Role of IL-18 in adipose tissue remodeling and metabolic dysfunction.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Proinflammatory cytokines are increased in obese adipose tissue, including inflammasome key masters. Conversely, IL-18 protects against obesity and metabolic dysfunction. We focused on the IL-18 effect in controlling adipose tissue remodeling and metabolism. MATERIALS/SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We used C57BL/6 wild-type (WT) and interleukine-18 deficient (IL-18-/-) male mice fed a chow diet and samples from bariatric surgery patients. RESULTS: IL-18-/- mice showed increased adiposity and proinflammatory cytokine levels in adipose tissue, leading to glucose intolerance. IL-18 was widely secreted by stromal vascular fraction but not adipocytes from mice's fatty tissue. Chimeric model experiments indicated that IL-18 controls adipose tissue expansion through its presence in tissues other than bone marrow. However, IL-18 maintains glucose homeostasis when present in bone marrow cells. In humans with obesity, IL-18 expression in omental tissue was not correlated with BMI or body fat mass but negatively correlated with IRS1, GLUT-4, adiponectin, and PPARy expression. Also, the IL-18RAP receptor was negatively correlated with IL-18 expression. CONCLUSIONS: IL-18 signaling may control adipose tissue expansion and glucose metabolism, as its absence leads to spontaneous obesity and glucose intolerance in mice. We suggest that resistance to IL-18 signaling may be linked with worse glucose metabolism in humans with obesity.

Double-blind placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial of ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) in the prophylactic treatment of migraine.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown an analgesic effect of ginger in the acute treatment of migraine, and there is anecdotal evidence of its efficacy in migraine prophylaxis. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the potential of ginger to prevent migraine attacks. METHODS: This double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial took place at the Headache Clinic, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil), involving 107 patients. Only subjects diagnosed with episodic migraine, aged between 18 and 60 years old, and who were not taking any prophylactic medication, were enrolled in the study. After one month of observation, subjects selected for the study were randomized 1:1 into placebo and treatment groups. Patients received capsules three times per day of 200 mg of dry extract of ginger (5% active ingredient) or placebo (cellulose) for three months. Visits were performed monthly and the patients were asked to fill in a migraine diary. The adherence to treatment was evaluated by counting capsules. RESULTS: The percentage of patients who responded to treatment (i.e. a reduction of 50% in the number of migraine attacks at the end of treatment) did not differ between the groups. There was a decrease in the number of days with severe pain, analgesic use for acute migraine and duration of migraine attacks in both groups, without significant difference between ginger and placebo groups. CONCLUSIONS: Ginger provides no greater benefit in the prophylactic treatment of migraine when compared to placebo. This trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02570633).

Altered Serum Levels of Renin-Angiotensin System Markers in Migraine.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the serum levels of renin-angiotensin system (RAS) components between patients with migraine and healthy controls, and to evaluate whether these levels are associated with migraine severity. We hypothesized that migraine would be associated with the activation of the inflammatory arm of the RAS, possibly leading to increased levels of angiotensin (Ang) II. BACKGROUND: Recent studies have proposed the use of drugs that interfere with RAS, a hormonal system primarily implicated in blood pressure regulation, as a prophylactic strategy for migraine. However, no previous studies have directly assessed RAS components in migraine. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study involving 30 patients with episodic migraine who were in the interictal period and 20 healthy controls. This study was conducted at Hospital das Clínicas (Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil) outpatient clinic. Headache severity was evaluated using the Headache Impact Test, version 6 (HIT-6) and the Migraine Disability Test (MIDAS) questionnaires. Given that migraine is comorbid with mood disorders, depressive and anxious symptoms were evaluated using the Beck Anxiety and Depression Inventories (BDI and BAI), respectively. Clinical and demographic data were also collected. Serum levels of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), ACE2, Ang II, and Ang (1-7) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Patients with migraine and controls were comparable in age, body mass index, blood pressure, and depressive and anxious symptoms. Patients with migraine showed lower levels of ACE [85.2 (66.8, 101.2) vs 65.5 (54.2, 77.5); P = .005] and lower ACE/ACE2 ratio [4.3 (3.4, 5.2) vs 3.5 (2.9, 4.1); P = .032] than controls. Conversely, patients with migraine had higher levels of Ang II [309.7 ± 147.4 vs 605.4 ± 200.4; difference: -287.1 (95% CI: -391.4--182.8), P < .001] and Ang (1-7) [214.4 ± 155.8 vs 397.9 ± 217.9; difference: -184.6 (95% CI: -296.7--72.6), P = .001] than controls. There were no correlations between RAS serum markers and migraine severity scores (HIT and MIDAS) or depressive and anxious symptoms (BDI and BAI) (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: Altogether, our results suggest the participation of RAS in migraine pathophysiology, but not in its severity.

