Visceral Adipose Accumulation Research Articles

The association between visceral adipose accumulation and hyperuricemia risk among Chinese elder individuals: A nationwide prospective cohort study

BackgroundLipid accumulation product (LAP), visceral adiposity index (VAI) and Chinese visceral adiposity index (CVAI) are proposed indices of visceral adipose accumulation. This study aimed to explore their relationship and temporal changes with hyperuricemia (HUA) development in a Chinese population. MethodsA total of 4268 participants aged ≥45 years from the baseline survey of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study were followed up for 4 years (from 2011 to 2015). The relationships among VAI, LAP, CVAI and HUA were analyzed using logistic regression. The predictive abilities of the VAI, LAP and CVAI for HUA were compared using receiver operating characteristic curves. Nonlinear relationships between the indices and HUA were analyzed using restricted cubic spline regression. ResultsDuring the four-year follow-up, 495 (9.80 %) patients experienced incident HUA (P < 0.001). Elevated baseline VAI (odds ratio (OR): 1.19 (95 % confidence interval (95 %CI: 1.10, 1.29)), LAP (OR: 1.21 (95 % CI: 1.09, 1.34)) and CVAI (OR: 1.19 (95 % CI: 1.02, 1.40)) were significantly correlated with increased HUA risk (all P < 0.05). Compared to individuals with consistently low VAI or LAP levels, those with elevated or consistently high levels of these indicators are more likely to have HUA. The area under curve (AUC) was slightly greater and more significant for the CVAI (AUC=0.641) than for the VAI (AUC=0.604) and LAP (AUC=0.628) (P < 0.05). ConclusionVAI, LAP and CVAI can predict HUA, with CVAI more efficient than VAI and LAP. Early management can lessen the burden of HUA in Chinese people aged 45 years or older with elevated CVAI levels.

Epicardial Adipose Tissue Thickness and Preserved Ejection Fraction Heart Failure.

Preserved ejection fraction heart failure and obesity frequently coexist. Whether obesity plays a consistent role in the pathogenesis of preserved ejection fraction heart failure is unclear. Accumulation of visceral adiposity underlies the pathogenic aftermaths of obesity. However, visceral adiposity imaging is assessed by computed tomography or magnetic resonance and thus not routinely available. In contrast, epicardial adiposity thickness is assessed by echocardiography and thus routinely available. We review the rationale for assessing epicardial adiposity thickness in patients with preserved ejection fraction heart failure and elevated body mass index. Body mass index correlates poorly with visceral, and epicardial adiposity. Visceral and epicardial adiposity enlarges as preserved ejection fraction heart failure progresses. Epicardial adiposity may hasten the progression of coronary artery disease and impairs left ventricular sub-endocardial perfusion and diastolic function. Epicardial adiposity thickness may help monitor the therapeutic response in patients with preserved ejection failure heart failure and elevated body mass index.

Abstract 17294: Dynamic Change Patterns of Visceral Adiposity Index and Risk of Cardiovascular Disease: A Chinese Nationwide Cohort Study

Introduction: Visceral adiposity index (VAI), as a reliable marker for visceral adiposity accumulation and dysfunction, is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, the influence of VAI transition on CVD has never been revealed. Hypothesis: Different VAI dynamic change patterns have different impacts on the risk of CVD. Methods: There were 5,395 participants aged equal or more than 45 years recruited in 2011 and followed up until 2018, with VAI information and free of a diagnosis of CVD at baseline. New-onset CVD including heart disease and stroke was defined by medical diagnosis. A receiver-operating characteristic curve was employed to divide individuals into high and low VAI categories. Participants were divided into four groups based on VAI change patterns during follow-up period (2011—2015): low-low group, low-high group, high-low group, and high-high group. The probabilities of CVD-free survival were estimated by Kaplan-Meier analysis. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to evaluate the association between different change patterns of VAI and CVD. Results: During a median follow-up period of 7 years, 969 participants (17.9%) developed CVD. The high-high group (hazard ratio (HR): 1.65, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.39—1.97) and the low-high group (HR: 1.29, 95% CI:1.04—1.61) were associated with a higher risk of CVD after adjusting for demographic characteristics and traditional risk factors compared to the low-low group, while the effect in high-low group was not significant. Conclusions: Changes in VAI were significantly associated with CVD risk. Monitoring the dynamics of the VAI in public health practice would help prevent CVD.

