High prevalence of obesity in rheumatoid arthritis patients: association with disease activity, hypertension, dyslipidemia and diabetes, a multi-center study

Abstract Introduction: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a well-documented independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Obesity may provide an additional link between inflammation and accelerated atherosclerosis in RA. Objective: To evaluate the association between obesity and disease parameters and cardiovascular risk factors in RA patients. Method: Cross-sectional study of a cohort of RA patients from three Brazilian teaching hospitals. Information on demographics, clinical parameters and the presence of cardiovascular risk factors was collected. Blood pressure, weight, height and waist circumference (WC) were measured during the first consultation. Laboratory data were retrieved from medical records. Obesity was defined according to the NCEP/ATPIII and IDF guidelines. The prevalence of obesity was determined cross-sectionally. Disease activity was evaluated using the DAS28 system (remission < 2.6; low 2.6—3.1; moderate 3.2-5.0; high >5.1). Results: The sample consisted of 791 RA patients aged 54.7 ± 12.0 years, of whom 86.9% were women and 59.9% were Caucasian. The mean disease duration was 12.8 ± 8.9 years. Three quarters were rheumatoid factor-positive, the mean body mass index (BMI) was 27.1 ±4.9, and the mean WC was 93.5 ± 12.5 cm. The observed risk factors included dyslipidemia (34.3%), type-2 diabetes (15%), hypertension (49.2%) and family history of premature cardiovascular disease (16.5%). BMI-defined obesity was highly prevalent (26.9%) and associated with age, hypertension and dyslipidemia. Increased WC was associated with diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia and disease activity. Conclusion: Obesity was highly prevalent in RA patients and associated with disease activity.

Carbohydrate and lipid disorders and adipokines levels in relation to body mass index in hypertensive patients / Trastorno del metabolismo de carbohidratos y lípidos y los niveles de adipoquinas en relación con el índice de masa corporal en pacientes con hipertensión

Abstract: Obesity is considered as a valid risk factor for cardiovascular disease, due to the fact that the risk of morbidity and mortality from various causes in obese people is significantly higher. Exact mechanisms of metabolic disorders in hypertension with obesity is still discussible. The aim of the study - to determine the peculiarities of carbohydrate, lipid metabolism changes and activity of adipokines and interleukin-22, in patients with hypertension according to nutritional status. Methods: 80 patients (37 males and 43 females) with essential hypertension (EH) of average age 60.17 years were examined. Carbohydrate, lipid profiles, apolipoprotein B (apo B), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), adiponectin, interleukin-22 (IL-22) were estimated. Results: In patients with EH and obesity was found carbohydrates metabolism abnormalities, that was manifested as hyperinsulinemia, glucose and HbA1c levels elevation and insulin resistance (according to HOMA index). Lipid metabolism disorders were observed as valid increasing of triglycerides and apo B. Body mass index elevation was associated with progressive increasing of TNF-α and PAI-1 concentration with reducing of adiponectin level in the patients with EH. Positive relationships between TNF- and HbA1c, apo B; PAI-1 with glucose levels: negative correlation adiponectin with body mass and waist to hip ratio were detected in the patients with obesity associated (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) EH. Positive significant correlations between apo B and insulin levels, HOMA index, and TNF-α concentration were defined. IL-22 in overweigh and obese patients was significantly higher, correlates negatively with HDL-C. Conclusion: In patients with EH and obesity the adipokine dysfunction was revealed, that correlates with carbohydrate and lipid parameters that indicate increased proinflammatory and prothrombogenic processes.(AU)

Resumen: La obesidad se considera un factor de riesgo válido para las enfermedades cardiovasculares, debido a que el riesgo de morbilidad y mortalidad por diversas causas en personas obesas es significativamente mayor. Los mecanismos exactos de los trastornos metabólicos en la hipertensión con obesidad todavía son discutibles. El objetivo del estudio - determinar las peculiaridades de los carbohidratos, los cambios en el metabolismo de los lípidos y la actividad de las adipoquinas y la interleucina 22, en pacientes con hipertensión según el estado nutricional. Métodos: Se examinaron 80 pacientes (37 hombres y 43 mujeres) con hipertensión esencial (HE) de edad promedio de 60.17 años. Se estimaron los perfiles de carbohidratos, lípidos, apolipoproteína B (apo B), factor de necrosis tumoral-α (TNF-α), inhibidor activador del plasminógeno-1 (PAI-1), adiponectina, interleucina-22 (IL-22). Resultados: En pacientes con HE y obesidad se encontraron anomalías en el metabolismo de los carbohidratos, que se manifestaron como hiperinsulinemia, elevación de los niveles de glucosa y HbA1c y resistencia a la insulina (según el índice HOMA). Se observaron trastornos del metabolismo de los lípidos como aumento válido de triglicéridos y apo B. La elevación del índice de masa corporal se asoció con el aumento progresivo de la concentración de TNF-α y PAI-1 con la reducción del nivel de adiponectina en los pacientes con HE. Relaciones positivas entre TNF- y HbA1c, apo B; PAI-1 con niveles de glucosa: se detectaron correlaciones negativas de adiponectina con masa corporal y relación cintura-cadera en los pacientes con obesidad (IMC ≥ kg/m2) asociada con HE. Se definieron correlaciones positivas significativas entre los niveles de apo B e insulina, el índice HOMA y la concentración de TNF-α. La IL-22 en pacientes con sobrepeso y obesos fue significativamente mayor, se correlaciona negativamente con HDL-C. Conclusión: En pacientes con HE y obesidad se reveló la disfunción de la adipoquina, que se correlaciona con parámetros de carbohidratos y lípidos que indican un aumento de los procesos proinflamatorios y protrombogénicos.(AU)

