The Effect of Conjugated Linoleic Acid Supplementation on Densitometric Parameters in Overweight and Obese Women-A Randomised Controlled Trial.

Background and Objectives: Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) can improve bone health in animals, yet the effects on humans have not been consistent. Therefore, this parallel randomised controlled trial aimed to assess the effect of CLA supplementation on bone mineral density (BMD) and content (BMC) in overweight or obese women. Materials and Methods: The study population included 74 women who were divided into the CLA (n = 37) and control (n = 37) groups. The CLA group received six capsules per day containing approximately 3 g of cis-9, trans-11 and trans-10, cis-12 CLA isomers in a 50:50 ratio. The control group received the same number of placebo capsules that contained sunflower oil. BMC and BMD at total body, lumbar spine (L1-L4), and femoral neck were measured before and after a three-month intervention. Results: The comparison of BMC and BMD for the total body, lumbar spine (L1-L4), and femoral neck before and after the intervention showed no differences between the groups. However, a within-group analysis demonstrated a significant increase in BMC (p = 0.0100) and BMD (p = 0.0397) at lumbar spine (L1-L4) in the CLA group. Nevertheless, there were no significant differences between the CLA and placebo groups in changes in all analysed densitometric parameters. Conclusions: Altogether, three-month CLA supplementation in overweight and obese women did not improve bone health, although the short intervention period could have limited our findings, long-term intervention studies are needed. The study protocol was registered in the German Clinical Trials Register database (ID: DRKS00010462, date of registration: 4 May 2016).

Availability of CT, MRI, and endoscopy procedures for Polish individuals with morbid obesity: cross-sectional telephone survey study.

Purpose: The rise in morbid obesity presents diagnostic challenges in computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and endoscopy. Research on the availability of these procedures for people with extreme obesity is limited. We aimed to analyse the accessibility of CT, MRI, and endoscopy procedures for people with extreme obesity in a significant sample of facilities serving in the Polish public healthcare system. Material and methods: A telephone-based survey was conducted on healthcare facilities offering CT, MRI, or endoscopy procedures, identified using the Polish National Health Fund (NFZ) API. A refined questionnaire was utilized after a pilot study to collect details on the equipment's weight and diameter capacities, among other parameters. Of the initial 312 facilities sampled, 195 were eligible and successfully contacted, representing 9.4% of the facilities offering the procedures in the NFZ database. Results: Of the 195 facilities, 86.4% of CT departments knew their scanner's maximum weight, 57.6% its diameter; 76.5% of MRI departments recognized their scanner's weight, and 59.2% its diameter, while 77.3% of endoscopy departments were aware of their maximum weight capacity. Approximately 28% of CT, 5% of MRI, and 39% of endoscopy departments could perform the procedure if the patient's weight was over 200 kg. Facilities knowledgeable about CT's maximum diameter and MRI's maximum weight often provided private CT/MRI services. Conclusions: A significant proportion of Polish facilities providing CT, MRI, and endoscopic examinations in the Polish public healthcare system were unaware of their equipment's weight and diameter limits. Merely 5% of the surveyed MRI facilities could potentially accommodate a patient weighing over 200 kg.

Analysis of correlations between gut microbiota, stool short chain fatty acids, calprotectin and cardiometabolic risk factors in postmenopausal women with obesity: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Microbiota and its metabolites are known to regulate host metabolism. In cross-sectional study conducted in postmenopausal women we aimed to assess whether the microbiota, its metabolites and gut barrier integrity marker are correlated with cardiometabolic risk factors and if microbiota is different between obese and non-obese subjects. METHODS: We analysed the faecal microbiota of 56 obese, postmenopausal women by means of 16S rRNA analysis. Stool short chain fatty acids, calprotectin and anthropometric, physiological and biochemical parameters were correlates to microbiome analyses. RESULTS: Alpha-diversity was inversely correlated with lipopolysaccharide (Rho = - 0.43, FDR P (Q) = 0.004). Bray-Curtis distance based RDA revealed that visceral fat and waist circumference had a significant impact on metabolic potential (P = 0.003). Plasma glucose was positively correlated with the Coriobacteriaceae (Rho = 0.48, Q = 0.004) and its higher taxonomic ranks, up to phylum (Actinobacteria, Rho = 0.46, Q = 0.004). At the metabolic level, the strongest correlation was observed for the visceral fat (Q < 0.15), especially with the DENOVOPURINE2-PWY, PWY-841 and PWY0-162 pathways. Bacterial abundance was correlated with SCFAs, thus some microbiota-glucose relationships may be mediated by propionate, as indicated by the significant average causal mediation effect (ACME): Lachnospiraceae (ACME 1.25, 95%CI (0.10, 2.97), Firmicutes (ACME 1.28, 95%CI (0.23, 3.83)) and Tenericutes (ACME - 0.39, 95%CI (- 0.87, - 0.03)). There were significant differences in the distribution of phyla between this study and Qiita database (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Microbiota composition and metabolic potential are associated with some CMRF and fecal SCFAs concentration in obese postmenopausal women. There is no unequivocal relationship between fecal SCFAs and the marker of intestinal barrier integrity and CMRF. Further studies with appropriately matched control groups are warranted to look for causality between SCFAs and CMRF.