Ratio of visceral fat area to body fat mass (VBR) is a superior predictor of coronary heart disease.

Ratio of visceral fat area to body fat mass (VBR) is a superior predictor of coronary heart disease.

Thyroid hormones mediate the association between single and mixed polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons exposure with visceral adipose accumulation

Thyroid hormones mediate the association between single and mixed polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons exposure with visceral adipose accumulation

Visceral Adiposity and Lipid Accumulation Product Indices as Valuable Predictors of Metabolic Syndrome in the Elderly: Bushehr Elderly Health (BEH) Program

Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) encompasses a cluster of cardiometabolic risk factors and plays a significant role in elderly patients long-term complications

Adolescent Obesity and Psychiatric Co-Morbidities: A Dire Need for Lifestyle Modifications and Interventions

Due to the severity of metabolic dysfunction, obesity raises the incidence of anxiety and depression. Adolescents with depression had a 40% higher risk of being obese, whereas obese adolescents had a 70% higher risk. Overconsumption of sugar and saturated fat in the diet leads to metabolic dysfunction, neuroinflammation, and deficits in mental health. Growing data indicates that poor diet, inactivity, and visceral adipose accumulation are the primary causes of the mental effects of obesity. Neuroinflammation is triggered by adipose- and gut-derived inflammation as well as alterations in the nutritional makeup of the brain. Corticolimbic networks that regulate mood, motivation, and emotion are affected by neuroinflammation in terms of their structure, excitability, and connection

Associations between visceral adiposity index and incident nephropathy outcomes in diabetic patients: Insights from the ACCORD trial.

Visceral adiposity index (VAI) was a reliable marker for visceral adiposity accumulation and dysfunction. The association between VAI and nephropathy outcomes remains uncertain in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). We aimed to evaluate the longitudinal relationships between VAI and incident nephropathy outcomes in T2DM patients. Ten thousand one hundred and thirty two participants with T2DM from the ACCORD trial were included in the present study. Cumulative average VAI based on VAI measurements at baseline and follow-up was used to represent long-term VAI status. The primary outcome was the incident composite nephropathy outcome defined as: (1) serum creatinine doubling or >20ml/min decrease in eGFR; or (2) development of macro-albuminuria; or (3) renal failure or end stage kidney disease (dialysis) or serum creatinine >3.3mg/dl. During 26,168 person-years follow-up duration, 6094 (60.1%) participants developed the incident composite nephropathy outcome. When assessing cumulative average VAI as quartiles, compared with those in the 1-2 quartiles (<2.6), a significantly higher risk of incident composite nephropathy outcomes was observed among participants in the 3-4 quartiles (≥2.6, adjusted HR: 1.09, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.18). Moreover, the positive association was consistent in participants with or without single abnormal VAI components, including general obesity, abdominal obesity, elevated triglycerides, and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, or with different numbers of abnormal VAI components. Additionally, the positive association was stronger in participants with cumulative average systolic blood pressure <130mmHg (vs. ≥130mmHg; p-interaction<0.001). In T2DM patients, higher cumulative average VAI was associated with a higher risk of incident composite nephropathy outcomes. clinicaltrials.gov, identifier: NCT00000620.

Association of low-carbohydrate diet score and carbohydrate quality with visceral adiposity and lipid accumulation product.