La tormentosa relación entre las grasas y el desarrollo de la diabetes mellitus tipo 2: actualizado. Parte 2 / The stormy relationship between fats and the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus: Updated. Part 2

En esta parte de la revisión se describe la relación funcional entre el metabolismo de los lípidos y los hidratos de carbono y su interdependencia, desde el ciclo glucosa-ácido grasos y la hipótesis portal de la insulinorresistencia a los nuevos conocimientos sobre los adipocitos marrones y beiges, con énfasis en el normal funcionamiento de un patrón endocrino cuya disfunción es clave en la fisiopatología de la DMT2 y la obesidad. Se discute la ectopia o el asiento de grasa en el tejido magro por incapacidad del tejido adiposo para seguir acopiando lípidos y la actividad endocrina del adipocito, con la producción de moléculas (adipoquinas) que influyen sobre los mecanismos inductores de insulinorresistencia (leptina, adiponectina, TNF-α, resistina, etc.) y disfunción de la célula beta. Se describen la disminución de la capacidad oxidativa en la cadena respiratoria mitocondrial y el renacer del concepto de lipogénesis de novo, ambas favoreciendo el acopie de lípido intracelular. En tejidos magros existen pequeñas reservas intracelulares de lípidos que mantienen la regulación de funciones esenciales, aunque si aparece una sobrecarga lipídica el fenómeno conduciría a una disfunción (lipotoxicidad) y a la muerte celular (lipoapoptosis). La tormentosa relación entre los lípidos y el islote de Langerhans va más allá del esfuerzo funcional que impone la insulinorresistencia periférica sobre la célula β, por efectos directos de los lípidos o de sus derivados sobre la función del islote pancreático. Sin déficit de insulina no se desarrolla diabetes.

In this part of the review, the functional relationship between lipid and carbohydrate metabolisms and their interdependence is described, from the glucose-fatty acid cycle and the portal hypothesis of insulin resistance to the new knowledge on brown and beige adipocytes, with emphasis on the normal functioning of an endocrine pattern in which its dysfunction is a key factor in the pathophysiology of T2DM and obesity. Ectopic fat deposition in lean tissues due to the inability of the adipose tissue to continuously collect lipids and the endocrine activity of adipocytes is discussed. The production of molecules (adipokines) influencing some of the mechanisms involved in the development of insulin resistance (leptin, adiponectin, TNF-α, resistin, etc.) and beta cell dysfunction is also revisited. The decrease in the oxidative capacity in the mitochondrial respiratory chain and the rebirth of the concept of de novo lipogenesis are described, both effects favouring intracellular lipid accumulation. In lean tissues there are small intracellular lipid reserves that help to maintain the regulation of essential functions; however, when a lipid overload occurs the phenomenon could lead to severe cell dysfunction (lipotoxicity), and death (lipo-apoptosis). The stormy relationship between lipids and the Langerhans' islets goes beyond the functional effort imposed by peripheral insulin-resistance on the β cells, either by the direct effect of lipids or by their derivatives on overall pancreatic islet function. Within a scenario of no insulin deficit, diabetes does not develop.