The transtheoretical model is an effective weight management intervention: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Given the current worldwide epidemic of obesity, there is a demand for interventions with higher impact, such as those carried out in the primary health care (PHC) setting. Here we evaluate the effect of intervention performed according to the stages of change of the transtheoretical model (TTM) for weight management. METHODS: This randomized controlled trial in Brazilian PHC offered free physical exercise and nutrition education. The participants were women, aged 20 years or older who were obese or overweight, users in PHC service. The intervention group (IG, n = 51) received the same orientation as the comparison group (CG, n = 35) plus individual health counseling based on the TTM aimed at weight loss, which lasted 6 months. The outcome measures were anthropometric, food, and nutrient profiles. Inflammatory parameters were evaluated in a random subsample. The inter-group and intra-group differences were evaluated using interntion-to-treat analysis, and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) used to assess intervention effectiveness. RESULTS: There was a difference between groups of - 1.4 kg (CI95%: - 2.5; - 0.3) in body weight after the intervention. About 97% of women in the IG reported benefits of the intervention and presented positive changes in diet, biochemical markers, and anthropometry. The IG showed better body mass index, resistine, and blood glucose results compared to the CG during follow-up. CONCLUSION: The individualized TTM-based intervention, combined with usual care, was an effective strategy in PHC. These results should encourage the use of interdisciplinary practices; nevertheless, research to identify additional strategies is needed to address barriers to weight maintenance among obese low-income women. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The trial is registered with Brazilian clinical trials under the code: RBR-8t7ssv, Registration date: 12/12/2017 (retrospectively registered).

Aerobic training induces differential expression of genes involved in lipid metabolism in skeletal muscle and white adipose tissues.

Aerobic training induces adaptive responses in skeletal muscles and white adipose tissues, thus facilitating lipid utilization as energy substrates during a physical exercise session. However, the effects of training on cytokines levels and on transcription factors involved in lipid metabolism in muscle and different white adipose depots are still unclear; therefore, these were the aims of the present study. Nineteen adult male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to a trained group or a control, non-trained group. The 10-week training protocol consisted of running on a treadmill, during 1 hour per day, 5 days per week, at 75% of maximum aerobic speed. As expected, trained rats improved their aerobic performance and had augmented citrate synthase activity in the soleus, while the control rats did not. Although body weight was not different between groups, the adiposity index and white adipose depots (ie, epididymal and retroperitoneal) were reduced in trained rats. Training reduced serum concentration of insulin, but failed to change serum concentrations of glucose, triacylglycerol, total cholesterol, and nonesterified fatty acids. Training increased sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c expression in the gastrocnemius and epididymal adipose tissue, and reduced peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) expression in most of the tissues analyzed. The expression of PPARα and carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 increased in the gastrocnemius and mesenteric adipose tissue but reduced in epididymal adipose tissue. Triacylglycerol content and tribbles 3 expression reduced in the gastrocnemius of trained rats. Tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 were increased in all adipose depots evaluated. Collectively, our data indicate that the 10-week aerobic training changed gene expression to improve muscle oxidative metabolism and facilitate lipid degradation in adipose tissues. Our data also highlight the existence of adaptive responses that are distinct between the skeletal muscle and white adipose tissue and between different adipose depots.