The present study examined the association between low-carbohydrate diet (LCD) score, glycemic index (GI), and glycemic load (GL) with visceral fat level (VFL) and lipid accumulation product (LAP). This cross-sectional study was conducted on 270 adults (118 men and 152 women) aged between 18-45 living in Tehran, Iran, between February 2017 and December 2018. Dietary intake was assessed using a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Body composition were also assessed. We used analyses of covariance and binary logistic regression to explore associations after controlling for age, energy intake (model 1), education, smoking status, physical activity, occupation, marriage and metabolic diseases. There were no significant differences between tertiles of GI, GL and LCD for means of anthropometric measures, LAP and VFL index in men, while women in the highest tertile of GI and GL had significantly higher mean LAP in the crude model (P = 0·02) and model 1(P = 0·04), which disappeared after controlling for other confounders (P = 0·12). Moreover, the OR and CIs for having high LAP and VFL was not associated with dietary GI, GL and LCD in crude and adjusted models. However, chance of high VFL reduced by 65% and 57% among women with high adherence to LCD score (OR = 0·35, 95% CI = 0·16-0·78, P = 0·01) and model 1 (OR = 0·43, 95% CI = 0·18-1, P = 0·05), respectively. However, this significant association disappeared after controlling for other confounders (P = 0·07). Overall, we found carbohydrate quality and LCD score are not associated with LAP and VFL index. However, gender-specific relationship should not be neglect and warrants further investigation.

Beer, wine, and spirits differentially influence body composition in older white adults-a United Kingdom Biobank study.

BACKGROUNDAging is characterized by body composition alterations, including increased visceral adiposity accumulation and bone loss. Alcohol consumption may partially drive these alterations, but findings are mixed. This study primarily aimed to investigate whether different alcohol types (beer/cider, red wine, white wine/Champagne, spirits) differentially associated with body composition.METHODSThe longitudinal UK Biobank study leveraged 1869 White participants (40–80 years; 59% male). Participants self‐reported demographic, alcohol/dietary consumption, and lifestyle factors using a touchscreen questionnaire. Anthropometrics and serum for proteomics were collected. Body composition was obtained via dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry. Structural equation modeling was used to probe direct/indirect associations between alcohol types, cardiometabolic biomarkers, and body composition.RESULTSGreater beer/spirit consumptions were associated with greater visceral adiposity (β = 0.069, p < 0.001 and β = 0.014, p < 0.001, respectively), which was driven by dyslipidemia and insulin resistance. In contrast, drinking more red wine was associated with less visceral adipose mass (β = −0.023, p < 0.001), which was driven by reduced inflammation and elevated high‐density lipoproteins. White wine consumption predicted greater bone density (β = 0.051, p < 0.005).DISCUSSIONBeer/spirits may partially contribute to the “empty calorie” hypothesis related to adipogenesis, while red wine may help protect against adipogenesis due to anti‐inflammatory/eulipidemic effects. Furthermore, white wine may benefit bone health in older White adults.1

Higher visceral adiposity index is associated with increased likelihood of abdominal aortic calcification

BackgroundThe negative effects of visceral adiposity accumulation on cardiovascular health have drawn much attention. However, the association between the Visceral Adiposity Index (VAI) and Abdominal Aortic Calcification (AAC) has never been reported before. The authors aimed to investigate the association between the VAI and AAC in US adults. MethodsCross-sectional data were derived from the 2013 to 2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) of participants with complete data of VAI and AAC scores. Weighted multivariable regression and logistic regression analysis were conducted to explore the independent relationship between VAI and AAC. Subgroup analysis and interaction tests were also performed. ResultsA total of 2958 participants were enrolled and participants in the higher VAI tertile tended to have a higher mean AAC score and prevalence of severe AAC. In the fully adjusted model, a positive association between VAI and AAC score and severe AAC was observed (β = 0.04, 95% CI 0.01‒0.08; OR = 1.04, 95% CI 1.01‒1.07). Participants in the highest VAI tertile had a 0.41-unit higher AAC score (β = 0.41, 95% CI 0.08‒0.73) and a significantly 68% higher risk of severe AAC than those in the lowest VAI tertile (OR = 1.68, 95% CI 1.04‒2.71). Subgroup analysis and interaction tests indicated that there was no dependence for the association of VAI and AAC. ConclusionVisceral adiposity accumulation evaluated by the VAI was associated with a higher AAC score and an increased likelihood of severe AAC.