Seasonal variation in lifestyle behavior in Poland: Google searches and market sales analysis.

BACKGROUND: Detection of the seasonal patterns of healthy and unhealthy behavior could be helpful for designing individual and population health interventions programs. This study investigates the seasonal variation in sales of common types of products in Poland and Polish Google queries related to healthy behavior. METHODS: Data of index sales from a large Polish retail store franchise, from January 2014 to August 2019, has been analyzed. The commercial data included twelve types of products. The interest of Google users was investigated using Google Trends statistics for the same period for six lifestyle-related topics. The seasonality was checked using time series analysis. RESULTS: Six of the consumer goods (dairy, ready-made meals, salty snacks, meats, beer, and cigarettes) were most commonly purchased in summer months, four (processed fish, food fats, wine, and alcohol 30%+) in December, and two (bread and sweets) in October. The lowest sales indexes were observed mostly in February. The interest in four topics that have been analyzed ("Diet," "Dietitian," "Weight loss," and "Gym"), was highest in January, while interest in "Dietary supplements" was high in February, and "Running" in May. The search volume of the Google topics were the lowest in December. CONCLUSION: The purchase of food, drinks, and cigarettes, and the interest in information regarding different components of a healthy lifestyle has seasonal variation. New Year and Lent might be good periods to encourage healthy behavior. The motivation may decrease in summer and during Christmas.

Hypertension and renin-angiotensin system blockers are not associated with expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) in the kidney.

AIMS: Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is the cellular entry point for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2)-the cause of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, the effect of renin-angiotensin system (RAS)-inhibition on ACE2 expression in human tissues of key relevance to blood pressure regulation and COVID-19 infection has not previously been reported. METHODS AND RESULTS: We examined how hypertension, its major metabolic co-phenotypes, and antihypertensive medications relate to ACE2 renal expression using information from up to 436 patients whose kidney transcriptomes were characterized by RNA-sequencing. We further validated some of the key observations in other human tissues and/or a controlled experimental model. Our data reveal increasing expression of ACE2 with age in both human lungs and the kidney. We show no association between renal expression of ACE2 and either hypertension or common types of RAS inhibiting drugs. We demonstrate that renal abundance of ACE2 is positively associated with a biochemical index of kidney function and show a strong enrichment for genes responsible for kidney health and disease in ACE2 co-expression analysis. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that neither hypertension nor antihypertensive treatment is likely to alter the expression of the key entry receptor for SARS-CoV-2 in the human kidney. Our data further suggest that in the absence of SARS-CoV-2 infection, kidney ACE2 is most likely nephro-protective but the age-related increase in its expression within lungs and kidneys may be relevant to the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Comparison of the effect of rapeseed oil or amaranth seed oil supplementation on weight loss, body composition, and changes in the metabolic profile of obese patients following 3-week body mass reduction program: a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Amaranth seed oil (ASO) and rapeseed oil (RSO) are functional foods that display antioxidant and hepatoprotective properties. These oils are also known to lower glucose and cholesterol levels. The current study compared the effects exerted by RSO and ASO on weight loss and metabolic parameters during a 3-week body mass reduction program. METHODS: Eighty-one obese subjects (BMI > 30 kg/m2), aged 25-70 years, were enrolled in a 3-week body mass reduction program based on a calorie-restricted diet and physical activity. Participants were randomly categorized into an AO group (administered 20 mL/d of ASO), a RO group (administered 20 mL/d of RSO), and a C group (control; untreated). Anthropometric and metabolic parameters were measured at baseline and endpoint. RESULTS: Significant decreases in weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC), fat mass (FM), lean body mass (LBM), visceral fat mass (VFM), and total body water (TBW%) were observed in all groups (P <  0.05). No significant improvements were observed in the clinical parameters of group C. Fasting insulin (Δ - 5.9, and Δ - 5.7) and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (Δ - 1.1 and Δ - 0.5) were decreased in both RO and AO groups, respectively. Fasting glucose (Δ -8.5; P = 0.034), total cholesterol (Δ -14.6; P = 0.032), non-HDL cholesterol (Δ 15.9; P = 0.010), TG/HDL ratio (Δ -0.6; P = 0.032), LDL cholesterol (Δ -12.3; P = 0.042), and triglycerides (Δ -6.5; P = 0.000) were significantly improved in the AO group, compared to the RO group. CONCLUSIONS: The 3-week body mass reduction intervention caused a significant reduction in the weight, BMI, WC, HC, FM, and VFM of all groups. Except for HOMA-IR, there were no statistical differences between the clinical parameters of all groups. However, a trend toward improved insulin levels and HDL% was noticeable in AO and RO. Therapies involving edible oils with high nutritional value, such as RSO and ASO, show potential for improving metabolic measurements during body mass reduction programs. Thus, obese patients undertaking weight reduction programs may benefit from RSO and ASO supplementation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: retrospectively registered, DRKS00017708.

