Origins and functions of eosinophils in two non-mucosal tissues.

Eosinophils are a type of granulocyte named after the presence of their eosin-stained granules. Traditionally, eosinophils have been best known to play prominent roles in anti-parasitic responses and mediating allergic reactions. Knowledge of their behaviour has expanded with time, and they are now recognized to play integral parts in the homeostasis of gastrointestinal, respiratory, skeletal muscle, adipose, and connective tissue systems. As such, they are implicated in a myriad of pathologies, and have been the target of several medical therapies. This review focuses on the lifespan of eosinophils, from their origins in the bone marrow, to their tissue-resident role. In particular, we wish to highlight the functions of eosinophils in non-mucosal tissues with skeletal muscle and the adipose tissues as examples, and to discuss the current understanding of their participation in diseased states in these tissues.

Clinically relevant plasma proteome for adiposity depots: evidence from systematic mendelian randomization and colocalization analyses.

BACKGROUND: The accumulation of visceral and ectopic fat comprise a major cause of cardiometabolic diseases. However, novel drug targets for reducing unnecessary visceral and ectopic fat are still limited. Our study aims to provide a comprehensive investigation of the causal effects of the plasma proteome on visceral and ectopic fat using Mendelian randomization (MR) approach. METHODS: We performed two-sample MR analyses based on five large genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary statistics of 2656 plasma proteins, to screen for causal associations of these proteins with traits of visceral and ectopic fat in over 30,000 participants of European ancestry, as well as to assess mediation effects by risk factors of outcomes. The colocalization analysis was conducted to examine whether the identified proteins and outcomes shared casual variants. RESULTS: Genetically predicted levels of 14 circulating proteins were associated with visceral and ectopic fat (P < 4.99 × 10- 5, at a Bonferroni-corrected threshold). Colocalization analysis prioritized ten protein targets that showed effect on outcomes, including FST, SIRT2, DNAJB9, IL6R, CTSA, RGMB, PNLIPRP1, FLT4, PPY and IL6ST. MR analyses revealed seven risk factors for visceral and ectopic fat (P < 0.0024). Furthermore, the associations of CTSA, DNAJB9 and IGFBP1 with primary outcomes were mediated by HDL-C and SHBG. Sensitivity analyses showed little evidence of pleiotropy. CONCLUSIONS: Our study identified candidate proteins showing putative causal effects as potential therapeutic targets for visceral and ectopic fat accumulation and outlined causal pathways for further prevention of downstream cardiometabolic diseases.

Novel anthropometric indices for predicting type 2 diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to compare anthropometric indices to predict type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) among first-degree relatives of diabetic patients in the Iranian community. METHODS: In this study, information on 3483 first-degree relatives (FDRs) of diabetic patients was extracted from the database of the Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. Overall, 2082 FDRs were included in the analyses. A logistic regression model was used to evaluate the association between anthropometric indices and the odds of having diabetes. Furthermore, a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was applied to estimate the optimal cutoff point based on the sensitivity and specificity of each index. In addition, the indices were compared based on the area under the curve (AUC). RESULTS: The overall prevalence of diabetes was 15.3%. The optimal cutoff points for anthropometric measures among men were 25.09 for body mass index (BMI) (AUC = 0.573), 0.52 for waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) (AUC = 0.648), 0.91 for waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) (AUC = 0.654), 0.08 for a body shape index (ABSI) (AUC = 0.599), 3.92 for body roundness index (BRI) (AUC = 0.648), 27.27 for body adiposity index (BAI) (AUC = 0.590), and 8 for visceral adiposity index (VAI) (AUC = 0.596). The optimal cutoff points for anthropometric indices were 28.75 for BMI (AUC = 0.610), 0.55 for the WHtR (AUC = 0.685), 0.80 for the WHR (AUC = 0.687), 0.07 for the ABSI (AUC = 0.669), 4.34 for the BRI (AUC = 0.685), 39.95 for the BAI (AUC = 0.583), and 6.15 for the VAI (AUC = 0.658). The WHR, WHTR, and BRI were revealed to have fair AUC values and were relatively greater than the other indices for both men and women. Furthermore, in women, the ABSI and VAI also had fair AUCs. However, BMI and the BAI had the lowest AUC values among the indices in both sexes. CONCLUSION: The WHtR, BRI, VAI, and WHR outperformed other anthropometric indices in predicting T2DM in first-degree relatives (FDRs) of diabetic patients. However, further investigations in different populations may need to be implemented to justify their widespread adoption in clinical practice.

