volume; ESV, end-diastolic volume; EDV, ejection fraction; EF, cardiac output; CO) were measured at rest, during exercise (30 min), and recovery (30 min). We compared the responses on metabolic parameters and cardiac function between the different oxygen partial pressure conditions during exercise and recovery.ResultsThe various acute normobaric hypoxic conditions did not affect VO2 and SV during exercise and recovery. SPO2 decreased (p < .05) and blood lactate level increased (p < .05) as the oxygen partial pressure decreased. HR, EF, CO increased (p < .05) and EDV, ESV decreased (p < .05) at oxygen partial pressures of 14.5 % O2 and below compared with 20.9 and 16.5 % O2 during exercise and recovery.ConclusionA decrease in the oxygen partial pressure to 14.5 % O2 and below might be associated with significant changes in metabolic parameters and cardiac function during exercise and recovery. These changes are an acute compensation response to reduced aerobic exercise capacity by decreased oxygen delivering and utilizing capacities under hypoxic conditions.

A role of the adaptive immune system in glucose homeostasis

ObjectiveThe immune system, including the adaptive immune response, has recently been recognized as having a significant role in diet-induced insulin resistance. In this study, we aimed to determine if the...

Altered glucose metabolism rather than naive type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is related to vitamin D status in severe obesity

ContextThe last decades have provided insights into vitamin D physiology linked to glucose homeostasis. Uncertainties remain in obesity due to its intrinsic effects on vitamin D and glucose tolerance.ObjectivesTo assess the relationship between vitamin D and glucose abnormalities in severely obese individuals previously unknown to suffer from abnormal glucose metabolism.SettingTertiary care centre.Patients524 obese patients (50.3 ± 14.9 yrs; BMI, 47.7 ± 7.3 kg/m2) screened by OGTT, HbA1c and the lipid profile. Vitamin D status was assessed by 25(OH)D3, PTH and electrolyte levels. 25(OH)D3 deficiency/insufficiency were set at 20 and 30 ng/ml, respectively. All comparative and regression analyses were controlled for age, BMI and gender.ResultsThe prevalence of vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency and secondary hyperparathyroidism were 95% and 50.8%, respectively. Normal glucose tolerance (NGT), impaired fasting glucose (IFG) or impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) were found in 37.8%, 40.5% and 21.7% of cases, respectively. Large variations in metabolic parameters were seen across categories of vitamin D status, but the only significant differences were found for C-peptide, tryglicerides, LDL- and HDL-cholesterol levels (p < 0.05 for all). The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was documented to be slightly but significantly more frequent in glucose-intolerant patients (IFG + IGT + T2DM) compared to the -normotolerant counterpart (87% vs. 80%, p < 0.05). In partial correlation analyses, there was no association between vitamin D levels and glucose-related markers but for HbA1c (r = −0.091, p < 0.05), and both basal and OGTT-stimulated insulin levels (r = 0.097 and r = 0.099; p < 0.05 for all). Vitamin D levels were also correlated to HDL-cholesterol (r = 0.13, p = 0.002). Multivariate regression analysis inclusive of vitamin D, age, BMI, gender and fat mass as independent variables, showed that vitamin D was capable of predicting HbA1c levels (β = −0.101, p < 0.05).ConclusionsGiven the inherent effect of obesity on vitamin D and glucose homeostasis, current data suggest a potential independent role for vitamin D in the regulation of glucose metabolism in a setting of obese patients previously unknown to harbour glucose metabolism abnormalities.

Intra-Seasonal Flexibility in Avian Metabolic Performance Highlights the Uncoupling of Basal Metabolic Rate and Thermogenic Capacity

Stochastic winter weather events are predicted to increase in occurrence and amplitude at northern latitudes and organisms are expected to cope through phenotypic flexibility. Small avian species wintering in these environments show acclimatization where basal metabolic rate (BMR) and maximal thermogenic capacity (MSUM) are typically elevated. However, little is known on intra-seasonal variation in metabolic performance and on how population trends truly reflect individual flexibility. Here we report intra-seasonal variation in metabolic parameters measured at the population and individual levels in black-capped chickadees ( Poecile atricapillus ). Results confirmed that population patterns indeed reflect flexibility at the individual level. They showed the expected increase in BMR (6%) and MSUM (34%) in winter relative to summer but also, and most importantly, that these parameters changed differently through time. BMR began its seasonal increase in November, while MSUM had already achieved more than 20% of its inter-seasonal increase by October, and declined to its starting level by March, while MSUM remained high. Although both parameters co-vary on a yearly scale, this mismatch in the timing of variation in winter BMR and MSUM likely reflects different constraints acting on different physiological components and therefore suggests a lack of functional link between these parameters.