Double-blind placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial of ginger ( Zingiber officinale Rosc.) addition in migraine acute treatment.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have demonstrated the analgesic effects of ginger in different conditions, but evidence about its efficacy in migraine treatment is scarce. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the potential of ginger to improve acute migraine as an add-on strategy to standard treatment. METHODS: A double-blind placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial in the emergency room of a general hospital was conducted. Patients who sought medical care at the time of migraine attack were enrolled in this study. Only adults with episodic migraine (one to six migraine attacks per month) with or without aura were included. Sixty participants were randomized into two groups in which they received 400 mg of ginger extract (5% active ingredient) or placebo (cellulose), in addition to an intravenous drug (100 mg of ketoprofen) to treat the migraine attack. Patients filled a headache diary before, 0.5 h, 1 h, 1.5 h and 2 h after the medication. Pain severity, functional status, migraine symptoms and treatment satisfaction were also recorded. RESULTS: Patients treated with ginger showed significantly better clinical response after 1 h ( p = 0.04), 1.5 h ( p = 0.01) and 2 h ( p = 0.04). Furthermore, ginger treatment promoted reduction in pain and improvement on functional status at all times assessed. CONCLUSIONS: The addition of ginger to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may contribute to the treatment of migraine attack. This trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02568644).

Preventive rather than therapeutic treatment with high fiber diet attenuates clinical and inflammatory markers of acute and chronic DSS-induced colitis in mice.

PURPOSE: Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) are chronic inflammatory disorders with important impact on global health. Prebiotic and probiotic strategies are thought to be useful in the context of experimental IBD. Here, we compared the effects of preventive versus therapeutic treatment with a high fiber diet (prebiotic) in combination or not with Bifidobacterium longum (probiotic) in a murine model of chronic colitis. METHODS: Colitis was induced by adding dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) to drinking water for 6 days (acute colitis) or for 5 cycles of DSS (chronic colitis). RESULTS: Administration of the high fiber diet protected from acute colitis. Protection was optimal when diet was started 20 days prior to DSS. A 5-day pretreatment with acetate, a short-chain fatty acid, provided partial protection against acute colitis. In chronic colitis, pretreatment with the high fiber diet attenuated clinical and inflammatory parameters of disease. However, when the treatment with the high fiber diet started after disease had been established, overall protection was minimal. Similarly, delayed treatment with acetate or B. longum did not provide any protection even when the probiotic was associated with the high fiber diet. CONCLUSION: Preventive use of a high fiber diet or acetate clearly protects mice against acute and chronic damage induced by DSS in mice. However, protection is lost when therapies are initiated after disease has been established. These results suggest that any therapy aimed at modifying the gut environment (e.g., prebiotic or probiotic strategies) should be given early in the course of disease.

Osteopetrosis in obese female rats is site-specifically inhibited by physical training.

NEW FINDINGS: What is the central question of this study? Clinical studies suggest that obesity 'protects' against osteoporosis. However, these studies used only bone densitometry and assessed only one bone site, which is insufficient to enable conclusions to be drawn about the response of the whole skeleton. Furthermore, the effects of exercise on bone responses in obesity have not been explored previously. What is the main finding and what is its importance? We show that obesity causes osteopetrosis. Therefore, the classical perspective of 'protective effects of obesity' needs to be reviewed, and exercise is an important tool to avoid these alterations and to maintain the homeostasis of bone. A sedentary lifestyle and obesity induce systemic inflammatory responses. Although the effects of physical inactivity on osseous tissue have been well established, the effects of obesity on bone tissue remain controversial. Furthermore, the effects of physical training on bone tissue responses in the presence of diet-induced obesity are unknown. Our aim was to investigate the effects of obesity and physical training at multiple bone sites in rats. Female Wistar rats were divided into the following four groups: (i) control diet, non-trained (C-NT); (ii) high-refined carbohydrate-containing diet, non-trained (HC-NT); (iii) control diet, trained (C-T); and (iv) high-refined carbohydrate-containing diet, trained (HC-T). At 5 months of age, the rats were submitted to daily exercise for 30 min day(-1). After 13 weeks, blood samples, adipose and skeletal tissues were harvested. Two-way ANOVA was applied to detect differences (significance accepted when P ≤ 0.05). The HC-NT group exhibited increased body mass, adiposity, serum leptin, serum insulin, insulin resistance index and concentrations of tumour necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6. Obese rats (HC-NT) exhibited thickening of nasal bones, trabecular bones in the lumbar vertebrae and long bones in a site-dependent manner. The HC-T group exhibited similar adiposity and inflammatory results. Morphological analysis of the lumbar vertebrae in rats fed the HC diet revealed characteristics of osteopetrosis that were inhibited by exercise. In conclusion, the HC diet induced obesity and inflammatory/hormonal alterations and increased the trabecular bone in a site-dependent manner. However, obesity caused osteopetrosis in the lumbar vertebrae, which could be inhibited by physical training. Although exercise inhibited the development of bone alterations, physical training did not inhibit the HC diet-induced obesity responses.