Cardiovascular Function in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Patients with Controlled Hypertension.

This study investigated hemodynamic characteristics of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) accompanied by hypertensive disease in obese men, in whom blood pressure was pharmacologically controlled within the normal range, not exceeding 140/90 mmHg. There were 21 severe OSA patients (mean age 54.1 ± 9.3 years, apnea-hypopnea index of 47.1 ± 18.8 episodes per hour) included in the study, in whom OSA was diagnosed with polysomnography. The control group consisted of healthy normotensive age-matched subjects. Hemodynamic profile was recorded nonivasively with impedance cardiography. Brachial blood pressure and radial artery tonometry were performed to capture and reconstruct peripheral radial and central aortic pressure waveforms in both groups of subjects. Compared to healthy men, OSA patients had a significantly higher body mass index (BMI); the mean increase in BMI amounted to 6.4 ± 1.2 kg/m2. The patients also presented significant differences in the hemodynamic profile. The difference consisted of a faster heart rate, higher peripheral pulse pressure, and reduced blood flow acceleration and velocity indices, describing myocardial contractility. Notably, the significance of hemodynamic differences in OSA patients disappeared in the analysis adjusted for the outstanding increase in BMI. In conclusion, the findings strongly suggest that obesity rather than the hypertensive disease per se is a source of hemodynamic consequences in OSA patients.

Hepcidin and Erythroferrone Correlate with Hepatic Iron Transporters in Rats Supplemented with Multispecies Probiotics.

The influence of probiotic supplementation on iron metabolism remains poorly investigated. However, a range of studies, especially on Lactobacillus plantarum 299v (Lp229v), have indicated a possible positive impact of probiotics on iron absorption. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of multistrain probiotic supply on iron balance. Thirty Wistar rats were randomized into three groups: placebo (KK group), and multistrain probiotic per os in a daily dose of 2.5 × 109 colony forming units (CFU) (PA group) or 1 × 1010 CFU (PB group). Multistrain probiotic consisted of nine bacterial strains: Bifidobacterium bifidum W23, B. lactis W51, B. lactis W52, Lactobacillus acidophilus W37, L. brevis W63, L. casei W56, L. salivarius W24, Lactococcus lactis W19, and Lc. lactis W58, in equal proportions. After six weeks, blood and organ samples were collected. No differences were found between the three groups in terms of serum concentrations of hepcidin (HEPC), lactoferrin (LTF), homocysteine (HCY), ferritin (Ft), or erythroferrone (ErFe), or in liver content of divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1), transferrin receptors 1 and 2 (TfR), or ZRT/IRT-like protein 14 (ZIP14) proteins. In the overall sample, positive correlations were noted between the serum concentrations of hepcidin and lactoferrin, and hepcidin and ferritin; serum concentration of hepcidin and DMT1 and TfR1 in the liver; and serum concentration of erythroferrone and TfR2 in the liver. The correlations of serum hepcidin and erythroferrone with liver DMT1 and TfR represent significant mechanisms of Fe homeostasis. Our study has shown that multistrain probiotic supplementation used in the experiment did not disrupt the biochemical and hepatic regulatory processes of Fe balance and did not demonstrate significant influence on selected parameters of Fe metabolism.

