Is there an association of cortisol, DHEA-S and cortisol/DHEA-S ratio with obesity and selected metabolic parameters?

A growing problem of obesity observed worldwide results in an increased interest of its pathogenesis. One hypothesis is the association between hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis and obesity. AIM: The aim of this study was to assess cortisol and DHEA-S secretion and their association with body mass and other selected metabolic parameters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 91 obese patients and 50 non-obese controls were recruited. The obese group was further subdivided into metabolically healthy and metabolically unhealthy individuals. Blood cortisol was assessed in the morning and in the evening. Other laboratory and anthropometric parameters were also checked. In the obese group, DHEA-S was measured additionally and cortisol/DHEAS ratio calculated. RESULTS: Morning and evening cortisol concentrations were comparable in two studied groups (p>0.05). The only significant difference was the morning to evening cortisol amplitude (212.97±140.24 in the obese vs 171.81±94.00 in the non-obese, p=0.04). Cortisol secretion parameters were not correlated with age, body mass or BMI when whole group was analyzed. In the obese group morning cortisol was negatively correlated with body mass (r=-0.29, p=0.01) and cortisol amplitude with body mass (r=-0.26, p=0.02) and BMI (r=-0.22, p=0.04). DHEA-S was negatively correlated with fasting glucose (r=-0,48 p<0.01) and HOMA-IR (r=-0.26 p =0.03) in the obese group, although it was no longer significant after correcting for age. CONCLUSIONS: There is no strong association between cortisol secretion parameters or DHEA-S and obesity; however, some alterations can be observed with increasing body mass. Further studies should explain their potential role in obesity pathogenesis.

Where Do We Stand in the Behavioral Pathogenesis of Inflammatory Bowel Disease? The Western Dietary Pattern and Microbiota-A Narrative Review.

Despite the increasing knowledge with regard to IBD (inflammatory bowel disease), including ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD), the etiology of these conditions is still not fully understood. Apart from immunological, environmental and nutritional factors, which have already been well documented, it is worthwhile to look at the possible impact of genetic factors, as well as the composition of the microbiota in patients suffering from IBD. New technologies in biochemistry allow to obtain information that can add to the current state of knowledge in IBD etiology.

The effects of a low-calorie diet or an isocaloric diet combined with metformin on sex hormones In obese women of child-bearing age.

BACKGROUND: The influence of weight loss treatment on sex hormones profile has been studied mainly in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), but in obese premenopausal women without PCOS it still remains unclear. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of two approaches to obesity treatment on the serum level of sex hormones in obese women of child-bearing age without PCOS. METHODS: 77 obese Caucasian women (aged 31.2 ±8.3 years) were randomized into two groups: 39 women received a low-calorie diet (LC) and 38 received an isocaloric diet plus metformin (IM), for 12 weeks. Anthropometric parameters, body composition and serum concentrations of estradiol (E2), testosterone (T), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA-S) sulfate were evaluated at baseline and after the study. RESULTS: Reductions in body weight, body mass index (BMI), waist and body fat content with an increase  in lean body percent were significant and comparable between the LC and IM group after the trial. The concentrations of serum FSH, LH, E2, DHEA and T did not change in either group after treatment. A tendency towards an increase in the E2 concentration in both groups and a decrease in the T level in the LC group  was observed. The correlations between a change in BMI, fat content, waist-hip ratio and a change in T were documented in the LC group. CONCLUSIONS: A 12-week low-calorie diet and an isocaloric diet combined with metformin produced comparable and significant weight loss with improvements in body composition. Both interventions did not significantly affect FSH, LH and DHEA sulfate serum concentrations, only a trend towards an E2 increase and a T decrease was observed, stronger in LC group. The significant correlations shown between the changes in anthropometric and body composition parameters and T serum levels in women treated with a low-calorie diet alone show the beneficial effect of a lifestyle intervention on the sex hormone in obese premenopausal women.