In vitro studies of the renin-angiotensin system in human adipose tissue/adipocytes and possible relationship to SARS-CoV-2: a scoping review.

The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) operates within adipose tissue. Obesity-related changes can affect adipose RAS, predisposing to hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and possibly severe COVID-19. We evaluated the in vitro research on human adipose RAS and identified gaps in the literature. Medline (Ovid), Embase (Ovid), Web of Science, Scopus, and 1findr were searched to identify relevant studies. Fifty primary studies met our inclusion criteria for analysis. Expression of RAS components (n = 14), role in differentiation (n = 14), association with inflammation (n = 15) or blood pressure (n = 7) were investigated. We found (1) obesity-related changes in RAS were frequently studied (30%); (2) an upswing of articles investigating adipose ACE-2 expression since the COVID-19 pandemic; (3) a paucity of papers on AT2R and Ang (1-7)/MasR which counterbalance Ang II/ART1; (4) weight loss lowered adipose ACE-2 mRNA expression; and (5) angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) reduced deleterious effects of angiotensin II. Overall, these studies link Ang II/ATR1 signalling to impaired adipogenesis and a pro-inflammatory dysfunctional adipose tissue, with ATR1 blockade limiting these responses. ACE-2 may mitigate Ang II effects by converting it to Ang(1-7) which binds MasR. More work is needed to understand adipose RAS in various pathologic states such as obesity and COVID-19 infection.T.

Effects of Prediabetes on Long-term Risk of Developing Cardiac Events in Patients Presenting With Acute Coronary Syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this work was to identify the long-term risk associated with prediabetes and developing subsequent cardiac events in patients presenting with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) at a tertiary health-care centre. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, we analyzed patients admitted with ACS between January and December 2013. Two hundred thirty patients with prediabetes were matched to a comparison cohort of patients with no diabetes based on age, sex, and diagnosis code of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems---10th revision. The primary outcome was incidence of ACS readmission over a 5-year period. RESULTS: There were 46 (20%) readmissions for ACS in the prediabetes cohort and 33 (14.3%) in the no-diabetes cohort. Univariable conditional logistic regression showed that prediabetes was not a significant risk factor for ACS readmission (odds ratio, 1.481; 95% confidence interval, 0.909 to 2.414; p=0.115). After accounting for other major risk factors for coronary disease, prediabetes was not shown to be a significant risk factor for ACS readmission (odds ratio, 1.333; 95% confidence interval, 0.795 to 2.233; p=0.276). CONCLUSIONS: Among patients presenting with ACS, prediabetes was not associated with increased risk of readmission for subsequent cardiac events compared with patients with no diabetes after 5 years of follow-up. A longer follow-up duration is needed.

Navigating the Role of Anti-Obesity Agents Prior to Pregnancy: A Narrative Review.

Utilization of anti-obesity agents is rising in reproductive-age females with some planning for future pregnancy. Lifestyle-induced weight loss has been shown to increase spontaneous conception rate, improve rates of fertility intervention complications, and decrease pregnancy comorbidities. However, the definitive role of assisting weight loss with medication prior to pregnancy remains to be established. The implications of anti-obesity agent used prior to pregnancy are explored in this narrative review, considering benefits of weight loss as well as available evidence for use and risks of anti-obesity agents prior to pregnancy.

Cardiovascular Outcomes in Autonomous Cortisol Secretion and Nonfunctioning Adrenal Adenoma: A Systematic Review.