Uncovering genetic mechanisms of kidney aging through transcriptomics, genomics, and epigenomics.

Nephrons scar and involute during aging, increasing the risk of chronic kidney disease. Little is known, however, about genetic mechanisms of kidney aging. We sought to define the signatures of age on the renal transcriptome using 563 human kidneys. The initial discovery analysis of 260 kidney transcriptomes from the TRANScriptome of renaL humAn TissuE Study (TRANSLATE) and the Cancer Genome Atlas identified 37 age-associated genes. For 19 of those genes, the association with age was replicated in 303 kidney transcriptomes from the Nephroseq resource. Surveying 42 nonrenal tissues from the Genotype-Tissue Expression project revealed that, for approximately a fifth of the replicated genes, the association with age was kidney-specific. Seventy-three percent of the replicated genes were associated with functional or histological parameters of age-related decline in kidney health, including glomerular filtration rate, glomerulosclerosis, interstitial fibrosis, tubular atrophy, and arterial narrowing. Common genetic variants in four of the age-related genes, namely LYG1, PPP1R3C, LTF and TSPYL5, correlated with the trajectory of age-related changes in their renal expression. Integrative analysis of genomic, epigenomic, and transcriptomic information revealed that the observed age-related decline in renal TSPYL5 expression was determined both genetically and epigenetically. Thus, this study revealed robust molecular signatures of the aging kidney and new regulatory mechanisms of age-related change in the kidney transcriptome.

Cardiovascular safety of oral semaglutide in patients with type 2 diabetes: Rationale, design and patient baseline characteristics for the PIONEER 6 trial.

AIMS: To assess the cardiovascular (CV) safety of oral semaglutide, the first tablet formulation of a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist. MATERIALS AND METHODS: PIONEER 6 is a multinational, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial in patients with type 2 diabetes at high risk of CV events (defined as being aged ≥50 years and having established CV disease [CVD] or moderate [stage 3] chronic kidney disease [CKD], or being aged ≥60 years with ≥1 other CV risk factor). Patients were randomized to once-daily oral semaglutide (up to 14 mg) or placebo added to standard of care. The primary composite endpoint is time to first occurrence of CV death or non-fatal myocardial infarction or non-fatal stroke. The primary hypothesis was to exclude an excess in CV risk with oral semaglutide by assessing non-inferiority versus placebo for the primary endpoint (non-inferiority margin of 1.8 for the upper boundary of the 95% confidence interval of the hazard ratio). PIONEER 6 is event-driven, with follow-up continuing until accrual of at least 122 primary outcome events. There is no pre-defined minimal duration. RESULTS: Overall, 3183 patients have been enrolled (mean age 66.1 years, 31.6% females) in 214 sites across 21 countries. At baseline, the mean duration of diabetes was 14.9 years, mean glycated haemoglobin concentration was 66 mmol/mol (8.2%), and 84.6% of patients had established CVD/moderate CKD. CONCLUSIONS: PIONEER 6 will provide evidence regarding the CV safety of oral semaglutide in patients with type 2 diabetes and high CV risk.

Serum RBP4 positively correlates with triglyceride level but not with BMI, fat mass and insulin resistance in healthy obese and non-obese individuals.

