Self-reported dietary omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids are associated with adipose tissue markers and glucose metabolism in apparently healthy subjects.

BACKGROUND: Plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) and resistin are associated with dysfunctional adipose tissue (AT)-related metabolic complications. The role of dietary eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) fatty acids in this relationship is unknown. AIM: To investigate the association of EPA and DHA with PAI-1 and resistin, as well as the role of this association on the glucose metabolism of apparently healthy subjects. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Thirty-six healthy individuals were included. Validated food frequency questionnaires were used to analyse dietary habits. Inflammatory and glucose metabolism markers were quantified. Subcutaneous AT samples were obtained, and adipocyte number, area, and macrophage content were assessed. RESULTS: In 36 subjects aged 56 ± 8 years and with a body mass index of 26 ± 4 kg/m2, logEPA, and logDHA showed significant association with logresistin and a marginal association with PAI-1. Adipocyte number, area, and lognumber of macrophages per adipocyte significantly correlated with PAI-1 but not with logresistin. Although logEPA and logDHA were independently associated with loginsulin, loginsulin resistance, and C-Peptide, the addition of logresistin, but not of PAI-1, into the multivariable model, abolished the associations. CONCLUSIONS: EPA and DHA could modulate glucose metabolism across AT functional states. Our data indicate that this association is independent of other metabolic risk factors.

Uric acid is associated with morpho-functional adipose tissue markers in apparently healthy subjects.

BACKGROUND: Studies have focused on the search of novel biomarkers that allow to easily identify dysfunctional adipose tissue (AT). Uric acid (UA) could be produced and reabsorbed by AT. It has been suggested that the increases of UA concentrations participates in AT dysfunction. We investigated the association of UA with morpho-functional adipose tissue markers in apparently healthy subjects. METHODS: Forty apparently healthy individuals were included. Dietary habits and anthropometrical features were evaluated. Circulating concentrations of UA, adiponectin, leptin, and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) were quantified. Periumbilical subcutaneous AT samples were obtained and adipocyte number, adipocyte area, and macrophages content were assessed. RESULTS: The present study included 40 healthy subjects (67% women) with an average age of 57 ± 9 y, BMI of 26 ± 4 (kg/m2). UA showed a significant association with the number and mean area of adipocytes, macrophages number, adiponectin, and PAI-1. Although UA was independently associated with the number and mean area of adipocytes, macrophages number, adiponectin into the adjusted multivariable model. CONCLUSION: UA concentrations are associated with morpho-functional adipose tissue markers. Our results underscore the importance of UA as one earlier instigator of adipose tissue dysfunction in subjects without metabolic abnormalities.

The effects of a low-carbohydrate diet on oxygen saturation in heart failure patients: a randomized controlled clinical trial.

INTRODUCTION: Nutritional therapy in heart failure (HF) patients has been focused on fluid and sodium restriction with the aim of decreasing volume overload. However, these recommendations are not well established and sometimes controversial. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of the consumption of a low-carbohydrate diet on oxygen saturation, body composition and clinical variables during two months of follow-up in chronic, stable heart failure patients. METHODS: In a parallel group randomized controlled clinical trial, 88 ambulatory patients were randomly assigned to a low-carbohydrate diet group (40% carbohydrates, 20% protein and 40% fats [12% saturated, 18% monounsaturated and 10% polyunsaturated]) or a standard diet group (50% carbohydrates, 20% protein and 30% fats [10% saturated, 10% monounsaturated and 10% polyunsaturated]) for two months. Diets were normocaloric in both groups. At baseline and at two months of follow-up, the variables evaluated were: oxygen saturation, dietary intake, body composition and handgrip strength. RESULTS: After two months of follow-up, the low-carbohydrate diet group decreased the carbohydrate consumption and had improved oxygen saturation (93.0 ±4.4 to 94.6 ± 3.2, p = 0.02), while the standard diet group had decreased (94.90 ± 2.4 to 94.0 ± 2.9, p = 0.03). There were also differences between the groups at the end of the study (p = 0.04). No significant differences showed in handgrip strength in both groups, low-carbohydrate diet group (26.4 ± 8.3 to 27.2 ± 8.3 kg, p = 0.07) and standard diet group (25.4 ± 8.9 to 26.1 ± 9.5 kg, p = 0.14). CONCLUSIONS: Low-carbohydrate diet may improve the oxygen saturation in patients with chronic stable heart failure.

Abnormal myocardial perfusion and risk of heart failure in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes is a major risk factor for heart failure (HF), although the pathophysiological processes have not been clarified. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of HF and of abnormal myocardial perfusion in diabetic patients evaluated using technetium (99m) sestamibi single-photon emission computed tomography. METHODS: An observational cross-sectional study was conducted that included patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who underwent echocardiography to diagnose HF and a pharmacological stress test with intravenous dipyridamole to examine cardiac scintigraphic perfusion abnormalities. Clinical and biochemical data were also collected. RESULTS: Of the 160 diabetic patients included, 92 (57.6%) were in HF and 68 (42.5%) were not. When patients were stratified according to the presence of abnormal myocardial perfusion, those with abnormal perfusion had a higher prevalence of HF (93%) than those with normal perfusion (44.4%) (P<0.0001). Patients with HF weighed more (P=0.03), used insulin less frequently (P=0.01), had lower total cholesterol (P=0.05) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations (P=0.002), and a greater number of their myocardial segments showed abnormal perfusion (P≤0.001). More HF patients had a history of myocardial infarction (P<0.001) compared with those without HF. In a logistic regression analysis, the number of segments exhibiting abnormal myocardial perfusion was an independent risk factor for HF. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of HF in diabetic patients was high and HF predominantly occured in association with myocardial ischemia.