Abstract 12815: Changes in Circulating microRNA-375 Levels in Response to Lifestyle Interventions and Improvements in Visceral Adiposity and Hepatic Fat Content: The CENTRAL Trial

Introduction: MicroRNA (miRNAs) are short non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression at the translational level. Circulating exosomal miRNAs have emerged as novel biomarkers of obesity, insulin resistance, and related metabolic abnormalities. miR-375 has been identified as a regulator of insulin secretion, and miR-375 may also be involved in regulating visceral adiposity and ectopic fat accumulation in the liver. Hypothesis: We aimed to investigate whether changes in circulating miR-375 induced by lifestyle interventions were related to improved visceral adiposity and hepatic fat depot among individuals with abdominal obesity. Methods: This study included adults with abdominal obesity from an 18-month diet and physical activity intervention study (the CENTRAL trial) and with available data on circulating miR-375-3p at baseline (n=222) and 18 months (n=152). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed to assess body fat distribution and ectopic fat depots. Outcome measurements included 18-month changes in abdominal (total [TAT], visceral [VAT], deep subcutaneous [DSAT], superficial subcutaneous [SSAT]) adipose tissue area and intrahepatic fat content. Results: At baseline, higher levels of miR-375 were related to lower degrees of BMI ( p =0.0006), waist circumference ( p =0.0008), as well as abdominal adipose tissue area (TAT [ p =0.0024], VAT [ p =0.059], DSAT [ p =0.011], and SSAT [ p =0.0027]). There was a significant increase in circulating miR-375 levels after the 18-month lifestyle interventions ( P by paired t-test &lt; 0.0001). When we analyzed effects (β) of per 1 SD increase in miR-375 changes on the outcomes after adjusting for covariates including baseline levels of miR-375 and BMI, we found that greater increase in miR-375 was associated with larger reductions of VAT (β -8.09 [3.09] cm 2 , p =0.01), as well as DSAT (β -7.87 [2.21] cm 2 , p =0.001) and intrahepatic fat content (β -1.38% [0.5%], p =0.006) at 18 months. Conclusions: Circulating miR-375 levels significantly increased after the long-term lifestyle interventions, and greater increases in miR-375 were related to significant improvements in visceral adiposity and liver fat content that are closely related to insulin resistance in adults with abdominal obesity.

Contribution of ultra-processed foods in visceral fat deposition and other adiposity indicators: Prospective analysis nested in the PREDIMED-Plus trial

Ultra-processed food and drink products (UPF) consumption has been associated with obesity and its-related comorbidities. Excess of visceral fat, which appears with increasing age, has been considered as the culprit contributing to adiposity-associated adverse health outcomes. However, none of previous studies elucidated the link between UPF and directly quantified adiposity and its distribution. We aimed to prospectively investigate the association between concurrent changes in UPF consumption and objectively assessed adiposity distribution. A subsample of 1485 PREDIMED-Plus participants (Spanish men and women aged 55-75 years with overweight/obesity and metabolic syndrome) underwent body composition measurements. Consumption of UPF at baseline, 6 and 12 months was evaluated using a validated 143-item semi-quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire. Food items (g/day) were categorized according to their degree of processing using NOVA system. Regional adiposity (visceral fat (in g) and android-to-gynoid fat ratio) and total fat mass (in g) at three time points were measured with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and were normalized using sex-specific z-scores. The association of changes in UPF consumption, expressed as the percentage of total daily intake (daily g of UPF/total daily g of food and beverage intake∗100), with adiposity changes was evaluated using linear mixed-effects models. On average, the consumption of UPF accounted for 8.11% (SD 7.41%) of total daily intake (in grams) at baseline. In multivariable-adjusted model, 10% daily increment in consumption of UPF was associated with significantly (all p-values <0.05) greater accumulation of visceral fat (β 0.09 z-scores, 95% CI 0.05; 0.13), android-to-gynoid fat ratio (0.05, 0.00; 0.09) and total fat (0.09, 0.06; 0.13). A higher consumption of UPF was associated with greater age-related visceral and overall adiposity accumulation. Further studies are warranted to confirm these results in other populations and settings. The trial was registered at the International Standard Randomized Controlled Trial (ISRCTN: http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN89898870) with number 89898870 and registration date of 24 July 2014, retrospectively registered.