Unveiling the Genetic Mechanism of Meat Color in Pigs through GWAS, Multi-Tissue, and Single-Cell Transcriptome Signatures Exploration.

Meat color traits directly influence consumer acceptability and purchasing decisions. Nevertheless, there is a paucity of comprehensive investigation into the genetic mechanisms underlying meat color traits in pigs. Utilizing genome-wide association studies (GWAS) on five meat color traits and the detection of selection signatures in pig breeds exhibiting distinct meat color characteristics, we identified a promising candidate SNP, 6_69103754, exhibiting varying allele frequencies among pigs with different meat color characteristics. This SNP has the potential to affect the redness and chroma index values of pork. Moreover, transcriptome-wide association studies (TWAS) analysis revealed the expression of candidate genes associated with meat color traits in specific tissues. Notably, the largest number of candidate genes were observed from transcripts derived from adipose, liver, lung, spleen tissues, and macrophage cell type, indicating their crucial role in meat color development. Several shared genes associated with redness, yellowness, and chroma indices traits were identified, including RINL in adipose tissue, ENSSSCG00000034844 and ITIH1 in liver tissue, TPX2 and MFAP2 in lung tissue, and ZBTB17, FAM131C, KIFC3, NTPCR, and ENGSSSCG00000045605 in spleen tissue. Furthermore, single-cell enrichment analysis revealed a significant association between the immune system and meat color. This finding underscores the significance of the immune system associated with meat color. Overall, our study provides a comprehensive analysis of the genetic mechanisms underlying meat color traits, offering valuable insights for future breeding efforts aimed at improving meat quality.

The Role of Inflammation in Lymphedema: A Narrative Review of Pathogenesis and Opportunities for Therapeutic Intervention.

Lymphedema is a chronic and progressive disease of the lymphatic system characterized by inflammation, increased adipose deposition, and tissue fibrosis. Despite early hypotheses identifying lymphedema as a disease of mechanical lymphatic disruption alone, the progressive inflammatory nature underlying this condition is now well-established. In this review, we provide an overview of the various inflammatory mechanisms that characterize lymphedema development and progression. These mechanisms contribute to the acute and chronic phases of lymphedema, which manifest clinically as inflammation, fibrosis, and adiposity. Furthermore, we highlight the interplay between current therapeutic modalities and the underlying inflammatory microenvironment, as well as opportunities for future therapeutic development.

Characterization of 3D Organotypic Culture of Mouse Adipose-Derived Stem Cells.

Although stem cells are a promising avenue for harnessing the potential of adipose tissue, conventional two-dimensional (2D) culture methods have limitations. This study explored the use of three-dimensional (3D) cultures to preserve the regenerative potential of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) and investigated their cellular properties. Flow cytometric analysis revealed significant variations in surface marker expressions between the two culture conditions. While 2D cultures showed robust surface marker expressions, 3D cultures exhibited reduced levels of CD44, CD90.2, and CD105. Adipogenic differentiation in 3D organotypic ADSCs faced challenges, with decreased organoid size and limited activation of adipogenesis-related genes. Key adipocyte markers, such as lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and adipoQ, were undetectable in 3D-cultured ADSCs, unlike positive controls in 2D-cultured mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Surprisingly, 3D-cultured ADSCs underwent mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET), evidenced by increased E-cadherin and EpCAM expression and decreased mesenchymal markers. This study highlights successful ADSC organoid formation, notable MSC phenotype changes in 3D culture, adipogenic differentiation challenges, and a distinctive shift toward an epithelial-like state. These findings offer insights into the potential applications of 3D-cultured ADSCs in regenerative medicine, emphasizing the need for further exploration of underlying molecular mechanisms.