La tormentosa relación entre las grasas y el desarrollo de la diabetes mellitus de tipo 2: actualizado. Parte 1 / The stormy relationship between fats and the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus: An Update. Part 1

Se describe la relación funcional del metabolismo de las grasas y los hidratos de carbono y su interdependencia, desde los tradicionales conceptos del ciclo glucosa-ácidos grasos (Randle) y la hipótesis portal de la insulinorresistencia hasta los nuevos sobre los adipocitos marrones y beiges, con énfasis en el normal funcionamiento de un patrón endocrino cuya disfunción es clave en la fisiopatología: el eje adipoinsular, vinculado funcionalmente incluso con el hipotálamo, la hipófisis y las adrenales, que involucra 2 hormonas adipogénicas (insulina y glucocorticoide) que facilitarían el desarrollo de la grasa omental perivisceral, con fuertes consecuencias metabólicas. Se discute la ectopia o asiento de grasa en tejido magro por incapacidad del tejido adiposo para seguir atesorando grasas y la actividad endocrina del adipocito, con la producción de moléculas que influyen sobre los mecanismos productores de insulinorresistencia (leptina, adiponectina, TNF-α, resistina, etc.) y disfunción insular. Se describe la disminución de la capacidad oxidativa en la cadena respiratoria mitocondrial y el renacer del concepto de lipogénesis de novo, ambas favorecedoras del atesoramiento de grasas intracelular. En tejidos magros existen pequeñas reservas intracelulares de grasas que mantienen una regulación de funciones esenciales, aunque si aparece una sobrecarga lipídica, el fenómeno conduciría a disfunción (lipotoxicidad) y muerte celular (lipoapoptosis). La tormentosa relación entre las grasas y el islote de Langerhans va más allá del esfuerzo funcional que impone la insulinorresistencia periférica sobre la célula β, por efectos directos de los lípidos o sus derivados sobre la función del islote pancreático. Sin déficit de insulina no hay diabetes.

A review is presented on a functional relationship between fat and carbohydrate metabolism and inter-dependence from the traditional concepts of glucose-fatty acids cycle (Randle), and from the insulin resistance portal hypothesis up to the new aspects on brown and beige adipocytes. Emphasis is placed on the normal function of an endocrine pattern, in which its malfunction is the key in the pathophysiology of these conditions: the adipoinsular axis, with a functional link with the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, which involves 2 adipogenic hormones (insulin and glucocorticoid). This has an influence on the development of omental peri-visceral fat, with severe metabolic consequences. A discussion is also presented on the concept of ectopic fat on non-adipose tissues that results in the incapacity of fatty tissue for storing lipids and the considerations about the endocrine activity of adipocyte producing substances that influence several mechanisms that could result in insulin resistance (leptin, adiponectin, TNF-α, resistin, etc.). New aspects are considered regarding the decrease in the oxidative capacity in the mitochondrial respiratory chain, and the rebirth of the concept of de novo lipogenesis that increases the storing of intra-cellular fat. In non-adipose tissues there are small intra-cellular fat quantities for essential functions, but lipid overloading leads to cell dysfunction (lipo-toxicity) and death (lipo-apoptosis). The stormy relationship between fat and Langerhans' Islets goes beyond the functional effort as consequence of peripheral insulin-resistance and the pancreatic beta cell suffers a direct lipid (or derivatives) functional effect. Without insulin deficiency diabetes does not appear.

Hypomagnesemia and its relation with chronic low-grade inflammation in obesity / Hipomagnesemia e sua relação com a inflamação crônica de baixo grau na obesidade

Summary Introduction: The accumulation of visceral fat in obesity is associated with excessive production of proinflammatory adipokines, which contributes to low-grade chronic inflammation state. Moreover, the literature has shown that mineral deficiency, in particular of magnesium, has important role in the pathogenesis of this metabolic disorder with relevant clinical repercussions. Objective: To bring updated information about the participation of hypomagnesemia in the manifestation of low-grade chronic inflammation in obese individuals. Method: Articles published in PubMed, SciELO, LILACS and ScienceDirect, using the following keywords: "obesity," "magnesium" and "low grade inflammation." Results: Scientific evidence suggests that magnesium deficiency favors the manifestation of low-grade chronic inflammation in obese subjects. Conclusion: From literature data, it is evident the participation of magnesium through biochemical and metabolic reactions in protecting against this metabolic disorder present in obesity.

Resumo Introdução: O acúmulo de gordura visceral na obesidade está associado à produção excessiva de adipocinas pró-inflamatórias, o que contribui para o estado de inflamação crônica de baixo grau. A literatura também tem mostrado que a deficiência de minerais, em particular do magnésio, possui papel importante na patogênese desse distúrbio metabólico com repercussões clínicas relevantes. Objetivo: Trazer informações atualizadas sobre a participação da hipomagnesemia na inflamação crônica de baixo grau em indivíduos obesos. Método: Bases de dados Pubmed, SciELO, Lilacs e ScienceDirect, utilizando as palavras-chave: "obesity", "magnesium" e "low grade inflammation". Resultados: As evidências científicas sugerem que a deficiência de magnésio favorece a manifestação da inflamação crônica de baixo grau em indivíduos obesos. Conclusão: É evidente a participação do magnésio, por meio de reações bioquímicas e metabólicas, na proteção contra esse distúrbio metabólico presente na obesidade.