Pick Your Poison Carefully: How Alcohol Consumption and Serum Biomarkers Influence Body Fat – A UK Biobank Study

Aging is characterized by physiological alterations in body composition, such as increased visceral adiposity accumulation and bone loss. Alcohol consumption is thought to partially drive these associations, but findings have been mixed. To clarify inconsistent findings, different types of alcohol--beer, liquor, and wine--may show different association patterns with body composition. Our longitudinal U.K. Biobank study leveraged 1,874 White British participants (aged 40-79 years; 58.9% male). Participants self-reported demographic, alcohol and dietary consumption patterns, and lifestyle factors using a touchscreen questionnaire. Anthropometrics and serum for proteomics were collected and body composition was obtained via dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Structural equation modeling was used to probe direct and indirect associations between adiposity and bone, alcohol types, and cardiometabolic biomarkers. Over a mean duration of four years, greater consumption of beer and liquor were significantly associated with more visceral adiposity (β=.069, p<.001 and β=.014, p<.001, respectively); these associations were driven by dyslipidemia and insulin resistance. In contrast, greater red wine consumption predicted less adipose mass (β=-.023, p<.001), and this association was mediated by reduced inflammation and higher high-density lipoproteins (HDL) cholesterol. White wine consumption did not influence visceral adiposity but did predict greater bone mineral density (BMD) (β=.051, p=.003). Taken together, these data suggest that beer and liquor may drive the “empty calorie” hypothesis related to adipogenesis, while red wine may be protective due to anti-inflammatory and eulipidemic effects. Furthermore, white wine may benefit bone mineral density in older adults.

Influence of visceral adiposity accumulation on adverse left and right ventricular mechanics in the community.

Obesity carries significant risk for unfavorable ventricular remodeling and subsequent heart failure (HF) development, although the association between abdominal fat distribution and subclinical ventricular dysfunction is unclear. This study aimed to compare the subcutaneous and visceral abdominal adiposity with the risk of decreased ventricular strain. We included 340 participants without overt cardiac disease who underwent laboratory testing, abdominal computed tomographic examination, and speckle-tracking echocardiography. Abdominal adiposity was quantitatively assessed as visceral fat area (VFA) and subcutaneous fat area (SFA) at the level of the umbilicus. Speckle-tracking echocardiography was performed to assess left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LVGLS) and right ventricular free-wall longitudinal strain (RVLS). Mean age was 56 ± 9 years, and 244 of the participants (72%) were male. The mean LVGLS and RVLS were -19.1 ± 3.0% and -25.0 ± 4.1%, respectively. Both VFA and SFA correlated with LVGLS (r = 0.46 and r = 0.15, both p < 0.01) and RVLS (r = 0.38 and r = 0.12, both p < 0.05), demonstrating a stronger correlation between VFA and ventricular strain. Multivariable analysis showed that VFA was significantly associated with LVGLS and RVLS, independent of traditional cardiovascular risk factors as well as pertinent laboratory and echocardiographic parameters (both p < 0.05), whereas SFA was not. Serum adiponectin level was correlated with LVGLS (r = -0.34, p < 0.001) and RVLS (r = -0.25, p < 0.001), although it lost statistical significance following multivariable adjustment. In a sample of the general population, VFA, but not SFA, accumulation was significantly associated with decreased LV and RV strain, an association that may be involved in the increased risk of HF in obese individuals.