Water Intake and Adiposity Outcomes among Overweight and Obese Individuals: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

BACKGROUND: Water consumption is believed to be a key factor in weight management strategies, yet the existing literature on the subject yields inconsistent findings. To systematically assess the scientific evidence regarding the effect of water intake on adiposity, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) among overweight and obese populations. METHODS: PubMed and Embase were searched for relevant articles published up to December 2023. The summary weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were estimated using the DerSimonian-Laird random-effects model. RESULTS: In this meta-analysis of eight RCTs, interventions to promote water intake or to substitute water for other beverages as compared to the control group resulted in a summary WMD of -0.33 kg (95% CI = -1.75-1.08, I2 = 78%) for body weight, -0.23 kg/m2 (95% CI = -0.55-0.09, I2 = 0%) for body mass index (BMI), and 0.05 cm (95% CI = -1.20-1.30, I2 = 40%) for waist circumference (WC). Among RCTs substituting water for artificially sweetened beverages, summary WMD was 1.82 kg (95% CI = 0.97-2.67, I2 = 0%) for body weight and 1.23 cm (95% CI = -0.03-2.48, I2 = 0%) for WC. Conversely, among RCTs substituting water for sugar-sweetened beverages, summary WMD was -0.81 kg (95% CI = -1.66-0.03, I2 = 2%) for body weight and -0.96 cm (95% CI = -2.06-0.13, I2 = 0%) for WC. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, water intake may not significantly impact adiposity among overweight and obese individuals. However, replacing sugar-sweetened beverages with water might offer a modest benefit in inducing weight loss.

Molecular targets for management of diabetes: Remodelling of white adipose to brown adipose tissue.

Diabetes mellitus is a disorder characterised metabolic dysfunction that results in elevated glucose level in the bloodstream. Diabetes is of two types, type1 and type 2 diabetes. Obesity is considered as one of the major reasons intended for incidence of diabetes hence it turns out to be essential to study about the adipose tissue which is responsible for fat storage in body. Adipose tissues play significant role in maintaining the balance between energy stabilization and homeostasis. The three forms of adipose tissue are - White adipose tissue (WAT), Brown adipose tissue (BAT) and Beige adipose tissue (intermediate form). The amount of BAT gets reduced, and WAT starts to increase with the age. WAT when exposed to certain stimuli gets converted to BAT by the help of certain transcriptional regulators. The browning of WAT has been a matter of study to treat the metabolic disorders and to initiate the expenditure of energy. The three main regulators responsible for the browning of WAT are PRDM16, PPARγ and PGC-1α via various cellular and molecular mechanism. Presented review article includes the detailed elaborative aspect of genes and proteins involved in conversion of WAT to BAT.

Cross-sectional association study of hedonic hunger, self-control, cognitive distortion, and well-being with adiposity measures among a sample of urban Malaysian adults.