Elevated Undercarboxylated and Reduced Carboxylated Osteocalcin are Associated with Metabolic Syndrome in Middle Age Asian Females

Accumulating data suggest that bone plays a role in energy metabolism through decarboxylation of osteocalcin. Thus, we aimed to study the association of circulating under--carboxylated osteocalcin (UC-OCN) and car-boxylated osteocalcin (C-OCN) with metabolic syndrome in middle aged Asian population.In this cross-sectional study, 131 middle aged Asian subjects were recruited. Circulating UC-OCN, C-OCN and parameters of metabolic phenotype were measured.Circulating UC-OCN was increased in subjects with metabolic syndrome (8.1±7.2 ng/ml vs. 5.9±4.6 ng/ml, p=0.036). In contrast, C-OCN showed a non-significant trend towards reduction in subjects with metabolic syndrome (3.6±2.2 ng/ml vs. 4.3±1.8 ng/ml, p=0.057). Further analysis revealed that changes in both UC-OCN and C-OCN occurred primarily among females with metabolic syndrome. Interestingly, neither forms of OCN differed significantly between individuals with and without metabolic syndrome in males. Logistic regression revealed that UC-OCN was independently associated with metabolic syndrome after adjusting for multiple covariates. However, association between metabolic syndrome and C-OCN was dependent on gender (i. e., amongst females only) in the fully adjusted regression model.Variation in OCN (including its sub-species) was associated with variation in metabolic parameters amongst Asian adults. Circulating UC-OCN was increased while C-OCN was decreased in treatment-naïve females with metabolic syndrome. Our preliminary observations further supported a potential link between bone and energy metabolism in humans.

Decreased GH dose after the catch‐up growth period maintains metabolic outcome in short prepubertal children with and without classic GH deficiency

Few studies have evaluated metabolic outcomes following growth hormone (GH) treatment in short prepubertal children during different periods of growth. Previously, we found that individualized GH dosing in the catch-up period reduced the variation in fasting insulin levels by 34% compared with those receiving a standard GH dose. We hypothesized that the GH dose required to maintain beneficial metabolic effects is lower during the prepubertal growth phase after an earlier catch-up growth period. Short prepubertal children with isolated GH deficiency or idiopathic short stature were randomized to individualized GH treatment (range, 17-100μg/kg/day) or a standard dose in a preceding 2-year study. After achieving near mid-parental height(SDS) , children receiving an individualized dose were randomized to either a 50% reduced individualized dose (RID, n=28) or an unchanged individualized dose (UID, n=37) for 2years. The dose remained unchanged in 33 children initially randomized to receive a standard dose (FIX, 43μg/kg/day).We evaluated whether the variations in metabolic parameters measured during maintenance growth diminished in RID compared with UID or FIX. We observed less variation in fasting insulin levels (-50%), insulin sensitivity as assessed by homoeostasis model assessment (-55·1%), lean soft tissue (-27·8%) and bone mineral content (-31·3%) in RID compared with UID (all P<0·05), but no differences compared with FIX. Continued reduced individualized GH treatment after the catch-up growth period is safe and reduces hyperinsulinism. Individualized GH dose can be reduced once the desired height(SDS) is achieved to avoid overtreatment in terms of metabolic outcome.

Identification of Intraday Metabolic Profiles during Closed-Loop Glucose Control in Individuals with Type 1 Diabetes

Algorithms for closed-loop insulin delivery can be designed and tuned empirically; however, a metabolic model that is predictive of clinical study results can potentially accelerate the process. Using data from a previously conducted closed-loop insulin delivery study, existing models of meal carbohydrate appearance, insulin pharmacokinetics, and the effect on glucose metabolism were identified for each of the 10 subjects studied. Insulin's effects to increase glucose uptake and decrease endogenous glucose production were described by the Bergman minimal model, and compartmental models were used to describe the pharmacokinetics of subcutaneous insulin absorption and glucose appearance following meals. The composite model, comprised of only five equations and eight parameters, was identified with and without intraday variance in insulin sensitivity (S(I)), glucose effectiveness at zero insulin (GEZI), and endogenous glucose production (EGP) at zero insulin. Substantial intraday variation in SI, GEZI and EGP was observed in 7 of 10 subjects (root mean square error in model fit greater than 25 mg/dl with fixed parameters and nadir and/or peak glucose levels differing more than 25 mg/dl from model predictions). With intraday variation in these three parameters, plasma glucose and insulin were well fit by the model (R(2) = 0.933 +/- 0.00971 [mean +/- standard error of the mean] ranging from 0.879-0.974 for glucose; R(2) = 0.879 +/- 0.0151, range 0.819-0.972 for insulin). Once subject parameters were identified, the original study could be reconstructed using only the initial glucose value and basal insulin rate at the time closed loop was initiated together with meal carbohydrate information (glucose, R(2) = 0.900 +/- 0.015; insulin delivery, R(2) = 0.640 +/- 0.034; and insulin concentration, R(2) = 0.717 +/- 0.041). Metabolic models used in developing and comparing closed-loop insulin delivery algorithms will need to explicitly describe intraday variation in metabolic parameters, but the model itself need not be comprised by a large number of compartments or differential equations.