PURPOSE: Retinol binding protein 4 (RBP4) has recently been identified as an adipokine possibly involved in the development of impaired glucose metabolism. We aimed to test serum RBP4 in healthy non-obese individuals and in patients with well-characterized phenotype: obesity without confounding effects of diabetes, metabolic syndrome or dyslipidaemia. Additionally, we examined whether serum RBP4 is associated with anthropometric parameters, insulin resistance and blood lipid parameters. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-eight patients with obesity and no co-morbidities and twenty-five age-matched lean controls were recruited. Anthropometric parameters, body composition, fasting blood lipid profile, RBP4, glucose and insulin were assessed and HOMA-IR was calculated. RESULTS: Mean concentration of RBP4 did not differ between studied groups (in obese patients was 33.93 ± 4.46 µg/ml and 32.53 ± 2.53 µg/ml in non-obese controls). RBP4 positively correlated with serum triglycerides in obese and non-obese individuals (r = 0.74, p = 0.03 and r = 0.62, p = 0.02, respectively) and did not show any significant associations with HOMA-IR, anthropometric and body composition parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Excessive adiposity without co-morbidities is not associated with higher levels of circulating RBP4. Serum RBP4 cannot be considered as a direct predictive marker for impaired glucose metabolism. RBP4 possibly contributes to lipid metabolism.

[Cardiac complications in rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus and systemic sclerosis].

Connective tissue diseases are a group of more than 300 separate diseases. It can affect every system of organs, including the cardiovascular system. This process is particularly highly expressed in rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus and scleroderma. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) affects 0.5-1.0% of Europeans. The most common cardiac manifestation of RA is pericarditis. Its main risk factor is the occurrence of rheumatic nodules in people with the presence of serum rheumatoid factor. An important health problem in RA is also an increased risk of atherosclerosis and ischemic myocardial disease, the intensity of which grows independently of traditional risk factors and mainly depends on the severity of inflammation and duration of the disease. In rheumatoid arthritis also endocarditis, heart valves damage and ventricular arrhythmias can occure. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is most common in women between age 16 to 55. Cardiovascular complications of this disease are the third biggest cause of death of patients. The most common cardiac manifestation of SLE is pericarditis occurring in approximately 20 to 50% of the ill. Libman-Sacks non-infectious endocarditis characterized by thickening of the heart valves and the presence of non-bacterial vegetation is characteristic for SLE. Systemic sclerosis is characterized by progressive fibrosis of skin and internal organs and disorders of the morphology and function of blood vessels. Cardiac manifestations of systemic sclerosis are mainly heart failure and arrhythmias. The European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) has developed a number of recommendations related to the prevention and therapy of cardiovascular events in RA. Since an increased risk of cardiovascular complications applies to many rheumatic diseases, there is a need to extend these recommendations to other connective tissue diseases.

The effect of vitamin D supplementation on selected inflammatory biomarkers in obese and overweight subjects: a systematic review with meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: The objective of this systematic review was to assess the effect of vitamin D supplementation on selected inflammatory biomarkers in obese and overweight subjects. METHODS: The search process was based on the selection of publications (DB-RCT and RCT) listed in the following databases: PubMed, Web of Knowledge, Scopus, the Cochrane Library and Embase. To assess the study quality, a nine-point scoring system according to the Newcastle-Ottawa scale was used, and a high-quality study was defined by a threshold of ≥7 points. Thirteen randomized controlled trials were included. The analysed population consisted of 1955 overweight and obese subjects. The mean age ranged from 13.6 to 71.7 years. Changes in the concentration of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25(OH)D), C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) were assessed. To combine individual study results, a meta-analysis was performed. RESULTS: The baseline levels of 25(OH)D suggested vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency in the analysed population. The vitamin D supplementation did not influence on CRP (std. mean differences -0.11; 95 % CI -0.27-0.04; p = 0.15), TNF-α (std. mean differences -0.13; 95 % CI -0.38-0.12; p = 0.31) and IL-6 concentrations (std. mean differences 0.1; 95 % CI -0.43-0.63; p = 0.71). CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis suggests that supplementation with vitamin D does not have a significant influence on changes in the concentration of selected inflammatory biomarkers in the obese and overweight subjects.

Renal Mechanisms of Association between Fibroblast Growth Factor 1 and Blood Pressure.