Evaluation of calcium supplementation with algae (Lithothamnion muelleri) on metabolic and inflammatory parameters in mice fed a high refined carbohydrate-containing diet.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the potential of calcium supplementation from Lithothamnium muelleri algae on metabolic and inflammatory parameters in mice with increased adiposity. Male mice were fed and divided during 8 weeks in: control (C), a high refined carbohydrate-containing diet (HC), HC diet supplemented with 1% of Lithothamnion muelleri algae (HC + A) and HC diet supplemented with 0.9% calcium carbonate (HC + C). Animals fed HC diet had increased body weight gain and adiposity, serum glucose and cholesterol, glucose intolerance and decreased insulin sensitivity, compared to control diet. However, the HC + A and HC + C groups did not prevent these aspects and were not able to change the CD14 + cells population in adipose tissue of animals fed HC diet. Calcium supplementation with Lithothamnium muelleri algae and calcium carbonate had no protective effect against the development of adiposity, metabolic and inflammatory alterations induced by HC diet.

High resting energy expenditure in women with episodic migraine: exploring the use of predictive formulas.

Introduction: Migraine is a common and disabling primary headache, and its pathophysiology is not fully understood. Previous studies have suggested that pain can increase humans' Resting Energy Expenditure (REE). However, no previous study has investigated whether the REE of individuals with migraine differs from the general population. Therefore, this study aims to assess whether the REE of women with migraine differs from that of women without headaches. We also tested the accuracy of REE predictive formulas in the migraine patients. Methods: This cross-sectional study involves 131 adult women aged between 18 and 65 years, 83 with migraine and 48 without (controls). We collected clinical, demographic, and anthropometric data. Migraine severity was measured using the Migraine Disability Test and Headache Impact Test, version 6. The REE was measured by indirect calorimetry, and it was compared with the predicted REE calculated by formulas. Results: Patients with migraine had higher REE when compared to controls (p < 0.01). There was a positive correlation between REE and the patient-reported number of migraine attacks per month (Rho = 0.226; p = 0.044). Mifflin-St Jeor and Henry and Rees were the predictive formulas that have more accuracy in predicting REE in women with migraine. Discussion: Considering the benefits of nutritional interventions on treating migraines, accurately measuring REE can positively impact migraine patient care. This study enhances our understanding of the relationship between pain and energy expenditure. Our results also provide valuable insights for healthcare professionals in selecting the most effective predictive formula to calculate energy expenditure in patients with migraine.

Acute exercise modulates the inflammatory response in adipose tissue in both lean and obese mice.

OBJECTIVES: Acute physical exercise acts as a metabolic stressor, promoting activation of the immune system, and this response could be relevant in the adipose tissue remodeling process. In addition, some cytokines have important functions in lipolysis. Because chronic exercise improves obesity-related metabolic and inflammatory dysfunction, herein we investigated the effect of acute exercise on the inflammatory responses in the adipose tissues of lean and obese mice. METHODS: Lean mice were fed a standard chow diet, whereas obese mice were fed a high-refined carbohydrate diet for 8 wk. Both groups were subjected to 60 min of moderate-intensity exercise. RESULTS: In the epididymal adipose tissue of lean mice, exercise enhanced interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α levels, which correlated positively with increased serum free fatty acid concentrations. In vivo confocal imaging of epididymal adipose tissue vessels revealed higher recruitment of neutrophils after exercise. Also, the number of leukocytes expressing CD11b+F480- was elevated 6 h after exercise. Similarly, the chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 1 level increased at 6 h and remained high until 24 h after exercise. Myeloperoxidase activity was increased at 6, 12, and 24 h after exercise. Surprisingly, however, no changes were observed in epididymal adipose tissue from obese mice, considering proinflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α). On the other hand, IL-13, IL-4, and IL-10 levels were higher in obese mice after exercise. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that acute exercise promotes an inflammatory response in the adipose tissue of lean mice that is observed as part of its role in adipose tissue remodeling. In contrast, acute exercise promotes an antiinflammatory response in adipose tissue from obese mice, likely as an important tool for restoring homeostasis.