Association between organ damage and visceral adiposity index in community-dwelling elderly Chinesepopulation: the Northern Shanghai Study.

The visceral adiposity index (VAI) is a newly developing indicator about visceral fat function and insulin resistance. This research aims to assess the association between organ damage and VAI in the community-dwelling elderly Chinese population. In total, 3363 elderly participants were recruited between June 2014 and August 2019. VAI was used to measure visceral adipose accumulation, and organ damage was measured with standardized methods, including arterial stiffness, lower extremity atherosclerosis, carotid hypertrophy, left ventricular hypertrophy, micro-albuminuria, and chronic kidney disease. According to multivariable linear regression analysis, VAI was related to carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cf-PWV; β = 0.047, P = 0.024), urine albumin to creatinine ratio (UACR; β = 3.893, P = 0.008), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR; β = -0.526, P = 0.003) and loge(ankle-to-brachial index) (ABI; β = -0.003, P = 0.024). Using multivariable stepwise logistic regression model, higher VAI was found to be significantly related to cf-PWV > 10m/s (OR 1.44, [95% CI 1.17-1.78]; Pfor trend < 0.001), and chronic kidney disease (CKD; OR 1.54, [95% CI 1.09-2.20]; Pfor trend = 0.015). Since higher VAI is related to increased risk of arterial stiffness and CKD, it may serve as a useful index for the assessment of arteriosclerosis and CKD in elderly population. NSS, NCT02368938.

A high-fat diet and high-fat and high-cholesterol diet may affect glucose and lipid metabolism differentially through gut microbiota in mice.

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of a high-fat diet (HFD) and high-fat and high-cholesterol diet (HFHCD) on glucose and lipid metabolism and on the intestinal microbiota of the host animal. A total of 30 four-week-old female C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into three groups (n=10) and fed with a normal diet (ND), HFD, or HFHCD for 12 weeks, respectively. The HFD significantly increased body weight and visceral adipose accumulation and partly lowered oral glucose tolerance compared with the ND and HFHCD. The HFHCD increased liver weight, liver fat infiltration, liver triglycerides, and liver total cholesterol compared with the ND and HFD. Moreover, it increased serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and total cholesterol compared with the ND and HFD and upregulated alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase significantly. The HFHCD also significantly decreased the α-diversity of the fecal bacteria of the mice, to a greater extent than the HFD. The composition of fecal bacteria among the three groups was apparently different. Compared with the HFHCD-fed mice, the HFD-fed mice had more Oscillospira, Odoribacter, Bacteroides, and [Prevotella], but less [Ruminococcus] and Akkermansia. Cecal short-chain fatty acids were significantly decreased after the mice were fed the HFD or HFHCD for 12 weeks. Our findings indicate that an HFD and HFHCD can alter the glucose and lipid metabolism of the host animal differentially; modifications of intestinal microbiota and their metabolites may be an important underlying mechanism.

Sugar-sweetened beverages as risk factor of central obesity among women in reproductive age