There is growing evidence that autonomous cortisol secretion (ACS), previously known as subclinical Cushing syndrome, is associated with greater prevalence of cardiovascular (CV) risk factors. However, it is unclear whether ACS is associated with greater prevalence of CV outcomes compared with nonfunctioning adrenal adenomas (NFAAs). The objective of this study is to evaluate CV outcomes and CV risk factors in patients with adrenal adenoma with ACS compared with NFAA. A literature review was performed in Embase, Medline, Cochrane Library, and reference lists within selected articles. The study protocol was registered with PROSPERO. A literature search yielded six studies that met the inclusion criteria. Studies varied in their definitions of ACS and CV outcomes. Two retrospective longitudinal studies further demonstrated higher incidence of new CV events (ACS 16.7% vs NFAA 6.7%, P = 0.04) and higher CV mortality in patients with ACS (ACS 22.6% vs 2.5%, P = 0.02). The prevalence of CV outcomes in ACS was more than three times greater than in patients with NFAA. Three of five studies found that ACS was associated with higher prevalence of diabetes and hypertension. There was no difference in dyslipidemia or body mass index demonstrated in any study. There is heterogeneity among the few studies evaluating the association between ACS and CV outcomes. Although these studies suggest a higher risk of CV outcomes in patients with ACS, many did not adjust for known confounders. Larger, high quality, prospective studies are needed to evaluate this association and to identify modifiable risk factors.

Obesity in Pregnancy: Optimizing Outcomes for Mom and Baby.

Obesity is common in women of childbearing age, and management of this population around the time of pregnancy involves specific challenges. Weight and medical comorbidities should be optimized both before and during pregnancy. During pregnancy, gestational weight gain should be limited, comorbidities should be appropriately screened for and managed, and fetal health should be monitored. Consideration should be given to the optimal timing of delivery and to reducing surgical and anesthetic complications. In the postpartum period, breastfeeding and weight loss should be promoted. Maternal obesity is associated with adverse metabolic effects in offspring, promoting an intergenerational cycle of obesity.

Antibiotic exposure and risk of weight gain and obesity: protocol for a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of obesity is increasing worldwide, and there is growing interest in better delineating the role of the human gut microbiome in this phenomenon. Obesity-specific gut microbiome features have been observed in both human and animal studies, and these variations appear to play a causative role in increasing body weight. There is evidence that antibiotics can modify the composition and diversity of the gut microbiome and that this may contribute to body weight changes. The primary objective of the proposed systematic review is to evaluate and synthesize the existing evidence evaluating the possible association between antibiotic use, weight gain, and obesity. METHODS: A comprehensive search of the MEDLINE and EMBASE databases will be performed. Both randomized and non-randomized studies (excluding case reports) in neonates, children, adults, and pregnant women will be included. The exposure of interest is antibiotics of any type, duration, and route given for any indication. All included studies must have a comparator group. The primary outcomes are the development of overweight and obesity. Secondary outcomes are percent weight-change from baseline and change in body mass index or waist circumference. Additional secondary outcomes in pregnant women are gestational weight gain, postpartum weight retention, offspring birth weight, childhood weight, and obesity. Risk of bias of included trials will be performed. Two reviewers will screen and perform data extraction independently. DISCUSSION: This systematic review will summarize the existing evidence evaluating the association between antibiotic use, weight gain, and obesity and facilitate the identification of important gaps and uncertainties in the literature. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42017069177.

Patient perspectives on discharge from specialist type 2 diabetes care back to primary care: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Timely access to specialist care remains a barrier for both patients with type 2 diabetes and their primary care physicians. To improve access to specialists for new patients, an efficient and appropriate discharge process is required. Consideration of patient perspectives is central to developing a smooth care transition, and currently, research in this area is limited. The aim of this study was to explore patients' expectations and experiences surrounding discharge from a specialized diabetes centre back to primary care. METHODS: A qualitative approach was used involving data from one-to-one semistructured interviews. Participants were 12 patients with type 2 diabetes who had been discharged from the Tertiary Care Diabetes Referral Centre in Ottawa, Canada. RESULTS: Participants were uncertain in their initial expectations of specialist care duration. Patients expressed that an explicit discussion of the discharge process had not occurred, and many were unclear about the reason for discharge and plans for appropriate primary care physician follow up. Patients' psychological preparedness for discharge existed on a spectrum from low to high readiness. Many articulated a desire for improved communication surrounding the discharge plan, and some wished to have input into the discharge decision. Although most described their primary care physician positively, some expressed concern over cessation of specialist care. CONCLUSIONS: It is important to prepare patients for discharge from care, and to recognize that individual patients have varying needs and preferences. Further research is warranted to develop effective interventions for improving the discharge process for patients.