The fibroblast growth factor 1 (FGF1) gene is expressed primarily in the kidney and may contribute to hypertension. However, the biologic mechanisms underlying the association between FGF1 and BP regulation remain unknown. We report that the major allele of FGF1 single nucleotide polymorphism rs152524 was associated in a dose-dependent manner with systolic BP (P = 9.65 × 10(-5)) and diastolic BP (P = 7.61 × 10(-3)) in a meta-analysis of 14,364 individuals and with renal expression of FGF1 mRNA in 126 human kidneys (P=9.0 × 10(-3)). Next-generation RNA sequencing revealed that upregulated renal expression of FGF1 or of each of the three FGF1 mRNA isoforms individually was associated with higher BP. FGF1-stratified coexpression analysis in two separate collections of human kidneys identified 126 FGF1 partner mRNAs, of which 71 and 63 showed at least nominal association with systolic and diastolic BP, respectively. Of those mRNAs, seven mRNAs in five genes (MME, PTPRO, REN, SLC12A3, and WNK1) had strong prior annotation to BP or hypertension. MME, which encodes an enzyme that degrades circulating natriuretic peptides, showed the strongest differential coexpression with FGF1 between hypertensive and normotensive kidneys. Furthermore, higher level of renal FGF1 expression was associated with lower circulating levels of atrial and brain natriuretic peptides. These findings indicate that FGF1 expression in the kidney is at least under partial genetic control and that renal expression of several FGF1 partner genes involved in the natriuretic peptide catabolism pathway, renin-angiotensin cascade, and sodium handling network may explain the association between FGF1 and BP.

Effects of Endurance and Endurance-strength Exercise on Renal Function in Abdominally Obese Women with Renal Hyperfiltration: A Prospective Randomized Trial.

OBJECTIVE: Obesity is associated with kidney defects. Physical activity is a key element in the treatment of obesity. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of endurance and endurance-strength training on kidney function in abdominally obese women. METHODS: Forty-four abdominally obese women were randomized to endurance training or endurance-strength training, three times a week for 3 months. Before and after the intervention, kidney function was assessed by measuring blood creatinine, urine creatinine, and urine albumin levels, and the albumin-to-creatinine ratio and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) were calculated. RESULTS: Renal hyperperfusion was present in both groups before the study. Following both types of physical activity, similar modifications of the investigated parameters were observed, but with no significant between-group differences. Both courses of training led to a significant increase in blood creatinine and a subsequent decrease in the GFR. A significant increase in urine creatinine and album levels, though not exceeding the range for microalbuminuria, was not accompanied by any difference in the albumin-to-creatinine ratio after endurance-strength training alone. CONCLUSION: Three months of either endurance or endurance-strength training has a favorable and comparable effect on renal function in abdominally obese women with renal hyperfiltration.

Signatures of miR-181a on the Renal Transcriptome and Blood Pressure.

MicroRNA-181a binds to the 3' untranslated region of messenger RNA (mRNA) for renin, a rate-limiting enzyme of the renin-angiotensin system. Our objective was to determine whether this molecular interaction translates into a clinically meaningful effect on blood pressure and whether circulating miR-181a is a measurable proxy of blood pressure. In 200 human kidneys from the TRANScriptome of renaL humAn TissuE (TRANSLATE) study, renal miR-181a was the sole negative predictor of renin mRNA and a strong correlate of circulating miR-181a. Elevated miR-181a levels correlated positively with systolic and diastolic blood pressure in TRANSLATE, and this association was independent of circulating renin. The association between serum miR-181a and systolic blood pressure was replicated in 199 subjects from the Genetic Regulation of Arterial Pressure of Humans In the Community (GRAPHIC) study. Renal immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization showed that colocalization of miR-181a and renin was most prominent in collecting ducts where renin is not released into the systemic circulation. Analysis of 69 human kidneys characterized by RNA sequencing revealed that miR-181a was associated with downregulation of four mitochondrial pathways and upregulation of 41 signaling cascades of adaptive immunity and inflammation. We conclude that renal miR-181a has pleiotropic effects on pathways relevant to blood pressure regulation and that circulating levels of miR-181a are both a measurable proxy of renal miR-181a expression and a novel biochemical correlate of blood pressure.

[Omentin - a newly-discovered adipocytokine in insulin resistance pathogenesis]. / Omentyna - nowo odkryta adipocytokina w patogenezie insulinoopornosci.