Metabolic and behavioral effects of time-restricted eating in women with overweight or obesity: Preliminary findings from a randomized study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of 8 wk of time-restricted eating (TRE) along with a caloric restriction on metabolic profile, metabolic rate, symptoms of mood, and eating disorders and weight loss in women with overweight or obesity. METHODS: Women age 18 to 59 y with a body mass index of ≥25 kg/m2 were enrolled in this parallel-arm, randomized, clinical trial. Participants were randomly allocated into two groups (8-h TRE or non-TRE group) using a 2:1 allocation strategy. Both groups received a diet plan with caloric restriction. Body weight, resting metabolic rate, metabolic profile, and symptoms of mood and eating disorders were evaluated at baseline and on follow up. RESULTS: Thirty-six subjects were included in this study, with 24 in the TRE group and 12 in the non-TRE group. Subject in the TRE group showed more pronounced loss of weight, body fat mass, and fat-free mass than those in the non-TRE group. These losses were not associated with changes in resting metabolic rate, metabolic profile, and eating or mood disorder symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that 8 wk of TRE does not influence behavioral parameters in individuals with overweight or obesity, but could lead to weight loss.

Effect of high-refined carbohydrate diet on intestinal integrity.

OBJECTIVES: One of the leading causes of obesity is the consumption of excess nutrients. Obesity is characterized by adipose tissue expansion, chronic low-grade inflammation, and metabolic alterations. Although consumption of a high-fat diet has been demonstrated to be a diet-induced obesity model associated with gut disorders, the same effect is not well explored in a mild-obesity model induced by high-refined carbohydrate (HC) diet intake. The intestinal tract barrier comprises mucus, epithelial cells, tight junctions, immune cells, and gut microbiota. This system is susceptible to dysfunction by excess dietary components that could increase intestinal permeability and bacterial translocation. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether an HC diet and the alterations resulting from its intake are linked to small intestine changes. METHODS: Male BALB/c mice were fed a chow or an HC diet for 8 wk. RESULTS: Although differences in body weight gain were not observed between the groups, mice fed the HC diet showed increased adiposity associated with metabolic alterations. The interferon-γ expression and myeloperoxidase levels were increased in the small intestine in mice fed an HC diet. However, the intestinal villi length, the expression of tight junctions (zonula occludens-1 and claudin-4) and tumor necrosis factor-α cytokine, and the percentage of intraepithelial lymphocytes did not differ in the jejunum or ileum between the groups. We did not observe differences in intestinal permeability and bacterial translocation. CONCLUSION: Metabolic alterations caused by consumption of an HC diet lead to a mild obesity state that does not necessarily involve significant changes in intestinal integrity.

Eosinophils protect from metabolic alterations triggered by obesity.

BACKGROUND: Eosinophils are generally related to helminth infections or allergies. Their association with metabolic alterations and adipose tissue (AT) remodeling has been demonstrated mainly in animal models of obesity. However, their physiological role in driving metabolic features has not yet been well described. Herein, we aimed to evaluate the participation of eosinophils in metabolic and adipose tissue homeostasis in mice and humans, focusing on a translational perspective. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Male BALB/c wild-type (WT) mice and GATA-1 knockout (Δdb/GATA-1-/-) mice were followed until 16-week-age in a regular diet or were fed with a high-refined-carbohydrate (HC) diet or high-fat (HF) diet for eight weeks. In subjects with obesity, clinical parameters and omental AT gene expression were evaluated. RESULTS: Eosinophils lack in mice fed a regular diet induced insulin resistance and increased adiposity. Their adipose tissue showed augmented cytokine levels, which could be attributed to increased leukocytes in the tissue, such as neutrophils and pro-inflammatory macrophages. Bone marrow transplant from WT mice to Δdb/GATA-1-/- mice showed some improvement in glucose metabolism with lower adipose tissue mass accretion. Upon an unhealthy diet challenge, Δdb/GATA-1-/- mice fed HC diet showed a mild degree of adiposity and glucose metabolic dysfunction severe in those mice fed HF diet. The expression of eosinophil markers in omental AT from humans with severe obesity was positively correlated to eosinophil cytokines and insulin sensitivity surrogate markers and negatively correlated to systemic insulin, HOMA-IR, and android fat mass. CONCLUSIONS: Eosinophils seem to have a physiological role by controlling systemic and adipose tissue metabolic homeostasis by modulating glucose metabolism, inflammation, and visceral fat expansion, even in lean mice. Indeed, eosinophils also seem to modulate glucose homeostasis in human obesity.