Background: Several risk factors for central obesity include high Sugar-sweetened Beverages (SSBs) intake, lack of physical activity, and lack of sleep duration. High fructose corn syrup, the sweetener used in SSBs, increase body weight because of the bad effect of insulin secretion and leptin release. The fructose from this beverage can increase visceral adiposity accumulation. Objectives: This study aimed to analyze the intake of Sugar-sweetened Beverages (SSBs), physical activity, and sleep duration as risk factors for central obesity among women in the reproductive AgeMethods: This study used case-control design consists of 38Subjects in case and control groups. All women were in childbearing age (20-29 years) selected using a simple random sampling technique. The data taken were weight, height, waist circumference, and hip circumference. Food intake and sugar-sweetened beverage intake were obtained by using Semi-Quantitative Food Frequency (SQ-FFQ) questionnaire. Physical activity data were obtained using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) questionnaire. Sleep duration data were obtained using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Chi-Square test and logistic regression were used to analyze the data.Results: There were a significant relationship between Sugar Sweetened Beverages intake (p = 0.002, OR =5.926), energy intake of SSBs (p = 0.035, OR = 2.979) physical activity (p = 0.035, OR = 0.3111), duration of morning sleep / afternoon (p = 0.000; OR = 9.44) and sleep duration (p = 0.028, OR = 4.42) with central obesity. But there were no significant relationship between energy intake (p = 0.375), carbohydrates (p = 0.1), protein (p = 0.3), fat (p = 0.1) and fibers with central obesity.Conclusion: High intake of sugar-sweetened beverages, short duration of night's sleep and the duration&gt;2 hours/day of a long day sleep are risk factors for increasing the incidence of central obesity among Women in reproductive Age.

Urine Glucose Excretion Attenuates the Association Between Lipid Accumulation Product and Serum Uric Acid in Subjects with Prediabetes.

PurposeObesity is known to be strongly associated with hyperuricemia. Moreover, the impact of urine glucose excretion (UGE) on serum uric acid (UA) levels has gained much more attention in recent years. Yet concern is raised about whether UGE influences the relationship between obesity and hyperuricemia. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of UGE on the association between lipid accumulation product (LAP), a novel marker of visceral adipose accumulation, and UA in subjects with prediabetes.Materials and MethodsData were obtained from a cross-sectional study. A total of 3645 subjects with prediabetes were included in the present study. The separate and joint associations of LAP and UGE with hyperuricemia were examined using logistic regression analyses.ResultsLAP was positively associated with UA in both genders. Subgroup analysis based on UGE revealed that the association was strongest in subjects with low UGE (r = 0.328, p < 0.001), whereas the positive association was weakened, but still remained significant in subjects with moderate and high UGE. High LAP was significantly associated with an increased odds ratio for hyperuricemia after adjustment for potential confounders in the overall population (OR = 2.07, 95% CI: 1.66–2.58, p < 0.001). However, a downward trend in odds ratios for hyperuricemia was observed across UGE categories. In addition, the joint association analysis confirmed that the relationship between LAP and hyperuricemia was attenuated by UGE.ConclusionThe positive association between LAP and UA appears to be attenuated by UGE, indicating that promoting UGE may be an effective strategy for controlling UA levels, especially for people with obesity who are at increased risk for hyperuricemia.

The Effect of Hops (Humulus lupulus L.) Extract Supplementation on Weight Gain, Adiposity and Intestinal Function in Ovariectomized Mice.

Estrogen decline during menopause is associated with altered metabolism, weight gain and increased risk of cardiometabolic diseases. The gut microbiota also plays a role in the development of cardiometabolic dysfunction and is also subject to changes associated with age-related hormone changes. Phytoestrogens are plant-based estrogen mimics that have gained popularity as dietary supplements for the treatment or prevention of menopause-related symptoms. These compounds have the potential to both modulate and be metabolized by the gut microbiota. Hops (Humulus lupulus L.) contain potent phytoestrogen precursors, which rely on microbial biotransformation in the gut to estrogenic forms. We supplemented ovariectomized (OVX) or sham-operated (SHAM) C57BL/6 mice, with oral estradiol (E2), a flavonoid-rich extract from hops, or a placebo carrier oil, to observe effects on adiposity, inflammation, and gut bacteria composition. Hops extract (HE) and E2 protected against increased visceral adiposity and liver triglyceride accumulation in OVX animals. Surprisingly, we found no evidence of OVX having a significant impact on the overall gut bacterial community structure. We did find differences in the abundance of Akkermansia muciniphila, which was lower with HE treatment in the SHAM group relative to OVX E2 treatment and to placebo in the SHAM group.