BACKGROUND: We assessed the association of hedonic hunger, self-control (impulsivity and restraint), cognitive distortion (CD), and well-being with adiposity measures such as waist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), body mass index (BMI), total body fat (TBF), subcutaneous fat (SF), visceral fat level (VFL), skeletal muscle percentage (SM), and resting metabolism (RM), among a sample of urban Malaysian adults at Sunway University and Sunway College, Selangor, Malaysia. METHODS: Among 186 participants (M/F = 51/135; aged 22.1 ± 5.0), psychometrics were assessed using Power of Food Scale (PFS), Brief Self-Control Scale, CD Questionnaire (CD-Quest), and WHO-5 Well-being Index. Blood pressures, anthropometrics and body compositions were also measured using standard methods and bioimpedance. RESULTS: Men had significantly higher well-being, but lower overall self-control, impulsivity and Food Available hedonic hunger. Those with moderate/severe CD had higher odds ratio (OR) of having high central adiposity, compared with those with absent/slight CD (OR: 2.52;95% CI: 1.14, 5.61; p = 0.023 for WC and OR: 2.50; 95% CI: 1.19, 5.23; p = 0.015 for WHR). Higher CD and PFS scores were strongly significantly correlated with higher systolic blood pressure (SBP), WC, WHR, WHtR, BMI, TBF, SF, VFL and RM. Lower self-control was weakly correlated with higher WC, while lower impulsivity and restraint were weakly correlated with higher VFL. Those who were overweight, obese, and in high TBF class had significantly higher PFS Aggregate Factor scores. Food Available and Food Present scores, but not Food Tasted, were also significantly higher among overweight participants. CONCLUSIONS: Higher hedonic hunger and CD were associated with higher SBP and all adiposity measures. Overweight participants had higher hedonic hunger in the context of ready availability and physical presence of highly palatable foods. Lower self-control was weakly correlated with higher central adiposity; lower impulsivity and restraint were weakly correlated with higher visceral adiposity. These findings have provided some insights into the cognitive factors underlying adiposity.

Association between obstructive sleep apnea and visceral adiposity index and lipid accumulation product: NHANES 2015-2018.

BACKGROUND: Obesity refers to a significant contributor to the development of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Early prediction of OSA usually leads to better treatment outcomes, and this study aims to employ novel metabolic markers, visceral adiposity index (VAI), and lipid accumulation product (LAP) to evaluate the relationship to OSA. METHODS: The data used in the current cross-sectional investigation are from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), which was carried out between 2015 and 2018. To examine the correlation between LAP and VAI levels and OSA, multivariate logistic regression analysis was adopted. In addition, various analytical methods were applied, including subgroup analysis, smooth curve fitting, and threshold effect analysis. RESULTS: Among totally 3932 participants, 1934 were included in the OSA group. The median (Q1-Q3) values of LAP and VAI for the participants were 40.25 (21.51-68.26) and 1.27 (0.75-2.21), respectively. Logistic regression studies indicated a positive correlation between LAP, VAI, and OSA risk after adjusting for potential confounding variables. Subgroup analysis revealed a stronger correlation between LAP, VAI levels, and OSA among individuals aged < 60 years. Through smooth curve fitting, specific saturation effects of LAP, VAI, and BMD were identified, with inflection points at 65.684 and 0.428, respectively. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that elevated levels of LAP and VAI increase the risk of OSA, suggesting their potential as predictive markers for OSA and advocating for dietary and exercise interventions to mitigate OSA risk in individuals with high LAP and VAI levels.

The effect of physical activity on cytokine levels in adults living with type 1 diabetes-a preliminary study.

The aim of this study is to investigate whether physical activity and the level of body fat are factors reducing the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines in people with T1DM. Twenty-five men (27.8 ± 9.4 years old; 178.9 ± 6.9 cm; 80.6 ± 12 kg) and 18 women (28.1 ± 12.5 years old; 162.4 ± 5.5; 63.1 ± 9.9 kg) were divided into four groups based on body fat percentage and level of physical activity (AN-active people with normal body fat; IAN-inactive people with normal body fat; AO-active people with excessive body fat, IAO-inactive people with excessive body fat). The level of cytokines in the blood serum was assessed. The level of IL-8 was higher (measurable) in inactive men, regardless of adiposity degree and in women, only in the inactive group with normal body fat. IL-6 was found only in active men with excessive adiposity. In conclusion, the findings from this study allow to indicate that moderate level of physical activity may contribute to a reduction in the development of systemic low-grade inflammation in patients with T1DM, and thus, may reduce the risk of CVD.

The Expanding Problem of Regional Adiposity: Revisiting a 1985 Diabetes Classic by Ohlson et al.