Tejido adiposo como órgano endocrino / Adipose tissue as an endocrine organ

Obesity is a condition in which there is excessive accumulation of subcutaneous and abdominal adipose tissue. This adipose tissue is no longer considered inert and dedicated solely to energy storage. For more than a decade is considered in an active tissue in the regulation of physiological and pathological processes, including immunity and inflammation. Adipose tissue produces and releases a variety of adipokines (leptin, adiponectin, resistin, and visfatin) and cytokine pro - and anti -inflammatory (TNF - alpha 945;, IL-4, IL-6, etc.). Adipose tissue is also implicated in the development of chronic metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes or cardiovascular disease. Obesity is therefore an under lying condition for the appearance of inflammatory and metabolic diseases. These adipokines, behave, according to each physiological state, such as a metabolic disrupter. The environment (diet and sedentary lifestyle) have significantly changed the constitution of this adipose tissue, so that patterns of good nutrition and lifestyle play a critical role in the growth of the adipose tissue...

New concepts in white adipose tissue physiology

Numerous studies address the physiology of adipose tissue (AT). The interest surrounding the physiology of AT is primarily the result of the epidemic outburst of obesity in various contemporary societies. Briefly, the two primary metabolic activities of white AT include lipogenesis and lipolysis. Throughout the last two decades, a new model of AT physiology has emerged. Although AT was considered to be primarily an abundant energy source, it is currently considered to be a prolific producer of biologically active substances, and, consequently, is now recognized as an endocrine organ. In addition to leptin, other biologically active substances secreted by AT, generally classified as cytokines, include adiponectin, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, resistin, vaspin, visfatin, and many others now collectively referred to as adipokines. The secretion of such biologically active substances by AT indicates its importance as a metabolic regulator. Cell turnover of AT has also recently been investigated in terms of its biological role in adipogenesis. Consequently, the objective of this review is to provide a comprehensive critical review of the current literature concerning the metabolic (lipolysis, lipogenesis) and endocrine actions of AT.

Increased immunohistochemical expression of YKL-40 in the spleen of patients with portal hypertension

YKL-40 has been identified as a growth factor in connective tissue cells and also a migration factor in vascular smooth muscle cells. To a large extent, the increase of serum YKL-40 is attributed to liver fibrosis and asthma. However, the relationship of the expression and clinical/prognostic significance of YKL-40 to the splenomegaly of patients with portal hypertension is unclear. In the present study, the expression of YKL-40 was studied by immunohistochemistry in 48 splenomegaly tissue samples from patients with portal hypertension and in 14 normal spleen specimens. All specimens were quickly stored at -80°C after resection. Primary antibodies YKL-40 (1:150 dilution, rabbit polyclonal IgG) and MMP-9 (1:200 dilution, rabbit monoclonal IgG) and antirabbit immunoglobulins (HRP K4010) were used in this study. The relationship of clinicopathologic features with YKL-40 is presented. The expression of YKL-40 indicated by increased immunochemical reactivity was significantly up-regulated in splenomegaly tissues compared to normal spleen tissues. Overexpression of YKL-40 was found in 68.8 percent of splenomegaly tissues and was significantly associated with Child-Pugh classification (P = 0.000), free portal pressure (correlation coefficient = 0.499, P < 0.01) and spleen fibrosis (correlation coefficient = 0.857, P < 0.01). Further study showed a significant correlation between YKL-40 and MMP-9 (correlation coefficient = -0.839, P < 0.01), indicating that YKL-40 might be an accelerator of spleen tissue remodeling by inhibiting the expression of MMP-9. In conclusion, YKL-40 is an important factor involved in the remodeling of spleen tissue of portal hypertension patients and can be used as a therapeutic target for splenomegaly.

Inhibition of mouse brown adipocyte differentiation by second-generation antipsychotics

Brown adipose tissue is specialized to burn lipids for thermogenesis and energy expenditure. Second-generation antipsychotics (SGA) are the most commonly used drugs for schizophrenia with several advantages over first-line drugs, however, it can cause clinically-significant weight gain. To reveal the involvement of brown adipocytes in SGA-induced weight gain, we compared the effect of clozapine, quetiapine, and ziprasidone, SGA with different propensities to induce weight gain, on the differentiation and the expression of brown fat-specific markers, lipogenic genes and adipokines in a mouse brown preadipocyte cell line. On Oil Red-O staining, the differentiation was inhibited almost completely by clozapine (40 microM) and partially by quetiapine (30 microM). Clozapine significantly down-regulated the brown adipogenesis markers PRDM16, C/EBPbeta, PPARgamma2, UCP-1, PGC-1alpha, and Cidea in dose- and time-dependent manners, whereas quetiapine suppressed PRDM16, PPARgamma2, and UCP-1 much weakly than clozapine. Clozapine also significantly inhibited the mRNA expressions of lipogenic genes ACC, SCD1, GLUT4, aP2, and CD36 as well as adipokines such as resistin, leptin, and adiponectin. In contrast, quetiapine suppressed only resistin and leptin but not those of lipogenic genes and adiponectin. Ziprasidone (10 microM) did not alter the differentiation as well as the gene expression patterns. Our results suggest for the first time that the inhibition of brown adipogenesis may be a possible mechanism to explain weight gain induced by clozapine and quetiapine.

