Insulin-Like Peptide 5 Interacts with Sex Hormones and Metabolic Parameters in a Gender and Adiposity Dependent Manner in Humans.

Insulin-like peptide 5 (INSL5) is a gut hormone produced by L-cells in the colorectal epithelium and may play a role in the regulation of metabolic processes. The biological role of INSL5 is poorly investigated and nothing is known about the role of this hormone in obese and lean humans. Two cohorts were analyzed in the study. In the first cohort (n=76) the relationship between serum levels of INSL5 and different metabolic and hormonal parameters in obese and lean men and women were investigated. In the second cohort 14 male subjects underwent bariatric surgery. Circulating levels of INSL5 were then measured before and after interventions.We report for the first time that circulating INSL5 interacts with multiple metabolic and hormonal variables in lean and obese men and women and is affected by bariatric surgery. Serum levels of INSL5 negatively correlated with testosterone and blood lipids but positively with cortisol in obese men. In contrast to males, obese women had a strong negative correlation of plasma levels of INSL5 with C-reactive protein (CRP). We observed that adipose tissue loss after bariatric surgery significantly reduced serum levels of INSL5 in obese men with and without Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) that was associated with the restoration of circulating levels of testosterone. All together, our data demonstrated that INSL5 may interact with some metabolic parameters in obese humans and this process is dependent of gender and obesity state.

[Proper Weight Loss with Intelligence (MIRA). 2 programs for weight reduction in general practice trial]. / MIRA-Mit Intelligenz richtig abnehmen. Zwei Programme zur Gewichtsreduktion im Praxistest.

Applying the MIRA (German acronym for losing weight intelligently) concept, weight-losing programs were tested for guideline conformity and suitability in practice. The core of the concept comprises instruments for the analysis and evaluation of quality criteria for weight-reduction programs. A total of 116 men and women participated in the BCM program of PreCon GmbH & Co. KG, and the "Ich nehme ab" (l'm slimming) program (designed as a self-help aid) of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Ernährung (German Society for Nutrition), and received counseling over a period of one year. Initial results of follow-up at 40 weeks showed a weight reduction of at least 5% in 66% of all participants, and at least 10% in 24%. The weight loss correlated with the number of counselings. On the basis of the 89 questionnaires evaluated to date, quality of life as measured by the IWQOL-Lite score showed an improvement in 80% of the subjects. These preliminary results indicate that the MIRA concept would appear to be a suitable quality control tool for obesity treatment programs.