Body fat distribution is a predictor of metabolic health in obesity. In this Classics in Diabetes article, we revisit a 1985 Diabetes article by Swedish investigators Ohlson et al. This work was one of the first prospective population-based studies that established a relationship between abdominal adiposity and the risk for developing diabetes. Here, we discuss evolving concepts regarding the link between regional adiposity and diabetes and other chronic disorders. Moreover, we highlight fundamental questions that remain unresolved.

Abstracts BMAS Summer School 2023-2nd Bone Marrow Adiposity Society Summer School Meeting 2023.

Fat is the main component of an adult bone marrow and constitutes the so-called bone marrow adipose tissue (BMAT). Marrow adipocytes, which are the fat cells in the bone marrow, become more abundant with age, and may influence the whole-body metabolism. In osteoporotic patients, the amount of BMAT has an inverse correlation with the amount of bone mass. In people with anorexia nervosa that lose weight after the reduction of peripheral adipose tissues, BMAT expands. Although bone marrow adipocytes are increasingly recognized as a target for therapy, there is still much to learn about their role in skeletal homeostasis, metabolism, cancer, and regenerative treatments. The Bone Marrow Adiposity Society (BMAS), established in 2017, aims to enhance the understanding of how BMAT relates to bone health, cancer, and systemic metabolism. BMAS is committed to training young scientists and organized the second edition of the BMAS Summer School, held on September 4-6, 2023, as a virtual event.

The association between Chinese visceral adiposity index and cardiometabolic multimorbidity among Chinese middle-aged and older adults: a national cohort study.

Objective: This study aimed to explore the association between the Chinese visceral adiposity index (CVAI) and cardiometabolic multimorbidity in middle-aged and older Chinese adults. Methods: The data used in this study were obtained from a national cohort, the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS, 2011-2018 wave). The CVAI was measured using previously validated biomarker estimation formulas, which included sex, age, body mass index, waist circumference, triglycerides, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. The presence of two or more of these cardiometabolic diseases (diabetes, heart disease, and stroke) is considered as cardiometabolic multimorbidity. We used Cox proportional hazard regression models to examine the association between CVAI and cardiometabolic multimorbidity, adjusting for a set of covariates. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to show the strength of the associations. We also conducted a subgroup analysis between age and sex, as well as two sensitivity analyses. Receiver operator characteristic curves (ROC) were used to test the predictive capabilities and cutoff value of the CVAI for cardiometabolic multimorbidity. Results: A total of 9028 participants were included in the final analysis, with a mean age of 59.3 years (standard deviation: 9.3) and women accounting for 53.7% of the sample population. In the fully-adjusted model, compared with participants in the Q1 of CVAI, the Q3 (HR = 2.203, 95% CI = 1.039 - 3.774) and Q4 of CVAI (HR = 3.547, 95% CI = 2.100 - 5.992) were associated with an increased risk of cardiometabolic multimorbidity. There was no evidence of an interaction between the CVAI quartiles and sex or age in association with cardiometabolic multimorbidity (P >0.05). The results of both sensitivity analyses suggested that the association between CVAI and cardiometabolic multimorbidity was robust. In addition, the area under ROC and ideal cutoff value for CVAI prediction of cardiometabolic multimorbidity were 0.685 (95% CI = 0.649-0.722) and 121.388. Conclusion: The CVAI is a valid biomarker with good predictive capability for cardiometabolic multimorbidity and can be used by primary healthcare organizations in the future for early warning, prevention, and intervention with regard to cardiometabolic multimorbidity.

Association of adiposity indicators with cardiometabolic multimorbidity risk in hypertensive patients: a large cross-sectional study.