Dietary supplementation with omega-3-PUFA-rich fish oil reduces signs of food allergy in ovalbumin-sensitized mice.

We investigated the effect of dietary supplementation with n-3 PUFA (fish oil source) in an experimental model of food allergy. Mice were sensitized (allergic group) or not (nonallergic group) with OVA and were fed with OVA diet to induce allergy signals. Mice were fed with regular diet in which 7% of lipid content was provided by soybean (5% of n-3 PUFA) or fish (25% of n-3 PUFA) oil. Allergic group mice had increased serum levels of antiovalbumin IgE and IgG1 and changes in small intestine, characterized by an increased edema, number of rolling leukocytes in microcirculation, eosinophil infiltration, mucus production, and Paneth cell degranulation, in comparison to non-allergic group. All these inflammatory parameters were reduced in mice fed high-n-3-PUFA diet. Our data together suggest that diet supplementation with n-3 PUFA from fish oil may consist of a valid adjuvant in food allergy treatment.

Ginger supplementation does not increase energy expenditure in female adults.

Food components with thermogenic properties are promising antiobesity agents. Ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) bioactive compounds have a capsaicin-like vanillyl portion, which has been attributed to thermogenic effect in previous experimental studies. However, studies conducted in humans have evaluated only the acute thermogenic effect of ginger, and demonstrated contradictory results. We evaluated the effect of long-term consumption of dry ginger extract on the resting energy expenditure (REE) of female adults with high body adiposity. METHODS: This is a secondary analysis of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial (NCT02570633). Participants age 18 to 60 y were randomly assigned into two groups: Intervention (600 mg of ginger extract daily) and placebo (cellulose). The intervention lasted 3 mo. Anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, and REE were assessed at each visit. RESULTS: A total of 66 female participants with high body adiposity were included in the analysis (mean age: 29 y [range, 20-55 y]; body mass index: 23.3 ± 2.7), with 30 participants in the ginger group and 36 in the placebo group. There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics between the groups. No differences were observed for group × time interaction on REE. Body composition and blood pressure followed the same pattern (all P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Ginger extract consumption for 3 mo did not change the REE, anthropometric, and clinical data of female adults with excess adiposity.

Gluten-Free Diet Reduces Diet Quality and Increases Inflammatory Potential in Non-Celiac Healthy Women.

AIM: Gluten-free diets (GFDs) have gained popularity in the general population. Nonetheless, controlled studies are necessary before decisions can be made to promote GFDs. We aimed to evaluate the effects of gluten intake on body weight, body composition, and resting energy expenditure and observe the changes in nutrient intake caused by GFDs. METHODS: Twenty-three women were kept on a GFD for six weeks and received muffins with 20 g of gluten isolate (gluten period) or muffins without gluten (gluten-free period) in a crossover, single-blind, non-randomized trial. Gastrointestinal symptoms, food frequency questionnaires, body composition, and resting energy expenditure were assessed before the study (habitual or usual diet) and in the third and sixth weeks. Food intake was recorded daily for six weeks. RESULTS: Gastrointestinal symptoms, resting energy expenditure, and body weight and composition were similar during the gluten period and gluten-free period. When the diet of the gluten-free period was compared with the habitual diet, we found an increase in the intake of fat and sodium and a reduction in the intake of fiber and vitamins B1, B6, B12, and folate. The nutrient imbalance caused by a GFD led to an increase in the dietary inflammatory index, thus suggesting that this type of diet has high inflammatory potential. CONCLUSION: Gluten intake (20 g/day) did not alter body composition and resting energy expenditure in healthy women without caloric restriction in the diet for a short period (three weeks). However, a GFD led to changes in the composition of the diet, which worsened the quality of the diet and increased its inflammatory potential.