Obesity and Gastrointestinal Cancer-related Factor / 대한소화기학회지

Despite a higher incidence and less favorable outcome of malignant tumors in obese patients, much less recognized is the link between obesity and cancer. The mechanism of the association of obesity with carcinogenesis remains incompletely understood. Postulated mechanisms include insulin resistance, insulin-like growth factor signaling, chronic inflammation, immunomodulation, hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress, and changes of intestinal microbiome. Insulin resistance leads to direct mitogenic and antiapoptotic signaling by insulin and the insulin-like growth factor axis. Obesity can be considered to be a state of chronic low-grade inflammation. In obesity, numerous proinflammatory cytokines are released from adipose tissue which may involve in carcinogenesis. Hyperglycemia in susceptible cells results in the overproduction of superoxide and this process is the key to initiating all damaging pathways related to diabetes. This hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress could be one possible link among obesity, diabetes, and cancer development. The role of obesity-related changes in the intestinal microbiome in gastrointestinal carcinogenesis deserves further attention.

Obesity and Colorectal Cancer / 대한소화기학회지

Obesity worldwide is constantly increasing. Obesity acts as an independent significant risk factor for malignant tumors of various organs including colorectal cancer. Visceral adipose tissue is physiologically more important than subcutaneous adipose tissue. The relative risk of colorectal cancer of obese patients is about 1.5 times higher than the normal-weight individuals, and obesity is also associated with premalignant colorectal adenoma. The colorectal cancer incidence of obese patients has gender-specific and site-specific characteristics that it is higher in men than women and in the colon than rectum. Obesity acts as a risk factor of colorectal carcinogenesis by several mechanisms. Isulin, insulin-like growth factor, leptin, adiponectin, microbiome, and cytokines of chronic inflammation etc. have been understood as its potential mechanisms. In addition, obesity in patients with colorectal cancer negatively affects the disease progression and response of chemotherapy. Although the evidence is not clear yet, there are some reports that weight loss as well as life-modification such as dietary change and physical activity can reduce the risk of colorectal cancer. It is very important knowledge in the point that obesity is a potentially modifiable risk factor that can alter the incidence and outcome of the colorectal cancer.

Efeito agudo dos exercícios resistidos sobre a reatividade vascular e adipocitocinas de mulheres com sobrepeso e obesidade / Acute effect of resistance exercises on vascular reactivity and adipocytokines in overweight and obese women

Introdução - O exercício resistido (ER) agudo parece resultar em importantes efeitos sobre a liberação de substâncias vasoativas e sobre o controle endotélio-dependente do tônus vascular. Objetivos - O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar os efeitos agudos de um ER isolado sobre a pressão arterial (PA), frequência cardíaca (FC), fluxo sanguíneo do antebraço (FSA), condutância vascular (CV), respostas endotelial e inflamatória de mulheres jovens com sobrepeso/obesidade (Sp/Ob). Materiais e Métodos - As voluntárias foram separadas em grupos: controle (n=16) e Sp/Ob (n=16). Ambos os grupos realizaram cinco séries de 10 repetições com 70% de uma repetição máxima (1-RM) no exercício de flexão unilateral do cotovelo. A PA, FC e o FSA (medido por pletismografia por oclusão venosa), foram avaliados em repouso e durante uma hora após o ER em ambos os grupos. Adipocitocinas e endotelina-1 (ET-1) foram avaliadas em repouso nos dois grupos e após o ER apenas no grupo Sp/Ob. Resultados - O grupo Sp/Ob apresentou massa corporal e IMC significativamente maiores que o controle (p<0,05). Surpeendentemente, o grupo Sp/Ob apresentou relação cintura-quadril significativamente menor (p<0,05). As diferenças entre grupos nas PAs diastólica e média observadas antes do ER (repouso) foram também observadas imediatamente e 20 minutos após a sessão de ER (p<0,05). Ambos os grupos apresentaram reduções significativas na PA diastólica imediatamente após a sessão de ER (p<0,01). A PA média apresentou redução significativa imediatamente após a sessão de ER apenas no grupo controle (p<0,05). O grupo Sp/Ob apresentou valores de FSA significatimentente maiores que o controle em repouso (p<0,05), em 20 (p<0,01) e em 40 (p<0,01) minutos após o ER. A CV apresentou diferença em repouso, porém em 20 e 40 minutos após o ER, o grupo Sp/Ob apresentou valores significativamente maiores (p<0,01). Em repouso e imediatamente após a sessão de ER, não foram observadas diferenças entre o grupo controle ...