Background: Cardiometabolic multimorbidity (CMM) has emerged as a prominent public health concern. Hypertensive patients are prone to develop comorbidities. Moreover, the accumulation of visceral adipose tissue is the main cause for the development of cardiometabolic diseases. The cardiometabolic index (CMI), lipid accumulation product (LAP), visceral adiposity index (VAI), and Chinese visceral adiposity index (CVAI) not only assess adipose tissue mass but also reflect adipose tissue dysfunction. So far, no study has been reported to evaluate the association of CMI, LAP, VAI, and CVAI with CMM risk in hypertensive patients. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the association between these adiposity indicators and the risk of CMM among Chinese hypertensive patients. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a total of 229,287 hypertensive patients aged 35 years and older were included from the National Basic Public Health Service Project. All participants underwent a face-to-face questionnaire survey, physical examination, and the collection of fasting venous blood samples. Multivariable logistic regression models were performed to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Receiver operating characteristic curve was utilized to evaluate the identification ability for CMM. Results: After adjusting for confounders, each 1-standard deviation increase in CMI, LAP, VAI, and CVAI was associated with a 14%, 8%, 12%, and 54% increased risk of CMM, respectively. When comparing the highest quartile of these indicators with the lowest quartile, individuals in the highest quartile of CMM, LAP, VAI, and CVAI had a 1.39-fold (95% CI 1.30, 1.48), 1.28-fold (95% CI 1.19, 1.37), 1.37-fold (95% CI 1.29, 1.46), and 2.56-fold (95% CI 2.34, 2.79) increased risk of CMM after adjusting for potential confounders. Notably, a nonlinear association was observed for CMI, LAP, and VAI with the risk of CMM (all P nonlinearity < 0.001). CVAI exhibited the highest area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) among all the included adiposity indices in this analysis. Conclusion: This study indicated the significant positive association of CMI, LAP, VAI, and CVAI with the risk of CMM in hypertensive patients. Among these indicators, CVAI demonstrated the most robust performance in predicting CMM risk and may serve as a valuable tool for identifying CMM risk in Chinese hypertensive patients.

Adiposity, Body Composition Measures, and Breast Cancer Risk in Korean Premenopausal Women.

Objective: To investigate the association between body composition parameters and breast cancer (BC) risk in premenopausal women. Design, Setting, and Participants: Prospective cohort study using data from the Kangbuk Samsung Cohort Study. Participants were women aged 20 to 54 years who were enrolled from 2011 to 2019 and followed up for BC development until December 31, 2020. Data were analyzed from June to August 2023. Exposures: Trained nurses conducted anthropometric measurements and assessed body composition using segmental bioelectric impedance analysis. The analysis encompassed adiposity measures such as body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, and body composition parameters, including muscle mass, fat mass, ratio of muscle mass to weight, ratio of fat mass to weight, and fat mass index. Main outcomes and measures: Adjusted hazard ratios (aHR) for BC during the follow-up period. Results: Among 125 188 premenopausal women, the mean (SD) age was 34.9 (6.3) years. During a mean (range) follow-up of 6.7 (0.5-9.9) years, 1110 incident BC cases were identified. The mean (SD) BMI and waist circumference were 21.6 (3.1) and 75.3 (8.2) cm, respectively. Higher BMI and waist circumference were associated with decreased risk, with an aHR of 0.89 (95% CI, 0.84-0.95) per SD increase in BMI and 0.92 (95% CI, 0.86-0.98) per SD increase in waist circumference. A higher ratio of fat mass to weight was associated with decreased BC risk (aHR, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.86-0.99 per SD increase), whereas the opposite trend was observed for the ratio of muscle mass to weight, with an aHR of 1.08 (95% CI, 1.02-1.15) per SD increase. The results remained consistent even after additional adjustments for height in the model. The fat mass index was also inversely associated with BC risk, with an HR of 0.90 (95% CI, 0.85-0.97) per SD increase. Conclusions and Relevance: In this cohort study of premenopausal women, a higher level of adiposity, represented by increased BMI, waist circumference, and fat mass, was consistently associated with decreased breast cancer risk. Conversely, muscle mass and its ratio to weight displayed opposite or inconsistent patterns. These findings suggest an inverse association between excess adiposity and the risk of BC in premenopausal women, confirming earlier findings that BMI is an indirect measure of adiposity.