Increased consumption of highly processed food and low level of physical activity are the main culprits of the obesity epidemic. Excessive visceral fat is an independent risk factor for insulin resistance. Pathogenesis of insulin resistance includes increased oxidation of free fatty acids and chronic inflammation. It seems that a recently discovered adipokine - omentin can play a role in the complex phenomenon of insulin resistance. Studies have shown that the concentrations of omentin are reduced in conditions associated with insulin resistance, such as obesity, polycystic ovary syndrome, type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes amongst others. Available research also indicate a positive correlation between plasma adiponectin and omentin. Biological functions of omentin and its mechanism of action are not fully understood. It has been determined that omentin enhances insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue. However, this adipokine does not stimulate basal glucose transport. It has been shown that omentin increases phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase, which indicates a potential role of omentin in energy homeostasis.

[Gout - from pathogenesis to treatment - progress in the XXI century]. / Dna moczanowa - od patogenezy do leczenia - postepy w XXI wieku.

Gout has recently become the most common arthritis in developed countries. However studies indicate that treatment of gout is still insufficient. New discoveries including the role of inflammasome, inflammatory cytokines ( Il1ß, IL-8,TNF-α), but also identification of the URAT -1 transporter or genetic mutation of SLC2A9 has given better understanding of the pathophysiology of gout and enable to use new therapies. New options in treatment significantly reduced the number of patients resistant to existing procedures, and created opportunities for a better individualization of the treatment. In this authors article in a practical way try to summary knowledge about the pathogenesis of the disease and the current guidelines for the diagnosis, the treatment of non-pharmacological and pharmacological treatment.

Evaluation of mineral status in hypertensive patients undergoing pharmacotherapy.

BACKGROUND: The widespread and increasing occurrence of obesity, hypertension and associated disease has necessitated serial testing in order that risks of contracting such conditions become minimised through appropriate therapy and prevention. Many studies report that nutritional factors significantly affect the aetiology of hypertension and obesity that include mineral uptake. There are only a few studies however which are focused on the body's changing mineral content during pharmaco-therapeutic treatment. OBJECTIVES: To determine concentrations of minerals in the hair and urine of hypertensive patients in conjunction with assessing their nutrition. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Subjects were 17 patients presenting with essential hypertension and 18 healthy controls. Atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) was used to measure Mg, Ca, Fe, Zn and Cu in the hair and urine on a Zeiss AAS-3 instrument. Dietary mineral intakes were assessed by interview over 24 hours prior to the analysis. RESULTS: The hypertensive group had significantly lower urine concentrations of Ca and Mg as well as Mg and Zn in hair. Urinary zinc excretion was significantly increased in this group compared to controls, but dietary intakes of Cu were reduced. The dietary mineral intakes were found to be unrelated to the concentrations of such minerals in the hair and urine. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to controls, excretion of Ca and Mg were reduced in hypertensive subjects, whereas Zn excretion was higher, and Mg and Zn were relatively low in the hair. Daily dietary intakes of Cu were also reduced in the hypertensive.

Changes in mineral status are associated with improvements in insulin sensitivity in obese patients following L-arginine supplementation.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the long-term influence of L-arginine intake on mineral concentration in patients with obesity and to assess the changes in lipid serum levels, fat content, and insulin resistance that result. METHODS: A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study was conducted. 88 obese patients were randomly assigned to receive either 9 g of L-arginine or placebo daily, for 6 months. At baseline and after 6 months, selected anthropometrical measurements and blood biochemical analyses were performed and mineral levels were assessed. To assess insulin sensitivity, the gold-standard euglycemic clamp methodology was used. RESULTS: We found that 6 months of L-arginine supplementation resulted in significant increases in insulin sensitivity (Δ1.1 mg/kg/min, P < 0.01) and zinc levels (Δ1.5 µmol/L, P < 0.001). Moreover, a positive correlation between the change in zinc concentration in serum and the change in insulin sensitivity was observed (R = 0.80, P < 0.01). In the group of patients treated with L-arginine, a negative correlation between the change in zinc concentration in serum and the change in body fat content was noted (R = -0.38, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: L-Arginine supplementation affects zinc status in obese patients. One beneficial influence is related to the improvements in insulin sensitivity.