Introduction - Acute resistance exercise (RE) seems to have important effects on release of vasoactive substances and on endothelium-dependet control of vascular tone. Objectives - The aims of our study were to the acute effects of an isolated RE on blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), forearm blood flow (FBF), vascular conductance (VC), endothelial and inflammatory responses of overweight/obese (Ow/Ob) young women. Materials and Methods - The volunteers were assigned in two groups: controls (n=16) and Ow/Ob (n=16). Both groups performed five sets of 10 repetitions with 70% of 1-RM in the unilateral elbow flexion exercise. BP, HR and FBF (determined by venous occlusion plethysmography) were evaluated at rest and along one hour after resistance exercise. Adipocytokines and endothelin-1 (ET-1) were evaluated at rest in both groups and after RE only in the Ow/Ob. Results - The Ow/Ob group presented significant higher body weight and BMI than controls. Of interest, the former group had significant lower waist-to-hip ratio (p<0.05). The significant differences between groups on diastolic and mean BP before resistance exercise (at resting) were observed immediately after and at 20 minutes post-exercise (P<0.05). Differences as a resultant of exercise in each group separately were noted and expressed as significant reduction in diastolic BP immediately post-exercise in both groups (p<0.01). Mean BP reduced immediately post-exercise only in controls (p<0.05). Significant higher basal FBF not only at resting (p<0.05) but also at 20 (p<0.01) and 40 minutes post-exercise (p<0.01) were evident in Ow/Ob group. Although basal FBF was different between groups at resting, basal VC was not. Of note, VC at 20 (p<0.01) and 40 minutes (p<0.01) post-exercise was higher in the Ow/Ob group compared to controls. At resting and immediately post-exercise, no differences between controls and Ow/Ob were observed in endothelial-dependent vasodilatation. We should emphasize ...

Ciclagem da massa corporal em camundongos / Cycling body mass in mice

A obesidade está associada com a inflamação crônica atribuída à liberação de citocinas e adipocinas, à homeostase desregulda da glicemia e à dislipidemia. Intervenções nutricionais são frequentemente acompanhadas por episódios repetidos de perda e recuperação do peso, fenômeno conhecido como “efeito sanfona” ou “ciclagem da massa corporal”. Foram avaliados os efeitos da ciclagem da massa corporal sobre os parâmetros: eficiência alimentar, massa corporal (MC), perfil lipídico, metabolismo de carboidratos, indíce de adiposidade corporal, marcadores inflamatórios, esteatose hepática e triglicerídeo (TG) hepático em camundongos C57BL/6 machos que ciclaram a massa corporal duas ou três vezes consecutivas pela alternância de dieta hiperlipídica (high-fat, HF) e dieta padrão (standard-chow,SC). Após cada ciclo de dieta HF, os animais ficavam cada vez mais pesados e, após cada ciclo de dieta SC, os animais perdiam cada vez menos peso. A ciclagem da massa corporal provocou flutuação nas reservas de gordura e nos lipídeos sanguíneos. O colesterol total dos animais, após mudança da dieta HF para dieta SC, apresentou redução dos seus valores, assim como os TG plasmáticos. No teste oral de tolerância à glicose, após o perído de ingestão da dieta HF, os animais apresentaram intolerância à glicose e, após a troca para dieta SC, os animais continuaram com intolerância à glicose. Em relação as adipocinas e citocinas, a leptina, resistina e o fator de necrose tumoral (TNF) alfa séricos aumentaram após o ciclo da dieta HF e diminuíram após a troca por dieta SC. Ao contrário, a adiponectina sérica diminuiu após dieta HF e aumentou após troca por dieta SC. A IL-6 aumentou após ingestão da dieta HF, porém após a troca para dieta SC, a IL-6 permaneceu elevada. Enquanto o MCP-1 não variou durante as trocas de dietas. A expressão da adiponectina no tecido adiposo diminuiu após a dieta HF e os valores permaneceram reduzidos mesmo após a troca para dieta SC. As expressões da leptina...