Intestinal dual-specificity phosphatase 6 regulates the cold-induced gut microbiota remodeling to promote white adipose browning.

Gut microbiota rearrangement induced by cold temperature is crucial for browning in murine white adipose tissue. This study provides evidence that DUSP6, a host factor, plays a critical role in regulating cold-induced gut microbiota rearrangement. When exposed to cold, the downregulation of intestinal DUSP6 increased the capacity of gut microbiota to produce ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA). The DUSP6-UDCA axis is essential for driving Lachnospiraceae expansion in the cold microbiota. In mice experiencing cold-room temperature (CR) transitions, prolonged DUSP6 inhibition via the DUSP6 inhibitor (E/Z)-BCI maintained increased cecal UDCA levels and cold-like microbiota networks. By analyzing DUSP6-regulated microbiota dynamics in cold-exposed mice, we identified Marvinbryantia as a genus whose abundance increased in response to cold exposure. When inoculated with human-origin Marvinbryantia formatexigens, germ-free recipient mice exhibited significantly enhanced browning phenotypes in white adipose tissue. Moreover, M. formatexigens secreted the methylated amino acid Nε-methyl-L-lysine, an enriched cecal metabolite in Dusp6 knockout mice that reduces adiposity and ameliorates nonalcoholic steatohepatitis in mice. Our work revealed that host-microbiota coadaptation to cold environments is essential for regulating the browning-promoting gut microbiome.

Association between handgrip strength and metabolic syndrome in relation to gender and adiposity among middle aged and older Saudi populations.

AIM: This cross-sectional study investigated the association between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and handgrip strength (HGS) with respect to sex and adiposity in Saudi men (n = 287) and women (n = 268). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Anthropometry, body composition, HGS, and blood biochemistry were measured. The average age of the study population was 57.65 ± 9.3 years (men = 55.1 ± 9.3 years, women = 60.4 ± 9.3 years). We report that HGS/body mass index (BMI), HGS/weight, and HGS/fat (%) were significantly higher in controls than in patients with MetS in men but not in women. According to the ROC analysis, relative HGS (RHGS) was higher than HGS alone in the association with MetS, which was significant for men (p < 0.01). At lower quartiles of HGS, the probability of MetS was higher in women, and the same was found in men in the lower quartiles of HGS/%Fat. Multinomial regression revealed significant associations between age and adiposity and MetS in men and HGS in women. Additionally, the linear regression of age, HGS, and weight exhibited significant associations between HGS with WC in both sexes. CONCLUSION: A higher risk of MetS in the lower quartiles of HGS was found in women, and adiposity moderated the relationship between HGS and MetS in men.

Relative Body Mass Index Improves the BMI Percentile Performance for Detection and Monitoring of Excess Adiposity in Adolescents.

Obesity is defined as excess adipose tissue; however, commonly used methods may under-detect adiposity in adolescents. This study compared the performance of body mass index percentile (BMI%) and relative body mass index (RBMI) in identifying excess body fat percentage (BF%) and estimated RBMI cut points to better stratify severity of adiposity. In 567 adolescents ages 11-19 year, BF% measured by DXA was used to compare BMI% and RBMI performance at different degrees of adiposity. RBMI cut points for adiposity detection were derived via ROC curve analysis. BF% was strongly correlated with BMI% (r = 0.889, p < 0.001) and RBMI (r = 0.901, p < 0.001). However, RBMI exhibited less dispersion and better discriminated the relationship with BF% independent of age, race, and gender. Both BMI% and RBMI performed similarly for detecting high BF% (≥25 BF% in males; ≥30 BF% in females). Nonetheless, the relationship of BMI% with BF% was diminished among leaner adolescents. RBMI detected overweight in 21.3% more females and 14.2% more males. RBMI improved the detection of excess adiposity in individuals otherwise classified as having normal weight or overweight by BMI%. RBMI is a valuable and accessible tool for earlier detection, intervention, and effective follow-up of excess adiposity in youth at higher risk for complications.