Contribution of RAS, ROS and COX-1-derived prostanoids to the contractile profile of perivascular adipose tissue in cafeteria diet-induced obesity.

AIMS: Obesity can lead to the loss of the anticontractile properties of perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT). Given that cafeteria (CAF) diet reflects the variety of highly calorie and easily accessible foods in Western societies, contributing to obesity and metabolic disorders, we sought to investigate the impact of CAF diet on PVAT vasoactive profile and the involvement of renin-angiotensin system, oxidative stress, and cyclooxygenase pathway. MAIN METHODS: Male Balb/c mice received standard or CAF diet for 4 weeks. Oral glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity tests were performed, and fasting serum glucose, cholesterol and triglyceride parameters were determined. Vascular reactivity, fluorescence and immunofluorescence analyzes were carried out in intact thoracic aorta in the presence or absence of PVAT. KEY FINDINGS: CAF diet was effective in inducing obesity and metabolic disorders, as demonstrated by increased body weight gain and adiposity index, hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia, glucose intolerance and insulin insensitivity. Importantly, CAF diet led to a significant decrease in aortic contractility which was restored in the presence of PVAT, exhibiting therefore a contractile profile. The contractile effect of PVAT was associated with the activation of AT1 receptor, reactive oxygen species, cyclooxygenase-1, thromboxane A2 and prostaglandin E2 receptors. SIGNIFICANCE: These findings suggest that the contractile profile of PVAT involving the renin-angiotensin system activation, reactive oxygen species and cyclooxygenase-1 metabolites may be a protective compensatory adaptive response during early stage of CAF diet-induced obesity as an attempt to restore the impaired vascular contraction observed in the absence of PVAT, contributing to the maintenance of vascular tone.

Experimental food allergy leads to adipose tissue inflammation, systemic metabolic alterations and weight loss in mice.

To investigate the consequences of food allergy in adipose tissue and metabolism, we used a murine model in which mice have been sensitized subcutaneously with ovalbumin and further received antigen-containing diet. Allergic mice presented a significant weight loss 7 days after oral challenge with a concomitant decrease in epididymal adipose tissue mass. This decrease was associated with increased lipolysis and local inflammation. In adipose tissue of allergic mice there were increased leukocyte rolling and adhesion in the microvasculature, increased number of leukocytes in the tissue, especially macrophages (F4/80(+) cells) and increased pro-inflammatory cytokines levels, including TNF-α, IL-6 and CCL2. In addition, we observed low serum concentrations of triglyceride, glucose, total cholesterol and free fatty acids in the allergic mice. Our results suggest that the induction of food allergy in mice leads to adipose tissue inflammation and systemic metabolic alterations that contribute to the weight loss observed.

Acute effects of dry extract of ginger on energy expenditure in eutrophic women: A randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The thermic effect of food (TEF) is one of the components of total energy expenditure (TEE). Some bioactive compounds present in food could be useful to increase TEE. In this context, ginger has been extensively used as a thermogenic food despite no clear effect has been demonstrated yet. Herein, we evaluated the acute thermogenic effect of gingerol, a bioactive compound present in ginger, in healthy women. METHODS: We carried out a randomized double-masked, cross-over and placebo-controlled clinical trial with 20 healthy eutrophic women. Anthropometric, body composition, indirect calorimetry and clinical variables were collected at baseline and throughout the intervention phase. A standardized breakfast was offered together with two dry extract of ginger capsules (5% gingerol) or a placebo (cellulose). Indirect calorimetry, blood pressure, heart rate, axillary temperature and blood collection were assessed at baseline and thereafter, at 30, 60, 120, 180 and 240 min postprandial. The analyses were repeated with a minimum of seven days' washout period. RESULTS: Ginger intake did not increase the TEF of a standardized breakfast compared to the placebo. Oxygen consumption, respiratory quotient, blood pressure, heart rate, axillary temperature and metabolic profile were not different as well. CONCLUSIONS: Our data show that gingerol did not modify the acute TEF in healthy women. More studies in human subjects, using different concentrations of gingerol, administration methods and intervention type (chronic effect) are necessary to clarify the putative thermogenic effect of ginger. Registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (Thermogenic Effect of Ginger - NCT03089593).