Obesity is associated with low-grade chronic inflammation attributed to release of cytokines and adipokines and to dysregulated glucose-insulin homeostasis and dyslipidemia. Nutritional interventions such as dieting are often accompanied by repeated bouts of weight loss and regain, a phenomenon known as weight cycling (WC). In this work we studied the effects of WC on the parameters: feed efficiency, body mass (BM), blood lipids, carbohydrate metabolism, adiposity, inflammatory markers, hepatic steatosis and hepatic triglyceride (TG) in C57BL/6 male mice that WC two or three consecutive times by alternation of a high-fat (HF) diet with standard chow (SC). The body mass (BM) grew up in each cycle of HF feeding, and decreased after each cycle of SC feeding. After three consecutive WC, less marked was the BM reduction during SC feeding, while more severe was the BM increase during HF feeding. After each cycle of the HF diet body mass grew up in each cycle of HF feeding, became increasingly heavier and after each cycle of SC feeding, the animals lost less weight. The WC mass caused fluctuations in fat reserves and blood lipids total cholesterol, after shift the HF diet by SC diet showed a reduction of their values and plasma TG. The oral glucose tolerance test after the regular intake of HF diet, the animals showed glucose intolerance and, after switching to SC diet, the animals continued with glucose intolerance. Regarding the adipokines and cytokines, leptin, resistin and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF) serum increased after the cycle of HF feeding and decreased after the switch to SC feeding. In contrast, serum adiponectin decreased after HF feeding and increased after dietary exchange for SC. The IL-6 increased after intake of HF diet, but after switching to SC feeding, which remained elevated, while the MCP-1 was not changed during the shift of diets. The expression of adiponectin in adipose tissue decreased after the HF feeding and the values remained...

A link between sleep loss, glucose metabolism and adipokines

The present review evaluates the role of sleep and its alteration in triggering problems of glucose metabolism and the possible involvement of adipokines in this process. A reduction in the amount of time spent sleeping has become an endemic condition in modern society, and a search of the current literature has found important associations between sleep loss and alterations of nutritional and metabolic contexts. Studies suggest that sleep loss is associated with problems in glucose metabolism and a higher risk for the development of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus. The mechanism involved may be associated with the decreased efficacy of regulation of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis by negative feedback mechanisms in sleep-deprivation conditions. In addition, changes in the circadian pattern of growth hormone (GH) secretion might also contribute to the alterations in glucose regulation observed during sleep loss. On the other hand, sleep deprivation stress affects adipokines - increasing tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) and decreasing leptin and adiponectin -, thus establishing a possible association between sleep-debt, adipokines and glucose metabolism. Thus, a modified release of adipokines resulting from sleep deprivation could lead to a chronic sub-inflammatory state that could play a central role in the development of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Further studies are necessary to investigate the role of sleep loss in adipokine release and its relationship with glucose metabolism.

Adipose tissue at the crossroads in the development of the metabolic syndrome, inflammation and atherosclerosis / Tecido adiposo na encruzilhada no desenvolvimento da síndrome metabólica, inflamação e aterosclerose

The authors analyze insulin resistance, the metabolic syndrome and endothelial dysfunction as consequence of a common antecedent, a low grade inflammation, indicating that in obesity there is a chronically activated inflammatory state of the adipose tissue. Furthermore, the inflammatory signaling is discussed according to the adipose tissue depot, visceral or subcutaneous.

Os autores analisam a resistência à insulina, a síndrome metabólica e a disfunção endotelial como consequência de um antecedente comum, a inflamação de baixo nível, o que mostra que a obesidade é um estado inflamatório cronicamente ativado do tecido adiposo. Discute-se, aqui, a sinalização inflamatória de acordo com a localização do tecido adiposo subcutâneo ou visceral.

Tejido adiposo / Adipose tissue

El concepto clásico afirma que el tejido adiposo (TA) es parte del tejido conjuntivo y está compuesto por células que almacenan lípidos llamados adipocitos. La distribución del TA es diferente según los sexos. En las mujeres predomina la distribución ginecoide, mientras que en los varones lo hace en la mitad superior (distribución androide). En el hombre hay un predominio de la grasa visceral, con mayor actividad lipolítica. En cambio, en la mujer se almacena energía y sólo la libera en casos extremos como el embarazo y la lactancia, predominando la lipogénesis. La lipólisis y la lipogénesis son procesos simultáneos y el predominio de uno de ellos determinará la dirección del metabolismo del TA. En la actualidad se considera que el TA blanco constituye, como la piel, un órgano productor de ciertas sustancias- adipoquinas- con acción endocrina, paracrina y autocrina. La gran cantidad de receptores para distintos estímulos explican la sensibilidad y adaptación del TA a las múltiples circunstancia metabólicas.

Capacidade dos biomarcadores inflamatórios em predizer a síndrome metabólica / Inflammation biomarkers capacity in predicting the metabolic syndrome

O processo inflamatório é o elo entre a síndrome metabólica e as doenças cardiovasculares. Para medir o grau da inflamação subclínica, vários biomarcadores inflamatórios têm sido propostos. Este trabalho tem como objetivo revisar as recentes pesquisas das associações entre os biomarcadores inflamatórios e a síndrome metabólica, bem como a capacidade daqueles em predizer a síndrome metabólica. Estes biomarcadores incluem as citocinas pró-inflamatórias, citocinas antiinflamatórias, adipocinas, chemocinas, marcadores de inflamação derivados de hepatócitos, marcadores de conseqüência da inflamação e enzimas. Com esta revisão pode-se integrar o novo conhecimento referente às interações possíveis de mediadores inflamatórios com a síndrome metabólica, visto que estes biomarcadores desempenham vários papéis e seguem diversos caminhos metabólicos.

The inflammatory process is the link between metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular diseases. To measure the degree of subclinical inflammation some inflammatory biomarkers have been considered. This work reviews the recent researches of the associations between inflammatory biomarkers and metabolic syndrome, as well as the capacity in predicting the metabolic syndrome. These biomarkers include pro-inflammatory cytokines, anti-inflammatory cytokines, adipokines, chemokines, inflammation markers derived from hepatocites, the consequence markers of inflammation and enzymes. This review integrates the new knowledge of inflammatory mediators interactions with metabolic syndrome, since these biomarkers play different roles and follow diverse metabolic ways.

O tecido adiposo como órgão endócrino: da teoria à prática: [revisão] / Adipose tissue as an endocrine organ: from theory to practice: [review]

OBJETIVOS Mostrar os avanços na pesquisa sobre o papel fisiológico do tecido adiposo branco, ressaltando o seu papel endócrino em processos inflamatórios, no comportamento alimentar, na sensibilização à insulina e na modulação do processo de aterogênese. Abordar o potencial papel do tecido adiposo como fonte de células-tronco para regeneração de tecidos, com especial ênfase para a adipogênese e suas conseqüências para a geração de obesidade. FONTES DE DADOS: Informações importantes constantes da literatura científica foram compiladas de modo a que esta leitura contenha uma síntese esclarecedora dos aspectos mencionados acima. SÍNTESE DOS DADOS:O tecido adiposo possui, além das suas funções clássicas como principal estoque de energia metabólica, suprindo as necessidades energéticas em períodos de carência mediante a lipólise, a capacidade de sintetizar e secretar vários hormônios, as adipocinas. Estas agem em diversos processos, como o controle da ingestão alimentar (leptina) e o controle da sensibilidade à insulina e de processos inflamatórios (TNF-alfa, IL-6, resistina, visfatina, adiponectina). Além disso, como o tecido adiposo contém também células indiferenciadas, tem a habilidade de gerar novos adipócitos, regenerando o próprio tecido (adipogênese), bem como originar outras células (mioblastos, condroblastos, osteoblastos), fato este que tem grande potencial terapêutico em futuro não muito distante. CONCLUSÃO: Amplia-se o leque de possibilidades funcionais do tecido adiposo. A compreensão dessas potencialidades pode fazer deste tecido o grande aliado no combate de moléstias que atualmente vêm assumindo proporções epidêmicas (obesidade, diabetes melito, hipertensão arterial e arteriosclerose), nas quais o tecido adiposo ainda é tido como um grande vilão.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the advances in research into the physiological role of white adipose tissue, with emphasis on its endocrinal role in inflammatory processes, feeding behavior, insulin sensitization and modulation of the atherogenetic process. To deal with the potential role of adipose tissue as a source of stem cells for regeneration of tissues, with special emphasis on adipogenesis and its consequences for development of obesity. SOURCES: Important information was compiled from the scientific literature in order that this analysis contains an explanatory synthesis of the aspects mentioned above. SUMMARY OF THE FINDINGS In addition to its classical functions as primary metabolic energy store, meeting energy requirements during periods of deprivation by means of lypolisis, adipose tissue also has the capacity to synthesize and secrete a variety of hormones - the adipokines. These are active in a range of processes, such as control of nutritional intake (leptin) and control of sensitivity to insulin and inflammatory processes (TNF-alpha, IL-6, resistin, visfatin, adiponectin). Furthermore, since adipose tissue also contains undifferentiated cells, it has the ability to generate new adipocytes, regenerating its own tissue (adipogenesis), and also the ability to give rise to other cells (myoblasts, chondroblasts, osteoblasts), which has great therapeutic potential in the not-too-distant future. CONCLUSIONS: The range of functional possibilities of adipose tissue has widened. An understanding of these potentials could make this tissue a great ally in the fight against conditions that are currently assuming epidemic proportions (obesity, diabetes mellitus, arterial hypertension and arteriosclerosis) and in which adipose tissue is still seen as the enemy.